Cousy speaks out........

[Kefa461]

Home-court advantage, Cousy believes, is overrated. "It is neutralized in the playoffs, pretty much," Cousy said from Florida in a telephone interview. "In the playoffs, any player worth his salt comes to play wherever the game is. Of course, you would rather have home-court advantage, but it's easier to overcome in the playoffs than the regular season." Cousy, 80, who was not retained by Comcast SportsNet for Celtics broadcasts this season, attended some games early in the season and plans to return as a spectator for the playoffs. "I wouldn't bet against them," Cousy said. "[Bill] Russell's last season [1968-69] was a mediocre season, but they surprised the world. "Doc has done a magnificent job. They may still surprise us - [Kevin ] Garnett typifies the attitude we're talking about. They still have a good shot at it." Boston Globe

Cousy believes the Cavaliers are too reliant on LeBron James, as are the Lakers on Kobe Bryant. "LeBron is a great one, but the other guys have got to beat you," Cousy said. "They can put two, three, four guys on him and force the other guys to beat you; and when you aren't used to doing it, you can't imagine the pressure. A great player thrives under pressure, a mediocre one collapses. All year long, LeBron has been carrying you, now I'm supposed to hit wide-open shots. And it's the same with LA, to some degree. Kobe is great, but still, in my judgment, there is a lack of defense. Kobe is a good defender, but I don't see improvement on the defensive end. It's a tossup, those three teams." Boston Globe

[GWVan]

[rocketsballin]

bob cousy speaks the truth and thats what it is.

[Bad-Thoma]

I'm still pissed he didn't get to sit in on the florida games, I wouldn't want to listen to him all the time but a few games a season it is nice to here his perspective, he is pretty objective.

[Athanacropolis]

We love ya, Cooz!

He speaks the truth, and it's great to hear one of the Celtics Masters speak about the post-season. I think his assessments are pretty accurate, but I will tell you what scares me: LeBron + homecourt + refs + the top brass and marketing execs' desire to see LeBron win a championship. He didn't take that into account.

[Bad-Thoma]

We love ya, Cooz!

He speaks the truth, and it's great to hear one of the Celtics Masters speak about the post-season. I think his assessments are pretty accurate, but I will tell you what scares me: LeBron + homecourt + refs + the top brass and marketing execs' desire to see LeBron win a championship. He didn't take that into account.

Well, he didn't take that into account because it's a conspiracy theory that isn't true. LeBron+superstar treatment is scary. Celtics-Lakers equals mad ratings once again, much like Lebron-Kobe.

[sully00]

We love ya, Cooz!

He speaks the truth, and it's great to hear one of the Celtics Masters speak about the post-season. I think his assessments are pretty accurate, but I will tell you what scares me: LeBron + homecourt + refs + the top brass and marketing execs' desire to see LeBron win a championship. He didn't take that into account.

This is in your head. LeBron is only bigger to himself and Nike if he wins a championship, the journey is bigger for the league. The league wants what it has right now, 5 legit contenders with a couple of more teams nipping at the heals of that crew. Sure it would be nice if they were in NY, PHI, and CHI but this is what creates buzz. That is what drive interest in the league, and ratings, and brings in revenue. Not one team dominating the league without a threat, never mind one team dominated by one player dominating the league hell at that point your golf. I think they would prefer to see Kobe win so they could get more out of him he has become Kareem, the greatest player everyone hates.

ESPN was able to put the C's and the Heat in prime time minus 3 all stars and they got a great game and probably did a number. If anything I think LeBron gets jobbed on the road a bit, similar to Pierce and that is why he isn't as tough, he has to figure out how they are going to call the game and can't be as aggressive as he is at home.

Cousy is showing what it is all about, the Boston Celtics one of the few franchises in all of sports were the players actually care as much as the fans. Do you think Craig Ehlo or Hot Rod Williams is living and dying with every Cav's game?

[MyInsatiableOne]

We love ya, Cooz!

