Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce’s Post Game Reaction
None of this from KG last night.If you can remember before game 5, the TV cameras caught the Celtics coming out of the locker room getting their inspirational speech from Paul Pierce. The Truth slipped up for a second and said that they “are one win away from reaching their goal.” He quickly corrected himself and said that they are one game away from a step closer to their goal. After the Celtics Eastern Conference winning victory last night, Pierce couldn’t hide how good he felt. In fact, The Truth said that he could “write a book on his emotions.” And then there was Kevin Garnett, who immediately after the game described his feelings as “neutral”. In fact, when the C’s received their Eastern Conference trophy, KG was no where to be seen on TV as the rarely smiling PJ Brown and the rest of the team hammed it up in front of the camera and gave the famous “Beat LA” chant. Even in the post game press conference, where Garnett was sitting next to a giddy Pierce, the Celt’s inspirational leader had his hat down low and seemed a little bit stoic. Where Pierce was clearly fired up to get to the Series and to be part of history by playing LA, KG had his sights on one thing; the Championship Trophy.
There is NOTHING wrong with either Paul or KG’s approach. Their roads have been different and their emotions show that. Paul’s been there for 10 years. He has been through the ups and downs and is about to play in his first championship series against his hometown Lakers and relive a rivalry that he grew up loving. There is a whole lot to be emotional about there. KG on the other hand, came to the Celtics to do one thing: WIN a championship and it appears that nothing will break the barrier of elation until he does that.
Myself? I’m a little bit with KG. I’m fired up for the series and couldn’t be happier for Pierce (who has had a tremendous playoff run), but I didn’t go nuts after the win, like I will when we beat the Lakers (you like that confidence?). Yes, I’m happy to be here, but the Celtics window isn’t that big and I want to win it all now. I’m not saying for a second that Pierce and the rest of the Celtics shouldn’t feel the way they do. They just went through a battle and deserve to celebrate (all I did was watch the games). But, just as I find myself happy for Pierce and glad to see him so excited, I also kind of liked where KG’s head was at. Either way, let’s get at it on Thursday night. BEAT LA.
For the rest of Celtic Nation, how are you feeling today?
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May 31st, 2008 at 12:13 pm
BigBabyismyBoy says:
My friend and I celebrated by going to a local pub, and taking 4 shots with the bartender for each of the 4 games we’re going to win to raise yet another banner.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:27 pm
srb says:
I was so pumped up that I punched my brother in the head. And he wasn’t even mad because he was so pumped up.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
nopace1 says:
PP will neutralize Kobe and this series is gonna be about what role players step up. I hope Sam I Am retires before Thursday.
May 31st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Three Stacks says:
KG showed no emotion because he is a realist. He knows the Celtics can’t win.
I’m not even gonna mention the players. You got Doc, we’ve got Phil. That’s all I’m gonna say.
May 31st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
word says:
kg just knows the reality that faces him.. Kobe. celts might get fried… lets hope not though. i hope it goes to 7 still.
May 31st, 2008 at 1:05 pm
word says:
and i totally agree with you jed about they have to get itr this year.. cuz them being number 1 next year in the league will be doubtful, especially with bynum back. and all the trades about to happen.next season will be ill.
May 31st, 2008 at 1:16 pm
QQ says:
Really love Pierce’s reaction. His like the giddy kid who got his first start in a rec league. Can’t contain the that kind of emotion… Love the interview with Michelle Tafoya, where you can really see in his eyes while talking bout growing up watching the LA-Boston Rivalry that he is pumped up.
Nice to see a player of that level get all ‘kid-scored-his-first-bucket-ever’ feeling all of us can relate to.
May 31st, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Smitty313 says:
If you Celtic fans think Kobe Bean Bryant is just going to let you come in and take a ring you mest be crazy. The Lakers will take one in Boston, and finish at home.
