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January 7, 2008
Footnotes to A Great Game
I won't say it was lost in all the hub-bub of the Celtic's win over Detroit but if said somewhere else, it bears repeating...
1) Glen Davis did more than score 16 big fourth quarter points. He played good defense and made a number of other hustle plays. And while most of points were lay-ups, most of them were defended pretty well. He has a knack for getting for getting the ball to go in.
2) Paul Pierce played an excellent floor game. His steal may be the biggest defensive play of the game.
3) Chauncy Billups was allowed to push, pull and tug on Rajon Rondo in the most blatant way. Will that be allowed if they meet in the play-offs?
4) Was this the real test of legitimacy in the eyes of the refs? In spite of the foul shooting differential, Garnett was incapacitated for most of the first half, and many Detroit infractions were not called. Both teams complained, a lot, but the Celtics played through it and won in Detroit's house. Will they get better treatment next time?
5) Detroit was knocked off their game as I have rarely seem them, and probably not at all this year. That has to make you think, if you are Detroit. The Detroit players can minimize it all they want. It mattered.
6) Detroit has to be thinking about what to do about a weak inside game. They were absolutely locked outside of the paint. It was 'No Trespassing' most of the night.
7) As much as we Celtic fans might want to ignore it, what was implied by Detroit players was true. The Celtics must learn to play their game better under the enormous pressure and play-by-play microscope of the play-offs.
8) Last time it was Pierce who was quiet offensively, this time it was Ray Allen. Does it prove that the team needs Pierce to play well to win in this kind of a game?
9) While it was role players helping out quite a bit this time, it seems that Garnett must be in the game for the Cs to handle a team like this, evidenced by Celtic scoring with and without him. I know.... duh. I keep hoping that might change. Kind of like wishing the Cs played well when Bird was on the bench.
10) Rondo was the only Celtic with more than 5 minutes PT who had a minus (-4) in the plus/minus stat. At this stage,Billups is a big challenge for him.
11) McDyess had, by far, the Pistons worse plus/minus (-15).
The funny thing is, I think the Celtics will continue to get better and handle games like these better with each passing experience.
Posted by Tom on January 7, 2008 9:53 PM
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Comments
Tom, let me say this about the refs: I think they will tend to swallow their whistles a bit more in the playoffs. Especially against a team like Detroit - they have a reputation as an excellent defensive team. Many calls these days are based on a player's reputation.
The flip side of that is hopefully the Celtics will have a similar such reputation by the time the playoffs come around, allowing them to neutralize that advantage.
Also, I think you're right about the Celtics getting better as the year goes on. Assuming they stay healthy (knock on wood), this team should come together more and improve as the season progresses. Could the same be said about Detroit, who has been together as a unit for several years?
Posted by: ZekeMowattFan at January 8, 2008 10:25 AM
It seems like in most games, in the play-offs in particular, each team will go through a time period where calls are going against them.
Questionable situations you didn't get in the first half, you get now, and visa versa.
I don't know whether it is intentional by the refs, to keep everyone off their backs, or not. But it seems to happen a lot.
So long as you get both teams complaining, you're going to look fair calling the game.
Or maybe Tommy Heinsohn has it right. He said in the last game, "I'm not sure what a foul is anymore."
Thanks for the input Zeke.
T
Posted by: Tom Halzack at January 8, 2008 5:39 PM
