1) Flagrant Foul
Throwing a fist in an NBA game is a surefire automatic suspension, or so we thought. In game 1 of the Atlanta series Leon Powe threw down that Godzilla dunk and was then repeatedly and enthusiastically pummeled by Kevin Garnett. As it turns out the ban on fisticuffs only applies to members of the OTHER team. Fortunately for the Celtics you are allowed punch out your own teammate all you want. It's just never come up before.
When Leon finally did manage to get up, he walked back to the bench with KG ferociously yelling into his ear the entire time. The look on the young man's face was a strange mix of joy and fear. The whole thing was pretty funny.
Most people would have been hospitalized by that degree of affection.
2) Serenity
Historically I get pretty worked up about the playoffs, so these first two Atlanta games have been a calming way to start things off. It's been a perfect introduction to the playoffs for this Celtic team- facing a club that is young, athletic and physical, but completely overmatched. Boston gets to ease into top playoff form for the second round. Very calming.
3) Minutes
Remember last fall when there was so much fretting about the excessive minutes of They That Could Not Yet Be Called The Big Three? It's all worked out very well hasn't it? Here it is springtime. Flowers are blooming. The Marathon's been run. The playoffs are underway. And hey, the Big Three's minutes were doled out to perfection!
4) Sponsorship
I have a few gripes about the overcommercialization of our beloved Celtic broadcasts. I realize that money needs to be accumulated in mountainous piles in order to maintain a winning team, but...
...the chronic in-game sales pitches have reached a point of obscenity. All we want is basketball. We already get TV timeouts. We already get that center court rotating advertisement table-thingy. I draw the line of acceptable behavior with the chronic commercial pollution of the broadcast itself.
Here's a very abbreviated list- just a fraction of what you put up with every game (though you may have become so numbed to it you no longer notice). Just off the top of my head:
The Southwest Airlines starting lineup.
The DCU sideline reporter.
The Honey Dew list.
The Subaru key match up.
The Legal Seafoods fish swimming across the bottom of the screen.
The Identity Truth bonus code.
The McDonald's halftime.
The Foxwoods Take a Shot,
The Gatorade heard around the cooler.
The Toyota player of the game.
The Supercuts super cut of the game.
The Identity Truth steal of the game.
The SpeeDee Oil change of the game.
That's probably only half of it. There's sooo many more...
I'm all for capitalism. I mean who out there doesn't enjoy watching giant corporations get bigger and bigger? I love 'em! But please stop during the games. Give it a rest. We just want to watch basketball.
(We'll make an exception for the Legal Seafoods trivia question. That's cool.)
5) Why I stopped writing for a while
I'm sure no one cares but here's why: I started writing these pieces because I could not stand the way the Celtics were being covered. No one in the regular media seemed to recognize that Danny Ainge was accumulating assets and was on the right track even though it was not reflected in the teams' record. Everything was so negative (and I thought, so wrong). I began writing because I couldn't help myself. I'm sure a lot of other green people started blogging for the same reason.
Now though, everybody's writing articles that accurately reflect what's going on. 66 wins does make the positive direction of the franchise very clear.
6) One other reason
This one REALLY no one cares: I live on a dirt driveway about 4/10ths of a mile long. After a rough winter it had hundreds of deep potholes. Over the last month I brought in about 9 tons of stone and filled every single pothole by hand. Just broken-down me with a shovel, three buckets and my Subaru (I couldn't have done it without the inspiration from the Subaru key match up.)
That took all my free time. The good news: I'm done. The road is smooth and beautiful. I am now momentarily strong enough to withstand being briefly pummeled by Kevin Garnett should I ever find myself lying on the floor after throwing down a power dunk on the Atlanta Hawks (though I have not worked out how that might ever happen).
7) Rondo
Where are we? Oh yeah, basketball. Rondo... Whoa. Mr. Rondo is a bit ahead of schedule. The Bibby/Rondo match up was the only thing the Hawks could point to as to why they had the barest chance of getting a win or two. It was a mismatch alright, but the other way. Rajon Rondo has been brilliant. Remember those weinerly national media naysayers who pointed to Rondo as the weak link? Ha! Well how do you like Rondo now, you bunch of specious reasoners you?
8) Depth
Here's another look back: Remember the No Depth talk? Are you kidding? Last night Tony Allen and Eddie House barely played. This Celtics team is so deep, Jacques Cousteau couldn't get a view all the way down to the bottom of the bench. Perk gets into foul trouble? No problem, put in Leon. Leon gets into foul trouble too? No problem, put in PJ and Mr. Baby.
