Are the 76ers and Celtics Like the Tortoise and the Hare?

Watching the Celtics and 76ers series reminded me of a story from when we were kids. The tortoise and the hare. The two race each other, and the fast hare jumps out to an early lead, but arrogantly stops to take a nap. The tortoise keeps moving forward. "Slow and steady wins the race," he repeats. Eventually, the tortoise wins the race. Teaching a lesson that just because you're naturally more gifted doesn't mean you can fuck around and still win.

In my version of the tortoise and the hare, I'd have the hare purposely losing the race because he bet on the tortoise in Vegas. Then he gets killed by mob guys who lost money betting on him.

Anyway, the Celtics remind me of the hare. Their record in games that they can eliminate an opponent speaks for itself. They struggle to beat teams that they've already beaten 3 times. That's weird.

They take a kind of break. Instead of 110%, they only give 95%. No big deal, right? So long as there's enough gas in the tank to win when it matters, then fine.

What worries me a bit is that in this series, I don't know if they can just step it up for Game 7 and be the odds on favorite to win. I have a feeling like maybe they've let the 76ers stick around for too long. And now Bradley is out. His replacement Ray Allen isn't capable of playing a full game of productive basketball (on either side of the ball).

The Celtics are more talented than the 76ers. But that advantage is hedged by the Celtics' age and health.

The 76ers have also shown more character in this series than the Celtics have. They've won a game in Boston, they've outplayed the Celtics in close 4th quarters, they've recovered after getting blown out, they came back from a 17 point 3rd quarter deficit to win. They have taken full advantage of every opportunity the Celtics have given them.

The C's have not taken advantage of the opportunities given to them by the 76ers.

The Celtics are still the hare. It's their game to lose. In the fable, if the hare simply stopped fooling around and picked up the pace, he would have beaten the tortoise. That's what the Celtics have yet to do but still can do.

-The Captain

More Awesome Celtics News; Bradley Done For Playoffs

The Celtics are not expecting to have Avery Bradley for the rest of the playoffs because of a left shoulder injury, a source close to the shooting guard said Wednesday. Asked for a percentage about Bradley having played his final game this season, the source said in the “high 90s.’’

The source said it’s “highly likely’’ Bradley’s left shoulder would pop out again - it has popped out twice in the series against the 76ers - and playing would put him at risk of “serious structural damage.’’ GLOBE

Well this sucks, especially because if we move forward he is a valuable asset. In the beginning of the season this wouldn't be a big deal, but he has cemented himself as the 4th most important player on this team behind Rondo, KG, and Pierce. Bradley puts 100% effort every game, has been great as a starter, is the only on who runs when Rondo runs, plays lock down defense, runs the baseline and can knock down a jumper if need be.

The thing that worries me is that the team is going to need to replace him somehow. Keyon Doolin is a decent defender an does an admirable job at being aggressive but isn't much of an offensive player or should I say steaky at best, and the same goes for Pietrus. Oh yea, and Ray Allen looks like he's 90 out there. This team got a lot slower with Bradley being hurt, so this leads me to the question; WHY THE FUCK ISN'T TONY ALLEN IN GREEN!

Letting Tony Allen go is by far the worst move Danny Ainge has made. Was worse than the Perkins deal, Jermaine O'Neal or signing Scal for a 5 year 15 million dollar contract.

Bradley 'Game-Time Decision' For Game 5

The team's official website tweeted just before shootaround ended that Avery Bradley (left shoulder) was a "game-time decision" for Monday's Game 5 against the Sixers at TD Garden. Bradley did not practice on Sunday after suffering a recurrence of his left shoulder injury during the third quarter of Friday's loss in Philadelphia.

It looked really bad when Bradley reinjured that shoulder. If was just hanging to the side, and I was shocked that he could even shoot the ball. One would think it had to have got very stiff the next day and that's probably why he didn't practice. My thinking is that he plays. He has been dealing with this injury all year, and the Celtics really need him on the court. He is one of the best Celtics at one-on-one defense, and making cuts to the hoop.

Celtics Injury Update

The Celtics announced today that Paul Pierce has a sprained MCL, so I guess that explains why he was jumping like a 60 year old man last game. The team also announced that he will be playing through it and will be in the starting lineup. The Celtics also announced that there are no tears or spurs in the knee, so if the Celtics can win tonight and get him some rest I think he will be close to 100% heading into the next series.

The Celtics also said that Avery Bradley has been playing with a sore rotator cuff in his left shoulder. He also is expected to start and play in Game 6 tonight. Bradley said that he has been playing with it all season, and that it really shouldn't slow him down.

DP has a preview coming up, but I think the Celtics win by 15 points. I think Rondo has a crazy line like 22 pts, 17 asts, 11 rebs, and I think KG has a huge game (28 pts, 14 rebs).