The BOSTON CELTICS, the team with the best regular season record in the NBA at 66-16,  the most improved team in league history over a one-year span, the team with three Hall-of-Famers, the team that keeps reminding itself of the 67-win Dallas Mavericks of a year ago, and the team that the LOS ANGELES LAKERS are expecting to play in the NBA FINALS, are one game away from pulling a NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS.

KEVIN GARNETT, the MVP? There's a reason why he's never won an NBA title.

DOC RIVERS, the Coach of the Year? There's a reason why he's never played in the NBA Finals.

PAUL PIERCE, the Truth? The truth is, he's older and slower and he's not putting up big numbers like he used to. There's a reason he's never been to the Finals.

RAY ALLEN, the Big Three's designated hitter in the 4th quarter? A disappointing 1-for-8 from three-point range on the road under pressure. There's a reason he's never led a team to an NBA Finals appearance.

If it weren't for KENDRICK PERKINS' perfect effort (5-5 FG, 4-4 FT), the C's would have probably been blown out by the eighth seed ATLANTA HAWKS, who didn't even win 40 games all year.

Is there such a thing as CELTIC PRIDE anymore? What's wrong with the C's? How come they can't seem to execute with consistency? Are there too many egos on that squad? 

I guess we'll find out sooner or later. For now, I hope all of you loyal Celtics fans don't jump off the edge of that cliff.

Meanwhile,  the LAKERS' ASSAULT CONTINUES...