The Captain gets the game ball: solid D, great offensive punch, final play call.

Let’s face the facts: the Celtics are playing mediocre ball and have been for the last week and a half. Despite their 10-4 record, it’s mediocre ball at best. This most recent game against New York raised more questions than answers.

I’m a teacher. I teach world history and economics. I ask a lot of questions. My students ask a lot of questions. We all ask a lot of questions. It can more often than not show a deeper understanding of a topic. Other times, it’s just the perfect thing to do when we are absolutely bewildered by a topic.

I’m bewildered.
I’m going to stop diagnosing.

Hey ¡RONDO! why aren't we seeing more of this?

Here are 34 questions for the Celtics because I just don’t know what else to say. Why 34 questions? Because #34 is Paul Pierce. Paul Pierce is the Truth. So by the power of transitive property, 34 = The Truth. I am hoping these 34 questions lead to some level of enlightenment and higher understanding.

1. Why is overall energy level so inconsistent and why aren’t we
2. Why is our offense settling for so many low percentage jumpers with the shot clock expiring?
3. Why are we not attacking the hoop more?
4. Why is Rondo playing like a $3 million PG on some nights and an $11 million PG on other nights?
5. Why is our help defense scheme look so slow?
6. Why is Ray Allen getting so many more minutes than he needs?
7. Why isn’t Quisy getting more playing time?
8. Why is Sheed shooting 3s like I shoot 3s?
9. What’s going to happen in a few weeks when Glen Davis returns (remember: no more Big Baby)?
10. When will KG finally be in game shape?
11. Actually: will KG ever be back to being in good game shape (even if he can’t jump)?
12. When will everyone realize how unbelievably good Pierce is playing right now?
13. Will Danny many any trades before the new year?
14. If Danny were to make trades, what do we really need right now?
15. Is our PG by committee / PG by convenience working?
16. Will the Real Eddie House please stand up? Please stand up?
17. Has Doc ripped into his team yet about what the heck is wrong with them?
18. Is this the kind of play we can expect for the rest of the season?
19. Is it a good sign that Rondo can’t hit his FTs because it means he is finally changing his shooting style   for the firs time in his career?
20. Will Doc force Sheed down on the block more?
21. Why isn’t Perk closing out quarters more often?
22. Aren’t we a defense-minded team?
23. So why aren’t we a) playing defense better and b) letting one of our team’s best defenders (Perk) get more minutes on the floor?
24. Why haven’t we seen more dynamic lineups on the floor (like Rondo, Pierce, KG, Perk, Sheed; or Ray, Pierce, Quisy, KG, Sheed; or Rondo, Piece, Quisy, Perk, Sheed)?
25. Will TA’s first game in the 2010 season be in Celtic green?
26. Will Scal continue to be 100% efficient on the floor for as little minutes as he is getting?
27. Should we trade Scal (with TA) and if so should we get him more minutes?
28. Is JR Giddens the epitome of practice hero and game zero?
29. Will Shelden William’s interior game improve with more touches?
30. Why can’t our team get offensive rebounds (is it not built into our defensive scheme?)?
31. Why have we started so slow offensively in almost every game this season (what happened to those 30+ points from 2008-2009?)?
32. Why are we giving up so many points in the first half?
33. Why are we turning into a team that either wins/loses a game in the 3rd quarter?
34. Is the whole “sleep experts” advice of bypassing pre-game shoot arounds in favor of naps really working?

I want to see an absolute spanking tomorrow night against the 76ers on Wednesday night. I want Philly to waddle off the court.

Cool, then we done.

Next question?
Cool, then we done.

Articles of the day from my 3 favorite Celtics sites: It’s not time to trade Ray Allen (yet) at CelticsBlog, Myth or Fact: The Celtics are shooting too many 3s at RedsArmy, Do you believe Doc at CelticsHub.

The rankings are out again, and there is a new #1. Who is it? How far did the former #1 fall? When will New Jersey get it together? The rankings begin right now.

1. Orlando Magic (11-3) (previous ranking: 9) Five straight wins have vaulted the Magic to the best record in the NBA and the top spot in the rankings. Despite losing Jameer Nelson for four to six weeks, this team is still deep and they are really coming together.

2. Atlanta Hawks (11-3) (previous ranking: 2) If the Hawks had not of lost to New Orleans last night, the talk of them being #1 would be a no-brainer, but this team is still one of the tops in the East. They are really showing themselves as a contender. This is another team that is deep, and if they can stay healthy, they could go a long way in May.

3. Phoenix Suns (11-3) (previous ranking: 1) The Suns loss to the Hornets prevented them from holding the top spot for the week. With Orlando and Atlanta on fire as of late, they had to be bumped down two spots. Not many impressive wins for them to stay among the tops in the rankings

4. Los Angeles Lakers (10-3) (previous ranking: 4) The Lakers stay put after a 3-0 week, and it is good for them that Pau Gasol is back, he will be able to take the load off Kobe Bryant and Andrew Bynum. The team is complete again, but Phoenix is still holding their ground against them for first in the Pacific Division.

5. Dallas Mavericks (10-3) (previous ranking: 5) The Mavericks may have beat the Lakers, and have won five straight, they were all hard fought victories. The Lakers right now look better than Dallas and with Gasol back from injury, they look more like a better team. If Dallas can beat the Lake Show for a second time with Gasol in lineup, it will be good enough to overtake them. Good 3-0 week for them.

6. Boston Celtics (10-4) (previous ranking: 3) The Magic and Mavericks rise has knocked Boston down a couple of spots. The C’s were a victim of Orlando’s win streak, which was their only loss of the week. Thank Kevin Garnett for avoiding an embarrassing loss to the Knicks at the Garden.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers (10-4) (previous ranking: 5) The Cavs took a pounding from the Wizards this past Wednesday, but responded with wins over Indiana and Philadelphia. At least Shaq has been at home for the games he’s been injured from, and not just the Washington game. Those that know the backstory can have a good laugh.

8. Milwaukee Bucks (8-3) (previous ranking: 10) The Bucks could not beat the Mavericks, but they did take advantage of the weak part of their schedule, beating, New Jersey, Charlotte, and Memphis to cap a 3-1 week and stay tied for first with Clevleland in the Central Division.

9. Denver Nuggets (9-4) (previous ranking: 8] The Nuggets crush the Lakers at home 10 days ago, and in the next week, they lose to the Clippers at Staples Center. This team started out strong, but have been hot and cold since. They have to find a way to stay consistent.

10. Portland Trail Blazers (10-5) (previous ranking: 6) The Blazers went 4-0 last week, but only 2-2 this week. They lost to the Hawks, which wasn’t a surprise, but they also lost to Golden State. Just like the Nuggets, they have to find a way to stay consistent as well. They are good, but we forget that this team is young still.

