Re: Celts survive gut check

[damekmo@teleport.com]

Christopher, your post is a gem. I couldn't agree more with the following:

>..... With Orlando and New York, both
>teams were tired and had been winning, perfect prey
>for the rested C's.  But this game against the Nets was a real gut
>check.  They were rested themselves, whereas the C's were playing their
>third in four days.  Even more importantly, they were hungry, no
>desperate to break out of their losing streak.  And despite their record
>and
>the absence of Cassell, they are a talented, athletic team with Jayson
>Williams, Van Horn, Gill and Kittles.
>
>.........
>and then bear down and win in a very hostile environment
>says a lot about both the team's character, and its ability.  No way
>they did this last year.  No way they did this last week.
>............The C's are not only showing potential, they appear to be
>learning how to win, and rounding into shape, and their game coming
>together a little bit.  Now if they can hold serve against New Jersey
>Monday, and whack Cleveland Tuesday, both of which are eminently
>possible, then I'll start getting really excited and start frothing at
>the mouth about winning the Atlantic Division or some such drivel.

Well, I'm not going that far, however, last night's game wan't ugly, it was
a stunner. The Nets have the size up front, they were rested, and they
wanted this game badly, and the Celtics, without Mercer, just took it from
them. Very, very impressive. Have to admit...this one and the game in
Vancouver really make me think that .500+ is a serious possibility. For a
young team, I think, it's the ugly down-to-the-wire, gut-check wins which
mean the most. There will be games when everything is clicking for this
team, and their young legs along with athleticism and talent will get them
through (see the Lakers). However...the NBA is "ugly" for a reason...the
defenses have gotten better...and this team is going to have to gut out
ugly wins if they're ever going to become serious contenders. The Wizards'
game was a total disappointment because it was an "eminently winnable" game
and I still think that, yes, the team was totally out of control and the
offense non-existent, but that's when a young team needs their coach...and
Pitino didn't show up, didn't make adjustments, and didn't help the team
get it together and win. However, after Vancouver, last night's game, and
the second half against the Knicks...when Mercer gets healthy...this is
perhaps a very good young team on their way up, much quicker than I
thought. By the way, I love the quote from Pitino in today's paper, was it
the Globe(?), about twelve choir boys. Very nice...very ugly and
nasty...very impressive.

Paul M.