I watched some of the talking-head shows on Boston TV Saturday night. You know the kind, when two guys who have no right at all to talk like experts about sports sit around and talk like experts about sports. Anyway, there was a lot of … “when the Celtics get to Detroit …” or “ … the Celtics won’t be able to do this against Detroit.” As if today’s Game 7 was a given. Boston types are quite enamored with these Celtics, and when the Celtics are good they act as if advancing is an entitlement. Boston may advance. They sure looked like the better team in Game 5. But I would still not count LeBron James and the Cavs out. In fact, acting as if Game 7 is a given when the opposing team has LeBron James seems pretty foolish.
James does not need to score 50 points tonight. In fact, if he scores 25 and controls the game the way he did in Game 6 in Washington, the Cavs have an excellent chance. That means passing the ball and moving the ball. No standing in one spot for five seconds and dribbling — unless it’s to set up a possible winning shot with the game tied. For this game, Mike Brown should be allowed to put a little buzzer on James’ belly, and every time he dribbles in one place for more than six seconds Brown should be able to gently zap the buzzer, prompting James to move the ball. This would simply be a precaution. In this game, I believe James will move the ball. He’s too smart a basketball player not to.
After watching another view of the Paul Pierce offensive foul call late in Game 6, I’m not sure that wasn’t the right call. Pierce barreled into LeBron James like it didn’t matter if James was there. The call wasn’t as bad as I first thought, nor was it obviously wrong. A charge is justified.
James had 19 of the Cavs 32 second-half points. That’s right, the Cavs scored 32 points in the second half. The Celtics scored 36. The NBA. Where 30-some-point halves happen.
It may mean nothing, but the last two games Paul Pierce has played 40 and 42 minutes. Kevin Garnett has played 42 and 41 minutes. Ray Allen has played 42 and 40 minutes. None of these guys are young in basketball years. Playing that many minutes in a few days time might show up in the fourth quarter today. Then again, it might not. We shall see.
What’s a key today? The Cavs need to get off to a fast start. And if the Celtics make a run, they need to take a deep breath and keep their composure. If the Celtics get out of the gate fast, that’s trouble for Cleveland. The Cavs need to keep it close. If the Cavs do get ahead, they should expect a Boston run. The Celtics didn’t win 66 games for no reason, after all. But if the Celtics make a run, so what. The Cavs just need to deal with it and keep on playing. Good start, no collapses and the game goes down to the fourth quarter with Cleveland having a legitimate chance to win. Want to bet against LeBron James at that point in time?
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"James does not need to score 50 points tonight."
Unintentionally hilarious line, Pat. I'm not the brightest bulb when it comes to arithmetic, but let's see … Cleveland lost by five. James scored 45. At the very least, James needed to score 50.
What a horrible, horrible, horrible job Ferry has done. Are you going to do the right thing, and use your column to call for his head on a platter? Enough with your Pluto-ish, lapdog-ish petting of the family cat, Pat. Here's your chance to put yourself on the map and write what needs to be written.
Like the commercial says, is it in you?
Pat…great article! I'm not sure you can blame anyone from the Cavaliers for this loss. I don't think they could have done anymore to change the outcome. I was at the game yesterday and the Garden is a tough place to play and win. The Cavs need one more legitimate scorring threat who shows up every night. Wally is no the answer.
Technically, Celtics Super Fan, Danny Ferry is "from the Cavaliers." If you're going to blame anyone, Ferry would be a good place to start. And finish.