9) Sam
Sam Cassell is back to being his old pain-in-the-butt-if-he-doesn't-play-for-you self. Sam's one of those guys like Jerry West (I forgive Jerry West for being a Laker) who can just get a good shot off at any time no matter what. He comes in, there's no spacing on the floor, his man looks like he's all over him -floop- Sam does that little step back move, giving himself just enough space to rainbow the ball through the net. Just like he did in about ten other uniforms over the last half century, Sam just scores with ease.
Before the playoffs are over that will be the difference between a title or no title.
10) It's Not Going To Stay This Easy
Right? I mean I hope it does, but it will probably be Lebron in round 2, the Pistons or Orlando in round 3, and the lone survivor of the Western free-for-all in the Finals. There will be many formidable challenges coming.
My, my, my, this Celtics team is good though. Maybe just maybe this Celtics team is great, even historically great. This is our time. Many of us have waited 22 years. Some have waited their whole lives. Enjoy it my fellow greeniacs. Cherish these moments. As we have learned, times like these are precious.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
10 things: The Crepes of Wrath
1) The Crepes of Wrath
The Celtics are performing like they did at the beginning of the year. Efficient. Angry. Flattening opponents to pancakes. Philly came into the Monday night game playing extremely well and intent on using the Celtics as a "measuring stick." It didn't matter. For Boston their high level of play has returned at the best possible time; just as the Texas road trip of doom approacheth. (Huh. I seem to have developed a temporary keyboard lisp.)
2) Speaking of That
The coming five game junket was supposed to have San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans on top of the marquee. A funny thing happened along the way: Now the road trip brochure reads, "Five Fabulous Games in Eight Nights, Featuring the Awesome Houston Rockets!" The Rockets have shockingly strung together 19 straight victories. One more and they tie the 70-71 Bucks with the second longest winning streak in NBA history. I don't care what their schedule's been, that's really impressive. Plus they've recently been doing it without Yao Ming (and without Gerald Green).
3) Showdown
Meanwhile the Celtics have completely extinguished their only three game losing streak by running off 9 straight wins themselves. So here's where we are: Houston plays three more times before the teams meet up; at Atlanta, then hosting Charlotte and the evil Lakers. The Celtics have Seattle and Utah at home, followed by Milwaukee and San Antonio on the road. In the event that both clubs win out, the two teams will meet in Houston on March 18th with the Rockets on an incredible 22 game streak and the Celtics on their own 13 game run.
4) Arrogant
Now that every excuse from opposing fans about the Celtics success has been utterly debunked, they've retreated to the last barricade: They call us arrogant. Such as, "I would really like the Celtics except their fans are so arrogant."
Us? Arrogant? Please. They could not be more mistaken. It's simply that they do not recognize the obvious truth that of all the people on Earth we have been chosen by the Almighty Hoop Gods for a noble destiny that they can't possibly share. There's nothing arrogant about that is there?
5) Rondo's three
It wasn't exactly Danny Ainge dribbling through the entire Notre Dame team, or even Ray Allen's game winner against Charlotte, but it was pretty cool: Rajon Rondo's three at the end of the half in Memphis was my favorite early-in-the-game play of the season. With about 5 seconds on the clock and Rondo on the bench in foul trouble, Doc Rivers inserted the young point guard into the game. Rondo responded by dribbling the length of the court through traffic, squaring up, and draining the three. No one else on the roster was both fast and nifty enough to make that play. It was a great substitution by the coach and even better execution by Mr. Rondo.
6) 50
50 wins that is. It's great that Doc Rivers and the team don't care and don't even seem to know the number of wins they have. But for the rest of us those numbers are a fine indicator of how far the club has travelled in one year.
Let's flashback. One year ago on March 11, 2007 the Celtics lost to the Chicago Bulls 94-78. Boston's leading scorer was Gerald Green with 15 points. That game made their record 18-44.
(By the way I want to point that out that my own preseason prediction of 50 total wins has already been met and I'm ecstatic to be so ridiculously far off.)
7) 61
I wrote about this in the fall. The Celtics have to get to 61 wins to surpass the 97-98 Duncan Swipers for the greatest season to season gain-in-wins total in league history. The way they're going the team might get comfortably above that mark. It could be a record that stands for many decades.
