A win tonight could do more than just put the Celtics in the NBA Finals.
After six consecutive trips to the Eastern Conference finals, Detroit only has two trips to the NBA Finals and one NBA title to show for it.
So many close calls, year after year, may prompt team president of basketball operations Joe Dumars to do more than just tweak his roster this summer.
And it's not just the players who might be on their way out.
Saunders inherited a team that advanced to the NBA Finals back-to-back seasons before his arrival. Now in his third season, the Pistons have never been past the conference finals.
It would give me great satisfaction if the Celtics could force the Pistons to scrap things and start over. These players have a lot of miles on them. They can't maintain this level for much longer.
Meanwhile… Doc Rivers is taking a shot at his critics:
“I like what we’ve done,” he said. “I coach the way I coach. I’ve always laughed at some of the criticism. I was joking with someone the other day, and I said, ‘Answer me this. Why would someone listen to a guy that hasn’t played, he hasn’t coached . . . some of the guys have never even been reporters, they’re bloggers, and not listen to a guy and his whole staff who have played and coached? Now who’s the fool? Me, or the people listening to them?’ ”
I wonder if Doc is referring at all to Red's Army? We don't get on him nearly as much as other blogs do… but we share our opinion. If it helps at all, Doc, I don't fall into that "hasn’t played, he hasn’t coached . . . some of the guys have never even been reporters" category. I'll just leave it at that.
Now will you give Eddie House some more time?
Herald: Celtics seek 6th sense | New 3 must past finals test | Inside story: Celtics backed off late | Long time coming | Hamilton crucial to Pistons plans | Saunders excited for game 6 | Sheed must stay in control | Globe: 6th sense | Ryan: C's have advantage in long run | Belichick has been there for Celtics | Hamilton status unknown | Souza: Celtics ready to rumble | C's hope to seal the deal | Megliola: Hoping for a restful Sunday | T&G: Celtics want an extra day off SI: Collins will coach Bulls
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