1) Miami Game
First off, Who kidnapped Bob Cousy and replaced him with Barney? "I love you. You love me. We're a happ-ee fam-a-lee." What happened to the acid spitting Cous whose disposition resembled the monster from Alien? Winning changes everything.
2) Miami Game Again
It was nice to see Mark Blount giving his all for another team in a 30 point loss. Let's face it: You can't stop Mark Blount. You can only hope to trade him.
Speaking of Mr. Blount, my brilliant and beautiful wife made the following observation: She pointed out that after scoring Blount goes completely rigid when he runs to the other end, whereas Tony Allen does just the opposite; after he scores he goes totally loose and floppy as he moves the other way. I don't think it means anything, but it's funny.
3) Rondo
Give me a break you Rondo critics. Repeat after me: "Rajon Rondo is the man." Did you say it? Good.
He's young and extremely talented. The team suffers more when he's sidelined than anyone besides Garnett and Pierce. He's the single most important key to maintaining the tempo. He's a vital contributor to the team's early season awesomeness. Recently he missed a few games and is currently playing HURT. Keep developing him. Tough games now will be paid back later with playoff wins.
The kid's a future all star. The man I tell you! The man!
4) Damon and Sam
I'm not a big Damon Stoudamire guy. He's less selfish on the floor than he used to be, but is still a Damon-first point guard . He's also got Telfair disease on defense- too small and does not have Rondo arms to make up for it. I warned you about Telfair after the Portland trade. Well I'm warning you again. Overall, Damon probably won't give you more than Eddie House as a point.
5) Tony Allen
Also, floppy Tony Allen is just starting to come into his own, right on schedule. Recovery from knee surgery actually does take some time. Really. I don't know why anyone expected Tony to come out of training camp in top form. I also don't know why anyone thought he wouldn't improve (and will continue to improve) as the season goes on.
In other words Danny Ainge is doing the right thing by holding out for Sam Cassell or some other agreeable point guard. Sam's big, so he doesn't give away the farm against Billups. Sam's poised, so he'll keep his head in big games. Sam's a good guy too; he won't screw up the boulliabase.
5) Midseason blues
Are you feeling down because the Celtics are 6-4 in their last 10? Chin up there fella. Everything's fine. The Celtics are in a dip for temporary health reasons. Ray Allen is worn down. Keving Garnett is out. Posey missed some games. And Rondo who supercharges the whole team— we've already covered him. They'll all get better.
When they do, the Celtics will go back to obliterating people again and everyone will be as jovial as Bob Cousy.
6) Dallas
I've been looking forward to this next game since about Halloween. Nowitzki has been the bane of my brain since the Celtics barely missed out on him in the 1998 draft. Don't get me wrong— Paul Pierce is not exactly what you'd call a consolation prize, but big bad Dirk is someone the Celtics have never come close to matching up with...
...until now. Garnett easily cancels Dirk out, and maybe is a bit better. KG is a rare player that can challenge Dirk defensively. So here's hoping for some serious abdominal healing, because without Mr. Garnett the Celtics are in for a rough night, and with him it's probably the other way around.
7) Leon Powe and Glen Davis
If my calculations are correct, that makes three contributing undersized second-round widebody frontcourters for Danny Ainge in the past three years. It's great to see Davis and Powe tenderize the opposition at the same time. One grown man. One big baby. That's a lot of results no matter what age they might appear to be.
Throw in the fact that Perkins is starting to break himself of the bad habit of bringing the ball down before he shoots, and the Celtics are getting a lot of unexpected production from the three toros.
8) The Gerald Henderson Effect
The Gerald Henderson Effect is a simple thing. It goes like this: When you have a great team the trade value of marginal players skyrockets.
Back in the 80s Henderson was a pretty decent guard. But since he played with Bird, McHale, Parish, etc., he was perceived to be far better than he actually was. Red Auerbach took advantage of this and traded Gerald to Seattle for the second pick in the entire draft.
The same thing happened to Rick Robey. Robey wasn't very good, not to mention he kept Bird out in the bars all night; but because he played on such a great team his trade value was very high. He landed Dennis Johnson for the Celtics.
Keep this in mind over the next year or two, because guys who are currently 7 to 13 on the depth chart might eventually land amazing returns in a lopsided trade a la Mr. Henderson and Mr. Robey.
