KGspeak

In case you didn't notice, the Boston Celtics won their 17th World Championship last night. If you've read this blog before, you know my opinion on Kevin Garnett. However, I need to slightly change my stance. KG always seemed wound up too tight. He always seemed as if he was on the verge of killing someone if they made a sudden movement. Living in Minnesota for his entire career (until his trade last summer), I was able to witness his intensity first hand.
So KG wins his first championship last night and gets interviewed by Michelle Tafoya moments after the clock reads zero...to say he gave one of the all time great postgame interviews (if not THE best) would be an understatement. I'm serious here. Where do I start? What's the best part? Was it the long silence that ABC had to go to when Garnett strung together some groupe of cuss words. Was it when he looked Michelle Tafoya in the eyes and said, "You look good tonight girl"? My god. My girlfriend, who was dealing with a fever, claimed that Garnett was, "more delirious" than her. Anyhow, I had to post video of the interview. Enjoy it while you can because it's just a matter of time before ABC takes it down.

There Was A Basketball Game Yesterday?

Sometimes when something happens we have a tough time putting the even in persepective until years later. This shouldn't be the case with yesterday's Boston-Cleveland game 7. The Celtics defeated the Cavs 97-92 in a series finale that, for the most part, was epic. Lebron scores 45? Still loses? Talk about going down fighting (of course it doesn't help when Paul Pierce goes for 41). In the end, Cleveland just didn't have anyone else. It was really obviouis that Cleveland missed Daniel Gibson and his 3 point shooting. The corpse formally known as Ben Wallace (3 points, 4 rebounds?!) did nothing to help his team's cause.
Paul Pierce just got his ticket stamped to Springfield, MA. Although,it was funny to hear the announcers in the game yesterday debate on whether Pierce would have his number retired after his career is over in Boston (um...yes?). The ABC telecast also put up a graphic during the game stating that Pierce had played more playoff games in a Celtics uniform without winning a championship than any other player in team history. Well, it sure as hell looks like he's motivated to end that streak. Up next for the Celtics...the Detroit Pistons. Game one is Tuesday night in Boston, but thanks to the Celtics series going the full 7 games, it allows Chauncy Billups to return from his injury without missing any of the Conference Finals. Prediction? I've labled the Pistons as the East's best team all season, and I'm not going to change that now. Pistons in 7.

Another Game 7? Mmmmm...

This has been the best NBA season since I became a fan in the late 1980s. The playoffs? They keep getting better and better and now we have two game 7s. It really doesn't get much better than this. Tomorrow I will be glued to the couch as the Celtics and Cavs go at it one more time. Where is this headed? I tend to believe that if Lebron is going to be one of the best players--he will come up big tomorrow, and I don't doubt that he will.
Kevin Garnett on the other hand? He had a huge game 5, which if you're keeping track at home runs his total of big time playoff performances to...3 (maybe?). He's also looking for his 5th series victory of his 12 year career. It could be worse for him--T-Mac is still searching for his first.
I really want this game to be better than the Atlanta-Boston game 7. I can't imagine Lebron allowing Cleveland to get blown out like Atlanta did. I'll take Cleveland 92-85. Lebron: 40-12-10 (because, why the hell not?).

With No Regard For Human Life

Did you see the exclamation by Lebron James last night over the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year? Do you think Celtics fans are getting worried now? Sure, they beat Cleveland twice (both in Boston and both thanks to below average games by King James). Last night? James was getting the swagger back and this dunk (which is the video definition of "Killer Instinct") with 1:44 remaining in the 4th solidified it--James is back and if you think he's going to let his team lose the best 2 of 3, you're crazy.
The C's officially can't win on the road now and are missing some important ingredients (see also: big defensive stops, a "go to guy") --not against seasoned teams (which both Detriot and Cleveland are). The question now, is, will Cleveland steal game five or seven in Boston? Personally, I think they win tomorrow night and finish off Boston in six...but I've been wrong before and I'll be wrong again.

Milk Carton: Kevin Garnett

Believe it or not, the Atlanta Hawks managed to win another game against Boston. Goes to show you that experts are just people who get paid to express their opionions. KG disappeared in the 4th quarter again last night and any further argument in the KG-Duncan debate is one more Celtics loss away from being put to bed for good (but after the first six games this series, how anyone can make an arguement for KG is beyond me).

So who do basketball fans want to see win game 7? If Atlanta wins, it probably goes down as the biggest upset in the NBA since Denver-Seattle in 1994 (and it proably tops that one).

Personally, I can't see this game being close. The Celtics should win going away. I can't see how they don't win big. Of course, I couldn't see Atlanta winning more than one game. Guess that makes me an expert.

*UPDATE: The Hawks must've forgotten to show up. Celtics vs. Cavs, Tueseday.

This Just Got Interesting

The Atlanta Hawks seemed to have forgotten that they are the Atlanta Hawks. How else do you explain their performance last night in game 2 against the Celtics? Joe Johnson put together the best performance of the playoffs this year (messing around and going for 20 of his 35 in the 4th quarter), leading the underdog Hawks to a 97-92 victory.

The most amazing part of the game wasn't just Johnson. It was how the Hawks really believe they can hang with Boston--they won't back down. But it should be interesting to see how they respond when they head to Boston for game 5.

I'm pretty sure the entire city of Atlanta considers this a victory--regardless of what the Hawks do the rest of the series. Seriously though, who would've thought Boston and Detroit would be tied at 2-2 in their respective series?