I agree with one thing that Charles’ Barkley had to say about the Celtics: They are working too hard for their baskets. Everyone of their baskets is either a long excrutiating post-up by Kevin Garnett, or a hard drive by Paul Pierce, or a miraculous shot that Leon Poew has no business making. They run the shot clock down to 10, then hope to make a play happen within 10 seconds. That just isn’t smart basketball. They have to find some ways to make easy baskets and I realize it is not easy with the Cavs’ defense playing them hard. LeBron is too strong for Pierce and the Cavs’ big men are playing Garnett decently. I have no idea why Ray Allen is not showing more fire and determination during this series. He usually has Daniel Gibson or Delonte West on him and he has a size advantage and a huge skill advantage over both of those guys. Maybe they should try to run some plays with Allen with the ball coming off of a screen with Garnett. That way, the defender must respect Allen’s shot (much more than Rondo anyway) but he is a capable enough offensive player to drive to the basket or pick up a foul.

I understand that Boston is a slow-it-down team but Doc should tell his players to get as many easy baskets as possible. Try to get some quick offense instead of waiting 20 seconds before a screen and roll between Eddie House and Kendrick Perkins (c’mon that’s not going anywhere).

One last problem I have with the Celtics’ “Big 3” is that with all the talent that they have: no one is willing to take over. This is extremely frustrating. I see Garnett abusing Varajao with that fadeaway jumper but on the next play he passes it out to someone who shouldn’t be shooting for a guaranteed miss. Allen has a much smaller Gibson on him but won’t take him into the post. I understand that these guys just aren’t like that but you would think that 0-5 on the road would wake them up and have them try new things. The Celtics really have to adjust because if that Game 4 LeBron dunk was any indication, they are in for one hell of a Game 5.

If Boston gets back into the driver’s seat, I don’t see Doc Rivers as the catalyst. Though coaching is unquantifiable, I really think Rivers is losing control of the offense. They look lethargic, confused, and, hence, static. No fast breaks and no easy buckets. The Cavs defense has been solid, but with three offensive stars and a solid bench the Celtics should be murdering the Cavs down the stretch.

This series has been way too sloppy. The Celtics are way too talented to be taking such horrible shots. Every time I see them score, it’s Kevin Garnett working extra hard posting up for like ten seconds, or Ray Allen driving and taking a step back jumper. It should not be this hard.

They’ve got to set up plays better; Ray Allen is a stand-still shooter. Post Garnett up and kick it around to Allen. I just have not seen any team-playing from the Celtics, and I’ve seen them play with a lot of flow and cohesion in the regular season.

At this point, I give the Cavs the upper-hand. I don’t see the Celtics winning on the road, and sooner or later, Lebron’s gonna steal the heart out of Boston. I’m calling Game 5 to the Cavs. Witness.

If the Cavs can steal one in Boston, this series is over.
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LB23