Losing a family member

KG's words for Perk's departure. Rondo was speechless. Basketball is about people. Perk was people for the team in green. Now he is gone.

There is the distinct possibility that Boston will miss Perk if Shaq is hurt during the playoffs. But if Shaq is on the court, Boston is running this thing. I basically trust Danny, and he cleared those rosters spots for a reason. I expect to Leon Powe and Troy Murphy rounding out a front line anchored by KG, Baby, Daddy. Throw in Krstic for emergencies, and possibly Jermaine if fortune allows. Not bad. Boston had a serious hole at small forward, and Jeff Green is a serious answer.

But chemistry is the key, and losing people hurts. Boston looked a bit dazed against Denver. With home court advantage in the balance, I hope folks settle in as soon as possible.

p.s. Perk is a Celt for life cause that is how the Green roll. Believe that.

p.p.s. I was almost more shocked by the Erden-Harangody trade. Again, I trust Danny. Many of the players he has traded away have not played as well as I thought they would in new surroundings. That said, I think Erden can play, and Harangody ain't half bad.

Celtics in ascendence

Huge win by the Celtics over the Spurs tonight. Rondo was ridiculous. As was Ray. And Baby. And Paul. Some serious basketball is being played in Boston right now. Everyone playing together. Ray's shot was stupid tonight. Same with Baby. Glen made this one play where he picked up Tony Parker on a switch at the top of the key, contested Parker as he tried to get into the lane, and then slid off Parker to seal the baseline, and draw a charge on Richard Jefferson. F the Heat, Lakers and all these fake contenders!

On a lighter note, the night before last I had a blast watchin the Grizzlies play the Thunder. . .which feels crazy just typing it. But the Griz are playing very well. Zebo is a friggin beast. Rudy Gay is freak of nature. Marc Gasol can hold it down in the pivot. Conley has settled in at point. Old friend Tony Allen is kicking ass since he has been inserted in as a starter. Look out.

Crazier still I haven't metioned Durant and Westbrook yet, right? Those brother went nut, no doubt. But with Ibaka struggling and Jeff Green undersized at power forward, OKC is weak up front. Memphis killed em inside.

3 going on 18

Another outstanding team effort by Boston in Game 5. Big guns KG, Pauly P, Rondo and Ray all scored the ball while shooting a good percentage. Everybody play great D and hit the boards. The Celtics made huge plays when they needed to, punctuated by the KG to Pierce to Rondo in bounds play and Rondo's put back offensive rebound over Lamar and the Kobster.

Among the many things that I liked about the Lakers play, the fact that the Kobster was yelling at his teammates was my highlight. That and the fact that during the Kobster's amazing run of 23 consecutive Laker points, the Celtic lead increased from 1 point to 13 points.

I would love to celebrate 18 tonight. But even if somehow L.A. wins Game 6, Boston is winning the series. That has been known since KG slapped the floor half-way through Game 4.

5 Alive

Two very good games so far in Boston. Both Boston and L.A. are playing super defense. The effort and execution have been outstanding. Some of the blocks have been absolutely spectacular, on both sides. Best Finals in a while.

I was not particularly surprised that the Celtics dropped Game 3, in that they have been so up and down at home all season. Ray obviously could not hit the side of the barn. But Paul, Rondo, Baby and Tony Allen also missed several gimmes. Throw in the missed free throws and rushed 3s, and you have the 2010 recipe for a Celtics’ loss. But even in the Game 3 loss, Boston started establishing themselves on the boards and in the paint. KG was awesome. Rasheed and Baby are playing wonderfully together. The length and range of Wallace and the heft and deft of Davis presents problems for L.A., especially with an increasingly hobbled Bynum.

Watching Derek Fisher close out Game 3 was awful. What a clutch son of a gun/scrub ass sucker. But I know Laker fans were feeling ill after Glenn Davis and Nate Robinson controlled the 4th quarter of Game 4. Along with Tony Allen, Baby and Nate gave Boston a powerful burst of youth, energy and athleticism that L.A. could not counter. Through out the Playoffs, these guys have found a rhythm that undeniable. They can lock down their opponents and they attack the rim. Especially when big bad Andrew Bynum is on the sidelines.

