Danny Ainge criticizes Starters for Cavs Loss + More Celtic News!

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2010/02/27/ainge_blasts_celtics_cavalier_approach/


Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge placed the responsibility for Thursday’s lopsided loss to Cleveland and the club’s playoff fate on the starting lineup, which he said has failed to maintain focus in critical situations.

The Celtics owned an 8-point halftime lead before being outscored, 60-32, by the Cavaliers in the second half of a 108-88 drubbing at TD Garden. Boston has blown numerous double-digit leads this season, falling apart in third quarters. Thursday, the Celtics followed a porous third quarter with an even worse fourth, being outscored, 35-14, in that period.

Ainge blamed the starters, who combined for 21 points on 5-for-21 shooting after the break, for their lackadaisical second-half approach.

“It’s been a pattern that we have squandered leads against good teams in this league,’’ Ainge said yesterday. “I think the onus is on the starters. The good news is we are getting double-digit leads, but we are not doing a good enough job of finishing games.’’

The Celtics have consistently established big first-half leads, only to collapse in the third quarter. On Feb. 7 against Orlando, the Celtics were outscored, 36-11, in the third quarter and never recovered. The Cavaliers outscored the Celtics, 25-18, in the third, and Ainge said his starters are not bringing energy into the second half.

Ainge pointed out that Cleveland’s first four field goals of the third quarter were dunks or layups - an Anthony Parker dunk, Anderson Varejao and Mo Williams layups, and a LeBron James dunk. What’s more, eight of Cleveland 10 third-quarter field goals were inside of 7 feet.

“It’s been an issue, and the starters have to take the responsibility,’’ Ainge said. “They’ve been together, have experience, and it’s been a pattern the last month. We have to play with more urgency.’’

Lack of urgency was recognized as a problem months ago, but little has been done to rectify it. Said coach Doc Rivers following Thursday’s game: “There’s nothing I can do about [double-digit leads]. Obviously, I’d like to improve it. We’d like to be better. But we’re not right now, and we’ve just got to keep working on it. I know what we need to do. But one night it’ll be the defense, one night it’ll be the offense.’’

The Celtics took yesterday off and face the lowly Nets this afternoon at TD Garden. Paul Pierce has missed the last two games and Ainge said he was unsure whether his All-Star forward would play today or Tuesday against the Pistons.

The Celtics’ next major challenge comes March 14 in Cleveland.

“We were flat to start the third quarter again,’’ Ainge said of Thursday night’s game. “And it’s not like there are different players coming out for the second half. We have to play with more focus and commitment. It’s effort. It’s there to start the game and it’s up to the players.’’

Most disturbing about Thursday’s defeat was the performance of Varejao, who finished with 14 points, 10 points, 3 blocks, and 2 assists in 31 minutes.

“I thought the star of the game of them was Varejao,’’ said Rivers. “I thought he was absolutely amazing with his energy, with his defense. He kept the ball alive.’’

Ainge had a different opinion.

“Anderson Varejao’s effort, [the players] should be embarrassed,’’ he said.

When asked if age was an issue for a team with four 30-plus-year-old front-line players, Ainge said, “It’s not age. It’s on the starting five, and performing with the best [teams] hasn’t been happening. I’m not panicking. I am just saying that’s what it is.’’

Meanwhile, an NBA source said the Celtics are one of the teams interested in former Cavaliers center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, who was bought out by the Wizards and will clear waivers this weekend. Ilgauskas, 34, is 7 feet 3 inches, possesses an above-average jumper, and had been a backup in Cleveland since Shaquille O’Neal’s arrival.

The Nuggets, Mavericks, and Hawks are also interested, although it appears Ilgauskas will return to Cleveland to play for his former team after the 30-day mandatory waiting period. Other teams could sign Ilgauskas immediately. Boston could use a dependable backup to Kendrick Perkins, and Ilgauskas has playoff experience.

Bank$

Well it is pretty well a stone fact after today's fiasco. One of the ugliest games I have ever seen a team in green play. Bobheck said it pretty well. The team lacks gonads. Right now. Their body language was pretty much awful today. The Cavs took something from them. Can they get it back?

One would have to think that acquiring Nate Robinson would have helped with these low-scoring quarters that we have in big games. But doesn't seem to be the case.

Coming out of the all-star break it looked like we had this pattern fixed, only to see the SAME thing happen AGAIN.

And now with this loss to NJ...

Hopefully we get it together come playoff time. Because we have a lot of good teams here at the top in the East.

Anyone catch the Raptors-Cavs game?
I know Cleveland is playing the second of a back-to-back but the Raps (without Chris Bosh who was injured) showed tough defense and good offense taking Cleveland to overtime where they lost.

I'm sure Chris Bosh is gonna be a man possessed in the playoffs. Not to mention Orlando, Atlanta & Cleveland!

Bank$

We are going to have to do it with teamwork and smarts. We are going to have to get and stay healthy. Without our full roster it does not look good.

I think Nate will help a lot once he plays a few games and gets the sets.

In the short term we miss Eddie's shooting.

That was a pretty ugly game today.

in the Ainge article, the reporter said, "The Celtics’ next major challenge comes March 14 in Cleveland."

NNOOOoooooo -- the next challenge comes every time the lace up their freaking sneakers, for ANY opponent, as they so ably demonstrated again this afternoon. !!!!!!

besides the occasionally porous D and the occasionally woeful O, and beyond that, the mental toughness of a champoin is not there, with this group at this time.

jeez, just flip it and start the bench and let the first squad sit for eight minutes and see what happens. DO something !!!

Michael, in Denver