Yardbarker: Boston Celtics

I'll take it, but I don't have to like it

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:18:40 -0500

Kevin Garnett erased one of his worst games as a Celtic by drilling the game winning jumper in overtime to beat the Knicks 107-105.

It's a great moment, but this was a horrible game. The Celtics simply do not look good right now. Doc Rivers says he's not worried. And I refuse to let myself be concerned or impressed by much in November. But damn... this Celtics team does not inspire a lot of confidence in me right now.

Ray and KG were a combined 7 of 28. Throw in Sheed's numbers and it goes to 7 of 34. The Celtics defense disappeared for long stretches, as did their effort.

Really, the only reason the Celtics won this game is because Paul Pierce refused to let the Celtics lose. 9 of 17 from the field... 6 of 7 from 3... for 33 points. Tack on 9 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 blocked shots... one of them a key block in OT with the C's up 2. And kudos to Paul for not jacking up the last shot of the game with two guys draped all over him. He still had confidence in a guy who was cold and he was rewarded for it..

Of course, had KG missed, we might have been screaming for Paul to recognize who was hot and take the shot... but let's just not go down that road right now, OK?

Enjoy the win.

Box Score

Celtics/Knicks Game Preview

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Walsh: "How much time do you spend on defense in practice?"
D'Antoni: "Defense?"

Celtics (9-4) vs. Knicks (3-9)

Game time: 1pm, MSG. TV - CSN, Radio - WEEI-AM (850)

Team Leaders

Scoring
Bos: Pierce - 18.6 Knicks: Al Harrington - 19.3

Rebounding
Bos: Garnett - 7.6 Knicks: David Lee - 9.5

Assists
Bos: Rondo - 8.8 Knicks: Chris Duhon - 6.3

Who'll go off: Everyone. What's the remedy for the Celtics offensive woes? The New York Knicks - they're allowing teams to shoot 49%. I'm hoping Rajon Rondo responds from his poor play against the Magic, pushes the tempo and gets the Celtics in a passing state of mind.

Who needs to be stopped: The Knicks' role players. I wouldn't worry so much about the big guns - Al Harrington and David Lee. But if guys like Larry Hughes, Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari are allowed to score, then this will be a close game.

The C's will lose if... they get outrebounded. The Knicks are going to jack up a lot of shots, and the Celtics, as a team, need to rebound the ball. If you give a team too many chances, eventually some of those wild three pointers will fall.

Wildcard: The Celtics collective state of mind. Will we see guys passing up open shots? Not reacting instinctively because they are focused so much on Doc's game plan? Bottom line - I don't want to see the players 'overthink' it.

Prediction: Celtics 107 - Knicks 90

Celtics Hope to Get Back on Track vs the Knicks

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:59:00 -0500

at BostonCeltics (9-4) at NY Knicks (3-9) Sunday, November 22 1:00 PM ET Game #14, Road Game #6 TV: MSG, CSN HD, NBA LP 753, 754 Madison Square Garden The Knicks are playing in the second of back to back games, having beaten the NJ Nets on Saturday in New Jersey. They have also won 2 games in a row now. Normally, a visit to Madison Square Garden would mean an automatic win, but he Celtics have been struggling, having lost 4 of their last 5 games, and it's hard to tell whic...

Boston Celtics vs. New York Knicks

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 01:02:55 -0500

vs. Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 Madison Square Garden 1 pm Tip The Boston Celtics will travel just down the road to play the New York Knicks today at 1 pm on CSNNE. The Knicks are coming off back to back wins and stand at 3-9, while the Celtics are looking to get back on track after [...]

Sheed: 4.7% from 3 in losses

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:45:00 -0500

Yeah Sheed... that headline is right.

Rasheed Wallace is shooting 1 of 21 from beyond the arc in Celtics losses. That's 4.7%.

Ouch.

He's not alone. Gary Washburn has a lot of ugly numbers in the Globe. But Sheed's numbers are the worst.

It's not a knock on Sheed. We know he can hit the shots... and last night a lot of those were open shots. But I'll reiterate what I said this morning. I think we're all fine with Sheed being a big man who steps out and shoots 3's. I don't think we're OK with him being a 3 point specialist. He's better than that. I think he'll get a better mix going as we go forward.