May 31st, 2008 at 1:32 pm
jamieson says:
you dont say things to piss kobe bryant off. when we beat the lakers you dont say that i can see kobe replaying that quote a million times before thursday. doc rivers vs phil jackson is like a honda civic vs a mercedes s500. Lakers in 5
May 31st, 2008 at 2:04 pm
d16 says:
Three Stacks is right on the money: Phil vs Doc?! Lakers in 6.
May 31st, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Big Freeze says:
Celtics acted like they won the Chip already after last night’s celebration. Getting to the Finals was their ultimate goal this year, not winning the finals, and they won’t be as hungry as the Lakers. Lakers in 6
May 31st, 2008 at 2:17 pm
ND says:
ONE, a coach can only do so much, when a game starts, it’s out of his hands, he can only decide who he plays, because …
TWO, the real team leader is always a player! However, in the case of guards, they tend to force things by themselves, thinking they are MJ. Only a big man can force his team to win in a balanced way.
May 31st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Icy says:
Hey someone send KG videos of Duncan in the conference finals. To beat LA they he is going to have to go “timmy” on Gasol. TD eviscerated Gasol in that series like no other team has yet.
May 31st, 2008 at 2:41 pm
kb24! says:
Only Person I like on the Celtics is KG. I would love to see him win it but not this year KG! That chubby guy Paul Pierce chanting BEAT LA after in the lockrooms really pissed me off. I wonder what Kobe is gonna do to him.
@ nopace1…Are you crazy? you think PP will contain Kobe? Kobe has that killer instinct in him. And right now it’s at Michael Jordan’s Level. Kobe will not let the Lakers lose. He’s too focused.
May 31st, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Red! says:
I’m surprised there wasn’t any mention of Red. He was the first person I thought of.
May 31st, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Tim says:
Not the go off tangent, but anyone think the Pistons could go after and get Jermaine O’Neal from Indiana? the training staff would keep him healthy…plus he would be able to do his thing down low.
May 31st, 2008 at 5:31 pm
moxwestcoastrep says:
goes perfectly with dimes mag title. Best season ever, you said it guys. Now we got the best 2 teams. Cheers basketball fans. Go lakers!
May 31st, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Prof. TX says:
Phil has rings, but he doesn’t coach alot. He mostly just sits there with his arms crossed looking pissed off all the time and occasionally shouting at a ref. He might motivate between games, and work on player psychology, but he relies on the players to win games. You could call it trusting his guys, or you could call it sitting there and not helping, depends which team you like.
Kobe and his crew have to take this, they can’t rely on Phil’s reputation. Where Phil comes in is when the Lakers have to start a series on the road (haven’t done that yet) and have to deal with a close series and possibly losing at home.
Prediction: They split the first two in MA, split the next two in LA, and game 5′s winner takes the title.
May 31st, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Rafa23 says:
the pistons training staff would
help JO stay healthy? they are no magicians
he worked his butt off the last two offseasons and couldn’t stay healthy. he is just injury prone
May 31st, 2008 at 6:40 pm
SayItAintSo says:
You’re a moron if you think that is all that Phil Jackson does to help out his team. The man is easily one of the (if not THE) greatest intellect to ever coacht the game. You may only see him being calm courtside but it’s because he has such a firm grasp of the game. The man is a silent warrior and you’d be smart to acknowledge it. He contributes to and influences a game so much more than the average fan is aware of simply because that ish isn’t broadcasted.
May 31st, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Captain America says:
How the hell do you know what KG was thinking? What are you a telepathic some kind of mind reader?
May 31st, 2008 at 8:12 pm
doc says:
Phil Jack the best coach in the game dog.But you Celtic fans better call Sports guy and his pop and all practice jumping of a bridge after Kobe takes this chip away.And Paul the Truth but he aint neutralizing Kobe.Tayshaun a 22 Kobe some Tony Starks shit.
May 31st, 2008 at 9:33 pm
flo_rida evans says:
Best player.Best coach. Best Western Conference team. Winningest system. Yeah,I can see exactly how Celtic fans have a compelling argument as to how their team could win..
