From Small Consolation to Big Shocker

In the first half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals I was discouraged and disappointed.  I figured we still had a shot at Game 5, but the Lakers were going to win Game 4.  Afterall, Lamar Odom showed up and the Celtics were playing no defense.

They sort of gave me a glimmer of hope as they cut the Laker lead to 12 just before the Lakers put on a mini-run to push the lead back up at the half.  Ray Allen was the only one who looked like he hadn’t been replaced by an alien look-alike.  Pierce, KG, Rondo … anyone you named- horrible!

Doc needs more credit than he gets.  He didn’t panic, and he assessed the situation well.  He and his coaches did  a great job.  They worked to spread the floor and give their guys room to run the offense.  Paul Pierce gets tons of credit for 1. volunteering to guard Kobe and doing a fantastic job, 2. reminding guys to play and not look at the score, 3. leading the charge offensively in the 3rd. 

The Celtics returned to playing defense, and shut down the Lakers.  I love that the Celtics didn’t give up, which would have been very easy.  But they kept going.  Leon Powe bought KG a few minutes of rest.  Pierce was utterly exhausted when this was over.  It is a testament to Ray Allen’s conditioning that he played the whole game and still had something left for that final layup on the isolation to basically seal the victory.  He was moving all night long and had increased ball handling responsibilities with Rondo on the bench during the stretch run.

Big shout outs to Posey who had a fantastic 2nd half of basketball.  Eddie House also did a great job.  I’m still, yes still, waiting for KG to take over and dominate Gasol.  I thought last night was his opportunity to say- “I’ll carry you guys, get on my back”.  But it didn’t work that way.  He had a good 2nd half, but I thought we’d get more from him offensively on nights when other guys struggled.

The concerns?  Rondo’s ankle, Perkins’ shoulder and Kobe’s competitive drive.  No one had ever come back from being down 0-3.  But the Sox did!  No one has ever come back from being down 1-3 in the NBA, but the Lakers could be the first.  Not in the bag by any stretch of the imagination.  But the Celtics did what I wanted them to do- took a game in LA.  And in historic fashion at that!

Update: The Sports Guy has his rollercoaster ride game-diary.  Highlights-

1. Stu Scott telling us “[Rajon] Rondo did not have a cortisone shot [for his injured ankle] because he’s scared of needles, which is interesting because he has a tattoo of his initials covering his entire back.” What’s weird about that is the exact same situation happened with Slater Martin before Game 3 of the 1954 Finals.

6:05: Thursday night’s officials: Steve Javie, Joe DeRosa and Tom Washington. In my opinion, Washington is the worst ref in the league yet continually gets big assignments. He’s not even competent enough to fix a game. It’s like having a drunk guy out there — you don’t know what’s happening next, you just know it will be interesting. Anyway, it’s strangely comforting to see him out there.

6:12: After a sequence when Kobe absolutely hacks Kevin Garnett for a steal, throws the ball away, then trips Paul Pierce right in front of Washington to get the ball back, Doc picks up a quick T. I had 6:24 in the ESPN.com office pool.

6:36: Well, the Lakers broke the record for “biggest first-quarter lead in the Finals” (21 points). I’m not even complaining about the 15 free-throw attempts because the Celtics have played soft and looked a step slow. Anyway, it’s 35-14. I think I’m going to pull the Lakers flag off the 1989 Honda Civic that’s parked on my street and ram it into my head a few times.

6:55: Cassell throws the ball right to the Lakers, throws up a brick on the next possession, then causes global warming to get worse. It’s 45-21, Lakers. The stats for Boston’s three point guards so far: 2-for-8, no assists, one turnover and one “below-average performance” comment from Van Gundy. In other news, my daughter just walked into my office completely naked and screamed “Daddy!” Yup, it’s a new phase for her — the “I love being naked!” stage. Pencil her in for “Real World 2023 in Las Vegas.” Just do it now. Also, kill me.

7:39: The Sports Gal sticks around for the first minute of the third quarter, announcing, “I’d like to extend an offer to every sideline reporter that I will take them shopping, revamp their wardrobe and teach them how to wear makeup,” then stomping out of the room in disgust. That was fun.

7:42: So long, Kendrick Perkins. He just injured his left shoulder hacking Odom on a layup. None of the ABC guys realize Perk has had trouble with separated shoulders throughout his career. Yikes. This series is falling apart. Also, it’s worth mentioning the Lakers have basically decided to leave Rondo alone like he’s a 10-year-old kid playing in a pickup game of 12-year-olds.

7:46: The game just got delayed for a minute because Dyan Cannon’s face started spurting saline all over the court. Let’s get her a towel. Meanwhile, trailing by 18 at the 8:26 mark, the Celtics go small with Posey at the 4. Basketball has to be the only thing in life in which you can decide to “go small” and it’s actually a good thing.

8:10: My dad’s take via phone: “Get the paddles out! Help!” He’s only half-kidding. Meanwhile, poor Michele just tried to interview Phil Jackson, who seems strangely serene. Are we sure there’s not a hookah bar hidden on the Lakers bench?

8:30: Posey drains an elephantitis-of-the-testicles 3-pointer, followed by a killer shot-clock beater by Gasol on a double-pump to foil some inspired defense by the C’s. (Gasol knows how to use his butt better than any low-post player in the NBA. And I think we’ll leave it at that.) KG follows with two free throws. Lakers by one, 4:30 to go. Regardless of the winner, we will be watching this one on ESPN Classic for years to come (as I predicted). Will it be the Comeback Game or the Near-Comeback/Stomach-Punch Game?

8:44: Sam Cassell might have had a horrible playoffs, but he just broke the F-bomb record on the Boston bench getting the guys fired up. That was outstanding. I don’t know how I’m even typing right now.

(By the way, it’s a good thing I didn’t go to this game — I would be losing my freaking mind. The Lakers fans would be beating me up with chardonnay glasses right now.)

6. My dad’s take after the game: “I never gave up hope! I knew we would win!” Apparently, all copies of his halftime phone call have been destroyed.