Did we gel or dissolve

[ScoobyDoo]

I think the most important question coming out of the Atlanta series was did we gel as a team and cememt our focus or did we lose confidence as a team and as a result of this, lose our ability to focus in on the job at hand.

What do you think? I think the following:

I think we took the Hawks lightly, easily blew them out and figured we could walk into Atlanta, show up and get win #3. Then, we probably looked at game #3 as an aberration and figured we'd "defiantely" win game #4. By the time game #6 rolled around the Hawks had all the confidence they needed to "pull out" that win, barely.

But after watching game seven and hearing these guys talk, I think they realise that if they want to win a championship they cannot take off another single play on defense or offense until the final buzzer sounds for a fourth victory in the championship series. Not one play in any quarter of any game until the ring is theirs.

I think the Atlanta series scared the crap out of them because they realised that by believing all their own press and thinking they could just show up...they almost lost the opportunity for the big prize.

Don't forget, this team had never played a game togehter in the playoffs until now.

I think the Atlanta series has refocused them.

I think they've now won a series together as a team.

I think they now know they're going to have to lay it on the line on every play.

I think they're going to come out with so much intensity tonight it will be overwhleming.

I think that when they play like that they can beat anyone.

I want to see bodies flying and heads rolling tonight!

Let's rock and roll baby!   

[jay_jay54]

I think the most important question coming out of the Atlanta series was did we gel as a team and cememt our focus or did we lose confidence as a team and as a result of this, lose our ability to focus in on the job at hand.

What do you think? I think the following:

I think we took the Hawks lightly, easily blew them out and figured we could walk into Atlanta, show up and get win #3. Then, we probably looked at game #3 as an aberration and figured we'd "defiantely" win game #4. By the time game #6 rolled around the Hawks had all the confidence they needed to "pull out" that win, barely.

But after watching game seven and hearing these guys talk, I think they realise that if they want to win a championship they cannot take off another single play on defense or offense until the final buzzer sounds for a fourth victory in the championship series. Not one play in any quarter of any game until the ring is theirs.

I think the Atlanta series scared the crap out of them because they realised that by believing all their own press and thinking they could just show up...they almost lost the opportunity for the big prize.

Don't forget, this team had never played a game togehter in the playoffs until now.

I think the Atlanta series has refocused them.

I think they've now won a series together as a team.

I think they now know they're going to have to lay it on the line on every play.

I think they're going to come out with so much intensity tonight it will be overwhleming.

I think that when they play like that they can beat anyone.

I want to see bodies flying and heads rolling tonight!

Let's rock and roll baby!   

tp for you Scooby Doo...i think you just about covered it all.I agree with you on all you wrote here,and hope we play with that intensity needed to win this game and the games to come.

[CT34]

I think I agree with everything you said. 

I think one this is for sure every Home game his a must win for the Celtics.  They have to take care of home court.  If they lose tonight or on Thursday they will have to do something they haven't done yet in the play-offs and that is win a road game.

I say this game 1 is a must win for the Cs. 

[MrsNumba17]

i agree scoobydoo.

nicely put.. i think that deserves a tommy point!

[ScoobyDoo]

Thanks for the Tommy points guys. I'm pumped up. I want to see these guys come out ona play to play basis and on a game to game basis with the kind of intensity they displayed when, on one play, Garnett, Ray Allen and Rondo all hit the floor for the ball. That's how you win championhsips, it takes that much intensity.

And like someone else's signature says...loosely quoting Bird; "push youself on every play, every game until the final buzzer sounds".

 

[fan33]

Good question, nice outline/overview and I concur with your conclusion too, ScoobyDoo!

Overcoming their self-made adversity in the first round of these playoffs necessitating a game 7 , have in fact taught a valuable lesson to the team that cannot be taught otherwise. It IS playoff experience and has served to gell this team into something that is now known; Ie. how very tough it all will be and yet what they can in fact overcome, if they go all out yet play with focus and desire collectively! It's a great experience!

I also believe they learned to play smarter, in terms of adjusting to how officiating will dictate how they will have to play, rather than getting flustered; Ie. maturity factor!

This team has gelled and is playoff tested to meet the challenges, IMO!

[Who]

I don't know, one game isn't enough to tell. I think they dissolved earlier in the series. Have to wait til the Cleveland series starts, if they play smart and together then they've recovered nicely, if the don't they haven't figured it out yet.

[tanner]

I sure hope they get their act together on the road.  The Cavs, unlike the Hawks, are perfectly capable of winning at least one at the Garden.  If Lebron and co. are going to do it, it will likely be Game One.  It's important the Celtics win the first two games at home, or the pressure on the road will only get bigger.

[jay_jay54]

I don't know, one game isn't enough to tell. I think they dissolved earlier in the series. Have to wait til the Cleveland series starts, if they play smart and together then they've recovered nicely, if the don't they haven't figured it out yet.

I have to agree with you on this Who,one game will not tell a tale,in this situation.