The Big One in the Big Three
Paul PierceEven though the Celtics’ game seven dismemberment ranks right up there in the pantheon of the most lopsided end-of-series blowouts, Boston still hasn’t explicitly answered the most important question for their success moving into round two: Who is going to step up and take a game into his own hands?
In all fairness, Boston couldn’t answer this question yesterday because they had a Big Brown lead on the Hawks down the home stretch. In fact, they’ve toasted Atlanta by an average of 25.2 points in each of their four wins. But the three losses were all close games – separated by nine, five, and three points respectively. As per the sweet SportsCenter Sunday Conversation with the Big Three about a week ago, both KG and Pierce thought that in those close games, it should be Ray Allen to take the last shot. (Didn’t work out all that well at the end of game six.) But Michele Tafoya didn’t ask who should take the game over with their lives on the line.
While Boston didn’t give the answer to that question, they did give us a substantial clue. After only taking 10, 10, 13, 14, 17, and 12 shots in the first six games, Paul Pierce pulled 20 times from the field yesterday, and looked like Boston’s fail-safe. He tallied 9 points and 4 boards in the first quarter, going bucket for bucket with Atlanta’s commander-in-chief, Joe Johnson. Boston had an 11-point edge by the time that quarter was over. Pierce wasn’t willing to wait until the game got close – it was almost as if he looked at the game’s first twelve minutes as the do-or-die stretch of the series.
“I was telling everybody I was so happy that the game was at 1 o’clock,” said Pierce. “Because there was no way I could have sat at home all day today because of my anxiousness to get back on the court after Game 6 from the way I had been feeling the past couple days.”
The Truth led all scorers with 22 points yesterday, and seems to have realized his role as the guy that Boston looks to when the game is on the line – whether that is with the score tied 0-0 or 95-95.
“I really had no doubt in my mind how we was going to come out tonight,” said Pierce. “You kind of saw it from the guys after Game 6 on the plane. There wasn’t a lot of talking and we knew that we let a couple games get away in Atlanta and I just knew we was going to take care of business tonight.”
May 5th, 2008 at 9:03 am
Chuck says:
Paul Peirce is a strong guy for his size and can pretty much get to the hole anytime he wants to. I love his game. His jumper is a little funny looking, but hey, if it works I guess it works. The celtics need to get back to playing team ball again. Running effecient offensive sets and switching and rotating on defense with perkins and Garnett manning the middle. The Hawks were just running those boys out of the gym, I remember in Game 4 I think, when Joe Johnson and Josh Smith were running a two man clinic on em. I was like why isn’t Perkins or Garnett stepping up on the block when he see’s that Ray allen is constantly getting beat off the dribble. And it wasn’t like Atlanta was setting picks for Ray to fight through. He was just breaking ray’s ankles and getting to the lane at free will. It was ridiculous. The celtics are effective when they work as a team, and when they don’t, they suck.
May 5th, 2008 at 9:04 am
stanaeciouz says:
NUMERO UNO!
May 5th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Suciniac says:
If it were up to me I would trade Ray Allen.Maybe because of too much Dynasty Mode but considering KG & Pierce’s salary,Ray’s salary is a back breaker.Also,Celtics have enough shooters and that’s basically all Ray does.Could be wishful thinking but maybe Ray for Marion or J-Howard??Deal him while he still has some value.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Three Stacks says:
There’s is no F-in way any team trades anyone good for Ray Allen. It’s obvious he’s lost a step, and he can’t guard anyone. Why would a team trade a defensive stud like Marion or Howard for Ray? Considering his contract, there’s no way the Celtics could get equal value.
May 5th, 2008 at 10:52 am
marcus says:
I don’t know Dallas might be looking to switch things up especially cause Howard had the weed comments come out at a bad time while stinking up the joint this year in the playoffs, i could really see the Mav’s trading Howard for Ray and a pick
May 5th, 2008 at 10:57 am
svigi says:
Ray is a big part of the Celtic’s success and he is a way more than just a shooter but he accepts his role and play unselfish. Man, one tougher round and you wants someone’s head down. Ok, itwas a way harder than expected against a lowly team like the Hawks but i think it’s unnecessary to think who they should trade or not until it’s not over.. and come on, J-Howard? just not makes sense
May 5th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
DAPro says:
One you can’t judge Ray based on this series alone. The HAWKS, BOBCATS,any young team with athletes will give Boston fits because of matchup problems. Ray has never been a good one on one defender, KG is a better help defender, Boston thrives on team offense and defense.
What they needed was to play matchup and counter the athletes with set rotations on d and play off the ball more with Ray.
May 5th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Chuck...A source of knowldge for all says:
@DaPro
I agree 180 percent times 360 percent wit ya!
May 5th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
DAPro says:
@ Chuck
Lets get into coaching brotha. We can win at least 10 games.
May 6th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Suciniac says:
Read the post wannabe coaches.I said,”If it were up to me”.I didn’t say they SHOULD(come to think of it,maybe they should after all) and I didn’t start following the NBA during the 08 playoffs.Everybody knows what Ray’s all about through the years.Yes he got abused defensively but offensively he was still doing his thing in this series.I am just considering how far above the luxury tax the Celtics are gonna go, you know when they have to give bigger contracts to Rondo,
Perkins, Bib baby,T Allen,Powe.The point is it looks like they will have to trade away Ray anyway in the future to accommodate their younger players.If you don’t trade him in the coming off-season,who’s gonna take his contract in say one or two years time.
@marcus
Thanks for getting where I was going with Howard.Obviously people don’t know about Selling high buying low.