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by Butch_Stearns from Dedham

Last Post 5 days Ago


Playoff Basketball. It's Different.
Apr 28, 2008 | 11:50 PM
Category: Sports
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Should we be shocked that this series with the Celtics and Hawks is tied at two games apiece? We shouldn't be. Playoff basketball is just different and despite how many great things this 2007-2008 Celtics team has accomplished they still have yet to go through even one full playoff series together as a team.

Think about how many Celtics playoff series we all lived through in the 70's and 80's. I was too young in the 60's to appreciate and or remember the Russell years from personal experience. But the 70's and the 80's playoff series taught us that playoff basketball is war. The ebbs and flows of momentum changes from game to game and often times from quarter to quarter or even from possession to possession. This is when NBA basketball is at its best. When every basket is being contested and every possession means something. Right now that's what's happening to the Celtics with the Hawks and like it or not, this is the first time this group (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) have been through this TOGETHER.

So my suggestion? Strap ourselves in and get ready to enjoy the ride because we could be in for another month or more of this. We'll talk about Doc Rivers coaching in a later blog.

Your thoughts?

Butch

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Member Comments Total Comments: 17
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JoshS read my blog view my photos
Apr 29, 2008 | 5:35 AM

Yes we should be shocked that we're now tied 2-2 with the Hawks. Everything you just mentioned about the Celtics not experiencing a series together is a moot point considering the Hawks are far less experienced than the Celtics are. While these guys have only been playing together for a season the Big 3 on their own have been to the Conference Finals and they quickly came together as a team this season so that's nothing more than an excuse. The first 5 times we played the Hawks (8 games under .500) this season we beat them by double digits. Now all of a sudden their length and athleticism is causing serious problems not to mention the horrible FT shooting last night. This is not how you want to look in the playoffs especially in the first round against an 8 seed.
Wapotheker read my blog
Apr 29, 2008 | 11:41 AM

We hear it every series, on every broadcast. The playoffs are about adjustments. The Hawks have made theirs. Doc has yet to counter. And yes, I think we should be shocked if for no other reason than not a single living soul north of Atlanta thought this series would go more than 5 games. Most said an easy sweep, especially after those first two blowouts. Lack of crunch time chemistry may play a factor, and maybe the Hawks arent feeling it because like everyone is saying, they just don't know any better. All I know is all the pressure is squarely on the c's right now. The Hawks are playing with house money at this point, and The Big Three, who already came into the season carrying the questions of "can they win it all," have to really be feeling the pinch at this point. That's why I will make it my personal mission to get the Gaaahden rockin tomorrow night.

NOT IN OUR HOUSE ATLANTA!
TheEliteOne
Apr 29, 2008 | 5:38 PM

I always thought Kevin M. to be smarter than Ainge. Maybe KG is not a post season player and Danny failed to see this. I am little shocked but not surprised the series is tied. Hopefully Wilkons will be not be correct.
Butch_Stearns read my blog view my photos
Apr 29, 2008 | 11:37 PM

Looking forward to game 5.....should be the equal of Bruins Canadiens game 6 crowd wise
rcram123
Apr 30, 2008 | 8:18 AM

Yah we should be shocked, the Hawks are not a good team compared to the Celtics. They need to control the ball and make good shots in game 5 to get the win. No more taking random shots. ITS RIDICULOUS.
JoshS read my blog view my photos
Apr 30, 2008 | 8:45 AM

TheEliteOne...do you actually believe the KG trade was now a bad trade b/c the C's are tied 2-2. It's not as if Garnett has never had success in the postseason...he took the Wolves to the Western Conference Finals in the past...oh yeah he's also one of the best players we've seen during this era. What did we give up? Al Jefferson who will be good but never as good as KG.
mrsmthree read my blog
May 1, 2008 | 11:32 AM

Yes, a little shocked. If you look at the regular season, our starters didn't play as many minutes as they are in the playoffs. Our bench played alot of minutes because of the double digit leads we took in many of those games. It looks like our starters are a little winded. In the regular season Doc Rivers was able to rest them quite a bit because of all the big leads we took. I think now they're just starting to feel what its like to play more than they have been. They were spoiled by all those big wins in the regular season. In order to get that time on the bench to rest, they need to take care of business at the beginning of the game and get the big leads that they're so used to having.
TheEliteOne
May 3, 2008 | 10:17 PM