(Winning the title would greatly magnify the effect.)
9) Havlicek
Seeing John Havlicek in the stands of the Miami game gave me goosebumps. I wonder, did the people sitting around him even know who he was? That man was utterly unique in the history of this sport, and Hollinger-type robotic number crunching does not tell the tale of this terrific player. Havlicek was a great scorer and he was a great defender, but the best thing he did— the thing he did as well as anyone who has ever played, is control tempo and wear the opposition down. He sprinted non-stop. His whole game was aimed at making the other guy too tired to be effective in the 4th quarter, and WOW was he good at it. Ask former Senator Bradley.
10) Playoffs
Are you starting to peek at the standings with an eye toward playoff seeds yet? It's my firm belief that the Celtics will maintain their top position in the East. I also think Detroit will be second and Cleveland third, putting those two dangerous teams in the opposite bracket. The big question then is, who will be the 4-5 seeds? Right now it looks like some combination of Orlando, Washington and Toronto. However it goes, that will make for a high energy second round series between the Celtics and the survivor of that group.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Grenvy
1) Big Baby
An NBA record was set Saturday night: Never before have so many people simultaneously pointed at their TVs and screamed the word "Baby!"
Taking a page from the Kendrick Perkins We-Shall-Not-Be-Moved school of defense, Glen Davis stymied Rasheed Wallace on one end of the floor while decimating the Pistons on the offensive side. With seven all stars sharing the court it was rookie Davis who stole the evening. His fast feet (also known as baby steps), superb hands and great use of bulk stunned the Pistons.
Time and again Paul Pierce drove the lane and dished to the rookie. Detroit, not believing what they were seeing, made no adjustments, continuing to over-cover the big three while leaving Glen Davis free to position himself under the basket.
The beautiful thing is: let the Pistons adjust. Next time the teams play they'll pay full attention to Big Baby, and when they do Garnett or Pierce or Allen will be left in single coverage.
Now it's Detroit that's uncertain.
2) Best Western
Which leads to this: I'm getting weary of hearing about how the Celtics haven't played the Suns, Mavs or Spurs. The Celtics are playing basketball on a level seen once every hoops epoch. The Spurs are a four time champion. They've earned the respect of being considered the ultimate test— but the Mavs and Suns? Those two franchises have as many rings as the Bobcats.
IMSO (In my swaggerly opinion) the Celtics are the best team in basketball. It's Dallas and Phoenix that have to prove themselves against Boston, NOT the other way around.
3) Grenvy
Around the nation and the world, followers of other teams have become increasingly bitter. They jealously claim Ainge was "handed" this team, or that the Celtics have had an easy schedule (see above), or blindly say that it won't last.
I have a word for this: Grenvy. It's what you get when you blend "Green" and "Envy." So next time you read someone sourly discounting the jaw-dropping resurgence of basketball's preeminent franchise, you don't have to respond. They're just grenvious.
4) Consider this:
I don't think there have been more than two games all year where all three of the trio grande have had great shooting nights on the same evening. Part of the reason is that Ray Allen still hasn't gotten his shot locked down yet, which is not to say Ray hasn't contributed to every win he's played in. (The Celtics beat Toronto and Milwaukee with one Allen tied behind their back.) Ray's defense has been FAR better than advertised. His savvy positioning on the court has played havoc with the opposition. They cannot lay off him.
I think his out of sync shooting is largely caused by the off-season surgery. When your ankles feel different it takes some time to adjust. That will happen— probably sooner rather than later. You can see how near he is to getting the stroke back. He's very close. It's just a matter of time.
Regardless, Ray Allen was a great throw-in in the Glen Davis trade.
5) Allen part deux
Tony Allen is coming around too. He's really been contributing recently.
The funny thing about Tony is he scares the hell out of fans of BOTH teams every time he has the ball. He's constantly swaying and jerking back and forth. You just can't predict whose heart he's going to break with his next movement. He's like that even in postgame interviews— swaying back and forth while answering questions. I keep reflexively reaching out toward the television to catch him.
Anyway, Tony Allen is the big wild card. If he keeps growing like this, he makes life a grenvious hell for other teams.
6) Why this will continue
The reason the record is no illusion is because it's based on defense. Offense comes and goes, but the D has been rock solid every game not played in Salt Lake City.
