Just Short

Doc Rivers in February told the Celtics that they would be back to the Staple Center, not for the regular season, but for the NBA Finals. Rivers was so confident in his team that he ordered every player and member on the coaching staff to turn over $100 dollars, which he hid in the arena for the team to collect in June.

Rivers was right. The players were able to recollect their money, but were unable to cash in on the grand prize.

Last night’s Game 7 loss hurts and personally will for the foreseeable future. This Celtics team came out of no where to make a miracle run at the Championship, a sprint that no one could have imagined going into the Miami series. Heading into the playoffs, no one believed the Celtics could have knocked out D-Wade, LeBron James, and Dwight Howard, yet alone all three with relative ease. The Celtics were 26-26 over their final 52 games of the regular season and appeared to be a shell of their 2008 Championship form.

But the team came together for two months to muster everything they had left for a final title push. Three aging Hall of Famers gave up the reins, changed their individual style of play, and worked as a singular unit, in route to making it to the NBA Finals. Their run accentuated the Big Three’s individual greatness during the younger stages of their respective careers- KG’s intensity, Allen’s determination, and Pierce’s fearlessness, were evident.

In Game 7, the Celtics kick was simply gassed. It was a perfect game, minus the outcome and the agonizing nature. The Celtics refused to lose despite having Perkins on the sideline. It was unfortunate that Perkins went down in Game 6. Game 7 would have been won by the Celtics if Perkins was in the lineup. It is a big “If” but Kobe Bryant even hinted that way during the post game interviews. The Celtics controlled the game in all aspects for their style of play for the first 3 quarters- slow paced, defensive minded, and physical. Boston gained a double digit lead on the road, Kobe Bryant was “off” offensively, and the Lakers were missing free throws early. Despite being owned on the boards, the Celtics were in control.

Everything started to switch mid way through the 3rd quarter. The Celtics offensively went stagnant. Sheed was no longer getting the ball on the block, (Rasheed Wallace made up for his horrible play all season with last night’s effort. Wallace played outstanding and was the reason the Celtics went up double digits.) Rondo could not penetrate, and Allen’s jump shot was flat. The Celtics wanted to win the game more than the Lakers, it was evident. No home team, who is dominating the boards and second chance opportunities should ever be down by that much in a Game 7. Still, the Celtics proved that the key to basketball is making shots, not controlling the glass. Last time I checked, you only win by outscoring your opponent. You need to make baskets and LA was not but than again, Boston was not in regularity.

The Celtics showed their age in the 4th. They made stupid fouls which was due to fatigue. Rivers had to extend Garnett because Rasheed Wallace started to cramp up. (Wallace left it all on the court and told Rivers to leave him in the game numous times). Boston could no longer go to Wallace on the block and KG could no longer bruise down low with Gasol. Perkins absence killed the Celtics size against the Lakers. Boston ran out of able big man. When Allen simply missed everything and Artest shut down Pierce, the Celtics had no chance to recapture the lead.

It is sad to see the Celtics limp to the finish line. The Big Three won Boston a championship in 2008. That same starting lineup was altered in 2009 (No KG) and in 2010 (No Perkins). The Celtics if healthy could have won three in a row and at least should have won a second had they not been robbed by Perkins injury.

Next season will be a different look for the Celtics. Wallace will likely retire, Allen will not be resigned, and KG may be dealt due to his expiring contract. If the Big Three’s run comes to a stop, it will not be forgotten. Garnett and Allen revived basketball in Boston with their arrival and changed the atmosphere surrounding the team. Ainge will have a lot of issues to address over the next few seasons, but trust him and his decisions. He boldly traded for Ray Allen despite KG initially refusing to be traded to Boston. He created the Big Three and trusted Doc Rivers when everyone wanted his head. I can only hope Ainge delivers again for Boston.

The Celtics wanted the game more and it hurts that their grittiness was not rewarded. Boston, keep your head up high. The Celtics amazing run just came up short.