Note To Celtics Fans

[Ersatz]

The over-rated chant is ridiculous and believe me, Lebron heard it.  He has stored it away until game 5 in Boston. 

Game 5 is Lebron's game.  Check his stats. 

I think too much is made of crowd chanting, boasting quotes, etc. If the Celtics continue to play defense the way they are, either LeBron is going to start making those contested shots or he's not. It's hard for me to believe that the chanted words of a few thousand people can have that much of an effect on professional athletes, who play in front of thousands of people every night. Yeah, LeBron may remember the chant, but that doesn't mean he starts making those shots. If he does make them, it just means that he's shooting better, not trying to get revenge on some people he doesn't even know.

Having said that, I'm scared of what happens next. I just don't want the Cs to fall apart like the Pistons did last year.

[CT34]

Doc was just on WEEI and said it was one of the few times in his coaching career he wanted to grab the mike and ask the crowd to please refrain from throwing things on the floor, because in his opinion, the chant was just as dangerous as that would be.  I cringed a bit at home hearing that chant on TV, remembering LeBron and his terrific performance against Detroit last year in games 3-6, especially Game 5, after trailing 2-0 in that series.  I fully expect him to be a beast at home in Games 3 and 4, with or without the fans' chant, but I think it was a bit cocky, considering the Cavs history the last 2 years of being down 2-0 and coming back, and especially our own recent experience of being up 2-0 in a series, and being taken to a 7th game by the lowly Hawks.  Let's hope even if LeBron goes for his usual 30+ in Cleveland, we can escape with one win.  As much as I am confident in the C's at the Garden, I don't relish facing an invigorated King James in the mini Game 7 that a Game 5 becomes when the series is tied 2-2

All the fan just did was made Lebron James a little more focus.  He's is going to channel those "over-rated" chants into something positive. But in a funny way I think it might have helps the Celtics player to become more focus on the road.

Reason being not only did Lebron hear the chants but so did the Celtics player and coaches. They are fully awear of the fact that when you trash talk a great player that fire not only him up but his teammates. The Cs know they are going to get the Cavs best shot tomorrow night.  Now it's up to them to clean up the mess we done cause.  

[Eeyore III]

This Cavs team has a lot different personnel than their teams from the prior two years.  IMHO, the reason they're down 2-0 isn't because they have the same psychology as prior years' Cavs teams, but because they have not jelled, because of (1) the Varejao and Pavlovic hold-outs, (2) the big trade, and (3) injuries.

That having been said, its totally stupid to get LBJ riled up by chanting.  It's like those two drunks who annoyed the Siberian Tiger in that Cali zoo a few months ago: the tiger jumped the moat and ate them.  Stupid, stupid, stupid.  

[CT34]

The over-rated chant is ridiculous and believe me, Lebron heard it.  He has stored it away until game 5 in Boston. 

Game 5 is Lebron's game.  Check his stats. 

I think too much is made of crowd chanting, boasting quotes, etc. If the Celtics continue to play defense the way they are, either LeBron is going to start making those contested shots or he's not. It's hard for me to believe that the chanted words of a few thousand people can have that much of an effect on professional athletes, who play in front of thousands of people every night. Yeah, LeBron may remember the chant, but that doesn't mean he starts making those shots. If he does make them, it just means that he's shooting better, not trying to get revenge on some people he doesn't even know.

Having said that, I'm scared of what happens next. I just don't want the Cs to fall apart like the Pistons did last year.

If it was too much made of it why did Doc comment on it today?  It if was too much made of it why did LeBron go off on the Wizards in the last series for making the same comment?  

[CelticsWhat35]

The over-rated chant is ridiculous and believe me, Lebron heard it.  He has stored it away until game 5 in Boston. 

The Cavs have to be very excited to be coming home.  They haven't had a home game in what will be almost 2 weeks.  If you are a Boston fan, you have to think your team needs to win game 3.  The Cavs have been down 0-2 the past 2 years to the Pistons and have come back in each series.  In 2006, they got blown out in Detroit the first 2 games, then won games 3-5 and were a rebound away from winning game 6.  Last year, they won games 3-6 and took the series.