I'm not saying I expect the Celtics to maintain this other-worldly pace of winning. That would be close to impossible. But I expect their high level of energy and defense to continue. That should be enough to raise a tall crop of Ws by harvest time in April.
7) Open roster spots
We know the following:
*There are two open roster spots
*Brandon Wallace was let go because he couldn't help now.
*Though he's showed promise, Gabe Pruitt doesn't seem to be in the plans for this year.
*The Celtics could use a nifty back up point guard.
*Most importantly, there are plenty of disgruntled vets and cheap owners out there. The best combo that comes to mind is Donald Sterling and Sam Cassell. Sam is a buddy of Garnett, a good guy to have on any team, and wants out of the not-evil LA franchise.
Wouldn't it be nice if Reggie Lewis' old Baltimore protege ended up here?
7) Danny
Talk about doing no wrong... Every guy Danny Ainge brought in this off-season has contributed on a level ranging from pleasant surprise to league MVP. Pruitt, Davis, Pollard, House, Posey, Allen, Garnett. Not a dud in the bunch.
8) Tommy
Notice how the fomenting grenvy across America is so often vented at the greatest basketball broadcaster in the land? Thanks to League Pass, I never read comments on a Celtic game from opposing fans that don't include some anti-Tommy raving.
Don't these nice folks realize that the broadcasts are meant for us, and that they're just eavesdropping?
9) Speaking of which
It's great for all the Celtics broadcasters and long-time beat writers to get to cover this team after so many down years. Their lives must be more pleasant now. Of course in wishing the local press well I do not necessarily include every columnist from the Boston Globe, the last of whom finally acknowledged the true prominence of this team only after the recent west coast sweep.
Their opinions on Danny Ainge the last few years speak for themselves. Sometimes smart people can be so dumb.
10) Changing times
All this winning has led to steady Celtics talk during the heart of the Patriots run for undefeated immortality. You'd think there would be a green blackout until after the Uberbowl. But no. The Celtics are back, the buzz keeps building, and the new era has only just begun.
An NBA record was set Saturday night: Never before have so many people simultaneously pointed at their TVs and screamed the word "Baby!"
Taking a page from the Kendrick Perkins We-Shall-Not-Be-Moved school of defense, Glen Davis stymied Rasheed Wallace on one end of the floor while decimating the Pistons on the offensive side. With seven all stars sharing the court it was rookie Davis who stole the evening. His fast feet (also known as baby steps), superb hands and great use of bulk stunned the Pistons.
Time and again Paul Pierce drove the lane and dished to the rookie. Detroit, not believing what they were seeing, made no adjustments, continuing to over-cover the big three while leaving Glen Davis free to position himself under the basket.
The beautiful thing is: let the Pistons adjust. Next time the teams play they'll pay full attention to Big Baby, and when they do Garnett or Pierce or Allen will be left in single coverage.
Now it's Detroit that's uncertain.
2) Best Western
Which leads to this: I'm getting weary of hearing about how the Celtics haven't played the Suns, Mavs or Spurs. The Celtics are playing basketball on a level seen once every hoops epoch. The Spurs are a four time champion. They've earned the respect of being considered the ultimate test— but the Mavs and Suns? Those two franchises have as many rings as the Bobcats.
IMSO (In my swaggerly opinion) the Celtics are the best team in basketball. It's Dallas and Phoenix that have to prove themselves against Boston, NOT the other way around.
3) Grenvy
Around the nation and the world, followers of other teams have become increasingly bitter. They jealously claim Ainge was "handed" this team, or that the Celtics have had an easy schedule (see above), or blindly say that it won't last.
I have a word for this: Grenvy. It's what you get when you blend "Green" and "Envy." So next time you read someone sourly discounting the jaw-dropping resurgence of basketball's preeminent franchise, you don't have to respond. They're just grenvious.
4) Consider this:
I don't think there have been more than two games all year where all three of the trio grande have had great shooting nights on the same evening. Part of the reason is that Ray Allen still hasn't gotten his shot locked down yet, which is not to say Ray hasn't contributed to every win he's played in. (The Celtics beat Toronto and Milwaukee with one Allen tied behind their back.) Ray's defense has been FAR better than advertised. His savvy positioning on the court has played havoc with the opposition. They cannot lay off him.
