Revenge factor against Orlando?

[Drucci]

I thought about it at the beginning of the series and I'm wondering how much the "revenge factor" has to do with the dominant performances of the Celtics in these ECF.

Of course, it's obvious they play so hard and with so much hustle because they want to advance, reach the Finals and win the championship. But I'm wondering how much the fact that they are playing the team that knocked them out last year comes into play in their mindset and their level of execution.

It would be silly to argue that they only play that good because they want to take their revenge against Orlando but I do think it is a big factor in this series. Pierce's aggressiveness and all over domination is a big reason why I think it has to do with the revenge factor. Sure, not being guarded by LeBron anymore helps, but... Remember Paul's tweet last year after the Finals : "Lakers vs orlando. Looked like a german sherperd vs a poodle that's ok the rotwieler celtics will b back in 2o10"? Sounds to me like the man is on a mission against the team that knocked him out last year. The Celtics felt like they were beaten by a team which was not better than them last year.

Do you think the revenge factor really is a underrated story in these ECF? When you think about it, this team really likes to play with a chip on its shoulders. And the Celtics are undefeated in a playoffs series so far when Garnett is playing, so I think the fact that they got knocked out for the first time (with this core) last year by Orlando without KG just motivates them even more in this series.

[celticinorlando]

i think paul has taken this match up very seriously. he is determined to show orlando where they belong on the pecking order of nba teams

[ibby]

I think there are a lot of factors.  Revenge might be one.  Garnett not playing last year is another.  Short (height wise) bench last year.  Short (talent wise) bench last year.  Rondo's continued improvement.  I also think that Skip to my Lou was a much better match up with Rondo than Nelson is. 

[incoherent]

I thought about it at the beginning of the series and I'm wondering how much the "revenge factor" has to do with the dominant performances of the Celtics in these ECF.

Of course, it's obvious they play so hard and with so much hustle because they want to advance, reach the Finals and win the championship. But I'm wondering how much the fact that they are playing the team that knocked them out last year comes into play in their mindset and their level of execution.

It would be silly to argue that they only play that good because they want to take their revenge against Orlando but I do think it is a big factor in this series. Pierce's aggressiveness and all over domination is a big reason why I think it has to do with the revenge factor. Sure, not being guarded by LeBron anymore helps, but... Remember Paul's tweet last year after the Finals : "Lakers vs orlando. Looked like a german sherperd vs a poodle that's ok the rotwieler celtics will b back in 2o10"? Sounds to me like the man is on a mission against the team that knocked him out last year. The Celtics felt like they were beaten by a team which was not better than them last year.

Do you think the revenge factor really is a underrated story in these ECF? When you think about it, this team really likes to play with a chip on its shoulders. And the Celtics are undefeated in a playoffs series so far when Garnett is playing, so I think the fact that they got knocked out for the first time (with this core) last year by Orlando without KG just motivates them even more in this series.

I had forgotten about that tweet.  There does seem to be some extra motivation here.  We have gone up a notch since the last series.

Maybe the ultimate motivation will be that the Lakers got a free pass last year.  Maybe the Celtics will go up another notch next series, that would be incredible.