11. Miami Heat (8-5) (previous ranking: 7) The Heat continue to free fall down the rankings. A huge loss at home to the Thunder, and another bad loss to the Raptors. Udonis Haslem did save the team’s free fall from being worse with a game-winning jumper to sink the New Orleans’ Hornets

12. Houston Rockets (8-6) (previous ranking: 12) The Rockets won the games they were supposed to win (Timberwolves and Kings), but loss the games that they were expected to lose (Suns and Hawks). The 2-2 week has them staying put at #12.

13. Utah Jazz (7-6) (previous ranking: 20) Playing the Cavaliers, and coming close to beating them has had a great effect on the Jazz. They have won three in a row since the Cavs loss, and have a long homestand ahead of them in which they have six straight at home (they started it by beating Detroit on Sat. night).

14. Oklahoma City Thunder (7-7) (previous ranking: 16) Another big win against a good team on the road as OKC beat the Heat on South Beach. That along with a win at Washington were good wins. Tough losses against Orlando and the Lakers result in a split week, but as with the Thunder’s season, those wins keep going a long way.

15. Chicago Bulls (6-6) (previous ranking: 14) A 1-2 week puts the Bulls at .500, They beat the surprising Kings, in which that was no surprise. They have loss to the Lakers and Nuggets in this West Coast road trip and then have two tough games in the Blazers and Jazz on the road. Some injuries have set them back, but this team should be better and are better than what their record shows.

16. San Antonio Spurs (5-6) (previous ranking: 17) The Spurs are still struggling to maintain the high expectations. They all haven’t been healthy together, as the Big Three of Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili have been injured at various times of the year. Richard Jefferson has really been non-existent. It’s still early, but when will they finally start to peak?

17. Indiana Pacers (5-6) (previous ranking: 13) Three straight losses has the Pacers dropping four spots. A loss to the Cavaliers is one thing, but to lose to the Knicks and Bobcats is a MAJOR setback, especially blowing a huge lead to New York and losing the game.

18. Toronto Raptors (6-8) (previous ranking: 19) The only team to go 1-3 and move up, it must be because the teams below are doing awful, but the Raps did just run into teams that are better than them, losing two in the mountains (Denver & Utah) and Orlando, but an impressive win over the Heat was their saving grace this week.

19. Sacramento Kings (5-7) (previous ranking: 15) The Kings have lost three straight, against the teams they should really lose to (Chicago at home, Dallas and Houston on the road), but the schedule is encouraging for them to get back to .500 by Wednesday with games at Memphis and against the New York Knicks. Still playing hard and playing with fight, something that has not been seen in Sacto in a long time.

20. New Orleans Hornets (6-9) (previous ranking: 25) Had it not been for Udonis Haslem’s jumper to sink them at Miami, the Hornets could have risen further in the rankings. The team looked like it was in major trouble, but they had impressive wins over Phoenix and Atlanta. Maybe hope is not lost in the Big Easy.

21. Philadelphia 76ers (5-8) (previous ranking: 21) The Sixers escaped with victory over the Charlotte Bobcats in a game that they weren’t supposed to win, but they followed that up with a very bad loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and the fell to the Cavs on the road. This team is not that impressive, but luckily for them, a lot of teams are not that impressive either.

22. Los Angeles Clippers (5-9) (previous ranking: 22) The Clippers lost a couple of bad ones in New Orleans and in Memphis, but they did come on national television this past Friday and won a good game over the Denver Nuggets, so their ranking stays put for another week.

23. Detroit Pistons (5-9) (previous ranking: 18) During the five year anniversary of the “Malice at the Palace”, many bloggers and media people were so focused on how the Pacers have been rebuilding. Sure the Pistons have been in the playoffs consistently, but has anyone noticed that Indiana is ahead of Detroit right now. Five straight losses has the Pistons in the Central Division cellar, and John Kuester needs to know that Joe Dumars has very little patience.

24. Golden State Warriors (4-8) (previous ranking: 24) The Warriors winning percentage in 2009 before Stephen Jackson trade: .333. The winning percentage in 2009 after Stephen Jackson trade: .333. Not much of a difference since Jax’s departure, but it is good to see Stephen Curry get more playing time for the Warriors.

25. Charlotte Bobcats (4-9) (previous ranking: 23) The Bobcats winning percentage in 2009 before acquiring Stephen Jackson: .333. The winning percentage in 2009 after acquiring Stephen Jackson: .250. The one thing that is said though is that they have shown a lot more offense in the last few games, and they ended their seven game losing streak with a win over the Pacers Sunday night.

26. Memphis Grizzlies (4-9) (previous ranking: 27) The Grizz are 2-1 since Allen Iverson was officially released from the team. This team is playing with more confidence, and more loose since the departure of A.I., and by beating and staying with teams that are better than them, it can go a long way (just ask the Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder)

27. Washington Wizards (3-9) (previous ranking: 26) The Wizards have their Big Three healthy and together again, but they are still playing the same? What is with this team? It looked as if they turned a corner when they beat their rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers, but they have lost big to the Thunder and to the Spurs. This team is just hard to figure out. Is Gilbert Arenas on to what he says about this team and “hidden agendas”?

28. New York Knicks (3-10) (previous ranking: 28) The poor Knicks go 2-1 over the week, and can’t move up anywhere. Mike D’Antoni’s bunch could have moved up quite a bit if they could have beaten the Celtics last night, but a 1-7 record at MSG is not going to help matters in this team’s quest to improve.

29. Minnesota Timberwolves (1-12) (previous ranking: 29) The Timberwolves have quietly lost 12 in a row, if it wasn’t for their only win against New Jersey, this team would be 0-13. The question is with them has to be: What does Ricky Rubio think of this? The worst thing about losing 12 in a row is that majority of these losses have been extremely bad.

30. New Jersey Nets (0-13) (previous ranking: 30) The only chance for the Nets to win was lost on Saturday at the hands of the New York Knicks. Lawrence Frank is still around has to be due to the fact that management knows that this team is ravaged with injuries. But at the same time though, there seems to be no wins in sight as they hit the West Coast for a road trip. How much longer will the rope hang for Frank?

I’m not surprised that Eddy Curry got violent during his return to action for the Knicks, I’m just thankful that he didn’t eat Rajon Rondo in addition to punching him in the back of the head. To be fair, clearly Rondo deserved this, I mean, how DARE he try for a rebound. That’s EDDY’S ball.

#1 – Atlanta Hawks

The best team of the NBA so far. Josh Smith has been superb in the first 14 games. He has been the horse they have been riding. The Hawks had a weird loss to the Hornets Friday but that’s Ok on the road and on a second of back-to-backs.

#2 – Cleveland Cavaliers

Without Shaq, the team plays better. He just doesn’t fit there and with him out for a while now, they were able to give minutes to JJ Hickson who could be the solution for their problems, certainly not offensively but maybe defensively.

