Celtics are survivors on the strength of their will

Centuries and centuries and centuries after some meteor crashes into us and renders this planet barren or global warming decimates Earth and turns in inhabitable, visitors from another galaxy will arrive to re-establish life here.

They will find dust and dirt and desolation, maybe a cockroach or two.

And the Boston Celtics.

Seriously.

Why wouldn’t you think this group couldn’t survive anything that’s thrown their way and thrive, why they couldn’t just summon some kind of will from somewhere deep in their souls and keep plugging along.

The effort last night wasn’t particularly pretty nor was it overly-athletic, there weren’t many moments that provided jaw-dropping wonder. All it was was thorough and professional and emotional and a team – far more a “team” than the one on the other side of the equation – simply finding a way to get it done. You really don’t have to like the Boston Celtics to appreciate what they’re doing. Sure, Kevin Garnett’s woofing like he does and, yeah, Rajon Rondo can be amazing one minute and have one of the great mind-farts of all time with an over-and-back violation at a crucial moment and Ray Allen is classy but hobbled and you almost feel sorry for him some nights.

But you cannot discount will, and effort, and desire. You have to marvel at Paul Pierce sucking most of the night and hitting perhaps the biggest shot of the season with that dagger of a three. You have to admire Doc Rivers for making all the right moves, taking out Garnett with seven minutes left in a taut game because he needed to buy some time so the team’s emotional leader would be fresh down the stretch.

Now, it would be folly to count out the Heat, or the San Antonio Spurs tonight for that matter.

There is no question Miami has the talent and, perhaps, Erik Spoelstra will remember down the stretch of Game 6 that Chris Bosh is available and even if he isn’t 100 per cent, he represents a threat and at least occupies the mind and body of Garnett a little bit.

But in the East, at least, talent is basically second to will.

You could make the case very strongly that the conference final should be over and that we should be making reservations for a June week in Boston (yeah, that’s not going to suck at all) because the Celtics have been the better team more nights.

It hasn’t been as electrifying as Thunder-Spurs, that’s for sure; but it’s been amazing in its own way.

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I want this kid cheering me on every time I fail.

How cool is that?

I was howling on the couch at the end of the game, wondering (a) which Heat player might charge into the stands or (b) how one person can be so positive.

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Did you know that they make ice cream sandwiches where it’s a nice thick slab of vanilla ice cream between two chocolate chip cookies?

How come it took this long for me to find out?

That may be the best snack invention since, well, since I don’t know when.

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Mail? Let’s start. Need to hear from some of you that I haven’t heard from in a while.

Click. Write. Send.

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Raptors news! Raptors news! Raptors news!

Well, not really but at least a HOTH story here, as I’m sure you’ve seen.

Two things pop out:

They think they might bring in up to 25 guys for workouts – they’ll probably start next week and, no, there are no firm details – and that’s an awful lot of “I just want to come in and play defence and do what the coaches want; I think I’d be a good fit here, I work hard and will do what the coaches want” clichés from teens.

And while it’s not new by any stretch of the imagination, the importance they’re putting on the interviews in Chicago and here and the role a psychologist will play is kind of interesting.

Now, I know you don’t want knuckleheads to dominate your roster, that’s a headache no coach or organization needs, I think we can safely say one or two guys with an “edge” to them don’t hurt.

You can’t have all choirboys and you can’t have all thugs and idiots but striking that balance is difficult. Important, but difficult.

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Okay, I know you’re not supposed to cheer in this gig – except for your story – but here’s a confession:

I want the women’s basketball team to qualify for London.

I like the women, I like the coach, I’ve written about a lot of this group for a very long time it seems and it’d be a perfect bookend for a couple of careers.

They are a fine group of women who represent the country with distinction and while they don’t get nearly the support nor attention they deserve, an appearance in London will unquestionably open some eyes and give girls across the country another group of role models and I would surmise they are badly needed.

I wrote about the women the other day, too (it’s here for those who missed it) before they headed off to Europe and a handful of exhibition games leading into the final qualification tournament in Turkey later this month.

One of the more interesting aspects of what they’ve gone through is that they’ve had to wait almost 10 months for this shot; they earned the berth at the Turkey tournament last summer and have a very, very long time to think about it.

And how’d they handle it?

Sports psychology, in part. Their big mantra this year is “win the day” because it’d been almost too hard to think about the end prize when the process took so long to unfold. And hearing it from an “outsider” made sense, coach Allison McNeill told us:

“Seriously, that did help just because there’s someone else there that’s saying the same message that the coaches are saying. And some of the older players have figured it out, how to stay in that moment.

