Loose Balls with the Boston Celtics

There are simply too many topics of discussion right now in the NBA Playoffs, particularly in the Eastern Conference Finals. None of them strike me as deserving of a full column, so here are comments on everything weighing on the minds of Celtics fans ranging from Rondo's Keith Lockhart impression to Gronk's Natural Born Killers tribute.

Keyon Dooling has been Avery Bradley in spurts.

11 years his senior, Keyon Dooling has done everything in his power to resemble the late season play of Avery Bradley. Think for a second about what Bradley brought to this team originally. High energy defensive pressure on opposing guards. He was endearingly called a pest by the Boston media and fan-base. Dooling has shown he can do a similar thing in frustrating Mario Chalmers and Dwayne Wade, picking them up right at the half-court line. Unfortunately at age 32, Keyon cannot be as consistent with energy as the 21-year-old Bradley was.

Towards the end of the season, Bradley developed a decent 'corner three' shot, a shot that Dooling hit three times in game four. Doolings impact on the past two games has been noticed but perhaps not appreciated enough.

Keyon is highly intelligent, as shown by his position as VP of the Players Association. He has watched from the bench and seen just what the Celtics missed in games one and two in terms of Bradley's production. Immediately upon his insertion into game three, he transformed into a slightly lesser version of Bradley. He knew what Boston needed and that is what he gave them.

We can stop pretending Mickael Pietrus can guard Lebron James.

I love having Mickael Pietrus on the Celtics, he is as enjoyable a player to root for as there is in the NBA. However, the idea that he can guard or slow Lebron James is absurd. There is one person on the Boston Celtics who can guard James and his name is Paul Pierce. Unfortunately at this point, Pierce can't be asked to take on that responsibility because his legs will be shot and his jump shot will go in the toilet.

People must realize that Lebron has scored at will in all four games this series. He is averaging 32 points per game on 52% shooting. Pietrus is not stopping him on any possession, the only person keeping Lebron from putting the ball in the basket is Lebron.

I know Mickael has those HUGE rebounds at the end of game four and he deserves credit for them, but his defense on James has not been as good as I am hearing.

The defense on Dwyane Wade should be noted.

Though no particular Celtic deserves total credit, the scheme of Doc Rivers' defense has held Dwyane Wade to an average of just 20 points per game on 45% shooting. The Celtics double-teams and switches have baffled Wade in the first half. That has played a large part in helping Boston build their big leads in games three and four. 

We all underestimated Kevin Garnett

Garnett's tires have been pumped all post-season, however he is still underestimated. I am as guilty as anyone with saying that KG is now just a perimeter jump shooter. In games three and four, he has returned to the painted area and wreaked havoc on Miami's small line-up. Nobody thought he still had that game in him. His whole late season resurgence is nothing compared to how he has returned to playing in the paint recently.

When I was a kid, I had a friend named Collin who was eight inches taller than everyone on the basketball court. We would run "the loop" play in which he would seal his defender and I would loop the pass into him. The same play Rondo and Garnett ran numerous times over the past two wins. Crazy that that works at any level.

The Bosh situation

The impending return of Chris Bosh should probably concern you. How much it does is a matter of preference. There is no doubt he will help Miami, even just by standing there due to his size.

It should also concern Miami a bit. Bosh's presence certainly clogs the lane on the defensive end, but it also clogs the lane just the same for Miami. It is a lot tougher for Haslem, Wade and James to float around the paint looking for blocked shots.

Garnett should still be able to win the match-up, but keep in mind that Miami has been playing with ZERO post scoring through four games.

Do you enjoy how lovey-dovey Boston sports have been recently?

Gronk has a little Woody Harrelson in him.

A story for another day, but I am on the fence with how I feel towards Patriots, Red Sox, Bruins and Celtics players being buddy-buddy with each other. Gronk and Wilfork at the Garden last night, Julian Edelman and Jon Lester tweeting congrats to C's players, it all just feels awkward and forced.

The New England region did not become such a powerhouse of professional athletics over the last decade-plus by being friendly with one-another. The competition for media coverage and fan's dollars in this city has always been fierce. "Who's town is it?" is always a hotly contested media subject. Deep down, Danny Ainge hated that Bruins' Stanley Cup last season and Bill Belichick got a good chuckle about the fried chicken and beer disaster at Fenway last fall.

Competition breeds winners. Boston sports are in constant competition with eachother just as much as they are with their on-field opponents. Striving to be better than your brother is what makes these teams remain championship-caliber.

Yell about fixing all you want, these are the four best teams.

After eight Conference Finals games, do you have any doubt that these are the four best teams in the NBA? I do not and you can shove Derrick Rose's injury in my face all you want.

Did anyone catch that Kendrick Perkins 15 and 9 performance Saturday night?

Sorry, that was cruel.

How about his 10 rebounds last night?

Uncalled for.

Sorry, Lebron. You are a joke of a clutch superstar

I tend to not get on Lebron so much about the whole #clutchgene thing that has been going around recently. His game is so immense throughout the first 46 minutes that I can't discount it. His team would be nowhere near Boston with two minutes to go without him.

However, that final possession during regulation was an embarrassment to the game of basketball. The league's premier player has a chance to win a decisive game in the conference finals. I do not care how good the defense is or how the play breaks down around you. A pass with no time left to your backup power forward to take a covered turnaround jumper is inexcusable. Is there any chance in Hell Paul Pierce or Kobe Bryant do not get that shot off?

Can you imagine your anger if Pierce dished the game winner to a covered Marquis Daniels? Lebron James is an amazing player, but that possession was a joke.

It is truly Rajon Rondo's team

We are unbelievably privileged to watch Rajon Rondo play basketball in this era. The other day during the game I tweeted:

Rondo was built for the DVR generation. You can't appreciate what he is doing in real-time.
— Mike Walsh (@3rdStringWalsh) June 2, 2012

You honestly cannot figure out where some of his passes go. When he tucked a pass behind James and Pierce ran to it. The one where Jeff Van Gundy had an on-air orgasm, that was amazing.

Even more amazing is his conducting of the offense like on this play where he orders Pierce to move to a spot for a layup. It was the equivalent of a third base coach yelling at his runner to steal second, making sure the pitcher and catcher could hear. Then the runner steals second with ease. The perfect illustration of just how good he can be.

Boston took some blows to the head

This seems like as good a time as any to revisit this story.

Boston took punches from Miami in games one and two. Coming back to Massachusetts they were down for about a six-count. But they hopped up and were able to battle back. They even threw in some of this for our enjoyment.

Tonight is round eight or nine and while a loss won't be a K.O. punch, it will leave them reeling.

A loss for Miami would be devastating, and that is what Boston needs to look for. They can't come out as they tend to in games the don't need to win. Aggressive from the start and throughout before returning to the Jungle on Thursday night.