May 31, 2008

Boston Snuffs Out Detroit

Doc Rivers made the Celtics watched film of Muhammad Ali.

They then went out and absorbed a pummeling unleashed from the Pistons that would make Smoking Joe Frasier proud. They were the last man standing and delivered a knock out that would make Ali proud. They won the game with a dramatic 4th quarter comeback.

Paul Pierce said it was the team’s best 4th quarter of the play-offs. He was right. Paul Pierce led the Celtics comeback from a 10 point deficit to take the lead, in the face of numerous questionable foul calls. They took a pummeling from the refs in the third period as well as from the Pistons.

The worst call of perhaps the entire year was an offensive foul called on Paul Pierce when he ball faked Chauncy Billups out of his shorts on a three point shot. As Billups flew by and into Paul, Pierce leaned into him to get the foul call as he shot. The shot dropped through the net. Pierce was expecting to have a 4 point play to get the Celtics back into the game. Paul got a foul call alright. Incredibly, Bennett Salvatore called an offensive foul on Pierce. No three pointer. No foul shot. Pistons’ ball instead.

The Pistons had wrestled a 64-58 point lead from the Celtics and Paul’s shot would change the momentum. Instead, it became his only turnover of the game and the Pistons’ roll continued until they were up 70-60 with only 10:29 left in the game.

It was at this point the Celtics decided that no referees, and no Pistons would decide who wins this game. They began a 12-0 run to regain the lead, and continued the run out by 23-6 to lead, 83-76 with 2:34 left in the game. This time it was the Celtics who made all the clutch plays and the Pistons started missing open shots with regularity. It was over. The Celtics win 2 games in Detroit's vaunted Palace at Auburn Hills to win the series.

It was a game where each team was truly its inner self.

The Pistons entire offense was generated by Rip Hamilton (21pts.) and Chauncey Billups (29 pts). They had 50 of Detroit’s 81 points. Both were playing injured. It has been said that the Pistons are a jump shooting team. They certainly were tonight.

The Pistons were exposed for the lack of post play that is missing often. Their bigs were MIA for most of the night, led by the talkative, ‘walking technical foul’ center named Rasheed Wallace. They scored just 18 points in the paint for the game. Wallace had a Perkin-esque 4 points for the game.

The Celtics’ comeback employed the team approach, but the team was carried over the finish line by multiple big shots and foul shots by number 34.

Down by 10, Rajon Rondo hit a jump shot. James Posey then stole the ball from Rip Hamilton and Pierce made a beautiful drive and pass to Perkins for the dunk and the foul shot for an old fashioned three point play. Wallace missed a three point shot and Garnett hit 4 straight points.

Boston amazingly tied the score at 70 when Pierce hit 1 of 2 foul shots. Perkins then stole the ball from Hamilton. Jason Maxiell hit two straight jumpers to give the Pistons at 74-72 lead. Paul Pierce showed why he is still this team’s best option when shots are difficult to get, with his patented spin move to the middle for 2 plus the foul. The Cs went up 75-74 and would never trail again..

Perkins had a huge block of Billups and Pierce, Rondo, and Ray Allen all scored to maintain the lead. James Posey had an enormous steal from Tayshaun Prince to give the Celtics the ball back with 1:40 left and up 4.

The Celtics kept their poise as they have in no other play-off 4th quarter. Their foul shooting kept it interesting as they went 6 for 10 in the last few minutes. Garnett missed 2 of 2 and Pierce went 1 of 2 twice. But the lead was wide enough so as not to affect the outcome.

So this Celtic teams’ learning curve keeps improving. They are getting more and more calm in response to pressure and are playing better because of it. The West’s number one seed, the Los Angeles Lakers are awaiting them. One team will walk away as Champions.

Posted by Tom on 3:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

"LA!...Let's Do It!!!!"

Those were Paul Pierce’s words at the end of game 6th of the Eastern Conference Finals and the game that put the Celtics into their dream series.

The Story Book Saga Continues

The Boston Celtics won an extremely hard fought game by coming back from a 10 point 4th quarter deficit to will themselves to an 89-81 win over the experienced and tough minded Detroit Pistons. They advance to the NBA Finals for the 21st time in the franchise history, but first time since 1987 when they lost to the same team they will play in this Finals – The Los Angeles Lakers. They are 16-4 in NBA finals.

It will be a ratings bonanza for a league in need of bonanzas. The League MVP Kobe team vs the Big Three, led by Mr. Defensive Player of the Year team. Big stars, big shots, and big defense are all in store for the viewers. It will be big, I tell you, big.

Kobe has the name penetration into the American culture that Michael Jordan had, or nearly so. Viewers that can’t even be called casual fans will be turning in to watch parts of each game to see how Kobe is doing against the big bad Green Machine known as the Celtics.

It truly has the legendary old images re-aligned correctly. Even in the 1960’s, it was the black top Converse sneakers of the “all about business’ Celtics versus the Gold and Purple uniforms of the offensively proficient Lakers.

These Celtics are lead by a figure of serious intensity who's countenance reveals the inner drive, not unlike Bill Russell’s game face. Kevin was just interviewed by Bill Russell and has his respect. Both are immensely talented big men who pride themselves on their defense. Now Kevin Garnett has his Sam Jones (Ray Allen) and John ‘Hondo’ Havlicek (Paul Pierce) to help him get the coveted ring.

Kevin is the catalyst defensively. Any of the three could be the leader offensively, but my bet is on Paul Pierce more often than not. He is honing his big game efforts - first in game 7 against Lebron and the Cavaliers, and now even more frequently against the Pistons. As the competition gets tougher, so does Paul Pierce.

Paul’s masterful 27 points on 8 of 12 shooting with 10 of 13 foul shots and 8 rebounds closed door number 4 on the Pistons in their own home.

Call Paul the ‘Door man.’ He led with 22 points against the Hawks in the close out game. He closed the door on Cleveland with 41and now he closed the door on Detroit with 27 points. Each time he led the Celtics in scoring to move his team forward to the next round. Beware the Door man.

Now it is the Big Ticket, The Truth, Ray Ray, and Mamba getting ready to strap ‘em on to renew a rivalry that has been hibernating for so long, those under 20 years old don’t really understand it. They will now.

The media machines and David Stern couldn't have asked for a better Finals to promote. Two big market teams with the biggest, longest rivalry in the history of the NBA are about to go toe to toe for a best of seven to determine the 2008 NBA Champions.

Game one of the NBA Championship Series is Thursday night.

Posted by Tom on 2:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 29, 2008

77 Wins: two seasons: two learning curves

If the regular season is a marathon of sprints, and it is, then the post season is like an obstacle course.

To win the title, the Celtics would have to win 82 times. It almost speaks for winning fewer games during the season. I said almost.

It is, of course, a trial by fire. The Celtics are experiencing their problems, call them growing pains, because they are going through a second season and another learning curve. It took most by surprise. The fans, the players, Doc, the media. The main bugaboo has been the inability to win away after winning away all year.

This learning curve is much more difficult because they have a shorter time to learn and it's like relearning how to ride a bike, but this time there are tacks on the road, huge potholes, speed bumps galore, and another rider along side of you trying to push you off. It is quite a different ride. You have to focus so much more and put so much more energy into just trying to do the same things.

Back when I asked Delonte West about why the Cavs were assumed to be a less talented team yet were playing the Celtics even at the time (2 wins each), he said this....

You know...things that are written on paper, or said in the media - it means nothing. Once that horn goes off, it's about who wants it more. And talent level, or whatever the situation is, outside influence gives a team an advantage over another, it doesn't matter in the play-offs. It's about whoever goes out there and straps it up and goes hard for 48 minutes.

Wise beyond his years. Certainly that is a salient point as to why the Cs have struggled. No one cares what their regular season was. It simply isn't relevant. 82 games go out of the window.

What doesn't kill the Celtics should make them better. It appears to be the case so far. After two grueling 7 game series, they had become a better team in many ways. The biggest way is their ability to take obstacles like bad shooting, bad foul calls, inconsistent bench play, inconsistent guard play, a lost Ray Allen shot, even occasional bad defense and somehow stay in front of all of their competition. They have only needed a road win once so far. They went out and got it in a terrific game of energy and focus.

This team's 'team mind' is still making itself. Every difficulty that arises gets put into the central memory banks of players 1 through 5 for future reference, should it occur again. The team's biggest enemy still seems to be themselves. 4th quarters have been a regular problem. They win enough of them to stay on top in each series, but not enough to appear to be a dominant team, as they were during the regular season.

When asked earlier in the play-offs if the team can't always pull the trigger when they want to, Coach Rivers answered...

We've pulled the trigger pretty well this year. We are one of 8 teams alive (make that 4 now). So that's what I would say to that. You know, listen.....this team has been questioned all year and we are going to be continued to be questioned. We can't answer questions with words. We have to continue to go out and play.