#3 – Phoenix Suns

The Suns remain red hot. 2^nd best record of the league so far, even with the loss to the Hornets on Thursday which shouldn’t be a shock because every time that the Suns are dominated on the boards, they lose, and it’s a lock just like that.

#4 – Los Angeles Lakers

Gasol is back and that means the Lakers should make their push to the league’s best record now. With the Spanish Center there, they are just so tough to beat, they are big and physical.

#5 – Orlando Magic

With Rashard Lewis back, they become a matchup nightmare again. The win against the Celtics highlighted that. Vince Carter is coming alive, against Boston he scored 26, turned the ball over a lot but took the game over in the end and that what you expect from your superstar and the reason why Orlando traded for him.

#6 – Denver Nuggets

Carmelo Anthony has been terrific so far and put himself in the MVP race however they are still not on the same level as last season. Their defense has been OK but when Billups doesn’t play well, all of a sudden nobody else but Carmelo produces.

#7 – Dallas Mavericks

Nowitzki has been carrying them because the bunch of injuries already started, Marion and Howard haven’t played together for a decent amount of time, and it’s not close to end.

#8 – Boston Celtics

On back-to-backs they look old. The loss against the Magic can be faced as a problem but when healthy, they are still the best team in the NBA. The question is: for how long will they remain healthy?

#9 – Milwaukee Bucks

The Jenningsmania is all over the NBA, even in this Power Rankings.

#10 – Portland Trail Blazers

Travis Outlaw is out with the same injury that held Webster for the entire season last year and that’s a hit on their second unit. The 3 men backcourt has survived so far but maybe is time to trade Miller.

#11 – Miami Heat

As Wade goes, they go which means that so far, they are a playoff team.

#12 – Houston Rockets

Even I’m convinced that this team needs somebody who can create his own shots on clutch moments. That guy is neither Ariza nor Brooks. Hopefully McGrady won’t screw the good vibe around the team.

#13 – Oklahoma City Thunder

When those four guys score, they are tough to hold. Lately even when they lose, they are on the game until the end. As the season progresses, they progress and the Western Conference should watch out.

#14 – Utah Jazz

With Williams back and Boozer stepping up, the Jazz won all three games this week including one against the Spurs which was their first in San Antonio in 20 games.

#15 – Toronto Raptors

They won 42% of their games. With all the money spent in this team and with playoff expectations around them, they have to perform better.

#16 – San Antonio Spurs

Ginobili and Parker out this week, injuries caught with them like expected. They always start slow, so no worry there.

#17 – Chicago Bulls

Derrick Rose has struggled a lot and that’s a real problem. This is a team that has a lot of variations and formations but it’s only 8 deep.

#18 – Indiana Pacers

They are who we thought they were: a .500 team.

#19 – Detroit Pistons

With Hamilton and Prince out, they have been able to hang in there but the problems are the same, lack of size inside and no rebounders, and when they face decent competition, that’s a problem.

#20 – Sacramento Kings

They are 5-7. Can you believe that?! The Kings won 41.7% of their games and that’s crazy. Tyreke Evans and Omir Caspi have been big so far.

#21 – Los Angeles Clippers

Yes, they have been a disappointment but when Gordon and Griffin return, they should be better. The push to the playoffs is yet to come but Kaman has played the best basketball of his career and Baron Davis is finally finding himself on that offense. Their second unit is amazing.

#22 – New Orleans Hornets

Without Chris Paul and with the new coach, they played well this week. Rookies getting more playing time and when Stojakovic shows up to play, they are not that bad. It’s tough to see them over .500 though.

#23 – Philadelphia 76ers

They are the ones to open a playoff spot on the East. They face problems on offense and defense. With Brand there, they haven’t been as committed to Iguodala on offense which they should if they want to save the season.

#24 – Golden State Warriors

Jackson is gone and the Warriors got cap relief instead. They’ll play shorthanded for the rest of the season but Don Nelson likes it this way. Nelson who, by the way, is 23 wins away from his record which means he’s 23 wins away from retirement what could mean that next season, maybe the Warriors will be OK.

#25 – Charlotte Bobcats

Probably the dumbest team in the NBA. The franchise is for sale but yet they took on Jackson’s awful contract in a move that won’t make them better than those teams they are fighting.

#26 – Memphis Grizzlies

Iverson is now gone for good. It’s time for them to translate talent into wins.

#27 – Washington Wizards

They have been the most disappointing team so far.

#28 – New York Knicks

Apparently they refused going after Allen Iverson, which would at least entertain us, because of Eddie Curry and Toney Douglas. I have no words for that.

#29 – Minnesota Timberwolves

They miss Kevin Love but as expected they would be bad anyway.

#30 – New Jersey Nets

They have been banged up but nothing justifies that awful start. Douglas Roberts is back, so is Harris, which means the offense should be better but the 0-17 start looks real.

Check More At: MVN

Power Rankings III: http://basketballoutsider.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/power-rankings-iii/

Fones Skullcandy NBA series.Wish list pro Natal, aqui tu acha pra vender esses e outros modelos super hypes…

via : dailydrop

The headline from Yahoo: so right.

Most people would say that wins are wins. At the end of the day, as long as the number in the win column increases by one then that is all that matters.

Well. We know that really isn’t true. Objectively speaking, yes. A win is a win. But emotionally, physically, mentally, wins can carry significantly different meanings. This win is a bit too fresh in my mind for me to really know what this win means, but I know it means something. Or at least, I hope it means something… The start of a streak, mainly.

I was at the game on Friday when the Celtics crawled their way back to not getting outclassed by Vince Carter and the Magical Magicians. The game slipped out of their hands in the final 2 minutes, and it was a bit gut wrenching to watch the loss unfold in person. This afternoon, I was fearful of a repeat performance.

After building a solid 14 point lead in the 3rd quarter, the Knicks found life while we found complacency. I was imagining blog post titles after a 3rd quarter collapse by the Celts that would lead to a loss:

“Celtics blow.”
“Celtics defense takes a graceful exit.”
“Celtics make Nate Robinson and Al Harrington look like shoo-in Hall of Famers.”
“Celtics add Sunday to their list of days to take off (along with Fridays).”
“Celtics get Knicked in the butt on Sunday.”

I’m glad the Celts didn’t lose. But let’s be honest: those 5 titles could still show up in the next few hours on the interwebs. The only difference is that the Celts didn’t lose.

Two things that really need to be addressed:

OUR HELP DEFENSE. As I tweeted today during the game, our help defense looks like welfare defense all cracked out and pending for renewal. As KG noted the other day, we play help defense with proper rotations/switches. But when a team forces us to play man-to-man and they hit their outside shots, we are in trouble. If help isn’t coming to our helpers then we are screwed. Phoenix hit their shots. Indiana hit their shots. Orlando hit their shots. (Atlanta just flat out out-played us). New York almost stole one from the Cs… but not with anything special, just from us being a bit lazy on defense. We made too many gambles, and we paid the price. How many times were there pick-n-rolls AND cuts to the hoop where one of the Knicks bigs had an easy layup to finish off the play? Too many to count. Our rotations look sloppy and we look to be asleep on so many defensive possessions. The Celts bit on everything the Knicks threw out there. Yikes. Coach T: go to work.

