I've been meaning to say . . .
Ten free minutes for me, 10 free throwaway lines for you . . .
1. It's not possible to exaggerate it: tonight is set up to be the defining moment of Kevin Garnett's career. A strong individual performance in a Celtics victory would secure his legacy as a champion, as the player whose arrival revived Celtics Pride, and as one of the sport's 25 to 35 all-time greatest players . . . or, should he play as poorly as he did in Game 5, it would only enhance thearguments of those who say he swallows his tongue in the biggest moments, that he'll never be a true superstar because he habitually shrivels in the spotlight. I think I've made clear over the course of this wonderful season how much Garnett his admired around here, and while I'll agree that he does make curious decisions on occasion, I believe wholeheartedly that he will deliver one of his classic 24-point, 15-rebound performances in front of the home crowd tonight. Other than watching Paul Pierce celebrate as a champion, I can't think of another angle I'll enjoy more than the KG redemption.
2. I have to admit, I didn't think the Celtics would miss Kendrick Perkins as much as they did in Game 5, and it's reassuring that he's going to try to give it a go tonight. In his absence, and with KG in foul trouble, Pau Gasol actually asserted himself, which he hasn't done since his mother tried to talk him out of wearing his sister's leotard to school in fourth grade.
3. I guess this means the advertising was effective, because I'm actually curious to see how those NBA split-screen, talking-head commercials end once the Finals are over. Gotta figure it will be Garnett's mug alone, rhapsodizing about winning a championship, followed by Pierce and Ray Allen, right? Oh, and Scal, obviously. Just as long as Larry in a tank top doesn't make another appearance, we should be cool with whatever they come up with.
4. In case you ever catch me offering fantasy baseball advice in this space again, please, remind me that I recommended and coveted these three players at the start of this season: Justin Verlander, Troy Tulowitzki, and Aaron Hill. Yikes - even Bill Bavasi wasn't that inept. I'm just grateful I didn't get any of them, and stumbled into Brandon Webb after Verlander went a few picks earlier.
5. Gotta say I'm more than surprised by former Sox No. 1 pick David Murphy's success with the Rangers this season. In the season-and-a-half he played in Portland, he never looked like much more than a fourth outfielder, someone who did a lot things decently but nothing spectacularly. I thought Brandon Moss would be a better big league hitter, and I still do if he ever escapes the Red Sox organization, though Murphy's doing his damndest to convince me otherwise.
6. Then again, it was easy to get overshadowed on that '05 Sea Dogs team. Players who passed through Portland that summer included Jonathan Papelbon, Hanley Ramirez, Dustin Pedroia, Anibal Sanchez, Moss, Murphy, Cla Meredith, Craig Hansen, Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, and Kason Gabbard. I'm pretty sure that crew could have won the NL wild card.
7. Though the way they dismissed him was classless - sending him on a West Coast road trip, then canning him after his team had won 2 of its last 3 - there's no denying that Willie Randolph had to go in New York. The collection of slugs that populate that locker room was no longer responding to him, and he was basically a dead man walking after last September's epic collapse. But the real culprit there is Omar Minaya, who constructs his team likes he's aspiring to duplicate Dan Duquette's work with the 2001 Red Sox: lots of big names at various stages of their careers, with very little depth and very few character players. The Mets look considerably better on paper than they do on the field, and a new manager isn't going to change that.
8. I was convinced the Yankees weren't a playoff team before Chien-Ming Wang's bizarre injury. The difference between this Yankees ballclub and the ones that have dug their way out of the grave after slow starts in recent seasons is simple: this one just doesn't have enough pitching, the only conclusion you can come to when you realize LaTroy Hawkins and Kyle Farnsworth are featured prominently. Losing Wang, who won 38 games combined the previous two seasons, and replacing him with someone named Dan Giese, will only emphasize that fatal flaw more.
9. Quick programming note: I'll be catching up on all the Red Sox stuff I missed while focusing on the Celtics in a huuuuuuggge post later this week, which is why I stayed away from topics here such as our new fascination with J.D. Drew. Also, no Celtics live blog tonight - I'll be in the office, with one eye on the TV and one on the computer screen. I'd feel worse about it if my unbeaten record in the Finals didn't go down in flames in Game 5. Should the Celts win, I'll post something in the early hours, so be sure to check back in tomorrow morning.
10. As for today's Completely Random Basketball Card:
Funny, I don't remember ol' Jellybean dragging his kids out every time they were within 100 yards of a camera.
Nice to hear Perkins is suiting up. If he is a no go, Doc should think of Big Baby and Scalabrine. Those guys are too tall for Powe, imho.
It's strange to know what will happen. I guess most folks are expecting the title tonight because the Lakers have no defense, and it's a home game.
Garnett is a defensive force. He is like an Alex Gonzales. If you get the offense, it is a bonus. But KG clearly needs a big guy alongside him so as to play his natural game. It's unfair of people to get on him so much. It's just been his shooting that's been off. The guy did carry us at other points of the playoffs.
Gasol's neck beard and Sasha's hair net need a beating tonight. Go Celts.
