Monday, May 19, 2008

Boston again. Really.

Game 7 Pre-eulogy: Oh well, not that I have time this morning to adequately sum up what a disappointing game that was Sunday afternoon's Game 7, but here's the 10 cent version. Missed shots, no contribution, can't stop PJ Brown, idiotic reach in fouls, and a lack of defense all contributed to the maddening chase that was nothing but an aborted come-from-behind attempt for the entire game.

The whole game felt like this summary of the last couple minutes by Brian Windhorst:

When James stripped Pierce and raced to the other end for a dunk with 2:21 to play, cutting the lead to one, the Cavs were involved in five crucial plays and came out on the losing side in each one.

James had an open 3-pointer from the wing that would have given the Cavs the lead, but it rattled out. Moments later, Delonte West had a chance from the same spot, wide open again, and it just hit the rim.

Meanwhile, 38-year-old P.J. Brown twice got the Celtics extra possessions by securing offensive rebounds off air balls that led to points. Once, Ben Wallace had Kevin Garnett perfectly defended, and Brown swooped in for a layup. On another, Zydrunas Ilgauskas stepped out to deny Rajon Rondo on a short jumper, and Brown again caught the ball, despite being out of position had the ball hit off the rim.

Then the final blow came in the final minute, when James couldn't convert a driving layup try with P.J. Brown all over him. The veteran Brown ended up with 10 points and six rebounds off the bench.

All of that will plague the Cavs as they look back at this one. They didn't get a performance like Brown gave Boston. In fact, the only other player to step up alongside James was West, who had 15 points and five assists.

Thoroughly depressed today.