The official Heat-Celtics Eastern Conference semifinal thread

[BradyManny]

Doc really needs to stop taking the high road.

The play by Wade was a punk move - it almost knocked our most important player out for the playoffs, and at the very least will limit his effectiveness.

The Celtics either need to retaliate on the floor or in the media. Doc has a history of turning the other cheek in these kinds of situation and rising above it - to his credit, it's worked. He doesn't want to get distracted. Maybe that's for the best.

If I was Doc, I'd send in Pavlocic off the bench to swing in elbow in Wade's face so the Heat realize they can't continue to take cheap shots without repercussion. Remember Wade tried to start something earlier in the game with Pierce.

Frankly, I'll take it as a sign that Wade thinks they can't beat the Celtics without resorting to these bush league moves.

But that was one of several dirty plays by Wade this series. And for those that say they just got "tangled up" - no, Wade wrapped his arm around Rondo and kicked his legs out from under him. He was frustrated and being the little punk b*tch he's been all series - of course it was deliberate. Did he know Rondo would land on his elbow like that? Of course not. But just look at the punk look on Wade's face as he calmly walks away from a screaming Rondo. Friggin Bernard Pollard showed more respect than that.

 

[scout]

Doc really needs to stop taking the high road.

The play by Wade was a punk move - it almost knocked our most important player out for the playoffs, and at the very least will limit his effectiveness.

The Celtics either need to retaliate on the floor or in the media. Doc has a history of turning the other cheek in these kinds of situation and rising above it - to his credit, it's worked. He doesn't want to get distracted. Maybe that's for the best.

If I was Doc, I'd send in Pavlocic off the bench to swing in elbow in Wade's face so the Heat realize they can't continue to take cheap shots without repercussion. Remember Wade tried to start something earlier in the game with Pierce.

Frankly, I'll take it as a sign that Wade thinks they can't beat the Celtics without resorting to these bush league moves.

But that was one of several dirty plays by Wade this series. And for those that say they just got "tangled up" - no, Wade wrapped his arm around Rondo and kicked his legs out from under him. He was frustrated and being the little punk b*tch he's been all series - of course it was deliberately.

What are you a fan of Andrew Bynum? No, we do not take cheap shots. If Doc wants to send an enforcer in then that's fine (not even sure we have one). Anything else is bush league and does not belong in the Celtics organization.

 

[BradyManny]

What are you a fan of Andrew Bynum? No, we do not take cheap shots. If Doc wants to send an enforcer in then that's fine (not even sure we have one). Anything else is bush league and does not belong in the Celtics organization.

I think you need a Celtics history lesson:



YouTube - Pistons Celtics 1986/87 Playoffs - Parish punches Laimbeer



And those are just a couple highlights. Not to mention our own roster has a player who isn't afraid of bush-league tactics. Let's face it, if KG weren't on our team, we'd think he were a punk. He plays for us, so he's just passionate.

There is a place for retaliation and hard-fouls in this game. Wade has had 3 unprovoked attempts to injure Celtics players up to the point in this series. There is no place for that. And so, if it happens to your team - you fight back, or else you lose control of the series.

I would have no problem with an enforcer of the Celtics bench pulling a Bynum on Wade. The context justifies it, whereas with Bynum, it was just pathetic, cheap and disgusting. There was no reason for Bynum to do what he did. It would not be a cheapshot if the Celtics attempted to retaliate.

In fact, it would dangerous to their team if they don't do something to deter this fake-thug from his continued cheapshots.

At this point, Wade has launched directly into Pierce's chest; tried dragging Pierce to the ground (and failing); and successfully ripped Rondo to the ground and took his feet out from under him, deliberately.

A nicely timed elbow into Wade would not be a cheapshot. It would be self-defense at this point.

I'm sorry if you feel otherwise, b/c it reminds me people forget the way the game used to be played. See above.

 

[bigcountry75]

I think you need a Celtics history lesson:



YouTube - Pistons Celtics 1986/87 Playoffs - Parish punches Laimbeer



And those are just a couple highlights. Not to mention our own roster has a player who isn't afraid of bush-league tactics. Let's face it, if KG weren't on our team, we'd think he were a punk. He plays for us, so he's just passionate.

There is a place for retaliation and hard-fouls in this game. Wade has had 3 unprovoked attempts to injure Celtics players up to the point in this series. There is no place for that. And so, if it happens to your team - you fight back, or else you lose control of the series.

I would have no problem with an enforcer of the Celtics bench pulling a Bynum on Wade. The context justifies it, whereas with Bynum, it was just pathetic, cheap and disgusting. There was no reason for Bynum to do what he did. It would not be a cheapshot if the Celtics attempted to retaliate.