But wow. That's one hell of a number.

Photo by Elsa/Getty Images

Bill Walker sent to Portland

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:15:00 -0500

So the C's tweet

Bill Walker was assigned to the Celtics' D-League affiliate the Maine Red Claws.

He's got to get back into shape somehow. The good thing is if they need him, he's a short drive away rather than across the country in Utah.

Rajon Rondo or Eddie House?

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:54:06 -0500

Coming down the stretch of last nights game, Eddie House was playing the point instead of Rajon Rondo. It wasn’t until 1:41 left in the fourth that Rondo reentered the game with the score Orlando 80 Boston 78. Rondo finished the game with only 29 minutes played, nearly 3 and a half minutes below his [...]

Your Morning Dump... Where we're a long way from where we want to be

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 10:55:40 -0500

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying a good morning dump.

“We’re not executing. We’re not trusting each other. We’re going to win games, still, but we’re not going to win against good teams. It’s just not going to happen. And we’ll get it, but right now we don’t have it. I said it before the game, I said it (Thursday), I’ve been saying it for a week. We’re just going to keep working.”

Doc Rivers, in the Herald - Newest Trick for Celtics is a disappearing act

“Yeah, I mean that’s something that we got to do a better job as starters. I think it’s kind of getting repetitive -- the starts we’re getting off to and then it’s sort of like we brake off. You know, against a good team, we got to defend for all four quarters. The slippage that we have in the first quarter is about being mentally and physically ready at the start of games. It definitely hurt us tonight.”

Paul Pierce, in the Globe - Postgame Chatter

Let's face it. The Celtics lied to us. They lied to us when they came storming out of the gates. They lied to us when they had a ridiculous defensive efficiency rating. They lied to us when they were banging 3's all over the place.

The Celtics are playing bad basketball right now. Doc is right. They're sloppy.

Take a look at the video: The first three in the video is Rajon Rondo's fault. He comes down to double Dwight Howard but he goes for the ball and gets way out of position. KG is on Rashard Lewis. With Rondo way too low on the D, Howard kicks it back out to Jason Williams. When KG rolls over on Williams, he kicks it to Lewis for the wide open 3.

The second 3 is a fast break 3 where Paul Pierce just doesn't get out. But the third one, Pierce plays some horrible pick and roll defense. Howard sets the pick, Perk rides Mickael Pietrus out and goes back to pick up his guy, but Paul Pierce had gone under the pick and never got back out to challenge the shot. When Pietrus takes the shot, Pierce is almost at the free throw line... rather than turning the corner and getting up on the shooter.

That game was marred with Celtics getting caught too far one way or the other. They were out of position and out of sync. A good defensive team doesn't do that kind of stuff. It's no wonder why Tom Thibodeau was out of his mind during yesterday's game. Everything he was seeing must have been driving him nuts.

After the jump, Page 2... where Sheed isn't concerned about his shooting.

“I ain’t worried about it, honestly,’’ said Wallace, after he missed all eight 3-point attempts. “I probably rushed about two or three of them. Other than that, it’s good looks, they’re just not going for me. I’m not worried about my offense now. It’s still early in the season, I know I won’t be shooting like this for the duration of the season.

“It’s just a matter of making some shots. Everybody goes through it, no matter if it’s 2-pointers, 3-pointers, or foul shots - everybody goes through slumps every now and then. But the key, or the heart of that player will determine how he plays. I’m not the type to let the threes get me down. I’m missing a couple threes so I don’t want to do this any more - no. I’m out there playing basketball.’’

Globe: Wallace unable to zero in

When the Celtics were playing well early in the season, Eddie House and Rasheed Wallace were making a ton of 3's... especially Sheed. He was among the league leaders in makes and takes.

Honestly, we should have seen this coming earlier. How many games did the starters come out slow but were bailed out by the bench? Now, the bench isn't bailing anyone out. Sheed and Eddie are cold... and they're the second unit scorers. Marquis Daniels is doing some good things, but he's still a little lost in the system. Shelden Williams is impressing a lot of people, but he can only do so much.

