A Stroll Down Memory Lane

[Fafnir]

A lot of the comments and threads on this site reminded me of another series where the team with the best record lost a game 2 to an aging team with a faded window.

I'm talking of course about the 2007-2008 ECF between Detroit and Boston. So I looked at a couple of posts at a Pistons site I haven't been to much this year, as the Pistons were terrible the entire year. Take a look at this posts from Detroit Bad Boys, circa 2007-2008

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2008/5/23/1216030/its-all-tied-up

Technically we have a tie series, but it sure feels like Detroit took a commanding lead.

This quote struck me, and makes me very worried for Game 3.

[Bankshot]

The difference is that the Celtics were better than Detroit.  I don't believe Cleveland is better than Boston.  Outside of Lebron, there isn't one player in their starting lineup better than the Celtics starting lineup.  And no one on the bench better than Rasheed (if he comes to play ).

[Bahku]

A lot of the comments and threads on this site reminded me of another series where the team with the best record lost a game 2 to an aging team with a faded window.

I'm talking of course about the 2007-2008 ECF between Detroit and Boston. So I looked at a couple of posts at a Pistons site I haven't been to much this year, as the Pistons were terrible the entire year. Take a look at this posts from Detroit Bad Boys, circa 2007-2008

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2008/5/23/1216030/its-all-tied-up

Technically we have a tie series, but it sure feels like Detroit took a commanding lead.

This quote struck me, and makes me very worried for Game 3.

Yeah ... this is the game I've been most worried about all year ... we have a real danger of being too casual about it ... just enough to let the Cavs steal one. Hopefully our Boyz are thinking the same thing, and will give 110 ... along with the hometown crowd. Great post. (TP)

[Fafnir]

A lot of the comments and threads on this site reminded me of another series where the team with the best record lost a game 2 to an aging team with a faded window.

I'm talking of course about the 2007-2008 ECF between Detroit and Boston. So I looked at a couple of posts at a Pistons site I haven't been to much this year, as the Pistons were terrible the entire year. Take a look at this posts from Detroit Bad Boys, circa 2007-2008

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2008/5/23/1216030/its-all-tied-up

Technically we have a tie series, but it sure feels like Detroit took a commanding lead.

This quote struck me, and makes me very worried for Game 3.

Yeah ... this is the game I've been most worried about all year ... we have a real danger of being too casual about it ... just enough to let the Cavs steal one. Hopefully our Boyz are thinking the same thing, and will give 110 ... along with the hometown crowd. Great post. (TP)

I'm also worried because the Celtics haven't been a great home team by any means.

We also have Rasheed screaming ball don't lie just like those Pistons did....

[GreenFaith1819]

A lot of the comments and threads on this site reminded me of another series where the team with the best record lost a game 2 to an aging team with a faded window.

I'm talking of course about the 2007-2008 ECF between Detroit and Boston. So I looked at a couple of posts at a Pistons site I haven't been to much this year, as the Pistons were terrible the entire year. Take a look at this posts from Detroit Bad Boys, circa 2007-2008

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2008/5/23/1216030/its-all-tied-up

Technically we have a tie series, but it sure feels like Detroit took a commanding lead.

This quote struck me, and makes me very worried for Game 3.

Good Info and Congrats on your 8 Stars!

Celtics must take care of Business on Friday. CLE will come out swinging, Lebron's elbow is a sham, and I'm sure that Mo Williams will be looking for some redemption.

Once we withstand CLE's best punches on Friday, we can take this.

CLE has yet to blow us out in the last three games against them now, and If Pierce was on in game one we could've taken that one.

Boston keeps it close and the Bench provides a spark - then I love our Opportunity.

[Bahku]

A lot of the comments and threads on this site reminded me of another series where the team with the best record lost a game 2 to an aging team with a faded window.

I'm talking of course about the 2007-2008 ECF between Detroit and Boston. So I looked at a couple of posts at a Pistons site I haven't been to much this year, as the Pistons were terrible the entire year. Take a look at this posts from Detroit Bad Boys, circa 2007-2008

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2008/5/23/1216030/its-all-tied-up

Technically we have a tie series, but it sure feels like Detroit took a commanding lead.

This quote struck me, and makes me very worried for Game 3.

Yeah ... this is the game I've been most worried about all year ... we have a real danger of being too casual about it ... just enough to let the Cavs steal one. Hopefully our Boyz are thinking the same thing, and will give 110 ... along with the hometown crowd. Great post. (TP)

I'm also worried because the Celtics haven't been a great home team by any means.

We also have Rasheed screaming ball don't lie just like those Pistons did....

Exactly ... we were really so dominant at home in 2008 that these kinds of situations weren't anywhere near as much of a worry, but we've really been stronger on the road for the most part this season, and teams have been passing the word this year that the Celtics can be beaten at home ... even by bad teams.

Don't like that at all. If we can really command on our home court in this series, it will not only boost our confidence, but we'll be able to dispell some of those assumptions, and re-establish at least some of our home-court domination..