When Detroit's Arron Afflalo was asked if Boston pushed too hard during the season, then went through two tough series coming into the Eastern Conference Finals - did Boston gain something or lose something in the play-offs? he said....

Anytime, you go through game sevens like that, that's valuable experience that you can use to benefit you. And for them to play hard all season, I don't think that can hurt you. That can only make you better.

What changes in the play-offs?

Arron....

You're in the play-offs man. Things aren't going to change a whole lot. It's just how you execute and stick to your defensive and offensive schemes.

So you still have to ride that bike the same way. But it is about energy and focus and staying in your game while taking fouls you never had to during the season. I would add that the margin for error shrinks to almost nothing for bench players. You come in and if you make a couple of bad plays, you will take the revolving door back to bench very quickly. There is little forgiveness for support players. Support or else.

Are the Celtics becoming a better team as they encounter each new situation and overcome just enough of them to maintain the series lead? We will only know if they lose that advantage and have to learn a whole new thing - playing from down in a series. That is impossible to happen in this series any longer. But Detroit can surprise as well.

If Detroit takes game 6 at their home, it will be an interesting game 7 in Boston again. Can Boston have enough left to expend the energy required to play well enough to win in Detroit?

The winning streak for each team in this series is...one. Can Boston break the streak with another road win in Detroit? Rip Hamilton's arm is hurt. Chauncy Billup's leg is hurt. Rasheed Wallace's feelings are hurt.

Boston has done two things when they are playing from an advantage. They play well and then they almost give it back. Good execution leads to bad execution.

It is a game of execution. It is a game of confidence. It is a game of forcing your game plan through multiple obstacles.

Role players will play a huge role. Perkins or Rondo stepping up will help enormously. Brown, Davis, or Powe would be a big help. It is Rondo's turn to have a good shooting game. The last time Boston had a game advantage like this they let it slip away. Have they moved up on the learning curve?

Find out on Friday night in Detroit.

Posted by Tom on 7:47 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

Celtics Enter O-Zone: Beat Pistons 106-102

Talk about O-zone depletion. Talk about Green living. Talk about recycling.

The Celtics were oh so good and they were oh so bad.

O my goodness. This was an O-ffensive game.

Kevin Garnett led a surprise dynamic offensive trio that was delivered in iron man like performances for the starters (They averaged just under 42 minutes as a group) as the Celtics broke out to a 17 point 3rd quarter lead, only to almost implode on themselves in the 4th quarter.

Memorial Day just ended, but after firing dud after dud on the holiday, Kevin Garnett anchored a spectacular Celtic fireworks display for the critical game 5 of a Conference Finals series against Detroit, tied at 2-2. He finished with a game high 33 points on 11-17 shooting, with 10 of 12 foul shots and a rare three pointer, to go with 7 rebounds and 5 TOs.

KG lit up the sky with a vast array of multi-color crowd pleasers. Two other big time O-zoners, surprising offensive stars - Ray Allen and Kendrick "Rasheed" Perkins brought along their own cache of sky flashers, poppers, and loud bursts. There were oohs and ahhhs all night long. It almost ended with ooh no.

Kendrick Perkins provided the early fireworks for the Celtics and went on to have the best offensive game of his young career. He had 8 points and 8 boards in the first quarter alone.

Doc said he played the starters like it was a game 7. Fittingly, they created.... and almost destroyed their own destinies. But it was going to be their own doing. No one else's.

Kevin Garnett calls Rasheed Wallace a mirror of himself. This night, Kendrick Perkins was a mirror of Rasheed. He rebounded with passion and shot like he was Rasheed, putting the Celtics on his back for much of the first half. Cedric Maxwell would have been proud. Perkins said they were leaving him open to guard Paul and Kevin and he wanted to do something about it. He surely did.

For 3 quarters, Perkins was a Monster with a capital M. For a long while, he was out rebounding the entire Piston team. Of his game and play-off career high 16 boards, 5 were offensive to go with his 18 points. Perkins hit tough lay-ups in traffic, little hooks, turn around jumpers, and unblockable fadeaways like his opposite number on the Pistons. Kendrick picked the exact right time to play the game of his life. The Celtics desperately needed someone other than the big three to contribute offensively lately. The ESPN announcers said they had to give Perkins a nick name if he kept it up. The Perk-o-later already has one.

He also played solid inside defense until the 4th quarter, as the Celtics decided to let Wallace roam the 3 point line and fire away at will. The strategy almost back fired as Rasheed looked like Larry Bird, making 5 of his first 6 from the arc. By the end of game, Rasheed's arm must have been tired from all the long distance chucking, as he missed some crucial three pointers down the stretch. He finished 6 of 9 from downtown.

Ray Allen says, "Can You Hear Me Now?"
Also in the O-zone was Ray Allen. What a time to have a break out game. Ray was dialing it up long distance all night. The signal was strong everywhere. Yes, Ray. We can hear you now. His deadly nano-second release was back, as he was a big part of the fireworks show, even with defenders right on his shooting hand. For a while, his shots looked like back breakers. But Piston backs don't break. They bend. Ray finished with 29 points on 9-15 shooting, 5 of 6 from the three point line, and 6 for 6 in critical foul shots

The Celtics established a 17 point second half lead on absolutely fantastic offensive shot making. By the end of the game, it was more like 'oh no' and 'oh boy' as the O-zone layer disappeared and Pistons took immediate (and continued) advantage of sloppy and lazy Celtic execution in the 4th period.

The Celtics started the 4th quarter with a 15 point lead, 86-71, when Kevin Garnett made a jump shot and his 24/25th points in what was the most clutch shooting I've seen him display. He constantly rained jumpers from deep, dunks, mid range moves, and foul shots that kept the Celtics from falling behind early and kept them in the game later. He even banked a three pointer in the first half, as the shot clock ran down, a la Tim Duncan. It would turn out that the Celtics would need every basket and most every foul shot.

The Celtics played like the game was over to start the 4th. The Pistons were just waiting for a chance to strike. They had hunkered down very well, striking back from 'behind the hedges' whenever they could during the Celtics' shooting onslaught. It was a testament to their 'never say die' approach that makes them so dangerous.

The Celtics offensive discipline completely fell apart. Turnovers, passed up shots and bad shots almost led to their downfall. Team IQ dropped to double digits as the lead dropped to single digits. They looked stunned while their lead dwindled to a single point twice, at 99-100 with 1:23 left and 101-102 with just 8 seconds left.

They had 5 of their 17 turnovers in the 4th and made just 5 of 13 shots. Luckily Garnett, and Ray Allen hit 4 big foul shots in the closing seconds and Ray hit the biggest jump shot of his Celtic career so far to give the Celtics a 102-99 lead with 1:02 left. His foot was on the three point line. But it was enough to hold off a closing Piston squad.

Paul Pierce played a solid, but unspectacular floor game finishing with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists and but a single TO (for once). Rajon Rondo was the iron man of the team playing almost 46 minutes. Doc told him that he was going to play him the entire second half. Sam Cassell did not play well in his brief appearance in the first half. Rondo responded with a terrific floor game, finishing with 13 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, a blocked shot and a single turnover. His shooting was off at 3-14 again, but he did enough positive things with the rest of his game to more than offset his shooting woes.

So it was the Celtics at their best and their worst. Predictably, yet always somewhat of a surprise, we have seen this before. I believe in a Green Earth policy and recycling, but that isn't what I had in mind. And for a while, it looked like the Beantown Ballers ran out of precious energy. But they dug down to find enough to just eek out a victory. You could say they almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. But a victory it was.

One only wonders if this kind of game gives hope to the Pistons, and mitigates the positive for the Celtics. You saw Detroit take every lunging punch the Celtics threw. They waited, jabbed, waited, and countered punched in the final round. They almost got up from a knockdown to win on points - literally.

But predicting this series' outcome is a difficult thing. Boston has played well enough to win every time they have been tied in the post season. This game's defense left a lot to be desired. It hasn't always been a Rembrandt, but Picasso or Pollack will do. Next time, I hope they enter the D-zone again. It is their natural workspace and they can't expect to get the same shots to drop as they did in this game. But more important, they have 2 tries to get one win that will put them in the NBA Finals. That is the Celtic dream. Precious game 7 is at home. So there's a lot for the boys in green to be hopeful for.

There are some poised Pistons in the way.

Posted by Tom on 12:03 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

May 26, 2008

Pistons Strangle Boston 94-75

As the saying goes, the final score wasn't indicative of the game. Or maybe it was.

Boston is proving to be a team that can't stand too much success.

Antonio McDyess was the main Celtic killer, finishing with 21 points and 16 rebounds. He was left open often. He had help from Rip Hamilton with 20 points and Jason Maxiell and Rasheed Wallace with 14 each. But it was Chauncy Billups only three pointer that put the game away late in the 4th quarter.