Josh: How many rings does he have? Regular season means nothing anymore. What's up with all the rest he needed last night? Hopefully he will bring us to the finals. Not holding my breath.
TheEliteOne
May 4, 2008 | 3:37 PM

Butch should clarify on what we exactly gave up for KG. I know it is more than a few players and a 1st round draft choice. The foul KG made today was embarrasing. When you lean into a player on a pic, have the stones to look at him afterward and to stay in the game.
I have a feeling he will not be fouling like that with James on the floor. I don't think the wovles are sitting around talking about the year they went to the finals. I don't conisder a player to be the best in our times when it is only his 2nd time advancing from the first round. If he brings home a ring, I will put him in that category.
TheEliteOne
May 4, 2008 | 6:59 PM

Butch can clarify on what we exactly gave up for KG. I believe it is more than you posted, including a 1st. round draft choice. The foul that he made today on the pic was embarassing. When you foul someome like that, have the stones to look him in the eye afterward. Something tells me KG will not be fouling like that with James on the floor.
Jeff_I read my blog
May 4, 2008 | 7:12 PM

EliteOne not really sure what you're talking about... at all.

Zaza started to come after KG and bait him to do something stupid and KG did the smart move to walk away.

Why would KG risk a Technical foul AND a possible suspension in the next round at the end of a blowout?! That would be ridiculous.
TheEliteOne
May 4, 2008 | 7:51 PM

Walk away..he ran away. The game was won at that point, who cares about a technical. After the foul, he should have stayed and at least looked the guy in the eyes.
Show the next team you are playing you have a little backbone.
Jeff_I read my blog
May 4, 2008 | 7:57 PM

Walk or run, who cares (he didnt run, btw, he showed the ref what he did and why he thought it was a fair pick, to be exact)? He made the smart move.

Kevin Garnett will continue to play games after this one. If he did something stupid, he could get suspended for Round 2.

Zaza has nothing to lose, he can't get suspended from the golf course (if they play golf in the Republic of Georgia). In that instance, KG should not have been in the same hemisphere as anyone who could force him to miss round 2 action.
TheEliteOne
May 4, 2008 | 8:22 PM

If you are going to wear the green, act like a Celtic. Tell me the last Celtic who put someone to the floor and did not look at the guy in the eyes afterward. Putting someone to the floor on a pic is easy. Standing there and looking at him in the eye afterward, is what takes nerve. Nerve is what brings home the ring. I think James has figured this out.
Jeff_I read my blog
May 4, 2008 | 8:37 PM

The point is, if KG did something he would not have been wearing the green for a game or two.

If you'd rather have KG on the bench for a few games in the playoffs all for the sake of acting like a tough guy well, that's all you.

Also, I'm pretty sure KG had his fun staring down Zaza after being headbutted in the face by him earlier in the series.
JoshS read my blog view my photos
May 5, 2008 | 10:27 AM

TheEliteOne...honestly you need to move on. Would you rather have Al Jefferson than Garnett? You were probably a Gerald Green fan weren't you? Do you even watch basketball or are you just a miserable individual who likes to find minor problems to nitpick about and then complain about them? The fact of the matter is KG and Ray Allen came to Boston and joined w/ this team to have the biggest regular season turnaround in NBA history. Yes we all have high expectations for them but why don't you just enjoy the ride...
TheEliteOne
May 5, 2008 | 1:20 PM

Ok Josh: I will take your advice and move on.
I watch the Celtics and have been to many games. The term turnaround is a little premature. Again, regular season doesn't mean much to most anymore. I am very happy they got by Atlanta but most were expecting a sweep.
If they get past the next round, you can start using the word turnaround.
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Butch_Stearns

Got an opinion? I'd love to hear it....I've got a few myself and there's a pretty good chance you don't agree with some of them, so let's hear from you.

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