Did you seriously just recommend Scalabrine? Sorry, but no redheads on the floor tonight Doc, please!
Nick, some valid points. However, regarding Garnett, I don't think people have "gotten on" him because his shooting has been off. I think it is because he continued time and again to attempt the same shots and missed over and over again. When plan A isn't working, utilize plan B. Plan B would be to adopt a "Kevin McHale" low post, in the paint attitude. Go up with it, hit it or not, and try to get fouled.
From 1980 - 1989, I had the honor of teaching with a master teacher and coach, Mark Burke, who proudly hailed from Charlestown and who had Celtics' seasons-tickets near the old "Bird's Nest" in the third balcony of the old Garden.
I had the delight to attend over sixty games with him during that time; yes, I saw the Clippers and the Nets many times, but he also made sure that I attended a number of 76er's, Pistons, and Lakers contests over that span as well (including Game 7 of the 1984 Finals, Game 1 of the 1986 Finals, and Game 7 of the 1987 semi-finals).
Mark tragically died much too young - just five months before his beloved Patriots won their first Super Bowl. He never saw the Red Sox win it (another tram he lived and died for); this evening, he would be completely hyped up for this game and would have already had a couple of beers waiting for his C's to "Beat LA!"
I am thinking of him this evening as the C's are in warm-ups on the court below. How proud Mark would be of this team! Win it for.... Mark Burke.
All we need Perk to do is just stand there in the paint tonight and get his six fouls. Don't worry about scoring, don't worry about rebounding. Just be a tree in front of Gasol. Agree with you Chad that KG submits a great performance tonight .
There's a little bit of a different level of excitement for tonight's game. Drove by the Garden on the way home and my heart started racing - I think it's the chance to win a championship in the confines of our fair city. I can tell you one particular group who won't be pleased with a victory tonight: the ol' Boston Police Department.
Got to show Jack delivering the "You can't handle the truth" line a few dozen times. Tonight's he night! Green 17.
What kind of half-assed fantasy league are you playing in where Verlander was picked before Webb? I mean, honestly.
Oh, and: Beat L.A.!
Chad I could be mistaken on this but I think before the season you predicted a big year for Jon Lester-15 wins maybe? After tonight he's 6-3 with a 3.18 ERA and a nice scoreless 7 tonight against a good Phillies team. He looks like he really has arrived. Go Celts!
Didn't you also suggest Franklin Guiterrez (Cleveland RF), who is in a tie with Rios for least productive fantasy pick of the first half?
If any of your readers are UNH basketball fans, isn't Pau Gasol a dead ringer for a taller, skinnier, reefed up Jimmy Boylan?
Quick pick for the older crowd: Who's your first round pick - Beth Havlichek, Shonda's sister, or the Havlichek daughter?
Kind of sad that that's the best we can do on the East Coast while last year he had to "endure" Eva during the finals.
Can Doc make changes to his active roster in mid-game so Scal can get in before he gets dispatched to the CBA next season?
And yes we are rooting for another certain redhead with NH roots to take Scal's spot next season.
Can we find Michelle Lafoya a job in Burlington VT so we don't have to listen to her anymore?
JDS
But it is possible to exaggerate; "It's as if nothing he has ever done before matters, as if he has only played one game in his entire career, blah blah blah
CHAMPS!
You were wrong about Garnett going 24 and 15. He was 26 and 14. Great game.
Garnett came up big tonight. Allen shot the lights out with one eye. And the Truth, well what can you say, other than MVP...MVP...MVP?
This one was sweet. This one's for my dad.
What? No comforting hug from Vanessa and the kids? Kobe's agent is slipping or the Garden security couldn't be bought. He'll have to wait till next year to stage more things to rehabilitate his image.
Paul Pierce will now have his number retired and be remembered as a great Celtic. I'm glad since I believe he has been one of the most underrated Boston athletes in a long time. I look forward to telling the crazy Paul Pierce story to my unborn children...falling to us in the draft, gifted scorer, stabbed and nearly dies, comes back rick away, he is immature (I never said it, others say), him and walker chuck us to an eastern finals, carries poor teams, yearns for more, but has/had relation with Red, Ainge keeps him and pairs him up with KG and Ray. Rolling Rally Thursday. Wow.
Not only were the Lakers soft, but they gave up, and that includes Kobe. I realize they all of a sudden found themselves down 23 at half, but didn't come out with any energy in the second half. One would think that they'd play with some level of desperation considering it was probably their last 24 minutes of the season, but instead they played with even less energy than in the first half. Was the Celtics' defense that good? Were they that dominant? No and no. The Lakers just gave up, which I suppose comes with the territory of being soft, which in no way diminishes the Celtics, just the Lakers. So Kobe, how about that championship without Shaq?
Not to under estimate that David Murphy is playing in the best hitters park in the league...happy he is doing well, but he is in the AL version of Coors...Take a look at his home and away splits...
I just had to google "verklempt"...Nice piece, the last 12 months were historic, and I'm glad this time around I'm old enough to appreciate it. I wonder if Greg Kite was watching.
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