This team needs Sheed to be option #1 off the bench. Yes, he could stand to get into the post a little more... and maybe he should to get himself going a little. He was 4 of 8 from 2 last night and he had 13 rebounds plus two HUGE steals in the clutch. I'm OK with him stepping out to take 3's, but I really think him mixing it up a little more will help his 3 point shooting.

Rasheed Wallace is a big man who can hit 3's, he's not a 3 point shooter. That's an important distinction. If he plays like a big man who can hit 3's, the Celtics will benefit. If he tries to be a 3 point specialist, he's going to have problems.

The rest of the links:

Playoff Basketball in November

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:43:18 -0500

The Celtics lost to the Magic, 83-78, in a game full of wretched shooting. With that said, the intensity in the fourth quarter was like that of a playoff game.

The Celts fell behind by 16 points in the 1st quarter and spent the whole game scratching and clawing their way back. They finally tied it at 78 with about 2 minutes left, but not much went right after that.

The game turned with the Celtics trailing 80-78, and in need of a stop. Referee Eric Dalen made a highly questionable foul call on Paul Pierce with Orlando's shot clock winding down. After Rashard Lewis made both free throws, a dribble happy Ray Allen coughed up the ball costing the Celtics any chance at pulling out the win.

More to come....

Box Score | Recap

Celtics, Magic Game Preview

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:00:00 -0500

Celtics (9-3) vs. Orlando (9-3)

Game time: 8pm, TD Garden. TV - CSN, ESPN. Radio - WEEI-AM (850)

Team Leaders

Scoring
Bos: Pierce - 18.4 Magic: Dwight Howard - 18.1

Rebounding
Bos: Garnett - 7.3 Magic: Howard - 10.7

Assists
Bos: Rondo - 9.0 Magic: Jason Williams - 4.1

Who'll go off: Kevin Garnett. He's shooting 60% from the field in the last four games and I expect that to continue. Anyone else think KG wants to make a statement to Orlando? Look for Rajon Rondo to attack Jason Williams, the Magic starting point guard now that Jameer Nelson is out 4-6 weeks.

Who needs to be stopped: A tough call because the Magic are so versatile. I'm going to pick the Magic bench. Like the Celtics, this team is deep. I believe the Celtics can survive big games from Dwight Howard and/or Rashard Lewis. They'll need to contain the likes of Ryan Anderson, Brandon Bass, Marcin Gortat and J.J. Redick.

The C's will lose if... they don't attack the glass. It's been a common theme over the past week. Fortunately, the Magic are having their own troubles rebounding.

Wildcard: Will the Celtics three-point shooting come back to life? It could, especially since Orlando is allowing opponents to shoot 38% from beyond the arc. Plus, Eddie, Sheed and Ray are all due for a big time, bombs away display.

Prediction: Celtics 99 - Magic 93

Rottweilers Host the Poodles in Playoff Rematch

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:23:00 -0500

at Orlando Magic (9-3) at Boston Celtics (9-3) Friday, November 20 8:00 PM ET Game #13, Home Game #7 TV: ESPN, SunSpO, CSN HD, RTV Radio: WDBO, WEEI TD Garden Referees: Eddie F Rush, Tony Brothers, Eric Dallen This is the first meeting of these two teams since the Celtics were eliminated by the Magic in 7 games in last year's playoff semi-finals. I am sure the Celtics would like to get even for that loss and show that they are top dog this season. And I am also sure ...

Your Morning Dump... Where TGIF means nothing to KG

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:57:54 -0500

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying a good morning dump.

Informed the Celtics were 0-2 on Fridays in November, Kevin Garnett didn't seem worried about the losing trend. Particularly not as focused as the team is for this game with Orlando.

"I didn't even know what day it was to begin with," said Garnett before turning to Celtics media relations czar Jeff Twiss and asking, "Did you know that, Twiss? We're 0-2 on Fridays [in November]? Fridays feel like Mondays, Mondays feel like Saturdays, and Sundays feel like Sundays. We're just trying to be better."