OFFENSIVE FLUIDITY. We just look terrible on some possessions. Our ball movement seems robotic on too many possessions. There are times when we move so well without the ball and our passes are so crisp that the points go down easily. Then at other times, everything looks terribly out of sync. What’s the deal? It’s not fatigue. It’s not a lack of familiarity in the system. Are we second guessing ourselves? We might be. The Celts seem to be hanging their heads and sulking at times instead of carrying themselves with unwavering swagger on both ends of the court. Let’s get that back. An emotional win today against the Knicks could be what we need to get some confidence and attitude back.

Other noteworthy observations: Quisy is still the most efficient player on the floor. Sheed needs to do something… anything. Glad to see 3ddi3 Hous3’s stroke return.

Yeah. Those are two pretty big things. Paul Pierce better put some ice on his back tonight: carrying the team for the 4th quarter and OT must have made it sore.

Article of the day: New York Times touching on the Pick-and-Roll.

Have you ever heard people say, ‘they brought their A game’? Or a coach will demand, ‘you need to bring your A game’? Better yet, someone in the losing locker-room explaining to a reporter, ‘we just didn’t bring our A game’.

To me, that’s all wrong.  You need to bring something stronger. Something much better. Something that gives you a better chance of winning.  How about your A+ game!

In big games, your A game will not cut it. In any game, your A game may help you stay close, but in order to win the big games, you need to bring your A+ game.

Every possession matters.  Every shot, every pass and every rebound…matters! Each time you step between the lines, play with energy, defend and take care of the ball.

Step up your game and bring your A+ game!

Observations:

I watched the Denver Nuggets go into LA to play the Clippers Friday night. Bad news for the Nuggets. LA decided to play.  Play hard that is.  Carmelo Anthony started off the game scoring 17 points helping Denver to a 12 point lead early.  He was scoring from all angles.  But Chris Kaman, by way of Central Michigan University took it upon himself to dominate the low post.

The Clippers bench also did a great job led by Sebastian Telfair who thought he was back in Coney Island pushing the ball in transition and dribbling like he was auditioning for the latest And 1 Mix Tour.  Rasul Butler chipped in with 27. Clipper came out on top 106-99.  Do you think Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy and Telfair sit down and talk Brooklyn Hoops? Dunleavy played at Nazareth High School, Telfair at Lincoln.  Would love to hear those two debate which is better, the CHSAA or PSAL?

“We have to somehow realize that we are everybody’s big game,” said Denver guard Chauncey Billups. “It’s not like a few years ago where you play the Clippers or somebody and it is just another game.”

That’s right CB, you guys are being hunted now!

Speaking of another ‘CB’, Charlie Bell of the Milwaukee Bucks (formerly of Flint Southwestern High School) has filled in for Michael Redd at the shooting guard position and has done a solid job. Last night he scored 19 points on 7-15 shooting including 5-11 from way downtown in leading the Bucks to a 103-98 win over Memphis. Milwaukee is now 8-3.

The New Jersey Nets are now 0-13 after losing to the Knicks on Saturday 98-91. Bring back Foots Walker, Mike Newlin and Mike Gminski!

Rasheed Wallace of the Boston Celtics is shooting 22 of 70 on the season from way downtown. Including 0-8 Friday night against the Orlando Magic.  What, him worry?

“I ain’t worried about it, honestly,’’ said Wallace, after he missed all eight 3-point attempts. “I probably rushed about two or three of them. Other than that, it’s good looks, they’re just not going for me. I’m not worried about my offense now. It’s still early in the season, I know I won’t be shooting like this for the duration of the season.

PROJECTION-DISK STATS

Name             G   Min   FGM   FGA   F3M   F3G   FTM   FTG   Off   Reb   Ast    To    ST    BK    PF   Ave
Pierce          13  37.2   6.8  15.4   1.7   3.9   6.3   7.8   0.2   5.8   4.5   2.5   1.2   0.5   3.2  21.5
Allen,R         13  35.7   7.2  13.3   2.8   5.8   2.8   3.1   0.8   3.6   3.8   1.9   0.8   0.2   2.5  19.9
Garnett         13  33.4   7.3  13.8   0.1   0.2   2.5   3.0   2.5   9.6   3.0   2.0   1.1   1.4   3.3  17.2
Rondo           13  35.8   4.7   8.7   0.5   0.7   2.0   3.2   1.2   5.3   8.5   3.4   1.5   0.2   2.5  11.8
Perkins         13  29.3   4.1   6.8   0.0   0.1   1.3   2.0   2.1   7.5   0.6   1.5   0.4   1.8   3.3   9.5
Wallace         13  21.5   3.3   7.5   1.5   3.2   0.5   1.0   0.6   4.9   1.2   0.6   0.7   0.8   1.8   8.5
Daniels         13  17.1   3.2   6.8   0.5   1.4   1.0   1.5   0.5   2.1   1.4   0.8   0.9   0.4   0.9   7.9
House           13  11.5   2.0   4.4   0.8   1.9   1.0   1.3   0.3   1.5   1.3   0.7   0.8   0.1   0.8   5.8
Walker           2   9.0   1.5   2.5   0.0   0.0   2.0   3.5   0.5   1.5   1.0   1.0   0.5   0.5   2.0   5.0
Williams        13  11.5   1.4   2.9   0.0   0.2   1.6   2.2   0.9   3.0   0.2   0.6   0.2   0.1   1.2   4.4
Hudson           4   3.8   0.5   1.3   0.3   0.8   0.0   0.0   0.0   0.3   0.8   0.5   0.0   0.0   0.5   1.3
Allen,T          2   4.0   0.5   3.0   0.0   0.5   0.0   0.0   0.5   0.5   1.0   0.0   0.5   0.0   0.0   1.0
Giddens          8   3.0   0.3   0.6   0.0   0.1   0.0   0.8   0.3   0.8   0.0   0.0   0.1   0.0   0.3   0.5
Scalabrine       5   5.8   0.0   0.6   0.0   0.2   0.4   0.4   0.4   1.2   0.8   0.4   0.0   0.2   0.4   0.4
          TOTAL              40-85      4-16         21-26      11-43      21     9     7     7    18    105
                              .471     .250         .808

REAL-LIFE STATS

In the 70’s, the NBA was a floundering league.

Rampant drug use.

No lucrative sponsorship deals.

No big TV contracts.

No real superstars.

That all changed in 1979, when Larry Bird and Magic Johnson entered the NBA.