I think his out of sync shooting is largely caused by the off-season surgery. When your ankles feel different it takes some time to adjust. That will happen— probably sooner rather than later. You can see how near he is to getting the stroke back. He's very close. It's just a matter of time.
Regardless, Ray Allen was a great throw-in in the Glen Davis trade.
5) Allen part deux
Tony Allen is coming around too. He's really been contributing recently.
The funny thing about Tony is he scares the hell out of fans of BOTH teams every time he has the ball. He's constantly swaying and jerking back and forth. You just can't predict whose heart he's going to break with his next movement. He's like that even in postgame interviews— swaying back and forth while answering questions. I keep reflexively reaching out toward the television to catch him.
Anyway, Tony Allen is the big wild card. If he keeps growing like this, he makes life a grenvious hell for other teams.
6) Why this will continue
The reason the record is no illusion is because it's based on defense. Offense comes and goes, but the D has been rock solid every game not played in Salt Lake City.
I'm not saying I expect the Celtics to maintain this other-worldly pace of winning. That would be close to impossible. But I expect their high level of energy and defense to continue. That should be enough to raise a tall crop of Ws by harvest time in April.
7) Open roster spots
We know the following:
*There are two open roster spots
*Brandon Wallace was let go because he couldn't help now.
*Though he's showed promise, Gabe Pruitt doesn't seem to be in the plans for this year.
*The Celtics could use a nifty back up point guard.
*Most importantly, there are plenty of disgruntled vets and cheap owners out there. The best combo that comes to mind is Donald Sterling and Sam Cassell. Sam is a buddy of Garnett, a good guy to have on any team, and wants out of the not-evil LA franchise.
Wouldn't it be nice if Reggie Lewis' old Baltimore protege ended up here?
7) Danny
Talk about doing no wrong... Every guy Danny Ainge brought in this off-season has contributed on a level ranging from pleasant surprise to league MVP. Pruitt, Davis, Pollard, House, Posey, Allen, Garnett. Not a dud in the bunch.
8) Tommy
Notice how the fomenting grenvy across America is so often vented at the greatest basketball broadcaster in the land? Thanks to League Pass, I never read comments on a Celtic game from opposing fans that don't include some anti-Tommy raving.
Don't these nice folks realize that the broadcasts are meant for us, and that they're just eavesdropping?
9) Speaking of which
It's great for all the Celtics broadcasters and long-time beat writers to get to cover this team after so many down years. Their lives must be more pleasant now. Of course in wishing the local press well I do not necessarily include every columnist from the Boston Globe, the last of whom finally acknowledged the true prominence of this team only after the recent west coast sweep.
Their opinions on Danny Ainge the last few years speak for themselves. Sometimes smart people can be so dumb.
10) Changing times
All this winning has led to steady Celtics talk during the heart of the Patriots run for undefeated immortality. You'd think there would be a green blackout until after the Uberbowl. But no. The Celtics are back, the buzz keeps building, and the new era has only just begun.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
The Answer Is Yes
1) The Answer
Up until now there have been lingering doubts. Around the country people were skeptical. They kept questioning different aspects of the new Celtics: The defense, the bench, Perkins and Rondo, chemistry, willingness to share the ball, the coaching, and lastly the schedule. One by one those questions have been dispensed with as resoundingly as the hapless Lakers.
Even within the great green nation people doubted, and why not? No one had seen this team before. No one was prepared for what would happen. No one, not even the most optimistic voices could have foreseen just how quickly and powerfully this team would come together.
This west coast sweep has done it. For the first time since the legendary squad of 1986, the Celtics returned from a west coast swing undefeated. Four games in five nights. They were pounded on, scratched, worn down, even tackled; but they passed every test.
The question is: "Is this a bonafide championship contender?"
The answer is yes.
2) Speaking of Coaching
Doc Rivers deserves enormous credit for these four wins. Going into the trip he decided not to uptempo, knowing that it would sap the team's energy and they wouldn't have enough juice to win the latter games. Instead they played deliberately on the offensive end, suffocated everyone but Utah and Delonte West with their defense, and just looked awesome. Kudos to Doc. (How come kudos always come in bunches? You never hear of someone getting only one kudo.)
