So here we are… game 7. The pressure is palpable. Its stifling. 'There's no way this can be happening.' We all feel it.
Except the players.
Players don't think like fans do… and fans will never be able to grasp that. NBA players are supremely confident. I'll guarantee you that while the fans are fretting all the storylines that the local scribes can conjure… the players are getting ready to do one thing: play basketball. You know why? Because writers are paid to come up with storylines… and players are paid to play basketball.
So today, they'll play basketball…. in front of a roaring crowd… without the crazy, queasy stomachs that we have. Atlanta is too young to handle a game 7 in Boston.
And for those out there who think going 7 with an 8th seed is a harbinger of things to come… think again. Cleveland isn't the same team as Atlanta. They're a jump shooting team… Atlanta is a drive-to-the-hoop team. Cleveland is much slower… and nowhere near as athletic. The argument that 7 games against Atlanta is a sign that we're not winning it all is just another manufactured story line to fill the pages of the local paper (or… space on Red's Army from our resident "Mr. Negative" Rob Gill.)
Yes, the end of game 6 was upsetting to me. Ray's shot. Paul's tech. KG's turnovers. All of those are unsettling. But players can erase that after this series is over. They can focus on a new team, a new approach, a new challenge.
All they need to do is win today.
Don't forget our call in show today: 12:30-1:00… taking it right to tip off. Visit our show page to listen… (718 ) 508-9841 is the call in number.
Herald: Celtics out of line | Time for KG to get selfish | Favorites try not to trip on final step | Allen: remember the madness | Globe: Folding green | Homing in on explanation of poor play | Hawks feel they have what it takes | Pierce not expected to be sidelined by injury | Celtics look to move forward | Normally, game 7 is the ultimate | Megliola: Legacy at stake | Souza: New territory for C's | Pressure? What Pressure? | Pressure Drop (at Health Point) | T&G: Seven's Up | Scouts Inc: Game 7 prediction: Celtics | Pistons win game 1 | Hornets too | SI: Celtics no shoo-in | Hollinger: Looking at Doc and KG's weaknesses
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