Detroit jumped on Boston from the opening bell. Their defense was aggressive and, at times, it seemed like there were 6 Pistons on the court. Boston came out confused and lethargic.

The Celtics made just three shots (3-15) in the first quarter. They made just 18 more for the rest of the game. Much of it was due to a smothering Pistons' defense. The rest was due to missing shots they normally make. They seemed out of sync for most of the game.

The numbers were astounding. At half time, there were a total of 4 made baskets by Boston's big three. Pierce and Allen had one each.Garnett took only 6 shots and made two. Ray Allen was 1-4, and Paul Pierce was 1-6, though he did go 7-7 from the foul line.

The Celtics fell behind early at 13-4, then closed to 17-22 to end the 1st quarter. They fell behind again in the 2nd, but finished with a 9-4 run to close within 4 at 39-43 by the halftime, thanks to 4 points by Ray Allen, 2 by Garnett and a Rondo inside basket. The Celtics were thoroughly outplayed in the first half. Only their rebounding and foul shooting kept them in the game.

This was the kind of game where the Celtics mystify me. I don't know whether it was a lack of a killer instinct, or simply not being mentally prepared every game.

This game had HUGE OPPORTUNITY written all over it. They had nothing to lose and everything to gain by coming out strong and loose. They could put a big nail in the coffin of the Pistons by winning this game. Come out ready and get the jump. Get the crowd out of it and put a little desperation into the Piston players' minds.

Instead, they looked like the guy who just woke up from a nap to answer the door. His eyes aren't focused. He has pillow hair. He has to think hard to respond to anything you say to him.

The Pistons came out alert, energetic and strong, as expected. For the first time that I can think of, Kendrick Perkins had a better half than Kevin Garnett. You won't read that sentence often, but it was true. Perkins had 7 points, and only 2 boards in 10 minutes, but generally played very well. The only issue is who was supposed to be covering McDyess? If Perkins was supposed to stay in the middle, then someone else should have rotated out on Antonio. He killed the Cs with mostly open looks from mid range. If not, then Perkins was remiss defensively.

In fact, in the first half, the big three all played fairly poorly. Pierce did get to the line often (7-7) and played good defense. Garnett rebounded pretty well (7). But both players each had three TOs with two of KGs being consecutive offensive fouls. Pierce's TOs came from a gang tackling defense of the Pistons. Paul was converged on every time he had the ball. The Celtics did not respond well to the Detroit pressure. They had a total of 6 assists at the half. The other problem was that they only had 11 baskets on 30 attempts.

The Pistons first quarter defense was tremendous. They were collapsing on anyone in the middle and the big three anywhere they got the ball. Garnet was blocked from behind by Jason Maxiell on a lazy dunk that got the Palace rocking.

Celtics point guard play was left wanting by both Rondo and Sam Cassell on this night. Cassell didn't shoot much and he had zero assists, though when he was on the floor the team played reasonably well. He finished with zero points to go with the zero assists. The team's plus minus with him was at exactly even (zero - which in this case was good ). Rondo had a difficult time again tonight and finished with 2-8 shooting, 4 assists and a plus/minus of -14. But really, neither deliver the kind of performance that would win a ball game.

There simply was not a single Celtic who got it going offensively tonight. The team fought bravely to make runs to come close, but there wasn't the energy or shooting prowess to get them anywhere near over the hump.

Garnett had 6 at the half and finished with 16, tied with Paul Pierce to lead the Celtics. Ray Allen again had difficulty making shots, and even turned down some lay-ups to pass.

The Celtics shot .318% on 21 of 66 to the Pistons .514 on 36 of 70. The Celtics had 14 TOs with 11 of them by half time, to the Pistons 7 TOs for the game.

Call it...Opportunity Lost.

So the teams go back to Boston tied 2-2 for a game on Wednesday night. This looks like it might go seven games.... again.

Posted by Tom on 9:51 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

May 24, 2008

ROAD WIN!!!!!! Celtics Retake lead 94-80

It wasn't 40 days and 40 nights of flood or being in the wilderness...it was 39. Close enough.

The Boston Celtics did what few thought they were capable of doing anymore - winning a game on the road. Their last one was on April 16 against the Knicks in the regular season.

It was a convincing win with an 11-0 sprint out of the gate that went to 15-4, before the Pistons ran off 13 straight to take a 2 point lead. At that point, James Posey, Glen Davis and Sam Cassell contributed offensively to regain the lead as the quarter ended and sent a message to the Pistons that things would indeed be different tonight. Before it was over, the Celtic lead would grow to 24 before shrinking to 9 in the 4th quarter.

The Celtics made it look easy. Road win? No sweat. Get Kevin Garnett, the team's best player in foul trouble early? No problem. Get Ray Allen out with fouls, too? Go ahead - tie my other arm behind my back. Have another poor 4th quarter with a lead? Of course. Let's not get crazy and change everything.

Late in the first quarter, James Posey made a 3 pointer on an assist from Paul Pierce. Sam Cassell, who came in for Rondo with 3 plus minutes left, hit another three and the Piston flames were doused until it was much too late to make a difference. Right there, a tone was set for the rest of game. The Celtic lead would slowly balloon to 18 at the half 50-32. The bench would play a big part of this evening's game. So would Rondo and Perkins, aka the 'other two'.

Boston's bench made up for the stinker they put in last game, and between 'anyone not called a member of the Big Three' and Kevin Garnett's play, it was the difference in the win.

What a surprise story line for this Celtic season. The best road team takes a detour from winning on the road in the play-offs. Mere mortals beat them consistently. Superman can't get his Clark Kent clothes off. Who would have thought it?

Detroit takes one from Boston in Boston and the Celtics return the favor immediately. The Celtics beat the Pistons so badly, there was booing from the fans. So much for 'the best fans in the world' as Rip Hamilton says.

How important was it that the Celtics take this particular game? If you follow such stats, it was enormously important. Let the record show that, in a series tied 1-1, 76% of teams that take the next game go on to win the series, according to the TV announcers.

The Celtics bench got their chance after Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen went out in the first quarter with 2 fouls each. The bench finished with 23 points after garnering just 8 in Boston in game #2.

Let's start with Kevin Garnett.... 22 points, 13 boards (4 offensive) and 6 assists, leading the rout of the Detroit Pistons. Kevin seems to get the Celtics started each game by hitting his 1st or 2nd shot. He continued to make big shots inside and out and regularly set screens and made plays for others all night.

Garnett's play, while at times, suspect in parts of 4th quarters, has been consistently good throughout the play-offs. He is the stalwart defender, shot maker, and defensive tone setter for the team. He is always the match up that gives opponents nightmares.

But the next player to get special note is one you rarely hear singled out. Kendrick Perkins played as solid of a game as I have seen from him perhaps all year. KP was 6-6 from the floor at one point, including a turnaround fadeaway. He was a big reason why the Celtics kept the Piston to 80 points in their own home. The Celtics only gave up 24 points in the paint to their own 34. Perkins was a big part of that, as well as the Celtics 42 -28 rebound advantage. Kendrick also managed a steal from a point guard, and a block.

You know that basketball karma has swung toward the Beantown Ballers when Kendrick gets his groove on. It did and he did. He was the other part of the Celtic double double double along Garnett. Perkins, in 28 minutes had 12 points on 6 of 7 shooting and 10 (2 offensive) rebounds, a block, a steal and even demanded the ball on the right block once. He then spun and delivered a mini jump hook that bounced a few times and dropped in.

Doc has said that Rondo and Perkins have to make shots and make the defenses pay for dropping off them. Tonight they both did. Rondo was aggressive in going to the middle and either dropping a short shot in or laying it up.

James Posey had his best offensive game in quite a while with 12 points, including 7-8 foul shooting. Paul Pierce was quiet offensively, taking just 6 shots and making 4, and adding 2 steals and a blocked shot. His defense was very good as he had some deflections and Prince shot just 2-11. Six Celtics scored in double figures. Take that, Detroit.

Ray Allen could not find his shot again, going 5-16. (I thought he just unpacked that thing?) But Ray has 6 rebounds and 6 assists and hit a three to stop the 4th quarter bleeding.

Detroit came out and played a trapping 1-2-2 defense in the second half that was effective in disrupting the Celtics' offense. Luckily, Detroit's time ran out before it could get any closer than 9. The Celtics pushed the lead back to 14, thanks in large part to a late Ray Allen three pointer and won convincingly. Detroit's defense in the first half was not anywhere near as good as in game 2.

So the onus is back on Detroit. They must win another one in Boston to have a chance to win it all. That will be difficult, though they've already done it once. If the Celtics, by some chance win again on Monday in Detroit, this series is virtually over.

The Celtics have climbed that road mountain. They can now hold serve and win at home the rest of the way and be in the League Finals.

Posted by Tom on 11:39 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

What was - is. Plus: Thibodeau revision needed?

Let's call it ATT - "After The Trade"

ATT - people thought the team's defense wouldn't be good enough.

