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If It’s Meant To Be Then Let It Be At Least Contested
By tophac | March 21, 2008
Well with the appearance of the Celtics seemingly marching on to the NBA postseason and having won their division, mathematically at least anyway. It could be said that they’re preordained to win the championship itself. Much has been made of their stellar season and what they’ve achieved thus far.
The pride of New England are the Boston Celtics……..
The only team in the league to have notched up 50 wins and with their record standing at 55-13 . They have a commanding lead of 20 games over their nearest rival within the divsion , the Toronto Raptors. And they’re assured of being the #1 seeds in the Eastern Conference once the playoffs begin. If nothing else they’re putting up the numbers that leads up to believe that they’re all that they’ve been described as being. However they’re reiterating the fact that the Eastern Conference is woefully weak.
Ray Allen of the Boston tries to extricate himself from getting tangled up with a Mavericks’ player . Teammate was on hand to try and assist. The Celtics defeated the Mavericks 94-90 in what was the culmination of a three game sweep of the teams in Texas. picture courtesy of afp/getty images/Ronald Martinez……
Much of what the Celtics have achieved this season wouldn’t have happened had they not traded for perennial All Star Kevin Garnett. And joining him too has been another All Star who it can be said had been playing for a franchise where his talents were never truly appreciated. Garnett now has former Sonics’ guard Ray Allen as a teammate . And when you add to this formidable duo the talent of Paul Pierce. One can understand why it is that the team has had a successful season. It’s a possibility that they could garner a regular season award in the guise of the MVP. Though many prognosticators across the sport’s fan base may well think otherwise. Garnett’s presence on this team was an immediate impact. And his teammates have repsonded in kind. There are many of the thinking the likelihood of Garnett isn’t anywhere a clear as some feel . LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant are others that are likely candidates along with the Hornets’ Chris Paul. Honestly any of the quartet are worthy candidates to my mind !
Paul Pierce provides the usual play we’ve come to expect from him . picture courtesy of afp/getty images/Ronald Martinez ….
There’s a renewed confidence to this team that’s not been seen since the days of Bird, Parish and McHale. And one has to go back well over a decade to realize how long it’s been since the Celtics lasted tasted the success of playing in the postseason and the winning of a championship. That notwithstanding one has to admire the brevitas of GM Danny Ainge in being so aggressive in bringing in players to try to attain success and ward off the frustration of the long lamented fans of Boston. The team has reaped the dividends of the success and it can be said that the fans within the city are more than happy. But the remaining question that’s now being asked is. Can they close out the deal by winning in the postseason ? And in closing out the deal we do mean not only the conference championship but the NBA title itself ? Anything less than that can be considered a complete failure . Something of which the fans in New England know all too well . The Patriots lost their chance of an undefeated postseason and with it also went the chance of sport’s immortality with the loss to the Giants in the Superbowl.
Celtics’ fans showing their seal of approval to their team and the feat accomplished. picture courtesy of afp/getty images/ Ralph Tucker ….
They say karma has a way of repeating itself and I doubt that the fans in Boston could endure such another ignominuous event. That being said they’ve had to endure the woes of the Red Sox over the course of eight decades. So fifteen years can’t at all be that bad can it ? Now the expectations on this team are at such a high that they can’t afford to let up in their pursuit of a championship. It’d be a culmination of what has so far has turned out to be one roller coaster ride for the fans of Boston and the fans of the NBA in general. It can be said that when one of the league’s most storied franchise is having success then the game itself must be in a healthy state. If the Lakers and Celtics aren’t pursuing glory then many of the fans’ ill tend rise to the surface. And the sport of basketball tends to lose its appeal to the layperson let alone the most avid followers of the game.
Kevin Garnett fulfilling his assignment of guarding Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks. picture courtesy of ap/photos/Doug Wanwright….
For GM Danny Ainge and coach Doc Rivers this is the gamble that has paid off as of now. And it’s hoped that the fruition of their labor will have a great ending. What we do know is that in the Eastern Conference the only thing the Celtics have to fear is their own complacency in believing that this is all preordained for them . Nothing could be further from the truth and they’ll have to prove it not only to themselves but also many out there who believe that they’re still ripe for the picking in the postseason. Of the players on their current roster the only one’s with any postseason experience are Allen , Garnett , Pierce , Posey and Sam Cassell. And though on appearance that cast of veterans would be inspiring. One also has to look at the younger players and the contributions that’ll be expected of them.
Rajon Rondo of the Celtics evades the quickly advancing Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks. picture courtesy of getty images/ Bill Stafford …..
It’s to be expected with the veteran presence on this team they’ll fare well in the likelihood that they make it to the NBA Finals. Players such as Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis can look to this as an experience that they’re likely never to forget. And even for some of the other players on the roster that’ve toiled in the league and have yet to play in a postseason game. That too will be an experience for them.
Celtics’ coach Doc Rivers encourages his team to play hard down the stretch of the 4th quarter of the game against Dallas. picture courtesy of ap/Tony Gutierrez…….
