Corey Sees Gold

Posted by Mike Giardi July 8, 2008 at 10:21 pm

Its rare in this day and age for any athlete to rule out any scenario, but I gotta say, I’m not sure Corey Maggette was ever serious about coming to Boston to play for the Celtics. Now, we don’t have to worry about it. Maggette’s long gone and hard to find, unless you want to stay up and catch the late game on TNT or ESPN.

Now that makes you wonder if Danny Ainge has to up his offer to James Posey or just walk away, and zero in on the next target. There’s no one on his current roster who can do what Pose does. Then again, there aren’t many in the league who have a game like that.

But is there any way Posey deserves a 3 or 4-year deal? Actually, let me rephrase that: is there any way the C’s should pay him for that many years? He’s 31, and he’ll turn 32 in January. He doesn’t have Kevin Garnett or Ray Allen mileage on his legs, but 31’s not young by NBA standards. Bruce Bowen’s been able to scrap defensively into his mid-30’s, so I guess if Ainge sees Posey as having that kind of stamina, then go for it. Otherwise, lose the sentiment and move on the next guy.

 

Celtics math: Big 3 + Game 6 = 17

Posted by Mike Giardi June 18, 2008 at 11:38 am

108 games later. 82 wins. One title. Enough said.
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And they said the Celtics had no chance

Posted by Randolph Charlotin June 18, 2008 at 9:44 am

The Lakers vs. The Celtics. The Rivalry renewed. Overwhelmingly experts picked the Lakers to win the championship. And who could blame them? Just compare all the elements and it’s easy to understand why LA won the popular vote.

Just look at what they did in the playoffs. The Lakers cruised through the tougher Western Conference, sweeping Denver, convincingly defeated Utah 4-2, then crushing the defending champions San Antonio 4-1 in the Western Conference Finals. The Celtics needed seven games to dispatch the lowly Atlanta Hawks and seven more to eliminate a one-man team in Cleveland.

Style points mattered as well. LA had the best offense during the playoffs. They averaged well over 100 points because they were the best passing team in the playoffs. Boston’s offense was inconsistent at best. They had to rely on their defense to bail them out in every round. Somehow they advanced two rounds with a slumping Ray Allen. Known for his impeccable jumper as a Milwaukee Buck and Seattle Supersonic, Allen slumped through the playoffs. Two good games at the end of the Detroit series didn’t make up for three bad rounds.

How can anyone not like LA in this series? They have the league MVP leading the team. Kobe Bryant is the best closer in the league. Check that, best player in the world! The guy is so good he gave himself a nickname of Black Mamba, one of the deadliest snakes on the planet. He can take over games and win practically all by himself. There’s only one ball between Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Allen. Sure they shared during the regular season. But they’ve been the man before. Will they compete for the chance to be the hero?

Not that Kobeis alone. The Lakers pulled off the crime of the season when they acquired Pau Gasol from Memphis. Without him, LA probably doesn’t reach the Finals. There’s also the young and energetic bench. The self-titled Bench Mob has been instrumental in the Lakers’ success during the playoffs. All Boston has to offer is a collection of unwanted veterans, a second-year point guard and a offensively challenged foul-prone center.

And the ringmaster of this team is the owner of nine championship rings. He is the one and only Zen Master, Big Chief Triangle, head coach Phil Jackson. He matches his mind against Doc Rivers who never won a playoff series until this year. I repeat: Nine Championships to zero series wins pre-2007.

Well opinions don’t win games. Past accomplishments don’t ensure future success. Three stars are greater than one supernova. Looks aren’t everything as no one can see the toughness learned through experience.

The Lakers were the trendy pick. But trends come and go. The Celtics were based on a less than glamorous foundation of defense and team play, tried and true practices that often lead to success.

A lot of opinions changed when the Celtics came back from a 24-point deficit to win game four and took a commanding 3-1 lead. The players knew that meant nothing. Four wins made all the opinions worthless and made the Boston Celtics champions.

And that’s a fact.

Sweet Seventeen

Posted by David Green June 18, 2008 at 5:00 am

Where do you start? How do you even begin to talk about the Celtics’ domination on the parquet Tuesday night?

It was total. Unrelenting. Humiliating. And for Celtic fans, it was the most impressive and enjoyable 48 minutes in a long, long time.

A magical second quarter broke the Lakers’ spirit, meaning Game 6 would not feature yet another huge Finals comeback. How good was the 2nd? Try 11 assists on 11 baskets. An 11-0 run courtesy of supersubs James Posey and Eddie House. A 9-0 run going into halftime that turned a 14-point lead into 23… a run that “buried the [Lakers] emotionally,” according to Phil Jackson. You know what? The Zen Master was right.

The second half was a glorified victory lap for this team that brought glory back to Causeway Street after a 22-year hiatus that seemed decades longer. While L.A. couldn’t get anything going, the C’s got everything going. The Celtics had a Finals record 18 steals, including 6 from Rajon Rondo, whose pestering, aggressive defense set the tone early. The rebounding edge was 48-29 — including a 14-2 edge on the offensive glass, as L.A. couldn’t grab a single offensive rebound until the 4th quarter.