ATT - people thought it was three stars and nothing else.

ATT - people thought Doc might not be up to the challenge

ATT - people thought Rondo wasn't up to the task - yet.

After just one loss at home in the play-offs, Boston has to prove those thoughts wrong - again. Why? Because all of those thoughts will linger after losses where they were a factor.

To be sure, Boston will have to prove themselves and defend themselves after every loss. Again - why? They are the featured team of the year. Biggest turnaround ever. One of the best defenses ever -statistically. Best road record. Great home record. The three best player combo on the floor -by far (statistically).

Is it fair? People are watching Boston. If the Celtics goes all the way, how did they do it? Team play or three dominant players? If they fail, how did they fail?

They lost at home. They haven't won on the road. They just gave up 103 points to a team that averages 92 in the play-offs. The only players who could score where the big three. Rondo has had his difficulties. Doc's use of roster and line-ups could be questioned at points.

Isn't this where we came in?

Tayshaun Prince on the lack of support for the big three...

Rondo played a great floor game, bu he missed some shots and luckily nobody else on their team made a big impact. Because if they did, we'd have come up short. The big three hit some big shots but we rotated well to the other guys like Eddie House, Posey.

There is an acceptable level of focusing the offense on the big three. You would be crazy not to run your offense through them. But there is an acceptable level of support they should be getting from the rest of the team. That support fell below the 'acceptable' line in Thursday night's game.

Imagine if, somehow, the Celtics won that game? wow. That would mean you could put a D-league squad around them. That was the kind of support they received from the bench. At least that would be the assumptions.

But as good as Paul, Ray and Kevin were, it wasn't enough. Defense is played with 5 guys. The Boston defense was off. They had a number of missed assignments where a shooter was left wide open in a corner. Maybe it was 'figured out'.

Rip Hamilton....

....Everybody knows what they do defensively, how they load up on the strong side. But I thought the thing that we did (Thursday) that was different than Game 1, when we made our cuts and we made moves it was all in motion.... we just kept motion, coming off screens, making them react.....moving the ball.

Coach Saunders....

Our guys are starting to understand how they help out. They're such a good defensive team on the strong side. We emphasized spacing and ball movement....

The theory is that you don't change what got you there. But if Detroit shreds the D just enough for another 100 point game and do it the same way, then something has to change or you will be going home to watch the Finals on TV. The Celtics' success wasn't built on outscoring teams while they score above their average.

So the question is...was it simply missed assignments? Or has Detroit found a seam or flaw in the defense that will pop them open for a some open shots each quarter? Only the Celtics and defensive coach Thibodeau know for sure.

My own opinion is that there were at least some missed assignments on most of the loosely guarded (or open) shots. The Celtics' defense doesn't normally let a player stand alone at the baseline three point line and line up a shot, order a snack from the stand, wait for it come, eat it, wipe his fingers on a napkin and then fire away.

But familiarity can reveal some nuances that go unrecognized otherwise. So we will see. Clearly, Detroit figured out Boston's defense better than Boston figured out Detroit's.

Another point that suggests that. The Celtics final point output was somewhat deceptive. The three stars hit any number of shots what you would normally not expect to drop. Even if they were assisted shots, the shooter often hit baskets with a very high degree of difficulty.

Tayshaun Prince even noted that....

Sometimes we were coming with double teams on Paul or KG and they still hit some tough shots.

Prince on Ray Allen....

Ray Allen hit some tough shots. He made some open shots at times. The three that he hit, you know, Sheed contested it.... pretty well, he made him shoot it a little higher than he makes him shoot it, (a lot of arc) and it dropped right through with no rim.

Everybody's been talking about how he has been missing a lot of shots in the play-offs. But you still have to understand that when he's on the floor and he's oh for thirty, and the game is on the line, you know he still has an opportunity...he's going to make that shot.

So, will the Celtics be reduced to having hit to tough shot after tough shot? Or will they figure out something they can exploit like Detroit has in the Celtics' defense?

Rondo can't let Detroit tell him where he gets the Celtic offense and his own offense started from. He, Perkins and the bench have to do a better job overall. At least one guy, pick one, any one, should be an x-factor to help the team and cause Detroit extra problems, like Rodney Stuckey did for Detroit.

Glen Davis won't find things so wide open as he did for his 20 points against them during the season. Leon Powe has to play better. Sam Cassell should get a shot. Eddie House has to do better.

PJ Brown has done everything you could want from him of late, but the Cs need more. Perkins must rebound and score a little more.

The Celtics must take at least one from Detroit in Detroit. To do that they must play with more energy than the Pistons and they must do everything a little bit better. More important, they must believe that they can win on the road. It has been so long since that's happened.

The Celtics' last road win April 16th against the New York Knicks. It's a long, long time. Over a month - 39 days to the day - to be exact. Can they dig down, remember how, and find the will to do it again?

Their season and everything is riding on it now.

ATT -After the trade.... everything changed. Detroit is the team most thought would give the Celtics the trouble they are in fact, giving them. Detroit has been here 6 times before. They are calm and battled tested.

The Celtics don't always play well in the 4th quarter in closely contested games. They didn't on Thursday night. They face a tough team in a tough arena in a big game.

Tayshaun Prince about playing on the road ...

When our backs are against the wall, we find a way to come out and play good basketball. We find a way to be there at the end. Against a good team, when you're on the road, when you get a chance at the end, that's what you ask for. Late in the game, against a hostile crowd, we give ourselves a chance.

Celtics take note. As Ray Allen said..."We have to come out swinging."

True enough. You don't want to start out in the hole in Detroit. But it's about who delivers the finishing shots that will determine the winner. If they give themselves a chance at the end, that is all you can ask for. Then it's up to them to make the most of it. Legacies - good and bad - are built on such moments. It is coming down to this.

Game time 8:30 tonight.

Posted by Tom on 9:23 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 23, 2008

Ray Finds his 'J', Celts lose their 'D' (and the game)

It was bound to happen. This was the team that was expected to do it.

Detroit ends Boston's 9 game home winning streak, 103-97, and evens the series at 1-1. They did it while giving up 75 points to the new big three. Boston's bench added 8 points - total, while Rondo and Perkins were kept in check, as well. Kevin, Paul and Ray shot 29 for 51 (57%), while the rest of the team shot 6 for 21 (29%)

Boston now has to do what it has not done. Win away from home. They picked a tough team to try to break through against.

This was a classic game of 'making plays'. Big time players 'make plays'. There were a number of big time players on both sides.

With many things being equal, it appears that Rodney Stuckey was the difference maker. He hit for 13 points off the bench including a number of shots that helped the Pistons keep their lead when Boston made moves to close in.

The Celtics bench conversely, was quiet offensively, in a game where offense was needed from someone other than the big three. This would have been a good game to try Sam out. He thrives in these kinds of games. He was a DNP-CD.

Even Ray Allen finding his jump shot couldn't stop the Pistons.

It will go down in history. Mark the time. I was an eyewitness to it. At 9:10 of the 3rd quarter, Ray let yet another jump shot fly. He was 4 for 11 with no jump shots made up to that point. The entire arena erupted when his 17 footer actually dropped through the net. It was as if it was a buzzer beating, game winning shot.

Even Ray was surprised at the noise explosion....

I did hear it, and I had to look around to see if they were cheering for me because it was so loud.

Ray finished with 25 points on 9 of 16 shooting with 2-4 from the arc. Paul Pierce led the team in scoring and big shot making. For a while he looked like he might be alone again. But Kevin Garnett made a number of tightly defended, highly difficult shots while Allen's 12 point outburst in the 4th, included a huge, long distance three with 2 Piston defenders on him in the waning seconds of the game to close within 3 at 97 -100 with 10.7 seconds left.

Detroit played better defense. Paul Pierce...

I thought we were a step slow tonight.

Rip Hamilton led Detroit with 25 loud points. But it just seemed to me that Rasheed had a twenty point game as well. He only had 13. They were all loud baskets, including 2 back breaking threes.

Detroit did what Detroit does - spread the offense and the wealth with 6 players in double digits.

Boston did what many thought they would do from day one - get scoring aplenty from the big three and little from anyone else. The shutdown of all supporting players was more than Boston could even consider to get a win.

While the stat line on Rondo looked good, it was deceiving. He had close to a triple double. He obviously shot poorly (2-9). While he ended up with 8 assists, his passing was less effective than you might think. At the end of the 3rd quarter he was 1 for 7 with just 4 assists for the entire game. He went where Detroit wanted him to go for most of the game. While not performing his point guard duties well at all, (the team had 5 assists at half time) he did rebound like a star with 9 total and 3 offensive.

Now Boston has a 'must win' situation on the road. Ray Allen....

I'm excited about it. We have to come out swinging. We've been good on the road all year. But in the play-offs, we have to pick it up.

They will attempt to return the favor on Saturday at Auburn Hills.

