In winning, the Celtics displayed a beautiful approach to the game of basketball, playing perhaps the greatest defense in NBA history while setting the NBA record for steals in a Finals game with 18 (much maligned Rajon Rondo had 7 himself), outrebounding the Lakers 48-29, and playing unselfish offense resulting in 33 assists while the Lakers managed only 16. In losing, the Lakers, their star Kobe Bryant, and their coach the uber-lauded Phil Jackson, revealed themselves as flawed.
The story really begins 22 years ago. On a sunny day in June of 1986, I stood in Boston’s City Hall Plaza as the Celtics and the city of Boston celebrated the Celtics winning the championship that year with a team that many consider the greatest basketball team of all time. I remember wincing, though, when it was reserve guard Sam Vincent’s turn at the podium. Brazenly, Vincent “guaranteed” that the team would not only win the championship the following year, but also the year after that and the year after that. “That can’t be good karma,” I thought to myself.
Perhaps it was not.
- A few weeks later the team drafted a person whom many considered to be the top college player in the country. The man, Len Bias, died of cocaine intoxication two days after the draft.
- Shortly after Bias died, the late Alan Cohen, a part-owner of the Celtics during the glory days of the 1980s, wrote a letter to then-general manager Jan Volk, warning of the sin of hubris. Cohen reminded Volk that it was important to remain humble. “Just when you think you're invincible, somebody can come along and tear down your house.”
- Bill Walton, the Hall of Famer who had been such a key part of that 1986 team, broke his foot and would play only 10 more games in his career.
- Kevin McHale risked his career in the 1987 playoffs by playing on a broken foot. Boston ended up losing the NBA Finals in six games. McHale’s career was never quite the same. To this day, he walks with a limp.
- Reggie Lewis, who was drafted just one year after Bias, blossomed into an All-Star and a beloved part of the Boston community thanks to his tireless work on behalf of local charities, died suddenly of cardiomyopathy in 1993.
- The team went 15-67 in 1996-97.
- Nearly every trade went poorly for the Celtics, losing the likes of Chauncey Billups, Bruce Bowen, and Joe Johnson, while gaining “players” such as the alcoholic wreck Vin Baker.
- Just last season the Celtics endured an 18-game losing streak en route to a 24-58 record.In the 14 seasons prior to this one, the Celtics had an average winning percentage of .429. In the 14 seasons prior to Vincent’s fateful remark, the team had had an average winning percentage of .618.
The key move, of course, was landing Kevin Garnett, the NBA Defensive Player of the Year this year and a former MVP. Known for his intensity and unselfish play at both ends of the court, Garnett set the tone for the entire team, while he led the Celtics in rebounding. Last night, in the biggest game of his career, he had 26 points and 14 rebounds.
Another key move was trading for Ray Allen. Accustomed to being the #1 star on his former teams, the 8-time All Star adjusted his game to suit the “team first” approach of the Celtics. Allen defended against Kobe Bryant during much of the Finals. Despite suffering an injury and enduring a family medical crisis, Allen essentially shut down the Lakers star, while Allen set or tied several NBA records for 3-point shots.
Like Allen, Paul Pierce was accustomed to being the #1 player in Boston before the arrival of Garnett and Allen. Yet, in the words of Michael Wilbon last night, in sublimating his personal goals in favor of team goals, Pierce “blossomed”, transforming himself from excellent to “truly great.” Pierce was named the MVP of the Finals. While playing on a severely injured knee (just watch him limp on the sidelines), his defense against Bryant in Game 4 was simply astonishing, leading the Celtics to the biggest comeback in an NBA Finals game in history. With last night’s victory as well as his performance throughout the year, Pierce presumably ensured that he will one day be enshrined in the NBA Hall of Fame.
The supporting cast was stellar and unselfish. Playing despite an injury that left his status in doubt at game time, Rajon Rondo outplayed Kobe Bryant. Rondo had 21 points, 7 steals, and 8 assists, while he outhustled every member of the Lakers team. And, well, this is as good a place as any to make the point. This “Kobe is the next Michael Jordan” talk is, I assume, as dead now as the talk that Steve Forbert is/was the next Bob Dylan. Last night, Bryant went 22:20 without a field goal. He scored his fourth field goal to put LA ahead, 13-12. When he scored his fifth, it reduced the Laker deficit to 25 (73-48). You can’t imagine MJ doing that, right? Heck, I wonder if even Steve Forbert might have been able to play better than that? Not to mention that Kobe is the most repugnant person in the NBA, between the way he treats his teammates, his coach, and a certain hotel maid in Denver.
The Celtics bench was magnificent. James Posey came through once again last night with 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting. Eddie House also shot 4-for-4 and finished with 9 points. P.J. Brown played his usual amazing defense and scored 6. Notably, he was on the floor during most of the second quarter, when the Celtics outscored the Lakers 34-14. As was Glen “Big Baby” Davis, who excelled in his only appearance in the Finals. Leon Powe contributed 8 points.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers was a strategic genius. Nearly every move he made in the Finals turned out to be the right choice (although I still am wondering why Sam Cassell got so much playing time).
And while we’re at it, let’s also end permanently any discussion that might compare Phil Jackson to the immortal Red Auerbach. Auerbach never had a player as good as MJ and probably never had a player as good as Shaq or Kobe. Yet he won 9 NBA championships by leading the Celtics to play the green way – unselfish basketball, with a focus on defense, rebounding, assists, and team offense.
The point is, ladies and gentleman, that green, for lack of a better word, is good. Green is right, green works. Green clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit. Green, in all of its forms; green for life, for money, for love, knowledge has marked the upward surge of mankind. And green, you mark my words, saved the Boston Celtics. Thank you very much.
Interesting footnote -- Seven out of eight ESPN analysts had picked the Lakers to win the NBA Finals.
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