With the unfolding episode in the Western Conference where the competitive edge of the NBA really lies. The carnage taking place is akin to guerilla and jungle warfare combined. And were it not for the fact that real bullets and guns aren’t being used as the weapons of choice you’d be hard pressed to determine who’ll come out of the conference as the eventual champions. Many of us have made predictions as to who that might be. But trying to assess it in amongst this maelstrom makes for an exciting contest amongst the prognosticators amongst us. I’d dare say not even the analysts really know who’ll prevail at the end of the day. For all of their bellicose pontification they’re normally no better than the common man in the street when it comes to picking a winner. That’s best left to the guys in Vegas who know a thing a thing or two about laying odds and determining winners.
James Posey tries to make a pass around the outstretched arms of the Mavericks’ Devean George. picture courtesy of ap/photos/…..
The teams considered with the best chance perhaps of taking down the Celtics might be the San Antonio Spurs the reigning NBA champions . But their play of late has been somewhat lamentable. And anyone who really knows this team , will know that come the playoffs, coach Greg Popovich will have them battle tested , ready and prepared for the onslaught of postseason play. The Lakers under the leadership of the enigmatic and rejuvenated Kobe Bryant will want to show the rest of the NBA that he’s capable of leading a team into postseason and beyond. Some might say that Kobe still feels aggrieved that he’s never got the recognition he deserves when he and Shaquille O’Neal were in tandem winning three straight NBA titles. And with O’Neal himself now back in the Western Conference playing for the Phoenix Suns. It’d be a a tv sports producer’s dream to see the Suns and Lakers going up against one another if only to garner more emotion to the perceived Bryant , O’Neal rivalry . And with the Suns starting to acclimatize themselves to Shaq that scenario may well happen considering their winning streak and play as of late.
Sam Cassell and teammate Glen Davis leave the court to be substituted during the game against the Mavericks. picture courtesy of ap/photos/….
The Dallas Mavericks were seen as potential champions at the start of the year. But that was in now way justified when one considers their meltdown from last year. They don’t possess a heart for real competitive play and even with the addition of Jason Kidd to their roster this team continues to fall short of showing what they’re capable of doing. Present MVP Dirk Nowitzki might be seen as the leader of this team but he doesn’t possess the heart of a lion. A field mouse might show more heart than Dirk is alleged to have.
If ever there were two teams in the West who I thought were capable of making some noise this postseason. Then it’d be the Utah Jazz and the New Orleans Hornets. They’re led by two precocious young stars in Chris Paul of the Hornets and Deron Williams of the Jazz. And in Jerry Sloan and Byron Scott they’ve got two of the more astute and well seasoned coaches of the NBA. Both teams play an uptempo style that’s extremely satisfying to watch. Given the chance they are capable of beating the might of the conference. But it’s as I’ve alluded to before earlier the Western Conference has and will become a bloodbath during the remainder of the regular season and into the postseason when the spoils will be there for the taking.
As to how the Boston Celtics will contend with the opponent’ll be debatable . But that’s under the understanding that they themselves will prevail in the Eastern Conference. And though I make light of their the contenders within their conference I’m not taking anything for granted. Nor should anyone else for that matter !
tophac ……..
Topics: Uncategorized |
March 21st, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Great stuff Toph,
But we must play it out. Boston is the odds on favorite in my books. But we don’t just hand these trophys out. The west will put a great product out there. The west will be battle proven by the time it reaches the championship. I for one don’t believe all that stuff about being worn out. The Championship creats energy by getting there. Phoenix or San Antonio can beat these guys. It will how ever be a long series to do so !
Tom
ea7777
March 22nd, 2008 at 8:38 am
Solid job, Tophat!
One of my newest readers recently gave me a little grief for not covering the Celtics more, so I will.
Their sweep through the Texas triangle was impressive. During the years the Bulls did it, they won the title. I certainly wouldn’t count the Cs out. Hell, they’re actually a good bet to win it all.
March 22nd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
What happened to my comment?
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Tom Fendley
I certainly don’t disagree with you about Boston. But everyone seems to be forgetting about the Piston who are no slouches when it comes to playing ball. As for the Cavaliers they’re only go as far as LeBon’ll take ‘em. They’ve become too inconsistent as of late. The Magic’ll tend to blow hot and cold , Howard, Lewis and Turkoglu will have to get it all together if they’re to prove themselves throughout the playoffs and beyond.
tophac ………
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:32 pm
Mean Dovine
The Celtics are as good as most had believed them to be. But I can’t help but wonder how they’ll acquit themselves during the postseason. Especially when theyre to meet the likes of Detroit in the conference finals. It’s not as if Flip Sanders’ team is a pushover.
So it remains to be seen if they’ll live up to all of the hype.
tophac …………
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Mean Dovine
Your comment was in moderation. A new fangled idea for the first time contributor to a post when it’s a new account. But as a way of making up for that here’s somethin’ to wet your appetite.
You know it’s all good when it’s something to do with Melyssa Ford ! You just know that honey is always gonna look fine !
Melyssa Ford……
tophac ……….
March 22nd, 2008 at 7:49 pm
Mean Dovine
Tom Fendley
Guys I’ll be devoting a post to you esteemed individuals . And when I say devote it’ll be something that you’ll no doubt enjoy.
tophac ……….