This was a budding rivalry that the NBA would have loved to exploit for years to come. Now, it seems to be the final stand for a group of aging future Hall of Famers looking to add an 18th banner to the Boston rafters and the best chance young media superstar, Bron Bron, and his array of misfit toys, has of winning a title in Cleveland.

Two years ago, in the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs, the Celtics and Cavs battled for seven games, culminating in a nail-biting Game 7 in Boston, in which LeBron and Paul Pierce (The Truth) battled mercilessly against each other, hitting shot after shot, upping the ante until the clock ran out. Final tally: LeBron, 45 points. Pierce, 41 points. Final score: Celtics 97, Cavs 92. Celtics won the series 4-3. They advanced and eventually won their 17th NBA Championship. It was a brutal, old-school series, consisting of hard fouls, trash-talking (backed up with hustle and play), and the sort of mano-a-mano swagger that had been lacking in the NBA during the 2000s. By the time this series ended, there was no love lost between them.

It was believed at the time that both teams would be back the following season hungrier and stronger than before. LeBron was angry with his dismissal from the playoffs and moving into his prime, turning 24 years old, while the Celtics’ new acquisitions (KG – Kevin Garnett and Jesus Shuttlesworth – Ray Allen) had another season to gel and, more importantly, a Championship Banner to defend. Every basketball fan was fervently awaiting a rematch. Alas, nothing played out as hoped. The Celtics, short KG after a leg injury, battled respectably into the second round against the Orlando Magic, but were bounced in Game 7 (on their home floor, no less). The Magic then made quick work of the Cavs, sending LeBron and his team of delinquents home early. The Celts and Cavs never squared off in the playoffs. A gathering storm of a rivalry was set adrift.

Now, one year later, the basketball gods have deemed us fans worthy of celebrating in the return of the NBA’s best current rivalry. The aging trio of Celtics stars (with less help off the bench, but a stronger, more mature Rajon Rondo) faces off against LeBron and his reinvigorated lineup (including newbies Antawn Jamison and Shaq). The Cavs are the most talented they have been during LeBron’s tenure. They entered this year’s playoffs with the NBA’s best record and dispatched of the feisty Chicago Bulls without much more than a sore elbow for LeBron. However, this may be their final opportunity to win a title, because LeBron is a free agent at season’s end and he is holding the city of Cleveland hostage as he deliberates on his decision. The Celtics have had both a horrible season (in fans’ eyes) and a successful season (when considering injuries), entering the playoffs with the fourth best record and having dispatched of Dwayne Wade and the Miami Heat in five games. The Celtics are the healthiest they have been all season, and that is key to their success. However, with only the fourth-best record in the conference, they enter this series as the underdog and the visiting team. The aging trio of Celtics are a year older (on the wrong side of 30), and have added thousands of minutes onto their veterans’ odometers. As fans, we hope against hope that KG, Jesus, and The Truth stay in one piece as the minutes pile up. Not to mention keeping Rondo healthy and motivated; he’s the motor that keeps the engine running, yet he’s also fearless with his body and has been suffering from the flu for the past week or so. Doc Rivers has done his best to motivate, but can these veterans still be motivated? Is it simply too little, too late after a season of ups and downs? Even if motivated, will their bodies allow them to keep up with their desire? There are so many variables working for and against the Celtics, while the Cavs seem situated comfortably between confident and talented.

Desire. Hustle. Intelligence. Heart. The 2009-10 Celtics team baffles and frustrates me more than any Celtics team of this past decade. Sometimes they play with the intelligence of veterans and the fire of a champion. Other times they play with the lackluster energy of a shuffleboard competition at a time share. When they’re lackluster, I get angry because ‘lackluster’ isn’t supposed to be in the Celtics’ DNA. Russell never half-assed a possession. Cousy never slowed down. Havlicek never gave up. Cowens never wavered. Bird, McHale, Parrish and their teammates never backed down or got sloppy. Reggie Lewis once blocked Michael Jordan four times in the same game (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ni7t4swtdYw). Celtics play hard every minute of every game. Of course, none of this applies to Sheed because he is not and will never be a Celtic. When the team plays with fire, I love them. They elevate my spirit and help drive my competitive edge. They’re the underdogs in this fight and they need to bring the fire. It must be noted that I love that they’re the underdog. They’ve never been the underdog since KG and Jesus arrived. They have three future HOFers for pete’s sake. It’s more fun rotting for the underdog. It’s democratic. I can respect nothing more than for this team to go in and give the widely-favorited Cavs a run for the title.

However, I fear that the Celtics may be too old and too slow to deal with the youth, athleticism, and speed of the Cavs. I hope the Celtics can slow the game down and keep the scores relatively low (somewhere between 87-97 points). I hope they can push LeBron (mentally and physically) into making this a 1-on-5 series. LeBron is a proud (arrogant?) man, and it is easy to play with his pride (hubris?) if he doesn’t stay disciplined. He brings the ball up himself and foregoes passing to teammates in order to attempt a contested drive or pull-up three, leaving the Celts defense to box out for the rebound. Let LeBron have his 40 points. Shut down his cast of characters and you’ll walk out with a victory. Also, hit the boards. Rebounding differential matters in the playoffs. And, finally, go all-out for loose balls. The Celtics-of-old did. These underdog Celtics must do so as well. Each possession matters.

Taking Game 1 in Cleveland is imperative. Don’t let the Cavs get a foothold. Outside of LeBron, many of their players are either too boastful for their limited talent (looking at you, Mo Williams and Shaq!), or too insecure to overcome a smack in the face during Game 1 on their home floor (Misters Delonte West and Anderson Varejao, right this way!). They have a raucous crowd, but one that’s easily broken. The Cavs have never won a title, never even truly come close, so their crowd is prone to giving up hope and meekly surrendering – watch clips from the Cavs v. Magic series of last year’s playoffs. If the Celts make a stand on the Cavs’ floor, then the series can be taken.

Theoretically, so much rests on the outcome of this series. LeBron may leave if the team constructed around him fails to measure up yet again. LeBron leaving Cleveland is catastrophic to the Cavs organization and the city as a whole. Not only will sports in Cleveland never be the same, but whatever hopeful optimism Clevelanders carry with them year-round will be destroyed in the process. LeBron, a sports entity unto himself, could abandon the city for the greener ($$=fame) pastures of NYC or Chicago. Jobs will most definitely be lost. Heck, lives may be lost if LeBron bails. For Boston, a loss could spell the end of an era, with Paul Pierce allowed to opt out of the final year of his contract at season’s end. Is it likely he’ll leave, having only played for Boston his entire career? Depends on whether the team stays intact or rebuilds. Also, Ray Allen and a host of Celtics bench players (Tony Allen, most importantly) become free agents at season’s end. The coach, Doc Rivers, has spoken of retirement. A number of important career decisions are being determined by this series, and the outcome may change the landscape of the NBA for years to come.

Game 1. Saturday night. TNT. Enjoy.

Realistic Prediction: Cavs in 6. (I just threw up in my mouth.)
Optimistic Prediction: Celtics in 7. (Winning Game 7 on LeBron’s floor, with Ray Allen hitting the game-winning 3!)

Published on April 30th, 2010 at 8:54 pm in thoughts and musings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.