Re: Celtics Post-Game Thread (Collection of past threads)

[beat]

NYCelt

"Old we can do something to help with now"

Do you have a Mr. Peabody wayback machine?



From the old rocky and Bullwinkle show!!


beat

[NYCelt]

beat,

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of fewer minutes for the vets...

...but if you've got a wayback machine...!!!

As I recall the kid is named Sherman.

[gyso]

beat,

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of fewer minutes for the vets...

...but if you've got a wayback machine...!!!

As I recall the kid is named Sherman.

Mr. Peabody and his pet boy Sherman, to be exact!!

[NYCelt]

beat,

Well, I was thinking more along the lines of fewer minutes for the vets...

...but if you've got a wayback machine...!!!

As I recall the kid is named Sherman.

Mr. Peabody and his pet boy Sherman, to be exact!!

gyso,

That's right!!

I had forgotten that part!!

[Sam]

This one is pretty easy. It's really necessary to talk only about the first quarter, because that was pretty much the ball game. The Celts were facing a team that's been struggling and is very short physically (Maxiel is their center). And, to complicate matters, Detroit lost a key player (Tayshaun Prince) to injury seven minutes into the game. It appeared that a teammate kneed him in his already-tender back in a floor pile-up.

But this is just the sort of game that has seen the Celtics play down to the level of their competition; and the boys in green (literally for this home game) showed no mercy in this one, more than doubling up the Pistons at 31-15. I believe the lead peaked at something like 33, and they cruised to a 26-point win (119-93).

Fron the outset, Paul Pierce was determined to take the ball to the hoop, and he did it consistently as well as contributing an early three. By the halfway mark of the quarter, the Celtics had reeled off an 11-0 run (love those runs) to turn an early 6-2 deficit into a 13-6 lead. By the 0:48 mark, they had manufactured another 9-0 run, and Gino might as well have shown up early.

There were several keys to the Celtics domination. The Celts pass the ball furiously at times—almost a clinic in moving the ball. And Detroit played right into their hands by trying a trapping defense that constantly left open men for a crisp Celtic pass to set up. Moreover, the Celtics seemed to want to run on every missed Pistons shot, resulting in a wide variety of crowd-pleasing jams, trailer threes, and assorted other successes. Rondo and KG combined early on one of KG's patented one-hand alley oop finishes. Even Perk finished on a break. And, near the end of the game, Tony Allen punctuated the race horse evening with a breakaway pass off the backboard to a trailing Nate Robinson for the dunk.

The scoring was nicely spread, with seven Celtics in double figures (and two more with eight points apiece). No Celtic had more than inine field goal attempts. Among the major recipients of the swing of the ball was Michael Finley, who knocked down 6 of 7 for 15 points in 14 minutes. Marquis Daniels responded to some prodding by Doc by a much more active stint of 30 minutes, with 5 of 7 shooting. Several starters produced well on a points-per-minute basis:

• KG (14 points, 8 boards, 4 assists in 23 minutes)
• Paul Pierce (15 points in 17 minutes and very active on defense, to the point where he collected 5 personals)
• Perk (11 points and 8 rebounds in 24 minutes)
• Ray Allen (15 points in 27 minutes)

All four of them shot at least 50% from the field.

Rondo wasn't as prominent a catalyst in this game, with 3 points 2 rebounds and 6 assists in 29 minutes. I'm starting to feel it's a good sign when he doesn't dominate the game because it means that the assists are being spread around as well as the points. (With Rondo handing out only 6 dimes, the starters assisted on 82% of their made field goals.) Any facet of the offense that is spread around means it's more difficult to mount an effective defense.

The bench produced half of the points, with 61. They also were very team-oriented, assisting on 68% of their made field goals. Glen Davis deserves special mention for his energetic and relentless 25 minutes, which producted 6-8 shooing (for 13 points) and four rebounds. While his board total doesn't seem high, it should be noted that Sheed also had 4, Quis had 5, and even Nate had 3.

For a game that was a laugher fairly early, the Celtics maintained a fairly intense defense except in the third quarter, which the Pistons won, 35-25. Of course, the Celtics still led by 19 at the end of that quarter. Nor were the Pistons all that energetic on their defensive end.

So what this game amounted to was a good tuneup, an opportunity for both units to gain better rhythm and for the bench to get to know one another better. I like the energy of Nate, who pitched in with 8 points in 31 minutes. But I'm coming to believe that Michael Finley is going to join Marquis Daniels as the glue guys on the second unit. Michael has a poised and confident air. Some of the bench offense is already running through him. (Remember what I said earlier about the advantages of spreading the playmaking around?) Nate will be a better floor general if he can discover playmaking opportunities earlier in the shot clock without dribbling out half the clock first.

