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.

Adjust the Bass and let the Alpine Blast…

Posted by Mike Giardi May 25, 2008 at 11:37 am

23 points from the Celtics bench. Another 12 and 10 from Kendrick. My call to the bench boys was answered last night and, not surprisingly, the Celts are now at the wheel of that shiny Cadillac Escalade with the $50,000 rims. Or if you prefer, a big ole Benz. Me, I’ll take the family truckster, but that’s how I roll.

Anyway, hard to believe that was the same team we saw get abused by the Pistons on the previously pristine Garden floor, but I checked the tape, and the faces were the same. It was just the performances that changed.  The C’s supporting cast has been a question  mark in the second season, alternately shying away from, then embracing key moments. Last night, Posey, Cassell, P.J. and Big Baby hugged it out, and now the Green team has recaptured home court advantage.

You knew it was going to be different in the opening quarter. Both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen got hit with two quick fouls, and Doc had no choice but to rely on these guys. But unlike in Game 2, the bench responded quickly and productively. They helped answer a 13-0 run by Detroit with a 10-0 whitewashing themselves. Posey dropped in a  big 3 from the corner, then Cassell got an open look at the top of the key and softly coaxed it in. That didn’t happen Thursday, especially for Cassell, who was rooted to the floor with that awkward looking wrap engulfing his back and logged yet another DNP-CD.

Perkins deserves credit as well. “Molasses” may not be the most fluid athlete we’ve ever laid eyes on, but he’s a decent shooter, and we know he can rebound and supply a defensive presence in the paint. At least, we’ve seen him do those things for stretches during the regular season and even in the playoffs.

Last night was arguably his best performance in May. Perk went 6-of-7 from the floor, had 10 boards and made life difficult for anyone who dared venture into the paint. I’d like to see him do it again Monday, but I have to remind myself that the big fella is still young in experience, despite having several seasons of NBA life under his belt.

So now what lies ahead? A chance to stagger Detroit by taking another one at the Palace. As Paul Pierce and Garnett said following last night’s victory  - and I’m paraphrasing - why come here for just one win? That’s the right sentiment, now let’s see if the Green team and its bench boys deliver the same kind of 1-2 punch.

Lottery Past, Draft Future

Posted by Randolph Charlotin May 21, 2008 at 10:33 pm

It was about last year when the heart was torn from the chest of Celtic Nation at the NBA Draft Lottery. With the best chance for the first pick overall, Boston got bumped down to fifth overall. In a draft with only two franchise players (Ohio State 7-footer Greg Oden and Texas small forward Kevin Durant), a bad Celtics team was in position for a player that probably would keep the franchise in rebuilding mode.

What a reversal of fortune as that disappointment was turned into unlimited optimism. That fifth pick, along with G Delonte West and F Wally Szczerbiak, was traded for Seattle’s All-Star G Ray Allen and the SuperSonics’ second round pick (which became Glen “Big Baby” Davis). Later came the crown jewel, Kevin Garnett. It took a lot of youth (PF Al Jefferson, SF Ryan Gomes, PG Sebastian Telfair, G/F Gerald Green), a veteran contract (C Theo Ratliff) and a 2009 first round pick (top-3 protected), but Danny Ainge got what he wanted.

It was a painless experience this year as Chicago leap-frogged to first overall and the right to choose between Memphis PG Derrick Rose or Kansas State F Michael Beasley. The Celtics have the Eastern Conference Finals to worry about. But the upcoming draft will have significant importance for the Celts.

Five players are scheduled to become free agents at the end of Boston’s playoff run. PG Eddie House and G/F James Posey both signed for one year. Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown were added for the stretch run and experience for the playoffs. And the Celtics declined Tony Allen’s option or an additional year to his rookie contract.

Brown was talked out of retirement and probably will hang it up for good. Cassell or House won’t accept being the third PG on a team. Tony hasn’t developed as a player and doesn’t appear to be in Boston’s future. Posey wants to win and could go to another championship-caliber team offering better pay.

That’s a lot of holes to fill. A free agent or two will be signed. Maybe F Brandon Wallace is brought back after a year in the D-League. He would add athleticism, defense, rebounding, and energy to the bench.

Otherwise Ainge will have to mine for late-round gems again. Forwards Leon Powe and Glen Davis are finds. Can Danny do it again?

A scorer at the G/F position to relieve Paul Pierce and Ray Allen should be on the list, as well as a C/F to back up K.G. and Kendrick Perkins.

It’s early, but nbadraft.net projects PF Nikola Pekovic and C Sasha Kaun as rookie additions. That will change as the draft gets closer. Whoever Boston drafts, they could play an important role in the team’s future.

In the meantime, we’ll watch the Green Team try to add a 17th banner to the rafters.

But it would be so much better if the new additions help the team to banners 18th or 19th.

Classic

Posted by Randolph Charlotin May 18, 2008 at 9:37 pm

While game seven wasn’t easy on the hearts of Celtics fans, you have to admit that you were glad to witness a duel between Paul Pierce and LeBron James that will go down in history. Give ESPN a week and the game will be re-run on their Classic network.

