Celtic's Contradicting Defense

Talk about a dribbling contradiction, the Boston Celtics were scrutinized for their poor defense just over a month ago when they were playing against Detroit in the conference finals. Now, some poeple are considering them to be the leagues toughest defense. What brought about the change? For one thing, they are contesting more shots and playing very tough one on one defense. Kevin Garnett and james Posey have the gift of great aggresive man to man defense, Garnett being the defensive player of the year. Rondo played great defense as well. He comes up with the steals and leads transition when Boston needs him to. It's amazing how just a few weeks ago, NBA insiders Charles barkley and Kenny Smith were saying Boston had no all around defense with the exceptio of Kevin Garnett! Even I, doogy was criticizing their defense. I thought early on it seemed kind of weak. I wouldn't say they have the BEST defense in the league. That would have to go to Detroit .

Don't Listen to me

O.K.< I'm an idiot. Jackson and Kobe tried to regroups. Kobe is still an asset. I'm wrong. however. The Lakers have poor defense compared to the Piston's defense and the Cav'e defense Boston recently played against. Boston has more talent on their team and has proved themselves as a defensive powerhouse in dramatic fashion. It's gonna be Boston in five or six games.

Was Celtic's Advantage Temporary or a Permanent Fix?

Boston displayed great one on one defense against Kobe, using Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and James Posey quite effectively. They even displayed great defense aginst him as a unit. I still, don't think, however, Kobe was having his best of nights. In addition, he had not figured out how the Celtics were going to attack. Kobe now knows where the Celtics will try to stop him. He is a versatile player. He may end up dishing it off more often. He may end up scoring most of his points at the line. Bryant will make adjustments as well as Phil Jackson. I don't think the Celtics have completely shut him down. We must give him some credit as far as his savvy and ability to read defenders. Los Angeles was not shoooting the ball very well in the second half, when it really counted. Though many of their shots were contested, they had some descent opportunities. Derek Fisher is no match for Rondo, however. This guy is in the zone after playing against Chauncy Billups. This is still anyone's game. Homecourt is a factor. It's definitely going to a game six.

Pierce with Dramatic Comeback:Boston Comes Up Big on 'D", Wins 98-88

Boston's somewhat flaky defense has actually become an important asset thus far in these NBA finals, holding KObe Bryant to just 9-26 shooting. Their defense won them the game along with an emotional second half surge highlighting Paul Pierce's heroic return/ Paul Pierce shook off a sprained knee in dramatic fashionafter whisking to the locker room in a wheelchair, reminiscent of injured Willis Reed's return in game seven of the 1970 NBA finals. His return re-sparked the Celtics' drivewith 5:04 left in the third quarter. Though Garnet had thirteen rebounds, he was just three for thirteen in the second half. Pierce came back to make two three pointers in just a 22 second span. The dramatic return performance gave Boston a a 75-71 lead where they dominated from then on. Though Bryant(scored 24 points) inssited he had some good looks but was just out of rythum, instant replay shows many of his shots being contested by swarming Boston defenseseemingly coming from out of nowhere. Los Angeles choked offensively in the fourth quarter and there are going to be some close games ahead. Phil Jackson now has an idea of where Boston will attack defensively and is expected to make major adjustments. It's anybody's series right now.

Celtics Going to Finals; Beat Detroit

"My heart is beating faster," said Paul Pierce during the celebration. Peirce led the celtics with 27 points. Allen had 17 and Garnett had 16, helping Boston reach the NBA finals for the first time since 1987. Detroit blew a 1o point lead in the fourth quarter, losing in the confernce final for the third straight time. Rasheed Wallace went to and from his locker three times after the game simply saying"That's the end." Boston won its second road game of the post season. At one point, Billups had 21, matching the rest of the team. That says just how little Detroit was contributing as a team. Just when it seemed the Pistons were in control with a 70-60 lead in the fourth the Celtics scored nine points in less than two minutes to go on a 19-4 run. After Chauncy Billups completed a three point play and a Boston miss, Tayshaun Prince recovered a loose ball only to have James Posey snatch it from his hands. In the final two minutes, Detroit couldn't hit their three pointers. They couldn't even take advantage of missed free throws from Peirce and Garnett in the final forty seconds. It will be a revival of the oh so treasured Laker- Celtic rivalry, just as I, Doogy, had proclaimed!