I Thought That Was 'King' James

Celtic Ray Allen delivers an unexpected metaphor to describe the overtime foul-outs of Paul Pierce and LeBron James:

"It was like chess," Ray Allen said. "They took our queen, then we took their queen."

Paul Pierce, Queen of the Celts. No, it doesn't have a ring to it this year. Nor will it, the way Durant and the Thunder are playing.

Still, a team with Rondo is a team with a chance.

Comments

[Ignatz]

What exactly goes on in those locker rooms?

[Captain Hate]

Ignoring the Spurs is pretty ignorant.

[Thomas Collins]

CH, I would rate either of OKC or SAS as the favorite over the Celts or Heat. And I do think the Heat are overrated by ESPN talking head types. I'm waiting for that overwhelming dynasty to start. The Heat are a solid team that has yet to prove itself of championship caliber.

By the way, I think the Celts, because of their depth problems, are hurt as much by Avery Bradley's absence as the Heat are hurt by Chris Bosh's absence.

I think LeBron is a fine player, but has LeBron ever taken over a quarter the way that Kevin Durant took over the fourth quarter of Saturday's OKC/Spurs game?

Sue, I'm hoping the Celts will be channeling the 2010-2011 Mavs karma in Miami tomorrow!

[Thomas Collins]

I know it's a longshot but it's still possible: Celts could be 2012 NBA champs and Miss Rhode Island could be 2012 Miss Universe!

[Ignatz]

--has LeBron ever taken over a quarter the way that Kevin Durant took over the fourth quarter of Saturday's OKC/Spurs game--

Dozens of times....when it doesn't matter.

[Thomas Collins]

But we must give LeBron "credit", Ignatz, for creating the biggest spectacle in perhaps Cosmic History in connection with the act of signing a contract with a new employer. I'll grant him that.

[Captain Hate]

Actually LeBron took over a game against the Pistons in the playoffs where he was just a one man gang in defeating them at a time when Detroit was an impediment to them as much as they were to the pre Zen Master Bulls. Speaking of the Bulls, he was very good against them in the clutch last season in the conference finals. The trouble is he counteracts that with going in the tank subsequently.

I don't think I've ever seen a more maddeningly inconsistent player in the playoffs than him. The player that comes most to mind is Chamberlain except he never went into the tank during the playoffs by my memory; the teams around him just weren't that good with a couple of exceptions. I've had a long term battle with another fan elsewhere on the innertubez who consistently denigrates the people around LeBron; needless to say my opinion is somewhat different.

[Rocco]

Dozens of times....when it doesn't matter

Our own sports guru, Dan Shaughnessy describes LeBron..."The Heat have true star power in LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. LeBron has taken his rightful place as basketball’s Alex Rodriguez, a front-running poser who folds with the game on the line and cannot win a championship. (A-Rod finally got one in 2009, but the shoe still fits, no?)"

Shaughnessy goes on to predict the Celtics will get swept, go figure.

http://articles.boston.com/2012-05-28/sports/31869394_1_td-garden-erik-spoelstra-celtics-career

[myiq2xu]

"I'm LeBron, baby. I can play on this level. I got some game.” - Barack Obama

[MarkO]

Let me ask this. Wasn't Magic the same size as LeBron, but he could play point guard, center, forward and win? Of course, LeBron is a great player, but the best ever? Hardly.

[Captain Hate]

A-Fraud is a good comparison

[Dave (in MA)]

Rocco, I don't care what most people say; I like CHB most of the time. His 'One Strike Away' book on the '86 Sox disaster was a great read.

[Danube of Thought]

"but has LeBron ever taken over a quarter the way that Kevin Durant took over the fourth quarter"

I believe in one playoff game with the Cavs he scored his team's final 25 points.

[Danube of Thought]

"Chamberlain except he never went into the tank during the playoffs by my memory""

He took himself out of the game--came to the bench, uninjured, and sat down--in the fourth quarter of a game seven against the Celtics.

[Rocco]

I like him too Dave and he's the only reason I bought the Globe for years.

[Sue]

I hate Lebron James. Despise him. And nothing makes me happier than to see him lose. On a national stage. When everyone is watching. Lose, Lebron. Lose!

[Captain Hate]

He took himself out of the game--came to the bench, uninjured, and sat down--in the fourth quarter of a game seven against the Celtics.

He had 5 fouls on him iirc. And there's still a dispute on whether he subsequently wanted to come back into the game or not. Whatever was the truth, he had won a championship before that and won one afterward.

[MarkO]

Wilt had a record of never fouling out. That was what happened in that game.

[Captain Hate]

No it wasn't. When he got 5 fouls on him, they pounded the ball into Russell twice to try and draw his sixth; both times Wilt snuffed him. The Celtics wisely gave up that tactic after that.

[GMAX]

I think I will wait to crown the Thunder until they prove they can win one in San Antonio. So far, no good. And Two of the final three are in San Antonio.

[Tom Maguire]

I think I will wait to crown the Thunder until they prove they can win one in San Antonio.

There is that little problem...

I agree with TC above that the two best teams are in the West.

[MarkO]

I obviously don't remember the game so clearly as Capt'n, but in those days I was a Celtic fan so having Wilt sit out for any reason was a good thing.

Maybe it was the black and white (and snowy) TV.

[MarkO]

While the better teams may be in the West, I don't think OKC could beat the Heat on their first try for a title.

I have been wrong. Repeatedly. Vividly.

[Dave (in MA)]

"Wilt...
Russell..."

