... (pause) ... Did that really happen? Was I dreaming (or possibly too fucked up to really see the TV)? You mean to tell me that the Celtics rallied from an 18-point halftime deficite to beat the Los Angeles Lakers 97-91 and put a hammer lock on this series? And Kobe only scored 17, in LA? You can't be serious.
...
No way, get outta town.
...
No bullshit?
Holy crap. So I wasn't hallucinating (this time), and the Celtics just pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the Playoffs? F'ing sweet! I mean that comeback has got to be about as improbable as Ray's miracle ace of hearts on the river at the end of our last marathon hold 'em game (the morale breaking effect was also similar). You might even say that the Celtics' comeback (on the small but thick shoulders of Eddie House no less) was similar in absurdity to Dave knocking the seven ball in from the next table on his very first try (I want a rematch, but this time it's gotta be on the rail)!
I guess you could say that I'm excited, just a little bit. Seriously though, that was an awesome showing of nasty clutch and resolve by the green & white, by far the most jaw dropping and awe inspiring that I've ever seen in my short life (hold the lynch mob, Red Sox nation, I'm talking strictly about basketball here). And yes, this was even better than the Celtics' 2002 comeback against the Nets in the Eastern Conference Playoffs, though that effort was likewise incredible.
Separate poll question: Which demeaning chant is worse, the taunting chant's of "wifebeater!" to Jason Kidd in 2002, or the round of "no means no!" from the Boston crowd directed towards Kobe in game one of this year's Finals? My money is on the latter, though as I recall Pierce joined in with the chorus in 2002 which made it doubly hilarious and crazy to boot. And Boston fans wonder why we're almost universally reviled across the entire country and labeled as classless, crass drunks (it's not just the whole Irish thing, you know).
Speaking of flawed fanbases, how about that Laker crowd? They were really supporting their team during game four until the Lakers stopped making shots (once they arrived, anyways). I'm not one to judge (liar!), but when half your fanbase is more concerned with their hair and appearence on the jumbotron than the outcome of the game, you've got problems. At least Boston fans pay attention to the game in between trips to the beer line (they also have the common courtesy to show up on time). But I'm not writing this to bash the LA fans (maybe just a little), I'll leave that to Simmons and everybody else with nothing better to talk about (yeah, yeah, something about the pot calling the kettle black).
I've been tirelessly predicting for a while now that Paul Pierce would play huge in LA and score a ton of points, and despite his mortal total of 20 points on Thursday, Pierce came through in huge fashion in game four and was integral to the Celtics' victory. The Truth got it done on both ends, and keyed the Celtics' rally by staying aggressive and making some tough shots along with Eddie House (more on him later). More than his offensive production, it was Pierce's lockdown defense on the Mamba himself that allowed Boston to win that game. Down the stretch, Pierce asked to switch onto Kobe and rose to the occassion. He moved his feet, stayed active, and forced Kobe into some very difficult looks. He even flat out rejected Kobe once, setting the tone for his teammates and showing his resolve and winning attitude in the process. Pierce is the man on this team, he knows it, and he stepped up to prove it in a pivotal game last night.
As for Eddie House, he was really the spark for the Celtics on Thursday, taking care of the ball and making some big shots late despite a few early misses. At this point, I think that there is no question that he should be starting in place of the injured Rondo, who looked lost and scared out there during game four. Rondo is still the guy, but he's clearly hurt and can't play effectively enough. Besides, the Celtics can really stretch the floor with House roaming on the perimeter, and as a result, both Pierce and Garnett will benefit tremendously. House has been great in the limited action he's seen this postseason, injecting the Celtics with energy, enthusiasm and hustle this postseason and has been responsible for some big wins in big games thus far. Bill Simmons and everyone else in Boston would also like me to mention that the Celtics won 66 games with House in the rotation, and have been crummy and inconsistent with the likes of Sam Cassell playing the point instead (by the way, I have a feeling that I won't be the only one who is relieved when Cassell's creaky shoulder gives out and his shooting arm falls off). I want more Eddie in the next few games, and if Doc Rivers can resist the urge to shoot himself and his ballclub in the foot, he'll make it happen.
I'd also like to extend major kudos to Jesus Shuttlesworth Ray Allen for not only closing the game offensively (sick layup to put the final nail in the Lakers' coffin), but for also grabbing nine huge rebounds and playing the entire game (who says his ankles are gone?). Nine rebounds?!? I must be tripping again! Seriously though, Allen's work on the glass really helped to limit the Lakers' scoring opportunities, which was another huge key in the comeback and victory. Ray played great, and he has really been carrying more than his fair share during this Finals series.
Thinking about Ray Allen and Paul Pierce during game four actually sheds some light on why the Celtics are better than the Lakers and why the Celtics were able to make such a huge comeback during game four when the Lakers came up just short in game two. It's the defense and rebounding, plain and simple. While the Celtics got hot and started making shots to make their run, it was their defense and rebounding that fueled the comeback and kept LA from having enough quality scoring opportunities down the stretch. The Celtics not only scored, but they prevented LA from doing so, which makes it a lot easier to erase a huge gap in the scoreboard.
The Lakers, on the other hand, came up just short because they couldn't get enough stops and control the glass (and therefore, the tempo). LA came close in game two, but the Celtics saved themselves by grabbing offensive rebounds and controlling the clock. The Lakers couldn't do that in game four (they lead in rebounding last night but got shut out down the stretch), and that is why they weren't able to hold the Celtics off effectively.
The only sad part about Thursday's epic comeback was that the Celtics may not win the series at home. After such a back breaking loss, I'm not so sure that LA is mentally tough enough to rebound and keep the Celtics from delivering the knockout blow. Will the role players stay confident in themselves and continue to believe that the ball will actually be passed to them? Will Lamar Odom be able to remember that he is a pro-basketball player and make a tough decision to pass, shoot or drive before the shot clock runs out? I could easily see the Lakers coming back and winning game five after a blowout loss where they were embarrassed, but after a loss like this, I'm not so sure.
Of course, a win is a win, so I ultimately do not care where it happens, just that the Celtics beat the Lakers so I can hear the great wooshing sound of hot air leaving sports writers all summer long. Lastly, I'd like to reaffirm what others have already said, Kobe is not MJ. In fact, he's not even close. Jordan would not have let that happen, not in his prime and not today, either. Kobe is great and talented, but MJ was and is so much more than talent. I'm hoping for a dagger in the heart on Sunday, and I have a strange tingling sensation in my stomach that tells me it very well may be coming then (on second thought, that may just be the psychedelics kicking in...).