Fodder for the "Refs control the score" theorists:

As I have said before, late game calls are more far important, more magnified and leave a team little to no time to recover from them. A non-call, and a call that shouldn't have been made, played a big role.

a) non call on Ray's three that missed everything.I have to check the replay, but it looked like he was fouled on the shot.
b) Rondo was called for minor contact shortly after

Again, I'll check replays later, but they looked like two calls that were unfortunate and definitely affected the game. After watching the tape. I'll re-assess and report later.

Posted by Tom on 3:04 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

May 21, 2008

Come Together.... Right Now....Over Ray

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. Two thoughts come to mind.

Thought #1:

Great boxers often had great sparring parters to get them ready for the big fight.

After two grueling 7 game series, did it appear to you that the Celtics had a poise in game one against the Pistons that they didn't have against the lesser teams of the first two rounds? It looked that way to me. Could it be that all that vanished swagger needed such a 14 game test in order to regroup in a more real way? It may be so.

You can thank the Hawks and more important, the Cavaliers for that.

The Hawks are as athletic as any team in the league. Leaping lizards, what Josh Smith, Josh Childress, and Al Horford lacked in experience, they gave in unabashed enthusiasm. You can thank the Cavaliers relentlessly bruising defensive for taking things to the next level. Z casts a big shadow and was allowed to operate with lots of contact.

Defensively, the Cavs came together in the play-offs as they never did during the regular season. Lebron James made that statement in his final press conference after game 7. Offensively, they had big troubles. Defensively, they gave big troubles - literally.

Will Detroit's bigs give Boston anymore trouble defensively than Ilgauskas, Verajeo, Wallace and Smith did? I don't know how they could. Sam Cassell mentioned how hard the Cavaliers hit the glass. Rasheed will definitely make bigger plays offensively and is singularly superior to any Cav big, by a lot. But did the Hawks and Cavs frontlines provide the necessary sparring that will prepare Boston for anything that McDyess, Maxiel, and Ratliff try to throw at them?

It is too early to tell. But Boston, who was supposed to be tired, was ready for Detroit, who was supposed to be rested. More important, they looked ready to play for 48 minutes against one of the league's wiliest, most poised teams. They were calmly ready and poised as they haven't always appeared in these play-offs. They were ready for the counter punches, some of which did not come.

The Pistons are a much better team at both ends if the floor than either previous opponent. But
I'm wondering if the Cavs may have done the Celtics a favor with their robust defensive present in the middle for 7 difficult games. And the Celtics have faced 2 must win games already. That which we bemoaned while watching series one and two after seeing this Green Machine dismantle all comers for 82 games. might be just what the doctored ordered.

It is Rasheed and the Piston guards that set them apart. And Chauncy is chancy right now. The Pistons can bide their time. They don't have to take this next game, but it would the right one to steal to take away the Celtics confidence along with the valued home court advantage. Right now, the Celtics look ready - with or without Ray Allen's shot.

Thought #2 - Where is the sting, Ray?

The funny thing is ...Ray Allen was the deciding factor why Garnett accepted a trade to Boston.

With Ray, Paul and himself - who could stop them?

Ray's prolonged and mystifying slump hasn't made things easier on the Celtics. That is for sure. But has it had any benefits? Other players are expected to step up and take up the slack a little bit. Other than PJ Brown, whose shots aren't really related to Ray's offense, I'm not seeing it. It hasn't been easy to fill his shoes.

The good thing is that Paul and KG have been dependable, even dominating at times. And that was one of the things mentioned when this team came together. You only need 2 of the celebrated trio to have good games for the team to be very hard to handle. The real story is that their formidable defense has made it far less important that everyone is hitting shots.

And as much as everyone is making of Ray's lost shot and lack of confidence in shooting, you can't argue with the fact that the Celtics are still play winning basketball with him on the floor. His plus/minus is always good, meaning that the Celtics are outplaying their opponents when he is in the game. Did Cleveland make a mistake by doubling him so much? He looks like a single coverage assignment right now.

There is pretty much no doubt that that a warm shooting Ray Allen makes things easier on the offensive end for everyone. Get the Gino video ready when he's hot. It will be over early. But 2 out of 3 ain't bad, and the decision from the start to be known as a defensive team (boy are they) has really minimized his lost offense. It has also defined the team's success, not a three pronged offensive onslaught. A mid season west coast trip taight the Celtics well where their Ws will be coming from. They tried to get into shoot outs and ended up on the wrong end of high scoring games.

The Celtics can't win it all without Ray getting his groove on, can they? I'd guess not. But boy they've done alright with Rondo, Ray and Perkins all on the floor at the same time. That is pretty much three non scorers. It has been "Paul, KG and thank you defense." Ultimately, it should come back to bite the Celtics. But so far, they have done well enough to win enough with only 2 guys really doing any meaningful scoring. Credit home court, the consistently good defense and perhaps a little luck. Luck ends. But so do droughts.

At games now, Ray has become a big side story. Everyone is lining up their lawn chairs at court side and waiting for Ray's close encounter of the 3rd point kind. The slump has gone on so long that I'm hoping it doesn't enter into lore like a UFO. There are rumors that he actually used to make them. Some even say they are sure they have it on some grainy film.

I don't believe in Sasquatch, pyramid power, or magic crystals. I did see a UFO once. I swear it. As I remember it, it was a Ray Allen 20 footer dropping through the bottom of the net.

Let's see the sting Ray. Let's see the sting. You are just too good for this to continue.

Posted by Tom on 8:17 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 20, 2008

Garnett/Pierce One-Two Punch Pistons 88-79

We got the answer about whether the Pistons' rest was better or the tough competition that Boston has faced would pay-off.

Led by Kevin Garnett's 26 and Paul Pierce's 22, those two Celtics provided the main ingredients in a whole team win against the well rested Detroit Pistons. The winning effort had its share of supporting players. Rondo was the only other Celtic in double figures with 11. Ray Allen scored but 9 points, yet helped hold Rip Hamilton to 15 points on 5-13 shooting. The Celtic starters were all on the floor for a significant amount of time, but solidly outplayed the Pistons.

The pivotal quarter was the 3rd, as the Celtics made their move powered by defense and Piston turnovers. Up only by one at the half, Boston created 7 turnovers (of Detroit's 13 for the game) in the 3rd and opened up a very close game by locking on to a 12 point lead by quarter's end. Rondo, Allen House and Garnett all picked the Pistons' pockets in that period. Garnett had 8 points and Paul Pierce added 9 of his own that period.

In the 4th quarter, Boston continually held off Piston runs and won with a solid lead going into the waning moments of the game. Rondo hit two big open jumpers (one was a three) and Pierce hit one jumper to keep Detroit at bay. PJ Brown played another solid role in support. Kendrick Perkins had 10 rebounds and played very good defense all night.

Eddie House was productive in short minutes with a steal and 5 points. Tayshuan Prince led the Pistons in scoring with 16.

But it was the two way game of Garnett that established things early, and held Rasheed in check for most of the evening. Pierce joined the party with 13 second half points.

What stood out was the tough, physical style of eastern style defense in this game. While not at the level of the Cavaliers series, both teams tried to make you grind it out. Holding Detroit to just 79 points, two below their already submerged 81 point average against the Celtics tells you the Celtic defense was clicking tonight.

Boston was much more poised this evening in the face of a tough, experienced and balanced team for 48 minutes. That is how you win in the play-offs. It seems that the grueling Cleveland series helped the Boston team learn how to weather terrific defense for an entire game. In fact, the Cavs interior defense was better than what the Cs faced against the Pistons this evening.

The Cs went early and often to Ray Allen, getting him 6 of his 9 points in the first period, though he continued to miss wide open looks from the outside. Then KG stepped up and was draining big jump shot after big jump shot, finishing with 8 points. He had 14 by half time and Pierce supported with 9 points by the half.

So Boston wasn't bothered by the Piston's game long pressure, and calmly led throughout the 2nd half.

They have to do it one more time on Thursday night, before heading to Detroit on Saturday, in order to maintain the home court advantage they fought all season to get.

Posted by Tom on 11:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

May 19, 2008

Sam Cassell: Coming to a Crossroads of Life

You will pick him out anywhere.

He has distinct yellow brown skin, a completely bald head before bald was stylish. It looks just a tad too big for his aging 6' 3" body. His verbalocity is reknown. Sam often operates at an enthusiastically high decibel level - on the court and off. Sam exudes enthusiasm. Brian Tracy and Tony Robbins, move over. Sam's seminars occur wherever you encounter him.

He will never be mistaken for Denzell Washington, yet he has something Denzell only dreams he could have. A charisma....confidence if you will, that few people have. Sam has positivity. You can't give that people. You can only take it away. In his career it has often been contagious. He himself declares, "I'm a winner, baby, I'm a winner." Ahh, yes. Humble is for other types.

