Celtics Life

Video: Paul Pierce 2012 Dunk Mix

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Sun, 27 May 2012 23:45:00 +0000

A nice collection of Paul Pierce dunks from this past season by OfficalCelticsHD.

You may also like: Jesse Dampolo's Paul Pierce dunk mix from last season.

Click here for more Celtics videos.

Hey Rajon,

noreply@blogger.com (tb727) — Sun, 27 May 2012 19:04:00 +0000

After underwhelmingly defeating the 76ers in possibly the only playoff series in NBA history that went the distance despite the disproportionate talent level of the two teams, Celtics fans have gotten what they've wanted: a rematch with the Miami Heat. And while Miami is missing it's 3rd best player in Chris Bosh, it doesn't equate to the injury problems the Celtics are dealing with. No need for me to expound on any of that, for a great review you can read this.

This series against Miami has the two best players on one team. It's really tough to win a series like that. It's why I yearned for the Celtics to acquire Chris Paul before the rumor was out there. Rajon Rondo is a heckuva of player. Those two deep shots he hit to essentially clinch the Sixers series is a testament to how hard he works on improving his perimeter shooting, which is still the Achilles' heel of his very well-rounded game.

If the Celtics really have any legit shot at beating Miami 4 out of 7 times, Rondo will have to bring it for the entire series. Not certain games. Every game, all the time. He'll have to do his best Magic Johnson impersonation from 1987. Or Isiah Thomas from 1989.

Many didn't think the C's would get this far, and I'll be the first to admit I'm impressed they made it to the ECF. But as a real Celtic fan knows, getting to the conference finals doesn't mean anything. Winning a title is all that really counts. Can the Celtics win this series? I'm not sure because of all the injuries that have accumulated. But the only real chance they have is if Rajon Rondo outplays 1 of the 2,Wade or LeBron, for the series. Here's hoping he can pull it off.

Comments from the other side - Sixers Game 7 5/26

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Sun, 27 May 2012 18:58:00 +0000

Well, we are finally done with the Sixers and their fans. Next we have the Heat and their fans - kind of like going from the frying pan into the fire. Sixers fans still dislike their own players more then we ever did. They get all upset when their team doesn't get any respect from other fans or the national media but they don't even give their own team respect so what do they expect. I hope you enjoy this final edition of the Comments from Philly fans. Which were your favorites?

I just have this feeling that it doesn't matter what we do, the league and the refs will make sure Boston wins it...

I expect it to be EXACTLY like game 5 where we were up most the first half and then in the 3rd quarter the whistles start coming for them and kill any momentum we have and allow them to run away with it

Can someone tell me why the hometown network on the front page of the site has the title "why the Celtics will win". Is this some sort of joke?

^they know how the nba works? They will make sure the C's win...

I hope KG doesn't get in any foul trouble, and the rest of the Celts bigs do. Make that MFer play the Entire game, and watch him crumble in the 4th.

I really want us to win this one. That way we can play Miami and it will be a reality check for the front office that we aren't anywhere close to Miami and the top teams. I'm scared they are starting to think no major changes are needed.

You guys we're playing with house money! 4 hall of famers! We should be happy to even be on the floor with them. Think jrue can get their autograph for us?

I think the country is now rooting for Boston in game 7 because the country thinks Boston can beat the Heat and everyone outside of Miami hates the Heat.

I'm feeling good about this one guys... I think we can win this game.

I'm watching ESPN as I type this and Magic and Jon Barry are talking about what kind of problems Boston would cause for Miami WHEN they play in the ECF. Yes they are using the word WHEN. Shut those ****ers up please Sixers

The offciating has been pretty bad all series, but if the refs were ever going to screw us over to save Boaton's season, this would be the game.

I hate Boston they should die tomorrow.

Let's slaughter these dudes. No holding back. This. Is. It.

I really want us to win because I'm sick of all the talking heads talking Celtics - Heat like we are a speed bump and not in game 7

I want to see the Celtic "fans" leaving early to beat the traffic...

The Sixers will win tonight. They will win. THEY WILL

Does this mean we have to hunt down Kevin Garnett's Horcruxs?

What is that celebration the Celtics’ bench always does? And why does it annoy me so much?

Nothing but good things can happen when the entire world is saying Boston is going to win.

Bostons intros suck and they barely booed us.

who's that buffoon Screaming on the jumbotron? Oh, it’ s just Kevin Garnett

Wait how are they shipping off to Boston when they’re already there

It’s the only song they have

Damn Celtics need to stop jumping up and down so much. That's how my grandma broke her hip

They get the rolls already?! ITS OVER.

Pierce already getting bullshit calls

Pierce > Hawes. But I think we knew that.

Rondo really has trouble with things like putting the ball in the basket. He and Hawes would be bestest friends

KG never misses when Hawes is on him. NEVER.

Apparently Bass makes every shot at home & misses them all away.

It looks like the Sixers are already discouraged from driving to the rim. They’ve done it 3 times, contact each time, no whistles. The Celtics did it once, clean swat of the ball, sent to the line.

The refs are swift with the whistle tonight This will favor the Celts more often than not

KG is 50 years old how do you let him out run you?

Because Brand is 51

It was very satisfying to watch EB hit Garnett.

Game’s getting ugly. Could be good for us.

No over the back calls? OK. Stiemsma is just throwing shoves and bo’s all over the place.

Ohhhhhh that’s a bad call. 2 on Rondo.

Rondo flopping like crazy and got the call against him

A-hole Celts fans actually think that's a bad call

It kind of was.

Perfect. Not a bad quarter thus far. Weathered an early storm. It’s ugly. Rondo has two fouls.

I never thought I would say keep shooting ray Allen..

Absolutely can not let Pietrus get a dunk let that again.

Pierce makes me nervous when he yelps like a little girl. I'm more worried about that than him making shots

Hmm.. Do the refs want to be our friends tonight??

Maybe this is about the heat.. Nba wants Boston to be eliminiated for the heat's sake??.. Whether that is just to ensure Miami makes it to finals or because they still believe Boston's a bad matchup..

STERN JUST WANTS MIAMI TO GET TO THE FINALS!!!!! IT’S FIXED!!!!!

Pierce is blantantly fouling Dre to get open.

Paul Pierce doing his best US diving impression

Garnett initiates contact. Garnett goes to the line. Makes sense…

Oh and now we’ll call the tacky bullshit fouls.

Garnett is so annoying

KG looks psycho. I fear for his wife and kids.

That's because he is a psycho

Make sense. I hope I never run by him. I might kill me.

This commercial with the Celtics bouncing around looks so dumb

Tell me one thing about the Celts that isn't dumb

Didn’t Ray Allen used to be kind of good or something?

Ray is more injured than they are saying. With Bradley our, Ray has to play.

Getting killed by Pietrus and Dooling, nice

How do you get owned by Ray Allen on defense? I'm speechless.

Loving the whistles

Once Boston starts hitting their shots, this game is going to be a blowout just like game 3.

Sixers shooting twenty six percent. Sixers down by three. I choose to interpret this as a good sign.

Garnett s such a bitch

No need to offend female dogs

I guess Garnett isn't such a legend after all

Hit him in the face more, Andre.

Why do we have to be so bad?

Maybe if we had a big who could rebound instead of being totally worthless we could get a reb.

Rondo was all over the place on that Offensive rebound by a PG? Bad play.

If you see me on the news this week, it’s because I’ve murdered Rajon Rondo.

If you see me it's because I murdered Hawes

Do you know how we could get them in the same place?

Seems noble enough I'll get the body bag....

SPENCER HAWES IS INVENTING NEW WAYS TO SUCK

Obviously when someone trips and rolls into you 2 seconds after you release your shot, you should go to the line

That was a foul on Hawes? I’m assuming right now that having completely ridiculous refs benefits the Sixers in the long run.

I don’t want to ever hear the Celtics fans complain about refs ever again.

Garnett sucks Oh KG. Old, tired legs.

Another missed layup? God they're old lol

KG showing his age.