8) Irony
Sam Cassell was once Rondo. In 1994 and 1995 it was Cassell who was the young point responsible for leading a team of veterans to the NBA crown. Yes he had Kenny Smith by his side, but his situation fourteen years ago was very similar to what Rondo faces today: a highly talented team laced with all stars such as Olajuwon and Drexler, aching for a title, dependent on the poise of an inexperienced but talented guard running the club's offense. This is obviously history repeating itself.
9) Ray and Eddie
Funny thing. Ray Allen's got his stroke back and Eddie House has lost his. Before Eddie was taking his time shooting, which was good. Now he's rushing, which is bad. Conversely, before Ray was taking his time shooting, which was bad. Now he's rushing, which is good. Does that make sense?
Unlike most guys including Eddie House, Ray just does better when he quick releases.
10) Purity
It's been many many awful, miserable, unsufferable bad-drafting bad-trading years. That's all behind us now. The first 3/4 of the season have been a beautiful experience. A lot of us had to shake the losing, lottery-bound thoughts from our heads. We've undergone a healthy catharsis, ridding ourselves of ping-pong poisoning and spiritually purifying ourselves for the coming post-season. Now we're ready to head down the stretch. Bring on Texas. Bring on April. Bring on the playoffs.
The Celtics are performing like they did at the beginning of the year. Efficient. Angry. Flattening opponents to pancakes. Philly came into the Monday night game playing extremely well and intent on using the Celtics as a "measuring stick." It didn't matter. For Boston their high level of play has returned at the best possible time; just as the Texas road trip of doom approacheth. (Huh. I seem to have developed a temporary keyboard lisp.)
2) Speaking of That
The coming five game junket was supposed to have San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans on top of the marquee. A funny thing happened along the way: Now the road trip brochure reads, "Five Fabulous Games in Eight Nights, Featuring the Awesome Houston Rockets!" The Rockets have shockingly strung together 19 straight victories. One more and they tie the 70-71 Bucks with the second longest winning streak in NBA history. I don't care what their schedule's been, that's really impressive. Plus they've recently been doing it without Yao Ming (and without Gerald Green).
3) Showdown
Meanwhile the Celtics have completely extinguished their only three game losing streak by running off 9 straight wins themselves. So here's where we are: Houston plays three more times before the teams meet up; at Atlanta, then hosting Charlotte and the evil Lakers. The Celtics have Seattle and Utah at home, followed by Milwaukee and San Antonio on the road. In the event that both clubs win out, the two teams will meet in Houston on March 18th with the Rockets on an incredible 22 game streak and the Celtics on their own 13 game run.
4) Arrogant
Now that every excuse from opposing fans about the Celtics success has been utterly debunked, they've retreated to the last barricade: They call us arrogant. Such as, "I would really like the Celtics except their fans are so arrogant."
Us? Arrogant? Please. They could not be more mistaken. It's simply that they do not recognize the obvious truth that of all the people on Earth we have been chosen by the Almighty Hoop Gods for a noble destiny that they can't possibly share. There's nothing arrogant about that is there?
5) Rondo's three
It wasn't exactly Danny Ainge dribbling through the entire Notre Dame team, or even Ray Allen's game winner against Charlotte, but it was pretty cool: Rajon Rondo's three at the end of the half in Memphis was my favorite early-in-the-game play of the season. With about 5 seconds on the clock and Rondo on the bench in foul trouble, Doc Rivers inserted the young point guard into the game. Rondo responded by dribbling the length of the court through traffic, squaring up, and draining the three. No one else on the roster was both fast and nifty enough to make that play. It was a great substitution by the coach and even better execution by Mr. Rondo.
6) 50
50 wins that is. It's great that Doc Rivers and the team don't care and don't even seem to know the number of wins they have. But for the rest of us those numbers are a fine indicator of how far the club has travelled in one year.
Let's flashback. One year ago on March 11, 2007 the Celtics lost to the Chicago Bulls 94-78. Boston's leading scorer was Gerald Green with 15 points. That game made their record 18-44.
(By the way I want to point that out that my own preseason prediction of 50 total wins has already been met and I'm ecstatic to be so ridiculously far off.)
7) 61
I wrote about this in the fall. The Celtics have to get to 61 wins to surpass the 97-98 Duncan Swipers for the greatest season to season gain-in-wins total in league history. The way they're going the team might get comfortably above that mark. It could be a record that stands for many decades.
