Those were Paul Pierce’s words at the end of game 6th of the Eastern Conference Finals and the game that put the Celtics into their dream series.
The Story Book Saga Continues
The Boston Celtics won an extremely hard fought game by coming back from a 10 point 4th quarter deficit to will themselves to an 89-81 win over the experienced and tough minded Detroit Pistons. They advance to the NBA Finals for the 21st time in the franchise history, but first time since 1987 when they lost to the same team they will play in this Finals – The Los Angeles Lakers. They are 16-4 in NBA finals.
It will be a ratings bonanza for a league in need of bonanzas. The League MVP Kobe team vs the Big Three, led by Mr. Defensive Player of the Year team. Big stars, big shots, and big defense are all in store for the viewers. It will be big, I tell you, big.
Kobe has the name penetration into the American culture that Michael Jordan had, or nearly so. Viewers that can’t even be called casual fans will be turning in to watch parts of each game to see how Kobe is doing against the big bad Green Machine known as the Celtics.
It truly has the legendary old images re-aligned correctly. Even in the 1960’s, it was the black top Converse sneakers of the “all about business’ Celtics versus the Gold and Purple uniforms of the offensively proficient Lakers.
These Celtics are lead by a figure of serious intensity who’s countenance reveals the inner drive, not unlike Bill Russell’s game face. Kevin was just interviewed by Bill Russell and has his respect. Both are immensely talented big men who pride themselves on their defense. Now Kevin Garnett has his Sam Jones (Ray Allen) and John ‘Hondo’ Havlicek (Paul Pierce) to help him get the coveted ring.
Kevin is the catalyst defensively. Any of the three could be the leader offensively, but my bet is on Paul Pierce more often than not. He is honing his big game efforts – first in game 7 against Lebron and the Cavaliers, and now even more frequently against the Pistons. As the competition gets tougher, so does Paul Pierce.
Paul’s masterful 27 points on 8 of 12 shooting with 10 of 13 foul shots and 8 rebounds closed door number 4 on the Pistons in their own home.
Call Paul the ‘Door man.’ He led with 22 points against the Hawks in the close out game. He closed the door on Cleveland with 41and now he closed the door on Detroit with 27 points. Each time he led the Celtics in scoring to move his team forward to the next round. Beware the Door man.
Now it is the Big Ticket, The Truth, Ray Ray, and Mamba getting ready to strap ‘em on to renew a rivalry that has been hibernating for so long, those under 20 years old don’t really understand it. They will now.
The media machines and David Stern couldn’t have asked for a better Finals to promote. Two big market teams with the biggest, longest rivalry in the history of the NBA are about to go toe to toe for a best of seven to determine the 2008 NBA Champions.
Game one of the NBA Championship Series is Thursday night.