I thought he only did that if you cut him open and counted his rings. Which is sounding pretty appealing right now, tbh.

It's Tommy Homer ERRR Heinsohn That stooge really agitates me

Ray Ray looks cooked

A call against me???? Paul pierce whinyboy

Hopes he fouls out. What a clown

Boston needs to step it's thuggery game up.

I'm not one to complain much about refs, but does anyone else see a screw job here? Maybe my glasses are shaded or something, but all I'm seeing is Boston getting away with murder.

Still every time Allen shoots I think it's going in. Just keep feeling like he's about to break out of it and become Ray Allen again.

These Celts suck. It would be a travesty to lose this game.

The NBA has approved ABC’s request to air footage of Bosh riding an exercise bike in lieu of the third quarter.

I refuse to believe that is Ray Allen on the court

Thankfully The refs didn’t call an intentional foul, they easily could have

ET went over and purposely step over Bass SWAGGERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrr

Wish ET could get the same calls that Paul Pierce gets.

ET wants to scream like Paul but he's ashamed of his voice....

The C's look really tired out there.

Not only do they look tired. But they seem to be demoralized on our defense.

Actually I think Boston is in deep trouble. We already know how to shut doen their offense while Ray Allen is clearly struggling. Now, it's a matter of taking care of these open shots on offense.

I LOVE THIS DEFENSE!!!!! Almost makes up for our offensive ineptitude

Exactly. Evan Turner is Paul Pierce without a jumpshot at this point offensively. The difference is Paul Pierce gets a foul call EVERY time he drives to the basket. Turner never gets a foul call.

We got to concentrate and stop making mistakes...the C's are trying to hand the game to us for crying out loud!

KG got a little revenge on Lavoy after getting pwned all series long.

Boston’s the best team I’ve ever seen with time running out. Honestly.

Death , taxes and sixers end of half collapses are the 3 things you can count on every time....

Bass has been a pain in the behind all series....I never knew that he has the long range jump shot Ala Kevin durant....perhaps the Celts and magic can swap Howard for bass straight up

I have confidence we can kick #### in the 2nd half..hopefully our youth will get us some transition baskets against a tiring Celts team

I'm praying Rondo gets a couple quick fouls

Words can’t describe how much I hate Garnett, always have

Here it comesThe nba is going to make sure the Celtics win this game

Lou is so bad HE’S SO BAD

You know, the Sixers are a pretty good team for how many bad players they have.

Wow come on. The refs need to call that foul on pierce. They don't want their baby to pick up his third

Way to leave Ray Allen wide open.

Yo time machines are not allowed. Ray Allen hitting that should be a flagrant

Pierce needs a smack in the face.

KG open. And hot. Crap.

Garnett defies the role of a center, and he’s good at it.

Do they have to keep showing replays of Garnett’s moving screens without saying anything? It just feels like they’re rubbing it in.

Am I blind or was the KG screen on the last ray Allen 3 a horribly blatant illegal screen

YEA I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING THEN VAN GUNDY PRAISES THAT BOOGERFACE FOR A GREAT SCREEN

Hey I wonder how Ray Allen got THAT wide open.

Leaving ray Allen open is cute at first but come on guys

Garnett so dirty on his screens

We can beat the Celtics or the refs, not both.

Hack-a-dala in effect

Celts are tiring...have to keep running..#### the half court offense..they cant keep us with us...run them off the court.

I can\'t believe Iggy attemted another alley-oop pass at this stage of the game..

Even worse....it was clear the kg was lurking....kg...the last mofo you want to mix uup up with on an alley oop

So damn frustrating. BOSTON ISN'T DOING ANYTHING. THEY ARE GIVING US THE GAME.

Boston doesn't want to win this game. The sad thing is the Sixers don't want to win either.

There goes Pierce! Good Riddance!!! Time to finish the game up boys!

Woooooooo see ya later flopper.

Well when Rondo makes that shot you know it's not your night.

How the …. Does Rondo make that?

Kill Rondo

So what do you guys think Poison or arson for Rondo?

We suck so much Everything was here for us to win we just suck

Game over on a rondo 3 unreal 2 secs left no choice but to shoot and in the guts of the game brand doesn't move til the balls gone

Rondo wants that triple double..stop him.

Rondo = MAJOR LEAGUE All-Star Closer and a already FOR SURE Hall of fame player. Holiday = a less then average, not even a top-50 NBA PG. Nuff said!!

Are you a Celtics fan? Like really? Jrue is at wrost a top 80 player and top 20 PG
Rondo is a frigde allstar and once the big 3 are gone should be exposed.

Can we stop leaving KG and Bass open from 18

I hate KG with a passion

KG is easily my most hated NBA player.

Unbelievable.. Pierce fouls out but it dosent matter.. Out of all the times rondo makes a three why does it have to be now? Lol

To have a chance they need to not let the Celtics score again

You can do a dwayne wade special and break rondo's arm

Lose by a Rondo three, couldn't see that happening

LOL Rondo WOULD turn into Ray Allen against us

I’m still in shock rondo of all people hit those shots…like really?!?!

Only team Philly fans can watch now are the frickin phillies.. How sucky is that..

Hope the Heat run all over this stale team, then lose in the finals

Guys it was a great run. I can't hate on the Celtics (other than the hated KG).

Guys the ending sucks but this run we went on was amazing.

Sixers only went on a nice run in these playoffs because the bulls were battling a ton of injuries and the Celtics are old farts.

After Pierce fouled out I broke out the onion dip. Then we lost all momentum. It’s all my fault.

I blame the ref On the offensive foul by Pierce. That really killed us in hindsight.

Watch...now the media will be like "man, these Celtics stink...they have no shot vs. The HEAT"

They got a damn gift to end the game and Rondo kills them? RONDO!!!!! #### RONDO!!!!! Who can't shoot worth ish (except in game 7 against the sixers of course)..... Man this sucks!

Getting pissed off just thinking about those two Rondo jumpers.

Ray Allen is washed up. He can only shoot 3's now. KG has a good game every few games..these guys are headed for rebuilding very soon.

The Heat are going to annihilate the Celtics. I hope it’s brutal.

Never knew id root for Miami, but theres one team I hate more than them. That's Boston. I dislike Boston. Goodluck lebron and d wade. Boo Boston. I hate my life

Hate the Celtics, but rondo is nasty. Rather him beat us than pierce

I can’t believe I’ll be rooting for Miami..I want to vomit

Ho hum Anotha rondo triple double. Sucks

To any lurking C's fans: I hate you

To any lurking C's fans: Congrats on needing 7 games to beat the worst team in the playoffs. I hope you are proud of your team.

My reaction to seeing Brandon Bass and KG open all game

Seriously that’s me.

Game 7: Celtics/76ers postgame interviews

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Sun, 27 May 2012 04:32:00 +0000

Recap & Box score Schedule & Tickets "BEAT THE HEAT" t-shirts

Ray Allen and Paul Pierce interviews after the jump.

Eastern Conference Finals: Celtics vs Heat schedule & tickets

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Sun, 27 May 2012 03:16:00 +0000

Event	Location	Venue	Date	Tickets
Celtics vs. Heat Game 1	Miami, FL	American Airlines Arena	May 28, 2012 Mon 8:30PM	View Tickets
Celtics vs. Heat Game 2	Miami, FL	American Airlines Arena	May 30, 2012 Wed 8:30PM	View Tickets
Celtics vs. Heat Game 3	Boston, MA	TD Garden	Jun 01, 2012 Fri 8:30PM	View Tickets
Celtics vs. Heat Game 4	Boston, MA	TD Garden	Jun 03, 2012 Sun 8:30PM	View Tickets
Celtics vs. Heat Game 5	Miami, FL	American Airlines Arena	Jun 05, 2012 Tue 8:30PM	View Tickets
Celtics vs. Heat Game 6	Boston, MA	TD Garden	Jun 07, 2012 Thu 8:30PM	View Tickets
Celtics vs. Heat Game 7	Miami, FL	American Airlines Arena	Jun 09, 2012 Sat 8:30PM	View Tickets

Boston advances to Eastern Conference Finals for third time in Big 3 era

noreply@blogger.com (Jacob Noble) — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:45:00 +0000

The Boston Celtics defeat the Philadelphia 76ers in seven games with a score of 85-75. Boston won this game, and series, on the defensive end as both teams struggled to score 80 points at times. This series was a hard fought battle. As Garnett has been quoted calling this team full of grits and balls. The Garden crowd was loud and the players fed off their emotions bringing another classic game 7 to the Garden during the big three era.

