KG Needs to Settle the Score

Posted by Mike Giardi June 10, 2008 at 10:29 pm

I’m not one of those media guys or basketball analysts who will demand that Kevin Garnett live down on the block. That would be stupid. As we’ve learned KG’s game this season, its pretty evident that he’s not your classic back to the basket post scorer. I mean, he can score from down there, and his quickness in the paint makes him a hard guard. But Garnett’s big ticket is that 18-to-20 foot jumper. He is usually deadly from that range. In fact, one of those great stats that we are privy to has KG’s percentage on jumpers from outside the key but inside the 3-point line 9th in the NBA. 9th!! For a 7-footer (minus an inch or two)!

That said, Garnett’s shot selection in the first half of Game 3 in LA has been brutal. One fadeaway jumper after another. And then when he did get inside, he was too strong on a couple of layups. I don’t get it. I mean, do we give LA’s defense credit? I’m not sure I can do that. I think KG is just settling, and I suspect he’s going to hear about that at the break. The good news is, I feel pretty good he’ll rebound in half number two. With the C’s down just 6…this just might be doable…despite the lopsided free throw total. Of course, you just knew was going to happen the moment Phil Jackson got all critical in the postseason press conference Sunday night. Tonight, it’s 22-7 in LA’s favor after one half.

Key to Game 3

Posted by Mike Giardi May 24, 2008 at 7:00 pm

I don’t know if you’ve heard this, but the Celtics have yet to earn a postseason road victory. We in the media obsessed about it during the Atlanta series, then even more so during Round 2 against Cleveland. But it didn’t matter. Seriously. As long as the C’s took care of business at home, they could still win an NBA title. Now, that premise has changed. The Celts no longer have the aura of a invincibility at home, losing Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday night. That means - in order to win this series and get to the NBA Finals - Pierce, Garnett, Allen and company must win at the Palace in Auburn Hills. Is it possible? Without question.

If you’re a C’s fan, you gotta remember January 5th of this year. And I’m not talking about just looking at the box score. That was the night the Green team had a score to settle, and that’s exactly what they did. A 7-point win, which is probably best remembered as the coming out party for Glen “Big Baby” Davis.

But here’s the key. It could have been anyone. Leon Powe. P.J. Brown. Even Kendrick Perkins, who once got 10 and 20 against Detroit this season. That was sorely lacking Thursday night. The bench scored just 8 points total in 57 minutes. I mean, I realize the C’s are built around the ”Big 2″ and Ray Allen, but 8 points?! Just 11 shots?!? That crew has to be more aggressive. Heck, put Sam Cassell out there. At least he won’t be shy about hoisting it up. I’m not kidding, despite my earlier critiques of that noted gunslinger. Someone from the second “5″ has to be willing to step up, or the Celts will find themselves stepping out, a round earlier than they should.

Pierce Has His Moment

Posted by Mike Giardi May 18, 2008 at 9:52 pm

LeBron James got the points. He had 45 in today’s Game 7 showdown at the Garden, the most any player has ever gotten in NBA history of Game 7’s. But Paul Pierce was better, and consequently, it his team that moves on to the Eastern Conference finals.

Pierce did everything short of sweeping the floors during timeouts. He willed the C’s through a difficult first-half offensively by scoring 26 of the team’s 50. Then, in the 4th Quarter, with LeBron on his way to Dictatorship, the C’s captain hit some crucial buckets with LeBron draped all over him. Oh, that’s step-back J’s were money. Pierce finished with 41 points, hitting 13-of-23 from the floor. That’s the best I’ve ever seen him play at the offensive end. He must feel like a King tonight.

I won’t call this is a defining moment for PP. We love to do that in media - find the turning point or call something a “Statement Game,” but this is, after all, only Round 2. Of course, if the C’s end up as the last team standing come mid-June, I reserve the right to change my mind.

The Truth Will Set You Free…

Posted by Mike Giardi May 18, 2008 at 5:10 pm

What more needs to be said? Paul Pierce has been tremendous in the first half, by far and away the best player on the floor. Pierce with 26 of the Celtics 50 points, including a big 3 after the Cavs had creeped to within 8. He’s been aggressive, taking the ball to the hole consistently. He’s also mastered that little step back jumper, and when its flowing like it is now, the C’s just need to keep feeding their captain the ball.

