You guys probably won't agree with this but.....

[Spicoli]

If we're going to lose, i want to go down with Pierce firing. I know the team game has gotten us this far, but i saw too many guys shrivel up tonight due to the pressure. How much worse will they shrivel up in game 7? I hate to say it but, i don't trust Rondo. He is way too inconsistent. Having the ball in Paul's hand at this point makes me feel more comfortable than having the ball in Rondo's hand. Pierce iso, Pierce pick and roll, Pierce on the block, do it all for game 7 and don't stop. That's just my opinion.

[Q_FBE]

You are right I do not agree with you. If it becomes a Pierce vs Kobe thing we lose. I thought the game was on the right track but the 1st 6 minutes of the 2nd qtr killed us when we were stuck on 23 forever and the Laker bench brought energy while the Celtics kept pressing and making mistakes.

Then the Celtics missed layups too. Just plain brutal. If it happens again Thursday, then it was simply not meant to be.

[guava_wrench]

Lakers lost game 5 when it was all Kobe. They won game 6 when everyone contributed.

Do we think that formula would work better for us?

I don't like the ball sticking to Pierce early. I want to see everyone running in transition.

[Spicoli]

You are right I do not agree with you. If it becomes a Pierce vs Kobe thing we lose. I thought the game was on the right track but the 1st 6 minutes of the 2nd qtr killed us when we were stuck on 23 forever and the Laker bench brought energy while the Celtics kept pressing and making mistakes.

Then the Celtics missed layups too. Just plain brutal. If it happens again Thursday, then it was simply not meant to be.

I just don't like how the team sinks or swims mostly due to which Rondo decides to show up. When he stinks, we're toast. I'm not blaming this loss completely on him, but i feel like i trust Pierce to carry us to a win more than Rondo. Pierce was the focal point of game 5 and we played great. The Lakers are making Rondo totally uncomfortable and when he's off like that i feel like our chances become smaller.

[Spicoli]

Okay, i admit, this thread is highly reactionary. I'm just scratching my head looking for answers i guess. These guys are just too inconsistent. I'm worried about how they will play in game 7. Guess in a situation like this i'm inclined to lean on something/or in this case somebody that i can trust and that's Paul.

[RJ87]

Lakers lost game 5 when it was all Kobe. They won game 6 when everyone contributed.

Do we think that formula would work better for us?

I don't like the ball sticking to Pierce early. I want to see everyone running in transition.

yup, transition is our best bet. And for Rondo's inconsistencies tonight, Pierce was just as inconsistent. For the sake of argument, he had 5 TO's to Rondo's 3 and less assists than Rondo.

Pierce initiating the offense has been problematic all season. The offense stagnates. I don't think game 7 of the NBA finals is the time to deviate away from the game plan.

[fairweatherfan]

Honestly I thought a lot of tonight was that each of our guys were individually playing KobeBall out there - trying to create their own shots without getting others involved.  Problem is no one on our team is nearly as good at that kind of play as Kobe, except maybe Pierce. 

Paul will be ready to attack, but it'll have to be a team effort.

[FallGuy]

Honestly I thought a lot of tonight was that each of our guys were individually playing KobeBall out there - trying to create their own shots without getting others involved. 

This is exactly what Ray said.

[PosImpos]

Rebound, look for good shots and take them when they get them.

Fight with everything they've got.

That's what they need to do.

[celtics2]

If we're going to lose, i want to go down with Pierce firing. I know the team game has gotten us this far, but i saw too many guys shrivel up tonight due to the pressure. How much worse will they shrivel up in game 7? I hate to say it but, i don't trust Rondo. He is way too inconsistent. Having the ball in Paul's hand at this point makes me feel more comfortable than having the ball in Rondo's hand. Pierce iso, Pierce pick and roll, Pierce on the block, do it all for game 7 and don't stop. That's just my opinion.

Rondo is somewhat inconsistent but it is his team now win or lose. If we want to lose game 7 then let the Big 3 handle things. Rondo makes the team go. Sets the tempo. I would look to Pierce and Garnett for inconsistencies.

[drunk_guy_at_an_80s_party]

I feel my heart beating when I think about game 7, but my head tells me to relax. Everytime in the 2008 and 2010 Finals when the Lakers won a game the C's came back the next game, adjusted and won. I'm not sure how much the Perkins injury will effect that, but other than that I'm confident in our bunch.

So, let's go C's! One more! Beat L.A.!

[Bankshot]

What I don't like is this "as Rondo goes the Celtics goes" attitude.  We can win with Paul, Ray or KG having an off game, but not Rondo?  This is the Finals, if Rondo is playing bad, bring Nate in to see what he can do, don't settle for the "as Rondo goes" crap.  Nate did a fine job (I think game 4) when Rondo wasn't playing well and Nate came in a ran the team pretty well and the defense can't sag off of him.

[Drucci]

No, we have to trust each other and pass the ball. Last night there was no ball movement, it was terrible. If Pierce is hot, ride him, but don't force it.

[drunk_guy_at_an_80s_party]

No, we have to trust each other and pass the ball.

Hear, hear.

[celticmaestro]

Pierce is not good enough to go one-on-one with Kobe. Yes he did it with LeBron but Kobe is a far superior defender to LeBron and Pierce cannot maintain that same high level through 48 minutes against him.

We need to get the Garnett/Rondo tandem going and Ray Allen's stroke back. Above all else though, we need to play some hard, hard D.