Boston did a great job defensively against the 76ers in the first quarter. They went up early in the quarter jumping out to an 8 point lead. Early foul trouble for Rondo and Greg Steimsma put the 76ers at the free throw line allowing them to hang around. Rajon Rondo missed an easy lay up and continues to struggle outside of his passing. Doug Collins went with Spencer Hawes which benefit the Celtics because Lavoy Allen has done a great job coming off the bench. Eventually, Philadelphia started to be more aggressive and crash the boards, coming up with 5 offensive rebounds in the quarter, helping them close the gap. The quarter ended with both teams tied at 20.

As expected in a physical game seven, scoring was hard to come by. A common trend for Celtic games and even more so during the playoffs. Through the first 16 minutes of the game, the average for made baskets per minute was equal to one. Both teams are struggling offensively. Boston was able to pull ahead in the second quarter to take a 41-33 lead at half. Rondo now has three fouls. Kevin Garnett has been playing fantastically with 9 points and 7 rebounds in the first half. Boston crashed the boards much better in the second quarter, who now have 24 rebounds at the half, tied with Philadelphia. As poorly as Ray Allen has played, he some how has a plus 15 for plus/minus.

The third quarter has been the story of this series. The Celtics pushed the lead to double digits only to have Philadelphia fight back into it by the lack of ball movement by the Celtics and letting their defensive guard down. By the first time out, the 76ers lead the Celtics in this quarter 12-8. Boston is on their way to losing game seven by the performance they gave in the third quarter. They only scored 14 points. Philadelphia outscored Boston 17-14 and if history tells us anything, it’s whoever outscores their opponent in the third will win the game. Boston needs to come out firing in the fourth quarter to win this. Philadelphia only down three is giving them hope that they can pull this off.

Boston came out in the fourth quarter with high energy. Ray Allen hit his first three of the game (although felt like first of the series) while Kevin Garnett turned into beast mode. There was no way Boston was going to let this game get away from them. Rondo hit a big three, which was actually a two (stupid big feet!). Boston’s 7-2 run late in the fourth was the difference maker as they pulled back to a double digit lead. Rondo was in his usual fashion with a triple double with 18-10-10 earning some MVP chants from faithful fans. Well now Celtic fans get the Miami Heat, which is exactly what they wanted. Just be careful what you wish for.

Game 7: Celtics 85, 76ers 75 highlights

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Sun, 27 May 2012 02:44:00 +0000

Recap & Box score Schedule & Tickets "BEAT THE HEAT" t-shirts

Video: Game 7 - Celtics Run the Tunnel

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Enter tonight's T-shirt Giveaway Contest

Doc Rivers Game 7 pregame interview after the jump.

T-Shirt Giveaway Contest: Celtics at Sixers Game 7

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Sat, 26 May 2012 23:16:00 +0000

We're having another t-shirt giveaway on our facebook page tonight for tonight's pivotal Game 7. Simple contest: First person to leave a comment on the T-Shirt Giveaway facebook post with the correct guess wins one of our Bleed Green shirts. Your choice. Either this one or this one.

Contest: How many combined points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks will Kevin Garnett have in tonight's Game 7 versus the Sixers?

http://www.facebook.com/celticslife

All we need is the total. And only guesses on the facebook post will count. 1 guess per person, but feel free to have your whole family take a stab at it. Good luck.

Game 7 at the Garden - It's win or go home time for the C's

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Sat, 26 May 2012 19:13:00 +0000

Philadelphia 76ers (7-5, 3-3) at Boston Celtics (7-5,3-3)
Saturday, May 26, 2012
8:00 PM ET
Playoff Game #7, Home Game #4
TV: ABC, TSN2
Radio: WEEI, 97.5 The Fanatic, ABC Radio, ESPN Radio
TD Garden
Referees: Monty McCutchen, Tony Brothers, Mike Callahan
The Celtics have blown several chances to close this series out and rest up for the next round and so here we are at another game 7. The Heat, on the other hand, are the team sitting back and getting rest while the Celtics duke it out tor the privilege to play again on Monday in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Celtics were dealt a big blow when they lost Avery Bradley for the rest of the post season. Other players must step up to help fill the void he leaves, especially on defense. The Celtics especially need both Keyon Dooling and Mickael Pietrus to step up and give the Celtics some quality minutes. They also need Ray Allen's balky ankles to ease up enough to allow him to play well in this game.

This Celtics team is well acquainted with game 7's, the Sixers, not so much. Having game 7 at home is one bonus for the Celtics. The crowd will be loud and behind them. Hopefully it will give them a lift. Another bonus is the fact that they have had 2 days off and the Celtics play best on more than one day rest. Home court in itself isn't a guarantee of a win. The Celtics have already lost at home to the Sixers once in this series. They can't just depend on being at home, they have to be the team that plays harder and smarter.

Probable Starters

PG: Rajon Rondo 15.0 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 12.5 APG, + 24.45 EFF *
SG: Ray Allen 9.8 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, +9.10 EFF

C: Kevin Garnett 19.3 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.8 APG, +24.08 EFF

SF: Paul Pierce 19.7 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, + 20.58 EFF
PF: Brandon Bass 11.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.4 APG, +11.75 EFF
* Playoff Statistics

Coach: Doc Rivers

Celtics Reserves
Greg Stiemsma
JaJuan Johnson
E'Twaun Moore
Marquis Daniels
Sasha Pavlovic
Ray Allen
Keyon Dooling
Ryan Hollins
Mickael Pietrus

Injured
Paul Pierce (knee) probable
Mickael Pietrus (hamstring) probable
Avery Bradley (shoulder) out
Ray Allen (ankle) probable
Greg Stiemsma (feet) probable
Keyon Dooling (illness) game time decision

Probable Starters

PG: Jrue Holiday 15.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, +17.42 EFF
SG: Evan Turner 11.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 2.7 APG, +11.83 EFF

C: Spencer Hawes 9.8 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.7 APG, +12.75 EFF

SF: Andre Iguodala 12.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 3.8 APG, +13.83 EFF
PF: Elton Brand 8.1 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 0.6 APG, +10.50 EFF

Sixers Reserves
Thaddeus Young
Sam Young
Nikola Vucevic
Lou Williams
Tony Battie
Craig Brackins
Lavoy Allen
Jodie Meeks
Craig Brackens

Injuries
None

Key Matchups
vs
Paul Pierce vs Andre Iguodala
Both of these players have been up and down in the series. Pierce has had some big games but mostly has struggled due to his knee injury. He needs to reach deep down and pull out a big game for the Celtics on both ends of the court.

vs
Rajon Rondo vs Jrue Holiday
As has been the case so many times, as Rondo goes, so go the Celtics. He is coming off a poor showing in game 6 and the big question is will we get good Rondo or bad Rondo for this game. It is on the big stage, being televised on ABC, and that seems to bring out the best in the Celtics mercurial point guard. They could sure use the aggressive "Triple Double Rondo" in this one.

Honorable Mention
Kevin Garnett vs Spencer Hawes/Lavoy Allen
Many pointed to KG's failure to go inside or even attempt one shot in the paint in game 6 as a reason that the Celtics lost. He has been able to score easily against Hawes for the most part, but has struggled against Allen. The Celtics need KG to be aggressive and especially to play more inside.