8) Irony
Sam Cassell was once Rondo. In 1994 and 1995 it was Cassell who was the young point responsible for leading a team of veterans to the NBA crown. Yes he had Kenny Smith by his side, but his situation fourteen years ago was very similar to what Rondo faces today: a highly talented team laced with all stars such as Olajuwon and Drexler, aching for a title, dependent on the poise of an inexperienced but talented guard running the club's offense. This is obviously history repeating itself.
9) Ray and Eddie
Funny thing. Ray Allen's got his stroke back and Eddie House has lost his. Before Eddie was taking his time shooting, which was good. Now he's rushing, which is bad. Conversely, before Ray was taking his time shooting, which was bad. Now he's rushing, which is good. Does that make sense?
Unlike most guys including Eddie House, Ray just does better when he quick releases.
10) Purity
It's been many many awful, miserable, unsufferable bad-drafting bad-trading years. That's all behind us now. The first 3/4 of the season have been a beautiful experience. A lot of us had to shake the losing, lottery-bound thoughts from our heads. We've undergone a healthy catharsis, ridding ourselves of ping-pong poisoning and spiritually purifying ourselves for the coming post-season. Now we're ready to head down the stretch. Bring on Texas. Bring on April. Bring on the playoffs.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
10 things
1) Seeds Of Springtime
Beyond the sweet sensation of Piston pummeling, the result of last night's contest put the teams on new paths. Had Detroit won, the rest of the season would have been a steel cage Hillary/Obama fight to the end; but that didn't happen. With only 23 Celtic games left the Pistons are now 5 back in the loss column and also lose the head to head tiebreaker.
The race is not over but the big lead will surely change philosophies for both clubs the rest of the way: Detroit won't kill themselves on the now longshot cause of gaining the top seed. They will prepare their squad for the playoffs, continue to play their bench and make certain their starters are healthy even if it costs them a few games. This allows Boston to do the same.
2) Furthermore
Other than that homecourt advantage in the conference finals, there's no reason for Detroit to attempt a late season sprint. Looking ahead to potential playoff matchups, I don't think the Celtics have all that much preference about who they play in the second round, whereas the Pistons probably do: They want to avoid Cleveland. The Cavs beat them last year and wore them down the year before. Detroit can out-poise Toronto or Orlando, but they have no magic wand to use on the Cavaliers. So they're probably just as happy to sit in the #2 spot and deal with the Magic, rather than fight like hell when the reward is a rematch with LeBron James.
3) As For Boston
I mentioned before on RealGm that the Cavs recent trade helps Boston in a potential showdown. Specifically Drew Gooden could go outside defensively against KG and take him outside on the other end. Ben Wallace is still too short and now too slow to deal with Garnett.
You can't discount LeBron. He can beat anyone himself, but Cleveland is a little less scary to Boston now.
There's a long way to go before the playoffs but odds are in the second round Detroit will take on Orlando and the Celtics will face the survivor of Toronto/Cleveland.
4) Bob
Bob came over and watched the game last night. This is not new. For decades Bob's come over and watched Celtic games. You know what was really nice? Bob and I haven't seen a game in March that had any sort of remote championship implications for two decades. Of course we're not alone. None of the great green nation has. But last night me and old Bob sat there and thoroughly enjoyed the Celtics putting a headlock on the league's best record. We talked about bygone days and watched Rondo slam it through. We remembered Bird and Hondo as Perkins grabbed his 20th board. While KG racked up his Celtic high in points we gleefully speculated about May and June.
May and June. They play basketball in May and June— REAL PLAYOFF BASKETBALL. Championship ramifications. The long sought holy grail of the 17th banner is there in the distance. Me and Bob? We were happy. I bet the rest of you are feeling a lot of joy now too.
5) That March Schedule
Back in November and December Celtic critics claimed the 29-3 record was an illusion. "Wait until March," they said. "The Celtics will get theirs in March." These ill-informed miscreants were referring to the stretch of games from March 14th to 22nd. Six games in nine days featuring Utah at home and a brutal road swing against San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and New Orleans...
6) Health and Depth
...A funny thing has happened since November though. The Celtics have gotten deeper and better. Powe and Baby have emerged as a dangerous energetic tandem off the bench. Rondo can now cancel out a player the caliber of Chauncey Billups. Perkins can outplay McDyess. The Celtics will soon incorporate Sam Cassell and PJ Brown. Ray Allen has found his stroke. Garnett is healthy. Pierce is passing. The team is deep and it's hungry.