"We’ve talked a lot about execution; if you’re executing, you’re not thinking about anything else down the line, you’re just thinking about today.

“We had a theme this year about “win the day” and it’s that we have to focus on that day, that game, that execution. We’ve just been practicing for that. It takes a lot of practice to stay in the moment and they’ve got some triggers and things they are working on if they feel themselves coming out of that.”

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Mighty Red Tigers tonight under the lights, think good thoughts and keep me up to date on Spurs-Thunder if you get the chance.

Thanks.

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Comments

[511]

I’ve thought this before a couple times Doug, and I resisted saying it (because maybe it’s just me?) but ... when I don’t use the bookmark that I usually use to go directly to your blog, like this morning, it’s unsettlingly difficult to actually find it. I mean, I did find it but only because I persisted. So ... just saying. (Somebody there needs a nudge about this, I’d say.)

[AT]

definitely one of the most entertaining playoffs for sure... Even one the hockey analysts said he switched over to the spurs- thunder game on Monday while the hockey game was happening.
The dilemma many of us face is that we would like Miami to lose but is it better to watch them lose now against the Celtics or have them win now and then hope they lose in the finals??
Doug, not to get ahead of ourselves but if the Celtics do win, how would they stack up against the Thunder that is looking pretty invincible at the moment?

Blogger's note: Way ahead of ourselves; a weekend endeavour

[David in Oakville]

Very funny Doug, though isn't the real question not whether the Celtics will be here at the end of time but whether given their age, the Celtics were here at the beginning of time. Maybe it's just me, but sometimes KG reminds me of a certain Alien and I half expect a smaller KG to emerge and chew someone's head off during one of his howling episodes.
+
Seriously though, I can understand how you may not have heard about a store bought ice cream sandwich with two chocolate chip cookies, but are you saying you never tried to make one yourself as a kid? I think I tried making ice cream sandwiches with everything, including toast. You should try ice cream between two frozen KitKats.

[Tim]

Hi Doug,

Thanks for the links to your other articles. I appreciate it, and I suspect that other people who are more inclined to read your blog than the Star as a whole do as well.

By the way, that kid at the end of the Heat game was great! And how did you go your whole life without knowing about those ice cream sandwiches?

Blogger's note: It's been a sad and unfulfilled life, apparently

[sam]

It was good to see a Celtics victory last night. I'm not a fan of either Eastern playoff team, but there is something about the legacy and workman like play of the Celtics that I like. I could do without the theatrics from Garnett, but appreciate Pierce, Allen and Rondo.

[Rob.V]

I had to rewind my PVR a few times and turn up the volume last night to hear what the noise was as the Heat left the court. At first I thought it was a drunk fan mocking the Heat for their performance, turns out it was a very supportive kid. Good stuff!
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Having said this, I wonder how Bosh is going to manage without his daily massage today?
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Anyone else still think I'm crazy re: Garnett to the Raptors for 3 years?.
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KG - 26 & 11, add a couple of blocks, a couple of assists, a steal. Celtics have won 10 of last 13 playoff games in which KG has led them in both scoring and rebounding. No, he's no choir boy. See him holding LBJ's waist as he was trying to run up the court ahead of him on the break. KG is the classic heel. He'll jump on his opponent (from the top rope) when the referee is not looking. I love it!... he does all the little things that help your team win!. The guy is a throw back to the Charles Oakley of big men.
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I know, I know, most of you hate this guy. But I dont get it... he's simply one of the best big men the game has ever seen.
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In fact, the arguement can be made that he's been every bit as good (if not better) than Tim Duncan over their careers. They're just polar opposite personalities.

[c_bcm]

@511

Use Google. A well-phrased Google search overcomes most url limitations. For example this blog is the top hit if you Google "Doug Smith raptors".

[511]

@c_bcm
The comment - mine - was to point out that it seems less likely for newbies to find this spot, is all. We, who know of it, will always find it as long as it’s here. But thanks.

[Mike kovacs]

Nothing like the Heat losing to cheer up another raptors early off-season. Oh and btw Doug, they now have bread that is already sliced!

[doug]

that clip of that young fan is just priceless, I was watching but just assumed it was trash talking when i heard it...that clips a keeper....the thing with the Heat to me is this, they play at only one gear it seems, and their subs play the same way...so they never put a team away when they should at times...and last night they paid for it, but kudos to the Celts tremendous heart and will, show me a stat that measures that?..there isn't one and it's the biggest one....Lawrie/Rasmus at top of lineup is a good move, lot of speed and turmoil....so you decide to go all sci/fi today and coincidence or not it's on the day Ray Bradbury passes away...nice salute intentional or not...ok cheers...

