Re: POST GAME MIAMI

by **Sam** Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:43 am

Cow,

Nice analysis.

Sometimes I think it's easy to take Paul Pierce for granted—so much so that we can often be more sensitive to his mistakes than to his far more frequent contributions. He really deserves the Player of the Week Award that he just won. I think that his steal at the start of the second half was a bigger dagger than any other play in the game (although there were many to pick from). It seemed to take the wind out of any Heat hopes for a comeback.

Toward the end of the game, I was thinking about what might have happened had the tables been reversed. If the Celtics had fallen behind by 29, I bet they would have fought like tigers and very possibly made a game out of it. It seemed, right from the start of the game, that the Heat were playing not to lose, and they just plain quit with loads of time left in the game. Lebron'e best move of the game was to shake his head while sitting on the bench. He was very likely sitting there and deciding which teammate(s) to blame.

Sam

by **cowens/oldschool** Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:36 pm

Sam

Thanks thats a real compliment as I've learned more about the game just reading your posts over the years. I heard Pierce got Player of the Week and I thought to myself hes been steady, but hes had other weeks with more monster games....guess thats respect. If anyone on the team deserved it, I would have thought it would be KG as he just wiped out a trio of stellar bigs with his defense. Whenever KG is on the bench immediately one can see the huge difference on the defensive end. Anyway the team is gelling and its so exciting to be a Celtic fan this time of the year!!

cow

by **cowens/oldschool** Tue Apr 03, 2012 5:42 pm

....and Sam lets kill those bastards!!!

by **Sam** Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:06 pm

Cow,

Got away from myself a bit there, but it was difficult not to do so as that game wound down. I realize there's a lot of pent-up frustration and energy on this board, because we're all human and it's been a year filled with obstacles.

I'm going to go back and change that remark to "Let's put a merciful end to the lives of those accidents of birth." Better?

Sam

by **bobheckler** Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:23 pm

cowens/oldschool wrote:I think this game was very significant, obviously we won, was enjoyable to see such a butt kicking, couldn't believe lead went up to 29. Were alot of significant plays.....one of them was first play in second half, old and slow Pierce stole a pass to Lebron and went all the way for a finish, what was odd was Lebron didn't even chase, he just stood there, this game was not a blowout yet. If I was the coach I'd be screaming at him to follow, chase the ball, how could the biggest fastest baddasss just give up on that play? Another great play was AB's block on Wade, I didn't see Wade try to attack AB face up much like hes done throughout his career and go right at him, that is another huge development for AB's abilities and everexpanding game.

We have recreated our team again with 2 highpost bigs that can spread the floor for the other cutters to slash and move without the ball, we have the quickest backcourt in the league with two points creating havoc on both ends. This game shows me we can contend this year!! The Heat have a ton of problems, Lebron cannot carry them in 4th quarters or in tight games. They have no inside presence, Bosh is as soft a big as there is, Joel Anthonys offense, non offense is so putrid it hurts the team too much to give him a normal run of minutes, then with him out which needs to be done.....the defense sucks, especially the interior. Lebron and Wade look tired, we were the faster, speedier team, they were getting worn out and couldn't keep up with Rondo. At one point Wade covered Pierce and Lebron was on AB? was Wade too tired to chase AB who was in his grill the whole game?

We exposed the Heats worts, they are already in a downword spiral and we are in midst of recreating ourselves....with Rondo and AB we can run at teams and get the easy buckets now....gotta love it. Teams now can't keep up with us, our backcourt is too fast!! We still have the great KG to defend the rim, hes just dismantled Al Jefferson, Kevin Love and Chris Bosh, the softest big since Raef Lafrentz.....go Celtics.

cow,

Sam's right. This is some fine analysis. I hadn't thought through the transformation from a low post center-centric offense, like we've had with Perk, Shaq, JON and Erden into a high post center-centric offense with KG and Steamer taking shots from 16' and out and making some good entry passes from the high post as well.

Is Doc a great coach, or what?

Thanks for turning the lightbulb on over my head.

bob

.

by **Matty** Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:28 pm

SAM,

i sort of prefer the less politically correct version myself

"Let's put a merciful end to the lives of those accidents of birth." just sounds so soft, almost like you actauly feel bad for southbeach and all that talent...

by **cowens/oldschool** Tue Apr 03, 2012 7:13 pm

bob anytime, as I was watching all these cutters moving without the ball, KG standing at the high post, I thought to myself how many centers have the shot and enough ball handling skills and vision to make this work? Certainly not Howard or Bynum or Perk....another center from the past that popped into my head was Dave Cowens who also would go outside looking for cutters for stretches and like KG was a fearsome manic defender.

by **MDCelticsFan** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:05 am

I wouldn't throw dirt on the Heat yet. With Riley behind the scenes they probably still have cards to play. However, what's happening with the Celtics is marvelous to say the least. Doc will have a decision to make when Allen is ready to return. Does he start, and Bradley return to the bench, or will Ray accept a substitute role? Pietrus outside shooting will help when he can pass his concussion tests. How much will Hollins help, or how much time will Doc give him to help. This compressed season with limited practice does not lend itself to working in new blood. All in all as the second hotest team since the all star break the C's have been very impressive. Contributions have been coming from some unexpected sources, and some players have been given extensive playing time to develop. I just wish JuJuan & Etwan could be part of the mix. Here's hoping the Celts keep it rolling long into Spring to the verge of Summertime.

MD!

by **MDCelticsFan** Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:20 am

Loved Lebron 's missed dunk as well as Bradley's rejection of Wade.

MD!

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