She was a worthy adversary to be sure. Prior to posting, we’d discuss potential debate topics and allow each other to choose a side. It was a great exercise in writing and we received enthusiastic support from the blogosphere.
When Danny Ainge pulled off a coup by landing both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the 2007 off-season, Bluegrass and I debated whether that move guaranteed a Celtic title. While I was still (a little) skeptical, Bluegrass chose the side of the C’s. One has to figure that if you took the field against the Celtics pre-season, you’d have to like your chances. Then they tipped off.
The Celtics tore through the regular season, losing only 16 games. When the playoffs hit, they slowly picked up tempo, building up confidence, then absolutely destroyed the Lakers in a Finals that should not have made it to six games.
Looking back at my argument, I felt I had some valid points which the Celtics players, coaching staff and entire operations eventually put to rest to ensure their team hoisted the O’Brien Trophy by season's end.
Point Guard Play: After watching Rajon Rondo throughout his college career at Kentucky, I never questioned his talent. I just questioned whether he’d be able to lead a team to a title in his sophomore year in the league. Not only was Rondo impressive, but he outplayed every point guard that tried to cover him, including Mike Bibby, Delonte West, Chauncey Billups and Derek Fisher, ALL of whom have more playoff experience and years in the league. Rondo was consistently quicker than his defenders and made great decisions on BOTH sides of the ball. He came through with timely steals throughout the playoffs and his assist/turnover ratio was as good as can be expected (over 3:1). Heck, in Game Six, he even took Kobe Bryant off the dribble and drew a foul for a three point play. Of course it doesn’t hurt to have three of the most potent offensive players of this generation to play alongside. The addition of Sam Cassell was also key as Sam I Am came off the bench throughout the playoffs and provided offense, or at least shot attempts, to a sometimes sputtering Celtic offense.
Back Court Defense: While Rondo never had to face the likes of Deron Williams or Chris Paul, he still was effective against opposing point guards. His quickness and instincts forced turnovers, Celtic fast breaks and key swings in momentum. The rest of their backcourt also combined to take Kobe Bryant out of his element, holding him to 40% shooting for the Finals.
Cap Space: Credit Danny Ainge. The old Celtic earned his keep, and a GM of the Year award, by making key acquisitions in PJ Brown and Sam Cassell, veteran presences who provided quality minutes throughout the second season. In fact, the entire Boston bench outplayed the Lakers. The Celtics featured a near perfect blend of starters and subs. There were few players that didn’t make memorable contributions. Each player knew their role and accepted it for the common goal: an NBA Crown.
Age and Health: While the Celtics got more dinged up as the playoffs progressed, their communal will and determination helped them rise above. Doc played the Big Three a fair amount of minutes throughout the regular season. But it’s not like Garnett (32), Allen (32) and Pierce (30) are THAT old. They certainly didn’t play like it when it mattered. In fact, despite their injuries (and questionably staged re-entries) the Celtics’ Big Three looked as energetic and spry as their twenty-two year old point guard. In the end, they would not be denied. No bumps, bruises or nagging injuries would stand in their way.
Coaching: Okay…. here I owe a sincere apology. Remember, Doc Rivers used to coach my Orlando Magic. Before that, he was one of the finest and most articulate TNT announcers to work the mic. When Doc underachieved with the Magic, Orlando fans were bitter. But it was wrong to ever question his smarts, leadership or class. Sure, he had a roster full of talent, but he should be credited for discovering exactly what it took to lead this team to greatness. And he did it with flair. When Ray Allen struggled early, he always backed his man. Heck, most would argue he even out-coached Phil Jackson in the Finals. Case in point, early in Game Six, with the outcome of the game still in question, Doc received a technical for arguing that Kobe Bryant tossed aside Eddie House while moving through a pick. We’re talking about the ninth man off the bench against the biggest name in the league. There was no way House was going to get that call. In fact, it was a great move by Bryant to get around the pick. But for Doc to receive a tech with his season on the line and have the back of his ninth man says something about the man’s character. The Celtics have themselves a great coach and leader, and we can now add his name to a select few that have won a title. One gets the feeling this will not be his last.
Competition: The Celtics may have played down to their opponents on occasion, dropping three to both the Cavaliers and Hawks, but when it mattered most, they got the job done. It is pure speculation to wonder whether they could have made it through the West unscathed, but considering how they dismantled the Lakers, as well as having dominated against the West all-season, it’s safe to assume the Celtics are without question the best team in the league.
If you weren’t moved by watching Kevin Garnett in tears as the confetti fell in the Garden, then you're not a fan of the game and simply don’t have a heart. Anything is possible.
So congratulations to Celtics fans everywhere. I'm glad to stand corrected.
Lady Bluegrass knows her hoops. Heck, she’s from Kentucky. It’s her birthright.
Let this be a lesson to us all. Before you get into a debate with a woman, rest assured you’ll end up on the losing side of the argument.