Game 5 is gonna be damn fun. Hard to say who has the upper hand. So far, both teams have won the game they needed. Now both teams need to win. Of course, Bynum’s health will be a huge factor. Boston has gained the advantage on the boards after getting pounded early in the series. The team that rebounds wins this series. Another huge factor will be shooting percentage. Boston has missed a TON of good looks on jump shots the last two games--an unfortunate trend at home games all season. One of these next two games, Paul is going to catch fire and drop 30. Lord knows Ray Allen could hit a few more. If Boston wins Game 5, they are winning it all, even if it means winning in 7. Boston plays better on the road. And unlike Game 1& 2, Paul usually goes nuts in his hometown. Plus, you all saw KG pound the floor.

Even up, advantage C's

Lakers got 13 blocks, 20 plus points from Bynum, Gasol and the Kobster, and had the lead with under four minutes to go. Nice set up for a fantastic finish by the green squad.


What a night for Ray. And what scrappy play to win in L.A.


Sheed has his best game yet.


And Pauly P was huge on D.

Back to Boston.

Youch!

Well, that sucked. I thought the sequence in the 3rd where Gasol blocked three straight shots sealed the game. #24 was phenomenal. Ron Ron bombed home 3 from downtown.

The Celtics defense did little to stop Laker penetration, resulting in a free for all on the boards for the Laker bigs. Pretty ugly stuff. KG was bad, Rondo's ball pressure was weak and Ray Allen was saddled with foul problems from the jump.

The good news is that I doubt Boston plays worse, and I sure hope Ron Ron is not going 3-5 from deep every game. Win 1 of 2 in L.A. and return home.

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.
  

Some serious series

Not a week ago, crowds in LA and Boston were chanting for a rematch. Now the respective fan bases need a win. The fun has begun.

I will admit that I am nervous for Boston. Despite the 3-2 advantage, the potential suspension of Kendrick Perkins and the concussion of Glen Davis make Game 6 a tough road to hoe. Rondo does not look right, and Sheed came up hobbling with a bad back in the 4th quarter. Tony Allen’s surgically repaired ankle has flare up. When Boston was cranking, folks were healthy. Now? Gut check time for the Big 3.

I hope the NBA rescinds at least one of the two Perkins’ techs. Perk has earned MANY technicals this year, but the two in Game 5 were total bullshit. Frankly, his ejection assured the Celtics loss given the unforeseen knock out of Davis. If somehow the Celtics lose Perk for Game 6, the NBA should start marketing its refs, cause clearly they are the stars.

What I love about the playoffs is that what happens in one game has so little relevance to what happens in the next. Sure, match ups and sets carry over game to game, but with adjustments and the random bounce of the ball, the outcome is determined by the action on the floor. Boston has been sketchy at home all season. Reserves like Michael Finley, Nate Robinson and Sheldon Williams may be called on to deliver. But if Paul, Ray and KG all show big, the Celtics return to the promised land.

As for LA and Phoenix, I can’t imagine the Lakers losing this series. Los Suns bench is phenomenal, and the zone defense certainly confounds the triangle. But even if Phoenix wins Game 5, the Kobe-Gasol combo seems beyond Los Suns control.

musings during the pregnant pause

This has got to be the longest t.v. time out in League history.

Couple of thoughts while I was passing the time:

Not that it isn’t being said everywhere, but Rondo has taken his game to an extraordinary level. He was an absolute surgeon in Game 2, scoring every big bucket during Orlando’s desperate attempt to reclaim their season. Having watched him play some 250 games these past three years (no lie, I got league pass and dvr), his vocabulary for dominance seems to grow every game.

Did yall catch Dwight Howard’s little Marcel Marceau routine prior to Game 2? As he was slapping five with various team officials in a dramatic pre-game ritual, he stopped in front of two dudes, who on cue fake poured pretend powder on his out-stretched hands, which he then fake threw up in the air ala LeBron ala KG. That’s the kind of creative energy I want my super star exhibiting before the big game.

Is it weird that both Stan Van Gundy and Alvin Gentry have admitted that their team cannot guard its opponent? In other coaching news, thank god we don’t have to listen to Doug ‘I Love You Kobe’ Collins next year. Let’s hope Philly plays well enough that he doesn’t get fired until at least 2012.

