The Boston Celtics are being bullied and look scared to fight back

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 13: Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors walks away after arguing with members of the Boston Celtics during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Finals at Chase Center on June 13, 2022 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

It’s easy for a team like the Golden State Warriors to front-run on a team like the Boston Celtics. They are up 3-2 with a chance to end the series in six. Plus, their confidence and swagger are at the highest they’ve been all season.

It’s even easier when Boston looks like they don’t intend to fight back. The energy from Game 5’s press conference, or lack thereof, is very telling. It seems as if this team has given up, and it’s very hard to even think that way. That’s not to say they have, but unfortunately, by the optics, it doesn’t look promising.

In two straight games, Boston has had opportunities to give it to Golden State, and twice, they were sloppy, lethargic, and insouciant. Now, down 3-2, the Celtics head back home with no real home-court advantage and the likelihood of disappointing the fans again as they have done at TD Garden quite often this postseason.

The Boston Celtics have been bullied the last two games, and they show no signs of fighting back, which they must do if they want to win the series.

To make matters worse, in Game 5, Draymond Green essentially taunted Jayson Tatum and the Celtics bench during a timeout. At the end of the 3rd quarter, Jordan Poodle’s buzzer-beater resulted in Poole sticking out his chest at the crowd. Andrew Wiggins’ dunk near the end of the game, combined with Klay Thompson’s late shots and the Warriors bench dancing, only added insult to injury.

Now, this happy-go-lucky crew must deal with the inevitable on Thursday. Win or Go Home. Thompson’s press conference provided a soundbite that maybe could inspire this team? Or just put them out of their misery.

Also, how about Steve Kerr essentially guaranteeing a victory by telling his team in the locker room, “We’re going to finish it in Boston.” Ok, maybe that’s not a guarantee, but the Celtics supposedly should look at it that way.

Look at it this way. This Boston Celtics team, just like last season’s Cincinnati Bengals, are having their biggest woes get exposed on the biggest stage against a team from California. Many recall how the Bengals made it to Super Bowl LVI, only to watch their most significant issue, the offensive line, play a major role in them being ushered off the field in a loss to the LA Rams.

In the case of Boston, their inability to avoid sloppy play, turnovers, inefficient consistent shooting, and overall lack of aggression (particularly the last two games) has resulted in them being faced with a test that almost seems impossible to pass.

Game 5 was the exact script that the Hollywood producers of Golden State wrote, edited, and executed to perfection. The award? A lead that, despite being a one-game lead, seems almost insurmountable.

Steph Curry will never shoot 0-9 from behind the arc in a game again, Draymond Green is only going to get stronger, and need we remind folks of Game 6 Klay Thompson? Face it, Boston will not do anything except bow down after growling for a short period.

But maybe they can and force all of us who are writing them off to eat our words with a spicy dose of crow as the main course. However, we will believe it when we see it. They have a chance, that’s for sure, but it’s a slim one at that.

It’s not over yet. The Celtics can still pull this series out, exercise the demons of 2010, and give the West Coast visitors a slice of humble pie. But again, it’s a tall task. Can they do it? Let’s see.