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May 01, 2005
I Take It Back
Obviously, the standard for Boston sports turnarounds was set back in October. But the Celtics' performance in Game 4 was almost as dramatic. A simultaneously solid and spectacular performance. A team, which was floundering, took the Pacers to school. It was amazing. Where do we begin?
How about the starting lineup? Without Antoine, Doc was forced to improvise, and he did, brilliantly. Starting Delonte and Ricky in place of Walker and Tony Allen, he forced the point-guard-less Pacers into a wretched offense, and with West and Ricky pressing, it freed up Gary Payton to concentrate defensively on stuffing Reggie Miller. I implore you, Doc, leave this starting five in place. I suddenly love the idea of Antoine coming in to thunderous Garden applause as the sixth man on Tuesday.
How about the teamwork? Everyone contributed. Everyone. Al Jefferson played some monstrous defense. Raef Lafrentz kept Jermaine O'Neal bottled up. Tony had some amazing followups on misses. Even Justin Reed hit a coffin-nail-driving shot.
How about The Man? The first two points of the game were scored by Paul Pierce, and I muttered something like, "Time to make this a career-defining game, Paul." It may not have been as great as his role in the comeback against Jersey three years ago, but it was close. Paul hit shots from everywhere. He had 5 (five!) (!) blocks. He led two of the best fast breaks of the year, nailing first GP, then Big Al, with pinpoint downcourt passes. He buried a backbreaking 3 over the shove of the loathsome Austin Croshere. If it does turn out to be a career-defining game, look for #34 to be raised to the rafters in a few year.
Musn't get too high now. Indiana looked flat, their nitwit fans were taken totally out of the game, and the refs were a non-factor(!). But the C's get 'em back in our house Tuesday. And this series is on, baby.
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Comments
It was an amazing turnaround. Now they need to sustain it.
It's harder and harder to like Indiana. Reggie is a punk. Their fans are front-runners. And Austin Croshere may now be the dirtiest player in the league. I remember him when people thought he had talent. Now he is just a thug.
Posted by: Vin | May 1, 2005 10:46 AM
what's so horrible about indiana fans? we love reggie! and why not, this guy is the best thing that's ever happened to indiana sports. he's a great guy who, believe it or not, QUIETLY does tons of charity work. plus he stayed with a team that realistically didn't have much going in the way of championship possibilities when he could have pulled a karl malone and gone mercenary to whatever hot team he felt had a chance.
like boston fans have any room to talk? BOSTON! come on, you guys are the biggest assholes in the history of sports. you're just ashamed that the celtics couldn't put away a hobbling pacer team that had an ancient star (and center), an ailing big man, and a nervous backup point guard starting. i understand.
and austin is dirty? now, i dislike croshere (and his ridiculous contract) as much as anyone, but this series was a contentious one on both ends. antoine did grab a ref. the celtics were targeting jermaine's bum shoulder. and our guys aren't exactly angels. i love stephen jackson, but he's the most unstable player this side of ron artest.
listen, i like the celtics. i'm a uk fan, so i'm excited to see any wildcat play in the pros, even walker, who is one of the most frustrating players to be a fan of (you have to agree with me on that one). i like ricky davis, and pierce is a scoring machine. plus al jefferson is going to be a star. don't let that guy go.
i just wish fans on the opposite of the winning end could admit that their team lost. they weren't screwed. sure, bad calls were made. actually, i was shocked with the reffing on both sides of the ball. half the calls were made late, and that's inexcuseable in my book. but that's herr stern's fault, not pacer fans'.
and please don't let stern be reading this, i figure i could get a lifetime ban from watching nba basketball.
Posted by: b a c | May 12, 2005 05:30 PM
"you're just ashamed that the celtics couldn't put away a hobbling pacer team..."
Yep, that's pretty much true.
"i just wish fans on the opposite of the winning end could admit that their team lost. they weren't screwed."
That's how I felt the first few games. Leter I recanted, and admitted that even David Stern himself wouldn't have been able to help the woeful C's put the damn ball in the damn basket. Your guys played better, exploited every one of our myriad weaknesses, and my hat's off to 'em and to Carlisle.
"and please don't let stern be reading this, i figure i could get a lifetime ban from watching nba basketball."
You and me both, buddy.
Posted by: Michael | May 13, 2005 01:10 AM