Furthermore, in the final game the Los Angeles coach made what I thought was an obvious error. When Rondo went down I guessed Boston would lose (the first time I've thought that all year). It seemed so obvious that the Lakers would press the hell out of Tony Allen and Eddie House to keep the Celtics from maintaining any offensive flow. The Lakers never did it. They never used the press.
3) Detroit
With San Antonio banged up, right now the two best teams in basketball play in the East. That's correct.
The Pistons are very impressive. They are #1 in the league in scoring and #2 in limiting opponent's scoring— an amazing combination. (The Celtics are #6 and #1.) As of this moment, the Pistons point differential is 10.6, second only to the Celtics incredible 13.8. 12.3 is the all time record!
I can't help but look past Houston and Memphis to Saturday's rematch in Detroit. Regardless of the outcome of that game, these two teams will be angling for position all season. They appear to be relentlessly heading toward a collision in late May and only one thing can stop that from happening...
4) Cleveland
There is a third team that could challenge in the East. The Cavaliers have finally gotten their roster together and are just starting to search under the couch cushions for their mojo. After what they did last season Cleveland cannot be overlooked. A hot streak from LeBron can sink anyone.
Here's the important thing: The Celtics have a lead on Detroit right now but it's by no means insurmountable. Boston must maintain their #1 seeding. That could force the Cavs and Pistons to wear each other down in the Eastern semis. It's a huge advantage for any of these three teams to face only one of the other contenders instead of both. (I do expect the Cavs will finish with the third best record.)
A side note: I respect Orlando but think they're not ready yet.
5) Ray Allen
A beautiful thing has happened since Ray Allen rested. He's getting his stroke back. Oh my. Do people around the league realize that the Celtics are starting to play BETTER? With Ray Allen shooting like Ray Allen it's not even fair.
6) Paul Pierce
The contest in LA was one of the better two way games Pierce has ever played. He hit a bunch of big shots and channeled Walt Frazier on defense at the end of the third quarter. He's been amazing on defense all season. The great thing is that even after numerous all star appearances, you can see how much he's learning playing on this team. Kevin Garnett has been a gift from heaven (or Minnesota, I forget which) but Paul Pierce is the guy who has made big strides in his game.
7) Improvement
Between now and the playoffs I expect to see further improvement. Since the team's chemistry was so great out of the box, you might figure that was it. Nuh uh. The Celtics are continually improving. Roles are becoming more defined, Rondo is on a rapid learning curve (via Mark Murphy in the Herald: ZERO turnovers on the west coast for Rajon!) and the team is just maintaining a remarkable level of dedication. They NEVER take a game off.
I'm biased, but feel that in springtime if both the Celtics and Pistons are playing their best, the Celtics take them.
8) But...
Tommy Heinsohn also said on the postgame after the win in LA, that this Celtic team is still learning: They still have not seen all the critical situations that must be mastered to win a title. (Yes I love this team so much I stayed up to 1:30 AM to hear every word of the postgame show.) Tommy's right. There are obstacles along the way. But every time you hear any member of the Celtics speak, whether it be KG, Pierce, or Doc, they always have exactly the right attitude: "We haven't done anything yet." "We're taking one game at a time." "We're just working on getting better."
It's so beautiful, I think I've passed on to some other-worldly realm...
9) New Era
...I mean here it is New Year's Day— Happy New Year everyone! —and the Celtics have two more wins than they had all of last season. I still cannot completely figure out how this was pulled off. Do you notice Danny Ainge is hardly ever seen or heard from this year? No one's talking much about him. I guess GMs are like refs: you know they're doing a great job when they're not the topic of conversation.
10) That Record
According to my calculations, 35-18 the rest of the way breaks that all time year to year win improvement mark.
Up until now there have been lingering doubts. Around the country people were skeptical. They kept questioning different aspects of the new Celtics: The defense, the bench, Perkins and Rondo, chemistry, willingness to share the ball, the coaching, and lastly the schedule. One by one those questions have been dispensed with as resoundingly as the hapless Lakers.
Even within the great green nation people doubted, and why not? No one had seen this team before. No one was prepared for what would happen. No one, not even the most optimistic voices could have foreseen just how quickly and powerfully this team would come together.
This west coast sweep has done it. For the first time since the legendary squad of 1986, the Celtics returned from a west coast swing undefeated. Four games in five nights. They were pounded on, scratched, worn down, even tackled; but they passed every test.