Game 1: Advantage Boston

Boston declared their intentions in earnest on pursing championship 18 with a not-nearly-as-close-as-the-score 92-88 Game 1 win in Orlando. Things looked good for the C's from the get. Returned is the defense that won them the Championship in 2008. Boston's bigs swarmed the paint, while perimeter guys denied and jammed passing lanes. Boston's decision to live with Howard and single coverage put huge pressure on Orlando to get open shots from 3 point land.

On the other end of the court, from the opening moments Pierce was on fire and Ray Allen was in attack mode. Ray went to the rack 4 times in the first quarter, scoring a buckets and earning a four of free throws, including a foul on Dwight Howard. Seemed like both Paul and Ray had fresh memories of many of these same Magic whuppin up on them in 2009. Different year, different result. By the time Rondo started to attack in the second quarter, Orlando's defense was officially in shambles. Boston's bench player of Allen, Davis and Wallace all found ways to score.

Boston's third quarter barrage ended the game. Whether the series is still a contest is a question Orlando has to answer.

WBKYA

Aw schucks. Looks like the men in Green have caught a little lighting in a jar, don't cha know.

I could not have imagined this from the Celtics a month ago when the Playoffs began. Garnett is playing brilliantly. For that matter, so are Pierce and Allen. World knows how Rondo is rolling. Throw in Perk, Davis, Sheed and Allen, and you get a juggernaut.

Despite Orlando valiant comeback, Boston essentially crushed them. The Magic have given to the Celtics pretty good this year. In the regular season, as much as Boston has defended Orlando's perimeter attack, the Celtics seemingly had no answer for the inside beef of the Magic. Post season, Boston seems almost a whole new team.

In Game 1, a healthy KG, beastmaster Perkins, Glenn Davis and fired up Sheed ruled the paint. More importantly in what shall certainly be a defensive series, on the offensive end Boston has established serious match up advantages at three positions (Paul-Vince, Ray-Barnes, Rajon-Jameer).

I don't believe in magic

I do believe in KG.

Things were a little bit different last time Boston tangled with the Magic. A bedraggled front line of Perk, Glen Davis, Mikki Moore and Brian Scalabrine played better than anyone might have imagined, taking the soon to be exposed Magic to an improbable 7 games. Boston actually had several chances to win the series, including late game free throw misses by Allen and Pierce. But the Magic were the better team, and they advanced.

The Magic are likely better than last year. Jameer Nelson is a huge upgrade on their side. Vince is going off right now. They have won 13 in a row, including two sweeps in the first two round.

Thing is, with KG on the Celts, I am not sure I like Orlando's chances.

Uh-Oh, what you gawn do now?

Man oh man, what a huge game for the Celts last night. LeBron is hurt, and as such, the rest of the Cavs are exposed as the suckers they are. Boston has match up advantages all over the floor. Sweet old KG is looking spry, and Jamison can only relent in his presence. Mo Williams on Ray Allen? Funny as it sounds. Rondo vs. Anthony Parker? Funnier still. Tony Allen is the fastest guy on the floor not named LeBrondo. Though Shaq has scored on Perk, the Celt's big man is holding down the single coverage. Davis has matched Varejo's energy. Sheed has battled Shaq, Z, Andy, Antwan and Hickson sufficiently. Basically, unless LeBron goes nuts, this series is over Thursday.

Now, of course, Bron could well go nuts. But as Khujo says, even Tyson can get laid down.

Me, Sheed and the Denver Airport

The extreme Sheed lover that I am, you can imagine how disappointing it has been to see his weak-ass play while sporting the Green. His defense, the core of his ability to dominate, has diminished to the point where he is a severe liability. Especially during the the C's last 50 games, anytime Sheed was on the floor and the shot clock was winding down, opposing guards simply drove at him the paint. The result? Either Sheed gave them the matador and allowed an easy lay up, or he gave it a half-assed reach and gave away free throws. Sometimes both. Infuriating, to say the least.

To me, the true litmus test of whether a player you like still has it is during the playoffs. If you feel anxious every time they are on the court, the race is run and the player is done. But however far Sheed has fallen off, there still seems to be some special magic for me as a Sheed fan. That magic happens in the Denver Airport.