Key Off the Bench

Mickael Pietrus needs to give the Celtics a boost off the bench. They need him to hit his shots as well as to play some good defense. With Bradley out, and Ray limited, both Pietrus and Dooling will need to give the team quality minutes.

Lou Williams gives the Sixers a boost off the bench scoring over 11 points per game. He has hit some big shots against the Celtics and they need to keep him from getting hot in this game.

Keys to the Game
Defense - As always, defense is key to winning. Period. The Celtics must play tough in your face defense from start to finish. They can't let themselves get caught up in a shoot out (especially since their shots haven't seemed to fall) and must concentrate on getting stops. The offense feeds off the defense and so tough defense is absolutely the key to a win in this game.

Rebound - The Sixers are a good rebounding team. The Celtics have been considered a weak rebounding team, but when they really try, they can out rebound their opponents. Much of rebounding is effort and the Celtics have got to continue to crash the boards as a team since the team that wins the rebounding battle will more than likely win the war.

Focus and Take Care of the Ball - When the Celtics aren't focused, they tend to turn the ball over way too much. The Celtics tend to lapse into sloppy ball at times and turn the ball over too many times. Against a team like the Sixers, turnovers are sure points for them. The Celtics turned the ball over 16 times in game 6 and the Celtics have to cut that way down. Before the series started, Doc singled out limiting turnovers as the most important thing they have to do. And now we are at game 7 and it is still key to winning the series.

Bench Play - The Celtics need to get quality minutes from their bench. The Celtics bench was outscored 16-5 in game 6 and the Celtics must get more than that from their bench. With Avery out and Ray limited, Pietrus and Dooling must find a way to contribute on both offense and defense. Stiemsma has to overcome the pain in his feet and try to give the Celtics quality minutes to give KG a break.

Be Aggressive - The Celtics must come out as the more aggressive team from the start. They must be more aggressive chasing loose balls, going after rebounds, playing defense, and most of all driving into the paint and getting to the rim. They can't settle for jumpers. They were too passive in game 6 and have to be the more aggressive team in game 7 if they want to get the win.

Ubuntu - The Celtics must play together as a team. They have to move the ball and run their plays and trust each other on offense and they have to play team defense. At times they have lapsed into too much individual play and have gotten away from team play. They must play for each other and as a team in order to get this win.

Official Report

Monty McCutchen

8 playoff games as lead official
Home team win % of 75%
43.6 fouls called per game
48.2% of the fouls are called on the home team
0.9 technicals called per game

McCutchen has officiated 1,085 regular season, 80 playoff, and four Finals games. He worked the 2007 NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas and was a member of the crew that officiated the 1996 and 1997 Mexico Challenges, as well as the 1998 Schick Rookie Game. Prior to joining the NBA, McCutchen spent four seasons in the CBA, where he worked the All Star game his second year and the playoffs all four years. He also officiated the CBA Finals the last three years he was with the league. McCutchen missed the 1998-99 season with a ruptured Achilles tendon. He is a former elementary and middle school teacher and is fondly remembered by his students as a really nice guy. In searching for information on him, I found a Cavs' blog that blamed a loss to the Celtics on the officiating of Monty McCutchen. That was the game where Mike Brown was ejected and the Cavs made a furious comeback but fell short. Other than that, there's not a lot of controversy about McCutchen. The Celtics are 4-1 this season and 7-3 in their last 10 games with McCutchen on the court. One win this season was against the Knicks where they let them play and the Celtics shot 24 free throws to 21 for the Knicks. The second win was against the Bobcats where it was just the opposite. They called ticky tack fouls on both sides and let nothing go as evidenced by the 45 free throws taken by the Celtics and 35 by the Bobcats but the game was called fairly for both teams. The 3rd win was the Celtics subs vs the Heat's subs and they let them play with the Celtics taking 16 free throws to 7 for the Heat. The last win was game 3 vs Atlanta where they once again let them play and the Celtics took 25 free throws to 15 for the Hawks. The loss was to the Bulls where the Bulls shot 26 free throws to 18 for the Celtics but the game was called fairly. The Sixers are 2-1 this season and 7-3 in their last 10 with McCutchen. He is a homer ref with a 43-19 home W/L record this season.

Tony Brothers
6 playoff games as crew official

Home team win % of 67%
44.6 fouls called per game
52.1% of the fouls are called on the home team
1.1 technicals called per game

Brothers is entering his 18th season as an NBA official and has officiated 1,040 regular season games and 50 playoff games during his career. He was a member of the crew that officiated the 1996 Mexico Challenge, 1998 Schick Rookie Game, 1999 McDonald’s Championship in Milan, Italy and the 2008 China Games. Prior to joining the NBA, Brothers spent four years officiating in the CBA, including three CBA Finals and a CBA All-Star Game. He has one year of collegiate officiating experience at the Junior College level. Brothers also has seven years of high school officiating experience in Virginia, including three state tournaments. There are several articles about what a terrible ref Brothers is and detailing his misdeeds. He has angered a lot of fans of just about every team because of bad calls, no calls, and one sided officiating. The Celtics are 2-2 this season and 5-5 in their last 10 games with Brothers on the court. One loss this season was to the Pistons in which the Celtics took 32 free throws to 29 for the Pistons. The other loss was to the Kings and both teams shot 21 free throws. One win came against Philadelphia where the Sixers shot 24 free throws to 19 for the Celtics. The second win was game 4 vs the Hawks and the Celtics shot 13 free throws to 17 for the Hawks. All of the games were pretty well officiated with no blatant bias or terrible calls. The Sixers are 4-4 this season and 4-6 with Brothers in their last 10. His home W/L record this season is 35-25.

Mike Callahan

3 playoff games as crew official
Home team win % of 33%
44.0 fouls called per game
51.1% of the fouls are called on the home team
0.3 technicals called per game

A veteran of 21 NBA seasons, Mike Callahan has officiated 1,265 regular season and 110 playoff games and 11 NBA Finals games. He was a member of the crew that officiated the 2007 NBA All-Star Game, 1994 Mexico Challenge and the 1996 Schick Rookie Game. Prior to joining the NBA, Callahan spent three years officiating in the CBA, including the 1989 and 1990 CBA Finals. A member of the Cardinal O’Hara High School basketball team for four years, Callahan also coached the freshman basketball team after graduating. Callahan has run a clinic for referees called “Hoops4Heros” that benefits local fire departments and maintains strong ties to the Philadelphia community through his volunteer work with the Don Guanella School for developmentally disabled boys. Callahan is one of 4 refs to come out of Cardinal O'Hara High School in Pennsylvania. The other 3 are Joey Crawford, Ed Malloy and Tim Donaghy. Callahan was one of the referees mentioned in an incident in Tim Donaghy's book. He and other refs would regularly wager with their fellow refs over things like who would call the first foul, who could give out the first tech, etc. Makes you wonder what game they might be playing tonight. The Celtics are 9-1 over their last 10 games with Callahan officiating. They are 3-1 this season, including one preseason game against Toronto where the Raptors shot 36 free throws to 34 for the Celtics. Another win was against Detroit where the Celtics shot 19 free throws to 15 for the Pistons. The third win was Game 3 in this series vs Philly where the Celtics shot 28 free throws to 22 for the Sixers. He also called the loss in game 1 of the Hawks series where the Celtics shot 13 free throws to 21 for the Hawks and the officiating was terrible with several obvious bad calls, most of which were made by Marc Davis, who was the head ref for that game. . He usually lets the teams play and isn't a tyrant with the whistle. He isn't influenced by the home crowd and has a home W/L record this season of 29-28.

X-Factors
Focus, Effort, Officiating
The Celtics have to come out focused and keep their focus throughout the game. Along with focus, they have to put out a strong effort from start to finish. They can't afford lapses against this team. As much as we don't like it, officiating can change the outcome of a game. We can only hope for fair and even officiating to give the teams a chance to decide the game.

