Boston Celtics Week in Review- 5/5
By Greg Cassoli
A lot can happen in the NBA in just one week, and the Boston Celtics are no exception. Here are all the most important things to occur in the last seven days. We’ve attempted to rank them from most relevant to least.
Isaiah Thomas
Thomas has been amazing. Actually he’s been something even greater than amazing. In fact, there isn’t even a word in the English language that captures what he has done throughout the postseason. In the last week, he has averaged 33.0 points and 5.7 assists per game on .500/.409/.806 shooting splits, including a 53 point performance on what would have been the twenty-third birthday of his late sister. Less than a week after having delivered the eulogy at her funeral. One day after having six hours of oral surgery, and despite smashing his face on the court during the game. That’s insanity.
Thomas only mustered thirteen points in game three, but that number could have been zero, and what he’s done to start the series would still be unfathomably impressive. The level of production he’s achieved while dealing with unimaginable levels of personal tragedy defies words. Thomas is simply incredible.
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A Strong Start, and Then…
The Celtics won games one and two of their series against the Washington Wizards this week. It was arguably the most exciting two game stretch of any NBA playoff matchup thus far. Both tilts were back and forth affairs with an abundance of physical play and ample trash talk. Boston made big comebacks after falling into first quarter holes in consecutive games, and Thomas dazzled with the brilliance outlined above.
Game three was less inspiring. The Celtics, once again, ran up a huge first quarter deficit. On the Road in Washington, climbing back from that disadvantage proved more challenging. Things were never close. The game itself remained relatively entertaining, simply because of its inherent volatility. Eight technical fouls were assessed and three players ejected from the game.
If it wasn’t already clear that these two teams don’t care for each other much, it was plenty evident by the end of last night. Boston came out on the wrong side of the whole mess, ultimately losing by 27 points, but they’re still in a position of strength.
They’ll need to figure out a way to play more effectively at the beginning of games. If they can do so in game four, and steal a win on the road, they’ll be in great shape heading home for game five. If not, it will be a three game series, two thirds of which will take place in Boston. That’s not ideal, but could certainly be worse.
Morris Twin Conspiracy Theories
The Ringer’s Rodger Sherman put forth a juicy conspiracy theory after game two of the Celtics Wizards series, suggesting that Marcus Morris played in place of his injured twin brother Markieff Morris. His article was not a serious one, and the theory has no traction, but it’s a fun read nonetheless, and most importantly it brought to light the fact that both Morris’ have (nearly) identical tattoos. That’s a delightfully absurd fact.
Next: Boston Celtics Lose Ugly in Washington
Esports Pioneers
Props to ESPN’s Chris Forsberg for breaking this news via twitter Thursday morning. The Celtics will be one of seventeen NBA teams to participate in the first ever NBA 2K esports league. I like to envision a version of this where each franchise has to utilize it’s real basketball players as its video game players, but I am pretty sure they will be separate. At the very least Boston should employ Jonas Jerebko, owner of the esports team The Renegades, in some sort of consulting role.