ManchvegasBob from Celtics17 here with an eyewitness account of last night’s game. There had been some discussion of how the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen needed the bench to do the heavy lifting thus far this season. Although the team had a 6-1 record going into last night’s game with Toronto, the Big Three didn’t seem to be in synch. But with the Celtics huge comeback 94-87 victory at home against the Raptors last night, it was vintage PGA with Garnett, Allen and especially Pierce all having all-star performances in the 2nd half.

The 1st half was a different story, as Toronto had it going early in the paint with Jermaine O’Neal getting out of his funk. O’Neal lead his new team to a 48-36 advantage by pouring in 19 points for the Raptors through the 2nd quarter. The Raptors shot the ball well (near 50% FG) and were certainly controlling the boards the 1st half. Boston, on the other hand, was simply cold from the field and seemed to be allergic to the paint. The evidence: in the 1st half, the Celtics only had 4 field goals on 9 shot attempts in the paint, where as the Raptors MADE 9 shots in the paint.

At half-time, Doc and company certainly knew that the Celtics had to step-up and match Toronto’s play. The Celtics did what they had to do and got 6 field goals from close-in shots from drives and jump shots by KG, Perkins and Ray Allen. The team needed to get the 12 point half-time lead down to 6 by the end of the 3rd, and they did exactly that.

Gary Tanguay catches up with Paul Pierce at the Modell’s Sporting Goods in the Fresh Pond Mall to talk about his summer as a champion, the upcoming season, and even some tips on fatherhood for new Dad Greg Dickerson.

Mohegan Sun’s Sports Tonight wants you to decide the verdict of this "Wicked Good Argument". Tune-in at 6:30 and 10pm weeknights to see Gary Tanguay, Michael Felger, and our guests opinions on the argument below.

In this edition, we debate which part of the following duos is more important to the success of the pairing. Cast your vote below. If you’ve got more to say, leave us a comment at the bottom of the page.

Greg Dickerson talked with the players at the DVD release party for the Celtics championship DVD released on Monday, July 14.

Leading off, Greg talks with Paul Pierce and 3-month daughter one-on-one about his offseason so far.

See what James Posey has to say about his pending free agency.

Kevin Garnett talks about his summer to date.

 
Free agent guard Eddie House talks about his summer with the media.

Celtics Captain and NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce spoke with Michael Felger at his annual summer basketball camp at Basketball City in Boston. "The Truth" talks about settling down from the events of the past year, James Posey or Corey Magette, and his admiration for head coach Doc Rivers.

Somewhere, someplace Red Auerbach is smiling brightly while puffing gleefully on a cigar that unmistakably signifies the Boston Celtics convincingly winning their 17th National Basketball Association Championship. His name was penned respectfully on the court and his spirit was undoubtedly in the building.

The Gatorade soaked shirt of Celtics coach Doc Rivers, the champagne drenched jerseys of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and James Posey, the faint stench of a cigar filtering through the building and the morally destroyed purple jerseys scurrying off the floor all signified the beginning of something beautiful. Something that gives you the chills, something that makes the hair on your arms stand on end, something that puts a smile on your face and also gives you the gratification of knowing that the NBA’s most storied franchise is back in full force.

Ever since Comcast SportsNet’s coverage began in Rome, I’ve never been so impressed with a team that I’ve covered and a player that I’ve watched mature like Pierce. Since the time that he was drafted out of the University of Kansas with the 10th overall pick in 1998, to being crowned world champion and NBA Finals Most Valuable Player, I almost want to shed a tear in expression of how happy I am to see what I’ve known forever. That being of course that the 30-year-old veteran and now certain Hall of Famer is a champion, and always has been.

After 10 seasons in the NBA, all with the most storied franchise in basketball, and many of those years being very difficult, Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics are NBA Champions. The C’s ran away and hid from the lifeless Lakers at the Garden to capture Banner 17. KG totally reversed his self-proclaimed "garbage" performance in Game 5 to lead the Green to a blowout win.