Pierce did take a solid hit just before the break, and appeared to have injured his hip. That will certainly bear watching come the 2nd Half.

I’d also like to point out that the bench did a nice job, especially Eddie House. Mark Jackson was praising House for his professionalism, saying that there were some guys he played with back in the day who would have mentally checked out after not playing for much of the first two rounds. Not House, who’s shooting is a little off today (1-for-4) but he did take care of the ball in that half, committing just one turnover. Also of note, his hustle play on a loose ball that led to a pair of James Posey free throws. House’s effort didnt go unnoticed by Posey or the Garden crowd, who got geeked up. Now that’s what I’m talking about…

Ray Ray is M.I.A.

Posted by Mike Giardi May 17, 2008 at 9:19 am

At what point do we stop calling the Celtics stars the “Big 3,” or “New 3,” or “Three Amigos,” or what have you, and just call it like it is: the C’s have two very good/great players and one shell of his former self. The latter, of course, being Ray Allen. He has been a non-factor in this series, much like he was a non-factor versus Atlanta. Oh sure, there’s been a game here, or a moment there, but Allen has mostly been invisible. If that trend continues, the Celts won’t beat Detroit in the Eastern Conference finals.

No preamble here. No “Ray’s a good guy.” I’m not going to cut him slack because he’s had to make the biggest adjustment of any player on the team; at least, any player acquired before Sam Cassell. That was allowed during the regular season. Allen’s now had 82 of those and another 13 games in the playoffs to adjust. Unless that adjustment consists of the C’s shooting guard becoming a wallflower, I’d say he’s failed at the most critical time, during the NBA’s second season.

Here’s what should have Celts fans ticked: Ray’s getting his lunch money taken by Wallly Szczerbiak (I spelled it right on the first try!). We saw Wally’s World up close and personal. He was mediocre. But somehow, a slow, deliberate player at both ends has locked up a more fluid athlete with superior foot speed. Maybe I need to change my thinking. Maybe the words I just used to describe Wally fit Allen as well. All I know is that even on an off-night for Wally, he still hit a big shot last night. Ray, on the other hand, had a typical postseason outing for himself - 9 points and a big doughnut hole on 3 attempts from 3-point land. Rich and compelling? I think not.

Doc is on record as saying he thinks the C’s can win without Ray. Against Atlanta? Sure. Versus LeBron and the Cavs? I’ll buy it. But in the Eastern Conference finals over Detroit? No way. That team is playing its best basketball at the right time. The Celts aren’t. All the blame doesn’t fall on Ray, but he’s got to shoulder the load, good guy or not.

Hey Doc…Rondo’s the Right One!

Posted by Mike Giardi May 14, 2008 at 1:36 pm

Heading into Game 4, Rajon Rondo said he would take more offensive responsibility, pushing the ball in transition, being aggressive in half-court sets. I guess, in taking 14 shots and scoring 15 points, you could argue that the C’s point guard did just that. But I would argue the exact opposite. I would argue that the Rondo we saw on the floor Monday night is the same shell-of-his-former-self we’ve watched since halftime of the opener against Cleveland, and that should have fans of this team saying, “uh oh,” over and over again.

Where did the Rondo, who emerged as one of the brightest young point guard in the league, go? The defensive menace who held his own against the likes of Chris Paul, Tony Parker and Jason Kidd (I’m omitting Jazz frontman Deron Williams, who absolutely crushed the smaller Rondo). The explosive offensive threat who scorched Jameer Nelson of Orlando and Denver’s Allen Iverson, and shamed poor Raymond Felton into retirement (I’m making that up, but Felton should have called it quits after Rondo torched him)?

That Rondo has been jerked around by a Head Coach who should know better. He should know - after 82 regular season games and 11 in the postseason - that his best chance to win is to let Rondo have the ball in his hands. He’s smarter than just about any Celtic on the floor, and whatever he lacks in experience, Rondo makes up for with his freakish speed and arms of a 7-footer. At this point in the year, Rondo has earned his playing time.