You could marvel at the stats of this one for ages. The 39-point margin of victory was the largest for a clincher in Finals history, and just a couple of points shy of the worst beating in any Finals contest. Ray Allen’s 7 threes tied another Finals record. (By the way, can anyone remember all the concern about Ray Ray’s struggles early in the playoffs? Yeah, didn’t think so.)

By the way, do you want to talk about home-court advantage? The Jungle earned its nickname in this series, especially compared to the disinterested crowd that sauntered into the Staples Center. I was there for Game 3, and I was embarassed by the atmosphere. The crowd made more noise when Hugh Hefner was shown on the Jumbotron than when some guy named Earvin Johnson made an appearance. On Tuesday, the place was rockin’ from the opening introductions, and it never let up until the last piece of confetti finally touched down on the parquet. The official attendance was 18,624 but it felt like thousands more.

The scene in the locker room afterwards was one of total jubilation. I’ll admit it; my job has many perks, but nothing I’ve experienced to this point compares with being in the middle of the madness Tuesday night. Even now, as I’m watching the trophy presentation on the ESPN replay at 4:49 a.m., I’m still at a loss for words. While it felt amazing to watch the Sox and Patriots spray champagne after their championships, the sting of having champagne and beer sprayed in your eyes as it’s happening is a much better experience.

Now it’s time for yet another parade in Titletown. I’m guessing a few people might call out sick on Thursday to watch the Celtics roll through the city on the Duck Boats that Doc took the new Big 3 on way back at the start of the year. Doc told them that’s how Boston celebrates champions… now they’ll get to see exactly what it’s like.

Heady time for the Celtics

Posted by Ted McEnroe June 9, 2008 at 12:45 pm

Pretty heady time for the Boston Celtics. They lead their series in the NBA finals with the LA Lakers 2 games to none, but there was a big complaint after the game from Laker coach Phil Jackson, who was disgusted with the disparity in foul calls. Celtics shoot 38, Lakers get  a 10. Leon Pow or Poe as Jackson corrected himself after messing up Leon’s name with more free throws. One player than the in the entire Laker group had as a team. Paul was very aggressive. He deserved those foul calls. On the hand, the Lakers weren’t aggressive at all, and that goes right on down to Kobe Bryant who surprisingly has not yet attacked a basket. You have to give the Celtics deense credit. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, James Cosy and even the bigs for sliding over and life difficult for Kobe. They continue this in those 2 wins, they might come in L.A, and then they wrap this thing up before having it come back to Boston for. listen

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Big Papi and Big Hoops

Posted by Mike Giardi June 3, 2008 at 7:15 pm

Before I get on to the Celtics, let me just say that the David Ortiz injury worries me, but I won’t get panicky unless the wrist won’t get right. Right away you worry about Manny. Unless J.D. Drew and Mike Lowell and Chris Carter (no, not that one. He spells it Cris…and he’’s an idiot) rake, there is absolutely no reason to ever throw Manny a strike again. And the Sox slugger is such a patient hitter, he’ll take walks. I say if Ortiz misses a month, Manny will take between 35 and 40 base on balls during this stretch. Its great for the OBP, but dudes below him better swing big bats or you might be talking about a couple of walks per game.

The only reason I don’t get crazy is because the Sox are better built to manufacture runs then they’ve ever been in my lifetime, even more so if Coco could get on base every once in a blue moon. Jacoby Elllsbury has a chance to be a very special player, and I wasn’t convinced that would be the case 7 or 8 months ago.

As for the Celtics, another busy day at the team’s practice facility in Waltham. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce held court for a second day, basically repeating their takes from a day ago. I get the feeling that Ray may have a good series now that his confidence has been restored. Of course, I reserve the right to change my mind if Kobe tortures him for 40. Hey, I may be dumb, but I’m not stupid.

Other bits and pieces…Kendrick Perkins thinks that Rasheed Wallace and Antonio McDyess got him well prepared for Pau Gasol. In fact, I think Perk thinks this will be an easier task. You know what? I think he’s right.

Sam Cassell thinks there’s very little pressure on Rajon Rondo. He said it was similar to his situation in his rookie season with Houston, when he didn’t have any plays designed for him, and didn’t need to carry the offense. Cassell noted he had Hakeem and Clyde Drexler - 2 Hall of Famers - and Rondo plays with 3 future HOf’ers. The late-season acquisition also noted that nothing prepares you for the NBA Finals. The atmosphere is “crazy.”

James Posey wouldn’t reveal just how much time he’ll get matching up with Kobe (see my one-on-one interview with him on NECN.com), but says that its all about “team defense,” again a theme that has been very prevalent these last couple days (and all season, of course). It will be crucial for the C’s to make sure Kobe has to work defensively as well, something they did a nice job with in the two regular season meetings.

Doc Rivers is a huge fan of Derek Fisher, citing his character and basketball smarts. The C’s tried to get Fish this offseason, but he was no dummy, sticking to his West Coast roots and Kobe. Can’t blame a guy for that.