[Peter Gilchrist]

I just finished reading "The Whore of Akron", by Scott Raab, and boy, he must have been jumping up and down last night watching the 4th quarter of that game. Especially when Wade took a contested 3 in the last few seconds, instead of passing to LBJ who was more open. Wade must have read the book too.

[james]

Some time back I expressed the hope that NBA TV Canada would air Canada's games at the Turkey tournament. Any hope of that? If not, could some technically adept irregular describe how to find them online? Thanks.

Blogger's note: Right now, no hope of that at all; will check with fiba.com about on-line closer to the date. If history holds, they'll have them

[Angelo]

Experience and grit triumphs over athleticism and speed. What a great series, hope the underdog Celtics can clinch it. Also hope Tony Parker finds a way to dominate tonight or the Spurs will need to start further rebuilding.

[doug]

hate to break it to you but I think your ball game is rained out tonight....so you won't be needing updates...that kid has gone viral everyone is talking about him, the Spurs are 5 point dogs tonight it may be worth some action, as they may lose but they'll go down fighting...I think you mentioned on here before that Kyrie Irving "Uncle Drew" commercial...I just saw it for the 1st time, it's classic stuff...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DnKOc6FISU

[Raptors fan]

@J and @Mike

About your comments yesterday towards (they are too long to re-print) WOW! Is all I can say – I was making a point that the one reader didn’t use the word “ignorant” out of contents and that Doug didn’t enough homework on the history or the reason for the soccer team wearing the Blue jersey – simple. After hearing your remarks about my “lack of language” and the use of my English make you two the most ignorant out of anyone on the post and possibly in Canada. I am a born Canadian with French as a first language – I just learned and still am learning English now for the past 5-7 years….I think I am doing a great job. But to offend someone on such a level to try and make a point or trying to make yourself look smarter is classless….and also, to see that the Host of the site agrees enough to post those cruel words is very very low and insulting. Sorry if I offended you dominate English first speaking people, however regardless of your consistency to try and one up me – I don’t care. I see how dumb you two really are – thank you for taking a sports comment to offence on someone’s lack of English language. I speak 3 languages now and still would like to learn more…I rather be wrong speaking 3 languages then ignorant only speaking one! Mr Doug Smith, I am certain you don’t support this nonsense….please tell me I am right and you don’t!??

[Andrew Gregg]

Hi Doug:

I, too, was thinking about Scott Raab jumping up and down during the game last night--although at 300+ pounds I'm not sure if Raab can actually jump up and down. But The Whore of Akron certainly captures the media creation that is LeBron James.

But anyways, the best part of the game last night was when the ESPN guy said "it's that annual time of year." Not even Reggie Miller could top that.

AG, Toronto

[Topper]

I wanted it noted I discovered this blog almost 3 years ago. I read a Doug Smith article in an actual newspaper and decided to look up more articles. Doug Smith is the second Doug selected by the google prediction thingy. Just after Hutchison? and before Gilmour. When you select Doug Smith it auto fills Blog. next thing I know I'm loggin on daily.

[Peter]

It's a little sad that it's easier to find Doug's Blog on google than it is on the website where he is hosted. I bookmark his blog, but only because I find it too difficult to find on the main site. Apparently I'm not alone. The hits would go up if his blog was easier to find.

[g.t.]

@511

there is a link at the top of the star page called 'blogs' there you will see a list of all of the star blogs and Doug's blog is listed second last I checked. There is an entire category for this kind of thing.

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Take a seat, San Antone. Take another bow, Derek Fisher (he's like the Bilbo Baggins of the NBA, the keeper of the rings). Look out, East, I'm hearing thunder...
And take a bow, Rob Morrow. The true ace of the TOD is no longer scuffling – dude's dealing, big time. Look out AL East, I'm hearing Cy Young drums...
Cheers. Go BCo!

[Tabber]

Hey Raptors fan, it's a freakin' blog! Take a look at all that Doug writes and you may see that he doesn't have time to check every last detail. Sorry if that makes you do a little research in between learning languages. Ooh, 3 of them, huh? I've got parts of 4, including your native tongue. Please cut out your arrogance - or your commenting on your own oh-so-superior abilities. See ya, Mr. Freakin' Perfect Canadian. Oh, and I wasn't even born in this country, came to Quebec first, then Ontario, and CHOSE to stay here and become a citizen. It wasn't to hear arrogance that appears better suited to the country to the south of us - or France. Suck it up, buttercup!

[D-Mac Ottawa]

Arrrggghhh... Rob Morrow... how about Brandon Morrow, eh, with apologies for more senior moments than are entirely warranted...
Cheers. Go I'll Have Another!