He speaks the truth, and it's great to hear one of the Celtics Masters speak about the post-season. I think his assessments are pretty accurate, but I will tell you what scares me: LeBron + homecourt + refs + the top brass and marketing execs' desire to see LeBron win a championship. He didn't take that into account.

[Athanacropolis]

Whoa, easy chiefs. I guess I could have made the tongue-in-cheek nature of my post clearer by adding a winky face or something. No **** Cousy wouldn't talk about a conspiracy theory. 'Twas merely a joke referencing the horrendous officiating we were all discussing in the last Celtics/Cavs game thread.

Myself, I'm not buying a conspiracy theory per se, I'm just afraid of bad refs, in any game involving any team. It ruins the game. Like I said during that last Boston-Cleveland game, either something fishy was going on (betting or whatever), or those refs were just BAD. I hope a good crew officiates the postseason.

Back on topic: I think Cousy is correct by and large. I still think home-court is important, but not as much as it was for the Celtics last year: since the Celtics have won on other teams' floors in the postseason (after much trial and tribulation), I'm confident they can win it all without home-court advantage.

[tombattor]

We love ya, Cooz!

He speaks the truth, and it's great to hear one of the Celtics Masters speak about the post-season. I think his assessments are pretty accurate, but I will tell you what scares me: LeBron + homecourt + refs + the top brass and marketing execs' desire to see LeBron win a championship. He didn't take that into account.

This is in your head. LeBron is only bigger to himself and Nike if he wins a championship, the journey is bigger for the league. The league wants what it has right now, 5 legit contenders with a couple of more teams nipping at the heals of that crew. Sure it would be nice if they were in NY, PHI, and CHI but this is what creates buzz. That is what drive interest in the league, and ratings, and brings in revenue. Not one team dominating the league without a threat, never mind one team dominated by one player dominating the league hell at that point your golf. I think they would prefer to see Kobe win so they could get more out of him he has become Kareem, the greatest player everyone hates.

ESPN was able to put the C's and the Heat in prime time minus 3 all stars and they got a great game and probably did a number. If anything I think LeBron gets jobbed on the road a bit, similar to Pierce and that is why he isn't as tough, he has to figure out how they are going to call the game and can't be as aggressive as he is at home.

Cousy is showing what it is all about, the Boston Celtics one of the few franchises in all of sports were the players actually care as much as the fans. Do you think Craig Ehlo or Hot Rod Williams is living and dying with every Cav's game?

Sully's right on the money!

We gotta chill with the Stern hates Boston and loves everything non-Boston BS. Because that's very far from the truth. I bet you anything that the NBA had one of its highest rated Finals last year with the Celtics in there. A lot better than when Lebron was in the finals a few years ago.

[sully00]

Whoa, easy chiefs. I guess I could have made the tongue-in-cheek nature of my post clearer by adding a winky face or something. No **** Cousy wouldn't talk about a conspiracy theory. 'Twas merely a joke referencing the horrendous officiating we were all discussing in the last Celtics/Cavs game thread.

Myself, I'm not buying a conspiracy theory per se, I'm just afraid of bad refs, in any game involving any team. It ruins the game. Like I said during that last Boston-Cleveland game, either something fishy was going on (betting or whatever), or those refs were just BAD. I hope a good crew officiates the postseason.

Back on topic: I think Cousy is correct by and large. I still think home-court is important, but not as much as it was for the Celtics last year: since the Celtics have won on other teams' floors in the postseason (after much trial and tribulation), I'm confident they can win it all without home-court advantage.

This is actually the point I meant to get to and got lost in the media nonsense. I don't think there is a conspiracy I think they just suck and that may even be worse. I think the Donaghy situation and the fall out has left a lack of oversight of in game officiating. I think it has created a touchy situation and they league has brought in new people who either do not know how to critique officials or are being cautious about it. Added to that officials have become really defensive and seem unable to lean in and just give players and coaches the "my bad," and instead compound the negative affect by giving techs instigated by their **** call.

