Worthy of Your Attention
The Boston Celtics, owners of the best record in the NBA this season, are a troublesome 0-4 on the road in the Playoffs so far.
Their frayed, inconsistent play away from Boston has led to them facing an inexplicable elimination game in the first round, and now, they suddenly find themselves in a tough series with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Most troubling for the C’s and their fans, is that there are no miracle cures for the road woes. The team seems to lack confidence and cohesion in hostile environments, and they don’t exactly have the best coach in the world to get them out of this funk.
LeBron James has yet to break out offensively in this series, and only a fool would think he won’t. Boston has played amazing defense, sure, but this is still LeBron, and as the series extends, no defense is going to shut him down completely.
Depending on what happens tonight, there’s a very real possibility that Boston could end up having to play two Game 7’s to start the Playoffs, and that’s before their pre-destined meeting with the battle-tested Detroit Pistons in the Conference Finals.
41 Responses to “Worthy of Your Attention”
May.12 at 3:04 pm
Diesel says:
Good thing theynever have to win a road game in order to win it all
May.12 at 3:18 pm
Ken says:
Yeah, if they make the finals you know they’re going to appreciate the home court even more.
May.12 at 3:26 pm
Tommy Patron says:
The little talk between THE GREAT BILL RUSSELL and KG on the worldwide follower is really something.
May.12 at 3:35 pm
dakidobf says:
Let’s just say the Celts don’t make it to the Finals, anyone think they’ll give Doc thee ax? it’s clear to me that he’s not a very good coach. he didn’t make any substantial adjustments to give them a chance against the hawks on the road and i doubt he’ll make any this series
May.12 at 3:38 pm
G Diesel says:
Tonight is the night Lebron finally wakes up.
The night will be extremelly long for the Cs.
May.12 at 4:12 pm
tealish says:
I don’t think it’s appropriate to say “only a fool would think LeBron won’t break out of his slump” if you’re referring to these 2008 playoffs. I think it’s highly likely he’ll finish the series without a 30point game, and without shooting 50% once. Then again, it’s also possible for him to pop 50 tonight. So who knows. I wouldn’t, to use your word, foolishly count out either possibilities, though.
May.12 at 4:30 pm
Diesel says:
Only a complete idiot wouldn’t say that Wally is due to have a breakout game. Did anyone see him drop 43 in the NCAA tourney?!
May.12 at 4:55 pm
vtrobot says:
any team ever win game 7’s in every round and go on to win a game 7 in the finals? folks would be tired.
May.12 at 5:09 pm
Hursty says:
well, they only need to win at home to win the NBA championship i spose.
May.12 at 5:32 pm
maio says:
The C’s should only play their bench players in these road games. You don’t want to risk an injury to their starters when you’re not winning anyway + it gets guys experience.
May.12 at 5:55 pm
christ P 3 says:
yo lebron is old news. CP3 baby! Celtics-NO finals you herd it here first!
May.12 at 6:11 pm
Kevin says:
has anyone won the NBA championships having played 7-game series in every round? just curious
May.12 at 6:56 pm
Jackie Moon says:
Random question. I’m late to the PS2 game. I just bought one because I’m too cheap to buy a PS3. What’s the consensus best NBA simulation game? Is it the NBA Live series? ESPN 2K? NBA 08? If anyone can help that’d be great.
May.12 at 7:44 pm
colby ryan says:
dude. just get 2k. the others are just disappointing. i am a big live fan and get the game every year but if you were to just buy one this year just go for 2k.
May.12 at 7:52 pm
David says:
If they fire Doc, I think Avery might be good. Except that then they might shrink even further in a tough playoff series.
May.12 at 7:57 pm
Jackie Moon says:
Thanks Colby! I’ll head over to game stop.
May.12 at 9:20 pm
Dacre says:
The Celtics will end up getting rid of Doc I think if he doesn’t get them to the finals…(or a win on an away court).
May.12 at 9:39 pm
RV says:
completely off topic, but how does Shane battier end up on the 2nd all defensive team when he finished third in the DPOY voting? bowen took his spot..
May.12 at 11:17 pm
tealish says:
Bron and the Celtics continue to disappoint. Neither looks even close to breaking out of their respective slumps.
May.12 at 11:29 pm
Z says:
I kinda disagree with that, tealish. The thing is, he did everything else well and willed his team to victory. How can that be considered a bad game? 13 assts from your SF, I’d take that any day and twice on Sundays.
May.12 at 11:33 pm
neaorin says:
SIDESHOW VAREJAO, B*TCHES! Bring on Game 5.
May.13 at 12:06 am
Russ Bengtson says:
If the Celtics can’t score a lousy 80 points on the Cavaliers, they may as well pack up their bags and go home. They ain’t winning a chip.
May.13 at 12:17 am
tealish says:
Z: 13 assists is great. It’s the 35fg% and 21pts that don’t blow me away. But you’re right, I’d still take that game from a typical SF. Although last I checked, we’re all crowning LeBron as one of those “once a decade” types, so tonight’s performance doesn’t quite cut it. (I think his fg% has risen each and every game this series, so that’s something to hang your hat on?)