Sam Cassell, on the other hand, has earned an 8-minute cameo at PG (end of opening quarter into the second and again at the end of the 3rd), and maybe, in light of Ray Allen’s disappearance, another 15 at the two. But I am so sick of him jacking up shots with double digits on the shot clock. I’m sick of the offense coming to a standstill when he’s pounding the ball into the floor. That’s not how the C’s won 66 games in the regular season. Yes, you’ll need Cassell at a later time in these playoffs. But there may not be a later time in the playoffs unless order is restored and Rondo gets the keys to this offense again. Its the right thing to do, and a former point guard named Doc should understand that better than anyone.

4th Quarter Flameout

Posted by Mike Giardi May 13, 2008 at 10:41 am

Boy, this is aggravating. The Celtics continue to have opportunities to win on the road, and continue to let them slip away. Down 3 going into the final quarter last night, the C’s score just 12 points. That’s not a misprint. 12! You should get 12 by accident, with weapons like Allen, Garnett and Pierce littering the roster. But not these guys, not in these playoffs. Perhaps that why C’s Coach Doc Rivers said that his team needed to play better “under stress.”

When I heard that, I said “uh oh.” You knew that quote would be presented to the Celts stars. It was, and the results were predictable. According to the Boston Globe, they didn’t like.  Garnett refused to acknowledge that the team was lacking poise, and then turned around and put some of the struggles on his coach.

“In a situation like ours, we are trying to do everything that Doc wants us to do. He makes all the calls. He gives us direction. For the most part, we pretty much try to do what he wants.”

Call me crazy, KG, but I don’t think Doc is designing play for you to take 20-foot jumpers with the game on the line. How about you park you butt on the block, and the offense runs through you from there? That’s what your Coach has wanted all season, and it worked to the tune of 66 regular season wins. During the second half last night, the “Big Ticket” peeled out of the post because of pressure from Anderson Varejao. Yeah, Sideshow Bob did a nice job working over the C’s MVP. That’s scary. The two men aren’t even close in talent, and Varejao was actually questionable coming in with a knee injury.

Paul Pierce also had issues with Doc’s quote, saying, “I don’t know what he means. I’m stressed every game. Stressed to get a win.” Hmmm, then shouldn’t it be incumbent on Pierce to get to the rack, and get to the line? Yes, PP took 17 shots (hitting a paltry 6), but he earned just two free throws. This went on during the Atlanta series as well, and you have to wonder if the light will go on the next time the C’s are in Cleveland.

Mercifully, the Celts are back at home tomorrow night, and I fully expect them to play better and to win. Of course, LeBron might have something to say about that. He went 7-for-20, his 4th straight subpar shooting night. I keep saying “The King” is due to bust out. The C’s better hope that doesn’t happen in Game 5, because I wouldn’t bet a cent on them winning away from the Garden a couple of nights later.

 

 

 

The “D” Will Set Them Free

Posted by Mike Giardi May 12, 2008 at 2:46 pm

In the aftermath’s of Game 3’s loss to Cleveland - the Celtics 4th straight road loss this postseason - Kevin Garnett said bluntly, “There are no excuses for it. If we had that answer we wouldn’t get beat on the road, huh?” Then the quick stare from KG, as if to say, stupid question. Or, maybe, how the heck am I suppose to respond to that? Either way, you can tell these questions - and more importantly - these struggles away from the Garden are starting to get under this team’s skin. The C’s believe they’re better than this. I believe it too.

We know the facts. We know that the C’s were the best road team during the regular season. 31-10. Damn impressive. As always with this club, the success was built largely on the strength of defense. But that has undergone a drastic change in this postseason. The Celts allowing 102.5 points per game in Atlanta and now Cleveland, 27 more than they’re giving up at home.

To me, both the C’s opponents were/are offensively challenged. The Hawks don’t quite understand playing together. The Cavs may, but are so constructed around LeBron and getting LeBron touches every time down the floor, sometimes they just stop moving. That changed Saturday, when Coach Mike Brown made sure Delonte West didn’t just hand the ball off to “The King,” and then float to the other side and watch. Instead, he kept West involved, and you saw the difference. A 21-point night, his best since coming to Cleveland, and a heavy dose of attitude as well. The Cavs need that to win the series. The C’s need to nip that in the bud to finish what they started in Games 1 and 2. But how?

