Mile High, Awaiting Banner 18

Another layover in Denver, and the Celtics are rollling on a quest for 18.

When I was last here, I was hoping/worrying about Sheed's ability to step up to the Playoff challenge. But just like Eminem once cited the Hip Hop community for forgetting about Dre, I cite myself for forgetting about Ubuntu.

Boston wins because they are a team. The Celtics have not had the same lead scorer in consecutive games in the Playoffs. Four different bench players have scored 12 plus points. Ya, we need Sheed. But Boston depends on NO one, two, Big Three or Big Four. Ubuntu baby!

I think Boston is gonna run L.A. just like they ran the King and the Clown Prince Howard. The Lakers are certainly the most formidable offensive team the Celtics have seen so far because of the Kobster-Gasol combo. Gasol is the most accomplished scoring big man in the game, and the Kobster is streaking at an all time high. That said, both Cleveland (102.1) and Orlando (102.8) put up more points per game over the regular season than the Lake Show (101.7), and Boston KILLED their offensive flow. The Celtics play a brand of team defense that is a deadly as it is beautiful. Lakers better hope they can win games decided in the high 80's and low 90's, because the days of 110 and gone with the setting Suns.

Now consider that the Lakers' defense has little or no hope is slowing down Boston. Though L.A. was vastly improved on the defensive end, they are not in the class of either the Cavs or the Magic. They got carved up by both the Suns and greatly depleted Jazz. Though Boston does not sacrifice defensive balance to score like the Suns and Jazz, the Celtic's offense in the playoffs has been outstanding. The half-court execution has been methodical and efficient. In the open court, Rondo, Ray and Tony Allen have been flying down the court and attacking the rim. . . and that has been with LeBron and DHoward erasing at least a fast break basket a game. L.A. cannot guard the rim like that in the open court. The result will be multiple easy Boston baskets.

This will be a series of great match-ups: KG vs Gasol, Pauly P vs Ron Ron, Rondo and Ray vs the Kobster and Fisher, Perk vs Bynum, Davis and Sheed vs. Lamar, Tony Allen vs. Shannon Brown and Big Ears. But match-ups are more Hollywood than hardwood when it comes to the Celtics' formula. Team play will rule the day. Always been that way. Ubuntu.

Couple closing thoughts on the Celtics-Orlando series:

• Vince needs to hang it up. His acrobatic avoidance of contact during most of the series was shameful. I have never been a big Vince hater. He is a great performer and a weak competitor. Join the Globetrotters, VC.
• Until Nate-dog exploded for 13 in the Orlando clincher, he was running neck and neck with Ray Allen's mother for the mascot spot vacated by Eddie House's son Jaelen. The cameras seem to love the unexpected, energetic but cute cheer leader, and both Nate and Mrs. Allen fit the bill in the first three rounds. Another on court outburst in the Finals, and Nate's nobody's mascot.
  
• I was of course happy to see Dukie Redick put back in his place by reality, but he had some good moments for Orlando filling in for Vince. Guess I should have included this in the Vince bullet, huh?
• In a 'could we possibly be this stupid' moment to remember, the announcer duo of Jeff Van Gundy and Marc Jackson distinguished themselves in a Game 6 talking about Bill Russell. Van Gundy brings up that Bill Russell won 5 MVP's, while being selected three times First team All-NBA. Van Gundy and Jackson explode with dismay about how stupid the selection process was for not putting the MVP. on the First Team. Dumb Breen says (accurately) "Well, that is because of Wilt." Van Gundy and Jackson jump on Breen like it was his decision, and precious minutes of live basketball go on without mention. What is so stupid for me is that the explanation of Russell's 5 MVPs vs 3 First Team All NBA selections is very simple: When Russ played, the players voted for MVP, not the media. All NBA Teams have always been selected by sports journalists. Such ignorance from high profile announcers is weak.