That was what a game seven is supposed to be: Competitive from beginning to end with superstar performances. King James vs. The Truth. Already it is being compared to the Larry Bird-Dominique Wilkins showdown and Pierce-James belongs in that class of unforgettable duels.

Everyone knew LeBron was due for a dominant offensive performance and boy did he bring it. After having trouble getting to the rim all series, he bullied his way to the rim, either finishing or getting the foul. And his unreliable jumper became money in the bank from all locations. It couldn’t be more evident than the two 3-pointers he nailed in the fourth quarter as he carried his Cavs team, preventing Cleveland from falling too far behind.

Not to be out-done was Pierce, nearly matching James point for point. From the very beginning Pierce set the pace, taking James one-on-one with spins, drives, fadeaways, and off repeated screens. As the teams played into crunch time, the ball was in Pierce’s hands to either take his defender or create for a teammate.

Despite a 45-point performance, King James’ efforts came up short for two reasons.

1. It wasn’t the King’s court. The home team never lost a game during this series. Thanks to home court advantage, the Celtics had the deciding game played on the parquet with Red Auerbach’s name on it.

2. The King’s loyal subjects were nowhere to be found. Only Delonte West, the other Cavalier in double figures with 15 points, showed up to play alongside James. 7-3 Zydrunas Ilgauskaus’ performance shrunk the deeper the series went. And old friend Wally Szczerbiak turned in a 0-3 for zero points performance.

While Pierce was used to carrying a team, other stepped up for Boston, unlike the past few years for The Truth. P.J. Brown came off the bench with 10 points and two key baskets down the stretch: a put-back of a Rajon Rondo air ball with 2:45 left and calmly hitting a jumper with 1:21 remaining. Eddie House and Ray Allen sunk their free throws during foul time. And, of course, Kevin Garnett was present during the whole game with 13 points and 13 rebounds. But a late turnaround jumper helped the Celts maintain a lead they never relinquished.

Isn’t it kind of funny looking back at how the focus had been on Garnett throughout the playoffs? In everyone’s mind the fate of Boston was placed in his hands. Ultimately Garnett played Antoine Walker for Pierce, stepping aside for the team’s best offensive machine to carry the team to victory. Remember, it is Pierce, and not Garnett, that is the captain of the Celtics. And in game seven, Pierce showed why he still is.

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.

Suffocating

Posted by Mike Giardi May 9, 2008 at 9:05 am

Here we go again. The Celtics were on the verge of becoming choking dogs a week ago. This morning, they’re halfway home to a Round 2 win over Cleveland, and all is right in the world of fandom (yes, I’m making up words) and media.

I can understand the positivity. After a slow start, the C’s dominated the Cavs, allowing me to flip back to the Sox game at various points. The team defense - the thing that allowed the Celts to win 66 games in the regular season - has been terrific in the first two games of this series.

In particular, I appreciate how Doc has this team defending LeBron. He’s letting Cleveland’s version of the “Big Z” beat ‘em, but making the King work hard for everything. Kendrick Perkins is essentially playing a one-man zone, waiting for LeBron to come into the lane. They’ve run Kevin Garnett at him over and over (there isn’t a more active big man than KG). And if Garnett is on the wrong side of the floor, its somebody else. Powe. P.J. Brown. The team trainer. Greg Dickerson. I mean, SOMEBODY is always running at the league’s top scorer. Combine that with very good on the ball defense from either Paul Pierce and James Posey, the two men with the daunting task of containing LBJ, and you can understand why the C’s have been so successful in this series.

Of course, what makes it tougher is that LeBron couldn’t toss a rock into the ocean if he was on a boat in the middle of the Atlantic (its an oldie, but goodie). Every jumper is long, he’s settling for deep 3’s and when he does go to the hoop, the greatest finisher on the planet (Kobe is #2) can’t convert a twisting layup. I don’t expect this to last. But I didn’t expect LeBron to lay an egg on Wednesday and again last night. The weight of the world…or at least Cleveland…will be on his shoulders Saturday.

My one caution: the C’s were at this same point with the Hawks after two games. In fact, the Green team was more impressive in that series than they have been in this one. Then the C’s went to Atlanta and got tight and made a short set last the full 7. So let’s not go making plans for the Eastern Conference finals until we see how the next 48 hours turn out.

Stand Tall, Stand Strong

Posted by Randolph Charlotin May 4, 2008 at 5:22 pm

The most important play of the game might had been a foul called on Kevin Garnett. I’m refering to his pick of Zaza Pachulia that dropped Atlanta’s big man better than a UFC knockout punch.

It’s not about retaliation, even though from that perspective, it was gratifying to watch. It’s more about what it says about Garnett and the example he set for his teammates.

That pick showed toughness from Garnett I’m not familiar with him showing. It’s one thing about being resilient, but it’s another thing to fight back.