ESPN Boston - Magic in the air

The Celtics did destroy the Bulls in their first Friday night game, but it's been a little frustrating to watch the C's take Fridays off. Yeah, we can explain away the Friday funk by saying the Phoenix game was at the end of a long stretch where the C's were clearly tired... and that they didn't take Atlanta seriously enough (which is an entirely different issue). But there are no excuses here.

This game is really a litmus test for the Celtics. If they come out strong, play hard, and act like "The Celtics... then we know their struggles are mostly due to them putting it in cruise control. If they still struggle, then we know the problems we've seen are legitimate and that this team is more of a work in progress than we thought. Then you can toss us in the same group as the Magic, Cavs, Lakers and Spurs... who are all having their own issues dealing with revamped lineups.

After the jump, Page 2... where Doc zinged Sheed about his techs

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Rivers wasn’t stunned to hear Wallace has mentored Orlando’s Dwight Howard.

“I think Rasheed mentors a lot of guys,” Rivers said. “He mentors officials all the time.” . . .

Herald: Celtics have new trick for Magic

Gotta hand it to Doc... he's not afraid to zing his guys with a good one-liner. And because he's a former player... he can get away with it.

By the way... we're still waiting for word on whether the league is rescinding any techs on Perk and Doc.

The rest of the links:

Meet Ray Allen tonight, help a needy family

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:43:39 -0500

WEEI has the scoop

WALTHAM – Following today’s practice, Ray Allen will be getting ready to host a special charity event to raise money for his big turkey giveaway next week.

Tonight’s event at The Lansdowne Pub will be open to the public for a minimum $20 donation at the door, with money raised to benefit the Ray of Hope Foundation’s efforts to purchase turkey dinners for the needy for Thanksgiving.

The vouchers for next Tuesday’s giveaway have already been distributed to pre-selected families at various Centers for Youth & Families around Boston.

A limited number of VIP tables are still available tonight for $1,000 by calling 617-247-1222.

Of course, if you can't make it to Ray's thing to night, you can always talk hoops with us and Jalen Rose on The 2 Man Game... live at 9pm.

The Morning Dump... where Paul Pierce ralllies the troops

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:34:15 -0500

The Celtics made their stand following a halftime talk by captain Paul Pierce. Early in the third quarter, the Celtics stopped the Warriors (3-8) on seven successive possessions, holding them without a field goal for 6:01.

“We had one of those conversations that every team has,’’ said Kevin Garnett (15 points, seven rebounds). “And we just know we’re a better team as far as being solid and consistent. The captain sort of pulled everybody together and just talked to us about what we needed to do to go out in the second half. We followed his lead and followed what he said to us and took it to heart.’’

Globe - Celtics Man Up For Win

Moments like this sound good, especially to fans and the media, but I believe these 'conversations' happen frequently. We only hear about them when the results are positive. I'm not trying to diminish what Paul Pierce said at halftime. But I see a fatigued Golden State team, playing the second game in a brutal back-to-back (CLE, BOS), with only 7 players. There should have been no need for 'the talk.'

“I got on him, and I rarely do, about the threes,’’ Rivers said of Wallace. “Because even though he was wide open, it’s really tough. I mean, he was wide open and he took two, but we had just taken two quick ones. But he’s got an incredibly high basketball IQ. He’s been phenomenal in the locker room. So, I’m just happy to have him.’’

Globe - Rivers Assumes 3-point Stance

I have no qualms with Doc telling 'Sheed to limit his threes, and 'Sheed shouldn't either.

On Page 2, video of Kevin Garnett's three-quarter court shot.

“I did make a halfcourt shot, didn’t I,” he said after the Celtics’ 109-95 win, getting the distance wrong.

He turned to Paul Pierce and, in a mock scolding, said to the Celtics captain, “Why didn’t you tell me, dog?” Told the shot was actually made from three-quarters court distance, Garnett said, “It was three-quarters, wasn’t it. Whoa, that felt good.

“I was just trying to get the ball up, and if you look at the tape, I called it.”

Is there anything funnier than watching those two speak to the media after games?

