After an historic comeback in Game 4 of the NBA finals on Thursday night, Boston is on the cusp of a 17th NBA championship. All that stands in the say is currently the most talented performer in the NBA and a coach who has won 9 NBA titles. And injuries to three starters. And a bench that is either young or experienced but not both.
Nonetheless, the Celtics, led by Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, should manage to win one of the final three games for the title, barring a complete meltdown. For my money the MVP for Boston has been Allen, who played all 48 minutes in the huge comeback win on Thursday, and who has in this series consistently kept the ship afloat with big jump shots, steals, rebounds and hustle when it seemed like foundering was imminent.
It becomes clear in listening to the commentary that many broadcasters (cough ... Mike Breen ... cough ... Michael Wilbon ... cough) have no idea of the importance of defense and team play in the process of winning basketball games. The Celtics lead the series 3-1 not because any Celtic is as good offensively as Kobe Bryant. They lead the series because offensively the best shot is an open one. They lead the series because when it comes time to cut off drives, rotate quickly and properly on help defense, block shots, and rebound the ball the Lakers as a group are getting a lesson in how it looks to do it right.
Just ask Sasha Vujacic, victimized by Allen on the clinching drive two nights ago. Where was his help when he overplayed?