Let's freaking do this

noreply@blogger.com (Karl Dillinger) — Sat, 26 May 2012 15:23:00 +0000

There is nothing like a game 7 in Beantown. I plan a trip every Memorial Day weekend to Boston hoping to see a Celtics playoff game. While I would've liked to see them close out Philly in Game 6, a part of me is glad they lost( a small part), so I get to be around the madness that is the Garden during a close out game.

I was at the Magic-Celtics ECF game 6 with fellow CelticsLife writers JR and Three Toe two years ago when we closed out the Magic. I remember chanting Beat LA in the waning seconds and thinking this is one of the top 5 moments of my life.

Unfortunately win or lose this won't be the same feeling. It will be more a sense of relief of getting by this pesky Philly team. Philly isn't your typical 8 seed. They have a lot of solid players, but the Celtics should've closed this out in 5. You can make all the excuses in the world, but Boston has flat out not come to play in a few games this series. I expect more from this team.

I'm tired of seeing Spencer Hawes's ugly face. I'm tired of hearing the name Iguodala. I'm tired of hearing Doug Collins's weak pep talks( I respect him as a coach though). I'm tired of this series. Let's close this out tonight with a beat down of epic proportions so I can relax for a day before Tickle me Elbow Lebron comes to town.

For those of you in Boston tonight come to Boston Beer Works by the Garden and cheer on the C's with me. I'll be the ginger with the Grand Theft Rondo shirt on. We need all of you out there tonight. Bleeding Green for life.

Bill Simmons and Sean Grande preview Game 7

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Sat, 26 May 2012 08:16:00 +0000

Celtics radio play by play announcer Sean Grande was on the B.S. Report with Bill Simmons to preview Game 7.

Listen Here

Video: Doc Rivers Wins Rudy Tomjanovich Award

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Sat, 26 May 2012 06:04:00 +0000

Celtics practice interviews from Paul Pierce and Ray Allen after the jump.

Should the Boston Celtics Think BIG?

Fri, 25 May 2012 17:30:00 +0000

The strategy of the Philadelphia 76ers this series has been no secret. They wanted to run the Boston Celtics ragged and leave the older team sucking wind while Andre Iguodala stuffed his elbow in the rim. To do that, they implemented a line-up that regularly features blazing speed at four or five of the positions.

They have done this with resounding success. There isn't an unbiased analyst on the planet who would say the 76ers have more talent than Boston. However, Philadelphia has forced a game seven. They have succeeded by playing a superior team to a six game draw.

There is nothing more frustrating in sports than watching a better team play down to their competition. The New England Patriots regularly pummel inferior competition while the Baltimore Ravens show up to the post-season with losses to Seattle and Jacksonville on their rap-sheet. The Celtics have been playing down to their competition in four of the six games this series and it is becoming unbearable.

Earlier, Bohemian posted a story on CelticsLife calling for Doc Rivers to play Sasha Pavlovic in game seven. I'm starting to see his side now. Bohemian is right, a playing-time shuffle is necessary.

A lot of this is Doc Rivers' fault. He has to realize that without Bradley for the remainder of the playoffs, Rondo can't play his gambling style of defense. Ray Allen is not quick enough to back him up when he guesses wrong, nor is Pietrus or anyone else. That is why Jrue Holiday suddenly looked like Allen Iverson Wednesday night. Then, because we are playing small ball, there is no one to protect the rim.

My central point here is, the whole "Celtics matching small ball to win" thing is so outrageously overblown. The five players that see the most court time for Philadelphia are: Holiday (6-5), Lou Williams (6-1), Evan Turner (6-6), Iguodala (6-6), and Elton Brand (6-9). So what is Boston trying to do? Play small ball to match the speed of this line-up.

Why?

Is that not the thing we hate most? The Celtics are appeasing the 76ers style of play. Boston cannot match that line-up, especially without Bradley. They simply are not quick enough and through six games it has been proven.

However, notice the numbers in parentheses, those are the heights of those five players. The main 76er line-up does not feature a player over 6-9. The advantage Boston has is legitimate backup centers, two of them. Boston needs to counter Philadelphia's speed, not by matching it, but by playing big. Philadelphia has no answer for the Celtics size, something we haven't heard since the glory days of Kendrick Perkins.

Allen is not himself and shouldn't be asked to do as much as he is. Let him finish games because he can still hit the off-balance corner three in crunch time, but he can't be out there trying to check Turner all game. Do not start him, slide Paul Pierce to the two-guard and make Turner or Williams try to stop him. Slide Brandon Bass and Kevin Garnett down to the three and four and start Greg Stiemsma.

Giving Stiemsma five minutes in game six was a joke. Greg has averaged just five minutes in Celtics losses this series, including a DNP in game four.

He had finally gotten his confidence up with a 5-5, 10pt, 3blk performance in 14 minutes in game five and Doc jerked him around again. Rivers is getting too caught up in Philadelphia's athleticism. A few fast-break dunks by Iguodala is nothing to lose your mind over. He is trying to match the 76ers where he can't instead of beating them in a way he can.

Another joke from game six, KG's defense. Philadelphia scored 42 points in the paint and Garnett tallied one foul and one block. He was on the court for 41 minutes (85%) of the game, meaning roughly 36 points (18 baskets) were scored in the paint while he was on the court. Essentially that means Garnett was involved with 2/18 or 11% of the made shots in the paint and Philadelphia did not shoot 100%.

Devil's advocate here will say, if KG gets into foul trouble Boston loses anyway. However, that is a screaming reason why Greg "the foul king" Stiemsma needs to get more playing time. Someone has to set a tone on the 76ers guards that paths to the paint won't be as easy Saturday night. That responsibility should fall on Stiemsma or Ryan Hollins. Hell, have Sean Williams play the Dexter Pittman role if you want. 42 points in the paint is unacceptable for the second-ranked scoring defense in the league.

All of these points center around not trying to run with the 76ers, but beat them down. Boston has tried to match Philadelphia all series and they have lost, a 3-3 series against this team is a loss. It is time to do what that great "Celtics in the tunnel" NBA commercial said, get BIG.

You can follow Mike Walsh on Twitter @3rdstringwalsh

Avery Bradley has shoulder surgery today

noreply@blogger.com (DH) — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:50:00 +0000

From WEEI:

Celtics coach Doc Rivers announced at Friday morning's practice that Avery Bradley had surgery Friday on his ailing left shoulder and is out for the playoffs.

Bradley was diagnosed with a sore rotator cuff during the first round series with the Hawks and attempted to play with pain. But early in the third quarter of Game 4 last Friday in Philadelphia, his shoulder popped out of place. He missed Games 5 and 6 before the decision was made to have surgery on Friday.

If you'd like to wish Avery a speedy recovery, hit him up on Twitter.

Video: Doc on Avery Bradley's surgery & Game 7

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Fri, 25 May 2012 16:49:00 +0000

Announcing Patriots Life

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Saver) — Fri, 25 May 2012 15:38:00 +0000

Patriots fans! We now have a site where you get all of the same kind of content you love about the Celtics on CelticsLife, about Boston's other favorite team the Patriots! A lot of you have been asking for it, and now Patriots Life has finally launched! That's www.nePatriotsLife.com. Bookmark the site and add us on twitter and facebook to stay up to date with all Patriots news, videos, schedule, humor, game chats in the shoutbox and more!

Say hello in the shoutbox, and Like us on facebook to be eligible for future T-Shirt Giveaways! Long live Wilfork Island!

Follow @PatriotsLife

What the Hell Happened to...Ron Mercer?

noreply@blogger.com (tb727) — Fri, 25 May 2012 13:09:00 +0000

Imagine there was a guy that played for the Celtics that was rated higher than Kevin Garnett and Stephon Marbury as a high school senior in 1995. Imagine that guy went to Kentucky and won a National Championship, making the All NCAA First Team, so you knew it wasn't a fluke. Now imagine he's drafted by the Celtics. He has great size for the 2 or the 3 since he's 6'7. Fast forward one year and the Celtics have another young guy also 6'7, a rookie named Paul Pierce. People aren't sure who the better player is. If you think I'm making this up, you don't remember the summer and fall before the lockout shortened season of 1998-99. You definitely don't remember this week's What the Hell Happened To player, Ron Mercer.

