2am. "I don't want to watch any more games. No. I don't..." (turns on live streaming)
Whatever. I know in my heart of hearts, win or lose, this is going to be an epic game. I didn't realize it was going to be more unbelievable than the Knicks game. I can't wrap my head around how dramatic things have turned out. I had no idea being this hooked to a sports game was no different than having your favorite movie character get killed on a show or not seeing the romantic couple get their happy ending. It feels the same and MORE. More because this is no fiction. It's as real as it gets.
Just like great stories, the background is important. Why so much emotion? Well...
The season started with a great blow over Ray Allen leaving for the Miami Heat, Boston's great nemesis last season. It's like watching an ex-boyfriend hooking-up with the hottest chick on Earth, given the chick here is your rival and cost you a scholarship/job or two. It's heart-wrenching. Celtics's new big three is now Rondo, Garnett, and Pierce. The last two are not getting any younger and are just hoping to win one more title before they rest their jerseys and join the hall of fame.
Throughout the first half of the entire season, the Celtics have been playing mediocre basketball. Win some and then lose some. Lather. Rinse. Cry. Prozac. Repeat. By the end of December, the Cs were demolished one too many times by West Coast teams. Then January came. Celtics won six straight games against play-off contenders starting with the Pacers, then the Hawks, and, my favorite, the Knicks. They won three more games before yet another slump. Starting with the Hornets loss, the Cs are back to their mediocre standing. 6 straight wins followed by 6 straight losses. It's frustrating as hell.
Sunday. January 27, 2013. After a double-overtime loss against Atlanta last Friday, the Celtics will now face the Miami Heat in their homecourt, the TD Garden. For the first time after he jumped ship, Ray Allen will now be the enemy at home, wearing the Heat jersey and facing his old team who does look really old right now.
I was jittery. Watching them lose the past six games has left me annoyed and now apathetic. I want to care less. I've got better things to do but this basketball drama has taken over me so bad. In my head, I was just preparing for the worst. And boy was I right.
Rondo was nowhere to be found in the starting line-up. Wait, what is going on here? He was fine during the Hawks game. Google search.
There goes all the hope I had for this season. Out the window.
This game against the Heat just went from please-win-now to ultimate-must-have. They have to win now. It may not mean a lot at the end of this season, but, for now, they just have to win. I can't express how disappointed I am that Rondo won't be playing for the rest of the season. My immediate reaction upon hearing the word ACL was Derrick Rose. Wasn't he also suffering from an ACL tear which cost him a whole season in 2011? Ughhh.
And now the game.
I was afraid it would be a blow-out, another one of those games where they suck really bad it's unbearable to watch. Instead, I was in for a rollercoaster ride right off the bat. They were trading baskets and the defense was phenomenal. The only thing that was bugging me the entire time was how the Cs were giving-up second chance points over and over again. If they weren't, I'd say it's a sure win for the Cs. If there's one good thing about Rondo's injury, it's the fact that now all my attention will be focused on my second most favorite player: Jeff Green. And I thank the Lord Jesus he showed-up BIG TIME tonight. Green's defense on Lebron was just unbelievable. It was probably his best game all season. Watching Green dunk over Bosh is the happiest I've ever been. "Green did posterize that dinosaur like a BOSH."
Oh God how I hate the Heat. And then came crunch time. The tied scores and lead changes in this game were crazy. The last few minutes Boston was up 4 points with less than a minute on the clock. I cannot emphasize how dramatic this is. Times like this is what Ray Allen is all about. Not today though because he's now on the other side.
Timeout. Heat possession. Ray Allen was left on the corner and hits a fadeway three. Of course he sinks one f-you on his return to the Garden. I'm fuming. Ughhhhh. Boston scores two more off Jason Terry's free-throw. Now with less than 20 seconds on the clock, it's another possession for the Heat. The clock is winding down and Allen tries another three, bounces to Lebron, and Lebron hits a desperation three-pointer. Goddamit. Ugghh why can't I root for a team who can win games "on-time." I just want to punch Lebron in the face because he's just sooo good. A three-pointer with 10 seconds on the shotclock? Unreal.
KG kept this team alive in the first overtime, shooting two big jumpers. I think it was also around this time when Paul Pierce, once again, morphed into a turnover machine. PP is just all over the place lately. Because of that, the game extends to a second overtime. I'm just about to shut the computer screen because I couldn't take it anymore. I'm trembling. I just don't want them to lose after all this shit. They have given their best the past two games and their effort has yet to be rewarded. Good thing PP redeemed himself by hitting a game-winning jumper in second OT. Last possession by the Heat ended with Shane Battier throwing an airball.
I'm relieved for now. They more than deserved this win.
As for the rest of the season, I'm not really sure how they can pull this off without Rajon Rondo. Yes, at the back of my mind, this might be the best thing that ever happened to them, thinking some of the overshadowed players on this team will now have a chance to step-up. I know they are capable of winning big games without Rondo (Knicks and now Heat). I'm just not sure if they can last the play-offs or even assert themselves as a contender in the pitiful 8th seed.
I love Rondo to death, and seeing him during the last few minutes of the game in street clothes was heartbreaking. He looked devastated. Rivers hugged him after the game. He was supposed to start for this year's All Star, his first time. He was doing great this season, so great he just had back-to-back triple doubles. Earlier this season, he tied John Stackton's assist streak, second in the NBA. And now this. I don't even look forward to games without Rondo. I'll miss watching Rajon play. Why God why?
Jeff Green, if you read this, you better play your hardest this season. I beg you.
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