I look at the upcoming schedule and all I can think is, "Wow, it's gonna be tough for those other teams."
7) Doc
I keep bringing up Doc. He's coaching. I mean REALLY coaching. He's managing all these powerful personalities, adding another in Cassell, and the team just keeps getting stronger. The young guys are all markedly better players than they were four months ago. Everyone's on the same page. This team is beautiful to watch, and Doc deserves as much credit now as he got blame the last few seasons.
8) Cous and Pete
Which brings me to this: Earlier in the year the formerly and justifiably cantakerous Bob Cousy was rhapsodic in discussing the merits of these Celtics. Recently even Peter May has joined the ranks of the converted. He wrote a KG for MVP column and just seems giddy about this team. It's almost surreal.
9) Sing a Song For Those Owners
Wyc, Steve, and the rest of the ownership really deserve some congratulations. They always said they'd fork over the dough when it mattered, and they have. They paid for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, for House and Posey, and now they've brought in Cassell and Brown. It turns out they're anti-Paul Gastons. The team has come first. None of this could have happened if they heisleyed around at this critical moment. After all those cheap years in the 90's all I can say is, "Thanks guys."
10) Eye Of The Needle
Only one western team can fit through that tiny opening that leads to the NBA finals. I have no idea which one it will be. San Antonio and the Chris Wallace fortified Lakers look the most formidable right now, but I wouldn't fully discount Phoenix, Utah, Dallas and New Orleans. There's a lot of time between March and June. The beautiful thing is, the Celtics will be favored in the second round. Then if they take care of business only Detroit and the one team from the west will remain. It will not be easy but the Celtics are very capable of winning those two series, and if they do banner number 17 will finally rise.
Beyond the sweet sensation of Piston pummeling, the result of last night's contest put the teams on new paths. Had Detroit won, the rest of the season would have been a steel cage Hillary/Obama fight to the end; but that didn't happen. With only 23 Celtic games left the Pistons are now 5 back in the loss column and also lose the head to head tiebreaker.
The race is not over but the big lead will surely change philosophies for both clubs the rest of the way: Detroit won't kill themselves on the now longshot cause of gaining the top seed. They will prepare their squad for the playoffs, continue to play their bench and make certain their starters are healthy even if it costs them a few games. This allows Boston to do the same.
2) Furthermore
Other than that homecourt advantage in the conference finals, there's no reason for Detroit to attempt a late season sprint. Looking ahead to potential playoff matchups, I don't think the Celtics have all that much preference about who they play in the second round, whereas the Pistons probably do: They want to avoid Cleveland. The Cavs beat them last year and wore them down the year before. Detroit can out-poise Toronto or Orlando, but they have no magic wand to use on the Cavaliers. So they're probably just as happy to sit in the #2 spot and deal with the Magic, rather than fight like hell when the reward is a rematch with LeBron James.
3) As For Boston
I mentioned before on RealGm that the Cavs recent trade helps Boston in a potential showdown. Specifically Drew Gooden could go outside defensively against KG and take him outside on the other end. Ben Wallace is still too short and now too slow to deal with Garnett.
You can't discount LeBron. He can beat anyone himself, but Cleveland is a little less scary to Boston now.
There's a long way to go before the playoffs but odds are in the second round Detroit will take on Orlando and the Celtics will face the survivor of Toronto/Cleveland.
4) Bob
Bob came over and watched the game last night. This is not new. For decades Bob's come over and watched Celtic games. You know what was really nice? Bob and I haven't seen a game in March that had any sort of remote championship implications for two decades. Of course we're not alone. None of the great green nation has. But last night me and old Bob sat there and thoroughly enjoyed the Celtics putting a headlock on the league's best record. We talked about bygone days and watched Rondo slam it through. We remembered Bird and Hondo as Perkins grabbed his 20th board. While KG racked up his Celtic high in points we gleefully speculated about May and June.
May and June. They play basketball in May and June— REAL PLAYOFF BASKETBALL. Championship ramifications. The long sought holy grail of the 17th banner is there in the distance. Me and Bob? We were happy. I bet the rest of you are feeling a lot of joy now too.
5) That March Schedule
Back in November and December Celtic critics claimed the 29-3 record was an illusion. "Wait until March," they said. "The Celtics will get theirs in March." These ill-informed miscreants were referring to the stretch of games from March 14th to 22nd. Six games in nine days featuring Utah at home and a brutal road swing against San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, and New Orleans...