[jdpapa3]

Difference is that Game 2 was a tight game and was within 2 pts with a few minutes left and we kinda just mopped the floor with them. See what you're getting at, though. Hope the players don't have too much arrogance right now.

Bonus is that I roadtripped to Detroit for Game 3 and inspired the team to win on the road.   So, if a fan in a Lebron jersey asks you for directions to the Garden, just point them the wrong way. Well, that was probably the instructions anyhow.

[Fafnir]

Difference is that Game 2 was a tight game and was within 2 pts with a few minutes left and we kinda just mopped the floor with them. See what you're getting at, though. Hope the players don't have too much arrogance right now.

Bonus is that I roadtripped to Detroit for Game 3 and inspired the team to win on the road.   So, if a fan in a Lebron jersey asks you for directions to the Garden, just point them the wrong way. Well, that was probably the instructions anyhow.

Yeah, its not the results but the attitude and general feeling that got me worried. Not so much the team, I don't know what they're thinking, but rather the blog's...

[chelsearules]

Technically we have a tie series, but it sure feels like Detroit took a commanding lead.

This quote struck me, and makes me very worried for Game 3.

yep 1-1 is only good as long as we hold court... can't afford to give the advantage back

[Birdbrain]

A lot of the comments and threads on this site reminded me of another series where the team with the best record lost a game 2 to an aging team with a faded window.

I'm talking of course about the 2007-2008 ECF between Detroit and Boston. So I looked at a couple of posts at a Pistons site I haven't been to much this year, as the Pistons were terrible the entire year. Take a look at this posts from Detroit Bad Boys, circa 2007-2008

http://www.detroitbadboys.com/2008/5/23/1216030/its-all-tied-up

Technically we have a tie series, but it sure feels like Detroit took a commanding lead.

This quote struck me, and makes me very worried for Game 3.

Various reasons why I don't think they are comparable.

Boston was clearly the best team that year.

Boston didn't get obliterated in game 2.

Boston had 3 HOFs and still has 3 HOFs on their roster.  That Detroit team has maybe 1 and this Cleveland team most assuredly only has 1.

Boston should be actually up 2-0 in this series.

That Detroit team didn't have Rajon Rondo.

 - I will say I expect Cleveland to come out with full force in game 3 and it will be up to the C's to keep it close early and then allow for their major talent advantage to pull the game out.

Blogger opinions really don't mean anything with regard to the way the team plays.

[Fafnir]

Boston was clearly the best team that year.

By what measure wasn't Cleveland the best team this year?

Boston had 3 HOFs and still has 3 HOFs on their roster.  That Detroit team has maybe 1 and this Cleveland team most assuredly only has 1.

*cough* Shaq *cough*

I know he's been awful for them, but I couldn't resist. He's obviously declined more than the Big 3, but they're no longer putting up HoF numbers either.

The situations aren't completely similar, but they're not as different as you say. Remember that Detroit team had a ton of success with the same core group, just like Boston's core has. They were also accussed of coasting just like the C's after they'd killed themselves to get HCA last year and then been upset by Cleveland.

Boston might have out played Cleveland in Games 1 and 2 aggregately, but I really worry that they won't be able step up their game when LeBron and Cleveland counterpunch in Boston.

[Donoghus]

Yeah, I have kinda gotten the sense that a split in CLE has led to a lot of chest pumping on here.  This series is anything but over.  Not even close.  CLE will make adjustments and if BOS settles into complacency mode (which we've seen a bit of in the past), we're gonna be greatly disappointed. 

Just like nothing has been handed to CLE, nothing has been handed to us.  To be honest, a split is CLE was about the best I could hope for.  2 W's would've been extremely nice but I knew it was a longshot.

I fully expect CLE to come at us hard in Game 3 and the Celtics better be prepared.  That team has too many vets to simply roll over and now its their turn to try and wrestle back HCA for the series.  We better be prepared.

Somehow I think the team will be more so than some fans.

[Chris]

Good post.  I think it does put things in perspective.  Some people are getting a little bit overconfident here.  The Cavs are still an incredibly talented team, and the C's still have some weaknesses that they can exploit.  If the C's do not hold serve at home these next two games, they could be in trouble.

[Evantime34]

Usually strolls down memory lane indicate you are remembering a good memory.

In this case you are trying to draw a parallel to something that would be negative. If that comparison holds true it will be a sprint down nightmare alley instead of a stroll down memory lane.

I agree this series isn't over. Although I would love the C's to hold home court by winning the next two games, watching this team this year has made me believe we will split these home games.

I know that is pessimistic, but if I am pessimistic and we win my expectations are exceeded. If I am optimistic and we lose it will crush me. So really it's a self defense mechanism.

[Fafnir]

Usually strolls down memory lane indicate you are remembering a good memory.

The ECF of 2007-2008 is a good memory though!

Its just this team has shifted roles, I'm hoping as much as anyone we flip the script!