The Golden Age of Basketball-Chapter 367 - 101: Give Me the Ball

The NBA’s 2-3-2 finals format was implemented starting with the 1985 championship series, this format was adapted from MLB’s World Series, which has used the 2-3-2 format since 1924.

The main reason for using this format was to consider the fatigue of the players during the finals. After several series of games, they were already very tired, and the finals were usually a confrontation between teams from the Eastern and Western Conferences, with America being geographically very wide. Flying back and forth on airplanes was time-consuming and strenuous. If the 2-2-1-1-1 format was used, the last three games would require flying across the country after every other game, which would greatly affect the players’ condition.

In the 1984 NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics had just finished a seven-game battle. Both teams were exhausted from the flights, and by the end, both were running on empty. Therefore, Red Auerbach proposed to the league that the finals format be changed to 2-3-2, which meant the teams would only need to take two flights and have sufficiently long breaks in between.

At that time, Auerbach’s prestige within the league was at its peak, and David Stern had just taken office; naturally, he was more than willing to accept Redhead’s suggestion, and the new finals format was adopted starting in 1985.

Little did Auerbach know that his proposal would be like lifting a rock only to drop it on his own feet. In 1985, the Celtics and Lakers met again in the finals, with the Celtics holding the home-court advantage.

After the first four games, the series was tied at 2-2. However, due to the new format, the pivotal Game 5, which was of great importance, had to be played in Los Angeles.

Having lost that crucial game away from home, the Celtics found themselves in a difficult situation. Even though they had two home games left, the Lakers were already in high spirits, and home-court advantage often doesn’t play a significant role in such situations.

Furthermore, with Bird’s finger injury causing him to underperform, the Celtics were defeated by the Lakers in the finals for the first time, ending their undefeated record against the Lakers in the finals.

By contrast, in 1984, after the same 2-2 result in the first four games, the crucial Game 5 took place in Boston. The frenzied shouts of the fans and the sweltering Garden Arena became hell for the Lakers.

The Celtics won Game 5, and even though they lost Game 6 in Los Angeles, they sealed the championship when they returned to Boston for Game 7.

Looking at the overall strength and final statistics, the 1984 Celtics were actually a bit weaker than the Lakers, whether it was average points per game (Celtics 115, Lakers 117), shooting percentage (Celtics 44%, Lakers 51%), or assists (Celtics 22, Lakers 28), the Lakers were better.

The Celtics won the series by relying on their unparalleled momentum, psychological advantage, and fully utilizing their home-court advantage.

However, the situation reversed in 1985. In terms of overall strength, the Celtics were actually better, as seen from the slaughter of 148:114 in the first game.

But the Lakers were more determined, and with Maxwell injured as well as several other factors, such as the crucial Game 5 being played in Los Angeles, the Celtics were overwhelmingly defeated by the Lakers.

Among these factors, the 2-3-2 format played a very important role. One wonders if Auerbach ever regretted making this suggestion to the league.

Now, the Celtics face the same situation, with Game 5 to be played in the frenzied Portland. This victory is a must for them.

Otherwise, if last year’s situation repeats and they return to Boston trailing 2-3, winning two consecutive games is not going to be easy.

The Trail Blazers are not afraid to fight in the Boston Garden; on the contrary, it’s the Celtics who will bear the greater pressure.

Therefore, the entire Celtic team is immersed in intense preparations, not daring to slack off for even a moment.

The Trail Blazers’ situation is the same as the Celtics’, with Game 5 being their last home game, and they cannot afford to lose.

If the Celtics lose Game 5, they may still have a chance to win the series once they return to Boston. If the Trail Blazers lose Game 5, the notion of them winning consecutively in Boston is practically a fantasy.

After the fourth game, the spirits in the Trail Blazers’ camp had already dampened somewhat, because the Celtics’ starting lineup of five All-Stars was truly formidable.

One can foresee that in the upcoming games, the Celtics will definitely use this starting lineup, and the Trail Blazers will find no one in their backcourt to counter the pair of Johnsons and Larry Bird.

Terry Porter and Jerome Kossie are too young, Vandeweghe and Parkson are not known for their defense, and Drexler, just a third-year player at 23, is also young.

The Trail Blazers are a team mainly comprised of young players and veterans, lacking a core force from the middle generation. The only players in the 25-30 age group on the team are Parkson and Vandeweghe, and they are not players who can carry the team, but only serve as support.

On the Celtics side, Bird, McHale, Ainge, and Marques Johnson are all in the 25-30 age bracket, in their prime competitive state and peak of game experience. Parrish and Dennis Johnson are just over 30, also a great age to play basketball.

As the series progresses, the Celtics’ advantage in experience is gradually showing. Psychologically, they have already gained the upper hand. If the Celtics take Game 5, the title’s destiny will be without doubt.

The only good news for the Trail Blazers is that Game 5 is in Portland. They don’t have to go to Boston and face tremendous pressure; they can stay at home and prepare with care. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

On game day, Jack Ramsay arrived at Memorial Coliseum very early. After running for a while and swimming for a bit, he went to his office and immersed himself in work.