Barstool Blog

Thursday's game 1 couldn't have gone much worse for the green team, as the Lakers, with maybe just a little help from the officials, looked to be the better team from start to finish.  As goes Rajon Rondo, so goes the rest of the team, and unfortunately Rondo never got into a flow during this game.  There are several potential reasons for this, one of which, I hope isn't a lingering injury from the Magic series.  Entering the Finals we heard rumblings of Rondo being banged up, and that looked like a ditinct possibility following Thursday's game 1 debacle.  Another possible cause for his ineffectiveness is the Laker's defense, which is highlighted by their ability to clog the paint with their version of the twin towers, in the 7' Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum.  We have seen Rondo's willingness to risk his body in attacking the basket, but that task may seem even more daunting with those trees waiting for his penetration.  What we should all be hoping for, is that Game 1 was simply an off-day for Rajon.  I have a hard time believeing that he wasn't focused, or lacked effort.  I mean, it the freakin' NBA finals, and everyone on the floor understands the magnitude of the situation.  Regardless of the reason for Rondo's poor play, I'm expecting him to make the proper adjustments, and run this team the way we've seen him for the past several years.

It was no secret two years ag, that the most important player, as the Celtics made their championship run, was Kevin Garnett.  When the Big Ticket came to Boston he changed the entire culture of this team, transplanting his "we, not me" mentality all the way from Minnesota.  Garnett's passion, unselfishness, and intesity seemingly permeated throughout the entire organization, and ultimately led the team to their 17th title.  After a stellar post-season, KG looked pedestrian, at best, on Thursday, having been completely outplayed by his counterpart, the Spanish llama, Pau Gasol.  Two years ago, Garnett man handled Gasol is every phase of the game, but game 1 their roles were entirely  reversed, as Gasol looked like the more physical, polished player.  While no one will question Gasol's performance on the floor, his questioning of KG during his time at the podium yesterday, is quite baffling.  When asked to comment on KG's play during thurday nights game, Gasol offered up some extra motivation for a  player who likely doesn't need any.  Gasol stopped just short of calling KG "soft", and a less dominant player than the version he squared off against just two years ago.  Judging by Garnett's demeanor during his presser yesterday, I'm guessing he is going to come out with a little something extra for that curly-haired, mangy-bearded Spanish llama.

Officiating in the NBA is unquestionably an inexact science.  In no other sport, do the fans eagerly await for the release of the officiatng crew to help determine what type of game is going to be called.  That's pretty scary, and something the commisioner ought to take a closer look at.  Per usual, after a Celtic's loss, I blame the refs for altering the outcome of the game.  Part of it is from being a horrible loser, but the other part has some validity, as evidence by Ray Allen's 5 fouls in Thursday night's contest.  It seemed as if they tried to take Ray out of the game completely.  When you recieve two, or even three quick fouls it's hard to find any kind of rhythm.  And if we know anything about the sharp-shooting Allen, it's that rhythm is everything to him.   Even when Ray isn't on his game, the other team has to respect his outside shooting, which means his defender can't leave him, ultimately opening things up for his teammates.  We know he's an dangerous with the ball, but in this series, Ray may be even more of an asset without the ball, as he is tirelessly coming off of screens, and making his defender chase him around the court constantly.  So, having Kobe chasing him around all night, will likley impact Kobe's own production on the offensive end, and potentially limiting the amount of lift he has for those 4th quarter jump shots.

Game 2 is tomorrow night at Staples Center, and a virtual must win for the Celtics, as falling down 0-2 would be completely demoralizing.  Expect to see a much better defensive effort, and more produciton for Rondo, Garnett, and Allen.  Kobe is going to get his no matter what, but the Celtics need to limit Gasol's production if they hope to win this series.  A win would certainly shift the momentum, and put the entire Metro-Los Angeles area into a state of panic.  I would liek nothing more than to see the expression of Jack Nicholson's face after a defeat, or see if Khloe Kardashian's mug could possibly get any uglier after watching her candy-ass husband walking off the court with his tail between his legs.  Then again, I doubt she can even squeeze into one of those chairs anyways, so maybe she's watching at home with her skanky sisters, and the man without a face, Bruce Jenner.  Beat LA Beat LA Beat LA!!!