Rest, then stretch-drive test
C’s look to lock in post ASG break
CHICAGO — After going for 23 points in Sunday’s NBA All-Star game, Kemba Walker was one of just five players to appear on the interview podium.
It was a big night for the Celtic point guard as he and his captain on Team Giannis fought to the end before falling to Team LeBron by two. But the glamor faded quickly as Walker descended the short stage and moved through the curtains behind and into an area filled with support electronics and wheeled containers — serious back-of-the-house stuff.
He’ll get away for a quick break before returning to Boston for Wednesday’s practice, but the surroundings were a reminder that, when it comes to basketball, it is now time to get down to business. The regular season is in the home stretch, with less than two months on its docket.
“It’s time to lock in even more,” said Walker as he paused amidst the work gear. “It’s time to get to … well, we’re going to get to the playoffs. It’s time to get there though and really just focus in. We’ve got to lock in. It’s about that time.”
The Celtics sit at 38-16, third in the Eastern Conference and just a loss-column game behind No. 2 Toronto. They have the fourth-best record in the NBA.
Not bad. But not enough. “It’s been real, but now it’s definitely, definitely real,” said Walker. “We’ve got, what, 26 games left (28)? It’s go time.”
Earlier in a room with other players, fellow Celtic and fellow All-Star Jayson Tatum had a similar sentiment.
“Yeah, it’s about that time,” he said after scoring six points for the winning side. “Things are getting serious, playoff seedings, stuff like that. So it’s about that time.”
As for what he’ll do for a couple of days, Tatum said, “I think I’m going to go home.”
Boston or St. Louis? “St. Louis home,” he said with emphasis and a smile.
Previously when asked about the keys for the Celts the rest of the way, he said, “Staying healthy. I think that’s big for us. I feel like we have enough talent. We play as hard as anybody. You know, we’ve just got to be consistent and take it one game at a time, not looking too far into May and June.”
A worthy ‘Ending’
While the All-Star game played out as its usual Globetrotter-like exhibition for most of the first three quarters, the last period was transformed into the competitive spectacle for which all who watch had hoped. The credit is rightfully going to the variation of the Elam Ending employed by the NBA.
The original concept, as used in The Basketball Tournament, is to turn off the clock after the first stoppage with four minutes to play in the fourth quarter and create a target score eight points above that of the leading team. First to hit or pass that mark wins.
In this case, the league went without a clock for the entire final period, adding 24 points (a nod to Kobe Bryant) to Team Giannis’ 133. Team LeBron, 124 through three quarters, made up the difference to win, 157-155, as players dug in on defense and argued calls and got truly serious.
“Yeah, I thought it was cool,” said Walker. “I had no idea coming into the game. I didn’t know what to expect. As we played, it was great. That’s what everybody wants to see. They want to see a competitive game. That’s what it was in the fourth. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”
Said Giannis Antetokounmpo, “After the game, my brother came down and he said this has been the most fun All-Star he’s been a part of. And I asked him why, and he told me, ‘Because you guys were really competitive. You guys were playing to win.’ Team Giannis, that’s what we were trying to do. We were trying to come out, set the tone, play hard. Especially in the fourth quarter, the defense got tighter. Guys were hitting one another. Every possession counts. We had a little bit of playoff intensity out there. So I loved it. I hope we can keep the same format for a lot of years, and I think people had fun, we had fun. So that’s what it’s all about.”
The ending is the creation of Nick Elam, who tired of watching college games end in a dragged out mess of free throws and timeouts. (Most stories will identify him as a Ball State professor, but this one will note that he’s a University of Dayton grad.)
LeBron James is a fan of the concept.
“I didn’t know what to expect because it was a new format, new year,” he said. “None of us knew what to expect. But throughout the whole fourth quarter and at the end of the game, everybody was like, “That was pretty damn fun.
“Yeah, that was extremely fun and a great way to end 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend.”
No mistaken identity
Nice moment at James’ press conference when he was asked, “Kobe, can you share your favorite off the court memory?”
“I don’t mind being Kobe this weekend,” said James.
“Sorry,” said the media member, “I’m a bit nervous.”
“That’s fine,” said LeBron. “My mom might not like it, but I’m OK with it.” …
The Kobe memorial is scheduled for next Monday in L.A., the day after the Celtics play the Lakers there. Tatum said he would like to attend if he can.