A nice win. Not a harbinger of anything, but a handy get-acquainted game. And let's hope for the best for Tayshaun Price. As well as Paul Pierce, who "tweaked his back" and seems to be okay but was taking treatment after the game.

Sam

[mrkleen09]

The Celtics played lose and free. Pierce was on his game early, Perk was playing well for a change, KG was running well and the bench was on fire.

For the first time in a while, Marquis Daniels was assertive and aggressive on the offensive end. I think if he plays this way we are a totally different team. Davis played great too - banging people, driving to the hoop, being aggressive on the boards. Add to that a good game from Finley, solid contributions from Wallace and Robinson and you have a total team win.

I know the Pistons were undermanned, but if the Celtics had that same kind of energy and fun attitude against the Cavs - they would have beat them too. Shows me that they need to just go out there and play ball. Stop worrying, stop over analyzing things, back ups should stop deferring to the "stars" and just go out and do what they do. I saw many positive signs.

[beat]

mrkleen

They were getting the ball into the front court quickly and moving it quite well. Made not only the extra pass many times but 2 or three of them to get the wide open look. No one on the team took more than 9 shots from the field.

Per what Hubie said past night we have a schedule that features many +.500 teams over the final 20 games. We will need to play like last night to win those.

Sprint to the finish.

beat

[cowens/oldschool]

The Celtics played lose and free. Pierce was on his game early, Perk was playing well for a change, KG was running well and the bench was on fire.

For the first time in a while, Marquis Daniels was assertive and aggressive on the offensive end. I think if he plays this way we are a totally different team. Davis played great too - banging people, driving to the hoop, being aggressive on the boards. Add to that a good game from Finley, solid contributions from Wallace and Robinson and you have a total team win.

I know the Pistons were undermanned, but if the Celtics had that same kind of energy and fun attitude against the Cavs - they would have beat them too. Shows me that they need to just go out there and play ball. Stop worrying, stop over analyzing things, back ups should stop deferring to the "stars" and just go out and do what they do. I saw many positive signs.

do you think the competition had anything to do with that?

[mrkleen09]

I think the Celtics can beat any team in the NBA if they play the way they did last night.

Do I think they would have beaten the Lakers / Cavs / Magic / Nuggets by the same score. No. But if the Celtics play up and down basketball - and solid D - they are still an elite team.

[MDCelticFan]

mrkleen: Don't use last night's game as a barometer! Remember, it was the banged up Pistons who lost Prince, who played without B. Wallace and STuckey. Detroit would have had trouble with the Nets last night. Although, not as much trouble as the C's had with the Nets about two weeks ago!-MD.

[mrkleen09]

MD.

After 18 years of playing ball in HS and College and nearly 40 watching the Celtics - I will make my own judgments on what games to use as a barometer.

I dont expect the naysayers out here to give them any credit, which is why I make my own mind up on what I think are glimmers and what is false hope.

[KellyGreen17]

This was a nice win. Playing against an injury riddled team should result in a blowout for us, but too often this season we've struggled in these games so it's nice to see the Celts do what they are supposed to do.

I'm hoping this will be a springboard for the C's as they have a very tough schedule against some really good teams over the next week and a half.

I'm cautiously optimistic that they will kick it into gear and finish out the season strong and build momentum going into the playoffs. Go Celtics!

[bobheckler]

MD.

After 18 years of playing ball in HS and College and nearly 40 watching the Celtics - I will make my own judgments on what games to use as a barometer.

I dont expect the naysayers out here to give them any credit, which is why I make my own mind up on what I think are glimmers and what is false hope.

mrkleen,

You played basketball in HS and college for 18 years? Wow, that really is something out of Animal House!

:-)

bob

/

[beat]

Bob

I was thinking the same thing!

9th grade-------------the best 3 years of my life!!
Freshman girls kept looking better every year!

beat

[NYCelt]

This was a nice win. Playing against an injury riddled team should result in a blowout for us, but too often this season we've struggled in these games so it's nice to see the Celts do what they are supposed to do.

I'm hoping this will be a springboard for the C's as they have a very tough schedule against some really good teams over the next week and a half.

I'm cautiously optimistic that they will kick it into gear and finish out the season strong and build momentum going into the playoffs. Go Celtics!

Kelly,

You make a good point here; before you can get better against the strongest teams you must be able to get a convincing win where it's expected.

We've seen what we should against the Pacers and Pistons. The Cav's game in between was a loss to what is probably the best team around right now, so no huge letdown there. Even then, we managed to hang around most of the game despite being outmatched.

As you point out, the remaining schedule is loaded with teams over .500, so I agree we needed something to help build momentum. With KG and 2nd unit play possibly the two big variables, I'll join you in being cautiously optimistic.

