Game 5: Let's Do It

I was just listening to SI's Ian Thomsen on the radio with Michael Holley. He really helped to clarify things for me. Yes, Cassell has been bad. Yes, he'd like to see Eddie House some more. Yes, the rotations have been somewhat troubling. But, this series boils down to one thing: The Big Three has only been the Big One so far. Thomsen put it very clearly "in order to win in the playoffs, youre best players need to play great." Pierce and Allen need to step up. As much as we'd all like to point fingers at Doc and at Sam, we have to face the facts. Our big time players are not stepping up. If the Big Three play the way they can, none of this other stuff is going to matter. I'm fired up.

End That Streak

Those people who for one reason or another still didn't see the Celtics as a serious title contender got a jolt last night when the C's climbed out of a 22 point hole to defeat San Antonio on the road. Last night's win was a major statement in my mind. One of the knocks on the Celtics has been that they can only win big. They out-poised and out-clutched the most poised and clutch team in the league last night, and they did it without the help of Ray Allen (remember, we also beat the Spurs earlier this season without KG). I can't say enough about the way the entire team played, but we are going to throw a quick spotlight on Sam Cassell's 17 points (including the three pointer that put the C's in front at the end of the game). Tonight will provide a task just as great, as the C's will attempt to take down the NBA's hottest team. What the Rockets have put together, particularly the portion of the streak that has been without Yao, is impressive. It's one of the best stories in the NBA. But, I still can't take them seriously as title contenders. Hopefully tonight won't hit me with the same jolt Celtics nay-sayers got last night. But, the big question you have to ask yourself is: Do they have an answer for KG? If they do, I haven't seen it.

Oracle Speaks

After watching the Celtics sign Sam Cassell yesterday, I felt compelled to mention that the Oracle correctly anticipated this move back in October. We were at the Pats Skins game in the parking lot talking about the Cs when the Oracle mentioned how Sam Cassell would either be released or bought out by the Clippers and then the Cs would pick him up for the layoff run.

Loyal fan,
Alex

Alex,

Thank you for your e-mail. I remember the day well. The Celtics were in pre-season, the Giants were in London to play Miami, the Red Sox won the World Series, and I was in the parking lot at Gillette Stadium, preparing to see Randy Moss in person for the first time. I believe it was just the right combination of Bud Light, Monster Energy Drink, Doritos, and Johnsonville Brats that gave the oracle such clairvoyance. That being said, there were some other sources that also predicted this move during the pre-season, which means that they must have been eating and drinking the same stuff. Thank you for your e-mail. Your loyalty will not go unrewarded.....in the future. For now, it will.