With all this talent, what can go wrong?

Things were coming into place nicely. With the highly-touted Evil Emperor on board, Antoine Walker having wrapped up an All Rookie First Team Selection, and #6 overall pick Mercer and #3 overall pick Chauncey Billups also in the plans, the Celtics were back. I remember opening night of the 1998 season. They knocked off the Bulls, the two-time defending champs. Travis Knight was hitting deep jumpers. Antoine played awesome. And I proudly broke out my Celtics hat the next day even though I wasn't even a hat-guy.

Ron made All Rookie team after that first season with the Celtics. And even though the team struggled, things were looking up for the Celtics.

But after Pierce's rookie year the Buffoon and Evil Emperor felt Mercer was expendable and they traded him to Denver for Danny Fortson. [Tangent time: I'm actually surprised they didn't fuck that up. The Evil Emperor gave breaks to some guys who probably didn't deserve to be in the NBA (e.g this guy). And then they move Mercer instead of Pierce? Maybe I shouldn't be so hard on that Buffoon. Hmm....no, I definitely should be.]

Later on when he was included in the Ron Artest transaction for Jalen Rose, I really thought he was the best player in the deal. I thought Ron Mercer was better than Ron Artest. I wasn't right.

Why, oh why didn't it work out for Ron Mercer? I remember being at the Celtics-Pacers game when Robert Parish's "00" was raised to the rafters. I remember watching Ron closely, coming off screens, hitting mid-range jump shots. He had a great first step and was super athletic. My first thinking was that he was the best shooting guard the Celtics had since Reggie Lewis.

This isn't working

He put up good numbers for his career, which included stints in NJ, Chicago and San Antonio in addition to the Celtics and Pacers. It's crazy to think that he's a year younger than Ray Allen, who continues to play at a high level.

Was Ron not committed? As soon as he got paid did he stop caring? What's your memory of Ron Mercer and why was he out of the league at 28? Is it a case of what Bryant Stith complained about years ago in Cleveland, when a guy gets to a certain point, regardless if he has more talent than the younger player, the younger guy has more "potential" making the older guy expendable? Did Ron play anywhere else after 2005 outside of the NBA?

Since being out of the NBA, Ron really kept out of the spotlight. He had one incident involving him in 2007 where he was arrested for a misdemeanor assault following a brouhaha at a strip club. Click here for a groovy mugshot.

But alas Ron has resurfaced today, and you can bet your last dollar Celticslife located him! You can book Ron for your next event or function. After retiring from the NBA, Ron continues to stay active in the community through a series of athletic camps and public speaking. Some of these have/will include:

Ron Mercer Provides School Supplies (Englewood Community of Chicago Illinois) , Ron Mercer Ice Cream Party (East Nashville Community), Ron Mercer Easter Picnic, Mercer’s Books On Tape (Via the Chicago Bulls Organization), Ron Mercer Hospital Greetings (La Rabida Children Hospital Chicago- Illinois), Chicago Bulls Holiday Kids Party, Ron Mercer Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Feast

What exactly is the Ron Mercer Easter picnic? Does he dress up like a big bunny?

You can even sign up for the Ron Mercer basketball camp this July. Otherwise I have a hunch that Ron wisely invested his fortunes from playing in the NBA, and is living comfortably, chillaxing even more than this guy.

For a list of all the "What the Hell Happened To" Series please click here.

It´s Sasha time

noreply@blogger.com (Bohemian) — Fri, 25 May 2012 09:10:00 +0000

“I told him in our exit meetings that his talent is in him, it’s all between his ears. I think he can be a really good player. He’s still relatively young and so we’re going to try to get him out of him.”
Doc Rivers

Facing a potential elimination against the Sixers may not be the most indicated moment to experiment with the lineups, but Doc Rivers may be forced to do so, regarding the team´s crowded injury list. Without Avery Bradley, with Pietrus running on one knee and Ray Allen virtually playing with chained ankles it is time to give some minutes to someone else in the wings. You have only three choices: Marquis Daniels, Sasha Pavlovic and E'Twaun Moore. While Daniels is Doc´s current first choice for garbage minutes, I believe Sasha should get a bigger role in the rest of the playoffs. Daniels plays good D and is a good player without the ball, but he lacks consistency in the offensive side. As for Moore, he can score and create shots but his defense is not at the same level. Regardless, he is a rookie and a guard and I find it tough to believe that Doc would call his number in the next games.

The most sensible choice is to call #11. I know, you thought about Glen Davis. I am referring to Sasha Pavlovic. The 6-foot-7 swingman has the most complete package of the three players: he can hit the outside shot and stretch the floor, he can drive to the hoop and most importantly, he is a very good defensive player. In a limited role, he is a very decent NBA player. With Ray struggling mightly on both ends we need Pavlovic to give some help to an equally struggling Pietrus.

Pavlovic is a big forward, strong and with 9 years of NBA experience. More importantly, if we manage to advance to the Eastern Finals we will need him to guard his ex teammate LeBron James. It´s been written elsewhere that Ainge´s motivation to resign Pavlovic this summer was to have backup help to guard big forwards as Anthony and more precisely James.

Doc needs to give some minutes to Sasha in order for him to get in some kind of basketball rhythm for the rest of the playoffs.

And if we just have one game left in the season, then it is time to play all your cards to try and prevail.

It´s Sasha time.

Bradley may not be ready for training camp

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Fri, 25 May 2012 00:53:00 +0000

Turns out Avery Bradley's shoulder is worse then we were led to believe. We were told that it wouldn't really worsen and that there was no danger of playing him the rest of the playoffs. Now we're hearing that Bradley has small tears in his shoulder and that the estimated recovery time post surgery will be four months. So basically Bradley needs to get surgery within the week to be ready for camp. We all know from following this Celtics regime that estimated timetables have a way of being extended.

Boston Celtics second-year shooting guard Avery Bradley needs surgery on his ailing left shoulder and likely will miss the remainder of the postseason, team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge acknowledged Thursday.

The surgery is needed to repair small tears that have compromised the structure of his left shoulder, according to a league source.

Bradley has endured a number of dislocations during the 2011-12 season, including three in the postseason. After the shoulder came out in a Game 4 loss in Philadelphia, doctors determined it was too risky to put him back on the court with the potential for a more serious injury, according to the source.

With surgery unavoidable, Bradley is expected to undergo the procedure as soon as the team determines he's able. According to the source, Bradley is looking at a four-month recovery process, but the hope is he will be ready in time for training camp in October.

If Bradley gets surgery very soon, I expect him to be ready for camp. But the thing I don't want is for him to come into camp with the shoulder at let's say 50% health. I want him to be 100%. We see too often where guys come in the next season and then re-injure whatever they had surgery on in the offseason.

Rondo named to All-NBA 3rd team

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:23:00 +0000

ESPN Boston

Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo landed on the All-NBA third team for the 2011-12 season.

Rondo earned 142 points, including four first-team votes. Teammates Paul Pierce (31 points) and Kevin Garnett (22) also received votes.

Rondo, named to the All-Defensive second team on Wednesday, is the first Celtics player on the All-NBA teams since Pierce landed on the second team for the 2008-09 season. Kevin Garnett (first team) and Pierce (third team) were also All-NBA during the 2007-08 championship season.

All three teams after the jump.

2011-12 ALL-NBA FIRST TEAM
Forward LeBron James, Miami (118) 596
Forward Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City (117) 591
Center Dwight Howard, Orlando (75) 476
Guard Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (104) 568
Guard Chris Paul, L.A. Clippers (74) 484

2011-12 ALL-NBA SECOND TEAM
Forward Kevin Love, Minnesota (16) 365
Forward Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers 170
Center Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers (33) 400
Guard Tony Parker, San Antonio (41) 367
Guard Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City (5) 239

2011-12 ALL-NBA THIRD TEAM
Forward Carmelo Anthony, New York (1) 154
Forward Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 136
Center Tyson Chandler, New York (4) 60
Guard Dwyane Wade, Miami (1) 235
Guard Rajon Rondo, Boston (4) 142

Thoughts? All Defensive Teams

Celtics Minute With Molly McGrath - 5/24/12

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:15:00 +0000

Click here for more Celtics videos.

