An ex-NBA friend of mine once told me that most NBA players don't give a damn about winning, or anything else besides their paychecks. That they routinely pretend to care, for the media's sake, but that's about it. He knew this for a fact. I believed him then, and I still believe him. I think Jeff Green easily fell into that category this season. Big Baby too. Paul during the season... sure, him too, when it comes down to it. Ray... very professional, but during the season, I doubt he actually cared. KG... well... he's out of his mind, so who the hell knows? But I believe Rondo's immortal performance in game 3 -- and that is not hyperbole; this was an event that will be remembered and replayed forever, even when Rondo's an old man, and beyond -- changed everything. It came at such a perfect time, it could hardly have been scripted any better. Backs to the wall, down at the half, this team's pride was kicking in anyway.... KG was on fire.... Paul was NOT taking no for an answer... But was everybody all-in as the 2nd half began? The bench too? Baby, Green, even Shaq...? I doubt it. After Rondo went down, this team got fired up. They got MAD. And it showed immediately. But the best part was yet to come. When Rondo started the 4th, that was the Final Switch that needed to get thrown for the 2011 playoffs Celtics. Finally, EVERYBODY was all-in. The whole universe of people watching that event was moved by Rondo's heart and guts. The Heat were in such shock/awe, they forgot to take the obvious advantage of Rondo's injury. And the Celtics? They had to be saying to themselves: "Man, would you look at that. The kid's playing with one arm! WHAT EXCUSE IS THERE for me not to give 110% now? None. We are NOT gonna lose this game, or this series. No matter what." And they won. Easily. The way they should have won the first two games. The way they will win the rest of this series. With the switch now fully thrown -- and there's no forgetting about it after game 3, no way, not possible -- I expect to see the Celtics in the Finals. And whoever meets them there had better be prepared, because once this fire is lit, there's practically no way to put it out.

There is nothing to miss. Hollinger is not a Celtics fan, and doesn't understand what is really going on. The Last Missing Piece was the 5 spot, and that's been covered now by the second coming of Jermaine O'Neal. (Plus there's possible gravy cooking in the oversized form of the Big Shamrock... maybe.) The Last Weakness on this team was the bench, and we've already seen signs of improvement there in game 4, plus we know they'll get even better after this week's worth of practice (a very rare commodity since the trade deadline). But the bottom line comes in two parts: (1) Rondo has broken out and stepped up, just as he has every other time the Cs have entered a playoff season. This is huge, as it marks the difference between the mediocrity of the regular season's end and the championship team of the playoffs. It's hard to overestimate how important Rondo is to his team. (2) This group is now DETERMINED to win it all this season. Many of us always thought that had to be the case, if for no other reason than the realization that this may be their last clear shot at the second ring (what with lockout looming). In games 3 and 4, the Cs showed us just how motivated they are. I'm not going to even bother talking about the talent on this ballclub, except to say that it's there, it's HEALTHY... and it's overwhelming when properly applied. The Knicks series didn't need the Cs to apply their talents maximally, true. But that alone is an indication of nothing. What's important to take from that series is not the weakness of the competition, but the strength of the Celtics' determination to get this job done. All of which leads me, if forced to predict outcomes, to pick the Celtics in 4, every time. I know it's near-impossible, and I even know it's not gonna happen. But gun-to-head, I can't see this team losing. So though I know it's kinda crazy, that's my prediction. Celtics in 4.

Danny's gamble was that EITHER Shaq or JO -- preferably both of course -- would be there for the team in the playoffs. So far, we do have JO. If we never get Shaq back, this team still has a good shot so long as stays healthy. (A minor wrist sprain is nothing.) This is why Doc's been SO careful with JO's minutes and health. JO is the last reliable 5 standing on this team. And he's still standing. So this is not the end. We're still good to go.

For whatever it's worth, off subject..... someone I cared a lot about sent me The Promise, by Tracy Chapman... before she died. So I have a permanent soft spot for this particular singer, even if I know almost nothing else about her.

everything and anything

Hope still lives, all evidence to the contrary. Not in the boring, obvious way that it always does, but real, tangible hope. It has 3 essential parts: 1) There is real hope that Shaq will play in the playoffs. He has said it’s very important to him and that he’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. I believe him. If Shaq plays, it’s a new team. (If he doesn’t, it’s bye-bye title hopes; JO/ Krstic/ BBD ain’t gonna cut it.) 2) There is real hope that Rondo will pull himself up to the level we know he can reach, once the playoffs begin. That hope is real because he has always done this before. 3) There is real hope that the team will play harder in the playoffs than we’ve seen recently. That hope is real, again, because they have always done this before. (Not really surprising… every team does it.) I believe Pessimism = Realism this year, but only based on the team’s current level of play. The real hope that’s still out there will, if it becomes reality, change the underlying premise... and therefore the expected result. I.e., it’ll be a whole new ballgame. And we’ll have plenty to be optimistic about.

JO after the SA game: "Oh, my knee hurts. Goodbye cruel world. I got some more sleepin' to do." Anyway, it's Shaq who we need back. No two ways about that.

Doc must be telling the truth. Reason: if Rondo were hurt, there is NO WAY Doc would let him play, especially now that there are TWO competent backup PGs. We're talking about regular season games, pre-playoffs. No way. Doc must be telling the truth, as he knows it.

When Jordan blind-tipped a rebound that went sailing 7 feet into the basket, you knew Lady Luck had her daggers out for the Celtics tonight. Unconscious offense from Mo Williams. Just ridiculous. Gomes too, from deep, + KG and Green missing everything in the first half, and then some, + Plus a lot of bad, bad luck... ....adds up to a tough L. But the Cs' defense in the 2nd half was terrific. All in all, given the horrible first half, I liked what we saw out there tonight. Arroyo was terrific, Krstic too, most of the other new guys played solid, tough D... and the Cs showed that even when the Fates are dead set against them, they're right in there at the end.

Troy Murphy runs! And he actually hits a jumper! This is big news.......... Anyway, whew.