I don't feel so old all of a sudden.

[Captain Hate]

in those days I was a Celtic fan so having Wilt sit out for any reason was a good thing.

That was an incredible playoffs for the Celtics (Russell's last season) because they were the last team to make the playoffs. The Knicks had added Dave Debusschere, which solidified their lineup by allowing Willis Reed to move to the center from strong forward; they beat the Bullets in the first round and the Celtics beat the Wilt-less Sixers. Boston beat New York in the conference finals, helped by Walt Frazier getting a sprained ankle (which used to be a lot more frequent then with the old Converse Chuck Taylor Allstars being the retro shoe of choice).

I think in the Finals that Jerry West was the MVP; which was the first (and maybe only) time a player from a losing team won the honor. I'm trying to think of the Celtics starting lineup: Emmett Bryant, Sam Jones, Russell, Bailey Howell and Don Nelson with Havlicek as the sixth man.

[matt]

Querida, who is even more of a hoops fan than I now, and I were discussing this very thing last night after the game.

I have a world of respect for LeBron,but think he has to earn it. With his history it's a high bar.

As LA Fans, it is difficult for us to root for the Celts, but then Auerbach is long gone. I like Rivers and Ray Ray and respect the rest of them.

Miami just doesn't seem to be able to seal the deal in too many instances. We have noticed that the game is getting very messy lately.

Trying to go to the hole has become either suicidal or an excuse for the "Best Actor" award.

Lots of mistakes and a lack of discipline. That's where SA usually shines.

I would root for OKC, but they are going to be a problem for everyone in the West for a long time to come. So we find ourselves rooting for seven game double overtime series in both cases. At least they have been pretty good series.

How 'bout them Kings????

[MarkO]

Capt'n, was that the year Nellie's shot hit the back of the rim, bounced ten feet in the air and then slipped through the net?

Golden Celtic moment. I stil worship Russell. His appearance on the David Feherty show (Golf Channel) is not to be missed.

Someone asked Russ to say after whom he had patterned his game. He replied that he simply did whatever was required to win the game.

And so he did.

[Captain Hate]

Russ used to do a great job broadcasting the games with Dick Stockton (who really sounds bad these days) back when the Sixers and Lakers were frequent combatants; that they both made fun of that idiot Pat O'Brien on the air only enhanced my appreciation. He can be kind of prickly at times but one of my favorite pics from last year's finals is him with Dirk and the most perfectly goofy grins on both their faces.

Yes that was the Nellie shot series. I liked Nelson because he outwardly disliked Bill Bradley. He was probably the best head coach never to make the NBA finals.

[Rocco]

I once took a Coaching Basketball course at Boston State in my brief college career. (The beer was 65 cents for a 16 oz PBR at the Cask in Flagon on Huntington). Some of you may remember the professor. I remember a test he gave one day with one question. He drew a picture of a basketball and asked what kind of ball is this. All we did in class was watch old Celtics films of his better games.

[maryrose]

My brothers are avid basketball fans so as I always hung out with my brothers all the players mentioned are familiar to me. Seeing Larry Bird and Kevin McHale and Danny Aigne at the Coliseum was great basketball! I would not put LeBron in the same category as Jordan, Russell or Wilt.He's more in league with Kareem, Robert Parrish and Magic Johnson.
I know LeBron couldn't win one for the Cavs when he was here and I don't begrudge him his move to Miami.LeBron's senior year in high school, Cleveland hosted one of the venues for March Madness. Needless to say that year high school basketball was considered the more valuable ticket downtown. He paid his dues in Cleveland. He's free to pursue other teams' interests.

[Disillusionist]

It's a shame that Bill Russell played pretty much his entire career long before the NBA became a truly national sport. The greatest team leader of all time, in any sport, no question.

Although the early era of Larry Bird (before the first back injury that sent him on the decline) made it incredibly easy to be a Celtics fan. You just picked them to win - no matter what the situation. I remember watching a game against the 76ers in the 1981 playoffs, which the Celtics had trailed, 3-1. For the rest of the series, they were down 20 points at half time. I was watching at BC in a room full of rabid Sixer fans. Down 20 points at the half? "Doesn't matter, they're going to win." Down 6 points with 1:05 to go? "Doesn't matter, they're going to win." And win they did.

[Captain Hate]

I know LeBron couldn't win one for the Cavs when he was here and I don't begrudge him his move to Miami.

I didn't begrudge him moving either but he should've given Gilbert a heads-up that he wouldn't be back. The way he left was a mega eff you to the Cavs because they were left with no contingency plan and free agency being over. The way he did it was classless; I've gotten over it in that I can still watch him and get pleasure out of plays he makes, but he's all about himself and has yet to figure out how to get the biggest prize in a team game.

[DGS]

Rocco,

My wife went to Boston State. When were you there?

[Captain Hate]

Impressive win by the Thunder last night in San Antonio. Spurs were cruising for a historical championship and now are one game away from elimination.

[Rocco]

Hi DGS

I was there in 1975. I commuted for a while but the parking tickets were killing me. Then I found a student looking for a room mate on Gainsboro Ave. I'd hitch hike home on Rt 9 for the weekends but most of my evenings were spent in the Cask n Flagon. I used to walk by the Museum of Fine Arts every day. Not once did I stop in but right across the street was Punters Pub and I knew that place well. Choices...I made the wrong ones!

[DGS]

Rocco,
Looks like you and my wife were there at the same time. She started in the Fall of 1975 and finished in the spring of 1979.