In fact, it would dangerous to their team if they don't do something to deter this fake-thug from his continued cheapshots.

At this point, Wade has launched directly into Pierce's chest; tried dragging Pierce to the ground (and failing); and successfully ripped Rondo to the ground and took his feet out from under him, deliberately.

A nicely timed elbow into Wade would not be a cheapshot. It would be self-defense at this point.

I'm sorry if you feel otherwise, b/c it reminds me people forget the way the game used to be played. See above.

I think I have to agree with BradyManny in this situation...I am not even a mavs fan and I was screaming at what Bynum did last night as that was just totally uncalled for but.....If wade goes to the hole and shaq looks like he is going for the ball and slams wade to the floor hard then he will know that he can't do whatever he wants and get away with it.....I don't think anyone is saying to send in a bench player and run right up to wade and start a UFC match on the court, but if during the play you take a hard shot and let him know that the Celtics aren't a bunch of punk B*tches it might go a long way for this series and beyond....

 

[scout]

I think you need a Celtics history lesson:



YouTube - Pistons Celtics 1986/87 Playoffs - Parish punches Laimbeer



And those are just a couple highlights. Not to mention our own roster has a player who isn't afraid of bush-league tactics. Let's face it, if KG weren't on our team, we'd think he were a punk. He plays for us, so he's just passionate.

There is a place for retaliation and hard-fouls in this game. Wade has had 3 unprovoked attempts to injure Celtics players up to the point in this series. There is no place for that. And so, if it happens to your team - you fight back, or else you lose control of the series.

I would have no problem with an enforcer of the Celtics bench pulling a Bynum on Wade. The context justifies it, whereas with Bynum, it was just pathetic, cheap and disgusting. There was no reason for Bynum to do what he did. It would not be a cheapshot if the Celtics attempted to retaliate.

In fact, it would dangerous to their team if they don't do something to deter this fake-thug from his continued cheapshots.

At this point, Wade has launched directly into Pierce's chest; tried dragging Pierce to the ground (and failing); and successfully ripped Rondo to the ground and took his feet out from under him, deliberately.

A nicely timed elbow into Wade would not be a cheapshot. It would be self-defense at this point.

I'm sorry if you feel otherwise, b/c it reminds me people forget the way the game used to be played. See above.

Different era. Rules were changed. Can not compare the Bird era to what happened yesterday.

 

[BradyManny]

Different era. Rules were changed. Can not compare the Bird era to what happened yesterday.

Fair enough.

But if Dwayne Wade is going to play under the 80s rules and deliver cheapshots every chance he gets - we know David Stern isn't going to do jack about it b/c its Miami. So the Celts have to do something about it.

[FWIW, someone on Celticsblog detailed his C's cheapshots, and it goes back into the regular season, even. Somebody has to put an end to it.]

That leaves the Celtics 3 options:

1) Ignore it, turn the other cheek, risk another Rondo elbow bending incident. This is Doc's preferred method. Hard to question him anymore, but I do here.
2) Have Doc call it out in the press. Very un-Doc like since he is generally too classy for this and keeps a good rapport with players across the league. I'm sure Phil Jackson would have no problem calling Wade out.
3) Have someone put a deliberate flagrant hit on Wade so he knows he's not going to get away with it anymore.

KG could set a hard pick on him (and we know KG is no stranger to throwing a cheapshot) or JO could body him up hard next time he goes to the hoop - but those guys are too invaluable to lose to ejection. I really think Doc needs to send in an expendable player off the bench to hit Wade and hit him hard. If he wants to win this series, we have to be more physical team. We won Game 3 in part b/c we were able to get away with more physical play than we were in Miami.

But, it's moot - Doc isn't going to do that. So we just have to hope Wade stops acting like a punk, and pray it doesn't end up injuring another one of our star players.

 

[scout]

I'm all for the Celtics playing hard. I thought the injury on Rondo was more of an accident then a cheap shot. The shots on Allen were more troubling for me. Celtics are not a soft team, they shouldn't play like one.
It will be interesting to see how Rondo plays tonight. I would think Miami will dare him even more knowing that he's not close to 100%.................and I hope he burns them.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

big game tonight

 

[ausbacker]

Officiating is taking the enjoyment out of watching this series.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

They gotta pick it up..lose this game and series is over..they have to realize this

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

game set match....can't believe they laid a complete egg in the 4th...

 

[BradyManny]

They needed to win this game in regulation. They are too gassed to win in OT, and it's showing. It's over I'm afraid.