Personally, this moment makes me think of two specific memories as I watch Paul Pierce dump Gatorade over Doc Rivers as the seconds ticked down. My first thought is 1987 over my grandparents house watching Magic sweep through the lane and hit a running hook to put the nail in the coffin for Larry Legend and the Celtics. I was heartbroken by that series. Obviously not knowing this at the time, but many years of heartache would soon follow after this moment.

Coincidentally, one of the few bright spots was my first day as an intern for Comcast SportsNet (then Fox Sports New England) in 1998. It was NBA Draft night at the Garden (then FleetCenter). I didn’t receive much direction of where to go that night from my supervisor, so I kind of wandered around not knowing what I was supposed to be doing. I had front row seat as the entire crowd watched as Paul Pierce from Kansas kept slipping and slipping, eventually down to # 10 and the Boston Celtics.

Comcast SportsNet had you covered with the best coverage after the Celtics shocked the Lakers at the Staples Center, coming back from a 24 point deficit to win and take a 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals. Boston now stands one win away from capturing their 17th NBA Championship. Here are some of the interviews we secured after last night’s game.

Greg Dickerson and Mike Gorman recap Game 4 and look ahead to Sunday’s Game 5 as the Celtics look to clinch.

Celtics captain Paul Pierce talks to the media in a state of disbelief after the rousing comeback by Boston.

Celtics guard Ray Allen talks with Mike Gorman right after the game.

Celtics Exec. Dir of Basketball Ops. Danny Ainge chats with Mike Gorman about the Celtics impressive comeback and Doc Rivers coaching magic during Game 4.

Eddie House talks about his extended playing time with Greg Dickerson.

Thoughts from a week that taught us not to never, ever mess with Coco Crisp…

The "Almost Most Heartbreaking Moment of the Year" Moment of the Week: Down goes the Truth

Towards the end of the pre-game intros last night, just before they called Paul Pierce’s name, I felt an overwhelming sense of happiness for the Truth. In the five quick seconds that he was standing at the base of the awkwardly placed, massive golden trophy, I thought about all that he had been through in Boston: how he’d been so close to being traded 10 different times; how he was so close to being stabbed to death in 2000; how even though he didn’t know it, he’d been a pretty huge part of my life for the last 10 years.

Anyway, at that very moment, Paul looked, prouder, happier and more satisfied than I’d ever seen him, and I imagined all that must have been going through his own head, as he prepared to take the floor in the NBA Finals after 10 years relative ups and bottomless downs..

An hour later, and I watched as Pierce was carried into the lockerroom with the a look on his face that you’d expect from a guy who’d just had his leg bitten off by a shark.

I wasn’t even assuming the worse anymore. I’d already convinced myself that he was done for the season. It was a fact.

With the looming contest between the Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons hovering like a mid-summer storm cloud, I can’t help but wonder how this will all end. But one thing is for sure, Celtics forward Paul Pierce will forever be remembered for his efforts in Game 7 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The reality of it though is that he’ll have to do it again and again to bring the Pistons to their knees.

Pierce brought down the house Sunday, May 18 against LeBron James and the Cavs. It was an epic battle similar to that of Bird against Wilkins. It was a 41-point highlight real of hustle, grit and pure determination. Something that the 30-year-old All-Star will have to do eight more times, because that’s how many wins the C’s need in order to hoist No. 17 to the rafters.

Over his career, he has been lambasted by his critics. Entering Game 7, he was on the verge of lifelong turmoil and near exile in this town if he threw up another brick of a game. But like so many other superstar athletes in this town, he stepped up, took his bow and played like the gods of Celtics past. The pleasure I took in watching Game 7 was immense, the smile on my face was electric and the gratitude I have for Pierce is unreal. From myself and the fans of Boston, thank you. It’s time to dismantle the Pistons like an old Chevrolet behind the shed, and if he plays like he did on Sunday, it will be no problem at all.