Trends in December

The Celtics are 7-1 so far in the month of December...so who is doing what?

KG 18.4 ppg and shooting .633 with 8 rebounds

KP 13.6 ppg and shooting .688 with 8.8 rebounds

RR 14.3 ppg and shooting .533% with 10.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds and also shooting .643 from the line.

RA 16.1 ppg 4.3 rebounds and .476 on threes (20 for 42)

PP 13.3 ppg and shooting .388 with 3.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists

Paul Pierce is the only starter whose numbers for December are below his season averages. The other 4 starters have picked up the pace. It is not just that his shooting percentage is way down but both his rebounding and assists are also lower. So what's going on? Paul started the season off quick and has steadily slowed down. Is he injured? Is he knee bothering him?

How has he matched up against opposing starting small forwards? The numbers are revealing for the month of December.

PP 13.3 ppg; .388 FG%; .789 FT%; .452 3P%; 3.8 rebounds; 3.1 assists; 0.9 steals; 0.4 Blk
Others 14.1 ppg; .394 FG%; .791 FT%; .059 3P%; 5.1 rebounds; 1.8 assists; 1 steals; .06 Blk

Paul has been playing good defense against opponents but Paul's rebounding numbers are disturbing and while he is hitting 3 point shots, his mid range game appears to be suffering. On average his numbers and those of the opponents are a wash for December. Paul needs to get back into the flow of the offense. In last nights game after the Celtics got a rebound he was walking up the court. The small forward has to run for any team to play at an uptempo pace. There was no rabbit in the hat last night as his patented isolation shot fell off the mark. Paul needs to step it up on the offensive end and on the boards. His team has been carrying him all month.

dboss