I’ve been watching this basketball team for a long time and lived through it all.
In all my years on earth, the Boston Celtics have played in 4 NBA Finals.
Well over 3 decades, 4 total Finals.
This isn’t a case of LeBron making the Finals for 10 straight years.
So before we do anything, we first have to appreciate and respect what a moment like this means.
So it’s important to take a step back and appreciate what we’re watching.
That is not normal, that is not easy, but that is our reality.
Said another way, the Boston Celtics are 4 wins away from basketball immortality.
That’s what we heard all year that the Celtics would come up short right?
Clutch time playoff basketball.
Sure they could blow people out, but when games got close, they would fall short.
That’s what I was told all season and all playoff long.
The Celtics haven’t just been good this playoff run, they’ve been dominant.
They did all that with Porzingis playing just 3 games, let’s not forget that.
The best part of ending this series in 4 games?
It’s legitimately the best case scenario, I almost can’t even really believe it.
The Good
- This was probably the hardest spot to come up with in the entire blog.
How do you choose?
For Jaylen, it was redemption.
For us fans, it was validation in a way.
While there is still more work to be done, do not overlook what we just witnessed.
In terms of Jaylen’s on the court play in Game 4, it’s hard to really complain.
He was in control, playing with force but not reckless.
When they needed big shots, Jaylen delivered.
Speaking of those 4th quarter FTs, want to know what’s bizarre?
Jaylen is currently shooting 87.5% (23-26) from the FT line in the 4th quarter these playoffs.
He was 6-6 in the ECF.
The dominance of the Jays I feel like is somewhat expected.
Not only are they generational talents, but they’ve also owned the IND matchup all year long.
What wasn’t really expected?
This level of play from Jrue Holiday.
Jrue Holiday finished the ECF with a 73.4% TS%.
That is not a typo.
Then on the other end, his defense put this team in the Finals.
To have a swiss army knife like Jrue and White is such a weapon and is ultimately the difference.
Opposing teams simply do not have that key in of two way impact on the perimeter.
- We shouldn’t go too long without mentioning the play of the Celtics best player, Jayson Tatum.
This is what makes the Tatum discourse so funny to me.
He’s getting slandered and dragged for putting up 30/10/6 in a sweep.
There is no other superstar in the league that has to deal with that shit.
Tatum has been in the NBA for 7 seasons.
Honestly, I think the MVP voting worked out perfectly.
Jaylen deservedly got his recognition and trophy, and now it’s Tatum’s turn for redemption.
From a production and importance standpoint, Tatum will always be the top guy on this team.
Denying that is silly.
For some, this guy stinks, has no aura, isn’t “that guy”.
It’s all just laughable at this point.
- We knew back in October that Bald Derrick White was going to change out lives forever.
Well, I guess that all depends.
That’s right, you read that correctly.
I’ll remind you, Derrick White is a point guard.
During the season, they were 28-6 when that happened.
So far in these playoffs, the Celts are 9-0 when that happens.
Jaylen making the right play, Derrick shooting without hesitation, it was all perfect.
Aggressive Derrick is what changes everything.
In those wins, we’re seeing them have a
129.3 ORTG
85.4 DRTG
+43.9 net rating
Dominant.
That’s what that is.
Last night the Pacers offense had a 44 ORTG in the clutch with their season on the line.
That my friends, is fucking insane.
kindly stop whatever you are doing and listen to the Grande call.
If we’ve said it once we’ve said it a thousand times.
If you don’t defend, you die.
Well, the Celts held a red hot shooting Pacers team to 102 points.
They allowed just 19 points in the 4th quarter.
They forced 14 TOs.
I don’t care who is on the floor, the Pacers guards were incredible all series.
But when it was time to shut that water off, the Celts defense found a way.
- I’m pretty sure both Pacers and Celts fans are not thrilled with how this series was officiated.
Payton Pritchard getting kicked in the face, nothing.
TJ McConnell getting his face smashed in by Jaylen, nothing.
Inconsistencies like you read about.
It was awful for both sides in pretty much every game this series.
Just a disaster class performance that the league won’t do a thing about.
Maybe it’s as simple as having KP back, but I wouldn’t put it all on that.
You cannot let those guys get so many open looks from the paint, that is death.
The Ugly
- 7 in a row.
So here we go.
Now, we wait.
I’m hoping for at least 6 games.
I need the Wolves to punch back, starting tonight.
For now, enjoy the moment.
12 down, 4 to go.
