Every once in a while you know the hand writing is on the wall and that your team is flawed in many ways and that the hoped for achievement of a championship is simply wishful thinking.
For some that is enough for them to jump off the band wagon and move on to the next best thing. In this case that would mean abandoning the Celtics and focusing on the Red Sox.
The Celtics aren’t going to repeat this year as NBA champions and we all know why. With the Big Ticket, Kevin Garnet as well as Leon Powe sitting on the sidelines, both with knee injuries it would seem that this is the Year of Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
It is inevitable that our team is going to get eliminated and according to Charles Barkley it is going to happen in this, the second round of the playoffs against the Orlando Magic. Since it is too painful to watch the Green lose I have been considering turning the station and letting the inevitable happen. Apparently, the Celtics have other ideas.
Despite the fact that they are undermanned and must be exhausted after the epic seven game series that included a record 7 over times against the youthful Chicago Bulls, the defending champs are not going quietly.
After losing game 1 to the Magic and giving up the home court advantage it seemed as though Superman Dwight Howard and the Magic would go to Orlando and fashion a 3 games to 1 advantage. Well they held serve in the first home game but on the strength of a Glen Davis buzzer beater in game 4 the Green are home tonight having snatched back the home court advantage and giving the Magic a lot to think about.
Although there is a temptation to wonder what could have been had Garnet been healthy it is worthwhile to note the benefits that have emerged as a result of the team being so thin in man power. Who knew that Rajon Rondo was this good? His point guard leadership was proven last year in the playoffs but he might very well be elevating himself to one of the best 2 or 3 point guards in the league. How many six foot guards anywhere are averaging double digits in rebounds?
Big Baby Davis is the other youngster that has emerged during these playoffs. How can a man over 300 pounds be so agile? His work in the practice gym is obvious as he has gone from having a maybe jump shot to become a pretty consistent and reliable scorer inside 20 feet.
They aren’t going to repeat as champions but they are certainly over achievers, proud champions and a pleasure to watch. It would be appropriate for them to face the heir apparent in the Eastern finals.
