| 20 May 2010
Important to note who is writing this: it's Rob (Brumbygg), the Boston fan, not Don (c'est moi) - the Lakers fan.
Celtics v Magic
There are several very good reasons why the Celtics are up in this series. During the summer I posted a piece called The Top 10 Moves (or not) of the Summer... so let me quote numbers 10 and 1 from that list:
"10: Boston signs Sheed
Signing Sheed provides the Cs with a legitimate 2 way threat. He'll play some tough D and is capable of providing the 10-20ppg needed to help out the Big 3. Most important of all, signing Sheed ensured that he didn't sign with the Magic or Cavs..."
To be entirely fair about this one, Sheed has only just turned up for the Celtics. During the regular season he was pretty much a distraction - lazy, throwing up 3s and getting T'd pretty regularly. He kept promising to show up during the playoffs. He has.
K-Perk, Sheed and Big Baby are a pretty good rotation to be able to bang away at Dwight and the rest of the Magic big men. Sheed in particular was pretty awesome defensively against Superman in Game 1, playing him tight and tough. When he had to foul, he made sure that it was a good one and made Dwight think about getting in Sheeds' house.
"1: The Biggest Gain Made by any Team this Off-Season
This man is healthy and ready to go. He makes his team mates stand taller (when he's not making them cry); he makes you earn points in the paint; he makes the team play D like it actually counts for something; he makes those around him feel the pride he has in his jersey; he adds more to his team than anyone else who signed anywhere else this off-season."
Kevin Maurice Garnett is back
Man, he had me wondering a little during the regular season, but come the playoffs and KG is running around out there like he's 10 years younger! The Magic took out the KG-less Celtics in 7 games last year. Anyone out there think a healthy KG isn't worth at least 1 more win against the Magic?
Doc's Magic
After last year and then the Cavs series you could forgive the Magic for planning how to stop Rajon Rondo in this series. Awesome move by Doc Rivers to switch it up by letting Shuttlesworth handle the ball in Game 1. Completely threw the Magic off their game and by the time they had it back, it was too late.
Playing Possum?
They had a bunch of us fooled heading down the stretch! Who didn't think they were mailing it in and looking for a second round exit? Turns out they're not just older, but wiser.
Right now the Celtics are outplaying the Magic in every position and they are being coached exceptionally well.
I am ecstatic to be heading back to Boston up 2-0, but the Magic have a number of things in their favour...
- They are younger and they are rested
- Dwight, Vince, Rashard and Jameer all have game
- Gortat could be the joker in the pack if he starts to play like he did last year
- The defending Eastern Conference champs will not go down without a fight
- The Celtic fade outs. If they start coming a little earlier each game...
It's too early to start celebrating, but I think the Celtics finish this in 5.
