More Reflective Reading

I have been reading Breaks of the Game for a second time during these playoffs, and providing certain excerpts where I see them fitting in with the current cycle of madness upon which we all embarked on Saturday.

The following comes during a losing streak. Halberstam discusses how much a player like Bill Walton would have affected the psyche of those around him, and how much Jack Ramsay misses his talents during a rough stretch. There are many similarities and many vast differences between Walton and Garnett's career paths. Walton won a championship early, he was vocal about his displeasure with management, and he sounds like he was not always the best teammate. But, both played in Boston late in their careers. Both were dominant players of their era. Both have similar skill sets. Anyways, this passage could have been written in 2009 with Garnett's name substituted for Walton's and nobody would even think twice (the only obvious difference, I guess, is that Walton is not present in this case because he's no longer with the team. In KG's case, it is an injury). It's great, and I think it clearly hashes out some of the psychological issues that the Celtics have had to deal with since Thursday of last week. Remember, it was the first time that the players actually had to face the reality that KG was not coming back. That is a big departure from their mindset closing out the season:

"Suddenly it was not just a game or two, suddenly it was what all basketball people, players and coaches alike, feared most, a losing streak. For basketball people believed that their game was far more psychological than football or baseball. Players, if they were going well, believed they could do certain things, shoot and make certain shots, stop certain players on defense. That had been part of the immense intangible value of Walton: he was so superior a player and his talents so directly encouraged other players; because he was so good on defense they were able to play better defense too, for they had less territory to cover; he passed so well that they got better shots. But as basketball players lost their confidence, their ability diminished, they no longer believed. They would hesitate and become tentative. Natural shooters began to push their shots. Fine passers overreached themselves and passed into the hands of opponents. Rebounders found themselves unable to take the position they wanted. Players began to doubt not just themselves, but their teammates as well. Contemporary professional basketball was a curious amalgam of great skill, great ego and great anxiety."


This paints a clear picture of what we saw from the Celtics in game 1 and for the early parts of game 2. However, the feeling that this team was psychologically turning the corner was palpable inside the Garden after Ray hit that three. Hopefully the best lies ahead.



Also, you must watch the video posted below by Demers.