CLEVELAND -- The prelude to the game everyone is pointing to Thursday night featured the team that first demonstrated how to blend three stars into a team.
That would be the Boston Celtics, who brought Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen together and won one NBA title and came within one game of another.
That trio and the rest of the Celtics showed the Cleveland Cavaliers what happens when talent and teamwork are simply too much. They slapped the Cavs in the face -- and reminded them what can happen Thursday night if they are not ready to play. Emotion, after all, can only take a group so far. Even when it is playing on the emotion of an entire city.
The Cavs were easy victims Tuesday, as the Celtics won 106-87. This prelude to the arrival of the Miami Heat and LeBron James was a ride on calm waters, as the Celtics clearly outclassed the Cavs.
"It kind of looked like a layup drill at times," Cavs coach Byron Scott said.
Talent is one thing. And the Celtics have plenty. But the teamwork was more impressive. The Celtics had 29 assists on their 44 baskets, a remarkable show of togetherness. It's no accident these are the same Celtics who have beaten the Heat twice.
Emotions will be high, perhaps insanely high, but the one thing that will quiet the crowd will be if the Heat control playWhen the game was over, there wasn't much anyone could say. It was that one-sided.
Cleveland tried to make the night about Boston, with a couple players declining to discuss Miami's visit until Wednesday's practice. J.J. Hickson said Thursday's atmosphere will be "hostile" and conceded it's not another game. But Daniel Gibson wasn't buying it, saying the Cavs can't make one game, the 18th game, bigger than it is.
Try telling that to Cavs fans, who will be hyper-energized for LeBron James' first visit since his infamous "decision" on national TV. Emotions will be high, perhaps insanely high, but the one thing that will quiet the crowd will be if the Heat control play. Against Boston, the Cavs staggered and fans left early. It's hard to think all the emotion that will be present Thursday can be quashed, but a Heat runaway would put a big damper on things.
The Celtics' win tied them with Orlando for the best record in the East and avenged a loss in the Cavs' season opener. The Cavs were not playing on energy and adrenaline Tuesday the way they did in the opener. The results were obvious.
Which helped Boston make one more statement about the kind of team it is, and indirectly make a statement about the kind of team Miami needs to be. Celtics coach Doc Rivers said the blending of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce was about fundamental principles.
"We had willing players; that's what we had," Rivers said. "I think any situation works when everybody is fully invested in wanting it to work. I don't believe guys don't match. I've never believed that.
"I just believe that at the end of the day if guys are similar someone is going to have to change their game a little bit for the good of the team.
"If you want to win a title, then you will do that. Then everyone will do that. Everyone has to give up just a little bit."
Miami's 10-8 start is the buzz of the league. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have struggled, with themselves, their games and their coach.
The Celtics played against Cleveland the way Rivers talked, sacrificing, working together. Boston reminded the Cavs that if they don't play well and compete they'll get smacked again. Miami may be 10-8, but it does have three stars.
In the dwindling seconds Tuesday, the PA blared that on Thursday night the Miami Heat would be in town.
A few of the remaining fans booed. They were audible, but there weren't enough left to make that much of an impression.
The question is whether it was a downer of a night that will filter into Thursday, or just the calm before the storm.
http://www.BestVirginiaBeachShop.com
No comments:
Post a Comment