On May 17th the Celtics walked off the court for the last time of the 2008-9 season. They were beaten handily (101-82) by the Orlando Magic.
The Magic went on to surprise the league leading Cleveland Cavaliers in 6 games. It wasn’t supposed to happen that way – to either team.
Tonight, both fallen teams with busted dreams renew their missions to gain an NBA title. A rivalry has developed between them that really began in a 7 game series two seasons ago, ending with two epic performances by two of the league’s biggest stars, Lebron James, and Paul Pierce. The Celtics went on to win the title. The Cavs continued to search for answers.
Since then it has been war. The Cavaliers have added Shaquille O’Neal in an effort to put the Cavs over the top. 37 year old Shaq is still bigger than life and has been to the mountain top – four times. He can show LeBron and the Cavs the way to what has eluded them for the past 5 years.
The Celtics have unfinished business of their own. They lost team leader Kevin Garnett to injury for 27 games at the end of the year and for the playoffs. It was the difference between them playing for another title and going home on May17th against an inferior Magic team. They are painfully aware of that.
Tonight, Garnett is healthy and the team added reinforcements of their own in Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels. The Cavaliers also added Anthony Parker, and Jamario Moon to their supporting cast of 1000s.
Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo are ready to get it on and have been for over a week now. The Cavs are still piecing the team together but are also ready.
The Cavs are missing guard Delonte West, out with personal issues. The Celtics are without Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis, who broke his hand in an altercation with a friend. Davis will be out at least 6-8 weeks.
The fireworks begin at 7:30 pm.
T,
I only got to watch the last 8 minutes last nite. But I saw A LOT of defensive intensity! As you know from your on the court experience on the courts in CT, defense is where the real action is – unless you’re Paul Pierce and can make jump shots from every angle. Oh, to be able to do that! I can’t even imagine.
I think the best is yet to come.
R
Comment by R — October 28th, 2009 @ 2:43 pm
You must play the game like I did…worthy of radio, because you really didn’t want to see my jump shot. lol.
Welcome back, R.
Cs are home tonight with the Bobcats. Home cooking will prevail, though this team gives the Cs fits.
T
Comment by Thomas Halzack — October 28th, 2009 @ 5:35 pm