Sam lets you know how he feels. But make no mistake, there is a dignity and a straightforwardness about Sam. How much is the person and how much is the persona, I can't really say. I can only tell you he had me hooked a long time ago. I started to like and follow his career during his brief stay in New Jersey. I've only gotten to talk to him recently. It is one of the highlights of this year covering the Celtics for me. His personality is every bit as large in real life as it appears to be on the court.

He is approaching a crossroads of life. Sam's positivity is being tested at the moment. But it is just for a moment. I wouldn't want to be Doc Rivers telling Sam he can't play as much as he would like to. It is like telling your younger brother, he can't come play in the pick-up games at the playground. He is not good enough anymore. He won't believe you. And you might take away some of that positivity.

Sam is well aware he is but a year or less from hanging up the shoes forever and perhaps turning to coaching. Doc Rivers has intimated that he may even get a chance with him in Boston. Who really knows what a year will bring?

He says his sitting out the last two games is...

preparing me for my next career.

Is the slump related to his back problems?

No, he (Doc) just went another way the last two games.He told me that. So there's no hard feelings.

But is the back affecting your shooting?

Naw. I missed ...13 shots (over three games) It just happens. I'm not the focal point of the offense. I've been a starter for 13 years in this league. The ball went through my hands and I decided who I wanted to give the ball to. So there's where you come to where, you're not the vocal guy. You're not the go-to guy, (or) the guy who you distribute the ball who you want to.

I'm not a spot shooter. I get mine off the dribble. So that was difficult. Coming in, playing a reserve role. Everything's just brand new. See, I'm trying to figure it out. (But) I'll play next series.

Some people think Cleveland is a tougher match up for the Celtics.

This was a tough series. These guys here. Wow. These guys...this is a physical ball club. Yeah, they do one thing real, real great. They get offensive rebounds, pound the boards. They will pound the boards. You know Z and Anderson and Ben and Joe Smith, they did a helluva a job. They're no slouch.

Which team will present tougher match ups for the Celtics?'

Every series presents different challenges. We'll be fine. Cleveland's done. Detroit is who we're looking at now. No looking back. (I believe) I'll be playing more.

Sam is a Celtic player for now. And he wants to get back out 'on the playground' and play. If the play-offs generally and the last series particularly is any indication, another shooter hitting shots is something the Celtics could use.

Many say Sam hasn't fit in as well as hoped. Doc, Sam and the Cs should find the best way to get Sam, an off the dribble shooter, going. The problem has been that the offense is run in a different style. Pick and roll. Pick and pop. Come off screens. double screens. Catch and shoot. Off the ball weak side cuts.

Sam has a variety of face up mid range jumpers, some three ball, and the fade away, back down post up move. They are pretty much all off the dribble.

On the Celtics, any dribbling is mostly done by Rajon Rondo and Paul Pierce and that is supposed to be limited as well. Can Doc, Sam and the team make it work better? Doc has his work cut out for him to find a happy medium, but it can be done. Sam's guile will be worthwhile. The other end of the court is where they have to find a defensive scheme that works. Chauncy Billups is a more methodical post up kind of guard. But Sam will have his work cut out for himself against Billups

Sam has embraced life in a special way. His personality is effervescent. He is often seen beaming like a kid on Christmas morning. Smiling Sam.

Sam's an aging basketball player playing a younger man's position in a younger man's game. They say you can get a few extra years out of an NBA veteran big man, but not so with what is known as 'the smalls' - small forwards, shooting guards and especially Sam's position, point guard. Smalls just don't play very well past 35 or 36. The position requires too much speed and energy. Even guile becomes negated once you cross the mid thirties threshold for most players. Sam is not 'most players.'

Artis Gilmore, Robert Parish, Kevin Willis, and most recently Dikembe Mutombo are all NBA players who played into their 40s. There are few guards that have played at as high level at Sam's age as Sam has.

It is a position for quickness, speed and guile. At age 38, Sam does his best to make up for his loss in speed and quickness with an extra helping of guile - make that a plateful. Sam says his back is fine and he is ready to go.

Rondo's been great but inconsistent. Having Sam ready to go with Eddie House gives Doc two options off the bench. Sam will be ready to go. But as Sam has said, "Everything is brand new."

I don't know that you can teach an old dog new tricks. So you help him do the tricks he can.

Just as PJ Brown has brought veteran leadership and calm play under pressure, I believe and I hope Sam can bring that dimension as well before the play off season is over. He has been a favorite player to watch over the years. Just a few more games of Cassell magic would be nice.

Just cultivating positivity. I've just been around Sam Cassell.

Posted by Tom on 7:36 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack

The Truth Will Out in the End: Celtics Win Classic

It was a classic duel in an all important 7th game of the 2nd round eastern play-offs between two of the league's greatest scorers.

In a game where the pressure is so enormous, even many top players wilt, they traded shot for shot for much of the game, and many of them dropped in. It brought thoughts of the Larry Bird/Dominique Wilkins game 7 play-off duel many years ago.

Lebron James...

Paul Pierce is one of my favorite players, as a fan. When I watch Paul Pierce play, I love the way he plays the game of basketball. I always said, second to Kobe Bryant, he has some of the best footwork I've ever seen in a player, and I love going against the best. Paul Pierce is one of those guys.

We both tried to will out team to victory and just like Dominique Wilkins, I ended up on the short end of it and the Celtics won again.

The Truth is:

1) The Celtics are a better team than the Cavaliers.
2) Lebron James and Paul Pierce put on a timeless show for basketball lore.
3) Role players - as always - made a difference in who wins.
4) Ray Allen's jump shot is a myth at this point. Our elder citizens will tell you eyewitness stories of actually seeing it work in days of yore.
5) In this game 7, the Cavaliers couldn't handle "The Truth!"

Paul "The Truth" Pierce went mano e mano with the game's premiere offensive player, a force of nature named Lebron James. Lebron finished with 45 points to Paul's 41.

Lebron...

Game 7 in the Garden..it gets no better than this. As a fan of the history, this will go down in history.

PJ Brown has played in a whole lot of big games in his 15 year career. Where does this one rate?

I've been in a lot of game 7s and haven't been very successful in them. I've lost a lot of them.... so I think this is right at the top. You know, to go the Eastern Conference Finals and every possession, basket for basket, it was one of the toughest games I ever played in. It was unbelievable. This is right at the top. Both teams gave it all.

Tonight Pierce was a hurricane to Lebron James' tornado. As in real life, the tornado does more individual damage but the hurricane does more overall. Paul's defense will probably get overshadowed by his points explosion, but he had numerous big defensive plays including 2 steals and a clever step in front of Lebron on a jump ball with the Celtics up 91-88 with a minute left. Tumbling to the ground, he called an immediate time out to avoid getting tied up for yet another jump ball.

Even while noting his customary turnovers (4), Paul played one of the best games of his career in one of his biggest games to date. Only the Eastern Finals game against the Nets can compare from 2002.

Paul had it all working. He was 4-6 from the arc. He hit quick stop mid range jumpers with regularity, and drove enough to go to the line for 12 foul shots while making 11 of them, including two huge ones near the very end, when every point was worth its weight in time off the clock.

The Celtics jumped out to a 14-4 lead that they would never relinquish, though the Cavs made a strong, sustained run to whittle what had been as much as a 13 point lead down to one, 89-88, with 2:20 left in the 4th on a Lebron James dunk. The Celtics had repelled numerous earlier pushes to get closer. In the critical waning moments, it looked things might finally turn Cleveland's way.

These are the times that try men's bravery. The suspense and pressure hung heavy in every single possession. Closely fought game 7s are like that. No one wants their season's obituary written. Yet one will die by the final horn.

At these times, few will want to step up and take season deciding shots for a multi million dollar franchise, 11 team mates and a coaching staff that had prepared for every eventuality over 82 games plus the play-offs. Who are these strong men of legend? Kevin Garnett? Rajon Rondo? How about PJ Brown? All three helped Paul Pierce bring this game home.

In somewhat of a reverse of the famous Bird Wilkins shoot out where the high drama occurred mostly in the 4th quarter, the High Noon duel for Pierce and James played out more over the first three quarters.

In the 4th quarter, Lebron continued his singular attack on Boston while Pierce finally found help from his team mates. James scored 13 points in the quarter, Pierce 6, Garnett and Rondo 4 each.

But it was late season veteran pick-up PJ Brown who made 3 highly pressurized shots including his 4th consecutive make, a 'dare shot' open 18 footer, to give Boston back a three point lead with 1:21 left. Brown also had what could be the defensive play of the game when he came over to help on yet another Lebron 'locked in' drive to the rim.

The degree of difficulty of stopping Lebron around the hoop ranks with standing in front of a speeding freight train or juggling 3 axes while blind folded. You're liable to get hurt, and Lebron's going to get the foul call.