God I hate giving credit to Danny Ainge, but Posey and Brown were the real difference in this series, veteran leaders with championship experience who intimidated the Lakers and made plays.
I only hope we can learn from this (and that PJ Brown disappears into retirement).
I wrote not long ago how the Celtics bench was far and away better than that of the Lakers.
It wasn't like the Lakers needed major contributions, but aside from Sasha's perfomance in Game Three and padded stats in a late attempted Game Four comeback, the Lakers got absolutely nothing out of their supporting cast.
The Lakers did indeed not get much from their bench. And from Lamar Odom. And from Pau Gasol. And, heck, even Kobe had very little (by his standards) aside from game 3. The Celtics used a strategy that worked in 1984 (when I was a baby); play physical and outhustle the Lakers. Kobe never got into a rhythm (no pun intended), and Odom and Gasol looked perplexed when they didn't get foul calls. It truly was a total team effort to lose this series.
It was a clinic in all facets of the game. I actually liked the way Bryant, Odom and Gasol were playing together towards the end of the season, but the Celtics shut them down from top to bottom.
A combined six field goals from those two in the biggest game of their lives is not going to get it done.
That was one beatin down team, the Lakers folded the tent after the first quarter......I thought that they would at least come out and fight a little, I couldn't drink this one pretty!
It's obvious why the Celtics are a better team. They played with a purpose. The Lakers played as if they were simply content to make it that far.
L.A. will need to do some retooling with defensive improvement as the primary focus when acquiring different players.
Phil already mentioned the Lakers will need new players.
VladRad doesn't deserve the privilege of wearing purple and gold. He needs to go back to Europe.
Odom is questionable. He may never be the consistent big game performer we want him to become. It was like when MJ played with Orlando Woolridge in '86 - solid but not championship material.
Farmar is a valuable commodity. I don't see him as a major impact player that could become a Tony Parker type. I would not hesitate in putting him in a trade package that involves the Lakers receiving a superstar guard.
Walton should be traded. He's our new Devean George.
Here in L.A., legitimate trades that the Lakers would make are pretty much kept under wraps. That's why everyone was caught off guard with Pau Gasol coming here.
Many have always known about Baron's wish to play for the team he grew up watching. He's a local kid, and the Lakers have this affinity for UCLA players.
Vladimir has three more years at 19.7 million left. The only team who'd take him is a team that loves to run-n-gun - Phoenix, New York, Golden State, or Denver.
Odom, with only one year left at 14 million, is a valuable commodity because he will have an expiring contract.
Ron Artest can opt out, and may be traded before the Feb. 09 deadline which is something to watch out for.
L.A. may wait until the deadline to try and get Artest or do a sign-and-trade before training camp opens.
There may also be some players on the Knicks that can help the Lakers. If Odom wants to go back home to New York, Kupchak would trade him and Radmanovic for David Lee and Jamal Crawford in a heartbeat.
Vlad Rad was awful this series. He might be able to contribute coming off the bench, but Pierce blew by him every single time without even being touched. I mean no body, no nothing.
At least throw the guy to the ground once. Let everyone in the arena know you see him, right?
Hey good lookin!! Something told me to come check out the blogs and boy am I glad I did!! I am NOT the kind of gal to say I told ya so.....call me later Rev, got something to tell ya ;)
I have missed you all....especially my rev....soooooooooooo very much. I am willing to try to squeeze in an article a month if Rev is.
Rev, call me real quick when ya can and we will try to work out another HSSS and I'll flirt with ya just a tad ;)
Luv youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!
Reverend Rhythm
And what we've also found out that the Zen Master's days as a great coach may now well be numbered. Nine titles place him on hallowed ground but his last outing proved him to be nothing more than ordinary , if that.
Doc Rivers completely outcoached him and who'd have thought that prior to these Finals commencing ? Never mind that the Lakers' players performed as if it were the first time that they'd got to nail a virgin. Fumbling and stumbling all over the court with nothing to show for their alleged prowess on the court or elsewhere as the case may be !
See my latest post within this forum and let me know what you think as to the merits of the piece ? As and when you're ready I'll look forward to reading your comments. The piece in question is titled To Serve, But To Do So With Distinction And Pride !
Reverend Rhythm Shaq's rap like that of Vanilla Ice's and MC Hammer's can be viewed as comical. He's just proving what an infantile buffoon he really is. If he had any sense he'd just let it go rather than being the spoilt kid playing in a sandbox . Now look who'll be viewed more favorably ? He or Kobe Bryant after his inane attempts at mocking his former teammate ?
Reverend Rhythm Their's was a love built out of necessity and the chance to go after glory for the greater good. Burt their neverending ego's got in the way. Though it can be said that they didn't go Brokeback on one another. The love they once had is now gone forever !
How did I once love thee ? Let me count the ways.......three NBA titles and offcourse three Finals MVP awards. I guess that's it !
justan' aka tophatal ...........
Last edited by justanotherfan on June 25th at 9:48 AM.
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season, The Red Zone Report
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
