Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics chose hoops over hype with a complete team effort. (AP Photo)
The Boston Celtics made witness again that any contenders will have to go through them to get to the Finals in the East, as they defeated the Miami Heat 88-80 on opening night at the Garden. Yes this was only the first game of a long year. And yes these two teams will look completely different the next time they square off against each other, but that still doesn't take away from the fact that as you sit today reading this, the Celtics are light years ahead of the Heat in every facet.
The Celtics chemistry is better. The Celtics starters are better
(as a whole). The Celtics bench is deeper. The Celtics coach is better. The Celtics fans are better. The Celtics are just plain better. ESPN and others will be making excuses for the Heat, believe in that. They'll state how this was only Dwyane Wade's first full game back after missing the pre-season, but shit, at least the Heat had Dwyane on the court. The Celtics, mind you forget, are sans their starting center in Kendrick Perkins along with backup point guard Delonte West. The Celtics are only going to get better, and those are two guys already very familiar with the Celtics system - and aren't starting cold or learning on the job like the Heat.
As the game progressed it looked like Wade began to find his rhythm, and for all the hate I throw on Lebron, he really is a special talent, and if he showed us anything, it's that he'll be no ones sidekick in Miami. But he also showed he's NOT Magic Johnson either, can we please stop insulting Ervin with those comparisons? Lebron is Lebron James, and thankfully for the Celtics last night felt like a game against the Cavs of last year. Seriously. Lots of talent and promise over there, but in the end it's just watch Lebron do his thing and get out of the way. There's no team continuity whatsoever. I still can't wrap my head around the fact that Bosh is making as much as Wade and James, that is just an awful signing. Dude has his moments for sure, like when he beat KG to the baseline in the first half, but he's no where near the elite level of his counterparts. The Big 2 + 1 if you ask me, that's what the Heat are.
On the other side of the court the Celtics look like they're the Big 15. There's literally not a player on the court I groan at when I see them approach the scorers table. Huge minutes were given by Nate, Baby, and Marquis Daniels last night, especially by Marquis. It seems like this whole team has no ego whatsoever, which is pretty amazing, and a testament to their maturity, and Doc's ability to lead winners. Each guy with a Celtic jersey has bought into the team system, it's all very Patriot-like of the Celtics. The depth of the team is truly amazing as well. I'd be worried if I were the Heat, because Miami has no answer for our big men
(please take note Orlando). Come playoff time Perk will be healthy and Jermaine O'Neil will know his role and be a lot more comfortable, because the Celtics won't be dependent on him.
Then there's the 36 Chambers of Shaq. Of all the stars on the court last night, the crowd was most electric when he had the ball. His 18 minutes were as solid as anybody's, and if he can stay healthy
(isn't that really the byline for any Celtics story?) - wooooooooooo boy. Look out NBA. The Celtics aren't back - because they never went anywhere, they're just better, retooled, and with a helluvalotta motivation from Game 7. Add on top of that that they're being labeled as underog's because of the Heat, and you have yourself a recipe of danger for opponents. They're focused, fearless, and fired-up. There's going to be some great basketball in the Hub this year, get ready for one hell of a ride Boston, we may very well be turning 18 this year.
The Celtics rock!
Posted by: Nikki | February 14, 2011 at 04:01 PM