[JohnnyTheBone]

Over? http://tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:G0B9p1iAbB1TeM:http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd183/stittmeister/bluto.jpg Did you say over?

Nothing is over until we decide it is!

I'm ready to embrace the underdog role. The Celtics can follow the script of the 2004 Pistons and win with a balanced team effort, instead of relying on one or two superstars. Everyone shall be called upon; from Paul, Ray, Kendrick, Baby, and Rajon to Stephon, Eddie, Leon, Tony and Mikki. The C's will continue to win, Ubuntu style.

Sure, they lost the Ticket, but they still have the Ticket Stub. Big Baby Davis will make The Leap in this year's playoffs. Leon Powe will provide the rebounding, toughness, and scoring for the second unit. KG will be missed, particularly on the defensive end, but it's time to hop aboard the Leon Baby Train. If KG can provide a Willis Reed moment at some point down the line, all the better.

It all starts with the Bulls, but everyone has Cleveland on their mind. Nobody thinks the C's can beat them without KG, but I believe they can. It wasn't long ago, just 43 days in fact, that the Celtics beat Cleveland convincingly, sans KG. (Remember this? http://sonsofsamhorn...opic=42633&st=0)

Despite horribly one-sided officiating working against them all night, the C's persevered and earned the hard-fought victory. With blood, sweat, and tears, this team will defend their title ferociously.

W I N it for Danny.

[PJ Martinez]

I'm not going to provide a link, because I don't like the title ESPN gave to this Simmons piece -- I'm just going to quote the relevant portion:

Quote

This season, Garnett disappeared but Powe and Perkins stepped up, then Davis did the same when we lost Powe. Pierce played the best all-around basketball of his life, and that's saying something. Allen played brilliantly this season -- remarkably efficient, repeatedly clutch -- and reinvented his career in a historical sense. The young guys played with particular purpose and pride. If there was a defining Celtics game this season, it was Game 81: The No. 2 spot already clinched, Allen suspended, no reason to try at all ... and yet there was Pierce submitting another world-class performance (31 points, 12-for-16 shooting, defended Andre Iguodala all game) and leading them to a road win over a Philly team that desperately needed the game.

You know who deserves more credit than anyone? Doc Rivers and his coaching staff. It's hard to keep a defending champ motivated; it's really hard to keep them focused without their leader; and it's REALLY hard to keep them consistently good as you're constantly integrating new guys into the rotation. Currently, the Celtics have three guys (Stephon Marbury, Mikki Moore and Davis) who weren't in their nine-man rotation at the start of the season. They haven't missed a beat. They finished with 62 wins, and honestly, I don't know how they got there. There was no bigger Doc critic over the years than me, but the man was unbelievable this season and defended his guys vociferously every time they were getting screwed by calls. He had the single hardest coaching job in the league. Period. And he delivered. I have to hand it to him.

Because of Pierce, Garnett and Allen, and Doc as well, it's a proud Celtics team that cannot be counted out. If there was ever a team built for "Nobody Believed In Us" status, it's the 2008-09 Boston Celtics. They will miss Kevin Garnett, but I guarantee you that everyone on that team believes -- from Doc on down -- that they can make the Finals and win.

[The Smart Dope]

Yuck. Disgusting title. You don't want to know. I wanted to know, though. When I did, I was asked by Google "Do you mean... Power (instead of Powe)...?" It's a sign. Power to the Celts. WIN.

[Sille Skrub]

Let's go C's. Time to defend the crown.

Hold down the fort until this man returns:

T6TnilbMphA

Win today.

[Caspir]

I'm amped for this one. The early start time, which I originally hated, is looking better and better. I don't know if I would've made it until tonight. I just need to do a few things at work, then it's time to recline and watch Pierce carry us.

[runnels3]

Forty years later, to the month, we repeat! And in the spirit of that '69 team which eked out a 4th place finish to qualify, we circle the wagons, defy all logic, and prove the naysayers wrong.

So we honor you Russ, Sam, Hondo, Satch, Bailey, Nellie, Siggy, and Emmette. Let the trenchwork begin!!

[mabrowndog]

There's something especially awesome about a world in which you can procrastinate any and all chores, yardwork, shopping, laundry, and other assorted weekend bullshit -- and justify it because of an all-day sports orgy that begins with a Boston Celtics playoff game at 12:30 pm EDT.

Commence beatdown immediately.

[XNOUGHT]

PUT
IT
IN
THE
HOLE!

[MoGator71]

I want these shirts...

KG - Boston is a Brotherhood

[bball831]

H3s63sGoP_c

9eIMPyAFD0o

Let's get it started.

[mabrowndog]

Alright, this season review montage airing on Comcast right now is officially tremendous.

[Lazy vs Crazy]

We got this.

[SoxFan58]

Garnett looks pissed

[SaladParmesan]

Here's something that has bothered me for a while... why do Chicago's uniforms look as if they are made of satin?

[mikeford]

Ubuntu.

Win.

[bball831]

Rondo can't play like a tool this series. Get back and contain Rose. It's so important that Rondo outplays him this series.

[JohnnyTheBone]

Mr. Automatic at the line for two...

[casablanca3]

Great start Johnny! Loved it! Lets go boys. I believe in Paul Pierce

[JohnnyTheBone]

I was watching on ESPN, didn't like the way things were going, so I switched over to Mike and Tommy on Comcast. Within two seconds, the Captain was draining a jumper. Needless to say, I won't be switching channels again.

[mikeford]

Bennett fucking Salvatore and Eddie fucking Rush

great. this game will be infuriating for all 48 minutes.