The Boston Celtics are…
…exceptionally proficient
…frustratingly inconsistent
…a nightmare to defend
…seemingly intent on beating themselves
…switchable and adaptable to any scenario
…unable to get out of their very own means
…amazingly clutch when their backs are in opposition to the wall
…thoughts numbingly unable to take care of focus at every other time.
Sooner or later you might be what you might be and we’ve seen this story typically sufficient to know that it isn’t going to vary any time quickly. If the formulation holds true, the Celtics will roar again into this sequence, stumble once more, be compelled to the brink, and at last prevail in the long run. In the event that they accomplish that, it should largely be as a result of their expertise overcame their lack of constant focus.
If they’ll’t observe that very same script and really lose the sequence, they’ll have quite a lot of massive inquiries to reply within the offseason (that’s one other column for one more day). In the event that they do handle to drag this out, they’ll have a a lot, a lot more durable path within the Finals in opposition to both the well-oiled-machine that’s the Nuggets or a LeBron James led Lakers group.
We are able to’t hold making excuses for this group considering that they’ll one way or the other “get it” in time for the following sport. They received’t. That is who they’re.
The loopy factor is that it’d simply be sufficient. There’s a ton of randomness in these outcomes and typically expertise simply wins. You already know that Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are able to erupting offensively. Some nights the Celtics simply shoot the lights out from 3 and overwhelm their opponent with math. Typically the protection has fever dream flashbacks to final yr and locks down the opposite group for whole quarters. Perhaps these random optimistic occasions will add as much as outweigh the errors and the Celtics will win simply sufficient video games to hold a banner.
Simply don’t be stunned in the event that they don’t. Sport 1’s consequence was irritating however it might probably hardly be described as surprising. Warmth tradition defeated Celtic satisfaction. Or on this case you possibly can name it Celtic overconfidence. They will discuss all they need about respecting their opponent, however they (as soon as once more) received too wrapped up in scoring buckets and forgot about placing in a full 48 minutes of targeted effort. I’d like to say that “now they know they’ve to remain targeted in opposition to the Warmth” however they received’t. If that lesson hadn’t been realized prior to now, it received’t now.
I’m going to desk the finger pointing periods and blame pie bake-offs until the offseason. There’s no actual worth to it proper now. We aren’t altering coaches mid-series and you’ll’t commerce anybody proper now. There will likely be loads of time for that later and naturally the ultimate consequence may have rather a lot to say about all of that.
For now, all we are able to do as followers is strap in, name up your emotional assist buddy, and stroll via no matter good luck rituals you assume will assist. None of that is going to be simple.