Regards

[bobheckler]

It's nice to see we can destroy the Indiana Pacers and a Detroit Piston team without a true center and without two starters.

1. 7 Celtics in double figures. Love it. That's what we need. Spread it around, get everybody involved. Make it hard for the defense to key on any one player.

2. Rondo had 4 steals, but he played a little fast and loose this game, I think. Careless, overly aggressive passes. We won, bigtime, so it's easy to go easy, but if this was a close game I'd be a bit more snippy.

3. Finley looked good. I mean, really really really good. He looks like he fits right in. I didn't see any blown defensive assignments and his shot was deadly. I give him the game ball.

4. Is it just me, or is anybody else losing some of that loving feeling for Nate? He's not a cancer or anything like that, but for the past week or so he's been off his game. Not hitting his shots and not being a very good floor general. In one sequence, he had a mismatch up on top with a Piston big man and he picked up his dribble 30' from the basket and looked around for someone to give it to!! Take it to him, Nate or find the guy who's got the mismatch with your guy and give it to him! I don't know, he just looks like a different player now versus the first few games.

5. Poor Tony's brain is broke again. He really looks lost out there.

6. I watched this game in a bar. A guy next to me, who isn't really a basketball fan and certainly not a Celtic fan asked me "Who's Predator?" Took me a second to realize he was referring to Quis' hair. Speaking of Quis, he had a good, solid game. I like his confidence in his post-up game. He really feels good about taking his man in the low post. Very good all-round game yesterday. Gimme 35 more like that.

7. We lost the 3rd quarter by 10 points. Obviously, in last night's game, that was nothing to get alarmed about but we cannot afford that against good teams. Our lead was 31 at the start of the 3rd and was still 31 with 6:16 left in the third. What happened in the second half of the 3rd quarter, that resulted in us losing 10 points? Some of it was sloppy play by our starters and our second unit came in.

All's well that ends well. Time for dessert and the Knicks.

bob

/

[jeb]

mr kleen

Your post the past few days are among the best since I've been reading you. Just a great attitude about things and very well said. The Celtics can beat anyone if they play like that and are in the flow and not thinking.

jeb

[beat]

Bob

re Nate

There was one sequence where I swear he dribbled at least 12-13 seconds all over the frontcourt and ended up right where he was when he started, I really don't remember what the possession ended up with but I do remember thinking PASS the dam thing or Shoot it!!

beat

[bobheckler]

Bob

re Nate

There was one sequence where I swear he dribbled at least 12-13 seconds all over the frontcourt and ended up right where he was when he started, I really don't remember what the possession ended up with but I do remember thinking PASS the dam thing or Shoot it!!

beat

beat,

He looks like the offense is confusing to him.

bob

/

[jeb]

bob and beat

I think he is not being himself. It looks like he is trying to be a second rondo or a traditional point guard when he needs to be a ball handler and facilitator AND a scorer. He is hesistating in his bad games...in his good ones he's all instinct and aggression.

[mrkleen09]

MD.

After 18 years of playing ball in HS and College and nearly 40 watching the Celtics - I will make my own judgments on what games to use as a barometer.

I dont expect the naysayers out here to give them any credit, which is why I make my own mind up on what I think are glimmers and what is false hope.

mrkleen,

You played basketball in HS and college for 18 years? Wow, that really is something out of Animal House!

:-)

bob

/

The way I played....it seemed that way.

[KellyGreen17]

Nate has had some pretty spectacular games for us, but I've also noticed the excesive dribbling. In his defense, I'm pretty sure he's not running in circles because he loves geometry, but instead trying to find an open man. The problem is that nobody else seems to know what he's doing so they all stand there and watch him instead of moving to get open. I hope it's just a result of not knowing all the offensive sets yet, and not something we have to look forward to for the rest of the season!

[bobheckler]

Nate has had some pretty spectacular games for us, but I've also noticed the excesive dribbling. In his defense, I'm pretty sure he's not running in circles because he loves geometry, but instead trying to find an open man. The problem is that nobody else seems to know what he's doing so they all stand there and watch him instead of moving to get open. I hope it's just a result of not knowing all the offensive sets yet, and not something we have to look forward to for the rest of the season!

kelly,

That's funny. "Not running in circles because he loves geometry".

Maybe if they moved too that might give him an idea as to what to do with the ball...

bob

/

[KellyGreen17]

Seems to me in the first few games after the trade, the pick and roll/pop between Davis and Nate was pretty effective. They were also running one of the Knicks plays, although I couldn't really tell what that play was. In either case, it definitely required movement from more than one player!

[Sam]

Postgame thread for the Knicks game here.

Sam

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