Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
In Orlando's two wins, Nelson's ability to come up with clutch shots captures your attention.
But it was his ability to beat Rondo off the dribble via one staggered screen after another, that opened things up for the entire Orlando roster.
"They got a lot of good players, don't get me wrong," C's Tony Allen said. "But Jameer is the one that kind of creates a lot of what they do. He's the point guard. That's his job. We have to do a better job on trying to limit some of the things he likes to do."
CSNNE: Game 6 Key: Point Differential
So many people are saying so many things about how Dwight Howard has stepped up. The numbers certainly show he's had some monster games, but those games, at least offensively, are a direct result of Jameer Nelson's penetration and pick-and-roll play.
In the first 3 games, the Magic were content to pull a page out of Mike Brown's oh-so-successful playbook and post Dwight Howard... and subsequently watch him get muscled around by Kendrick Perkins. In games 4 and 5, Jameer has been getting around the corner and past the Celtics guards.
That means the big have to step up and stop him, because he's good enough to stop and pop and hit a few shots. But, he's also good enough to find open guys, especially Howard rolling towards the rim.
So do you want to stop Dwight Howard? Do you want to get hands back in the faces of shooters?
Then you stop Jameer Nelson from turning those corners. You fight through the picks... You show as he comes off them and drive him away from the lane... and you rotate to make sure there are no options for him.
Stop Jameer Nelson... stop the Magic.
On Page 2... Borges calls for a Rambis moment
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Since the officials have decided to leave it up to the players then it is time for the Rambis-ing of Howard. All Celtics fans remember Game 4 of the 1984 NBA Finals when Kevin McHale took down Kurt Rambis on a breakaway as if he was in the calf-roping competition at the National Finals Rodeo. Rambis got up spoiling for a fight but his team didn’t, and what had once seemed like a Lakers blowout turned out to be a Celtics victory. They tied the series at 2 and ended up winning it in seven games.
At the time, Cedric Maxwell explained what resulted when he said, “Before Kevin McHale hit Kurt Rambis, the Lakers were just running across the street whenever they wanted. Now they stop at the corner, push the button, wait for the light and look both ways.”
Now it’s Howard’s turn to learn physical play is a two-way street. It’s time for him to eat some bloody chicklets.
Herald: Beat 'em to the punch, Celtics
I'm sure a lot of people have the intial reaction of "HELL YEAH!! LET'S GO GET HIIIIIIIMMMMMMM!!!!!!!"
But this ain't 1984. They just booted Kendrick Perkins for a little outburst and his hand slipping off Paul Pierce.
I'm pretty sure that Ron Borges saw the opportunity to write something that people will latch on to... that idiot bloggers like me will post and rant over... just for the effect of it. I'm pretty sure if you pressed him on it, he wouldn't wholeheartedly support a full-speed sickle of Dwight Howard.
And he wouldn't because if the Celtics did, whomever did it would get tossed... and suspended for at least one game, maybe more. Just like all the talk about the Celtics collapsing like the Bruins... this ain't hockey either. You can't just go drop the gloves, sit for a few minutes and come back.
So let's pretend that the Celtics did it... exacted some revenge... take Howard out... and go on to win.
Will the satisfaction of blood-lust be worth putting ourselves at the competitive disadvantage in the NBA Finals? No, it wouldn't.
Nice little conversation piece there, Ron. Congrats on the attention. But let's not delude ourselves to think that this NBA is the same as that NBA. In this NBA, what Borges is calling for is as much suicide as it is homicide.
Thanks KWAPT for the photoThe rest of the links:
Herald: Celtics can blame themselves | Doc Rivers mixed on NBA's reaction | Coach gives lengthy injury update | Scal knows all about Baby's pain | Tommy points at refs | Sheed still a thorn for Stan Van Gundy | Globe: Choke is hard to swallow | Celtics stay strong for Game 6, Perk available | Magic: No time for celebration | Perkins has to grow up | Rondo is taking his shots | ESPN Boston: Perk reaction, injury updates | CSNNE: Doc: no comparison to Bruins | Doc: Redick most consistent for Magic | No formal offers for Thibs