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Jun 18

NBA Champions: The Boston Celtics

It’s final. The Celtics won 131-92 and closed out the Series at Game 6. At home, where they are now 13-1! And their flight to Boston was delayed due to engine troubles…

Well, they have no problems getting to work in Game 6. By the half, they are in full control of the game. They played suffocating defense.

Didn’t they said that Defense Win Championships?! They held the Lakers to 42.2% FG percentage… When they do that to the opposition, the Celtics are hard to beat.

It is true for this Celtics team in every truth of the word. Their defense fuel their offense. It was great to see Rondo active all game long. He was stealing balls from the opposition; include one from Kobe! And he was breaking down the Lakers’ defense with his speed in driving to the hoops.

Then the Big 3 were huge… Paul Pierce was named MVP of the Finals. He really deserve the honor; even though he only scored 17 points. But he had 10 assists and couple of steals. He was the constant in the Celtics going back last few years. And he way that he carried the team in the prior Finals games, he earned that honor.

This is to be a game to remember. After Game 4 & 5 poor showings by both teams, the media was calling this Series one of the worst Finals - there were no competitiveness from either team.

Then in Game 6, the Celtics turned to what they do best - defense. And it was nice for Ray Allen to tie the most 3-pointers in the NBA Finals.

James Posey was huge. He played team defense and he played individual defense. Did you see how he forced Kobe to off balance shots? Ever wonder why the Lakers scored so few points? The answer is James Poey. Of course, Paul Pierce has taken a role in holding Kobe in check the last few games.

KG was emotional! He cried, in national TV no less. He’s still in disbelieve. You really can’t blame him. After having spent most of his career and not gotten past the second round, and to come here and help make history… You would understand why he acted the way he did. And now he will get a ring - he will not need to take one from Bill Russell!

So finally after 22 years, since 1986, the 17th banner will be raised in Boston. I can’t wait for next season to start, it will be fun to try another run.

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Jun 15

It’s Official, there will be a Game 6

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It’s true. The Boston Celtics made some mental mistakes in the closing quarter of Game 5 of the 2008 NBA Finals. They loss 103-98. The Series, at 3-2, now go back to Boston; which both Game 6 and 7 are to be played.

Desprite getting 38 points from Paul Pierce, the Celtics now look to close the Series at home. Home sweat home. It is here that the Celtics have played their hearts out, where there defensive intensity is unmatched, and where they have been near perfect. I had a feeling that they wanted to finish playing at home; there will be home court advantage, there will crazy supportive fans…

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Celtics to win the title at home. However, I do still wished that they finish the Series in Game 5. There are just too many personels with little injuries here and there. Maybe some home cooking is what the doctor calls for.

Well… See you all in Game 6, to be played on Tuesday at 9PM EDT.

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Jun 15

The Drive to Banner Number 17 Could End Tonight

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Today is Father’s Day! Happy Father’s Day to all Fathers; mine included… I myself am a father…

Today at 9PM EDT, the 5th and deciding game is to be played with the Boston Celtics trying to put up banner #17 and add to their storied history. The LA Lakers, on the other hand, is trying to take one game and stay alive in the Playoff run.

And given that no team has ever came back to win the Series after being down 3 games, tonight could be swan songs for the Lakers. Remember, the Celtics have been near perfect at home in the Playoffs.

If the Celtics won tonight, this could be significant as it would be the second time in the last few years that an Eastern team won the NBA Finals. Detriot was the lone team so far. Could tonight be the Celtics’ turn?

Given also that the Celtics have multiple players playing hurt, I would hope that they would muster up the defensive intensive in Game 5 and end the Series now. We don’t want to see another player gotten injuried.

Remember, Paul Pierce almost not return in Game 1. Then Perkins was injuried and he has reinjuried his shoulder in Game 4. Their point guard, Rajon Rondo, is nursing an ankle injury. So definitely not a good idea to perlong the Series.

So end it tonight. Go home and take a long Summer vacation! Go Celtics!

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Jun 13

The Boston Celtics Leads Series 3-1

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It doesn’t look like it in the first quarter of Game 4, but the Celtics chased the Lakers near the closing minutes of the 4th quarter and took a commanding lead of 3-1. They won 97-71. No team has ever came back and win after being down 3 games in the NBA Finals.

This is historical. Not only they rallied from 24+ points in the 1st quarter to be only down in the teens by half time, but they became the first team in about 33 years to come from a huge defecit in a NBA Finals game.

The new Big Three were contributing big in this game. But so were the roll players. James Posey is big as usual - he hit couple of big threes as well make defended well. Eddie House also played well when he came in for Ronjon Rondo, who is still dealing with ankle injury. And the defense that Paul Pierce played on Kobe, it’s suffocating! Kobe only scored 17 points; he got 36 in Game 3.

It appears that as they are further into the playoff, the Celtics are seeing more injuries. Hopefully, they can close the Series back in Boston on Father’s day.

And you know how they came back and win it? They did with team defense! So defense do win championships… Okay, let’s not get ahead of ourself here, there’s still one game; hopefully only one game left.

Have you heard the player interviews? It is interesting how Kobe does not act the leader that he should be. Even with the Championship rings that he has, he still doesn’t get it. It all about the team. And if you are the leader, you take the blame; and when you have success, you give the credit to your teammates. And he doesn’t appear as confident as he was in the first two losses. I guess being beaten after you have built such a big lead can do that to your confidence.

Don’t get me wrong, Kobe is a great player in this league. I am sure he will be in the Hall of Fame when he retires. And he is playing more unselfish basketball, so it is nice to see. But offense can only get you so far. If the Lakers are playing better defense on the Celtics, I think the Celtics would be in trouble.

But hey, it’s the other way around. We have the best defensive team against the best offensive team. It is interesting that the Lakers were scoring averages of 100+ points prior to the Finals. And then in the Finals, they only manage to 80-90 point range. So, Boston’s defense is having an effect…

Next game is this Sunday - on Father’s day at 9PM. Since both team will be off couple of days, there should not be a lack of energy like they have in Game 3. They should be a great Game 5. Go Celtics!

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