Winning this game would be great, but it's very unlikely. Billups, Prince, Rip, and the Wallaces are too much for us to handle at this point. I personally will be focusing more on the individual players such as West, Greene, Gomes, and Al. This is big time competition, so we'll see what they're made of right now.
Why Scalabrine instead of Gomes? I don't get it. We've had trouble scoring so far, but the best part of this game is that the D is really rising to the occasion. We may have under 45 with a minute to go in the half, but they have even fewer, so I can't help but be optimistic as to the outcome of this game. I think the question is: whose defense tires first? Since the Pistons have been doing this for so long, I have to say the C's, but they look good. The refs have been all about offensive fouls today, and it's been infuriating. Just some terrible calls. Oh well.
Is it just me or are the Celtics outrunning, outhustling, outdefending AND outrebounding the Pistons? Hope it continues for the second half. One.
Up 5 at the half. I have to say I'm really impressed with the C's so far this year. All the things that used to keep us from winning games are now the things that we're really good at. Defense, hustle, shot blocking, rebounding, and offensive rebounding. We haven't even been shooting well and we're up 5 against the Pistons. On Gomes, I need to know why he hasn't been playing. The 2nd unit had trouble scoring, again... If he was out there, he would help out with that big time.
First Half Well. That was invigorating. Cousy was right, I haven't seen a Celts team play this hard in a very long time. I'm still confused by the second coming of Mark Blount. So far he's done everything that you could ask for from this team's center. Delonte West continues to impress. I loved Orien Greene in the preseason, but can you really argue with this kind of production, combined with real defense. Don't know what to say about Ryan Gomes. He is a good scorer and he hustles. Ainge could be leaning on Doc to play the scourge that is Scalabrine. There's a lot of money invested there. What if all games were called the way this one is? Is Steve Javie in the house? I believe that he is. It doesn't get any more fun to watch than this. I love it. More, more, more.
Ok, and that kills it. Hamilton hits it with 0.8 left....Pistons win. I can't believe that just happened.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting postpoint:</div><div class="quote_post">Greatest game I've seen in awhile. Doc Rivers sucks.</div>Yeah, don't guard that inbounds passer...and while you're at it, leave Ricky alone on Rip.
damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn! Damn!
Rip has been playing great so far, I can see him averaging at least 21 a game this year. That was amazing ending on what was a terrible Piston performance.
Wrong! <div class="quote_poster">Quoting AllNet:</div><div class="quote_post">Rip has been playing great so far, I can see him averaging at least 21 a game this year. That was amazing ending on what was a terrible Piston performance.</div> It wasn't a terrible Piston performance....it WAS a great Celtic performance. They outhustled, outran, outrebounded, outpassed and outplayed the Pistons in almost every facet of the game....but they did end up with the L. One.
I can't believe this garbage. That was all Doc's fault. Is there ever going to be a time when he learns from mistakes? Oh well, I guess I've seen worse, but talk about getting your heart ripped out. It's the ghost of Reggie Miller, come back to haunt me.
In a less angry tone. I cannot say enough about how great this win was for the celtics. I mean, I haven't seen a team play that hard in a long, long time. It all speaks to Doc Rivers abilities as a motivator. Whether Paul is the heart of the team, or he's playing his value up for a trade, I don't care, I still love to watch him play. That was vintage Pierce. The whole game, I felt like this team can do anything, beat anybody on any given night. Oh wait, they didn't win? A scenario: Imagine that you are the New York Knicks, playing the Pacers in both of your respective primes. You are Pat Riley. There is less than a second left on the clock. Pacers ball on your end of the floor. What shot do you prepare for? Rik Smits in the post? There is no time for the pass. Do you prepare for the screen? Yes you do. The best off screen shooter in the history of the game is going to be hooking someone, somewhere. Reggie Miller must be well-defended. You are Doc Rivers, you tell your players to give up the lob, and to defend shots down low. You lose because you don't remember that there is a mid range shot, and no one hits it better than Richard Hamilton. In essence you had your players defend the Wallaces in the post and Tayshaun Prince's thirty two footer. I hate to beat a dead horse, but C'mon! Mark Blount is a real center, he's going to give coaches a headache all year long with that jumper. Delonte West is legit, nothing else we can say. The bench also appears to be miles deep. On the other side of the coin: Games like this are a huge experience builder for young players. In fact, the loss may be better. I know this sounds crazy, but beating a team that important can give a player, especially a young one, a big head. This team won't do anything with arrogant players. Ricky still needs to manage the ball better. He may have had a lot of assists, and that speaks to some ability, but he doesn't know when to pass and when to shoot. I hope it's this much fun to watch all year long.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting GrnDynsty:</div><div class="quote_post">It wasn't a terrible Piston performance....it WAS a great Celtic performance. They outhustled, outran, outrebounded, outpassed and outplayed the Pistons in almost every facet of the game....but they did end up with the L. One.</div> Celtics played well but It was clear as day that the Pistons played terrible and for some reason didn't give the Celtics any respect. This should of been a double fiqure Piston win but for some reason couldn't quite step up a gear. Billups was off, so was Prince and Sheed only just managed to get things going late on. Certainly not a performance to be proud of. Rip carried the team. The Pistons main problem last year was slacking off and not taking the lower tier teams seriously. Under Flip I expected that to change. Maybe this game will be a wake-up call.
Damn, that was a crazy shot..It sucks for Celtics fans though, Pistons didn't really deserve that game. And by the way, when did Delonte West become a friggn block machine?
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CRM2K4:</div><div class="quote_post">Damn, that was a crazy shot..It sucks for Celtics fans though, Pistons didn't really deserve that game. And by the way, when did Delonte West become a friggn block machine?</div> I was wondering that myself. His defensive play has been so strong, Billups had an especially hard time with him last night. Another great game, this time we just got the short end of the stick. Charlotte here we come.
I agree, the Pistons didn't seem ready for the young Celtic attack. But I don't necessarily think the Pistons played terrible. It was a great game, win or lose, the C's showed a lot of heart and talent. But I have to admit it was upsetting seeing Hamilton's shot go down with .8 seconds left, I really thought the Celtics had this one. I just don't understand why Doc didn't have Perk cover that inbound pass, it was obvious they were looking to get the ball to their best shooter and what a shot that was. Pierce had a great game, but to me Blount really stuck out last night. He was doing everything, and the emotion he was showing throughout the entire game was a good sign. Overall: Great Game, I'm really impressed with the Celts. Just wish the outcome was a little better
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting CeltixQueen:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm really impressed with the Celts. Just wish the outcome was a little better </div> That would be nice, I agree, but think of the experience this gives the youngsters. How many times do you get to see a shot like that? And not only that, but is there a more plain example of the adage "no lead is safe?" No matter how prepared (or in Doc's case unprepared) you are for a situation, there is always a variable that could make your game-planning go to nothing. Now what they need to do is take that with them into Charlotte (and into the future) and learn to hit those dagger shots. Blount obviously can't be counted on to hit them time and again, so we need the opportunity to spread the ball around and see who can do what on offense. Great game, and we'll get 'em next time.
