26 Dec 10 Boston Celtics Put an End to Magic Tricks: Massacre in Boston

I've already had enough folks; if I have to read the pseudonym, moniker, or whatever the hell you classify "Krypto-Nate" as much more, I'm going to gouge my eyes out with a spork. It's not that Nate wasn't fantastic while making Doc look like the second coming of Nostradomus. Basically it just sucks as a nickname and I want to kill the beast before it gains power, okay?Whew, alright...back to the game. I guess maybe Matt Barnes was a tad off when he described the situation as "we've got a foot on their throats." The Celtics were Philadelphia Eagles jersey
once again, finally , the team from the first three games of the seriessuffocating defense and great ball movement combined with bench performances above and beyond the call of duty.Let's talk Kevin Garnett a moment, as I was searching for a picture of himdelivering those forearm shivers to DwightHoward. If I were a Magic fan, I'd be hating me some KG right now. But to be fair (and potentially biased), Dwight looked as though initially he was gripping Garnett's side with vise-like intensity. Try it on yourself, it hurts!I mean, it's not like Kevin went out of the way to try and hide what he was doing. In fact, it looked almost as though he tried to alert the ref, kind of a "get this motha#@* off of me man" type deal. Then he delivered the blow, and when Dwight tried to get back in the saddleKG gave himanother one for good measure. If youforcedme tochoose between a play like that or the tentative, "don't wanna get the refs started" type defense the rest of the team played on Superbow to that point, I'll take the fire and passion every time.Passion vs dirty, the age-old debate usually decided by which end of it your guy is on. I'll tell you what wasn't debatable; the Celtics played a far superior brand of basketball in game six. Credit Doc Rivers for keeping the depths of the bench mentally ready. I can't remember the last time I saw a player with as few playoff minutes as Nate Robinson have that kind of impact in a series-deciding game. You could sense after the first one went in for him that he had it going, and little big manwas strong on both ends of the floor.Onward to a gentleman who's had it going all series long, Paul Pierce. O captain, my captain, way to show up big in the spotlight, boy. Dude outscored and outrebounded the "most dominant"Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
center in the league when said center had his back against the proverbial wall. From hitting threes to creating his own shot, to timely steals, the Truth was in full effect in Beantown Friday night. He's starting to look suspiciously like the guy who was the best player in the '08 playoffs, and his timing is impeccable.Ray and Rajon were finally good for an entire game. Ray's been MIA for awhile now. Rajon started off strong in particular; he looked like he had his swag back and was on his way to filling up the ol' stat sheet until that tough fall that gave Nate his shot to get meaningful minutes. From my perspective, Ray's been a tad on the feast or famine side this postseason, I'd much rather see him consistently get 15-17 points instead of either 20+ or 5-9. Either way, when that guy is on there's not a prettier shot in the NBA.I'll tell you one thing that it's great to not be discussing today, and that's the officiating. I can handle my team losingfor Pete's sake, it's only a game. When I get heated is when the refs steal the show, and intentionally or not decide the outcome of a game. There may have been a few missed calls either way last night, but nothing so egregious it sticksin the mind the next day. If I'dhad to endure another one-way touch foul calling, phony technical foul plagued game either team's way last nightI would have taken a beer fueled dive through the picturewindow in the living room. In short, thank goodness the officials got one right.It's funny watching this 24/7 sports media swing back and forth like a pendulum in a grandfather clock. Three games in and the Celtics were the second coming, two wins later the sky is falling and Orlando's got the "magic" to pull off what 93 other teams couldn't.Meanwhile, coach Doc Rivers stays the course and reminds his team that this starting five has never lost a playoff series! That's quite the stat and one that I was completely blindsided by. Here's to hoping they keep that streak alive. Time for a little role play. if I were a Magic fan: If I were a Magic fan, I'd probably want Stan Van Gundy canned. He seems to overplay the "screaming Ron Jeremy clone" card, and I think the team tunes him out at times. I'd want to send V.C. and Rashard Lewis packing; Lewis in particular as I think Dwight would be helped by the presence of a more conventional "four" starting with him (although the only thing Vinceenhanced this series was hisrep for being a choke artist).I'd be reasonably happy with Dwight's intensity and the way it picked up over the second half of the series. I'd stillwant to see the smiles andjovial attitude with the opposition before the game toned down more (I read somewhere that he tried to fist bump KG before the game and got rejected). Most of San Diego Chargers jersey
all, I'd be puzzled by the enigma that is Jameer Nelson. He's a shorter point guard with a game that more resembles a shooting guard in my opinion. Some games he looks like a world-beater, and some games he gets an other-wordly beating. In general the roster the Magic have, while talented, is embodied by Jameer's inconsistencies and possible flaws.Well, it's off to the NBA Finals for the Celtics and their fans. Personally, I don't care who they play, as each Western Conference team presents such unique threats and matchups that neither can clearly be said to be more favorable. If the Celtics can maintain their hunger, focus, and intensity I have a hard time seeing either team beat them in a seven game series. Are the Lakers sexier? Are the Suns a more "feel good" story? Yes and yes, but once you get on the court nobody embodies "team" more than this bunch of storied veterans, cast-offs, and rising stars hailing from Beantown. C'mon C's, close the deal and let's get that record 18th championship banner!