Okay, I’ll admit it—I’m a hypocrite, and have been since The Trade.
Yes, I know. One day at a time. Easy does it.
I've to come to grips with the truth about myself. It’s time for group therapy. I need help.
Friends keep their distance. Dogs bark at me. Cats run away. Birds stop chirping when I walk by. I make babies cry.
Strangers abruptly cross to the other side of the street when I get close. They can see it in my eyes. There's a scarlet H on my forehead.
It’s not easy being me. Even street lights blink off as I pass by.
You see, you can’t have it both ways.
You can’t break the cosmic rules.
Rice or potatoes. Meat or fish. Big breakfast or big supper. Paper or plastic. Pizza or Chinese. Neil Young or Neil Diamond. Reality shows or the History Channel.
Never both.
My dilemma?
Am I a citizen of Three-Man Domination Nation...or driving on the Team Play Highway?
I’ve praised the power of teamwork.
I’ve also shown that three stars playing together can dominate a game.
So if you ask me, “Well? Which is it? Which are you for?"...
I’d have to think a moment and see just what my thoughts are.
I’ve thought.
Here's how it is:
If Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers get this crew to win a title with three stars dominating the scoring, I'm absolutely, totally, completely okay with it.
I am.
In fact, I’ll be rooting all the way to the three-way fight over who gets Finals MVP.
It’s a tie!!!
After all, I showed recently how balance has been overrated. The C's have won championships with imbalanced teams. Other franchises have had success with two dominant players.
If Boston rides a three-man show to a title, I'll revel in Danny's doing what many thought he couldn’t possibly do: trading for the league’s silkiest shot while keeping enough in the bank to land the biggest catch in the NBA pond this side of Kobeville.
Instant winner. Just add Pierce. And mix.
So that you understand I’m a hypocrite, I have to tell you all that.
But here's what I’d really prefer to see from this group in a title run:
1) At least one star giving up shots, with his average running four points south of normal.
2) James Posey averaging 15-16 points per game...and Ruben Patterson cursing out loud, “That could have been me! If only I lived a cleaner life!”
3) The Davis and Powe Show—sounding like a WWF tag-team, a law firm or a comedy duo. But the other team won't be laughing when James and Glen turn into a wrecking crew. The starters are getting tired? Bring in Davis and Powe. They're Boston's Beastie Boys—they fight for the right...to ball with the stars. Who wins out? Both do on my wish list.
9 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
Don't worry Thomas, you're not a hypocrite. Stars do win championships, and just because the Celtics' Big Three are stars doesn't mean they can't play team-oriented, unselfish basketball. Some of their youngsters will fit in well over time, and if Posey is in shape, he's a nice addition. If the Celtic role players step up, and if KG doesn't turn in underwhelming performances in money time like he has in the past, then the Celtics will be dangerous in the playoffs.
The problem with the Celtics is that besides the Big 3, Posey and Pollard, the roster is too young to know exactly how to play five on five ball. That will probably hurt the Celtics but it doesn't mean that the Celtics will be playing the wrong way. That's why I don't expect too much this year from Boston. Finding the right blend takes a bit of patience. One more year of experience will do wonders for Boston, and a few upgrades in the offseason may get the team over the hump.
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Thomas Halzack about 1 year ago
Thanks Erick. My therapist thanks you, too.
Your Garnett comment gave me pause. I guess we find out what three top offensive players can do together when none of them have had this kind of support before. An exercise in speculation becomes reality when PP, KG and Ray get the partners they have never had before.
Let's get this thing going already.
Tom
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Carlo Cavallo about 1 year ago
I'm an old timer and a loooooong time Celtic fan. It is all about TEAM play and the big 3 have to prove they can share the ball and hustle ALL the time. Get those floor burns. I just can't get the Chamberlain, West, Baylor big 3 out of my memory !!!
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Hah very nice, Thomas. Some of your early comments makes me wonder if you're the character Robin Williams played on that show Mork and Mindy but you're probably too YOUNG to remember that show.
I've had the same thoughts on this current team. It seems such a good idea on paper but if things always look good on paper then why bother to play the games.
I doubt if Pollard,Allen(both of them),Perkins or Posey will play a full healthy season though. Pierce and Garnett will have to keep this team afloat until the playoffs and hopefully we'll have enough to make a good run then.
Regardless it will be fun to watch this team over the next few seasons.
MR.YAK
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Ray Allen is one of the 14 players in NBA history to not miss a game for 500 straight games.
Bet you didnt know that did you?
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Thomas Halzack about 1 year ago
Carlo - love the old timers. We are lucky to have a few on our board (Celtics 17). Great insights. Team work it is, then.
MR. Yak - jeez, you sound familiar. I'd know that voice anywhere.
Yeah, injuries always seem to play a significant role in every team's season, don't they? I'm not expecting a Ray Allen breakdown. Bone spurs, while painful - aren't serious and removing them removes the pain. Tony Allen - I'm waiting to see how things turn out. Perkins has to finally put together an injury free season, no? Thanks for the comments, Yak.
Anonymous - You're right. I didn't know that about Ray Allen's durability. wow. Time to restart that record.
Keep those comments coming. I like to hear your thoughts.
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Dave Finocchio about 1 year ago
A couple random comments:
- I'm not to concerned about the injury bug hurting this team (or at least it's most important players).
- Tom, I never thought I'd be this excited to see the return of Tony Allen...all thanks to you.
- I agree with "one of the stars is going to lose shots" theory. Pierce is clearly the guy. R. Allen needs his shots.
- If Rondo plays 30 minutes a game, he might average 5 boards. I don't think I've ever seen a guard his size rebound so well.
- Allen and Pierce are going to be the crunch time guys...and I think that's fine. The question is, can Rondo keep himself on the floor at the end of games, or will Rivers have to disrupt the team with consistent "Eddie House for offense" substitutions?
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Kai Dunna about 1 year ago
When you have a player like KG, everybody gets better... But when you include Paul and Ray-- You have a championship contender.
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Thomas Halzack about 1 year ago
Dave,
I'm ever hopeful that the cloud of injuries that has beset this team for the last few years - particularly last year has moved on to bother other teams (Portland?). But there are a usually a few injuries per team every year. May they be little one for the Cs.
Tony Allen is the real deal - when he gets his mojo back. The guy is a game and/or momentum changer.
I'm not sure how the 3 star shot distribution is going to work out. I guess we will find out soon.
There is no doubt that Rondo rebounds almost Kidd-like. 4 boards is a reasonable expectation. 5 would be great.
The fairly universal opinion that KG doesn't like to take crunch time shots would suggest you're correct about who takes those shots.
Kai - The 'KG makes everybody better' theory is an interesting one. He seemingly didn't make his team mates much better, if we look at the Timberwolve's record over the years. But the same criticism has been leveled at Paul Pierce as well.
My feeling is that the three of these guys together are going to reach 'critical mass' - and make the game infinitely easier for the rest of the team. It couldn't be any other way. Though none of the 3 could do that alone - they will do that together. Can you imagine playing with them? wow.
thanks for your comments.
Tom
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