They faced each other in the 1979 NCAA National Championship game with Johnson’s Michigan State Spartans prevailing.

Both Bird and Johnson were collegiate stars and there was no reason to believe they wouldn’t flourish in the NBA.

And flourish they did.

Magic and the Lakers captured the 1980 championship against Dr. J and the Sixers. Johnson posted 42 points in the deciding sixth game with team captain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar out.

But it wasn’t over the Celtics.

Larry who hated to be outdone by Johnson led his Celtics to a championship versus the Houston Rockets in 1981.

But it wasn’t over the Lakers.

During the ‘83-‘84 season, both teams steamrolled through the regular season.  Boston finished number one in the Eastern Conference with a 62-20 record. The Lakers netted 54 victories to post the best record in the west.

Bird and the Celtics would knock of Washington, survive the Knicks, and beat the Bucks on route to the Finals.

Magic and the Lakers bumped off all their playoff competition in the West. They defeated Kansas City, Dallas, and Phoenix with relative ease.

The matchup was now set between the Best of the West, Los Angeles and the Beast from the East, Boston.

The NBA was hoping to showcase the ambassadors of the league, Bird and Johnson.

CBS broadcasted this epic series between the NBA’s best and the matchup would not disappoint.

The Lakers wanted this series in the worst way.

During the Celtics dynasty centered by Bill Russell, Boston defeated the Lakers for six of their 11 championships between 1956 and 1969.

The Lakers had their own “Curse.”

Magic Johnson was going to do everything in his power to “reverse” this curse.

He went as far as promising Lakers great and executive, Jerry West a victory and “making it right.”

West would not even travel to Boston for the series due to all the heartbreak handed to him by the Celtics.

In Game One, Kareem not Magic, would do everything in his power to exorcize all the Boston demons. Abdul Jabbar put in 32 points to lead the Lakers to a 115-109 victory at the Garden.

The Lakers already accomplished their goal of splitting in Boston, but they wanted more.

Game Two was in the grasp of the Lakers. They held a 2 point lead with only 20 seconds left on the clock.

Magic made a rebound of Kevin McHale’s free throw miss and all he had to do was run out the clock. However, he called timeout.

Magic and coach, Pat Riley had committed a major miscommunication. Riley instructed Johnson to call timeout if McHale made his free throws not if he missed them.

After the timeout, the Celtics face guarded the Lakers and caused a turnover. James Worthy’s pass was stolen by Gerald Henderson and he scored to tie the game.

The Celtics would go on to win 124-121 in overtime and Magic Johnson was devastated by his ill advised timeout.

The Celtics survived and headed to the LA Forum with the series tied, 1-1.

Magic and the Lakers were able to shrug off their Game Two blunders. They destroyed the Celtics 137-104 fueled by 51 fast break points.

The Lakers were now up to 2 games to 1 in the best out of seven.

The Celtics teammates were sickened by their performance.

Bird said, “I was not going to watch Magic celebrating in front of me again.”

The Celtics were embarrassed and they needed to circle the wagons.

They needed a spark. A pivotal moment.

Celtics’ coach, KC Jones instructed his team, “No more lay ups.”

His team took heed.

McHale said to Danny Ainge, “We’ve got to foul someone hard.”

Uncharacteristically, Kevin McHale did just that.

With the Celtics trailing 76-70 in Game Four, Kurt Rambis was going in for another fast break layup.

McHale clothes lined Rambis and the Laker fell to the ground with a thud.

Pushing and shoving ensued.

This was the moment the Celtics needed. They needed to prove to the Lakers no basket would be easy.

Despite the chippyness, the Lakers still had a 5 point lead and were ready to put the Celtics on the ropes.

However, Los Angeles seemed to melt under the physical pressure exerted by the Celts. Bird and Parish combined to erase the deficit and forced the game to overtime.

The game came down to last minute.

With 35 seconds left the always dependable Johnson, missed both free throws.

Bird said, “That’s when I knew we had ‘em.”

Magic looked beaten.

His trademark smile was gone.

“Mr. Clutch” Larry Bird came down court and hit a jumper to put Boston up by 2, 125-123 with 16 ticks left on the clock.

James Worthy now was at the line and could have made up for Magic’s previous misses.

But he too buckled under the Celtics suffocating confidence and momentum.

He missed both shots and the Celtics won Game Four, 129-125.

McHale’s hard foul had fired his team up and shifted the momentum of the series.

Back in Boston, Bird took over Game Five. Bird put on a show for the large CBS watching audience.

Bird said, “I had that rhythm you could dream of. It was a tremendous feeling. And our crowd was fantastic. I felt after Game Five we had it.”

He scored 34 points and hauled in 17 rebounds igniting the Celtics to a 121-103 victory in the pivotal Game Five matchup.

It was back to Forum for Game Six with the Celtics holding a 3-2 series lead.

The Celtics were physical and thought the Lakers were soft.

In Game Six, they would pound and trash talk Los Angeles to no end.

With a 6 point lead at halftime, the Celtics were so confident that they broke the Lakers will. They went as far as putting up plastic in their locker room for the celebration (sounds like Game 6 for the Sox versus the Mets in 1986).

However, you can never count out great teams and especially great players like Magic Johnson.

Magic led his team with 21 points and 10 rebounds to combat Bird’s 28 points. Johnson would not allow the Lakers to lose the championship on their home court.

He willed the Lakers to a 119-108 win and knotted the series at 3-3.

Seventh Heaven.

The NBA couldn’t have asked for a more exciting series to make their league relevant again.

The Celtics had history on their side for Game Seven. Boston had NEVER lost a Game Seven at home.

And they were not going to start now.

Magic Johnson said about his team prior to the game, “That takedown of Rambis had totally changed the complexion of the series.”

The Lakers were already beaten before they even took the court and Magic knew it.

The Celtics were loose and ready to hoist another banner to the Garden rafters.

Cedric Maxwell led the way by scoring 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Bird was having a mediocre night and ended up with 20 points.

The win was not locked up until Dennis Johnson stole the ball from Magic Johnson in the final minute.

Final Score: Celtics 111 Lakers 102

Bird was able to avenge his NCAA Championship game loss to Magic which ate away at him.

The Celtics continued their championship dominance over the Lakers going a perfect 7-0 versus them in the Finals.

Larry Bird said, “I always thought they (the Lakers) were soft, and they were that all season.”

The takedown of Rambis showed the Lakers that no basket would be a lay up. They would have to claw and scratch for every point.

The Celtics’ eastern style of physical play was too much for the finesse Lakers.

However, this was just the beginning of the epic battles between Los Angeles in the 1980’s.

Both teams would meet again in 1985 and 1987 with the Lakers winning both times.

The rivalry between Boston and LA gripped not only the cities involved but a nation.

The 1984 Finals broadcast by CBS was the highest rated championship series in NBA history.

Bird versus Magic. Boston versus LA. A sports fan’s dream matchup.