May 31st, 2008 at 10:09 pm
la neta says:
C’s would be better off if doc did nothing at all and just sat there with his arms crossed smiling at the refs all game. In game decision matter as we saw in every series the C’s have played. C’s have edge in overall match ups and a huge edge on team D, we’ll see if that can over come doc once again.
The Jed, use your powers to set up games for one of the junior Rivers so doc has to fly home to Orlando and miss the games.
May 31st, 2008 at 10:15 pm
MaMba says:
Celtic fans are all bandwagon fans LOL!
May 31st, 2008 at 10:32 pm
la neta says:
Yeah, I hope the cast of “the hills” can keep the team motivated with their true fan energy.
May 31st, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Tim says:
actually the pistons training staff is probably the best in the league…
May 31st, 2008 at 10:46 pm
Tim says:
exmaple is Ben Wallace…never got hurt…goes to the bulls, he’s out like 3 times that year with injuries..
May 31st, 2008 at 11:55 pm
w says:
Wow are you guys serious? I’m a diehard laker fan and you guys seem ridiculous to me. Your making it seem like we’re a WAY better team, when we really aren’t too much better at all. It’s probably going to 7
Perkins is far from a beast but he’s a big body who plays tough and I think he’ll give pau problems if pau continues to play soft. Garnett is obviously better than LO but because of the way garnett plays(mostly jump shots) i think LO’s length will affect him a bit. PP is just plain better than Radmonivic. Kobe is unstopable and hopefully ray goes back into his slump. And for the starting point i would rather have fisher than rondo. I think it will all come down to our bench living up to its potential. Farmar can’t return to his utah series ways.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Homeless J says:
The leap in quality and excitement level and potential ratings between last year’s Finals and this year’s is insane.
June 1st, 2008 at 2:12 am
kb24! says:
@w
June 1st, 2008 at 2:21 am
kb24! says:
@w part 2..
lol sorry accidently clicked submit. But good Post. Im a die hard Laker fan as well, and I don’t think the Celts are gonna just give the Chip to the Lakers and I don’t expect Kobe to let LA lose. But in reality KG is KG. He has that will to win in him just as Kobe does. Everyone is picking the Lakers to win this easily..but this is gonna be a rough and tuff battle. Cmon guys its the Finals! I expect Kobe to have a monster series. Pau vs Perkins is going to be interesting..if Pau stops being a pussy and goes strong this series he’s gonna be the X factor along with LO. The way KG is playing I think LO can keep up, since KG isn’t going into the post much and relying on his J. Rather have that then him in the post. Fish’s experience will take the pg spot. And Kobe will just murder Jesus. And when Sasha comes off the bench he will bug the shit out of Ray Ray. So I think it comes down to the Bench and the way they play D on PP. PP is their main guy and I wouldn’t mind seeing Kobe on PP rather than Vlade. Lakers in 6. Game 1. LA, Game 2 Celts, Game 3. LA, Game 4. LA, Game 5. Celts, Game 6. LA in Bean Town!
June 1st, 2008 at 4:27 am
godfreyallstar says:
kb24 please quit bringing that mj nonsense into these chat rooms. please. kobe has been good in a couple closeout games this year, but where was this “MJ-esque willing his team to an elimination game win” when he lost 2 straight series to the suns? hmmm…im starting to get kinda miffed at espn for having their puppets compare kobe to mj.
June 1st, 2008 at 5:23 am
K Dizzle says:
Totally jumpin on post 4 with my man, 3 stacks. It starts with Phil and runs thru Kobe. We ain’t come this far to drop it to a team we should beat
@ “Hey someone send KG videos of Duncan in the conference finals. To beat LA they he is going to have to go “timmy” on Gasol. TD eviscerated Gasol in that series like no other team has yet.”
um…maybe you missed the series but the Lakers won it 4-1 so maybe outplayin Gasol ain’t the answer…..
June 1st, 2008 at 6:23 am
kb24! says:
@godfreyallstar
I’m entitled to my own opinions buddy. If you don’t like. Don’t read? And those elmination games were two years ago. Notice you didn’t read it correctly, I shall copy and paste it for you. “AND RIGHT NOW it’s at Michael Jordan’s Level.” and these puppets your talkin about are in a higher level than you are in sports. No Beef.