See, I was on a flight back from somewhere last summer and had an hour plus to kill in the Mile High city. Using Denver's painfully slow wi-fi, I uploaded the story of Sheed signing with the C's. The exhiliration I felt carried me home to Portland on a cloud of happiness. Rasheed a Celtic. I knew he was on the back end of his career, but how much did he need to do to make Boston better? 20 minutes of D and 3's sounded like a very achievable reality. Then the season began, and Sheed's decline was clear as day. Ughh. It was not even playoffs, and yet I had "Get him off the floor' mantra running by mid January.

At times he seemed dis-enchanted, other times lost..Doc dropped him below Glen Davis in Miami, which gave me relief. But even his 12 minute stints seemed to much. When Rivers mentioned after Game 1 vs the Cavs that he was thinking of elevating Dukie Shelden Williams, both Dave and I agreed it was likely for the best.

But then I returned to the Denver airport. I had a 60 minutes lay-over on my way to Little Rock, enough time to catch most all of the first half, and 13 point scoring outburst Mr. Wallace. While he still had suspect moments on D, his signature fire had returned, at least for a half. I landed in Arkansas a few hours later and logged on to see the Celtics had won in a romp. Sheed had for a game fulfilled the fantasies that were birthed in Denver some 9 months prior.

I am in Denver as I blog this, now returning home. My next trip through this airport in on June 1. Just in time for the Finals.

3-0 and clear seas ahead

Watch out now. Boston seems to have found a grove. Pauly P and Ray-Ray are filling it up, and the defense looks tight. Glenn Davis and Tony Allen are bringing tremendous energy off the bench. The KG era Celts have never had a 3-0 playoff series. Guys are healthy.

Let's go Bulls!

Of Craptors, Clowns and Crowns

I know I have no good reason to be surprised, but the depth of Toronto's suckiness somehow has caught me off guard. Aside from home wins over Cleveland and Miami, TDot has yet to beat a good team. Worse still, they have lost 5 games to East leaders Boston, Orlando, and Atlanta by an average of 16+ points. In fairness Toronto has played 14 of its first 25 on the road. Still, .400 basketball is a disappointment.

Remember when there was some buzz about the Wizards contending? Somehow the return of Arenas and the acquisitions of Mike Miller, Randy Foye, and Fabricio Oberto would allow the Wiz to make a Celtic-like turn around from there miserable 19 win 08-09 campaign. Unless Washington starts developing some defensive chemistry, they will remain a laughing stock.

Speaking of them Celtics, Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins are both playing on an incredibly high level. The young duo have led the charge during the Celts current 9 game run. Rondo has become a floor maestro of the highest order. Scarier still, he seems to have mastered a 16 foot pull up foul line left. Perk is a friggin beast. A constant defender, he has developed a forceful post game. With Boston's superior ball movement, the C's regularly find Perk for crushing jams and easy lay ins. Wait til Baby returns. A lethal mix of young and old.

6-0

Good game in Minny. Boston is rolling, but the Twolves gave them a run. Minnesota shot lights out for 3 quarters. But Boston tightened the vice on D as the game progressed, and Boston squeaked one out.

I love Ryan Gomes. Jefferson looks almost 100%. Corey Brewer may have found his grove. I hope Love gets back soon.

As for Boston, these guys are playing great ball. Marquis Daniels, Rasheed Wallace and Eddie House are a super combo off the bench.

I am loving Sheed is Boston. His D. His 3. And his aura rubs off on the team. I heard Kendrick Perkins bellowing ‘ball don’t lie’ after a missed free throw. After Sheed got T’d up from the bench, commentator Tommy Heinsohn gave an eloquent apology, citing his own penchant for getting techs as a playwer and a coach. Frankly, listening to Heinsohn getting fired up when he gets frustrated with calls as an announcer comfirms their similarity. Love it.

Another gem from the telecast: The Celtics’ sideline reporter was in the Wilves locker room prior to the game, and wanted to talk to Bill Laimbeer. When Bad Boy Bill was informed that a reporter from the Celtics broadcast team wanted to talk to him, he said “‘bleep’ Boston”. Love it.

Uh Oh

KG on Sheed:

"In the pickups we've played here, you already see it -- him and I on the same page -- we don't even have to talk a lot," said Garnett. "I can't even describe it, it's weird. And to be honest, it's just weird to see him here in the green, and see how our chemistry is without even touching the ball, just how we flow."