Game 5 follow …
Jun 16th, 2008 by Bill Burt
Ten thoughts after Game 5 last night:
1. These NBA Finals with the Celtics and Lakers are starting to feel like Sox-Yankees games in relation to the length of the games. Last night’s Game 5 lasted exactly three hours. Games 1, 2 and 4 lasted 2:44 while Game 3 lasted 2:48. If you’re wondering if this a trend, no. Last year’s four-game sweep by the Spurs over the Cavs saw times of 2:28, 2:36, 2:38 and 2:24.
2. Paul Pierce is the MVP for Celtics. If the series were over by now, Pierce would have hoisted the MVP Trophy. If there was any doubt, his 38-point effort last night sealed the deal. His stock has risen over the last month.
3. Ray Allen — surprise, surprise — has been the Celtics most consistent performer in the finals. He is not averaging 19 points in the finals, but he has scored 19 in two of the game. After his drought from Game 7 against Atlanta through Game 5 against Detroit, he has given a near-A performance every game.
4. Kendrick Perkins hurting C’s. That’s right, Perkins injured shoulder is a problem the Celtics will try to repair tomorrow night. We are coming to realize how vital Perkins is, particularly on defense against these Lakers. He is a trenches guy. He pushes, shoves and his fouls hurt. The Lakers took advantage of his absense in Game 5. I’ve been told his status for Game 6 will be a game time decision.
5. Kobe Bryant is tough to figure. He is a great talent, and I wouldn’t put anything past him in terms of this series. But there appears to be a flaw in his game/personality. There was word that Kevin Garnett was on the Lakers radar this past off-season when it was thought he was available. I just can’t imagine Kobe giving up any leadership to someone like Garnett.
6. Pau Gasol won’t get the calls in Boston that he got in LA. He complains even more than Kobe Bryant does. I expect the Celtics will not let him anywhere near the basket tomorrow night and they’ll probably get away with most of it. This could be the key to Game 6. Gasol was able to have his way with Leon Powe, P.J. Brown and even Kevin Garnett.
7. James Posey might epitomize this Celtics run better than any other player. Like Allen, you get the same performance every night. He is very physical and the Lakers, particularly Lamar Odom, don’t like it. Posey is right there will Paul Pierce on the mental toughness scale. He has hit a 3-pointer in 10 straight playoff games as well.
8. Celtics defensive assistant Tom Thibodeau and not Paul Pierce might be Kobe Bryant’s biggest foe in these playoffs. Apparently there is a history here, according to Bryant: “Tom Thibodeau was an assistant coach with the Rockets, and I know when we played them, their philosophy was anybody but (me). They’re going to throw the whole kitchen sink at me. Could I force myself to get 40? Yeah. But is that better for our ballclub? No. We’ve got guys open, I’m going to move the ball and do what I need to do.”
9. Eddie House deserves kudos for his performance the last three games while Rondo still isn’t anywhere near 100 percent. While the offense slows to a standstill, he offers the option that Rondo doesn’t. He opens the floor because he has to be covered. He had the key shot in Game 4 when the Celtics took the lead for the first time (84-83) with a baseline jumper during the monumentous comeback. He had an incredible 3-pointer while falling down to close the game to three (101-98) with 14 seconds left keeping a potential miracle comeback alive. He has averaged 8 points a game since Game 3 and will see key minutes tomorrow night whether Rondo is near 100 percent or not.
10. The Garden will never be louder than it will be tomorrow night. If the Lakers win, overcoming the odds and noise, then they are much better and stronger than I believed they are. The only thing louder and more imposing would be a Game 7. We’ll leave the blog entry for another day.
Send along any thoughts or comments.
