2008 Boston Celtics Playoff Game thread

[TheKilo]

Rondo played like s***.

[yeszir]

I'd really prefer if this game were a total and absolute blowout. They can't lose tonight.

[Cityofchampions33]

That's what impresses me about the Pistons, they never seem rattled at all, no matter what run the Celtics go on. Other game 5 notes: impressive games from Perk, Sheed, and Allen, that really sums up this game.

[yeszir]

Well, they tried really hard to lose.

 

I can't take this playoff crap anymore.

[See Red]

Celtics really need to pull this one out in Detroit. Playing another game 7 can't be good for a team who's top 3 are as old as the Celtics.

 

I still want Detroit to win for the sake of me being right but Lakers/Celtics looks mighty appealing.

 

By the way, who would you rather have... Doc Rivers or Flip Saunders? The correct answer is neither.

[Mr Crunchy]

they showed some poise down the stretch and ray allen had a monster effort as well as perk and rondo had 13 assists

detroit is tuff and theres a reason theyve beein the fold for years now

their guards are good and they can shoot lights out from time to time

[TheKilo]

Celtics really need to pull this one out in Detroit. Playing another game 7 can't be good for a team who's top 3 are as old as the Celtics.

 

I still want Detroit to win for the sake of me being right but Lakers/Celtics looks mighty appealing.

 

By the way, who would you rather have... Doc Rivers or Flip Saunders? The correct answer is neither.

 

We're really grasping at straws at this point, aren't we?

[See Red]

We're really grasping at straws at this point' date=' aren't we?[/quote']

 

As you're really just begging for reasons to argue with me now.

 

That's fine, perhaps I'll concede this one. Playing 21 playoff games before the Finals even begin will be great for the experience -- more minutes per game, high pressure minutes, every other night's a good thing, and certainly not at all problematic. It's certainly not a problem the Spurs appeared to have run into in game one against the Lakers, that's for sure.

 

'Need' was the wrong word to use -- too strong, perhaps. I meant that there's quite a difference between playing that extra game (game 7) and having the extra days off between series' -- particularly if the Lakers take care of business quick. You're talking four days of rest for the Lakers, one for the Celtics. 15 games for the Lakers, 21 for the Celtics since the playoffs began.

 

The Celtics are winning this series in my estimation, and I'm not saying that if they don't do it in six they can't possibly win the Championship. I suspect that if you weren't looking to pick a fight you might've taken it the way it was intended because while I'd admit the wrong word usage, I'd argue it's fairly common to use it in that way.

 

At least you've joined the party on time this time and you're arguing the point of mine that's relevant and not the side-discussion I'd had with MannyHOF that admittedly (multiple times, even) had nothing to do with anything regarding this series.

[TheKilo]

As you're really just begging for reasons to argue with me now.

 

That's fine, perhaps I'll concede this one. Playing 21 playoff games before the Finals even begin will be great for the experience -- more minutes per game, high pressure minutes, every other night's a good thing, and certainly not at all problematic. It's certainly not a problem the Spurs appeared to have run into in game one against the Lakers, that's for sure.

 

'Need' was the wrong word to use -- too strong, perhaps. I meant that there's quite a difference between playing that extra game (game 7) and having the extra days off between series' -- particularly if the Lakers take care of business quick. You're talking four days of rest for the Lakers, one for the Celtics. 15 games for the Lakers, 21 for the Celtics since the playoffs began.

 

The Celtics are winning this series in my estimation, and I'm not saying that if they don't do it in six they can't possibly win the Championship. I suspect that if you weren't looking to pick a fight you might've taken it the way it was intended because while I'd admit the wrong word usage, I'd argue it's fairly common to use it in that way.

 

At least you've joined the party on time this time and you're arguing the point of mine that's relevant and not the side-discussion I'd had with MannyHOF that admittedly (multiple times, even) had nothing to do with anything regarding this series.

 

 

Hey man, I have no beef with you and I really enjoy the back-and-forth discussion that has been going on in this thread (the rest of the board seems dead).

 

Anyways, I agree with your point that if the Celts want to make a serious run at the title, than winning Game 6 will probably be their best course of action. They could most certainly use the rest.

 

As for the other argument, again, it was just for the purposes of discussion. No one was trying to get anyone else riled up. If you want to call Allen, Pierce, and Garnett career losers just because they haven't won anything, that's your call. I simply voiced my opinion why I think you're wrong and that you underestimate the value of role players surrounding these superstars.

 

I think the discussion was relevant because there's been lots of rumblings here in the Northeast about the very thing you posited - IE Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are "career losers" or "phonies" because they are having such issues in the playoffs.

[See Red]

Fair enough.

 

It wasn't "why" they're considered career losers as far as I'm considered. It's that it's tough having the type of mentality it takes to win these games on the road when you haven't won before. It's an issue and I think it plays into why they've had so much trouble winning on the road and, in addition to that, why they've had so much trouble closing games out against the Pistons and Cavaliers, with games three and five being great examples... big leads blown and they allowed the Pistons to make a game of it. I think it's a legitimate question. It didn't cost them against the Hawks or Cavs, then again, they're considerably better than both of those teams, that's not so much the case with Detroit or LA.

[TheKilo]

I see your point. I think it's a fair concern moving forward, although I am not of the opinion that Games 3 and 5 were their fault that it became a "game" again.

 

Game 3 the Pistons never got closer than 9 in the 2nd half and last night was more of a result of poor play by Rajon Rondo, IMO.

 

Is it fair to say KG tightens up at the end of games? Sure. But he's also won some big games (Game 1 of the Cleveland series and last night's FTs are good examples).

[See Red]

Good points.

 

I thought it was 7 in game 3 with about 3 left... and that was from a 24 point deficit in the second half. KG also hit a big shot in one of the games against Cleveland to tie it with about a minute left.