The question is: "Is this a bonafide championship contender?"
The answer is yes.
2) Speaking of Coaching
Doc Rivers deserves enormous credit for these four wins. Going into the trip he decided not to uptempo, knowing that it would sap the team's energy and they wouldn't have enough juice to win the latter games. Instead they played deliberately on the offensive end, suffocated everyone but Utah and Delonte West with their defense, and just looked awesome. Kudos to Doc. (How come kudos always come in bunches? You never hear of someone getting only one kudo.)
Furthermore, in the final game the Los Angeles coach made what I thought was an obvious error. When Rondo went down I guessed Boston would lose (the first time I've thought that all year). It seemed so obvious that the Lakers would press the hell out of Tony Allen and Eddie House to keep the Celtics from maintaining any offensive flow. The Lakers never did it. They never used the press.
3) Detroit
With San Antonio banged up, right now the two best teams in basketball play in the East. That's correct.
The Pistons are very impressive. They are #1 in the league in scoring and #2 in limiting opponent's scoring— an amazing combination. (The Celtics are #6 and #1.) As of this moment, the Pistons point differential is 10.6, second only to the Celtics incredible 13.8. 12.3 is the all time record!
I can't help but look past Houston and Memphis to Saturday's rematch in Detroit. Regardless of the outcome of that game, these two teams will be angling for position all season. They appear to be relentlessly heading toward a collision in late May and only one thing can stop that from happening...
4) Cleveland
There is a third team that could challenge in the East. The Cavaliers have finally gotten their roster together and are just starting to search under the couch cushions for their mojo. After what they did last season Cleveland cannot be overlooked. A hot streak from LeBron can sink anyone.
Here's the important thing: The Celtics have a lead on Detroit right now but it's by no means insurmountable. Boston must maintain their #1 seeding. That could force the Cavs and Pistons to wear each other down in the Eastern semis. It's a huge advantage for any of these three teams to face only one of the other contenders instead of both. (I do expect the Cavs will finish with the third best record.)
A side note: I respect Orlando but think they're not ready yet.
5) Ray Allen
A beautiful thing has happened since Ray Allen rested. He's getting his stroke back. Oh my. Do people around the league realize that the Celtics are starting to play BETTER? With Ray Allen shooting like Ray Allen it's not even fair.
6) Paul Pierce
The contest in LA was one of the better two way games Pierce has ever played. He hit a bunch of big shots and channeled Walt Frazier on defense at the end of the third quarter. He's been amazing on defense all season. The great thing is that even after numerous all star appearances, you can see how much he's learning playing on this team. Kevin Garnett has been a gift from heaven (or Minnesota, I forget which) but Paul Pierce is the guy who has made big strides in his game.
7) Improvement
Between now and the playoffs I expect to see further improvement. Since the team's chemistry was so great out of the box, you might figure that was it. Nuh uh. The Celtics are continually improving. Roles are becoming more defined, Rondo is on a rapid learning curve (via Mark Murphy in the Herald: ZERO turnovers on the west coast for Rajon!) and the team is just maintaining a remarkable level of dedication. They NEVER take a game off.
I'm biased, but feel that in springtime if both the Celtics and Pistons are playing their best, the Celtics take them.
8) But...
Tommy Heinsohn also said on the postgame after the win in LA, that this Celtic team is still learning: They still have not seen all the critical situations that must be mastered to win a title. (Yes I love this team so much I stayed up to 1:30 AM to hear every word of the postgame show.) Tommy's right. There are obstacles along the way. But every time you hear any member of the Celtics speak, whether it be KG, Pierce, or Doc, they always have exactly the right attitude: "We haven't done anything yet." "We're taking one game at a time." "We're just working on getting better."
It's so beautiful, I think I've passed on to some other-worldly realm...
9) New Era
...I mean here it is New Year's Day— Happy New Year everyone! —and the Celtics have two more wins than they had all of last season. I still cannot completely figure out how this was pulled off. Do you notice Danny Ainge is hardly ever seen or heard from this year? No one's talking much about him. I guess GMs are like refs: you know they're doing a great job when they're not the topic of conversation.
10) That Record
According to my calculations, 35-18 the rest of the way breaks that all time year to year win improvement mark.
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