Where do I even start? Let's rewind it back a couple of games, shall we?
Celtics VS. Lakers: My thoughts? Well, since Boston is my favorite team, of course I would've routed for them to win, (obviously like any good fan would) but come on, the Lakers have been pissed off with us since we took the Championship from them, so I would've expected them to take this one, but not they way they did. This season, I was particularly upset with the Lakers, not long after it had started they were already at 5 losses, and who do they tarnish their perfect record for? The Detroit Pistons of all "teams". But anyway, back on topic, out of all these so called "teams" in the NBA, where they are really ONE-MAN TEAMS, the Celtics are a real team, and showcase it.
As far as the Christmas game goes, we could've done ALOT better, but to only loose by 9 was good enough for me. The things I didn't quite get, was the shove in the chest Gasol gave Rondo and didn't get some type of call, the so called "save" Trevor Ariza did, and the double fouls they gave Rondo. But, this was a loss that we didn't have to take either. The defense was just... off balance and it seemed as if they didn't have any knowledge of what they wanted to do; Ray Allen didn't touch the ball enough, and when he did we actually made points-- ((our bench also needs much improvement, in the sense of playing on the court with the starters)).
Well, all in all the Lakers did have the better hustle and the better plays down the stretch. Now for my quick game analysis:
Reason for loss: Poor defense
Celtics VS. Golden State: Now THIS was the upset of all upsets, I just wanted to bust through my computer screen and strangle the whole team. Of all the people we lost to, they picked Golden State? Who we had already blew out before ? Who's players were pilled in the bench with injuries? Who we had the lead advantage over for the whole 3 quarters? That was deplorable, possibly the worst loss I ever saw Boston take this season, clearly because they didn' t have to. Please tell me why did we fumble in the 4th quarter? Of all quarters that we need to fall down in, why did they pick the 4th?! The very quarter that we show players up in? ..I do believe that part of this loss was due to the mental focus of the players taking the loss agains the Lakers harder that they should've; and once again, our plays in the last quarter were sloppy & just not lacksaidasical.
And maybe this is just me... but how often do you see RAY ALLEN foul out of a game? :| That shocked the hell out of me, honestly...and I still can't figure that one out.
Reason for loss: Loss of focus and team-work
Celtics VS. Trailblazers: Now THIS was the one I've been wanting to speak about since it ended...someone please tell me again, WHERE in the NBA handbook do they allow a 6 on 5 matchup, allow the basket, don't even realize that too many people are on the court, and only gives the team a technical? That had me completely flabberghasted, and speechless. What was suppose to happen, was that the basket should've been cancelled and the person that shot the basket should be called for the foul, and the person who wasn't even suppose to be on the court. At the least, if they even wanted to count the basket, we should've been awarded free throws.
Another thing that bugged me, since when can you PUSH someone out of bounds, and not get called for the foul, but the person you shoved gets called for it? Hmm...alot of bizarre happening there don't you think from a team that was practically scoreless. And a problem I had with some of the players, Ray Allen especially, when we were down by 3 points and we needed a sure fire 3 pointer so we could get some type of security, he didn't even attempt. Why? There should be SOME rule for the team, that if were down by three points and Ray Allen in on that court, and time is tickin away on us, he needs to go up and make that shot, and someone needs to be near the basket to catch the rebound just in case he misses. But no, instead of taking their chances with such a near perfect shooter, they go with Eddie House, (even though he did deliver two back-to-backs), I still don't believe it was the better choice.
Now, for what kills us the most; TURNOVERS. It seems like they couldnt've come at a better time right? I mean come on! Why are we making bad passes? My thing is, if the lane is in traffic, do you risk getting the ball caught in there too? Or do you just keep driving? Rondo's turnovers were just... unnessecary, and with his speed, sometimes he doesn't even really need to pass. If I were him, and I saw that the land was indeed getting crowded, whereas a turnover was a plausable, I would've kept running and attacked the basket, and possibly draw the foul. Simple. At least if he did miss, I'm sure one of our defenders would've been able to snatch the rebound.
As for the foul trouble, LOL! That's my plain respose right there. While I was watching the play-by-play I noticed something really strange. For some reason, when we made a personal foul, they would go to the line, but when the role were reverses, we didn't get to go. I'm not sure if this was because of the nature of the personal fouls or what, but... sure seems questionable to me. KG, we all know he's a hot head, and one heck of a court personality ((gotta love his energy)), but was it nessecary for him to foul twice in our situation and forcing Portland to the line? To tell you the truth the free-throws are what really killed us. I think, that the players who draw fouls the mos (Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rondo) should attack the basket more freely (wit the exception of Perkins, he's just a monster in there), so that we can draw the fouls instead of giving them. As for Perk, Powe, and KG...they just need to watch out from getting these fouls, the last thing we need is for him and Perk to foul out of an important game next time.
Reason for loss: Honestly, you tell me..