Pathetic last sequence in regulation. WTF was that.

 

[ausbacker]

Doc has coached quite poorly tonight. Celtics look like they've run out of legs.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

KG played like a *****...1 for what..9?

End of a great run..would have been nice if they beat the Lakers last year in the finals


Could be the last time we see them in the playoffs in a long time


Can't stand Miami...hope Chi/ATL crushes them

 

[ausbacker]

KG played like a *****...1 for what..9?

End of a great run..would have been nice if they beat the Lakers last year in the finals


Could be the last time we see them in the playoffs in a long time


Can't stand Miami...hope Chi/ATL crushes them

Celtics age and lack of athleticism showed through in the end. Ainge is going to have to earn every penny of his pay packet in the off-season and overhaul the roster.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

With a major lockout next year in the NBA..wednesday will be the last time we see the C's in a long time

 

[BradyManny]

Doc has coached quite poorly tonight. Celtics look like they've run out of legs.

Disagree completely. Doc coached his butt off. He went small when it was dictated, kept Delonte in there, took Rondo out in OT when it became apparent he was toast. He was not afraid to make moves, and most of them paid off.

KG couldn't throw a brick in the ocean, Ray was useless, Baby is doing more sitting on the bench, Rondo has one arm.

They had open shots, they should have made. No excuses, they blew it. And it's certainly not Doc's fault.

 

[ausbacker]

Disagree completely. Doc coached his butt off. He went small when it was dictated, kept Delonte in there, took Rondo out in OT when it became apparent he was toast. He was not afraid to make moves, and most of them paid off.

KG couldn't throw a brick in the ocean, Ray was useless, Baby is doing more sitting on the bench, Rondo has one arm.

They had open shots, they should have made. No excuses, they blew it. And it's certainly not Doc's fault.

Doc coached poorly tonight. He didn't make moves at the obvious time, kept playing through cold players and the players performed accordingly.

 

[Boston Boxer]

Celtics age and lack of athleticism showed through in the end. Ainge is going to have to earn every penny of his pay packet in the off-season and overhaul the roster.

bingo! We could use a young big man...we are very weak inside. The Perkins kid is pretty good.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think you need a Celtics history lesson:



YouTube - Pistons Celtics 1986/87 Playoffs - Parish punches Laimbeer



And those are just a couple highlights. Not to mention our own roster has a player who isn't afraid of bush-league tactics. Let's face it, if KG weren't on our team, we'd think he were a punk. He plays for us, so he's just passionate.

There is a place for retaliation and hard-fouls in this game. Wade has had 3 unprovoked attempts to injure Celtics players up to the point in this series. There is no place for that. And so, if it happens to your team - you fight back, or else you lose control of the series.

I would have no problem with an enforcer of the Celtics bench pulling a Bynum on Wade. The context justifies it, whereas with Bynum, it was just pathetic, cheap and disgusting. There was no reason for Bynum to do what he did. It would not be a cheapshot if the Celtics attempted to retaliate.

In fact, it would dangerous to their team if they don't do something to deter this fake-thug from his continued cheapshots.

At this point, Wade has launched directly into Pierce's chest; tried dragging Pierce to the ground (and failing); and successfully ripped Rondo to the ground and took his feet out from under him, deliberately.

A nicely timed elbow into Wade would not be a cheapshot. It would be self-defense at this point.

I'm sorry if you feel otherwise, b/c it reminds me people forget the way the game used to be played. See above.

I agree with all of this. I'm not sure if the intent to injure was there, as it's generally hard to injure someone in that fashion and was just an instance of bad luck that Rondo landed the way he did. But it definitely wasn't a clean play as there was no hustle for the ball. I expected someone to come in and throw an elbow on Wade. Frankly, I would have been fine with it. If you want to play street ball, then you should expect some retaliation. Much in the same way I said that I would have defended Pierce if he had done the same thing to Wade in Game 1, I would have defended the Celtics and Doc Rivers if they sent someone in to retaliate on Wade.

Anyway, with all of that said, my respect for Rajon Rondo grew by leaps and bounds in Game 3. The guy is an absolute pain in the ass to play against, but I respect him. That elbow injury looked absolutely brutal. I didn't expect him to play in the rest of the series, let alone come back into the game and actually make a difference. As an opponent, you cannot do anything about a performance like that. Not only does it get the crowd going, but it inspires everyone else on the squad to pick their games up. After all, if Rondo can turn the game around with one arm, guys like Allen, Pierce, and Garnett should all be able to light it up. The result was a 16 point victory for the Celtics and me thinking how good Rondo would look in a Heat uniform.