6) Health and Depth
...A funny thing has happened since November though. The Celtics have gotten deeper and better. Powe and Baby have emerged as a dangerous energetic tandem off the bench. Rondo can now cancel out a player the caliber of Chauncey Billups. Perkins can outplay McDyess. The Celtics will soon incorporate Sam Cassell and PJ Brown. Ray Allen has found his stroke. Garnett is healthy. Pierce is passing. The team is deep and it's hungry.
I look at the upcoming schedule and all I can think is, "Wow, it's gonna be tough for those other teams."
7) Doc
I keep bringing up Doc. He's coaching. I mean REALLY coaching. He's managing all these powerful personalities, adding another in Cassell, and the team just keeps getting stronger. The young guys are all markedly better players than they were four months ago. Everyone's on the same page. This team is beautiful to watch, and Doc deserves as much credit now as he got blame the last few seasons.
8) Cous and Pete
Which brings me to this: Earlier in the year the formerly and justifiably cantakerous Bob Cousy was rhapsodic in discussing the merits of these Celtics. Recently even Peter May has joined the ranks of the converted. He wrote a KG for MVP column and just seems giddy about this team. It's almost surreal.
9) Sing a Song For Those Owners
Wyc, Steve, and the rest of the ownership really deserve some congratulations. They always said they'd fork over the dough when it mattered, and they have. They paid for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, for House and Posey, and now they've brought in Cassell and Brown. It turns out they're anti-Paul Gastons. The team has come first. None of this could have happened if they heisleyed around at this critical moment. After all those cheap years in the 90's all I can say is, "Thanks guys."
10) Eye Of The Needle
Only one western team can fit through that tiny opening that leads to the NBA finals. I have no idea which one it will be. San Antonio and the Chris Wallace fortified Lakers look the most formidable right now, but I wouldn't fully discount Phoenix, Utah, Dallas and New Orleans. There's a lot of time between March and June. The beautiful thing is, the Celtics will be favored in the second round. Then if they take care of business only Detroit and the one team from the west will remain. It will not be easy but the Celtics are very capable of winning those two series, and if they do banner number 17 will finally rise.
Monday, February 11, 2008
10 things
1) Chris Wallace
What's the worst transaction of Chris Wallace's career? There's no quick answer to that one is there? You have to think about it.
Here's some of his more colorful Rolaids moments (via Hoopshype.com):
"Traded guards Kenny Anderson and Joseph Forte and center Vitaly Potapenko to the Seattle SuperSonics for forward Vin Baker and guard Shammond Williams.
Traded guards Randy Brown, Joe Johnson, Milt Palacio and a first-round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns for guard Tony Delk and forward Rodney Rogers.
Selected guard Joe Johnson (10th overall pick), forward Kedrick Brown (11th overall pick) and guard Joseph Forte (21st overall pick).
Traded center Andrew DeClercq and a 1999 first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for center Vitaly Potapenko." (The pick would have been used on Shawn Marion.)
"Traded guards Chauncey Billups and Dee Brown and forwards John Thomas and Roy Rogers to the Toronto Raptors for guard Kenny Anderson, forward Popeye Jones and center Zan Tabak."
...and then there's my personal favorite: "Announced they will exercise the option on the Denver Nuggets' first-round pick, 11th overall, in the 2001 draft."
ARRRGH! All he had to do was be patient that year! Denver stunk. The Celtics were already bringing in two first rounders. If they just rolled that pick over a few seasons Boston could have ended up with Amare Stoudemire. Ugh.
Mr. Wallace has on moved to Memphis and look: "Traded forward Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers for guards Aaron McKie and Javaris Crittenton, forward Kwame Brown, the draft rights to center Marc Gasol and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010 to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Pau Gasol." Wow.
Ok, so mean old Rick Pitino made him do some of those bad things, and miserly Paul Gaston made him do others, and now Michael Heisley the 380th richest American, is taking some credit for the latest debacle. I have ask though, if you know anything about this game wouldn't you make at least an occasional good trade? Wouldn't you draft well once in a while? And most recently wouldn't you call around the league to force higher offers after talking to the Lakers? Wouldn't you? I need to know. I'm asking here. I'm desperate. This really bothers me.
All I can say is, thank each and every angel in heaven that Chris Wallace runs a different franchise now.
