Trying hard not to say it's over

[Spoon]

Do the Celtics have Alex Rodriguez on the team? No! So our lead is safe. No choking here. Hang up #17 whether it comes in game 5, 6, or 7.

[Chief]

I just can't see the C's losing 3 in a row. But I guess anything can happen. Just stay positive and good things will come our way.

[Cman]

I'm actually pretty surprised how much of a forgone Celtics title conclusion everyone is making... not just here, but around the league.  I know, I know... up 3-1 has meant title 100% of the time... but it's not over.  As much as nobody wants to admit, Kobe is one of the few players that could take over for 3 straight games.  I know all the retorts to this claim already, but it still stands true.

I absolutely believe the Celtics will win... but I'll hold the celebration until they do win.  For all you Sox fans, just remember that there was a time when no team had ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in the baseball playoffs to win the series either...

I agree with you that it is not a foregone conclusion -- but I think most of the jubilation that we are reading about (on Celtics boards) has way more to do with the huge comeback.  BTW, having Posey and Cassell on the team at this point in time will be incredibly beneficial -- they know from experience what it takes to win a championship.  Also, we heard all the right things from Doc, PP, KG, RA after the game last night: it is not over yet, we are one step closer, but it takes 4 games to win, not 3..... word to that effect.

[RebusRankin]

As Lenny said, "It ain't over till its over." 

[Norcalceltic]

Sam Cassell was part of a Rockets Team that was down 3-1 to the Suns and came back to win. Posey was part of that Heat team that caught fire. Doc was on the bench when the Knicks were up 3-2 in the Finals and lost. These guys know it's far from over. We know it's far from over. Strange things happen in sports. We need to kill em' while they're down. We need to beat the Lakers on Fathers Day. Go C's!!

[Yakmanev]

Kobe led teams in the Finals are going to forever be known as "the five game sweep"

You know they get lucky and get a win that could have gone either way and totally blow the others. See Detroit series 04 and Boston Celtics 08.

As long as the players know it's not over as a fan I'm making my run to the liquor store and fireworks stand.

[paintitgreen]

I'm as guilty as anyone of this. We do still have one more win.

What I'm happy about is the Celtics players and coaches have not been reacting like we have. Posey shouted at them in the locker room that they hadn't done anything yet, and KG and Doc certainly didn't sound ready to celebrate. I'm glad we have a team of veterans who know it ain't over till it's over. And this series, with a near 24-point comeback by the Lakers in Game 2 and our completed 24-point comeback last night should remind everybody of that fact. Big ups to Big Ticket and EJ Playa for the reminders. Let's do this thing Sunday.

[NoraG1]

Sam Cassell was part of a Rockets Team that was down 3-1 to the Suns and came back to win. Posey was part of that Heat team that caught fire. Doc was on the bench when the Knicks were up 3-2 in the Finals and lost. These guys know it's far from over. We know it's far from over. Strange things happen in sports. We need to kill em' while they're down. We need to beat the Lakers on Fathers Day. Go C's!!

I agree its  not over. 'Far from over' though is another story. C's are close. C's need 1 win Lakers need 3.

[odysseus]

I think a crucial factor (working in our favor, luckily) is how Kobe will look at his teammates following this loss.  IF he decides he wants to continue to try and lead the team, Lakers remain dangerous.  IF he decides he should have gone through with the trade before the season, sulks, and does nothing to help his teammates coalesce into a team, it should be over on Sunday, with some funny theatrics on the Lakers side.

Frankly, whenever I read or heard Kobe say things like "WE have fun together", "WE love playing together", "WE are a bunch of young guys just doing our thing out there" etc., the "WE" always sounded hollow to me.  Kobe seems neither a leader, nor just one of a group of teammates.  Phenomenal player, to be sure, but not one to create or maintain team chemistry, which is something that the Celtics have.

If the situation were 2-2, it'd be far more dangerous.  The Lakers could take comfort in evening the series, winning the last two matches etc., and would not need Kobe to bring them together.  In a 3-1 situation, I predict (and hope) that Kobe will not rise to the challenge of getting his team together.  He'll sulk and pout, but not re-create his team.

It's the Celtics to lose.  I didn't know about Posey yelling at them that they still have not accomplished anything - that is great news that he did that.  If the Celtics go out there, as a team, focused, playing like they belong holding that trophy this season, and just execute the game, I can't see Kobe inspiring the Lakers enough to defeat us.  If the Celtics go out there all jittery, it'll be tough, but I still think the Kobe factor (with respect to his teammates, not individual skill) will help us.