Paying Paul Pierce his Props

Please help me out here. I didn't see game 2 because I was flying back form Boston to Florida and because of the vicissitudes of weather etc. an anticipated 6 pm arrival at the airport became 10pm -which meant I joined the game on radio with 5:40 to go in the third. By the time I arrived home, the Celts had won - and yes, it was awfully exciting listening to Hubie Brown and Jack Ramsay narrate the play by play, especially in the last 5 minutes. I saw the replays of Ray and Rondo in all their greatness but heard little about Paul except that he scored 10 points. My friend Mike, the old MikefromNP of BDC fame, told me on the phone that Paul actually played much better in Game 2 than Game 1 (when he scored 24 points) because he was moving around a good bit on offense, filling the lanes, and giving Ray and Rondo opportunities because of the spacing he created for them. Plus he did a good job on Artest.

Your perspectives?

Worcester, I'm glad you had a safe flight It's not that long in terms of miles, but sometimes I feel like I'm a can of paint and I've just been through one of those electric shakers.

I actually gave Rondo, Ray and Paul mythical game balls. I thought Paul did two things particularly well and rather relentlessly. He played great defense (on Kobe at times as well as Artest). And he persisted in taking the ball to the hoop down the stretch. He didn't score many buckets down there, but he kept the Lakers pretty well occupied and was a factor in causing their foul problems. He also grabbed a rebound or two when the Celtics really needed it toward the end.

I've used the phrase "Whatever it takes" to describe the way many great Celtics teams have played in championship series of the past. And that's exactly what the Celtics did in this game. It wasn't an artistic success; and, like Game1 it didn't play out the way any of us would have drawn it up. But they did what they had to, and I believe it qualifies as an epic (thanks Jeb) win regardless of what happens from now on.

I'm very proud of them.

Sam

I'm very proud of them too. Speaking of "Whatever It Takes," one play described on the radio cemented in place for the ages my respect for Doc as a coach. The Celts were having trouble bringing the ball upcourt within the allotted 8 seconds, and Doc sprinted out on the court to call a timeout with one second to play. That saved a critical possession for the Celts which they turned into a bucket that put them up 4 or 5 points late in the game.

I too am extremely proud of what this TEAM has done this year, especially since they've done it as a team.

worcester,

Now you can see it:

http://sports.yahoo.com/sportsminute

gyso

Thank you Gyso!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is the point I made about PP in game six two years ago...4th leading scorer that night but doing all kinds of little things to help. I think PP is more valuable as the all around floor guy sometimes than as the scorer. I'd personally like to see more...Take the shot they give but be more the catalyst, etc.

Pierce was Mr Intangible last night,a bunch of big defensive and hustle plays all night.