 

But just as a whole they look like they struggle closing out games. Well, we'll see, I suppose... that's the beauty of sports.

 

As for tonights game... I think the Lakers win. Spurs just looked like a tired, old team in game four. You really shouldn't get outhustled at home in a game that's that important.

 

Also, I hate that Doug Collins is possibly getting the Bulls job... him and Marv Albert call a great game together. I guess that's a bit selfish, though.

[See Red]

Can you play a worst 1st quarter than Pau Gasol just did?

 

edit: Phil Jackson has balls. Down 17 or so and he keeps Kobe, Pau, Fisher, and Odom on the bench to rest and let's the reserves play their way out of it and it's worked so far.

[yeszir]

Hamilton really f***ed up his elbow in the closing seconds of the game last night apparently. Detroit doesn't know if he'll be able to play tomorrow.

 

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/05/29/pistons_hamilton_questionable_with_injured_elbow/

[See Red]

I missed the end of the game as I went to the Chili's near me to drink and watch and they closed and I didn't want to hang around too long after they closed, so I followed on Sirius... did it look like a bad injury?

 

If it was bad, I'd have to question not only whether or not he'll play, but how effective he'll be if he does.

 

As for the Lakers/Spurs game... Lakers battled back to take the lead and Kobe is starting to take over.

[TheKilo]

Rip, as much as I love him for what he did at UConn, has not endeared himself to me as a Piston.

 

He hurt his arm WHILE HE HAD IT AROUND RAY ALLEN'S NECK. f***ing flopping pussy.

 

PS f*** Chris Wallace.

[Paradisecity]

Chris Wallace?

 

Is that Mike's brother?

[Gom]

You know what pains me...I find myself rooting for the Celtics against the Pistons.

 

Against the Lakers....I hate Kobe. Go Green. I could care less about NY/Boston rivalry at that point. I'll be rooting for Green then too. s***.

[redsoxrules]

celts up 7 with 2:33 to play

[See Red]

We're going to have another coaching vacancy in the NBA. For the talent they have, the Pistons run one of the most unimaginative offenses I've seen.

 

We're also going to have a Celtics/Lakers final. Good... this is what the NBA needs.

 

Congrats, Celtics fans!

[yeszir]

f*** yea. Beat L.A!

[yeszir]

Anyone know when finals tickets go on sale?

[26 to 6]

As much as it pains me to root for a Boston team...Go Celtics!

[See Red]

I'd really like to see the series go 7.

 

Both teams are so good at home -- obviously the Celtics home success has been well noted on this forum -- and the Lakers haven't lost a playoff game at home yet and I believe it's been quite a while since they have dropped a home game.

 

The Celtics were able to take two in Detroit and the Lakers went into Utah and played the best home team in basketball very close and took a win, and then take a very important game in San Antonio.

 

It'll be a great series. The NBA really needs this and I've never been so anxious for a Finals series to begin. Hopefully this is the first of two or three meetings between the two.

 

My prediction? Lakers win, Kobe gets #4 and the Jordan comparisons gain some serious traction. The man is just undefendable -- if Bruce Bowen and the Spurs couldn't do it, I'm not sure how the Celtics do, no disrespect to Pierce because he plays great defense. Hard to pick against the best player in the world (easily, too) when he's playing some of his best basketball.

 

Wouldn't mind seeing Garnett get his, though. I'm really just hoping for a good series.

[YanksHater213]

IF Kobe wins this. He's no doubt top 3 all-time.

 

If he gets a 5th, I put him ahead of Jordan.

[redsoxrules]

IF Kobe wins this. He's no doubt top 3 all-time.

 

If he gets a 5th, I put him ahead of Jordan.

 

I wouldn't

 

jordan 5 regular season's MVP , kobe 1

Jordan 6 finals MVP kobe 0

 

jordan for his career averaged over 30 PPG ,6.2 RPG, 5.3 APG, 2.5 SPG kobe at 25

PPG, 5.3RPG, 4.6 ASP, 1.5 SPG

 

IMO its not even close yet , kobe would have to win at least 4 more titles ( and be MVP of all of them ) and win a few more regular season MVP and raise his stats to get pass jordan

 

Shaq was the main reason that the lakers won their 3 straight not kobe

[See Red]

I completely agree with Yankshaters. Kobe wins and he's top 2 or 3... a fifth or sixth and he's, at least, Jordan's equal. and with how young this Lakers team is, six or seven isn't out of the question. Jordan was, I think 31 or 32 when he got #4... Kobe's 29. :dunno:

 

I think in terms of talent, and what he can do on a basketball court, him and Jordan are equal -- what he needs are the rings. In fact, in regards to shooting, Kobe can do things and make shots that I'm not sure Jordan could. And he's getting that Jordan-esque killer instinct. He was just stone cold in that game against the Spurs... you look at his body language and his face and you wouldn't have known he was on the doorstep of the NBA Finals. I think people let their feelings about him influence how they feel on this particular subject but Kobe's a lot closer than people give him credit for, in my opinion.

 

All the respect in the world for Lebron and company, but Kobe's head and shoulders above anybody else in the league.

[TheKilo]

No mention of the "offensive foul" on Pierce in the 3rd quarter?

 

Might have been the worst call I've EVER seen, in ANY sporting event.

[See Red]

No mention of the "offensive foul" on Pierce in the 3rd quarter?

 

Might have been the worst call I've EVER seen, in ANY sporting event.

 

The foul was a terrible call...

 

But Pierce did travel. Moved his right foot over, moved his left foot over, and then shot.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5xQExrt0aA

[TheKilo]

When was the last time an NBA official called a travel? 1995?

 

Despite that, I can see calling a travel there. But to call a foul was atrociously bad.