We often wonder what opposing teams, their beat reporters and bloggers are saying about the Celtics. This time, we're taking a look at what the Hawks are saying before playing the Celtics.
“I’m taking rest and rhythm over home court,” [Doc Rivers] said over and over.
The unstated implication, of course, is that the Celtics don’t think they need home-court advantage beat the Hawks.
“I’m not going to be politically correct: Yes, I am a bit offended by that,” Jannero Pargo said. “I think it also shows the confidence they have in themselves, which is a good thing for them. But, yeah, I feel some type of way about that. They feel like they are going to win the first round whether it’s here or there.”
A) I'm not exactly quaking in my boots over offending Jannero Pargo.
B) I think Pargo took that the wrong way. If you read on in the piece, a few of the other Hawks get it.
Doc's "rest and rhythm" had almost zero to do with the Hawks and everything to do with the knowledge that the Celtics weren't going to be anyone going into a series worn out. Conversely, a rested, refreshed, and ready-to-play Celtics team feels like it can win a series against ANY team.
So I don't think Doc was slighting the Hawks and saying "eh, we got this anyway, so screw it, I'm sitting guys." I'm pretty sure he would have rested guys in a very similar way against Miami, Chicago, Philly, or a seven game exhibition series against the Charlotte.
The Boston Celtics needed to start the post-season as rested and healthy as possible to have a chance at making any kind of deep run. They've one that. If Atlanta wants to take that personally, so be it. I know everyone's looking for bulletin board material, as weak as this may be.
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