It's like living in the 80s again! Celtics are in the 2008 NBA Finals

The Boston Celtics have gotten past the Detroit Pistons in game 6 to enter the finals against L.A. Lakers. I've been waiting 22 years for something like this to happen, and I couldn't believe it is so similar to what happened when I was young. The only thing to top it off would be to get the big three from 80s to be present at one of the final games (I'm thinking of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish) to support the Celtics to championship #17...

GO CELTICS!

Boston advance to NBA Conference Finals

I never understood the "home court advantage" phenomena that is displaying itself in the NBA's 2008 playoffs at the moment. While I write this, the home teams have won 22-2 times. And that is what happened in the case of game 7 between Boston and Cleveland. Boston won the final game, and advance to meeting Detroit in the Conference Finals. And if Boston keep going the way they're going, they do not have to win on the road, but just keep winning at home.

So what is this "home court advantage"? Is it physical, or more psychological? I can't say, as I have never been to a game with Boston live. I've watched many over the past 20 years or so, but they've been either via TV, or via the Internet. It may be a combination of knowing the home court a little better, but I doubt it with the standardisation of the courts by the NBA. All rings and backboards have to be of a certain height, all lines must adhere to certain standards, etc. What it is more likely, is the spectators chanting and teasing the opponents, and supporting the home side. Well that's my guess. I would hate to travel to another location, just to feel like I'm not welcomed, and the job I was doing was being ridiculed. I understand that top teams and top players are professional in this regard, and will rise above it, but it must be a very overwhelming factor. The other thing I think it may be is the care and support of the home city to the player. They're at home, with their own families, eating their own food, in a supportive lifestyle. I can attest to this personally, as it's been very hard for the past 7 months living away from my wife in a different city.

Anyway, I hope Boston sweep away Detroit, and move onto the NBA 2008 Finals.

GO CELTICS!

Celtics win over Cavs (but just)...

Congratulations to the Boston Celtics for their first game (of the second round) win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. I was tracking the game in the background on the web, and noticed it was see-sawing back and forth, but Kevin "The Big Ticket" Garnett steadied the team. Both teams had a pretty bad game, but the Celtics had less of a bad game than the Cavs.

GO CELTICS!

Celtics move into second round...

Well done to the Boston Celtics for beating the Atlanta Hawks and moving into the second round of the NBA playoffs. Keep the dream alive!

GO CELTICS!