Things on my mind as the countdown to Game 2 begins…
Paul Pierce. We’ve spent the last three days talking about him. Day 1 was spent either in awe of his moment/performance, calling him the greatest actor of our generation or simply indifferent. On Day 2 the thoughts moved to the severity of his injury. And now today, some are wondering why he won’t just get an MRI while others (like me) or wondering if he can be effective. The rumors are saying that it is possibly a torn meniscus which would actually be the best news for Celtics fans. You can play on a torn meniscus for a while and then clean it up after the season. It’s a common fact that ‘The Truth’ is going to gut it out thanks to all sorts of treatment and meds. The more important question, the one we have no answer to is this: How well can he play?
The Celtics obviously need Paul Pierce at his best to compete with the Lakers. In the first half it was clear that Pierce was the piece of the puzzle that Phil Jackson wanted to take away. He struggled and the Celtics found themselves down 5. In that miraculous third quarter, pre-injury/rebirth, Pierce had already found his mojo and was causing LA problems. Call it the adrenaline or the moment but he continued to find his way after the injury. Does he have enough in him tonight? Big question because without Pierce being like Pierce…the C’s are going to have a tough time.
Kevin Garnett. You have to be aggressive. There is nothing else to it. No one in a purple uniform can guard you…unless you keep shooting fadeaways. This is your legacy on the line and you spend the fourth quarter bailing Pau and the Lakers out by shooting perimeter jumpers ? Come on Big Ticket, quit getting hyped over getting a Chelsea jersey with your name on it and find a way to dunk on Pau again.
Pau Gasol. You need to find your swagger. The Pau Gasol that first entered La-La land was a cocky son of a bitch. Sneers, screaming, pulling your jersey, fist pumps, semi sexual hugs with Vujacic. You infused the Lakers with swagger. So when Kobe was nodding his head, instead of being seen as “Kobe being an asshole” it was just the Laker swagger. Game 1…you my friend had no swagger. You seemed slightly overwhelmed by either the fact that you had to guard KG or the fact that KG is insane. You got dunked on because instead of boxing KG out, you instead opted to stare at the basket. For the Lakers to have a chance, you don’t have to score 30 points a game. You just have to be you. You have to have a swagger, you have to play with poise and you have to start being an SOB again. Get inspired by your boy Rafael Nadal and be a nasty Euro not a twinky one who gets called a five letter word that rhymes with wussy and can describe cats. Stop looking like Orlando Bloom and look more like a drug dealer.
(Speaking of Nadal…he demolished Federer in a nasty fashion this morning. I’m not sure what was tougher to swallow this weekend, Federer getting smacked or Big Brown losing within .13 seconds of the race starting)
Lamar Odom. The box score would have lied to me and said you didn’t play that bad. 14 points, 6 rebounds, meh. The only problem is…you did play horrible. I felt at times that you were not on the floor and seeing as how you are one of the big keys to the Lakers success…that’s not good at all. We could be talking about how the Celtics should be struggling finding ways to guard you, however you don’t feel like being aggressive. And make some damn free throws you’re making Simmons look smart again.
Doc Rivers. You need to have not only made adjustments but you also have to be ready to make adjustments. Because Phil Jackson is coming. I warned you. And for the love of god if you ever see Kobe Bryant guarding this version of Sam Cassell, call a timeout immediately and sub him out. It will not end well.
Speaking of Kobe….Kobe Bryant. Be yourself if you know what that means. You seemed to want it a little to badly in the first quarter of Game 1 so you forced a couple shots that went in and out. Stick with the Triangle and trust your teammates in the 4th quarter. Try and find a way to get to the free throw line.
Lakers in general. Stop fouling. The C’s are known for being a jump shooting team yet you sent them to the line 35 times. You can’t give the C’s easy points like that. Also…get some easy baskets yourself. I’m not sure you guys could have gotten any less points in the paint.
Derek Fisher. No need to dominate the ball. You’re going to get your shots.
Sasha Vujacic. You are going to have to do something dirty at some point in this series. You need to become a villain and get in Ray Ray’s head. He thinks he owns you. So do something about it. Why not tonight?
Radmonvic. Show up. Stop fouling. And hit a couple open shots.
Chris Mihm and Brian Scalabrine. Enjoy your lives. You are stealing money and one of you are about to get a ring.
Ray Allen. Continue to be remember that you used to be one of the top 10 players of the league and be offended that Sasha Vujacic is supposed to be locking you up.
Rajon Rondo. Don’t pee yourself.
ESPN/ABC. Don’t make me throw me remote.