The Celtics had the game in their pocket versus the Milwaukee Bucks on Christmas Day, but it was the most-recent Finals MVP Award winner, Giannis Antetokounmpo, that made sure Boston didn't leave with the win. The Celtics just don't seem to have that player with the intensity to figuratively stick that dagger into the heart of an opponent and maybe twist it a bit.
Bill Russell never won that specific award because it didn't exist until his last season (1968-69) in the League - and Jerry West took the award that year even though his Lakers lost to Boston in the Finals. "The Logo" was that good. But the prize is now known for Russ, an intense competitor who possessed that "killer instinct".
Larry Bird took the Finals MVP Trophy twice - Paul Pierce won one of them - and even the often-dismissed Cedric Maxwell grabbed one. All three gave "no quarter".
No Quarter (definition): No pity or mercy
I view Jayson Tatum as a transcendent player. He is that good, but I have not seen that "dagger mentality" in him thus far. Ditto for Jaylen Brown. Can they develop that mentality. I hope so. Both stars have elevated their games admirably.
Both members of the Jay Team have to ask themselves - what does Russell think of our propensity for losing close games? How about Larry? What would he do if he still played. The Truth had that real toughness about him, and Max's "Hop on my back, fellas" line was fulfilled. That is what a Finals-MVP-Caliber player does with the Title on the line.
Comments
Post a Comment