June 1st, 2008 at 8:31 am
Smitty313 says:
MJ would not have did shit with Kwame and Smush either. There are only so many games you can win by yourself. Thats why Kobe couldn’t get past the Suns who played with three allstars. You see what happened this year. They upgrade the pg, and center now they are in the finals.
I’m not saying the Lakers are going to win real easy. But to me they just look like the better team. Celtics went to seven games with the Hawks and Cavs and they looked scary at the end of games against Detroit. No one wanted to take shots. Thats not going to happen with the Lakers they don’t depend on Kobe as much as they use to. Plus Kobe is just killing who ever you put on him. Boston will have to double Kobe, and he will find open shooters. Poeple will say they played good D on Lebron, but he didn’t have any one to past it to this year.
June 1st, 2008 at 10:44 am
The Jed says:
Didn’t I ask for Celtics fans reaction? Whole lot of Laker love in here.
June 1st, 2008 at 1:34 pm
catdaddywhack says:
The best coach and the best player vs best team…. C’s in 6
June 2nd, 2008 at 5:28 am
QQ says:
Best team? The Celtics is the best team? I wouldn’t call a team with an over-the-hill Cassell and Eddie ‘I only play in the regular season for a reason’ House as backup point guards the best team. And their starter is an erratic young pg in his second year to begin with. And look at their other bench players, Powe, Tony Allen, Glen Davis? LOL. Posey is the only bench player that matters. That’s the best team???
June 2nd, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Kudabeen says:
LA are the dominating Offensive team, but Boston can handle them defensively. Boston arguably played two of the 3 best defensive team in the league (Cavs and Pistons) to get to the Finals (Best defensive teams: Boston, Pistons, Spurs, Cavs).
Fisher is a good defender, but he isn’t going to have the energy to do what Lindsay Hunter was doing to Boston. LA doesn’t have a Jason Maxiell to rattle Boston. I know no one cares about the regular season, but LA wasn’t even close in the regular season. Right there wasn’t Pau, but is he really that difference maker? Kobe will be the best player in the series, but I think KG is going to be able to do what he wants out there. LA doesn’t have the big men to be physical with KG. Also if LA tries to run they are going to suffer against this Boston team. Duncan was leaning all on Gasol. It will only take a couple of those classic KG Dunks and glares to take Gasol out his game. People forget the KG can be vicious (when he isn’t in an emotional coma chanting “woo-saa”)
LA’s style of play will enable guys like Glen Davis, Powe, House, and Cassell to come on the floor and produce more than the Cavs and Pistons allowed. Detroit’s aggressive play took Boston’s bench and starters out at times. I think Boston played some really good teams whose collective attributes will play a major roll in giving Boston a sense of the style of play needed to adjust to anything LA can throw at them. They have seen some of the most aggressive and physical defense, They have seen the one man juggernaut offense, they have seen the great ball movement, they have been ran on, and they are still here.
I can’t wait to see what KG shows us all. As a fan I want to see him have a few of those games mirroring that Game 7 against the Kings. I want to see him demoralize Gasol with the kind of finishes that put on Theo in game 5. He has to go hard. This will be telling of the kind of player he really is. He is the biggest game changer for Boston. Can’t wait to see all these players go their hardest to achieve their goals. I hope it isn’t a love fest, like everyones happy to be there though. But also, I want to see Kobe disassociate his greatness from Shaq.
Some forget Boston has home court too. People are talking like Game 1 is in LA. LA has to prove they can go to Boston and take one first. That is a big if. Regular season matchups can be telling. I wouldn’t under value those games. (The short-shorts game in LA, was embarrassing) Kobe didn’t look good in either game. IF everyone thinks Gasol is the reason why LA will win…okay
Can’t wait to watch all these player attempt to etch their names in NBA championship lore…
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=271230013
July 31st, 2009 at 7:45 am
Jay Jay says:
to post #4, we got doc, you got phil? then now what happen? we got the championship, you got nothing …