The league has to do a better job of accountability with this, would Kennedy have been fined or would it have been made public if Doc didn't have a fit in the post game? We never see it happen? It is the same with everything else in this country right now it isn't the fact that someone is doing something wrong or underhanded but you have to do your best to eliminate even the appearance of impropriety and incompetence. Either that or find a way to have Bob Delaney, Jack Neis and Ron Garretson ref every game.

[No Offense]

We love ya, Cooz!

He speaks the truth, and it's great to hear one of the Celtics Masters speak about the post-season. I think his assessments are pretty accurate, but I will tell you what scares me: LeBron + homecourt + refs + the top brass and marketing execs' desire to see LeBron win a championship. He didn't take that into account.

So I am guessing as a Celtics fan who witnessed the C's go from a 24 win team to beating the Lakers in the finals in one year's time, you are ready to concede the 17th title as nothing but a by-product of a conspiracy?

[MyInsatiableOne]

We love ya, Cooz!

He speaks the truth, and it's great to hear one of the Celtics Masters speak about the post-season. I think his assessments are pretty accurate, but I will tell you what scares me: LeBron + homecourt + refs + the top brass and marketing execs' desire to see LeBron win a championship. He didn't take that into account.

So I am guessing as a Celtics fan who witnessed the C's go from a 24 win team to beating the Lakers in the finals in one year's time, you are ready to concede the 17th title as nothing but a by-product of a conspiracy?

No of course not, but it was done in spite of it all...overcoming adversity makes it that much sweeter...

[Dogen]

We love ya, Cooz!

He speaks the truth, and it's great to hear one of the Celtics Masters speak about the post-season. I think his assessments are pretty accurate, but I will tell you what scares me: LeBron + homecourt + refs + the top brass and marketing execs' desire to see LeBron win a championship. He didn't take that into account.

So I am guessing as a Celtics fan who witnessed the C's go from a 24 win team to beating the Lakers in the finals in one year's time, you are ready to concede the 17th title as nothing but a by-product of a conspiracy?

No Offense making no sense. Any fan who witnessed the transformation of the Celtics knows that it was over 4 years in the making-- it just came together very quickly when all the right conditions were met. Kudos to one of the top front office/ownership combos in professional sports.

[MyInsatiableOne]

No offense=no brain...

God I hate it when non-Celtics fans come here to start ****...I love it when they come here to talk hoops in a reasonable manner, but they are few and far between...

[Frank Lucas]

With all due respect to Mr. Cousy I don't think he has watch a lot of the Cavs or Lakers games. Lebron team is winning because he has shooter around him like Mo William and Delonte West. Those two players are gamers in my eyes and I don't see them running and hiding come play-off time. By the time the Cs face them they will already have that play-off taste in their mouth. As for the Lakers Kobe Bryant has taking less shoots this season then he did last season. The Lakers are playing as a team and this is the first time I can say this but Kobe has been a team player this season. Now will that change come play-off time? Maybe! All I know is the Lakers and Cavs aren't one man shows and I would actually let Lebron and Kobe get there and shut down the rest of the guys. Mo Williams too me poses a problem and I hope Rondo takes it as a personal challenge to take it to this dude.

[Athanacropolis]

We love ya, Cooz!

He speaks the truth, and it's great to hear one of the Celtics Masters speak about the post-season. I think his assessments are pretty accurate, but I will tell you what scares me: LeBron + homecourt + refs + the top brass and marketing execs' desire to see LeBron win a championship. He didn't take that into account.

So I am guessing as a Celtics fan who witnessed the C's go from a 24 win team to beating the Lakers in the finals in one year's time, you are ready to concede the 17th title as nothing but a by-product of a conspiracy?

Jesus H. Christ, doesn't anyone read FOLLOW-UP POSTS around here anymore?

[MyInsatiableOne]

The guy's name is "No Brain" so what do you expect?