2) Underestimated
I have three favorite games so far this season: The game in Detroit, the Dallas game, and now the Spurs game. Oddly it's been just as exciting winning without Garnett than it was winning with him. I didn't think the Celtics could play nearly this well without their best player.
3) Big Game? Big Baby!
...Two of those three games were Glen Davis' finest performances of the year. In Detroit he outscored all seven all stars in the fourth quarter while virtually shutting down Rasheed Wallace. Then yesterday he played Tim Duncan better than anyone could have guessed. You couple his performance with the outstanding contributions of Leon Powe and you just shake your head.
I mean, I made some crazy preseason predictions, some that actually came true, but Glen Davis stymieing Tim Duncan and leading the team to victory was not among them.
4) The Streak
...which leads to this: It's been building day after day, week after week, month after month. For some reason San Antonio simply cannot beat the Boston Celtics. It's the St. Patrick's Day curse. For those counting, the long losing streak is now up to two games. When will it end? No one knows. The pressure continues to build on the Spurs.
5) 16-0
Among all the amazing things that have happened so far this season, none is more amazing than the fact that the Celtics are 16-0 against the mighty Western Conference. What the hey? Boston has beaten the Spurs and Mavs without Kevin Garnett, handily dispatched the Lakers, humiliated Denver and Golden State, beat Houston and Utah, and toyed with most of the rest. The western team that gave them the most trouble was Minnesota, twice.
6) Doc
Can't coach? CAN'T COACH? Are you kidding me? What you have witnessed in the past few weeks is the best Celtics coaching performance since Tommy Heinsohn patrolled the bench with long sideburns and a plaid jacket. The Celtics are 5-2 without Kevin Garnett. They outfought the defending champions. They lost every tall person on the roster. Doc Rivers is not doing a good job this season; he is doing a GREAT job!
7) No Doubt
The doubters have been silenced. The Spurs game muted the last of them. I read some of the recent comments on some large Western Conference fan forums like dallas-mavs.com and spurstalk and no one's questioning the Celtics anymore. They are bickering among themselves a lot which is always entertaining, but no one is saying the Celtics cannot win the title.
8) East
Unlike the 80's it's nice to be in the East. Back then scary teams like Philly, Milwaukee, and Doc Rivers' Hawks roamed the Earth. Now though it's the West that's brutally competitive. As of this writing, Houston and Golden State are both 30-20, and one of them wouldn't even make the playoffs. In the East they'd be seeded fourth.
Still, it will not be an easy road for the Celtics to reach the Finals. 16-0 against the West means all nine losses have come in the East. Boston will need to be healthy to get past Cleveland and Detroit. That's why it's critical to rest Garnett and Perkins now. Get them healthy, even if they miss the entire west coast trip after the all star game, and even if it costs the team some wins. It's the playoffs that matter.
9) Rondo
I love Rondo. I think he's my favorite player since Havlicek. I would not be surprised if Rondo makes the whole silly "big three" controversy completely obsolete, because soon there will not be a big three; there will be a big four.
10) Davis on Duncan
I don't know if you saw it on the postgame show, but Greg Dickerson interviewed Baby right after the game and asked him if all that jabbering he and Duncan were doing was trashtalk. Big Baby said (paraphrasing), "Oh no. That was Tim Duncan! He's like Kevin Garnett! I was just soaking up the immortality."
What's the worst transaction of Chris Wallace's career? There's no quick answer to that one is there? You have to think about it.
Here's some of his more colorful Rolaids moments (via Hoopshype.com):
"Traded guards Kenny Anderson and Joseph Forte and center Vitaly Potapenko to the Seattle SuperSonics for forward Vin Baker and guard Shammond Williams.
Traded guards Randy Brown, Joe Johnson, Milt Palacio and a first-round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns for guard Tony Delk and forward Rodney Rogers.
Selected guard Joe Johnson (10th overall pick), forward Kedrick Brown (11th overall pick) and guard Joseph Forte (21st overall pick).
Traded center Andrew DeClercq and a 1999 first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for center Vitaly Potapenko." (The pick would have been used on Shawn Marion.)
"Traded guards Chauncey Billups and Dee Brown and forwards John Thomas and Roy Rogers to the Toronto Raptors for guard Kenny Anderson, forward Popeye Jones and center Zan Tabak."
...and then there's my personal favorite: "Announced they will exercise the option on the Denver Nuggets' first-round pick, 11th overall, in the 2001 draft."