Russ: But that’s okay, if you haven’t heard - Bill Russell will gladly share one of his with KG if it never works out for the Big Ticket.
May.13 at 12:17 am
Reggie Evans says:
Like I said, West will beat East in 5 or less in the Finals. Play wit it.
May.13 at 12:28 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Russ shouldn’t give KG anything unless they win a damn road game.
May.13 at 12:34 am
Krishan says:
66 games my goddamned ass. Put a fork on these Cs, they’re DONE.
May.13 at 12:35 am
Krishan says:
whoops I meant wins, not games.
May.13 at 12:35 am
RV says:
the celtics are definitely playing below their regular season level, at time they looked un beatable, now they look like any other eastern playoff team, but its all mental, on both sides, teams aren’t in awe anymore when they face Boston and Boston doesn’t feel like the big kid on the block anymore.
May.13 at 12:38 am
RV says:
they are far from being done, they suck on the road, but they got that split personality going on so at home they still get their Ws, since they have homecourt throughout, that may just be enough to win it all, and they’re definitely going to win this round, at least.
May.13 at 12:40 am
Russ Bengtson says:
Doc’s inexplicable substitution patterns don’t help either. Did Big Baby play tonight? Eddie House? Also, Sam Cassell. 0-11 over the past two games. Deeeeeez nuts.
May.13 at 12:44 am
neaorin says:
I think it’s everyone else playing above their regular season level, RV. Atlanta did it, the Cavs and Pistons are doing it, and Boston has no higher gear to shift into. You still have to like their chances to advance because of the home court, but I don’t think any good team was really in awe of Boston at any point in time this season. Respect them, sure. Fear them? I don’t think so.
May.13 at 2:13 am
RV says:
neaorin, i dont think its that, that would mean the celtics topped off and everyone else is playing at a higher level than the Celtics did during the season, and neither the cavs or hawks have played great, they did what they could to win, but some of those games were ugly. I’m not saying they feared them, but the Celtics were oozing confidence during the season and were solid on defense and offense consistently, teams, even the good ones, had to feel like they had to climb over not just one mountain, but two. Its similar to the rockets during their streak, their confidence and play was high on both ends of the court and teams often felt disheartened when they got blown out early and were faced with the challened of coming back against a strong defense AND offense. Once the celtics sputtered early in the playoffs they opened the door for the hawks and cavs to jump on them and that increased both teams’ confidence.
May.13 at 3:44 am
Krishan says:
RV you make a good point, but you gotta admit, if they show this kind of performance with ANY of the Western playoffs team (well, except Denver. Sorry Cub), they don’t have a chance. I have a feeling that even Detroit, which has a propensity of being lax on stages of a series, would roll them right now. I mean, they SHOULD be sweeping these two teams they’ve faced against, but they aren’t. Remember, this is the east, and they’re a 66 (!!!) win team. They shoild be knocking people over with consistency. Like Russ, I gotta say they don’t look much like a contender presently. And, I’m going to go out and say they might not recover from this, even if they win against the cavs.
May.13 at 4:22 am
Froggiestyle says:
As any MN fan will tell you, don’t look for KG in the 4th Q - will Rondo save the Celts? Perk? Davis? Can Beantown recover from another cinderella regular season - then a post season meltdown??? Eat my MN shorts Danny Ainge ;0P
May.13 at 4:23 am
TMT says:
So Lebron gets slamadamonth or what
May.13 at 4:32 am
Froggiestyle says:
PS. I dont even like Wally, but how much do you think he’s motivated to knock off KG (BTW they had the same amount of points last nite - could be a sign ?)
May.13 at 4:35 am
Froggiestyle says:
Again go look at the MN tapes, when the game is on the line who you gonna look to? The guy who takes a fadeaway (KG) or the guy who takes it hard to the rim - Boom-Boom-Bron-Bron
May.13 at 5:17 am
Slobodan Chutzpah says:
Cosign what Russ said. I think Doc should absolutely play House and probably leave Sam I Am on the bench - Cassell’s been hurting team morale since he arrived, whereas House gives them just what they need; efficient shooting and lots of hustle. Somewhere, Simmons is stabbing himself repeatedly in the leg with a rusty fork.
May.13 at 11:25 am
Tommy Patron says:
Sam Cassell is washed-up. When was the last time he was a real scorer? In the playoffs with the Clippers. That was YEARS ago now. It’s a joke that Doc puts him in with all the 2nd unit guys and is looking to him to be the creator and/or scorer. I will not mention SamIam’s efense.
May.13 at 12:24 pm
JWade says:
The celtic need to stop being scared of the away crowd. If you a pro hopper you would luv to play away from the home crowd
May.13 at 1:14 pm
Captain America says:
Did you see/hear Magic and Charles went after the C’s during post-game last night? Laughing at them and their inconsistency.