Reverse jinx doesn't work, my friends...
Lol... eternal optimism doesn't work either, my friends. In fact, nothing any of us say here is really going to have any impact whatsoever on the outcome of any of these games. I sincerely doubt Rondo keeps tabs on this forum, sees me pointing out his flaws and gets rattled before a big game.
That said, I like to lace my posts with a certain narcissistic, egocentric exaggerated pessimistic flair... partially because I find it highly entertaining to debate with my fellow Celtic fans.. partially because I have valid points... partially because taking the low road, distancing myself from the games a bit and keeping expectations low leaves very little room for disappointment... and partially because following a sports team isn't good for my mental health, watching these games literally is taking hours off my life and I need an outlet to vent my inner turmoil.
If anyone happens to be referencing my posts in particular... I just want to mention that I frequently admit to my blatant reverse-jinxing, point out that nobody should take me seriously... and admit to being a total grade-A idiot. It's a certain fan mentality. Not everyone has it. My father is the polar opposite... he finds it easier to always expect the best. I can't do that.
If you check out my post in this "Avery Bradley is the next Westbrook" thread, I pretty much admitted the poorly kept "secret" of my "negativity" and explained (how I see) the differences in fan mentality:
http://forums.celticsblog.com/index.php?topic=55322.msg1191913#msg1191913That said, last night was a good example of that behavior (from my perspective). I almost felt obligated to post a negative "we're doomed" post prior to the game, because I had done the exact same thing before games 3, 4 and 5 and we ended up winning. I didn't want to break the streak. Still... take a look at what I wrote:
Got a feeling the Heat are going to take this one easily. Bosh was pretty [dang] effective in those 12 minutes (9 points and 7 rebounds) and extended time will be a blessing for them. No way does Miami drop 4 in a row to Boston. Keep in mind they still have the best player alive (King James) and arguably the 2nd best player on the court (though KG and Rondo have seemingly outplayed Wade so far). When you have that kind of talent... forget it. LeBron has yet to have a "LeBron" game where he goes off with like... 45 points, 15 assists and 15 rebounds. He's due. That entire team is due. I don't think we stand a chance in this game... total massacre. Then when it goes back to Miami for game 7... forget it. Series over in a landslide Heat victory. Thrilled that Boston pushed them to 7, but this is still Miami's series until otherwise noted.
Keep in mind that in 2009 we managed to choke a 3-2 lead against Orlando... and in 2010 we managed to choke a 3-2 lead against the Lakers in the finals. This will not be any different. On the bright side, we'll avoid the embarrassment of being swept by the Thunder in the next round.
Hat's off to Boston for the good job and good effort, though. Hope I'm wrong.
Nothing I said was really "wrong". I almost exactly predicted LeBron's stat line. Am I happy that I was right? Of course not. Is that kind of negativity annoying ? I'm sure to some people it is. Personally I find the "I'm disgusted with what I just saw... What a total dreadful effort and embarrassment from the Celtics!!" post-game posts to be equally annoying... and those seem to come from having unrealistic expectations. Personally I find the "Avery Bradley is the next Russell Westbrook" threads to be equally annoying. Personally I find the, "Boston got this... we're up 3-2... LOL@MIAMI" posts to be equally annoying. To each their own. Having differing personalities is part of what makes this forum so fun.
Truthfully, I desperately wanted Boston to win last night, thought we had a chance, but pretty much expected LeBron to have a LeBron game. When Game 7 comes, I'll desperately want us to win that one as well... I'm sure we have a chance... but I honestly expect us to go down swinging. Game 6 wasn't a surprise. It shouldn't be a surprise when the Heat beat us again in Miami. Bron was due. Wade is even more due. Is what it is. We're the unquestionable underdogs in this series... when the wheels started coming off early tonight, I think it was fair to point it out. Saturday will likely be another easy Heat victory. Once again, I hope I'm wrong.
Go Celtics.