There’s not much that can be written that hasn’t been written or said somewhere over the past 12 hours about the really incredible run these Celtics have gone on. Let’s recap: this team had 24 wins last year, they didn’t get the first or second pick. If they had, who knows how good they would have been, but a team of Rondo/Durant/Pierce/Al Jefferson/Perkins just doesn’t quite have that same allure to it now. The Lakers made a nice step up this year too but all year the hype was about the team in green and it sure ended that way.

Chris and I will be back soon to put our wraps on this remarkable season and what there is looking forward. Back in November, the Celtics started the season with blowout win over blowout win over Washington and the rest of the league. Ahead in June, the Celtics end the season with a blwout win over the Lakers in Boston and how could you want it any other way? Although won’t it be weird to say 17-time champion?

Cheers!

Paul Pierce’s words after the game. Who would’ve thought? After the first quarter down 21 points (the largest first quarter deficit in NBA Finals history by the way - looks like teams are 1-0 when trailing by more than 20 points after one in the Finals). After the Celtics rallied and then got thrown down again at the half to be down by 18. After Perk got hurt and didn’t come back with a shoulder injury. After Sam Cassell came in the game. But the C’s did come back and it’s even more amazing than that Nets game because it’s the Finals (obviously) and it’s in LA. The C’s usually play better in LA than most road venues (Antoine Walker banking in a fall-away three for a win at the Lakers always sticks in my mind) but still.

Here’s what sticks out in my mind: that second quarter rally that was squashed was still huge. It showed that the Celts could come back in the game - they could roll off 12 straight and not be stymied to say a 6 point rally over 2 minutes like the Pistons often did. Late in the third quarter when Posey picked up his 5th foul and Tony Allen came in for only 2+ minutes, the Celtics went on a 12-2 run to finish the quarter. That was huge…no one will get this but it was Billy Fucillo huge (look online or ask your friends in upstate New York or Mexico). Allen didn’t score but he stepped right into Posey’s shoes and was a factor with a defensive rebound.

Rondo played less than 20 minutes in this game and down the stretch Ray Allen and sometimes Posey handled the ball. No Cassell either - House was in. Ray Allen/House/Posey/Pierce/Garnett - small lineup with tons of shooters. A lineup that Chris and I talked about extensively during the year as being a dynamic shooting lineup that spread the floor like none other and with 20 seconds left, Ray beats Vucacic and with everyone in the four corners and KG setting the screen, Allen just laid it in. Paul said right after the game they knew no one could help on defense because they’d be too far away. I love that lineup and it only took 24 playoff games to get it in for an extended stretch in a big moment (that I can remember).

Celtics finished with 11 turnovers - I don’t have it in front of me but I think they had nine in the first half and six in the first quarter. And the defense obviously worked after the first quarter, points wise, intensity wise and not-letting-Gasol dunk wise. Two off days and then maybe the clincher Sunday in LA. Oh also let it be known our loyal listener Adam from Wellesley has seen three wins and 0 losses in person for these finals and he’s going to be there for game five. Celticscast luck is on his side. He also pointed out via email the C’s were 16-21 when trailing by 8 or more in a game this year. Now they’re 17-21 and in my opinion that’s better than I would ever think - down nearly double digits and winning nearly half the time? Great game great finish and now onto the fifth game for hopefully the pinnacle of a great season.

In today’s episode not even the heat could slow us down. Chris and Andrew get back to it looking forward to game three and with some thoughts on the near-collapse but still win in game two:

• We start it off with some emails on the foul situation (C’s 38 FT attempts, Lakers 10) and why that happened
• Containing Kobe: Part Two
• Off to Los Angeles for Game Three: the keys to winning in a 2-3-2 format with the next three games on the West Coast

All this and more just a click away on Celticscast, and don’t forget to send us an E-mail at hosts@celticscast.com!

In today’s episode not even technological difficulties can slow the guys down as they break down the Celtics win in game one of the NBA finals, some of the highlights include:

• What went right: the keys to the C’s game one triumph
• What went wrong: just how much of a concern are the injuries to Paul Pierce and Kendrick Perkins?
• What’s next: the adjustments the coaches will make and what to look for in game 2

All this and more just a click away on Celticscast, and don’t forget to send us an E-mail at hosts@celticscast.com!

Hey fans of the Green,

Episodes 54 and 55 of Celticscast are segments of my radio show, the Young Guns, and I thought Celticscast fans would want to hear both of them.

Episode 54 is a segment with Wyc Grousbeck, the co-owner of the Boston Celtics, and Patrick Gilroy, who hosts the Celtic Pride Radio Show on 890 ESPN and 1510 “the Zone” in Boston. We chat with Wyc about the team’s improbable turnaround from last season and here from Patrick about what to look for from this series.

Episode 55 is an interview with former Celtic Jerry Sichting. Jerry played on the 1986 title team and also the 1987 team that lost to the Lakers in the finals. He’s currently an assistant coach for the Timberwolves, so he has a lot to say about the 80s and the current version of the West champs. This is a must listen for old and young Celtics fans alike.

Shameless plug: Tune into the Young Guns on AM-1510 “the Zone” if you’re in the Boston area or listen online to hear great Celtics and Boston sports talk every weekday afternoon from 2:00-4:00 PM.

Enjoy!