Lack of mental toughness and maturity

[DJessen33@aol.com]

I thought this was a nice effort by the C's against the Clips. If we were 
playing against the Lakers, I would say that we just lost to a team with more 
talent. However, the Clippers never have more talent. My most vivid memories 
of the game are one of the 3 Clipper guards raising up for a three or Mo 
Taylor draining a contested jumper on the wing. There isn't much you can do 
about Mo Taylor getting hot and hitting contested  jumpers. However, as I 
have stated before, I don't like Pitino's trapping defense in the half-court 
which makes stars out of scrubs. There is no reason why these losers should 
be left out on alone shooting uncontested threes. Because Pitino is always 
trying to put on a trap or overplaying on the wing, someone is always left 
open. Everyone has us scouted out...Walker really had a nice game today. 
Early in the game, he drove and layed down, often to unsuspecting teammates 
who fumbled the pass away. However, this set him up for later when the 
opponents didn't know pass or shot. Then, he caught fire. Pitino did some 
nice substituting and Pierce started to take over when Walker was getting a 
rest. Pierce was stiff and shaky at first. His ankle seemed to loosen as the 
game went on. However, he didn't have the same lift and had several shots 
blocked down low. However, he really started to take over offensively in the 
fourth quarter...Regardless of Pitino's trapping defense scheme, the game 
broke down  to 5 critical points where the Celtics showed their lack of 
mental toughtness where if the Celts had executed at any of them, they would 
have won the game:

1)  Early on, Walker started his trash talking war with Lamar Odom, like 
Walker even needed to bother to waste his time trash talking with a ROOKIE. I 
believe this sparks the opposing team and fans. Why attempt to visably 
disrepect a player at home in front of his fans and family? Let a sleeping 
dog lie. The Clippers would otherwise be more interested in going home and 
playing with their presents. Bird was called one of the greatest trash 
talkers of all time. However, we the fans rarely saw it. That is how you do 
it, if necessary. Later on, Mo Taylor who was on fire, blew on his fingertips 
as he ran to the other end. He never does that stuff. It was payback for 
Walker's crap....

2) The Celts had a 8 point lead in the fourth and the Clips  extended their 
defense. This took the Celts out of the normal offensive set. They struggled 
from there on out. I don't yet have an answer for that this is a normal 
occurance with the C's. I have seen Jason Williams start their offense by 
passing the ball from halfcourt to Divac in the post when the pressure was 
extended. Utah can do it too. Perhaps the Celts need to modify their 
offensive set in these situations...

3) When the Clips put on their run, the Celts helped matters by first Pierce 
pulling up for a quick, wide three that missed. The next set, VP again 
traveled trying to outquick his opponent on the drive. I WISH HE WOULD FORGET 
THAT AND JUST SHOOT FACE UP JUMPERS. Walker, not to be outdone by Pierce, 
took a quick three the next time down for a miss. This helps out the other 
team's run when a team takes the quick three. This shows a lack of mental 
toughness and immaturity...

4) At crunch time and us down by two, the ball goes to Walker who had been 
unstoppable with his baby hook. This time he turns back and throws up a 
left-handed hook angling from the basket. This is a very difficult shot and 
he trys it with his off hand. You go with your best stuff when the game is on 
the line. This shows lack of mental toughness and immaturity...

5)  Tony Battie misses one of two free throws that would have tied the game 
with 6 seconds left. The good players make these shots when the game is one 
the line. This shows a loack of mental toughness and immaturity...

DJessen33