The Celtics did the right thing following Marvin Williams’ flagrant foul of Rajon Rondo. They didn’t get into a confrontation with Williams and his teammates. What the C’s did was file that play away in the back of their minds and remembered it. The best way to get back at the Hawks was to make a bad beating even worse. The first statement was Ray Allen, who was cold all day, hitting a three following Rondo’s free throws.

But Garnett’s pick was the exclamation point. That was showing he won’t back down to a team that gets rough. If opponents can dish it, Garnett will dole it out as well.

A lot of noise was made when New Orleans forward David West tapped Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki on the face during the playoffs with Dirk did nothing in return. Nothing. Dirk didn’t even stand up for himself at that moment. As the leader, it set a bad example. His teammates saw that and felt Nowitzki wouldn’t have their backs if they got into a confrontation.

But Garnett got payback for Rondo by putting a little extra into his body check of Pachulia. It’s like in baseball when the pitcher hits a batter after a teammate was plunked. It says, “I’m there for you.” With KG setting the standard, the rest of the Celts understand their responsibility to stand up for each other when they have the opportunity.

This is playoff basketball. There will be hard fouls, cheap shots, and non-calls. It’s expected. This is not the time to turn the other cheek. The Celtics have to be willing and able to return the favor to let opponents know that they won’t back down.

Remember what happened after Kevin McHale clotheslined Kurt Rambis during the 1984 Finals against the Lakers? LA dominated the Celts in game three. After McHale’s hard foul, the game and series turned around. The Celtics won the game in overtime and tied the series. In game five, the Celts blew out the Lakers and ultimately won the series and championship in seven games. Hopefully Garnett’s pick has a similar effect on the team.

Cleveland won’t give up the lane when they come to Boston. The Celtics must make the Cavs earn it as well. Round two will be like a street fight. The Celtics won’t beat the Cavs unless they throw punches of their own.

Can I Get an “E” For Execution?

Posted by Mike Giardi May 3, 2008 at 10:19 am

Put simply, that was about as an atrocious display of late-game execution as you will see, short of watching the Washington Generals. Seven seconds to get off a shot, and the best you can do is a 26-footer from Rajon. This, after not a single pass? Awful.

But lest you think that was the only egregious error by the C’s, fear not my friends, there were plenty more. How does Paul Pierce get a technical - at that stage of the game - following his 6th foul? Was it a good foul call? No, but he did foul Zaza. Don’t compound that with an emotional reaction. “The Truth” is, Pierce continues to lose his composure at the most inopportune time. That’s not befitting a captain.

Ray Allen didn’t have his stroke going, so with the C’s needing a two to tie in the closing minute, he fires up an off-balance three. I mean, for a craftsman like that to hurry a shot without having his feet even pointed in the direction of the basket…what the heck is that?

The “Big Ticket” doesn’t escape either. The knock has been that KG is too unselfish in big games. Twice in the final 5 minutes, he had open looks within an 8-to-10 foot radius of the hoop and passed up shots for tougher ones from teammates. Can someone, anyone, take hold of this team? Lose once to Atlanta? Okay. Twice…well, if Bob Ryan says it can happen, then so be it, it can happen. But three defeats to a team that had 29 less wins than you did in the regular season? It would be hard to explain if we hadn’t witnessed the entire debacle with our own eyes.

Do th C’s survive tomorrow afternoon and advance to Round 2? Yes, but the point is, they’ve done nothing to make us believe that amazing regular season is carrying over to the postseason, and anything less than a trip to the NBA Finals is a massive disappointment. Seems like the Celts have been playing with that weight on their shoulders, at least thru the first 6 with Atlanta.

Celtics Fans: No Need to Worry

Posted by Craig Kolodny April 30, 2008 at 1:05 pm

There’s definitely a lot of angst in Boston tonight as the Celtics head into Game 5 against the upstart Hawks. There was never supposed to even be a Game 5. And then after Atlanta won Game 3, tonight’s game was viewed as a chance to win the series on home soil. Oh how things have changed.  After tonight, Celtics fans probably don’t want to see the Celts on the parquet until Game 1 of the next round. Win Game 5, take Game 6 on the road, and we’ll pretend this series never happened.

And I’m here to tell you that is exactly what’s going to happen. Yes, I’ve seen Games 3 and 4. There’s no way Joe Johnson could do that again. But I also saw Games 1 and 2 in Boston. The Hawks had no chance in the Garden. The green team only lost 6 times at home all season. Kevin Garnett and company have come too far to go and mess it all up in round 1. We’ve already had enough 1 vs 8 drama in the postseason around these parts (I’m talking about the Bruins in case you forgot).

I’ve heard from enough people that now is the time to panic, and all I can do is laugh. Yes, the series shouldn’t have gone this far, but unlike the Super Bowl, this is a 7 game series and most of the time, the better team will prevail. The Celtics were 29 games better than the Hawks this year, and it will show over the next few games. Boston makes a statement tonight in another double digit win at the Garden, and everyone around here will be singing a different tune, anticipating a (probable) showdown with LeBron and the Cavs.    

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