Yet PJ displayed his 38 year old, 15 season experience with solid defensive positioning to get Lebron to blow the shot without fouling him.

On his defensive play on Lebron...

I just didn't want to foul him. I knew he was going to try to cut to the hole. I knew if a call was going to be made, it was probably going to go his way. I just tried to spot my feet, and try to stay between him and the goal and not foul him and it worked out well. He threw up a shot, I just kept going and we were able to get the rebound.

The enormity of the game...

It's game 7. Win or go home. We have to leave it all out there. It was probably one of the best duels I've ever seen in my career or been a part of. I've never been a part of two guys going at it like that... going shot for shot, and I mean, they were hitting tough, tough shots.

They were indeed. There were only 5 players in double figures in total. Brown was one of them in only 20 minutes of play. His 5 4th quarter rebounds were almost as big. Whoever controlled the boards controlled the game. The Cavs had held Boston to 5 boards total for the entire 3rd quarter while they cut the lead to 5. Boston returned the favor in the 4th quarter by holding the Cavs to 4 rebounds total, while grabbing 12 of their own, including 5 offensive boards resulting in 8 second chance points. Besides the clutch shooting, it was the difference in the game.

Eddie House had the hustle play of the game when the Cav's ball was deflected into the back court. He could have let it go and it would have been Celtics' ball, the moment the Cavs touched it. But, invoking Larry Bird memories, (Larry hated when players let balls go out of bounds when they could corral them). Eddie took off in a foot race with the Cavs' player (I forget who), dove for the ball before it went out of bounds and with one arm, knocked it towards a running James Posey, who threw it up at the hoop while getting fouled. The House play brought the house down, and rightfully so.

In a smart move, Ray Allen, who had another tough night shooting was inserted with less than 2 minutes left, was fouled and hit both foul shots. Eddie House was also fouled in a Cleveland attempt to get the ball back and hit his foul shots. Finally, Paul Pierce capped the evening's scoring with 2 more foul shots with 7 seconds left to give the Celtics a 97-92 victory, the series and a trip to the Eastern Finals against Detroit on Tuesday night right in Boston.

After a year where the Cavalier's record didn't improve and after getting to the Finals last season, the team's play-off record fell short as well, though no one, save perhaps Cleveland, expected a similar success this season.

Lebron continues to look for more help...

I think what we have is very good. We need to continue to get better. We know that. If that means some personnel changes that needs to happen, then so be it. The teams around us in this league are continuing to get better. New Orleans is very good. The Lakers got better. Boston got better. Detroit got better. Orlando got better also. So, we need to continue to get better.

If Lebron had a solid 2nd option on offense things might have been a whole lot different. As it was, he almost did it all by himself.

Posted by Tom on 12:04 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

May 17, 2008

The Thoughts of CelticsStuffLive Heading into Game 7

It's time for 3 Live Crew...The trailblazing brain trust of CelticsStuffLive, the podcast for the hardcore Celtic fan.

If you have time on Sunday nights, check it out as you work or play on your computer. Great guests, stories and conversation for green bleeding Celtic fans.

I asked them each to answer a number of questions as we head into yet another game 7 for the Cs on Sunday.

Like Ray Allen, the dulcet tones of "The Quiet Man" Jon Duke often gets overshadowed by the smooth resonance and sometimes 'hi-test' Kevin Garnett enthusiasm of Justin Poulin and the emphatic, astute, purist and 'Paul Pierce versatile' outlook of Jim 'JB' Metz. But like each of the Celtics three stars, they each bring a different skill set to the team. And I know JB will deeply appreciate being the Paul Pierce part of the team. (I kid.)

So, we will run a few plays for all three. I think they nail a few jumpers, and some slam dunks with their answers. See if you agree....

1) Final thoughts on game #6
Jon - Not sure how any fan of the NBA can watch games like last night's Game 6, Game 3 between the Spurs and Suns last year, and the notorious Kings-Lakers Game 6 several years ago; yet somehow not feel completely and utterly frustrated with the impact officials have in deciding
important games.

I don't know whether guys like Rondo and Pierce should be slicing to the hoop regardless of how the officials are calling the game, but it seems pretty obvious to me that when they aren't getting calls they aren't nearly as effective.

Justin - KG rules, Rondo is Bipolar, Ball movement is imperative, and Hacksaw Jim Duggan is my boy!

JB - In my best Brooklyn rasp (only a Dodger fan would understand): "We wuz robbed."
Seriously; it was ugly, reminiscent of the "Thug Ball" played in the late eighties early nineties, when coaches like Chuck Daley, Pat Riley and Jeff Van Gundy had their players foul early and often, until the refs got tired of calling them.
How the zebras could determine that Cleveland would shoot twice as many as the Celtics, when there were fouls on literally every possession is beyond me.

2) Ray Allen continues to have troubles scoring. Has Wally's defense been under rated?
Jon - Ummm... no. It is the same problem we have seen this entire season, Doc has struggled mightily in getting Ray involved in the offense and his touches aren't nearly at the level they should be for a guy in "The Big 3".

Games 5 and 6 he showed more toughness and willingness to stick his nose in the lane. That should have resulted in more touches, but Ray and I are still waiting.

Justin - No, the Celtics ball movement has been absent. Earlier in the season the Celtics were guilty of over-passing and Ray was spectacular. Since then the ball movement has stagnated and so has Ray's scoring. They need to work in the offseason on how to incorporate Ray into this offense since he has sacrificed the most of the big three.

JB - Wally is working hard and Ray is the odd man out, not getting enough touches to get in any kind of rhythm.In the two quarters Doc made an effort to get him involved, he did very well.

3) Is there a single distinguishing characteristic (or two) that stands out from this series with the Cavaliers?
Jon - The Cavs are very good on defense and the Lebroninites have done a fine job knocking down open shots. But the story of this series, and every other playoff series, is how the games are being called in favor of the home teams.

Justin -Physicality. This series has been refreshingly physical. It could still stand to be officiated consistently regardless of whose home court it is, but I like the banging and contact.

JB - "See # 1."

4) How do you rate Doc Rivers for this series? Related Observations?
Jon - Doc has been very uneven in this series, though I would say he has done a much better job against Cleveland than he did against the Hawks.

In Games 5 and 6 his rotations have more closely resembled what the team did in the regular season, which is something I had been clamoring for.

His long overdue substitution of Eddie House over the calcified Sam Cassell played a big part in keeping the C's in last night's game. Still, his use of Powe and Davis puzzles me to no end, and I wonder what has happened to the Starters Plus Posey (and minus Perk) lineup they used
often during their 66 win regular season. Seemed to work pretty well for them.

Justin - Doc has been decent. I was really confused by the use of Sam Casell. Despite Sam's heroics in the first 2 games of this season, I think he's only effective in limited minutes. Benching Rondo for the entire fourth quarter until less than 2 minutes remaining in Game 1 was curious to me.

His willingness to play Eddie House in Game 6 was equally surprising and successful despite the loss. PJ Brown was also a good play in this series. Glen Davis' increased minutes and Leon Powe's disappearance makes little sense to me though. I also believe it's a double standard to bench Rondo in game 1 while playing Ray Allen regular minutes throughout the series despite his serious struggles.

JB - Same coach home and away. Moves are criticized on the road, the same moves at home make him look like a genius.

5) One area that has seen open debate is the point guards performance and Doc's use of minutes with the Celtic point guards. What is your take?
Jon - I've been calling for Eddie House since the Atlanta series despite not being a huge House backer. The guy moved the ball and hit his shots as opposed to Cassell who stalled the ball and had trouble making his jumpers.

That should have been an obvious substitution against a team without a very quick point guard (sorry Delonte). Rondo, as a very very young player, is going to struggle on the road in the playoffs, but so did Tony Parker. My concerns for him are only short term.

Justin - Rondo needs more minutes no matter what and House/Cassell need to be given limited minutes to discover who has the hot hand. Find a hot hand and ride it for a short time, but play Rondo 38 minutes minimum. Eddie keeps the ball moving better than Cassell, but if House is missing then he has no business on the floor.

JB - Rajon Rondo is the key. When he plays well the Celtics are a very good team.
I believe Sam Cassell is injured (bad back) and while Eddie House came through nicely in game 6, they started trapping him and thereby he had to get rid of the ball. A quick fix, I'm afraid.

6) Can Paul Pierce be doing more?
Jon - Pierce could be doing more, but I truly believe the officials are taking a big part of his game away. However he works with Eddie House much better than he did with Cassell, and I see that pairing paying more dividends tomorrow.

Justin - Yes, but only if they play Posey with him more and take some of the defensive responsibility off of Pierce. Expecting Paul to defend Lebron and carry the offense is asking too much of him.

JB - Heaven forbid. He's trying to do too much as it is.

7) Are you satisfied with Kevin Garnett's performance so far?
Jon - I am satisfied with Garnett, but I think his supposed ineffective play is due more to the over reliance the team has shown at defending Lebron at the expense of the other four players.