Comments from the other side - Sixers Game 6 5/23

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Thu, 24 May 2012 14:03:00 +0000

Sixers fans really are bad. They trash their own team through most of the game and then when they win they get all upset when ESPN doesn't bow down and worship them. They themselves were talking about how bad they were so what do they expect the commentators to do? Little bit of everything here: Ref complaints (although they really shouldn't have any), wheelchair references, death and injury wishes, Hawes Hate, and some fun graphics. Enjoy today's comments and hopefully we finish them off in game 7 and put them out of their misery.

Its hard to even look forward to winning because Indiana's dunzo.

Would rather get swept by the Heat in the ECF than lose in 6 or 7 to the Celtics now.

Lets face it, Boston has figured us out, for the past 3 games Boston got a 15-20 points lead in every game
We were lucky that on game 4 they pulled back and got bored or something while at the same time we got hot

Heres how you win. Keep the ball out of Rondos hands.

Remember Boston was lucky to win in game one We should have won that one.I sure we win tonight and the Pressure will be so bad on the pigs in game 7 that we will win.

I hope the crowd is crazy. Boos everytime Garnett touches the ball, goes completely overboard, shouts truly offensive things, makes me feel vaguely ashamed to be from Philly... But sort of proud at the same time.

We're going back to Boston for a Game 7.

I'm only assuming Kevin Garnett will get booed like he's crashing a ghost wedding reception.

Allen Iverson has arrived for game six. We will see him during introductions Can the Sixers sign him to a 3 hour contract? He would be more useful than Hawe

Big matchup: "Andre Iguodala's defense vs. Paul Pierce." Apparently AI has ceased to exist as an independent human being, much less two-way basketball player.

Fat dude on ESPN: "Fair weather day for fair weather fans" *fat chuckle* Yeah, F*** you too ESPN

It's nice that these commentators are essentially calling Philly fans fair weather as well, lol, ESPN...

Joey Crawford? Damn we gotta lot to overcome this game. Magic Jinx and now Joey?

Bass comes back to earth to the **** shooter he is.

We got a foul? WE GOT A FOUL!

You let ****ing ray Allen get that ****? What the ****

Hawes made a shot I still hate him.

DA REFS R GIVING DEM DIS GAME. STERN WANTS GAME 7!!!!!

These Celtics so deserve to win. they’re such good, honest, players…never moving on screens, never tripping other players, never talking trash.

And Hawes still can’t box out. Last game as a sixer me hopes!!

Aw crap The Rondo turd is loose

So it’s apparent that the announcers love the Celtics and hate everything about the Sixers

Rondo can’t handle ET in the post

YEAH DOC RIVERS...RAY ALLEN FOULED THE **** OUT OF TURNER YOU DUMBASS! Don't sit there and act like someone Shat in your cereal bowl!

Damn. I had to be a pessimist, but our fans kinda do suck. They give out all those damn t-shirts and half the people don't even wear them!

Can't we be like the OKC fans? They're a brand new franchise in freaking Oklahoma. 99% of their fans wear the blue t-shirts and are loud as hell.

You know who shouldn't be on the court? Hawes.

First Pierce scream=foul of the night

How does Pierce get to the basket so easily. He's so slow, but somehow just glides through everyone.

It's funny how EB didn't even get the AND1, but if that was Pierce the whistle would've been blown as soon as he drove.

I'd like to hit whoever is in charge of playing this Celtics BIG commercial with a chair.

I hate myself for liking that Celtics commercial

Where is OUR slo MO promo?

We've got EB and Spencer, we don't really need slo MO

“He’s very Rondo right now off the dribble”…even when they compliment the sixers, it’s actually a compliment to the Celtics. Ugh.

Brando Bass = the greatest player ever.

And pound for pound, one of our greatest American actors…

Any mediocre big = greatest player ever against our weak front court.

Ha, though I’ll take throwing the ball at Dooling’s face.

HEY!!! It’s not a foul to hit people in the face!!!

The Celts foul like the Spurs, what a bunch of girls

Don't let Garnett get going...
Dooling is slapping the crap out of everyone

Keyon Dooling sucks How did he get that prominent position with the NBPA?

Refs are treating Bass like he's a superstar after last game, foul call every time he touches the ball...

How was Rondo 2nd all defensive team?

This crowd is embarrassing, Garnett is at the line, minimal booing...

Refs keeping the C's in the game... Just like last game.

Can you guys imagine if Jrue yammed that on KG? ESPN probably would've cut to commercial to save they're beloved Celtics any embarrassment and the tape would've been thrown away.

Steamer fouls every ****ing time

If we could get Pietrus on a cheap vet contract this summer I'd be pretty pleased with that. Less for his play than for his locker room presence, but still.

Boston has true fans? BS, NO ONE watched the Patriots when they sucked or the Celtics.

No technical for Garnett’s shove?

No, it’s legal when he does it.

What happened to all those drives from before?

Refs stopped calling the blatant fouls on the Celtics, so they resorted to jumpers

That was atrocious. Rondo wants this game more than any Sixer.

Of course the Celtics get that 3. And of course Lou dribbles down the shot clock and forces a bad shot from someone else. And of course this team can’t box out. And of course they CAN’T MAKE AN F’ING FREE THROW!!! It’s not like this is an elimination game, right?

AI I love you and all but we just missed half the ****ing quarter. Jesus.

Thank God for that Iverson interview, saved us all from witnessing that embarrassing offensive performance in full screen.

Can't buy a fecken bucket, trade Iggy in the offseason please

Rondo is out hustling the entire sixers team

Thad is terrible grab the **** ball idiot

I can't believe they gave an offensive foul to the wheelchair man...

How many stupid players can we have? We are so full of them

What the ****, I hope Boston blows us out in the second half

Garnett isn't hitting a damn thing, Rondo has been none existent and we're down 3 at half. That's not good.

The problem is that KG and Bass will start making those shots eventually, and I'm not sure the 76ers will.

Celts are shooting 32%...20% from 3. And we're LOSING.

According to Magic, the reason why the Celtics can’t easily beat the sixers is because they’re tired. That’s the only reason. Not because we match up well or anything

We suck. They’re just in denial that the Celtics suck a little less.

I just folded laundry for thirty minutes and watched the Sixers score 30 points. There must be more to life than this.

I wish I did laundry tonight….maybe I can sort my sock drawer.

When our playoff run ends, I want to see a rundown of our worst offensive quarters.

So you wanna replay every game except game 2 of the first round?

I swear, it would take this team 45 minutes to complete one game of knockout.

The Celts' "lockdown" defense isn’t so special, it’s called reaching

The calls this game is better than game 5.

Sixers should change the motto to "Sixers basketball, it's gonna be ugly!"

I'm praying brand gets into it with garnett tonight. They have come close a couple times now.

That's great. Doc rivers has to tell the ref that that was a travel.

Pierce yelps and it's a foul. What a disgrace.

Our crowd looks regular season.. And we look like the bobcats

Celtics shooting an abysmal .277 I bet they can raise that to .490 by the middle of the 4th.

Please Sixers, save us from the Celtics in the ECF

Why is Spencer Hawes on this basketball team.

Because Rik Smits is too old?

Pierce is such an annoying bitch How can we win if he gets every single call. So frustrating

Pierce is a F***ing joke. He’s such a flopper. I don’t care how much smoke guys like Simmons blow up his ass. He’s a faker.

The amount of callis pierce is getting is laughable.

Sixers need to just start punching Boston players, they are getting the calls anyway so might as well make them feel a real foul

Is Rivers biased or just blind? He complains about every call that clearly isn't in favor of Boston, but gets to see it better than anybody.

