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Green Wave Celtics' tsunami washes over helpless NetsPosted: Saturday May 25, 2002 9:17 PMUpdated: Sunday May 26, 2002 10:46 PM
It began as a minor ripple, like from a pebble in a pond. Then it grew slowly, like a wave. Finally it became a tsunami, destroying everything in its path with awesome destructive power. That’s what the Celtics’ amazing 21-point fourth-quarter comeback against the Nets in Game 3 was like. It was a Green Wave, washing over the Nets like helpless ants. Not only did it give Boston a 2-1 series lead in its Eastern Conference finals series, but it has to also be devastating to New Jersey’s confidence. The Nets might not win another game. Jason Kidd & Co. will try to get up off the canvas, for sure, but how can they really believe now? Boston has exposed New Jersey’s Achilles' heel: its lack of a clear-cut go-to guy in the post. The Nets needed someone to hit a home run down the stretch, but the four Ks (Kidd, Kerry Kittles, Keith Van Horn and Kenyon Martin) all went down swinging. This is the problem with a fast-break offense, like the kind the Nets employ. It's great for building up leads, but there’s a natural tendency to start playing it close to the vest. Like a football team that suddenly sits on the ball, the Nets seemed to play the fourth quarter of Game 3 with the intention not to lose. Meanwhile, the Celtics, much like the Lakers did in their failed Game 3 comeback against the Kings on Friday night, took advantage of the passive defense to get easy baskets. Paul Pierce suddenly found daylight between defenders. Antoine Walker was able to shoot from downtown with no pressure. Rodney Rogers could bull his way around without regard for fouls. Walker deserves credit for keeping the Celtics together during their pathetic first three quarters, and firing them up before the fourth. During a timeout, he could be seen on the bench excoriating his teammates for their passive play, imploring Pierce to keep attacking. It was the kind of wake-up call the Celtics needed -- the first ripple perhaps in the tsunami that followed. Buoyed by the miracle comeback, the Celtics’ spirits must be soaring. Pierce and Walker cannot keep shooting as poorly as they have through much of the first three games. As Walker indicated after the game, Boston feels as if it has taken New Jersey’s best shot -- and won. In short, the Celtics now feel like a team of destiny. And the Nets? They feel like a bunch of drowning ants.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for CNNSI.com.Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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