California homecoming for some Celtics players

campybatman · Post #1 » by **campybatman** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:07 am

A few players will be inspired to play well. Namely, Pierce... Bryant can't guard him so I expect him to go off against them as usually. The Lakers were Paul's team growing up and he likely won't disappoint his family and friends.

I hope the Celtics can win one on the road. But, Boston must win games one and two first.

Paul Pierce
Birthplace: Oakland, CA
College: Kansas

Ray Allen
Birthplace: Merced, CA
College: Connecticut

Leon Powe
Birthplace: Berkeley, CA
School: California

Eddie House
Birthplace: Berkeley, CA
College: Arizona State

Brian Scalabrine*
Birthplace: Long Beach, CA
College: USC

Gabe Pruitt*
Birthplace: Los Angeles, CA
College: USC

*A chance won't play

Hopefully, Brady can make the trip for game three, four or five.

Tom Brady
Birthplace: San Mateo, CA

IEcelticfan · Post #2 » by **IEcelticfan** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:14 am

coco crsip too, born in el-lay

Celtic Esquire · Post #3 » by **Celtic Esquire** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:20 am

I'm also very happy that it won't be too hard for the Celtics to have to play three road games in LA.

Pierce is from LA and has a ton of family and friends here so his support network is up and running. KG has an off-season home in Malibu so he can crash when not practicing with the rest of the team.

I don't count Scal or Pruitt though.

GreenGrizz · Post #4 » by **GreenGrizz** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:30 am

We are basically home either way.

campybatman · Post #5 » by **campybatman** » Sat May 31, 2008 5:40 am

Hence, why Pierce has to be the odds on favor to win series MVP if the Celtics can eliminate Los Angeles.

Maybe Baron Davis and Antoine Walker will show up for a few games either in Boston or Los Angeles.

P2 · Post #6 » by P2 » Sat May 31, 2008 5:46 am

GreenGrizz wrote:We are basically home either way.

Especially Pierce, who grew up watching this rivalry in L.A..

campybatman · Post #7 » by **campybatman** » Sat May 31, 2008 6:06 am

bonsaiflipflops wrote:Paul Pierce
Birthplace: Oakland, CA
College: Kansas

Ray Allen
Birthplace: Merced, CA
College: Connecticut

Pierce was born in Oakland and raised in Inglewood while Ray Allen, a son of a military father, was born at Castle Air Force Base in Merced and was raised in a variety of areas in the USA (California, South Carolina and Oklahoma) and outside of (England and Germany).

IEcelticfan · Post #8 » by **IEcelticfan** » Sat May 31, 2008 6:07 am

he can take the team to roscoe's .... mmmmm .....

KyleCleric · Post #9 » by **KyleCleric** » Sat May 31, 2008 6:38 am

Ray Ray is going to want to perform really well in this series. 1. It's the finals. 2. He's going against Kobe, a player he hates. 3. If Ray Ray and the Celtics lose, it cements Kobe's legacy. Nobody here wants that and especially not Ray Allen.

Joselo16 · Post #10 » by **Joselo16** » Sat May 31, 2008 6:46 am

It's good that it's a homecoming for Powe since I think Powe can be very serviceable in this series. LA doesn really have "Big Guys" like Cleveland and Detroit. Once you get past Pau you have small bigs ala Powe and Big Baby in Walton and Turiaf. Foul trouble will be an issue since we are going up against Kobe and if the trend continues we will get the short end of the stick.

campybatman · Post #11 » by **campybatman** » Sat May 31, 2008 6:51 am

KyleCleric wrote:2. He's going against Kobe, a player he hates.

Boston fans seem to still think this. Whatever beef these two had I believe has been squashed by now. If Ray Allen dislikes a player... It's Bruce Bowen.

Joselo16 · Post #12 » by **Joselo16** » Sat May 31, 2008 6:56 am

I don't know if hate is the correct word but there is no doubt he likes to play against him. Did you see the two games against LA, Ray stepped it up defensively, just like against Rip, yeah Kobe got his points but they didn't come easily.

campybatman · Post #13 » by **campybatman** » Sat May 31, 2008 7:17 am

I saw Ray Allen miss two free throws in a row in a game against Los Angeles this season. It came days before he would do so again in a game against Cleveland.

Bryant will have his hands full guarding Ray Allen and/or Pierce. If Ray struggles in this series. Then I don't know. But, there won't be anyone denying Pierce. He typically plays well against the Lakers.

daveisceltics · Post #14 » by **daveisceltics** » Sat May 31, 2008 7:54 am

It should be a great homecoming for Paul.
He always tries harder then usual in his home town.
Especially in his first NBA Finals appearance.

theFRANCHISE · Post #15 » by **theFRANCHISE** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:36 am

I still wear my paul pierce inglewood high school jersey from time to time.

Inglewood City of Champions where the Lakers played at the Forum.

So many story lines for these finals

Will Sam Cassell and Garnett get their revenge from getting beat by the 04 lakers when they made it to the WCF with the timberwolves?

Joselo16 · Post #16 » by **Joselo16** » Sat May 31, 2008 8:40 am

All I know its going to be a hell of a series. May the best team (C's) win!

campybatman · Post #17 » by **campybatman** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:04 am

I wonder if Boston fans will chant MVP for Garnett in the first two games to stick it to Bryant.

Joselo16 · Post #18 » by **Joselo16** » Sat May 31, 2008 10:28 am

All I want to see at The Garden is Gino come on with like 5 minutes left in the game!!!

rayofsunshine · Post #19 » by **rayofsunshine** » Sat May 31, 2008 12:37 pm

I didn't know you had so many CALI boys on the celts.