As a Cavs fan this team is incredibly frustrating to watch.  Boston played great last night, I give them credit there, but the Cavs were flat.  They don't play their best ball until their backs are against the wall.  The Cavs will pick up a lot of momentum if they win tomorrow night.  The Celtics absolutely have to win one of these next 2 games or they could be in trouble. 

Game 5 is Lebron's game.  Check his stats. 

As much as the Celtics would like to get that road game monkey off there back as soon as possible, the Celtics don't "need" game 3.  The Cavs desperately need game 3, because as good as LeBron might be in game 5's, if they don't get it done in game 3, there won't be a game 5.

The Spurs looked dead and buried after getting blown out in games 1 and 2 against the Hornets.  But all it took was that game 3 win to make it a series again.  The Cavs need to do that.  No team has ever come back from down 0-3, and that streak wouldn't end against the Celtics with the way they've gotten it done at home so far.

[fan33]

I disagree, in fact it is the Cavs who MUST win both these next two games to reenter the series with then having the possibility of a game 7, eventually then in our Garden. The pressure is totally upon the Cavs, their backs are against the wall in my view, and as you say and I hope its true, that they don't play well when in this position!

Best of luck, and may the better defensive team win

Actually, the only time the Cavs play well is when their back are against the wall (if I said they didn't then I misspoke).  That is why they have been down 0-2 to the Pistons 2 years running.  They don't play well until they get a little home cooking.  The Cavs recipe for success the past 2 years has been to build momentum in games 3 and 4 and take game 5 on the road.  This core of this team is very young and they play on emotion.

But as TracyRose said, just have faith Celtic fans, don't be scared of Lebron, just be confident in your team...they are playing great ball right now.  

Here's to Cavs win on Saturday (very popular opinion here)

I do commend you personally for likewise being a commited fan of our respective teams!

And I did want to correct myself, as you were right in having said, quote:  Boston played great last night, I give them credit there, but the Cavs were flat.  They don't play their best ball until their backs are against the wall.  end quote...

Please do understand how we can read things as well as see them differently and this misquote being the case in point, for my obvious subconcious reading your quote wrong... LOL

I do enjoy your participation here, fellow fan and you handled my mistake of misquote  well. Cheers! May we both see some great basketball played on your home court, no matter who wins, that's how much I love this game

[Ersatz]

It if was too much made of it why did LeBron go off on the Wizards in the last series for making the same comment?  

Because he's a really amazing basketball player and he was playing a team that the appearance of hard fouls aside doesn't really know how to play defense. Oh, and because he's a really amazing basketball player.

Let me turn it around on you? How do you know he played well because the  Wiz said he was overrated? How do you know he played well just because he's good?

[CelticsWhat35]

Way too much is being made of the overrated chant.  Of course LeBron isn't overrated, but if you think that chant will have any effect on game 3, you're out of your mind.  I guarantee you LeBron hears a lot worse right in his ear by the fans sitting around the Cavs bench.  There's also a big difference between fans chanting, and an opponent coming out and saying it.  But either way, the Cavs didn't beat the Wizards because Deshawn Stevenson and Brendan Haywood are morons.  They did it because they're a better team than the Wizards.

[MMacOH]

Way too much is being made of the overrated chant.  Of course LeBron isn't overrated, but if you think that chant will have any effect on game 3, you're out of your mind.  I guarantee you LeBron hears a lot worse right in his ear by the fans sitting around the Cavs bench.  There's also a big difference between fans chanting, and an opponent coming out and saying it.  But either way, the Cavs didn't beat the Wizards because Deshawn Stevenson and Brendan Haywood are morons.  They did it because they're a better team than the Wizards.

I agree with this.  Lebron is going to use his home crowd to fire him up....not the overrated chant. 

A quick aside.....this is a fun forum, I am glad I can come on and talk with the 'enemy' in a respectful manner

[CT34]

The over-rated chant is ridiculous and believe me, Lebron heard it.  He has stored it away until game 5 in Boston. 

