| Clippers Reel As Celtics Roll On Authored by Graham Flashner - February 27, 2008 - 12:51 pm
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‘This’ conversation concerned the impending buyout of Cassell’s contract. If the Clippers can arrange it – as they are expected to - Cassell could be in another uniform by March 1, thus concluding a short-lived era that included one magical playoff run, and two seasons of unfulfilled promise.
Packing Cassell off to a contender is a good-will gesture from management, a final thank-you to a player who helped bring the Clips respectability. And if Corey Maggette is traded and Elton Brand opts out, the heart and soul of the team Cassell was brought over to lead will have been effectively gutted.
The pool of reporters gathered around Cassell wouldn’t name names, and neither would Cassell. The Suns and Nuggets have been reported as potential suitors. But there was one team in particular that was obviously high on Cassell’s list, a team he thought was loaded with talent, but could use the type of veteran leadership he can provide.
“It’d be a great situation to be with ‘that’ team,” said Cassell, almost wistfully.
‘That’ team, it so happened, was dressing down the hall. The Boston Celtics were in town, they of the gaudy 42-12 record and superstar triumvirate, representing everything the Clippers are not these days: successful, focused, and, oh yes—healthy.
There was something strangely comforting about seeing the old dynasty restored to power, the green uniforms and Celtic tradition relevant once more. This was Boston’s final visit of the season to Los Angeles, and the buzz around Staples was that, if the stars aligned properly, the Celtics would be back here in June to play the Lakers in the Finals.
Wishful thinking, of course. The Celtics will have their hands full getting by two teams that give them problems, the Pistons and Cavaliers. Still, this is obviously their best shot at a title since the Larry Bird era ended, and their feisty coach, Doc Rivers, dismissed notions of whether the East-dwelling Celtics had earned respect from the more esteemed West.
“At the end of the day, whoever wins it is going to earn it,” he said.
“The West deserves all the talk it’s gotten,” Rivers added, “but there's not going to be anything given away. We don’t care. Detroit doesn’t care. Cleveland doesn’t care.”
Everyone knew the Celtics were going to be good this year, but worst-to-best-team-in-the NBA? Not so obvious. Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy lay the credit at Kevin Garnett’s considerable feet. “His competitiveness rubs off on a lot of their guys,” Dunleavy noted.
Said KG’s teammate Paul Pierce: “Even though I’ve been on the team for ten years, I felt like I was the one traded to the Celtics cause I feel like it’s a fresh start, my rookie year again.”
With typical understatement, Garnett spoke of instilling a work ethic into his new team that, he delicately suggested, may not have existed prior to his arrival.
“I’m one of these players who really really cares,” Garnett said. “Giving a crap about the next guy – not being afraid to show emotion. I’ll do anything to win. I think everybody sort of gravitated to that.”
Garnett was at a loss to explain why the tandem of himself, Pierce, and Ray Allen has jelled so quickly and effortlessly. “Somehow, for some reason, it all works”, he said. But watching the quickness of Rajon Rondo, the versatility of James Posey, and the inside presence of Leon Powe, you realize this is an almost perfect blend of stars and role players, glamour and grunt work.
Garnett could’ve coasted against a decimated Clippers team—Chris Kaman out for the second straight game with a strained lower back; Cassell out; Paul Davis gone for the season; Brand and Shaun Livingston with no set timetable to return - but he brought the characteristic intensity that has transformed this group of Celtics.
As feared as he is offensively, with a turnaround fadeaway that can be stopped by no man, it’s his relentless defensive pressure that impresses. Garnett put the hurt on Tim Thomas right from the start, forcing bad shots, sometimes staying with him dribble for dribble from backcourt to front, and cutting off the Clippers’ driving lanes.
Meanwhile, for the first time all season, the Clippers looked disinterested. On two early sequences in the first quarter, Thomas and Corey Maggette looked openly frustrated at plays that didn’t develop properly; it may not have been a coincidence that the duo combined for a 9-28 shooting night. Elsewhere, there were blown defensive coverages; sloppy turnovers, and some plain bad shot selection caused by some very tight Celtics defense.
After the game – a 104-76 Celtics romp– the Boston locker room resembled a raucous Hollywood party, the type that only winning teams attract. Seth McFarland, creator of the sitcom “Family Guy”, brought the house down with “Stewie” impressions. “Cheers” star Ted Danson chatted with Ray Allen. Ex-Laker (and Celtic) Rick Fox hugged Garnett.
And then – in walked Sam Cassell, saying hello to his old buddy Garnett. Ex-teammates, once united in their pursuit of a championship, perhaps about to be united once more.
One team looking ahead to next year; another team looking ahead to June – and a possible return trip to L.A. |
