Jun

16

Will “Big Baby” Take His First Steps In The Finals In Game Six?

Posted by Jeff Sack under NBA PLAYOFFS, SDC COMMENTARY 

In the column that I wrote just before the NBA Finals began, It?s Back To The Future As Celtics Host Lakers In Finals?I predicted the Boston Celtics to win the series in seven games. After Boston won game four in stunning fashion, coming back from a 24 point deficit? to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers?97-91, I amended my prediction. I told my friends, both in and out of the media, that the Celtics would win the series in six games. I could not fathom that Lakers star, and NBA MVP Kobe Bryant would allow the “Green Team” to dance on his floor.? Of course the?Lakers ended up with the victory Sunday night, but it was more the Celtics losing the game, than Los Angeles winning it. Boston had to rally back twice from double digit deficits, and they played sloppy ball in the third quarter. The Celtics who had owned the third quarter for the first four games of the series, committed six turnovers and went into the final 12 minutes of the game down by 9 points.

The fact that Los Angeles did not display the urgency to win in game five, makes me even more secure in saying Tuesday night will be? the night that Boston earns their seventeenth NBA Championship. (Please allow me to make a quick aside. If you are a regular reader of mine, you are well aware of the disdain I have for Jeff Van Gundy in the broadcast booth. I have written many times, that the former coach adds very little insight into broadcasts, and has made more than his share of ludicrous statements. But I have to give Van Gundy credit for? his work in game five, he was spot on in his criticisms. So coach, I tip my hat to you!)

Monday afternoon I got a call from an old buddy from Boston, who is not in the media, but is a Celtics die-hard fan. He asked me a? very intriguing question; did I think that with Boston starting center?Kendrick Perkins sidelined with a shoulder injury, would Boston coach Doc Rivers have the guts to either start, or bring in as a substitute Glen “Big Baby” Davis in game six? My response to my friend was that, I feel veteran P.J. Brown would get the start, but I would love to see the rookie get some time in the game. The question is will Doc Rivers have the confidence in his second round pick to put him into the most important game of the Celtics season?

In my opinion it is a no lose situation. As much as Boston wants to end the series in six games, if necessary game seven would be played in Boston. Even if, the Lakers shock the world Tuesday night, there is no way they can win three straight games against Boston, especially with two games in front?of the rabid Celtics fans. If I am Doc Rivers early in the?second quarter, I would insert Davis into the game. Who do the Lakers have who can match up against the “Big Baby”? Pau Gasol certainly is not strong enough, I don’t think even Lamar Odom is. Turiaf is too small, and we all saw that Chris Mihm was totally ineffective in?game five. With Andrew Bynum sidelined since January, ironically this would the one time that the Lakers could use Kwame Brown!

The upside far out weighs the negatives in this situation. Give “Big Baby” a shot early on, if he is a liability, yank him after two to three minutes. But I believe, as my friend from Boston does that Davis could be a weapon for Boston Tuesday. Plus look at the way you would accelerate his growth pattern, if the experiment is successful. Davis would have that much?more confidence at the start of next season.

Life is a?series of risks, we take our lives in our hands each time we cross the street. But you have to again weigh the pros and the cons. I truly believe?that the positive far out number the negatives. So Doc take a chance Tuesday night, let “Big Baby” take his first steps in the Finals. One day we all may look back on that moment, and say that is when a great NBA career?was started!

? Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net




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2 Responses to “Will “Big Baby” Take His First Steps In The Finals In Game Six?”

  1. Celtics247.com » Blog Archive » Today’s Links 6/17 on June 17th, 2008 12:40 pm

    [...] Garnett welcomes the Jungle Free For All In the Garden lurks the inevitable Slam Dunk Central Will Big Baby take his first steps in the Finals in game six? Lex Nihil Novi #33 to #34: End it on Tuesday Lakers take game 6 of ‘84 Finals Boston Daily [...]

  2. Celtics Blowing Out Lakers at the Half 58-35 Of Game Six Of NBA Finals » Slam Dunk Central on June 17th, 2008 10:32 pm

    [...] If I am Doc Rivers early in the second quarter, I would insert Davis into the game. Who do the Lakers have who can match up against the ?Big Baby?? Pau Gasol certainly is not strong enough, I don?t think even Lamar Odom is. Turiaf is too small, and we all saw that Chris Mihm was totally ineffective in game five. With Andrew Bynum sidelined since January, ironically this would the one time that the Lakers could use Kwame Brown ! Will ?Big Baby? Take His First Steps In The Finals In Game Six? [...]

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