ARRRGH! All he had to do was be patient that year! Denver stunk. The Celtics were already bringing in two first rounders. If they just rolled that pick over a few seasons Boston could have ended up with Amare Stoudemire. Ugh.
Mr. Wallace has on moved to Memphis and look: "Traded forward Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers for guards Aaron McKie and Javaris Crittenton, forward Kwame Brown, the draft rights to center Marc Gasol and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010 to the Memphis Grizzlies for forward Pau Gasol." Wow.
Ok, so mean old Rick Pitino made him do some of those bad things, and miserly Paul Gaston made him do others, and now Michael Heisley the 380th richest American, is taking some credit for the latest debacle. I have ask though, if you know anything about this game wouldn't you make at least an occasional good trade? Wouldn't you draft well once in a while? And most recently wouldn't you call around the league to force higher offers after talking to the Lakers? Wouldn't you? I need to know. I'm asking here. I'm desperate. This really bothers me.
All I can say is, thank each and every angel in heaven that Chris Wallace runs a different franchise now.
2) Underestimated
I have three favorite games so far this season: The game in Detroit, the Dallas game, and now the Spurs game. Oddly it's been just as exciting winning without Garnett than it was winning with him. I didn't think the Celtics could play nearly this well without their best player.
3) Big Game? Big Baby!
...Two of those three games were Glen Davis' finest performances of the year. In Detroit he outscored all seven all stars in the fourth quarter while virtually shutting down Rasheed Wallace. Then yesterday he played Tim Duncan better than anyone could have guessed. You couple his performance with the outstanding contributions of Leon Powe and you just shake your head.
I mean, I made some crazy preseason predictions, some that actually came true, but Glen Davis stymieing Tim Duncan and leading the team to victory was not among them.
4) The Streak
...which leads to this: It's been building day after day, week after week, month after month. For some reason San Antonio simply cannot beat the Boston Celtics. It's the St. Patrick's Day curse. For those counting, the long losing streak is now up to two games. When will it end? No one knows. The pressure continues to build on the Spurs.
5) 16-0
Among all the amazing things that have happened so far this season, none is more amazing than the fact that the Celtics are 16-0 against the mighty Western Conference. What the hey? Boston has beaten the Spurs and Mavs without Kevin Garnett, handily dispatched the Lakers, humiliated Denver and Golden State, beat Houston and Utah, and toyed with most of the rest. The western team that gave them the most trouble was Minnesota, twice.
6) Doc
Can't coach? CAN'T COACH? Are you kidding me? What you have witnessed in the past few weeks is the best Celtics coaching performance since Tommy Heinsohn patrolled the bench with long sideburns and a plaid jacket. The Celtics are 5-2 without Kevin Garnett. They outfought the defending champions. They lost every tall person on the roster. Doc Rivers is not doing a good job this season; he is doing a GREAT job!
7) No Doubt
The doubters have been silenced. The Spurs game muted the last of them. I read some of the recent comments on some large Western Conference fan forums like dallas-mavs.com and spurstalk and no one's questioning the Celtics anymore. They are bickering among themselves a lot which is always entertaining, but no one is saying the Celtics cannot win the title.
8) East
Unlike the 80's it's nice to be in the East. Back then scary teams like Philly, Milwaukee, and Doc Rivers' Hawks roamed the Earth. Now though it's the West that's brutally competitive. As of this writing, Houston and Golden State are both 30-20, and one of them wouldn't even make the playoffs. In the East they'd be seeded fourth.
Still, it will not be an easy road for the Celtics to reach the Finals. 16-0 against the West means all nine losses have come in the East. Boston will need to be healthy to get past Cleveland and Detroit. That's why it's critical to rest Garnett and Perkins now. Get them healthy, even if they miss the entire west coast trip after the all star game, and even if it costs the team some wins. It's the playoffs that matter.
9) Rondo
I love Rondo. I think he's my favorite player since Havlicek. I would not be surprised if Rondo makes the whole silly "big three" controversy completely obsolete, because soon there will not be a big three; there will be a big four.
10) Davis on Duncan
I don't know if you saw it on the postgame show, but Greg Dickerson interviewed Baby right after the game and asked him if all that jabbering he and Duncan were doing was trashtalk. Big Baby said (paraphrasing), "Oh no. That was Tim Duncan! He's like Kevin Garnett! I was just soaking up the immortality."
Thursday, January 31, 2008
10 things
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.
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.
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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