May 2, 2008...11:46 pm
Doc, We Got a Problem
The Boston Celtics and the Atlanta Hawks have played in a surreal 7-game series, completing on Sunday.
The Celtics won 66 games compared to the Hawks’ 37. That’s nearly 30 more games won by the Celtics. Not to mention the Hawks’ record resembled one of a measly lottery team. If not for playing in the ugliest Eastern Conference the NBA has seen in years, Atlanta would be sitting at home, at a bar, or somewhere, watching the Celtics take on somebody else. Except it’s them. And they’re forcing a game freakin’ 7.
The Celtics only lost 10 road games in the regular season. In six games against a completely inferior team, they’ve lost 3. Composures are being disbanded (Paul Pierce and his outrageous calamities), crowds are getting into it fiercely (the largest crowd Atlanta has had in years!), and there’s a coach who is being beamed at in the minds of Celtics fans. Doc Rivers.
Rivers’ head was called upon last year for the awful 24-win season the Celtics posted. Following their magnificent 66-win year, completing the biggest turnaround in NBA history, Doc was touted as one of the best coaches in the league. Fuck you What-Have-You-Done-For-Me-Lately-Fans. The Celtics’ success this season should be owed preeminently to the assistant coaches and coaches all around who have helped amalgamate the team’s chemistry during practices. Except you don’t see them pacing the sidelines during games.
Remember when I said that Doc Rivers absolutely sucks at drawing up plays in basketball, that I had never heard of him drawing up a formidable or fundamental play EVER? I am right. Tonight, the Celtics took some of the more idiotic shots I’ve ever seen in my life. Down 96-89, Rajon Rondo drove to the hole, wasting no time, tossing the ball off the top of the backboard only to appease my suspicion that the ball would land in Josh Childress’ hands. Still yet, despite silly plays (Ray Allen pulling up — OFF THE DRIBBLE WITH TWO ATLANTA HAWKS ON HIS ASS — and miserably missing a three) that the Celtics incurred, they battled back and turned it into a 97-95 game with a little over a minute left. Moments later, Joe Johnson hit a step back watch-me-fade three to up the score to 100-95. Right after that, another Doc Rivers’ screw up turned into another Ray Allen kick out to James Posey, whereas James Posey hit one of those ‘bullshit’ threes that made the game 100-98. To make it short, Joe Johnson hit a few free throws and the Celtics failed to win game 6.
Game 7 in Boston. I’ll go out on a limb and say the Celtics win, but this was an ugly series for Boston to say the least. They played under par, and I hated seeing it happen, especially as an ardent lifelong Celtics fan. It was hard to swallow when the 4th quarter 0:00 buzzer rang and I knew there’d be a game 7. I guess I feel a little bit like the way Dallas Mavericks fans felt last year when Golden State took them down. Except that last year’s Golden State team is much better than this year’s Atlanta team. Jeez.
2 Comments
May 3, 2008 at 12:09 am
Just after putting up my post I watched Doc’s press conference, when he explained that on Ray’s off-balance three, the way they drew it up was for Ray to dump it down to KG for the easy layup. This bothers me for two reasons: 1) I don’t think that’s true and 2) even though he said he never questions a shot Ray takes, I think it’s a terrible thing to do to call out a guy like that in this situation. There are times to call out players in press conferences, but not streaky shooters before a Game 7. Ugh.
May 20, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Doc is
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