Heart

"Every time I hit the ground, I bounce up like round ball..."


Jay-Z - Heart of the city (Ain't No Love)


Last night the Celtics outlasted the Heat 97-81, however it wasn't the score that impressed the most...it was the desire and leadership from Boston's point guard.


Hardcore


Rajon Rondo dislocated his left elbow after a collision with Dwyane Wade...and while he writhed with anguish as he was taken to the training room, no one knew what would ensue upon his return.


Rondo appeared on the Celtics bench by the end of the 3rd quarter, and he soon after began the final period on the court with his mates. I've seen games where an athlete lead their team to victory on sheer will, and Saturday was no different. Playing in pure pain...the one-armed guard worked relentlessly, when others would have folded and accepted defeat.


Today we celebrate mother's worldwide...and if Boston wins more games in this series, it will be the heroics of Rajon Rondo that will remain in the echos of basketball history.








Photo: Elsa/Getty Images

Ring King

"Yeah I'm up in the best class...you can't last..."

Freeway - Don't Act Like You Don't Know

The NBA season is very young, and it will be a few months before things start to take shape...however I firmly believe that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Rage against the machine

The Miami Heat, Rajon Rondo, Blake Griffin, Kevin Garnett, and NBA 2K11 have attracted headlines and highlights near and far, nevertheless it's the Los Angeles Lakers that have been flying under the radar with the league's best record at 7-0.

On opening night, a friend of mine tweeted that he didn't see the passion and fire in Kobe's eyes, and that the Lakers reign will come to an end this year. I sent a friendly response to disagree with him, and set the record straight. I've known Kobe Bean for several years, and he is one of the most competitive persons I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. The team's mission is to win the NBA Championship, and it's Bryant that sets the tone.

Last Saturday my friend Vic, a writer for the Associated Press, texted me saying "I told Kobe that you said what's up..." My response was: "Kobe is family, and thank you...what did you say?" At which Vic responded, "I saw him right before the media crowded around, and I said hey Kobe, Anthony Gilbert says what's up...he smiled and said that's what's up!"

It's been a while since I've seen him, so thank you Vic for playing the messenger, and to Kobe...I'll see you next month...in the meantime...keep up the good work, and I'll be sure to support.

There Will Be Blood

"I never brag how real I keep it..."

Nas - Take It In Blood

The Boston Celtics stand one game away from their second championship in 3-years. They will have 2 chances this week to capture the crown, however there is one obstacle in their way...

Final Destination

The NBA Finals began in the City of Angeles with each team winning 1-game apiece and once the series shifted to Boston...things got tricky for the Lake Show. In Game 4 it was the second unit of the Celtics that proved to be too much, and for Game 5, I honestly believe the C's wanted to win that much more, with superb play down the stretch from Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Rajon Rondo.

Game 6 and a potential 7th will be played in LA, and if Ron Artest, and Lamar Odom provide Kobe Bryant with a better effort on both ends of the floor, then it's game over for Boston.

Bryant proved what he can do, however the Celtics have played a much better team game as of late, so with the fate of the season on the line, I expect the Lakers to win.

Can Kobe Bean lead his team through sheer will and desire? Can the Celtics close it out and raise another championship banner...the answer to those mysteries are in the steady hands of number 24. The real question is, who will show up to play with Kobe Bryant...the reining champs, or the other squad that seemed to give up in two winnable games in the TD Bank North Garden...

At this point in the year the game is all about executing, and having the determination to accomplish the goal.

Actions speak louder than words, and I believe we will see a very good Lakers team in Game 6, poised to force a 7th and deciding game.

From there...anything can happen...winner takes all.

Mean Green

"Business before pleasure..."

P. Diddy - Victory

Game 1 of the NBA Finals tips off tonight in the City of Angels...and while this matchup will go into the history books as the most storied rivalry in basketball...I feel there is no clear favorite.

No Fear

I was watching an NBA Finals preview on ESPN Wednesday, and everyone on the show picked the Boston Celtics to win the series in 6 games...and while agree that the C's are a very tough team, I just don't see one team over the other. Tonight's game will not give me enough information on either franchise, so I'll reserve my full opinion until after Game 3 in the TD Banknorth Garden.

This is the Finals that both teams wanted. With bragging rights and basketball history on the line, my expectations are few...I understand that everyone on the floor has the experience, heart, and savvy to win.

The big story right now is Derek Fisher and Rajon Rondo, however the Lakers have had to deal with really good point guards throughout the playoffs, so the bigger story is team defense which the Lake Show lacked in their '08 Finals loss.

This series goes the distance, and we as fans will be there for a memorable ride. These teams are even, and it's the team that does the little things and pays attention to detail that will emerge victorious.

Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Dangerous

"It's easy to love me now..."

Nate Dogg - 21 Questions

The Celtics have put themselves in a position to raise championship banner number 18...and while it didn't seem like it was going to happen during the season...they have quietly made a run unlike no other.

Not now, but right now

Before the 2009-10 NBA campaign, I wrote a piece on how the Lakers and Celtics would meet again for the title. My assumption could prove accurate in the next week, as the C's look to wrap up the series tonight in Orlando. On Monday I met with Hall of Fame Coach John Chaney, and as our conversation shifted to the league...he expressed that Rajon Rondo is a scoring first, pass second point guard, and because of that fact the Celtics will not win it all with him at the helm.

I'm not sure what to think...I feel that Rondo is doing a terrific job. Coach Chaney wants him to pass to Ray Allen more, and drive to the basket less. (Coach says Ray has the best jump shot in the league, while Kobe Bryant is the best overall player) The Orlando Magic have struggled more within themselves, than from any defensive pressure, and as they play Game 5, 8:30PM EST...they are playing for tomorrow, while the C's once again find themselves with nothing to lose.

If they win, mission accomplished...if they fail, then they still have two more opportunities to win one game...which makes the Boston Celtics a very dangerous team.

Photo: Elsa/Getty Images

The Tipping Point

"I'm young, and I'm black..."

Jay-Z - 99 Problems

The Celtics have a possibility of 2-games to advance into the Eastern Conference Finals, while the Cavaliers are merely taking it one game at a time...

Win or go home

The Boston/Cleveland series is a unique mix of playoff basketball and Catch 22 politics. If the Cavs win, then that's exactly what they were melded together to do...however if Celtics emerge victorious, then it will be a total failure by LeBron and the James gang.

I usually watch the games while I surf on Twitter. By the intermission of Game 5...fans, and naysayers formed a united front in bashing LeBron James. I content on texting my friend Ariana the score after each quarter (she's a Celtics fan), nevertheless it was interesting to see...how fickle people are.

In my opinion the Cavs played poorly, yet the other side of that coin proves how well the C's competed, and just how good they are. The real story is, the maturation of Rajon Rondo, and a healthy all-star supporting cast. When Boston won their 17th championship in '08, Rondo was a decent guard playing with a veteran laden core, now he is a veteran point guard leading his peers.

Sometimes things fall apart, while other times everything works together accordingly...in the case of the very storied Boston Celtics, their plan has been working, and the secret ingredient of Rondo is no longer a mystery based on potential...he's an integral cog toward another title.

So will the Celtics win in 6, or do they try again? If this goes the distance, then it's anybody's game. If the Cavs fail, it's because they either struggled way too much, or they just didn't have enough to get it done...regardless of those facts the better team always wins.

Boston has everything to gain, and nothing to lose.

Photo: David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images