Chris CrockettHats off to Celtics, but now what?
May 18th 2009 13:10
I won't lie, I was frustrated with someone in particular while watching that Game 7 last night. Frustrated with the play of Paul Pierce, the captain of this team, who last year had one of the best man to man showdowns with Lebron James in Game 7 of the Eastern semi-finals. Last night Pierce just wasn't Pierce for whatever reason. In Game 7 of a series you start thinking about the greats, the Bird's, Magic's, Jordan's, hell if you're a Boston fan you could very well think of Cedric "Cornbread" Maxwell and his decree of "get on my back boys" and I'll lead you to the promise land. Pierce did that last year, but not this time. After thinking about it, I realized I was wrong in being frustrated with him after all he's done for this team this year and in the past. I was just caught in the moment of it all. It was a great year for Pierce and the Boston Celtics. Once I sat and thought about it as I was driving home from a friends house where I watched the game, it all made sense. The Celtics and Pierce maxed out. They gave it all they had with the people they had left on this team. No KG, and no Leon Powe had finally caught up with them. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce logging huge minutes per game to mask the injuries of KG and Powe had finally taken it's toll. Pierce, in particular just had no legs left, especially last night. I came to the conclusion that in all actuality, they are better off getting the remainder of the spring/summer off now and resting up for what should be one hell of a final run with the big three still in tact, next year. Going to Cleveland and getting beat up by Lebron and Co. while you're undermanned just isn't what this team needs right now.The big three are aging quickly and need the rest right now. Pronto. Did anybody realistically think they could beat Cleveland or L.A. right now? Hell, I'll even throw the Nuggets in there. Denver would beat Boston right now as well.
What happens now? Well, Rajon Rondo took a major step forward as a ballplayer this year. He is now a semi-consistent jump shot away from being a huge star in my mind. What a season for him. What a breakout year for Glen "Big Baby" Davis. Davis is a free agent however and it remains to be seen if he'll take a little discount and re-sign with Boston or take the money that some team will most undoubtably offer him and pack up his hair clippers and run on out of here. He put himself on the map with his very nice performance in the postseason this year. While the status of Big Baby Mohawk will remain unknown for the time being, this much we do know.. Ray Allen's contract is up after next year. Paul Pierce's contract is up the year after that and KG's expires the year after Pierce. One by one, the big three's contracts will start expiring. Next year is the year for one more huge run at a title with this core of superstars. Health will be the main concern and dropping Game 7 last night is a blessing in disguise. Garnett can go get the knee taken care of now and Pierce and Allen can get the much deserved rest that they need after leading this team like two champions up to this point while missing their best player. An aside on Allen: Isn't he the ultimate professional that you want being the face of your franchise? Or in Boston's case, one of your three faces.. Watching him giving his ex Seattle teammate Rashard Lewis a pep talk and congratulating him on a great series and watching him congratulate Dwight "not yet Superman, but I"m getting close" Howard and wishing them well moving forward is just classy and great to see. He is a classy professional if I ever did see one.
It has been so great watching basketball become relevant again in Boston since KG and Allen came in to aid Pierce. So, lets lace 'em up and add a couple of complimentary parts to this team and make what could be the last run with KG, Allen and Pierce together and healthy. It will be a blast to watch. Would it have been fun to see a healthy Boston battle King James and the Cavs this year too though? Yes, flat out, it would've been a series to remember, a classic.
Chuck Hanf
Two Cents From Beantown
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