I’m going to start off with a bit of background to cement my reasons for writing, then I’ll get to it, I promise.
As some of you know from my updates, I’m a HUGE Celtics fan (and basketball in general really). I enjoy a good game no matter who is playing (with maybe the exception of 2 teams). But I’ll always be true to my Green machine. My love of the game and the Celtics in particular started so long ago, I almost don’t remember NOT being a fan. I watched all through the Larry Bird era with my Dad, and waited 22 years for another title (a very long wait). When they won again 2 years ago, I knew then it wasn’t the start of a long run like it was in the 80s, as the guys that won on that team were already a bit older and a bit more injury prone. Last year, they went to the finals again, but lost in the last 1 ½ minutes of game 7 to the Lakers. That was a great series. Again, this year, they started off well, but traded 5 players on trade deadline day, and between getting a bunch of new guys that haven’t played together long, and with numerous injuries, we all know they are not faring well in their current series against Miami Heat (down 3-1 going into tonight). So, tonight is being played in Miami (and well, if you’ve watched any b-ball at all this year, we all know how that will go even if my guys play perfectly. There are definitely “things” playing in Miami that never go on anyone other than Miami’s side. I’ll leave that for my own thoughts. I can’t do anything about that. It is what it is.
However, there are some things happening in basketball recently that I think someone should do something about. Don’t get me wrong, I really love a physical game. I’m also of the opinion that it should be allowed to get even a bit more physical during the playoffs. The whole level of intensity changes from the last game of regular season, to the first game of the playoffs. I’m not sure what makes that particular switch go off in the players heads, but it does. It has to or you don’t last past the first round in the playoffs. There’s enough talent on many teams to go far, but without the mental toughness, talent won’t take you to the end. But the level of play, and the inability of the officials to call a game equitably, has me concerned. It’s as if we are going back to the Bill Laibeer Detroit Piston days. It was 1987 when Celtics/Pistons were playing for the Eastern Conference Championship. That entire series was very physical and hard fouls were let go with no calls. The Pistons just kept getting more and more cocky that they could get away with anything. And it seemed to the fans, that was true. Game 3 Laimbeer takes out Bird. By game 5 Laimbeer was so out of control that the normally calm Robert Parish just punched him in the face. Yes, Robert was ejected and rightfully so. But also, rightfully so, he was cheered on for it. Some claimed it was their greatest moment as a fan. The team could only take so much and punches were going to be thrown if someone didn’t stop the insanity that was happening on the court. It’s noteworthy to say that that game was also the one you hear a lot on NBA commercials with an overly excited announcer stating “Larry stole the ball”. The other great moment of that game (2 seconds left , Larry Bird steals the Pistons Isaiah Thomas inbound pass, throws to Dennis Johnson who scores and wins the game sending series 3-2 Celtics). I may have just lost my voice in that one, can’t remember. But I digress.
It seems that type of play is starting to happen all over again. It’s always been physical, and I stated above that I like physical, but the take outs just for the sake of them are not what the game should be about. It wasn’t all those years ago (and yes my Celtics made some bad plays too), and it shouldn’t be played that way now either. There is much talk on ESPN, sports blogs and the podcasts I’ve been listening to about the Rajon Rondo take down by Dwayne Wade in game 3 of our current series. It wasn’t an accident, but no, I don’t believe he wanted to injure Rondo quite as badly as he did. However heroic a return Rondo made with a dislocated left elbow and came back into the game with a lead arm hanging at his side, he isn’t up to his normal play. Is that helping the Miami Heat… sure it is. But it’s not the factor in the loss in game 4. The C’s are older, and tired and are playing a talented and much younger group of guys. However, the inequality of the calls is astounding. LeBron James can take someone out and then be seen laughing about it while the camera is on him. They can just come from behind and wrap up our guys in a bear hug or toss them to the ground and it’s normal ball. That’s the part that needs to be dealt with. And I don’t just mean it because of the examples against my team. I’ve been watching all the playoffs and it seems like this type of play is the norm now. The officials occasionally call foul on it, or worse yet “the double technical”, but it isn’t enough. The NBA and David Stern need to get this back to a game of basic good playing basketball without all the theatrics. When all the other crap goes on, it lessens the sport. These teams should be proud to be where they are because of GOOD playing, not because they can take someone out and only get a foul called on them for doing so. There needs to be more consequences for intentional take downs.
I realize this is a business, and it’s obvious from how the league handles the Miami Heat ever since LeBrons “decision”, that it’s really only about money for the owners and even the Commissioner himself. But let’s put some pride back in to the sport for the real basketball lovers like myself. The players should have enough pride that even when they are loosing, they don’t resort to the kind of stuff the Lakers did in their 4th game of being swept out of their series this week. I’m not a Laker fan (ok, I’m not a Kobe fan), but when two different guys get ejected from a game within a minute of each other at the end of it, is that how you really want to go out as a “team”. I know it’s hard to lose, and my guys may do it this week too (maybe even tonight), but I’d hope that if/when they do, they go out with the Celtic Pride they should be showing, and not go out being remembered as just taking people out because their mad.. I’d be very disappointed in them if they handled themselves that way. It could happen, but if it does, I’ll be the first to denounce it, just as I was with the Lakers performance in game 4.
So officials, start really officiating these games fairly. What goes for one team MUST go for another. And David Stern, stop caring so much about the money Miami is bringing to the league and do something about the other issues. It’s great to fine people for using bad language against the refs as you’ve done this season, but how about fining some refs for not having better consistency in games and allowing some of the really blatent hits to occur. If they let the teams get away with it, it’ll only get worse. If we don’t want to see a player get pushed as far as Robert Parish did in ’87, make sure there isn’t a need. These ball players are, after all, human. If they keep getting away with something, they’ll keep pushing to see how far they can go. I want good basketball, and part of that means good officiating. That is NOT happening in any of the series this year.
Having said all of this, it doesn’t look too good for my team given they need to win the next 3 games, two of them being played in Miami. If they win, I’ll be thrilled. If they lose, I’ll be disappointed. However, I’ll be even more disappointed if it’s a blood bath by either team. Play the game with talent and with your heads in the right place. You don’t need to hurt anyone to win a game, or a least you shouldn’t.
And fans, a note for you too… I know everyone has heard that good sportsmanship is about losing graciously. It’s also about wining graciously. I think that’s something lost on a lot of people these days. It isn’t necessary to be disrespectful to a losing team. I posted on Mother’s day about my good day and how we were watching the Lakers get swept from their series. That was a matter of fact statement, not a gloat. Sure I’m happy they won’t be in the Finals… time for someone else to have a chance (maybe Oklahoma, Dallas) But, I would have liked to see them go out on a better note after all the years they had as a respected franchise. The pressure took them down a road I didn’t want to see them go down, and it was disappointing. Respect for any team playing should be observed. If either of the two teams I don’t like end up in the Finals, I’d be happy for them. I probably won’t watch, but I’d be happy they achieved something they wanted so badly… or at least I will if I feel it’s a fair win.
