Game 3 observations from a Laker fan

[Truth Hurts]

I give the dude credit for sharing his true feelings here.

I can't sit here and tell you that I felt confident in the 02 ECF watching Kenny Anderson and Tony Delk trying to defend Jason Kidd. I remember when I was 12 yrs old, after game 3 of the 84 Finals, my Dad shaking his head, saying "we just can't run with the Lakers. No way. We just can't run with them." (he was right, but we bludgeoned them to death instead!)

Sometimes you just have to be a realist. The Celtics look like the better team right now. For us to be on the road, Kobe to go nuts, PP and KG to give us nothing.....and be sitting there with Eddie House having a wide-open 13 footer to tie the game with two minutes left.....I think we'll step it up tomorrow night.

That being said, Kobe terrifies me and the best team does not always win. Game 4 will be huge.

[Jon]

I think the real issue with KG, Paul, and Ray is that it's not clear who the alpha dog is on the offense.  Yes, KG is the team's leader and Paul is the captain, but unlike LA where everyone knows that the balls going to Kobe in a crucial situation, that's not the case for the Celtics.  While this is a strength in some ways, it's also a weakness in others.  It's harder for all three to get in rhythms when they have to share the wealth.  Furthermore, it causes the dilemma it caused last night when Ray was hot.  Do you just keep riding him and not try to take Paul and KG out of their slumps?  Or do you spread the ball around and take it out of the hot hand.  As far as last night is concerned, it seems they made the wrong call, as Ray had few opportunities in the fourth.  Still, on another night it could've been the right call.

As far as the series is concerned, I fully expect Boston to take 1 in L.A.  Boston played much worse than L.A. and still almost pulled it out.  All Boston really needs to do is be more aggressive.  Paul and especially KG need to stop settling for jump shots and attack the rim.  After everyone on the sun praised them for doing that game 2, it blows my mind that they settled for jumpers last night.  Hopefully, they turn it around tomorrow.  While game 4 or 5 would work, I'd be much happier with a win tomorrow and never having to face the prospect of being down in the series. 

[Truth Hurts]

Pierce is absolutely the Alpha Dog. Let's not forget the rest of the post-season because of one horrible performance.

If it's his knee, we're toast. If it's a bad game, and he comes back and wins the Finals MVP....he will be looked at a lot differently as far as his legacy is concerned.

I know I am biased, but I always thought that Pierce was one of the most underrated players that I have ever watched. He is starting to get his just due now, after game 7 vs. CLE, his performance against Detroit, and his Finals heroics. Bob Ryan calls him the most explosive Celtics scorer ever...etc.....If he gets the ring, he will be perceived a lot differently.

Why is Tracy McGrady always rated higher than Pierce? It makes no sense. Pierce is so much more of a winner, and a tough player. McGrady has had like 7 straight first round exits. Pierce carried a bunch of crap to the conference finals six years ago, and is finally playing with some real talent and performing at a high level in the Finals.

If he sucked last night because of his knee, we're toast. Otherwise, I expect a big performance tomorrow. He is embarrassed playing the way he did in front of his peeps on the biggest stage. He usually responds to situations like this. No one ever questions his heart. Hopefully, his knee is as strong as his heart.

[Jon]

Pierce is absolutely the Alpha Dog. Let's not forget the rest of the post-season because of one horrible performance.

If it's his knee, we're toast. If it's a bad game, and he comes back and wins the Finals MVP....he will be looked at a lot differently as far as his legacy is concerned.

I know I am biased, but I always thought that Pierce was one of the most underrated players that I have ever watched. He is starting to get his just due now, after game 7 vs. CLE, his performance against Detroit, and his Finals heroics. Bob Ryan calls him the most explosive Celtics scorer ever...etc.....If he gets the ring, he will be perceived a lot differently.

Why is Tracy McGrady always rated higher than Pierce? It makes no sense. Pierce is so much more of a winner, and a tough player. McGrady has had like 7 straight first round exits. Pierce carried a bunch of crap to the conference finals six years ago, and is finally playing with some real talent and performing at a high level in the Finals.

If he sucked last night because of his knee, we're toast. Otherwise, I expect a big performance tomorrow. He is embarrassed playing the way he did in front of his peeps on the biggest stage. He usually responds to situations like this. No one ever questions his heart. Hopefully, his knee is as strong as his heart.

I agree that Paul Pierce is the leading candidate for Alpha Dog, but I wouldn't label him as such just yet.  Unlike the Lakers--who will always give Kobe the last shot of a tight game--the Celtics could go to any of the Big Three. 

[plasmaPG]

Don't jump on the guy too much for not being a homer. Many of us were ready to count boston out unless they made a few changes like winning on the road and playing consistant D on the road which they finally started doing. He's probably thinking that his team has a few things it needs to do to win this series just like we did with cleveland. It didn't sound to me like he has totaly given up, it seems that he sees what we are seeing. Better to be realistic than be a let down homer.

I never said I gave up on them.  I said things that needed to be done and realize that for 3 games, Boston has been the better team.  I am not going to sit there and "Rah, rah, rah" through my purple and gold glasses.  Odom and Pau needs to step it up.  They need to realize that this is a dog fight and you have to bring your guns not a knife.

If you been to the Laker boards, most posters are saying the exact same thing and the lakers are not matching Boston's intensity and needs to be more physical.  They are ripping Odom and Gasol right now and ripping the lack of heart from the Lakers.  Next game is going to be huge for either team.  If the Lakers win, then it is a new series and can go either way, if they lose; the series is basically over.

[plasmaPG]

I agree that Paul Pierce is the leading candidate for Alpha Dog, but I wouldn't label him as such just yet.  Unlike the Lakers--who will always give Kobe the last shot of a tight game--the Celtics could go to any of the Big Three. 

Agreed.  PP is your most clutch player and one of the top players in the league, but he still is not the Alpha Dog on your team.  After watching KG disappear in 4th quarter of game 2 and in game 3, I am not convinced that KG is the top dog either.  Like I said, your team does not NEED a top dog, what you have are three 1A type dogs, similar to the Detriot teams.  They don't have a superstar and yet they still can win. 

[SamuelAdams]

I appreciate hearing from a Laker fan.  Nice post PlasmaPG.  I hope we treat you well during your stay with us.  I liked whoever, was it Phil, who called it the "jetlag game?"