The Cavs have to be very excited to be coming home.  They haven't had a home game in what will be almost 2 weeks.  If you are a Boston fan, you have to think your team needs to win game 3.  The Cavs have been down 0-2 the past 2 years to the Pistons and have come back in each series.  In 2006, they got blown out in Detroit the first 2 games, then won games 3-5 and were a rebound away from winning game 6.  Last year, they won games 3-6 and took the series.

As a Cavs fan this team is incredibly frustrating to watch.  Boston played great last night, I give them credit there, but the Cavs were flat.  They don't play their best ball until their backs are against the wall.  The Cavs will pick up a lot of momentum if they win tomorrow night.  The Celtics absolutely have to win one of these next 2 games or they could be in trouble. 

Game 5 is Lebron's game.  Check his stats. 

As much as the Celtics would like to get that road game monkey off there back as soon as possible, the Celtics don't "need" game 3.  The Cavs desperately need game 3, because as good as LeBron might be in game 5's, if they don't get it done in game 3, there won't be a game 5.

The Spurs looked dead and buried after getting blown out in games 1 and 2 against the Hornets.  But all it took was that game 3 win to make it a series again.  The Cavs need to do that.  No team has ever come back from down 0-3, and that streak wouldn't end against the Celtics with the way they've gotten it done at home so far.

Sorry I said it before game 3 in the Hawks series and I will say it again before this game 3.  This is a big game for the Celtics.  Yes you can say it's a bigger game for the Cavs.  Yet I feel it's a much better game for the Celtics. Why?

First: They have to prove to themselves that they can win on the road in the play-offs

Second: History has proven if you give the Cavs hope they tend to make it a series.

Third: The Celtics have to go for the Kill Now. You win game three you end all hope for the Cavs.  If the Cs give up game 3 I feel it's going to end up being a 7 game series and I'm sorry I don't want to see LeBron in a 7th game situation.  

[Frontierboy]

The crowd can chant that..... if you think about it, it is the crowd that says that not the Celtics team.  That is different than the Washington series since that originated from DeShawn Stevenson. 

Don't you think its sad that a supposedly "superstar" needs a "overrated" chant to get him going?  If that is the case, then maybe he is overrated.

[CT34]

It if was too much made of it why did LeBron go off on the Wizards in the last series for making the same comment?  

Because he's a really amazing basketball player and he was playing a team that the appearance of hard fouls aside doesn't really know how to play defense. Oh, and because he's a really amazing basketball player.

Let me turn it around on you? How do you know he played well because the  Wiz said he was overrated? How do you know he played well just because he's good?

I think Lebron played well because he is a great young talent.  The Wizard thought they could bully him with words and hard play. It didn't work because he was just to good.  

Now there is nothing more satisfying to a player then hushing the crowd.  It one reason why most great players would much rather have a game 7 on the road then at home.  

Oh and let me make this clear.  I know those chants aren't going to come back to bite the Cs in the butt over the next two games. However if there is a game 5 Lebron will remember and he will used that a motivation to hush the crowd.  Now if the series is 2-2 going into game 5 lookout. We've giving LeBron James and his team the "Us against the world" type of motivation.

[BrettF09]

it's a dumb chant because 1) lebron is not overrated. and 2) why would you want your own celtics fans to give lebron an extra motivation/fire to turn his game up a notch?

and to the stupid fans who were chanting this, don't forget it's only 2-0...we were up 2-0 against the hawks...

and last year CLE was down 2-0 against DET and lebron carried his team to the finals.

reserve the overrated chants for a player who really IS overrated..

[CT34]

it's a dumb chant because 1) lebron is not overrated. and 2) why would you want your own celtics fans to give lebron an extra motivation/fire to turn his game up a notch?

and to the stupid fans who were chanting this, don't forget it's only 2-0...we were up 2-0 against the hawks...

and last year CLE was down 2-0 against DET and lebron carried his team to the finals.

reserve the overrated chants for a player who really IS overrated..

Great point I couldn't say it better myself.  I think enough has been said.  We can all move on now.  I hope everyone learned their lesson. 

[RockinRyA]

its better not to chant overrated coz if we assume that he is then we couldnt say that the celts had a gread D on him.. if we say hes superb then our D is better than superb.. if we say hes no good then our D can only be better than no good.. simple as that