X-Factors:
Rondo - He's got to have a good night and attack the paint consistently ... when Rage plays his best, we're near impossible to beat.
Sheed - He has always claimed that the playoffs are when he takes it to another level, well tonight will be his greatest, (and most likely last), chance to prove it ... and we need him to, now more than ever.
Defense - That's all we need to concentrate on ... if we play the intense, stifling, overwhelming defense that we execute better than anyone, then everything else will fall into place, and we'll fastbreak them into obivion.
Officiating -
Forget them! Joey and his pals will make bad calls, they always do ... so what?!? If we play our best ball the way I know we can,
no amount of biased or horrendous calls will save the Lakers.
Bench - With Perk out, the boyz on the bench are more important than ever ... we need them to contribute and give their best whenever they're called upon. Our bench is deeper and more talented ... time for them to prove it!
Physicality - Play like warriors ... I don't care if we foul out every player on the team, we've got to attack this like it's 1984, and send the message that we're not going to be pushed around, and that whatever the outcome, this is old-school, baby!
Stars Will Shine - It's now or never ... we have three superstars on this team who have immortal reputations and the salaries to match ... it's time for ALL of them to earn it and show the world why they are regarded as part of that elite group. No excuses ... this is it, and I want to see 110% from EVERY member of this team ... especially the ones that set the examples.
We've Earned This! - More than any other team, we have earned this chance. We were the long-shot from the very beginning of these playoffs, and yet time and again beat the odds and stunned the world. We dug down deep and found the reasons to carry on, and I expect nothing less in this do-or-die finale.
Just Play! - Don't over-think this thing ... just go out and give your all ... play as the intense, unselfish, in-the-groove, cohesive unit we know you can ... share the ball, feel the energy, be as one, let the green blood flow, and get this done!
** Please add any x-factors you think I've overlooked or disagree with **
Go Celtics!
