An odd clutch failing and a question of teammwork

Well, that was some night, wasn’t it?

Would have been way better personally if I hadn’t fallen asleep on the couch but …

Anyway …

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When they do the excavation of the franchise known as the Celtics eons from now – and I don’t imagine I’ll be around to cover it – I wonder what they’ll find when they look for last night’s game?

The bones of a team done in by a sorry execution when it mattered the most? Probably.

I would imagine that, since the team was formed in 2007, the Celtics have run an end-of-game play with Paul Pierce in a high screen-and-roll about a jillion times.

I could not believe my eyes when I saw them botch it so horribly in the single biggest possession of the season for Boston.

It looked like neither Garnett nor Allen really had a clue what they were supposed to do and it was rather shocking.

It was also the one play that cost them the season, I’d say.

They’re done.

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And that would mean the Miami Heat – the franchise everyone loves to hate – will be within four games of playing for a title and they way they’re going, I don’t imagine there’ll be many of us who pick either the Bulls or Hawks to beat them.

How do we feel about that?

Me? I’m not a big fan at all; it’s not that I hope they fall flat on their faces – not much in the sports world evokes that kind of passion in me – but the manner in which they orchestrated this whole thing kind of rankles and has all year.

Look, we all knew they were sublimely talented and would probably contend for a handful of titles but I do think the overwhelming feeling is that they somehow cheated the game by the manner in which they came together.

It’s going to be an odd finals, I think, if Miami’s in it. For once, the team with the best players will be openly rooted against coast-to-coast. It’ll provide some interesting story lines, especially here, but I just think it’ll be … odd.

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Only a really cold soul would suggest that Russell Westbrook’s a taller, better version of T.J. Ford, wouldn’t he?

No, it’s not that bad but the kid is still very much seemingly unaware that Kevin Durant is the leading scorer in the league and the best player on his team and a guy who, you know, should get some shots.

The interaction between point guard and best player should be better, in my opinion and it doesn’t seem that way in Oklahoma City.

According a bunch of courtside people, at one point last night, Durant looked over at Mo Cheeks and said:

“Why the bleep didn’t he get me the ball?”

If that’s the thing that derails the Thunder, it’s a shame.

But, having wrested home court back from the Grizzlies, and still with the best player in the series in Durant, I don’t imagine there’s any de-railing coming.

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Oh, I need to correct a wee error in a story yesterday.

Phil Jackson’s got 11 titles, not 10 like I said.

Oops.

I’m not letting go of that Red Auerbach fixation too easily, am I?

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All right, we can agree that last night’s Thunder-Grizzlies game was a classic, right?

But those of you of a certain age may realize it wasn’t the best triple-overtime game of our lives.

Anyone recall Phoenix-Boston in Game 5 in 1976 (yeah, I had to look up the specific game)?

That was the best triple-overtime game ever.

Last-second shots, fans pouring onto the court in triumph only to be shooed off when the refs decided there was a second left in the game.

Suns, down one, take a timeout they don’t have to give the Celtics a technical foul shot but it also gives Phoenix the ball back.

Down two, Suns get a basket at the end of the second overtime from Gar Heard (who I used to love with the Buffalo Braves) but fall in the third.

Now, that’s got Thunder-Grizzles beat six ways to Sunday.

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Please, someone tell me again how starting pitching was going to be strength if the TOD?

Yeesh.

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Speaking of long games:

Q: Just watched the Grizzlies Thunder overtime game and i was wondering what was the longest playoff game in NBA History?

Mario A, Toronto

A: That would have been a four-overtime thriller between the Syracuse Nationals and Boston Celtics back in 1953. Even I wasn’t alive to remember that one.

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Yes, the barbecue arrived, the kindly gentleman from Home Comfort got it assembled and hooked up (I’m afraid of crap from Ikea, no way I was going near anything with gas that could explode) and the first burger-and-sausage meal was a hit.

Now, since we like lists and there’s precious little basketball to chat about and you seem to enjoy a break from sports, here are the Top Five Things You Should Make With A New Toy:

Bone-in ribeye

Seared, grilled medium rare, eaten in the fading sunlight with a cold glass at the ready.

Catfish

Blackened, grilled quickly.

Cedar-plank salmon

A tad rich sometimes but still a classic.

A fresh burger

Perhaps chop up a nice hot pepper and mix it in with some garlic and other spices; store-bought’s okay but …

A nice veal chop

I know, baby cows and all that and I understand the reticence of some but, man, they taste good.

Anything else?

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I have no idea what my week’s like and when we’ll do games or when there will be games so let’s start the call for mail now since we made need it to get through a morning.

Click. Write. Send.

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I’m sure you’ll notice as you read closely through this release on the all-defensive teams the dearth of HOTH.

Imagine that.

Not sure what the other voting coaches were thinking about but …

Oh, wait. I know exactly what they were thinking about.

I guess the only quibble I’d have is that Joakim Noah and Derrick Rose got more votes than Luol Deng, which I believe to be an oversight.

Other than that? I can live with the selections.

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Don't forget, we've got the night off tonight from an IGBT; we'll be back tomorrow to finish off the Celtics.

 

 

 

Comments

[Gary]

@The J
The secret for the ribs is to wrap them tight in tinfoil so they steam in their own juices. A good rub to start and a bit of cider vinegar and you'll be the rib pro in the family! Low and slow.
Thanks for the blog Doug.

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

Two notes on the rib-eye:

1. Bring up to room temperature before you put it on the grill
2. Let it sit for a few minutes before you eat it.

AG, Toronto

[Alan C.]

Re the BBQ: lobster tails soaked in garlic butte.

[larry lukeeborg]

If I'm correct, descending order means that Olajuwon is your choice as best all-time centre?