A lot has been said about Boston’s resurgence in the ongoing NBA Playoffs and how the Celtics bounced back from a 1-2 deficit to rout and eventually send Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to a long, hot summer in their Eastern Conference semifinal series.
The series ended, 4-2 in the Celtics’ favor.
Everyone thought the Cavaliers are set to make the serious title run they’ve been dreaming all year long, especially since Cleveland added into its roster veterans like Shaquille O’Neal, Jamario Moon, Anthony Parker and the mid-season acquisition of Antawn Jamison.
But even with Shaq and Co. joining Lebron to give the Cavs the best regular season record, Cleveland rammed against a Boston five, determined to bring back the NBA championship to Beantown.
Now, the Celtics have one last hurdle to overcome in the East: the Magic.
When we talk of the Magic, the Celtics have to contend not just with the power-playing center Dwight Howard, who is Orlando’s double-double machine.
The Celtics also have to contend with outside threats like Rashard Lewis, Mikael Pietrus and the ageless Vince Carter, who at 33, has found some resurgence to his career.
Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are slowly finding their rhythm in the Playoffs, but the glue that brings the Celtic offense together is playmaker Rajon Rondo, who has added a character to the Boston Big Three as a member of the Green’s Fantastic Four.
Question is how the Celtics could keep pace with the Magic, who have great perimeter shooters. So even if they get to stop Howard inside the paint, the Magic can always rely on guys like Rashard Lewis, a vastly-improved Pietrus or even Carter.
Jameer Nelson has also regained his starting spot in the point guard position. He has directed the plays well for the Magic during their recent semifinals series against the Atlanta Hawks, whom they swept in four quick games.
Here are some puzzles Celtics coach Doc Rivers have to solve: Who would man Howard on the defensive end?
Can the Celtics react fluidly once the ball moves to the perimeter on the waiting hands of Lewis, Pietrus or Carter?
What adjustments will Rivers do should the series stretch beyond five games since Garnett, Pierce and Allen are now beyond age 33?
If Rivers can solve these Magic “puzzles”, the Celtics can step back in to the Finals, where the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to wait for them.
A Lakers-Magic rematch in the Finals would be an interesting series, though NBA fans surely would want a Lakers-Celtics rivalry. That would make David Stern grin from ear to ear and advertisers going crazy.
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