I think the answer is simple. Keep running two players at LeBron. Keep hitting him and/or taking him down every time he’s goes to the hoop. But don’t over-commit. Don’t rotate to the point where Ben Wallace or Joe Smith of the Big Z are all alone under the basket. That happened too many times Saturday. Easier said than done, you wonder? I don’t think so. It wasn’t so hard to do in Boston. Why should playing on the road be any different? Get back to that attitude, that intensity, and the series will be over in 5. Don’t, and we’re looking at a second straight round that will go the full 7.

 

 

, and prove what we saw from November through mid-April was real, and not some anomaly that will leave us scratching our heads until training camp rolls around next September.

Any Day Now…

Posted by Mike Giardi May 11, 2008 at 4:58 pm

I was going take the attitude of the less said about the Celtics performance last night, the better we’d all feel. But maybe I’m a glutton for punishment. Or maybe that loss continues to annoy me, like the Great Gretzky dog does when he’s desperate to go outside and I’m in the middle of something. Gretzky will just stand there, practically attached to my hip, and stare. Drives me nuts, but at least he doesn’t bark, and he eventually gets his way. Kind of like the Cavs last night. They stared down the C’s in the opening quarter, and the NBA’s best team during the regular season blinked, a lot.

You knew that Cleveland would come out fired up, in front of a hungry home crowd. A great team weathers that onslaught. The C’s didn’t, at least not last night. The defensive rotations were slow, there were too many open jumpers…or better yet, unchallenged jumpers. Pros make those shots. The Cavs did for the first-time in the series.

The scary thought is, LeBron still can’t shoot straight. He was 5-for-16, bringing his series totals to 13-of-58. That is Todd Day-esque. I coninue to find it hard to believe Bron Bron will not go off at some point during the next week, and singlehandedly carry his team to a win. Or two. There’s too much at stake for “The KIng,” to keep playing like he’s basketball’s version of Alex Rodriguez. Similarly, there’s too much at stake for the C’s to stop living up the billing of best team in the league. Which ones of those patterns will continue? That will decide this series.

C’s Survive Brawl

Posted by Mike Giardi May 7, 2008 at 8:17 am

Last night, I bet you didn’t quite realize you were going to be watching a throwback to the Celts/Pistons series in 2002, did you? That was the Celts team CNNSI’s Marty Price referred to as the “Boston Stranglers.” They took care of Detroit in 5, but it was U-G-L-Y from start to finish.

No different at the Garden Tuesday. I was struck almost from the opening possession just how hard the C’s and Cavs were going at each other. I know this is Round 2 of the playoffs, but there was some nasty stuff out there. Play in the post was not for the feint of heart. Slaps, elbows, knees into thighs, chests all puffed out. There’s no doubt a bunch of those big men will need to visit the team masseuse.

Then there’s LeBron. The 2-for-18 is stunning. The 10 turnovers equally mind-boggling. Every time the Cavs King went to the rack, he got whacked. Okay. That’s the price you have to pay, and James knows it. But for a good two quarters, LeBron stopped going deep to the bucket, instead settling for ill-timed jumpers and deep 3’s. I don’t know who encouraged that, but if I’m the C’s, I’m praying there’s a repeat performance on Thursday night. You realize that if LeBron hit anything, the Cavs steal Game One. They SHOULD have stolen it. Now, you wonder how their psyche will be affected in less than 48 hours when the two teams go at it again.

C’s fans probably breathe a sigh of relief after looking at the box score as well. The C’s survived a 15-0 run by Cleveland in the 3rd Quarter, and two dreadful offensive performances by Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. Ray got shut out in a game for the first time since 1997. Heck, I barely even noticed he was on the floor last night. He went from one extreme in the Atlanta series - forcing his shot - to last night’s debacle - when he got outplayed by Wally Szczerbiak. Trust me, those last words hurt. Not so much for me, but for Ray.

As for “The Truth,” well, the truth is, he is still way too emotional. It cost his team in Game 6 vs. the Hawks, and I must say, I fear it will come back to harm this group again at some later date, be it in May or June. Plus, I think that when Pierce gets angry, he is reckless in his approach to the basket. That led to some hard spills last night, and this is a guy who is dealing hip and back injuries suffered in the Round One. I suppose it too late to suggest he’ll change, considering how long he’s been in the league, but trust me, a change would be nice.

Alright - get your rest. Thursday is bound to feature more of the same.

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