I can still hear the chant from the Garden…….Beat LA.

All quotes taken from Jackie MacMullan’s book, “When The Game Was Ours.” This is a must read for any basketball fan, not just fans of the Celtics or Lakers. Stayed tuned for my full review of the book to be posted on Boston Sports Then And Now.

Hamed Haddadi on Elvis Night.

The Clippers TV guys (play-by-play announcer Ralph Lawler and color analyst Michael Smith) were suspended by the team yesterday for being idiots. I’m not sure about in LA, but making racist and completely unnecessary comments on TV doesn’t fly around here. DO and RemDawg would never have this problem. Of course, it’s still kinda funny. Here’s what they said:

Smith: “Look who’s in.”

Lawler: “Hamed Haddadi. Where’s he from?”

Smith: “He’s the first Iranian to play in the NBA.” (Smith pronounced Iranian as “Eye-ranian,” a pronunciation that offended the viewer who complained.)

Lawler: “There aren’t any Iranian players in the NBA,” repeating Smith’s mispronunciation.

Smith: “He’s the only one.”

Lawler: “He’s from Iran?”

Smith: “I guess so.”

Lawler: “That Iran?”

Smith: “Yes.”

Lawler: “The real Iran?”

Smith: “Yes.”

Lawler: “Wow. Haddadi that’s H-A-D-D-A-D-I.”

Smith: “You’re sure it’s not Borat’s older brother?”

Smith: “If they ever make a movie about Haddadi, I’m going to get Sacha Baron Cohen to play the part.”

Lawler: “Here’s Haddadi. Nice little back-door pass. I guess those Iranians can pass the ball.”

Smith: “Especially the post players.

Lawler: “I don’t know about their guards.”

Meanwhile, even our presence in the building wasn’t enough to help the Celtics beat a team with a winning record last night and nothing is coming out of Red Sox camp on the Hot Stove market. Pretty boring times around here, but the Bruins have won two in a row, so thats nice.

Go Sox.

85 Days.

Done.

Για να ξεσκουριάσει το πληκτρολόγιο θα ξεκινήσουμε ένα παραδοσιακό post που από καιρό μας είχε προταθεί. Αφορά την προέλευση των ονομάτων των ομάδων του ΝΒΑ.

• Atlanta Hawks. Τα γεράκια της Ατλάντα δε πήραν το όνομα τους από το πτηνό όπως ίσως φαντάζεστε αλλά από τον Ινδιάνο αρχηγό Black Hawk ή όπως θα ήθελε να τον φωνάζετε Makataimeshekiakiak . Για αυτό και το πρώτο τους όνομα μέχρι το 1951 ήταν Black Hawks. Έτσι οι Αμερικάνοι, αφού έσφαξαν μερικές χιλιάδες ινδιάνους, χάρισαν  το όνομα του ενός σε ομάδα ΝΒΑ και εξιλεώθηκαν. Τα χρώματα της φανέλας προφανώς προέρχονται από το μαλλί του.

Ο πρώτος fan των Atlanta Hawks

• Denver Nuggets. Nuggets είναι οι βόλοι και στη περίπτωση της ομάδας αναφέρονται στην ανάπτυξη των μεταλλωρυχείων στις αρχές του 19ου αιώνα. Το πρώτο τους σήμα δείχνει έναν μεταλλωρύχο να ανακαλύπτει μία μπάλα μπάσκετ.

• Detroit Pistons. Ο πρώτος πρόεδρος της ομάδας ήταν ιδιοκτήτης εργοστασίου που έφτιαχνε πιστόνια. Το όνομα παρέμεινε κι όταν μετακόμισαν στο Detroit που είναι η πρωτεύουσα των αυτοκινητο-βιομηχανιών στην Αμερική.
• Indiana Pacers. Pace car είναι το safety car για όσους γνωρίζουν από Formula 1. Pacer επίσης είναι τα άλογα αγώνων που βαδίζουν έτσι. Κι επειδή δύο από τους βασικούς επενδυτές της ομάδας ήταν θαυμαστές τόσο των αλόγων όσο και του περίφημων αγώνων αυτοκινήτων Indianapolis 500, έγινε το βάπτισμα.
• Los Angeles Clippers. Επειδή το όνομα Losers δεν είναι εύηχο, ψηφίστηκε το Clippers που αναφέρεται στα  μεγάλα ιστιοφόρα που περνούσαν από το λιμάνι του San Diego (πριν πάει η ομάδα στο LA).
• Los Angeles Lakers. Η ομάδα ιδρύθηκε στη Minnesota, τη “γη των 1000 λιμνών”, και κακώς κράτησε το όνομα όταν μετακόμισε στο Los Angeles αφού λίμνες δεν υπάρχουν…
• New Jersey Nets. Το όνομα προέρχεται από τα διχτάκια (nets) και επιλέχθηκε το συγκεκριμένο για να κάνει ομοιοκαταληξία με τις άλλες ομάδες της (τότε) Νέας Υόρκης, Mets και Jets.
• New York Knickerbockers. Knickerbockers όπως είναι ολόκληρο το όνομα των Knicks, είναι ένα είδος κοντού παντελονιού (μέχρι το γόνατο περίπου), που φορούσαν οι Ολλανδοί μετανάστες στην Αμερική το 17ο αιώνα. Θα ήταν ενδιαφέρον να βλέπαμε τον Eddy Curry να τα φοράει.

• Utah Jazz. Οι Jazz ξεκίνησαν από τη Νέα Ορλεάνη, το μέρος που αναπτύχθηκε κη ατ’εξοχήν μαύρη μουσική Jazz . Πού να ήξεραν ότι κάποτε η ομάδα θα μεταφερόταν στη πιο λευκή και ρατσιστική πολιτείας της Αμερικής, τη Utah.
• Seattle SuperSonics. Το καιρό που μετακόμισαν στο Seattle, μία αμερικάνικη εταιρεία κατασκεύαζε ένα υπερηχητικό αεροσκάφος για να ανταγωνιστεί το concord. Το αεροπλάνο ποτέ δε φτιάχτηκε αλλά το όνομα έμεινε στην ιστορία.
• Boston Celtics. Η Ιρλανδική καταγωγή της περιοχής είναι αυτή που φυσικά έδωσε το όνομα στην ομάδα.
• Houston Rockets. Αποτέλεσμα ψηφοφορίας ήταν το όνομα Rockets και δε τους “χάλασε” καθόλου όταν μεταφέρθηκαν στο Houston όπου βασίζεται η NASA.
• Orlando Magic. Τα κυρίαρχα ονόματα στη ψηφοφορία ήταν Magic και Juice και ευτυχώς επικράτησε το 1ο.
• Washington Wizards. Για όσους το πρόλαβαν, το προηγούμενο όνομα της ομάδας ήταν Bullets και βγήκε γιατί η ομάδα κάποτε έκανε προπονήσεις  κοντά σε ένα εργοστάσιο που παρήγαγε σφαίρες για το 2ο παγκόσμιο πόλεμο. Μετά φυσικά άλλαξε σε Wizards λόγω της σχέσης των Bullets (=σφαίρες) με την εγκληματικότητα. Το Wizards δε ξέρουμε πως προήρθε, αλλά πιθανότατα ο πρόεδρος να ήταν θαυμαστής του Harry Potter.
• New Orleans Hornets. Το αρχικό όνομα για την τότε Charlotte ήταν Spirit αλλά οι οπαδοί ξεσηκώθηκαν και απαίτησαν διαγωνισμό. Έτσι ψηφίστηκε το Hornets (= σφήκες), διότι ένας Βρετανός Στρατηγός είχε δηλώσει στο πόλεμο ότι οι ντόπιοι πολεμούν σαν “φωλιά από σφήκες”.
• Miami Heat. Αυτό που αξίζει να ειπωθεί είναι ότι αν δεν κέρδιζε το όνομα Heat, οι Miami τώρα θα ονομάζονταν Flamingo