Varejao was very important in shutting him down in the 4th quarter of Game 4, but other than that his offense has been very good. I'd like to see him take more guys off the dribble, but so long as he is nailing the 18 foot jumper on a kick out... I'm cool like Fonzie with him.

Justin - Yes with one exception. There are times when the Cavs have left him with an open lane this series. This has happened less than 5 times but he should have gone strong to the basket rather than getting cute with a jumper. Other than that he has carried the defense and has had some incredible moments on offense. He could play better, but everyone else on this team has far more room for improvement.

JB - Yes! He could be a more consistent rebounder and a few times he passed when he should have shot, but over all he's been the best player on the floor for either team.

8) At this point, do you think the Celtics can win it all?
Jon - I do think the Celtics can win it all, but the number of seven game series are going to catch up with them in the next round if they do advance.

I am most worried about their offense, but I think continued use of Eddie House in the rotation could help that significantly. I'd like to see more slashing to the basket, but that appears to be
entirely dictated by the calls they are, or aren't getting. Detroit is their toughest remaining opponent, so if they win tomorrow I expect an out and out war in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Justin - I do and every series will go seven games. This is going to be one of the most bizarre paths to a championship the world has ever seen. The region isn't used to being the underdog anymore and it's weird to think of the best team in the NBA during the regular season as an underdog, but failing to win on the road will do that to the public perception of a team.

JB - It depends.
I've determined that our three all-stars are disparate parts. Their offensive games do not mesh. Too often it's "your turn, my turn, my turn again, his turn....etc. There is no cohesiveness and no whole being greater than the sum of it's parts.

The "seams" that hold them together and make the offense work are Perkins/Powe, getting open underneath for easy bailout baskets when one of the "three" face pressure and Rondo being allowed to create and zooming all around the floor moving the defense and creating passing lanes to get them the ball.

This works better at home, partly because these are young players more susceptible to crowd support, but also the tendency for our "three" to want to take it on themselves, tends to show more in games that are close.

If the team adopts a total unselfish mode and these youngsters grow up quickly, no one can beat us in a seven game series.

9) Game 7 prediction
Jon - Prediction time... if we assume that the Celtics will get the same treatment in Game 7 that the Cavaliers got in Game 6 then they win this game by at least 25 points.

However if all things are equal then I see the Celtics with a comfortable win and some time to rest their starters in the 4th quarter. I think the loss of Boobie Gibson was a big one for the Cavs and you could see how Pavlovic was neither able to defend or hit the jumper as Gibson could.

Ball movement will be key for the Celtics in getting the Cavalier defense out of their comfort zones and a big part of that will be getting penetration inside their defense. That doesn't mean Pierce and Rondo need to repeat their strong Game 5 performances, but they need to be disruptive and force the Cleveland D to collapse in the lane. Though the D won't collapse if "Chernobyl" Ilgauskas and Varejao aren't getting called for blocking shots with their bodies. So again it goes back to how the game is called.

Justin - Celtics 85 Cavs 83 on a Ray Allen game winner...

JB - Celtics by 7. 82-75

There you have it - Three win predictions, though with a caveat or two. Most gracious thanks to JB, Jon and Justin for taking the time to contribute their extensive Celtic knowledge for the CelticsCentral forum of connpost.com readers. It is much appreciated.

Check out Jon, JB and Justin's pre-and post game coverage of all the Celtics play-off games on Celticsblog. com in their unique on-line podcast CelticStuffLive For their Game 6 post game Click Here.

Posted by Tom on 1:22 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack

May 16, 2008

Celtics Come up Short Again: 74-69

It was a game of runs, defense, missed shots, less than crisp play by both teams, and a reversal of the last game. As the Celtics did Wednesday night, the Cavs closed the first half strong with a 17-2 run and held off a few second half Celtic runs to secure a game 7 in Boston on Sunday afternoon. Like the Celtics the other night, they almost gave the game away at the end.

Paul Pierce was called for a controversial, but big offensive foul against Lebron with the Celtics making a late run. It looked like Lebron was in a moving block, including on the replay. One objective observer I know that watched the game, thought it should have been a no-call.

Only KG and Lebron could muster any sustained offense in a hard fought defensive struggle. Lebron had 32 for the game and 19 of the Cavs 32 second half points. Only Kevin Garnett shot well with 11-21 shooting, including a number of tough jump shots. The Celtics outscored the Cavs 36-32 in the last half of the meat grinder game. The problem was that the Celtics only had 50 points after three quarters. It wasn't pretty. It wasn't enough.

Even with such poor shooting and stifled offensive play, Boston got to within 3 at 72-69 with 6 straight points capped by 2 Ray Allen free throws, after being down as much as 16. Only by watching the poor offensive execution by Cleveland in this game did it make any sense.

KG and Lebron led their teams, but no one followed. Both teams missed open shots when they had them and that was more often than you might think. Both teams had unforced turnovers and stagnant offenses at times. That's what a slow down pace with 2 solid defensive teams will do to a game. Missing the open shots was a negative bonus for those who watched the game.

Wally Szczerbiak, Zydrunas Ilguaskas, Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, Anderson Verajeo, and Damon Jones shot 8 for 39 (.205%) on the evening. Only Delonte West, Joe Smith and James were effective offensively for the Cavs.

Ray Allen Rondo, Pierce, Davis, Posey and Brown shot 11-38 (.29%). Perkins and Eddie House were accurate, if not frequent, in scoring. At different times in the game, I was surprised that one team or the other didn't have a bigger lead. Both teams ran into rough spots that seemed as if a top team would take advantage and put the game out of reach. It never happened. Both teams mucked back to the middle of the pack.

There was very little scoring in the paint by either team, evidenced by the 22-20 slight Cavalier edge for the night.

It seemed like a game the Cavs were waiting for the Celtics to take over. The Celtics never got the message. It would been a great game for Doc to say to the team at almost any point in the game, " Hey guys just play loose, push it, and play your way. You have nothing to lose."

While the Celtics played as if every possession was big, they still had 16 turnovers. Might as
well play a little more carefree and loose. If you turn it over then, at least you're playing Celtic ball. The Celtics could afford to do that in this one. They can't on Sunday. The Celtics' body language for much of the evening suggested a weight upon their shoulders. It shouldn't have been. They were playing on house money.

Call it another missed opportunity. The Cavs were quite beatable it seemed. No one on the Celtics was carrying a big fork with them.

Deceptive Plus/minus?
While Ray Allen was ineffective offensively again, and could bear the brunt of a building undercurrent of criticism of his play-off long shooting slump, his was the best plus/minus (+14) on the team. The other player with a solid plus/minus was Kendrick Perkins (+11). It was shocking to see that. The Celtics were out rebounded all night and gave up 16 offensive boards. That might be the most telling statistic of the game. I thought both players were culpable for the lack of offensive options for the Celtics with Rondo being another one.

Say what you want about the 'other things' that Ray is doing, and how he doesn't have to score to be effective. Yes, he can make plays for others and draws a defender or two every time he touches the ball. But when an opponent turns a 20 point scorer into a ten point scorer, it can only help that team. I believe that Ray needs to pick up his scoring and hit his shots to make things easier on the offense, most especially on the road. And except for the last game, Paul Pierce needs to improve in point production as well. Only KG has been delivering with regularity. Yet, he too can improve his low post production.

Cleveland's defense has been excellent. But it doesn't get any easier from here on out.

As good as Rondo was the other night, he was that ineffective this night. Doc changed the rotation by having Eddie House as the back-up point guard, instead of a struggling Sam Cassell. The team did better in the 18 minutes that Eddie was in the game than with Rajon, the Celtics wunderkind. But please note - Delonte West had zero assists in 40 plus minutes tonight. Rajon had something to do with that. Rondo did have 5 rebounds, 5 assist, 2 steals and 3 TOs.

Glen Davis was the early big off the bench. After an initial burst, he was lulled into ineffective offense with the rest of the team. Normally he finds a way to score around the paint against taller players. It wasn't to be on this evening, as he went 2-8, all from underneath. I thought that PJ Brown might have been a better option to try after Glen began missing underneath.

Lebron James had more foul shots than the entire Celtic team. He also led both teams with 12 rebounds and 7 turnovers. But honestly, except for a few homer calls, the Celtics were well defended every time they tried to go to the middle. Cleveland's defense has been every bit as good as the Celtics.

The Celtics head home for a final showdown with the Cavaliers. While they have been dominant, at home, a game 7 against a Lebron led team should be their toughest test of the season. Don't expect the Cavs to fold like the Hawks did. They have been to the league finals.

One more thing....much 2nd guessing was made about the Cleveland trades and suggested they were sideways deals at best, perhaps worse. I always thought that they could be good for the team. This play-off series reinforces those thoughts.

Only Wally and Delonte's inconsistency from outside has kept Lebron crowded. J