Shrek

[Spleen]

We all saw a lot of nauseating stuff be uttered and drooled from Big Baby's pie hole after his 18 point performance in game 4. There is also this memorable picture to sum it up:

http://multimedia.heraldinteractive.com/images/20100614/84f0e7_Shreky_06132010.jpg


So for all of his greatness in this particular game to go along with Donkey Robinson, Doc was entirely correct in cautioning him about his self declarations of greatness as he would need to follow it up with another stellar performance (with other to follow that) before taking this one great performance and moving it into the annals of immortality. And Doc was proven correct when in game 5 Glenn came up with a big fat goose egg.

Why is it that the ego maniac braggarts are always so predictable? Maybe we'll see Shrek again for game six? Or would he be saving his best for last when the Celtics are playing for everything in game 7 on Thursday? What better format for someone of his nature than to have half the planet watching the winner take all game?

[Celtics17]

One can't help but think of the platitude, "act like you've been there before," when looking at Davis and Robinson. But, they haven't been there before. Presumably, they'll both mature, but for now I actually love their youthful (at times embarrassing) exuberance. The team has needed both of their energy a few times throughout these playoffs.

[Spleen]

One of the problems is that Big Baby has been here before as he was on that team in June of 2008 that won the first championship in 22 years. He didn't play a lot, but he was there. I know he's emotional and that's part of what helps him overcome one of his largest shortcomings, that he's short for a "big" man. He doesn't have the shooting skills or leaping ability of what Barkley had when he played, so often times it is grind it out hustle, positioning combined with such a sturdy low center of gravity that gets him by. But who in the NBA gets more of his shots blocked? He has to stay inside because that's where he is most effective as his range is barely out to mid-range, and not all that dependable.

What we will need to be successful tonight will be some more impassioned play and production sans penalties from Davis, Wallace, and Nate. We can't expect the starting five to stay out of foul trouble because the Lakers will be pushing it inside a lot more than they have the last couple of games now that they are home and on the brink of elimination. Those that think this is going to be a Laker team that puts its head down and pulls in its tail are in for a rude awakening. What we're going to see is a cornered Tasmanian Devil with 20,000 fans cheering them on, and it is going to take everything the Celtics can do to hold them off. There is no 7th game, because if the Celtics don't pull off a victory tonight, then they will be setting a new franchise record by losing a 7th game to their arch rival after having been up 3 - 2.

There will be no excuses, to a player this is going to be perhaps the toughest game they will ever play in, and we can't afford richard-heads like Wallace and Perkins to get into foul trouble or pick up technicals which would render them unavailable for the last game. Several players beyond the starting five will need to step up and make some huge contributions for this to become the second title in three years.