Τα περισσότερα, αν όχι όλα, από τα υπόλοιπα ονόματα, ψηφίστηκαν σε τοπικούς διαγωνισμούς. Αν κάποιος έχει περισσότερες πληροφορίες, ας μας τις πει!

credited to Nea_Liosia_7

Being a few days before the annual Ohio State-Michigan game, it seems like a proper time to throw out what I believe to be the best rivalries in sports.

1. Ohio State vs. Michigan - When I was a kid, I truly believed that there was a special rule that said the winner of this game automatically won the conference because that always seemed to be the case.  It is everything a rivalry should be.  It’s intense.  The game usually matters (aside from the last couple of years).  It has character and characters.  One of the things that truly makes it special is that it takes place only once a year.  Win, and you savor it all year long.  Lose, and it’s a long hard winter.  It’s a big deal.
2. North Carolina vs. Duke - Similar to above.  A lot of college hoops intensity between these two programs.  Each   one is always in the others way.
3. New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox – Great rivalry.  I’m sick of hearing about it though.
4. New England Patriots vs. Indianapolis Colts – These guys want to beat the other so badly, they will go for it on fourth down in their own territory.
5. Army-Navy – Lots of pride, tradition, and honor.  Good stuff.

Honorable mention – Celtics vs. Lakers and Yankees vs. Dodgers.  These classic confrontations just haven’t happened in a few years, but they were truly special once upon a time.

In the waning seconds of the first half in Wednesday’s Celtics/Warriors game Kevin Garnett grabbed a rebound and, after a nifty spin move, launched up a 75-footer. The ball was definitely still in his hands when time expired and the refs rightly waved off the basket, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t totally cool. Because it was. Watch.

Does this remind anyone else of the shot that Woody Harrelson has to make to prove himself in White Men Can’t Jump? Great movie, and the clip only gets me more excited about going to the C’s game tomorrow night with SMC and CutFromLittleLeague. Especially since they ended the slide where all four of our teams had lost their last game.

Now if the Sox would just do something.

Go Celtics, Go Sox.

87 Days.

Done.

After being called out yesterday in the blog how they’d lost the last two games, the Celtics came out last night and turned it up a notch. The result? They snapped the losing streak.

That’s all well and good. If you missed the game, you’re not the only one, I did too. If you want to see the highlights, check them out here.

But let’s move on to the more serious Celtics talk. The possible Brian Scalabrine trade that was allegedly purposed. Here’s how the purposed had broken down:

Sacramento Kings get Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine from Boston plus Samuel Dalembert from Philadelhpia

76ers get JR Giddens from Boston and Kenny Thomas from the Kings

Boston gets Sacramento’s Andres Nocioni

It would make sense by the leagues quota. Boston would trade their only white guy and bring back another white guy.

Nocioni, 30, is averaging 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists for the Kings so far this season. In his six season career, he averages 11.9 rebounds and 5 assists per game while shooting 37.2 percent from 3-point range. He’s been compared to a James Posey type player who would be very versatile for the Celtics.

The rumors are that the deal fell apart over financial concerns by the Celtics. They have a lot of money already tied up and to take on the remaining Nocioni salary (roughly $20 million for the next three seasons) would effect their ability to to bring back both Pierce and Allen.

But, let’s remember that the Celtics of the 80’s were handcuffed by bringing everyone back, maybe a little too long. You need to reload at some point. Not saying right now as the team is in it’s prime. But when Ray Allen’s deal comes up this year, a sign and trade could be a possibility to bring in some younger talent to grow around Garnett, Perk, Rondo and Pierce.

This rumored trade may just be the beginning but I think the writing is on the wall for Scal. Keep a bag packed.

N.M. Cabangbang

The 2009-2010 NBA season is going to start soon. I have already been reading a lot of predictions of who is going to win it, and a lot of analysts say it is going to be Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers again. I just hope not.

I do not care what the world says, I have never been a fan of Kobe Bryant. I am just tired of the fact that a lot people hype him up or compare him to Michael Jordan. I am so tired of that, there will never be a next Michael Jordan and Kobe will never be like Mike.

Kobe won his first three champions with the help of Shaquille O’neal. Then he won his new championship because the Orlando Magic was too young and nervous during the NBA finals. The guy is really not that great. The only thing great about him is the hype. He is a great player alright but when people start comparing him to Jordan, that is another thing. People should just get over it. He will never be Michael, he can only be Kobe.

Another thing I dislike about Kobe is that, he is right now the NBA’s symbol of a superstar. And when that happens, a lot of young kids think that superstars can win basketball games on their own. Basketball, like a lot of sports is about teamwork, not about superstars. And if Kobe Bryant continues to win, a lot of young kids will continue to believe that you do not need teamwork to win, you only need to be a superstar. So this NBA culture about NBA superstars is a bad influence to young kids.

So if I am not rooting for the Lakers, whom am I rooting for? Right now, I really like the Orlando Magic to win because I want Vince Carter and coach Van Gundy to finally win a championship. I just want this team to win because Vince Carter and Van Gundy have never won it. It would also be great for the city of Orlando. But a lot of analysts say that the Orlando Magic has no chance this coming season. So for the fear of Kobe winning again, I also have to root for the Boston Celtics and the San Antonio Spurs for insurance. (In fact, I would even welcome any team to win just as long it is not the Lakers.) Both the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs play good defense and teamwork, these two teams are good examples to kids. That is why I hope they win.

