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Statement Game
"Ray told me that this was the most important game of his career," Kedrick Perkins said, speaking of his team's mood before Sunday's contest.
The most important game of his career. That statement said it all for Ray Allen and the Celtics on Sunday, and with the way they played, everyone on the home team were trying for a career-night in the do-or-die Game 7 against the Hawks, Which Boston dominated 99-65.
This was the Celtics team that we watched all season, this was the team that ran up 66 wins in the regular season and this was the team that everyone expected to dominate the Hawks from Game 1 on, the way they ran Atlanta off the parquet Sunday. Knowing his team and the identity and swagger they've shown since October, coach Doc Rivers didn't think this was the time for big speeches, not necessary for this team.
"I just told them after the game that that was the Celtics," Rivers said. "I thought, obviously, that we played terrific basketball tonight. The defensive energy was off the charts and the offense was great."
It was Perkins himself who made a statement early in the contest, blocking five shots and grabbing six of his 10 rebounds in the first quarter. It wasn't all the Big Three coming through, Rivers pointed to guys like Perkins and some of his other role players for this victory.
"I thought the quote unquote role players played their role at a star level," Rivers said.
After a weekend where the Celtics (and probably their fans) had a tough time getting some sleep, Sunday's victory was akin to some sweet dreams.
Turning PointThe Hawks put up a valiant effort in a series that no one gave them a chance in, and Lang Whitaker on Hawks.com saw the young team turn a corner in the series.
Rest AssuredWhile there might have been some sleepless night in Beantown, the Celtics' next opponent looked well rested and ready on Sunday evening.
Well LearnedThe Hawks weren't the only team that showed a little more spark then expected in Round 1, Philadelphia's two wins against the Pistons gave that young team a good learning experience.
First DefenseThe Pistons learned something in Game 1 of their series with the Magic on Saturday, how to defend Dwight Howard.
Where There's a Williams There's a WaySean Williams showed glimpses of brilliance this season with the Nets, now he has a big summer of work ahead of him.
Young and Internet SavvyNew Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, the youngest coach in the league, jumped on Heat.com late last week for a live chat with the fans (plus I moderated it, he was a really nice guy, so i'm linking to it).
No Respect I Tell Ya....Pacers.com takes a look the Most Improved Player award, and tries to figure out why Mike Dunleavy finished sixth.
Moon Continues to RiseOn Raptors.com, Mike Ulmer catches up with Jamario Moon and finds that there will be no letup for him this summer.
Charlie V. and the PresidentCharlie Villanueva and George W. Bush were both on hand in Hartford Connecticut to keep awareness up for World Malaria Day.
