I just watched the Cavs get beat down pretty bad by the Wizards 108-72 after winning the first two games convincingly. Arenas went out with a knee injury and it seems that they play better without him.Then, the Raptors went home and won and surprisingly, the Rockets went to Utah and won game 3. Maybe when teams get up 2-0, they underestimate the other team. The team down 2-0 is more desperate and makes adjustments and the other team isn't ready for them. So, with all these game 3 wins after being down 2-0, it is easy to start worrying about the Celtics going to Atlanta. But, I think the Celtics are focused enough on the goal that there won't be any let downs. Hopefully they won't underestimate the Hawks and will continue to smother them with the best defense in the league. It is that defense that is the key to not only game 3, but the championship.
Speaking of game 3, it sure is tough waiting in between games. The Celtics games have been spread out so far. But, that is good for our veterans to get rest in between games. This time it is especially better because Pierce has some healing to do from the back bruise he suffered in game 2. Reports are that he will be fine and will play in game 3. I hope he isn't just sucking it up and playing with it hurt because backs aren't anything to mess around with. Ask Larry Bird.
First there was Kobe's video where he jumps over the car. Then, there was the one where the car hits Kobe. I particularly liked that one. Now, the guys on Inside the NBA have come up with a video of Kenny Smith jumping over a car. People sure are having fun with this concept. This one really is hilarious. I do enjoy watching Ernie, Kenny and Sir Charles although, it is clear that Charles doesn't like the Celtics and he especially doesn't like Paul Pierce. When he talks about the Celtics doing good things, he always leaves Paul Pierce out of the conversation. Anyway, here is that very funny video.
It upset me when Bibby started talking trash about Perk, saying that he doesn't do anything. Perk doesn't fill up the stat sheet, but he plays his role to perfection. When Bibby can play defense like Perk and can set screens like Perk and box out so his teammates can get rebounds like Perk does, then maybe he can talk. Perk does just what his team needs from him. Unfortunately, he is also a very emotional player and I am sure that Bibby had that in mind when attacking him. He seemed to get caught up in it at first with 2 quick fouls on Bibby, but then came back in the second half and played very well. I know the Atlanta crowd will probably be on him so hopefully he can zone that out and just play his game.
It may just be me, but that "There Can Be Only One" commercial with Steve Nash and Jason Kidd just doesn't look right. All the rest of them just seem to flow and the two players in them mesh very nicely. But, the one with Kidd and Nash just looks off somehow. I love the ones with KG and LeBron and the one with Pierce and Bibby, but that one with Kidd and Nash just doesn't look right. I think it may be the fact that Nash has a beard and no hair and Nash has hair and no beard.
Three times in the last couple of days, I have seen a reference to rival Celtics' blogs. I have never thought of all the different blogs representing the Celtics as rivals. I look at all of them as a big community all working and cheering for the same thing. Rival blogs are the blogs for the other teams. I contribute to several blogs and read and enjoy every one. I love CelticsBlog. I love Lex Nihil Novi. I love Red's Army. I love Celtics 17. I love Celtics 24/7. I love Perkisabeast. I love Full Court Press. I love every one of them. They aren't rivals. They are brothers and sisters in arms.
Seeing Carl Landry lose a tooth in the Rockets/Jazz game and then coming back to seal the win with a big block at the end, brought back memories of Paul Pierce's heroics and toughness. In 2004, in a game against the Blazers, Pierce hit the game winner. This in itself wasn't so amazing as he had done it many times before. But, the night before he had been fouled hard by Amare Stoudamire and lost several teeth. He spent 7 hours in the dentist's chair having them repaired and still started the game against the Blazers that night, hitting the game winner. Now, that is tough. But then again, after you have been stabbed and almost killed, losing a few teeth maybe isn't that big a deal. In September of 2000, just minutes after entering a Boston dance club in the early morning hours, he was jumped from behind by three men. He was sucker-punched, a bottle was broken over his right eye, a knife was plunged through the back of his leather jacket six inches deep into his body, barely missing vital organs, and he received 10 other stab wounds and required lung surgery. Three weeks later he was back at practice for the Celtics and played the entire 2000-2001 season, averaging 25.3 points. There is no doubt that Pierce is a warrior and although KG has been acknowledged as the leader on this team, Pierce is still the Captain and the Truth.
Rondo's newest blog is up on Yardbarker. The last paragraph especially caught my attention:
I'm going over Ray's later. We're having dinner over his house. Overall, the team is better than ever right now. UBUNTU is in full effect, and our chemistry is crazy! My job now is to just stay focused, play team ball, and win this thing. I'll be back to the yard soon
Chemistry is an often overlooked and underestimated component to a championship run. Chemistry is one of the reasons the Pistons were able to win a championship and remain a force without any superstars. Chemistry is one of the reasons the Spurs have been so dominant and the lack of chemistry is the reason that the LA dream team with Kobe, Shaq, Malone and Payton didn't win a championship and maybe why the Mavericks aren't better. I love the fact that these guys get along off the court as well as on and that the veterans have taken the young guys under their wings. It bodes well for the future as well as the present.
I leave you with Rondo's top ten plays of the season. The Celtics are truly in good hands.