Yeah, I know winning championships is not about being a good example or about sympathy votes, it is not about the good teams nor the good players. It is about the great teams and the great players. And that has always been true along the way but it has never stopped me from hoping that maybe unselfish players such as Steve Nash, Yao Ming, and Grant Hill will someday hoist the Larry O’ Brien trophy. That is why when the Chicago Bulls played against the Utah Jazz, I wanted Karl Malone and John Stockton to win. That is why when Los Angeles Lakers was up against the Indiana Pacers, I wanted Reggie Miller and company to win. That is why when Alonzo Mourning (Miami Heat)and Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics) finally won an NBA championship, it lifted my spirits up.

I always have been rooting for the underdog to win. I want everybody to win because a lot of people are happy when they win. Winning is such a great feeling. Maybe watching too much Rocky films has made me into this. Maybe being a Filipino in a country such as ours made me into this. Maybe it’s because a lot of us are underdogs. We all love those “rags to riches” or FPJ movie storylines. We all want to see those inspiring movies come to life. And sometimes these stories do come true. It happened when The Detroit Pistons won against the Los Angeles Lakers with no superstars, just role players. It happened with teamwork and defense of the Celtics’ in 2008.

So I hope it happens this NBA season, we all need the inspiration. Go Orlando! Go Spurs! Go Boston!

#1 – Atlanta Hawks

#2 – Phoenix Suns

#3 – Denver Nuggets

#4 – Houston Rockets

#5 – Boston Celtics

#6 – Cleveland Cavaliers

#7 – Los Angeles Lakers

#8 – Portland Trail Blazers

#9 – Orlando Magic

#10 – Dallas Mavericks

#11 – Miami Heat

#12 – Milwaukee Bucks

#13 – Chicago Bulls

#14 – Oklahoma City Thunder

#15 – San Antonio Spurs

#16 – Toronto Raptors

#17 – Detroit Pistons

#18 – Utah Jazz

#19 – Indiana Pacers

#20 – Sacramento Kings

#21 – Philadelphia 76ers

#22 – Los Angeles Clippers

#23 – Charlotte Bobcats

#24 – Washington Wizards

#25 – Golden State Warriors

#26 – Memphis Grizzlies

#27 – New Orleans Hornets

#28 – New Jersey Nets

#29 – Minnesota Timberwolves

#30 – New York Knicks

Check More At: MVN

Power Rankings II: http://basketballoutsider.wordpress.com/2009/11/10/power-rankings-ii/

12% of the season finished, 88% left. Plenty. Of. Time.

I want to stress very early on in this post that I am not freaking out. You are not freaking out. Well, you might be freaking out, but there is no need for you to be freaking out. It’s far too early to be freaking out. We are just a tad over 1/8 of the way through the season. A measly 12% through. Calm down, folks.

Yes we have dropped 2 games, but it really isn’t a big deal. Our loss column is filled with the number 3, but there is also the number 8 in the wins column. Only 1 team in the entire NBA has played more games than us (Portland), while some teams like Milwaukee and Indiana have played 8 and 7 games, respectively. We still have the 3rd best win % in the East.

Let’s also face this fact: out of the 3 teams that are responsible for handing the Celtics a loss, Atlanta is the only one that could push us in a 7 game series. Neither Phoenix nor Indiana could take us in 7 games: both teams were on fire and couldn’t miss– you can’t repeat those shooting nights over and over again. There is a difference between taking a team down during any given game and taking a team down 4 times out of a possible 7 chances. 7 game series are designed to allow the better team to prevail. The Celtics are better than the Suns and the Pacers. Case closed.

Why you should feel good:

• Boston is the only team with a double-digit positive point differential in the entire league at +10.2.
• The Celtics are 2nd in points allowed by opposing teams with 88.3 per game.
• On BasketballReference.com, the Celtics are ranked 1st in Pythagorean W-L (Pythagorean Wins; the formula is G * (Tm PTS14 / (Tm PTS14 + Opp PTS14))); ranked 2nd in SRS with a score of 7.95 (read the explanation here: http://www.pro-football-reference.com/blog/?p=37); and ranked 1st in BR’s team defense rating with a score of 97.8 (Defensive Rating (available since the 1977-78 season in the NBA; for players and teams it is points allowed per 100 possessions.)

We are a good team. We are designed to win a series, not every game. We are designed to win a series, not every game.
We have smart players and great coaches that have high basketball IQs: whatever is going wrong in a series, as long as we are healthy, we will rectify and fix.

But… of course, we did just drop 2 games to younger, more athletic teams.
Let’s see these 5 things as we move forward against the next 5 games: Golden State (Wed), Orlando (Fri), New York (Sun), Philly (Wed), and Tor (Fri) in the following week and a half.

Perk is a beast. The beast needs to close out the 4th.

• Keep rebounding. It’s pretty simple: the more boards a team gets, the less the opposing team gets. More rebounds = more possessions and more chances to score while at the same time taking away chances for the opposing team to score. We need to box out. We need to send 2 guys into crash the boards while sending the other 3 into transition.
• More Quisy. More Shelden. I want to see these 2 get a few more minutes: with Pierce banged up, I’m hoping we see more Quisy. His title, thus far in the young season, should be Mr. Efficiency. Everything he does is efficient, modest, controlled, and important. Quisy matters to this team as much as Posey mattered to the 2008 team. Quisy is the swingman we need to go deep in the spring. As for Shelden, he’s been Mr. Pleasant Surprise (self-explanatory).
• Perk closing the game. Perk is a Beast. Right? Right. Sheed is in a bit of a funk and I’d like to see him get a few more minutes in the middle of the game instead of the end; I want to see Perk close out the 4th. I’m choosing defense over offensive possibility. I’ll always choose defense over offensive possibility. If you have Perk in, he is guaranteed to play solid interior defense on every defensive possession. Not to say Sheed is a slouch on defense, because he has been great, but Perk can still jump. Perk can still box out stronger guys and do the dirty work underneath that he is genetically and athletically designed to do. Let him close out the quarter because it makes sense.
• Rondo needs to take 12 shots a game. While it was great to see him pushing to create for his teammates against Atlanta this past Friday, but we need to see him aggressively taking it to the hoop. We need floaters. We need lay ups. But more importantly, we need the opposing team’s defense to collapse on Rondo when he enters the paint. If he is going to get players better, clearer looks, the defense needs to bite on the possibility of him shooting/scoring so the other guys are free/open. Rondo will usually be pass-first, so it’s not like we are changing his game. We just need to see him take some more shots.
• Mix up the line-ups. I will have to stop saying this eventually, but for now, I’m still begging for it. I want some dynamic diversity in our line-ups: a speedy lineup, a big lineup, a mix of starters and reserves. Doc has a deep bench that can cause opposing teams major headaches if he is able to mix-in different lineups together. The Celtics are in the position to set the tone with lineups and make other teams match-up against us, as opposed to us having to match up against other teams like we had to do for much of last year.

So if there are 4 blue jerseys around Rondo... Hmm...

My hands are steady. There are 71 more games to play.
Settle in for the ride.

Article of the day: NBA Mate’s “David Andersen can shoot”