celtics afterthoughts: instant classics are exhausting
Playoffs Game 5
Celtics v. Bulls 106-104
I don’t know about the Celtics, but this first round is exhausting… for me. I’m so tired. Lol. These close games that end in OT or double OT are killing me slowly with a dull rusty dinner fork. I believe I’ve already stated that I hate close games when it comes to my team. Since I’m mentally and physically exhausted (staying up half the night watching heart attack basketball and then getting up at 6:30am for the day job will do that to a person), I’m going to just post my thoughts in a free form (possibly non-coherent) bullet point list.
- Paul looked awful until the end of the game. He was missing in action on offense and defense. The comeback was great and he continues to prove he’s one of the most clutch guys in the game, but I just wish he hadn’t taken so long to get it going.
- I think Ray got some of Perk’s calls. Perk got ZERO fouls and Ray Allen fouled out. Something is rotten in Denmark. My theory is that they just gave Perk’s calls to Ray. (Haha.)
- Steph. Shoot the ball. Shoot it. It’s what you do. How can you not do it? Do it. Shoot it. Sigh.
- After the game, Doc told reporters that Tony Allen’s play during the game was… *drumroll* Phenomenal. No, not a typo. Phenomenal. *shaking head*
- I hate to admit it, but our bench is weak sauce. I love them, I really do, but they aren’t stepping up.
- Rondo continues to be a fan-freaking-tastic stat machine and thank the good lord allmighty for that.
- I’ve wanted to fist fight several website commenters and Twitter tweeters (tweeps? Ugh, Twitter lingo is so stupid) in the last week. Ah yes, the NBA playoffs are here. I’m trying to remind myself that close games with questionable calls (on both sides) bring out the irrational in people (including me). Howeva *nod to Stephen A.*, to the person/people who insist that Rondo PUNCHED Brad Miller… Settle down, Skippy. Was it flagrant? Possibly. Did the Bulls get hosed a little bit by the non-call? Possibly. Did he recklessly lay a hard foul on Brad Miller? Definitely. But, he DID NOT punch him. That’s ridiculous. I don’t care how many camera angles you viewed that play from. There was no punch. I might bleed green, but I’m not unreasonable. If it was a punch, I’d admit it. [I'll concede it was a bitch-slap.
] - Why do NBA fans who don’t root for the Celtics have such a problem with KG yelling profanity and heckling the other team’s players from the bench? Big deal. I can understand the poor bastards that have to listen to it complaining, but I don’t understand viewers at home getting all up in arms about it. I think this is just KG’s way of contributing. He can’t play, so he’s harrassing the other team’s players to try and throw them off their game. Obnoxious yes, but not a felony.
I have a lot more on my mind, but this post is already long enough. I’ll zip it and go back to watching tonight’s MIA/ATL game. This one has been pretty chippy dippy. Players were shoved. Technicals were assessed. Flagrants were erroneously called. Ah yes, good times, good times.
Related news:
- CelticsBlog: KG: Not Winning Any Sportsmanship Awards
- Red’s Army: The Last Word On Officials
- Celtics Hub: A Word on Flagrant Fouls
- Celtics 17: Late Game Recap, Early Game Preview
- Both Teams Played Hard: Brad Miller Is Dead…On the Inside
- NBA Noise: Elbows, face slaps, fines, fouls and suspensions
Dear Ben Gordon,
That game was brutal. Just excruciating to watch. Yes yes, I know it was an “instant classic” and certainly better entertainment than watching the Cavs take a big wiz on the Pistons (who were clearly ready to go sip mai tais on some tropical island), but I hated it. The only time I enjoy games like that is when other teams are playing in them. All I want to see for my Celtics is 20-point blowouts, every single night. Unrealistic? Perhaps, but I don’t care. League-wide domination will always be my one and only goal for this team. Poor entertainment quality be damned. I want Gino, Gino and more Gino! Anyway, so I guess we’re all locked at 2-2. My team looks tired. I hope they get some rest and then bring the defense from here on out. Let’s think game 3 and make the rest of the games one-sided, ok boys? Ok, then.
Playoffs Game 3
Where to start? I’m going to start off by admitting that I have finally taken off my derrick rose colored glasses… we’re in big trouble. I was alarmed when Leon Powe appeared to injure himself (which turned out to be a season ending torn ACL injury) and went back into the locker room, but I went into full on panic mode when Rondo went down, threw the remote control (my specialty) and started rocking back and forth in the fetal position. Lol. I hate to give up or even hint that I might be giving up, but this is going to be a mammoth undertaking trying to get just to the ECF.
I’m not going to jump off a ledge over losing the first game in a seven game series by only two points in overtime. After all, Ray Allen certainly can’t suck any harder offensively going forward even if he tied one arm behind his back, right? But, for the love of green shamrocks and all that are holy, where is the defense? Where are all those hustle plays we saw last year? I hate watching this team run around like chickens with their heads cut off on both ends of the floor. Are they just tired? Do they really believe they can win this year or deep down have they already conceded the trophy? I hope it’s the former. I expect them to brush off the embarrassing stench of losing on their home floor to a rookie, wake up and redeem themselves. At least they better if they expect to make it out of the first round with their dignity in tact.
