10 Quick Things

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10 Quick Things
by Gant

1. Baby and the Kid

The kid in the white shirt did establish position, but had both feet out of bounds so it wasn't a charge. It's a no-call.

2. Baby and the Rising Level of Play

Remember
all the people who wanted to trade, cut, or otherwise harm Big Baby
when he played poorly the first part of the season? I'll say this
again: Never judge a player when he's injured or out of shape (unless
he's like Eddie Curry and never gets into shape).

3. Baby and the Shot

We've
watched as his jumper has gone from unreliable, to spotty, to decent,
to good, and now to STONE COLD CLUTCH. Good things happen when you
practice a lot. That was a bolt of lightning straight from the cradle
to Orlando's grave!

4. Pierce and the Pass

Remember
it was only a few years ago when every end of game shot was Pierce
against the world? No more. Paul drew the double, expertly hit the open
infant, and crushed the spirit of the southern sorcerers.

5. Sam Jones

I
always wondered why Sam was hardly ever around at any Celtic events all
these decades. From Dan Shaughnessy's column in today's Globe:
"According to Jones, he only has been to Boston twice since hanging 'em
up after the 1969 championship season. "I came back for Red," said
Jones, 75, who lives less than two hours from the Orlando arena. "I
never go any place unless I'm invited and I haven't been invited."

Also:
"Celtics coach Doc Rivers requested an audience with Jones outside the
locker room before the game. "He's one of the few Celtics that I hadn't
met," said Rivers. "It was pretty cool."

Huh. Somebody send Sam some invitations.

6. How Unlikely

The
Celtics just beat the Magic after getting a total of 2 points from
their bench, on the road, with no Garnett, no Powe, Perkins hurting,
Ray Allen not shooting well, and Paul Pierce out for a critical period
in the second half with foul trouble. Now that's magic!

7. Grape Fermenters

I
am finding the incessant whining about referee bias in favor of Boston
very irritating. (I'm talking to you, you Florida vintners!) Yes the
Celtics got a break on the non-goaltend against Rondo. But a red hot
Pierce was unfairly put on the bench with phantom fouls. If that
doesn't happen one or two calls mean nothing- Boston wins easily and
doesn't need Big Baby's heroics.

Here the undeniable nugget:
If the refs favor Boston, they don't keep putting Paul Pierce on the
bench. Also the foul calls and free throws would be lopsided in
Boston's favor, which they are not.

8. Unlikely Wins

I
would have bet everything (not that I ever bet anything) that
Boston/Houston twin victories would not happen yesterday. The two most
injury decimated teams in the playoffs came up huge and gave hope to
all that believe in liberty, humanity, justice, and a morally sound
universe.

9. Speaking of Magic

About twenty years
ago I was in the inland mountain region of the island of Bali where the
people are strong believers in magic. On parting, a Balinese friend
gave me a special ring with a big dark stone which he said contained
powerful magic. (He additionally said I should never wear it while
using the bathroom or the magic would disappear.)

Yesterday I
was going through some drawers and found the ring. I put it on for the
first time since the 80's and wore it while watching the game…. I
just wanted you to know why the Celtics really won: The magic ring beat
the Magic.

10. On We Go

Back to Boston. Two out of three. The Celtics limp but they live!