Paul Pierce thinks Kobe has great trust not just in Gasol, but all his teammates, and Doc feels like Phil Jackson has loaded up on shooters when those two are on the floor, making life easier for both, and Lamar Odom.

More tomorrow….

4 Wins Away From Glory

Posted by Mike Giardi May 31, 2008 at 5:55 pm

Quick thoughts on what I just saw from the Celtics and questions I have on the series ahead.

1. Rajon Rondo is driving me nuts. His inconsistencies are not just game-to-game, but possession to possession. I’m on record as saying he’s the C’s most important player. He sets the tone defensively, and he’s responsible for getting this team moving offensively. But there have been too many times this postseason that the Green team is grinding to a halt in the halfcourt…and how can you put it on anyone else but Rondo? Take charge and finish this run off!

2. I’m an unabashed Kendrick Perkins fan. Man works like a kid forced to pay his way through college. Those lumbering legs never stop moving, and he made an indelible mark in the Pistons series. That 18-point, 16-rebound, 2 block performance in Game 5 goes to the head of his resume. but there are so many subtle things he does defensively. I’m assuming he gets Paul Gasol in the Finals. A difficult challenge, but if Perk is allowed to body Gasol, he could slow the Lakers gifted center (who’s really a power forward).

3. The C’s bench didn’t have big numbers in Game 6 versus Detroit. But their contribution was huge. I don’t want to get too simplistic on you, because are so many factors that go into winning, but when the bench plays well, the C’s have won in these playoffs.

3a. On that note, does Leon Powe reemerge in this series, or is it too late for him? They could use a little offense on the second unit, and if Cassell isn’t hitting jumpers, Powe seems to be the obvious choice.

4. If Phil Jackson pilots L.A. to a title, he’ll break Red Auerbach’s record of 10. Now there aren’t too many players on this current C’s team who got to spend any considerable time around Red, but man, they gotta do it for the old coach. You know he’s looking down, chomping on that stinky cigar, probably cursing at the refs. He is the Celtics. And it would be nice to deny a somewhat smarmy Jackson of that honor, even if he gets it eventually.

5. Do you just let Kobe get his, and focus on shutting down the solid supporting cast? I mean, I’m not suggesting you single Kobe up and let him torture you 1-on-1, because if you do that, he’ll beat Ray Allen and James Posey and whoever else tries to “D” him up off the dribble, and your big men will be in foul trouble from the word “go.” But if you devote too many resources to him, the Lakers have far more talent than LeBron had alongside. In other words, the Cavs took the C’s 7. If the C’s play the Lakers that way, they’ll get taken out.

6. Be prepared to hate Sasha Vujacic. The floppy-haired guard is a certifiable pain-in-the-butt. Also be prepared for me to butcher his name. Hey, you gotta know your strengths and weaknesses. That name will be on the negative side of the ledger.

7. Is it Thursday yet?

Can’t Spell Defense without the “D”

Posted by Mike Giardi May 27, 2008 at 10:12 am

A disappointing performance by the C’s in losing Monday’s Game 4 in Detroit. People will point to the 75 points and 32% shooting and exclaim, “that’s it!” No question throwing up bricks didn’t help the cause, but once again, this defeat was all about defense.

For the second time this series, the Pistons lit up the Green team like a Christmas tree. 51.4% from the floor is an obscene number, especially when you consider how stingy the C’s have been all year. Point to any win this postseason, and you can definitively say its was the “D” that drove the Celts there. Its this team’s calling card, more so than the “Big 3,” or “New 3,” or whatever the heck you want to call them. Last night, it only reared it heads during a couple of periods, and not surprisingly, that’s when the C’s crept within 4 right at the end of the opening half.

I mean, how many times can you give Antonio McDyess that jumper a couple feet beyond the foul line? A majority of the time, that shot wasn’t even challenged! Note to Tom Thibodeau and his charges: that’s Antonio’s favorite shot! Not quite as easy as a layup, but damn close. It was McDyess who set the tone offensively for Detroit in the opening minutes of the game, allowing them to build a quick double-digit lead and bring the crowd very much into each and every possession, something that didn’t happen in Saturday’s Game 3.

As for Ray Allen’s perimeter defense on Rip Hamilton, the less said, the better. Ray can be upset at his teammates for not getting him more involved in the offense, and you can sort of see where he’s coming. Ditto when he pins that on his coach. But in no way, shape or form should that disrupt his play at the other end; if anything, Allen should be more intense, hoping for some steals and easy buckets in transition. Instead, Rip has owned him in 3 of the first 4 games of the series. That’s not becoming an All-Star and, as some would suggest, a possible Hall of Famer (don’t get me started on that one).

Okay, so now its back to the Garden, and quite frankly, the pressure is all on the C’s. They lost that aura of invincibility on the parquet when they dropped Game 2. Can they regain the edge and get one step closer to a trip to the NBA Finals? Only if they remember to spell defense with a big “D”.

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.

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