Pierce is the flopping king

Being in the bonus is awesome. Missing free throws sucks. I'm so confused right now.

I once met Paul Pierce in a diner... I shook his hand and a ref appeared and called a hand check on me.

I parked in his handicapped spot once I’m such an a-hole

These announcers sure love them some Rondo!

I don't see the appeal he’s a less polished version of Russell Westbrook

Smack the Celts around, this is fun!

Someone farted! Foul call for pierce!!

He screamed = Foul no matter what. Now a walk before the KG shot. Refs in on the fix.

I like how Garnett just hovers around the 3pt line and is open everytime.

I hope Daniels breaks both elbows so he can;t do his stupid dance

Ok...Pierce gets a foul call every time he's touched. Lou and the rest of our team get hacked multiple times on half our shots and don't get any calls. Pierce is maybe my least favorite player in the NBA.

Quit blaming the refs already, the SIxers are being handed this game by the C's and if they lose it it's because they blew it, not because the refs blew their whistle

HOW THE F was that not a foul. Refs affecting the game blatantly.

Rondo's a dead man!

“They don’t belong here, but here they are! Stern must want Boston tired from a 7-game series so the Heat will go to the Finals!”

YAY RONDO IS SOO STUPIDDDDDDDDD

Garnett is huffing and puffing lol If there's a Game 7 we have to literally be running for 48 minutes

Damn it Lou. Allen is gonna get this ball. Deny him

How does ray Allen get left wide open. You cant lose sight of him

Man, Ray Allen has really lost it. It's a shame he went to Boston, because I always liked the guy. But in this case, I'm glad he's not himself anymore.

Yeah baby game 7 Saturday!!! Eat it KG!

Sucks game 7 is sat to much rest

Yeah I'm not sure why they’re delaying it so long, I guess to give the Celtics a chance to rest

The pressure is all on Boston we have to just play our game
And watch them choke.

Hope someone throws a beer on KG in the tunnel

So when the refs call an even game, and the Sixers shoot horribly from the line, they are still able to win

Some excellent “analysis” on espn right now…Celtics lost because Rondo didn’t play well.

Chris Broussard “analysis” – Celtics lost because this is “just how they do it” (go to game 7’s)

All Jon Barry could say is umm if Rondo doesn't play well the Celtics don't play well.

Oh I see, losing game 6 is just what Boston and the BIG 3 does. It’s all part of plan. They literally have not mentioned the Sixers once in the post game.

I like the Stern-wanting-to-make-sure-Celtics-are-tired-so-they-can’t-beat-Miami-in-the-ECF conspiracy theory best, though. It appeals to my sense of the absurd

Magic Johnson “analysis” – Celtics lost because the eastern conference (Celtics and Heat only) have been inconsistent compared to the western conference.

Well, no sense in the Pacers and Sixers playing any more games. Magic already said it’s going to be Boston-Miami

Boston is having white-on-green exhibitions and they still can’t win. What would happen if a Real Team showed up to play them?

I know you guys hate listening to these ESPN dudes but I love it. They're so repulsed by our play, its kinda cute.

We know we suck, do you know that the Celtics suck as well? Enjoy the rebuilding years with a PG who is only good because of his team.

The Celtics think they are a good team. This is two crappy teams, they just don't know it

Boston fans and ESPN completely forget that the Celtics were sub-500 for a good part of the year. Why does anyone consider Boston a challenge for Miami if that ends up being the conference finals match-up?

LOL at the ESPN guys especially Jon Barry continually not give us any credit. It's all what Boston isn't doing and nothing about what Philly is doing.

He's an *** for not acknowledging what the Sixers didn't do, like make FTs for example, but he's right that Boston didn't show up tonight. Rondo looked awful.

Grinding for a Dream

noreply@blogger.com (Bohemian) — Thu, 24 May 2012 12:48:00 +0000

I have never seen such an injury plagued squad in my life. The current Celtics actually have no healthy bodies at all. As someone pointed out yesterday, a 36 year old forward with a billion miles in his knees seems to be the freshest of all of the men in green out there.

Last night we received the news that most certainly Avery Bradley will miss the rest of the playoffs. Our starting combo guard who was one of the reasons of the rise of the Celtics by the end of the regular season just couldn't manage his way into a basketball court. It is wiser for him to rest his shoulders and get much needed surgery. If he continues playing he risks having serious career injury problems. We don't want that. We rather save him for the Celtics future team built with him and Rondo in the backcourt. Pure pleasure.

Bradley's injury has exposed the current state of Ray Allen. Let's get this clear: Ray shouldn't be playing either. When did you ever see Allen missing so many open shots or even consecutive free throws? He is also getting killed by Turner. He should be resting those ankles and prepare for surgery. The problem is that he will turn 37 in the summer and this may be it for him. He is giving it all for a chance to reach further in the playoffs.

We should then be looking at Pietrus to share the load of the offense and defense of the 2/3 spots. Guess what? Pietrus is also punishing his body and stealing some more health from his post professional life. His knees prevented him from being able to be sent in a trade with Toronto a year ago and he is not fully healed. What is more, he worsened his condition by playing with us before his recovery finished. He is hurt too, so many missed three pointers. And also that concussion he had by the end of the season in Philadelphia is still haunting him, mentally and physically. He shouldn't be playing too many minutes either.

Doc then relies on the captain, the perennial leader Paul Pierce. A leader with strained ligaments in his knees. He still gets up and fights but he should be given some rest as well. By now he should be getting some help from a certain Jeff Green. Remember the promising forward we got in exchange of Perk? Well, he would be so vital now, right? Heart surgery and out for the year.

The same applies to a certain Chris Wilcox, our back up center. Where is the starting center? Do you remember a certain Jermaine O'Neal? Both out for the season with different ailments. Doc moved KG to the center position because he had no other option and it turned out it was the best for the team. With Garnett in the middle and Bradley starting we got faster, more athletic and our offense and defense got wilder.

We are talking about Kevin "da Kid" Garnett here. Yes, he looks much younger out there. At 36 he is being asked to do as if he was 30 and he has been responding. If it hadn't been for KG's amazing play in the last couple of months we wouldn't be in the playoffs. No, I am not exaggerating. Without KG we are virtually nothing in 2012. But you know his knee is and will be forever hurting him, his hip flexors making him ask Doc for a break from time to time. He also needs some help in the middle.

You look then at Stiemsma, another nice surprise of this year. Why does Doc give his minutes to Hollins, notably worse than the Wisconsin center? Well. Greg's foot needed surgery a month ago. He is hurting, bad. But he keeps on playing because this year he got the chance of his life to become an NBA player.

And here we are my friends. The Boston Celtics are still alive, grinding and fighting with everything they have left to reach the Eastern Finals. They are giving it all for us and for the glory of the Celtics. Let's appreciate all the blood, sweat and tears they are shedding out there against the surprisingly resilient Sixers.

We are the Celtics. We don't ever give up. Let's win game 7 on Saturday and keep the dream alive.

Forever Celtics. Forever Big

ESPN Report: Orlando Magic pursuing Doc Rivers for front office position

noreply@blogger.com (JR) — Thu, 24 May 2012 04:25:00 +0000

Just heard this on ESPN Sportscenter. Of course Doc won a Coach of the Year award in Orlando and still makes his home there. I don't blame the Magic for pursuing Doc. You probably can convince Dwight Howard to stay in Orlando with Doc on board. That said, Doc recently signed a multi year deal to continue as coach of the Boston Celtics, so I'd be very surprised if he left Boston, even if Orlando is home to him.

Again, can't blame the Magic for thinking outside the box here (Pursuing a coach already under contract. The Magic are also reportedly meeting with Shaq about their vacant GM job), but this would be a HUGE blow to the Celtics as Doc is the #1 free agent attraction to Boston, as the team inevitably tries to rebuild this Summer. I expect Doc to dismiss this rumor tomorrow as he prepares the team for Game 7 on Saturday (Tickets available here). Doc would never let something like this distract his team.