The rest of the links:

Comments from the Other Side - Warriors 11/18

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:11:00 -0500

This makes me think of how different the make up of the NBA would be right now if we would have gotten Garnett instead of the Celtics. They would still be really bad most likely. Oh well, Cs by 24. Celtics are going stomp us. I know we played Cleveland tough but this team with all the injuries will just be too tired to keep up. Clovers vs Motley Crew BOSTON MASSACRE I'm calling a win. Celtics have no chance tonight...They hate to run run run. Don't we want to lo...

I've never felt worse about a 14 point win...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:10:50 -0500

Yes, the Celtics beat the Warriors 109-95. But for 2 1/2 quarters, we had to watch another crap effort from this team. Not only is Golden State bad, but they're also severely undermanned. Enough about the negative...

The Celts broke this one open midway through the 3rd. Tied at 55, the green went on a 15-2 run. It was Rajon Rondo's show. He had 5 points and 3 assists during that four minute spurt. Rondo finished with 18 points (8-12 FG) 12 assists and 7 rebounds. When the Celtics are struggling, hell, even when they aren't, Rondo has to be more aggressive on offensive. I don't care about the Big 3. He's the straw that stirs the drink.

Other observations:

Mikki Moore picked up his first foul 18 seconds into the came. He picked up his second 3 minutes later and despite trying to wave off Don Nelson, he ended up on the bench. Same things... never change.

Kevin Garnett buried a 70-footer right before the half. Unfortunately, he didn't get it off before the buzzer.

More to come...

Box score | Recap

Pierce Practices on Sprained Knee

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:30:00 -0500

Via the Boston Herald:

So much for Doctor (Rivers’) orders. Though the Celtics coach said yesterday that Paul Pierce would miss the two days of practice leading up to tomorrow night’s game against Golden State, the Celtics captain walked onto the floor today anyway.

“I got a good response from my last couple of days of rest,” Pierce said after running through the full session. “I felt good about it. It went smooth. A slight sprain in the knee, but I’m a fast healer. I felt good.”

“Pretty tough,” he said of what it takes to keep him off the floor, and his ability to talk himself into Saturday’s game in Indiana after suffering the injury a night earlier. “I’m a little bit older, so I’m smart about things. I felt really good today. My body responded really well to the treatment.”

Doc should just stop talking to the media about injuries (and minutes).

The Herald also cites a team source who says the Celtics are not involved in trade talks for Andres Nocioni because it doesn't have the flexibility to absorb his contract.

Paul Pierce Throws Strikes for Charity

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0500

WEEI.com's Kristine Leahy recaps Paul Pierce's 2nd annual Truth Strikes bowling fundraiser held last night in Dedham.

I believe that's Rasheed Wallace with his sweatpants rolled into his socks.

The bigger question is... who the hell is Kristine Leahy and why is she hiding out on WEEI.com? Pictures, courtesy the Red's Army Investigative Unit, after the jump.

Doc Regrets Playing Pierce vs Indiana

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:37:02 -0500

Via (The 2 Man Game Guest) Frank Dell'Apa of Boston.com:

Celtics' captain Paul Pierce (left knee sprain) practiced briefly Monday and will be held out of Tuesday's training session, according to coach Doc Rivers. Pierce's status for the Celtics-Golden State Warriors contest Wednesday has not been determined.

Pierce sustained the injury late in the third quarter of the Celtics' 97-86 loss to Atlanta Friday, then had 15 points in 34 minutes of action in a 113-104 loss at Indiana Saturday night.

"I shouldn't have played him," Rivers said of Pierce's appearance against the Pacers. "But he talked me into it."

Pierce participated in agility drills Monday, then went to the sidelines as the Celtics scrimmaged, working out on a stationary bicycle, then going to the lockerroom to have his knee taped.

Rather than offer my own commentary on Doc's regret, I'm going to share with you John's reaction via IM after I notified him of the news:

Who's making the decisions around there?

How many times have we heard that, too? "He shouldn't have played... "

Yeah, if only someone with some authority over who plays and who doesn't had done something.... huh Doc?
I'm not an advocate of taking private conversations public, but I thought John's reaction was too good to keep between ourselves. Sorry - John. Can we stay friends?