Game 1 in L.A.
It is hardly time to hit the panic button after last night’s debacle we call Game 1. I needn’t remind the older fans of the “Memorial Day Massacre” which occurred 25 years ago. For a brief reminder however, it was the 1985 NBA Finals and the Celtics were looking to become back-to-back champions for the first time since ’68-’69. With home court advantage the Celtics destroyed the Lakers in Game 1, 148-114. At the time, this was the most lopsided game played in the Finals between the two rivals; it was surpassed in 2008 when the Celtics beat the Lakers in Game 6, 131-92. The series looked like it had been over before it started, and the Celtics were going to run away with the Championship. Boston only notched one more win in the series after Game 1, and consequently lost in 6 games to L.A.
I’m not one to compare the past too much to the present, but for those who were looking to ease their heartache a bit, I hope 1985 is a reminder that Game 1 does not always decide the eventual Champion.
Clearly the Celtics have a lot of work to do before entering Game 2 on Sunday. Each player that touched the floor for Boston had one flaw or another to his game, but let’s concentrate on the team as a whole, and what parts need to be looked at.
If the individual defense is not up to par, then the team defense will suffer immensely. For instance, Doc Rivers stated after the game that it wasn’t the big men’s fault, but it was more on the exterior defenders allowing the penetration, which will force the help and leave an opponent open for either the pass or an easy rebound. I agree, to an extent. Rivers cannot place the entire blame of the poor defense on the perimeter players. There is supposed to be a rotation on the inside as well, to help the defender who is helping on the ball. That rotation should allow a Celtics defender to put a bottom on one of the many Laker big men and push him away from the hoop.
Defense is habitually about hustle, heart, and desire. The Celtics team last night seemed to lose that drive, and that intensity that brought them to the Finals. Los Angeles came out and punched Boston square in the mouth, and the Celtics seemed to stagger along from then on.
Intensity combined with the same defensive output they’ve had for the past 3 series can and will get them a win in Game 2. Once the defense comes back to form you wont see Pau Gasol notching the same amount of offensive rebounds as the entire Celtics team, 8. Gasol pulled in 14 total boards which was equal to that of Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, Rasheed Wallace, and Glen Davis COMBINED!
From top to bottom it looked as though the Celtics were not ready for that Lakers team. Please don’t be fooled, anyone who has watched the Western Conference playoffs has seen, that the Lakers are a very good team. They can win in different ways, whether fast-paced or in a set offense. Don’t expect the Celtics to sit back in Game 2 however. The first half of play they seemed to be lackadaisical, yet at the half they were within 10 points.
I’d like to see more out of Pierce in the first 3 quarters. The vast majority of his scoring came in the 4th when the game was virtually out of reach; in the 2nd and 3rd quarters combined he hit one field goal. I also expect to see more of a rotation on Kobe Bryant. Bryant put Ray Allen in foul trouble and forced Allen to be a non-factor, even with Derek Fisher covering him, because he was forced to the bench. Look to see Allen, Pierce, and Tony Allen on a rotation covering Kobe in Game 2. Be wary, however, of Tony Allen when he is in the game. Defenders are treating him like they used to treat Rondo, giving no respect to his jumper. This packs the middle in and forces more turnovers and long jump shots because it is harder to drive to the hole.
The Celtics cannot and will not stand for that performance again. Game 1 will be looked at as an aberration once this series is over, a game where they didn’t leave it all on the floor. The only question will be is it too late to fix?
Sean Sendall – follow me on Twitter
Tags: Boston Celtics, Sean Sendall
