He played well in those two seconds.

There is a lot of talk about your bench stepping up in order to win a championship. I would like to remind everybody that there are no more then 14 games left to play to win a championship (assuming both series go to 7). We are at a stage in the playoffs where the bench is not nearly important. Our starters get paid 66% of the teams overall salary because they should be playing 66% of the time (especially at this point).

Of the teams remaining, Detroit has probably done the best in managing their starters minutes during the regular season and in the playoffs. This is probably the most rested our starters have been since winning the championship. As stated in a previous post, we can not pin our hopes of winning a championship on any bench player, much less 2 players under the age of 25 with very little experience. Although AA might get some time this series because he is a good defender and can give Rip a breather, however I do remember Amir getting schooled by KG. As much as I dislike Flip, I give him a lot of credit for his rotations this year (of course the credit might need to go to Joe for calling the shots).

Is it me or does the Celtics remind you of a certain Piston team (the last 2 years) that kicked butt during the regular season had some troubles in the playoffs and over play their starters during it all?

The Pistons were able to beat a better (compared to the Cavs) Orlando team without its point guard (most important position in the NBA), I don't think Boston could have beaten Cleveland without Rondo and Rondo isn't nearly as important to his team as Billups is (or perceived to be).

I am excited about this series and the remainder of the playoffs. I think Detroit has a great chance. Not only do I feel comfortable with our players being on top of their game, I think Flipper (because if they get bounced without winning a championship he will be fired) will also be on top of his game.

...mistake-free!

...good enough for a 'W' fosho!

I think there's cause to cheer up, though. The Pistons fell behind by double digits twice against the Magic in Orlando, and both times they closed the gap quickly. And of course there was the 20-point turnaround in the 3rd quarter of that Game 4 against Philly. They just don't seem to quit this year.

Regarding the bench play, we can gain a huge advantage against Boston if our bench consistently performs. I think this is because both coaches will have their bench guys on a short leash.

D59, the Triple A's [AA+Amir] are good enough to afford the starters some rest. Add Stuck and Maxi for the correct scenes and Celts are our B.

Some of us get so hung up on the bench that we can't see the forest through the trees.

Thats very well said. Yes Boston is starting to look like we did last year and the year before that.

Thats what the bench is good for. Relieving the starters so they will be fresh around this time of year. If we need the bench to pull us though games at this time of year then we have already lost, I guess thats what I have been trying to say. Flip has to use the bench in the best possible way in stategic surgical strikes. I can't see the bench rescuing the starters as they sometimes did in the reg season at this stage.

You just described Doc Rivers until 2008.

Back in 05 he watched the Pacers run up and down the court scoring at will and never once called a single flipping time out. Not one until they were up by like 20.

I want to throw something at my monitor as I sit here typing this 3 YEARS LATER!

You must be a really disgruntled ex-Celtics fan.

More then you could ever know.

I guess, especially since I'm sticking by my team through thick and thin.