Disco Volante
Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract
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http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/080617
Something to read while getting ready for the game tonight.
Can Celts answer the call at closing time?
By Bill Simmons
Updated: June 17, 2008
BOSTON -- Remember in "Halloween" when Laurie thought she "killed" Michael Myers and dropped the knife right next to him, then stood in the doorway with her back turned to him? What an idiot, right? The Celtics did the same thing in Game 5 on Sunday night. With a chance to finish off the Lakers in Los Angeles and clinch their first title in 22 years, the Celtics played a drop-the-knife game. Now we're back in Boston for at least one more game -- possibly two -- and unfortunately for the Celtics, Dr. Loomis isn't sprinting up the stairs with his gun to save them.
The good news for Boston fans: A team that went 48-7 at home (including the playoffs) now has two chances to clinch a 17th banner at home.
The bad news for Boston fans: The Celtics are limping to the finish line. They've played a whopping 107 games this season, not including preseason games or their Italy trip in October. They suffered two significant injuries (Kendrick Perkins and Rajon Rondo); their best player (Paul Pierce) is playing with possible damage in his left knee; their best shooter (Ray Allen) is dealing with a family crisis; and their best big man (Kevin Garnett) played an impossibly bad Game 5 and seems to be either wearing down or shrinking from the moment. When you remember how this series unfolded -- Boston's narrow escape after blowing a 24-point lead in Game 2, followed by its incredible comeback from 24 down in Game 4 -- the line between "leading L.A. 3-2" and "going home for the summer" is narrower than you think.
On the other hand, it's not like the Lakers have been lighting the world on fire. They barely won Game 3 even though the Celtics stunk, they barely held on in Game 5 even though Paul Pierce was the only Celtic who showed up, and it's unclear which of the Lakers has the testicular capacity to come through in a crazed road atmosphere except for Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher. My dad put it best after Game 5: "I don't trust our guys to put this series away, but I don't trust their guys to take it."
[Continued...]
Something to read while getting ready for the game tonight.