So let's see how the team meshes, and if Doc understands his rotations (not bloody likely.) -Al -Perk -Delonte -Tony Allen (who needs a nickname)
So far -The Celts are playing into Karl's hands by not taking care of the baskeball. -Carmelo Anthony is killing us. His combination of quick first step and mid range jumper isn't well suited to Wally's defense. -I went to Umass and I hate Marcus Camby almost as much as I hate Kenyon Martin. -I really, really hate Kenyon Martin. He's been all talk since his final season in Cincinnati. -I'd like to make more Ruben Patterson jokes, but he's really the best convicted sex offender in basketball. -Why in god's name are they playing a zone against Denver? A team that can't seem to miss a jump shot. -Paul Pierce is still playing well. -Kendrick Perkins is a huge plus inside. -I repeat, they cannot miss a jumper. -The Nugs are currently 21-30 shooting field goals. Nuff said.
Playing the Nuggets must be like getting into a slap fight with five beefy high school girls. It's their entire defense.
Bos vs. Den first half recap 58-56 Denver -The Celtics have come back from ten points down twice already. -No one is playing any defense at all. -Melo has already put up 26, he's missed one shot, a running three from near half-court. Maybe send a double, Doc? -Pierce has put up 20, despite being doubled every single time he gets within fifteen feet of the hoop. Ruben Patterson may be the Kobe-stopper, but he can't do s**t against Paul Pierce. -George Karl will be out in the first round of the playoffs. It's just what he does, sorry Denver fans. He was coaching the Sonics when they lost to Denver in that super first round upset, prepare to be on the other end of that one. -Kendrick has brought exactly what the Celts have been missing: that inside toughness. Four inside points and five rebounds. -Al Jefferson picked up a double team before it came...twice! He's also brought his usual tough inside moves. He's still coming out too far to get the ball. -The Celts remain in a piss-poor zone that accentuates Denver's offensive abilities. -Luckily, Denver is doing the same for us. -Wally remains cold, for what seems like the eightieth game in a row. I see him bringing a decent second half. -Gomes' minutes are taking a hit, as expected. -It's a bad night to be a white guy, as Raef can't hit anything, Wally can't hit the easy ones, and Brian Scalabrine hasn't played (thankfully.) -Delonte's jumper is a little rusty, but otherwise his game seems to have remained the same. -Tony Allen may be getting some confidence back. He's willing to take corner threes (How important were Eric Williams and Walter with that shot?) and he seems to be regaining some elevation and quickness. -I continue to like Orien Greene. He's a good bench point. If he learns to handle the press, he'll get even more minutes than he already does.
Doubles are finally coming at Carmelo Anthony. He's just getting more calls than Michael Jordan. -Wally is starting to hit the shots he needs to. -The Celts get much too excited on the break sometimes. -Fewer dumb passes. -This means Doc is actually coaching, which is good.
wow.......... What great clutch play by Pierce and Gomes... That was an excellent game. Just a huge win.
Can these Celtics be more fun to watch? -Paul Pierce brutally facialled Kenyon Martin. Kenyon looked really ripped while getting dunked on. You will see this replay. -Ryan Gomes then proceeded to own him. -If you didn't watch this Celtics game, find a replay and watch it. Paul Pierce is a god right now. Say what you want about Kobe Bryant, but there's nobody better in the clutch right now. -The team came together in the second half, with some really bad reffing and some really good coaching. (You never thought you'd hear me say it). George Karl failed to adapt to Doc's strategies. Add a strong dose of Paul Pierce, Ryan Gomes and real, honest to god team play. -Best wishes to Ref Luis Grillo, who may have blown out his knee during this game.
The biggest props go to Doc Rivers, who made the right adjustments after halftime. Doubled Melo, got the Celtics to use less clock on offensive possessions, and alerted them as to whom they couldn't let shoot jumpers in the zone.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting postpoint:</div><div class="quote_post">Kenyon Martin poses more than a lingerie model.</div> maybe the most overpaid player in the game right now...unless Vin Bakers contract hasnt expired yet... Perk and West looked good. Not great but good, its just great to see them back and not see Scal in there. Im very curious to see Perk, Al and Gomes all on the floor at the same time and if they can work together effectively. It feels like a big IF as Gomes reportedly struggled earlier in the season when they tried him at the 3 in practise. If they can though, you could be looking at the next great Celtics frontcourt and you may see them there for a long time.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting olskoolFunktitude:</div><div class="quote_post"> maybe the most overpaid player in the game right now...unless Vin Bakers contract hasnt expired yet... Perk and West looked good. Not great but good, its just great to see them back and not see Scal in there. Im very curious to see Perk, Al and Gomes all on the floor at the same time and if they can work together effectively. It feels like a big IF as Gomes reportedly struggled earlier in the season when they tried him at the 3 in practise. If they can though, you could be looking at the next great Celtics frontcourt and you may see them there for a long time.</div> 1. We are still paying Vin Baker right now. Yes, I know, he's an awful drunk. 2. Ditto. Seeing Perk play physically is good to see. Without him, we don't have much of a presence down there. Gomes is too small, Raef is soft, and Jefferson really hasn't played as strong as he did last year. He's tentative. 3. Not sure that's going to happen. Everyone seems to agree that Gomes really is a four. His only three skill is that mid-range jumper, and he mostly hits that on the baseline, which makes it a four skill. Otherwise they're just trying to use size to justify position. I think we're going to see more odd groupings out on the floor. Al at center sometimes, Perk other times, Al at PF sometimes, Gomes other times. Those three might only all appear on the floor if the Celts go big. Even then Wally might be out there at the three. Not sure what I think of that, but Doc is so terrible with rotations, that I have little doubt things will get confusing (granted he's been better when half his team is hurt and he doesn't have to worry about substituting skill for skill.)
that is true. its hard to trust Doc to come up with the best rotation. And your right that Gomes game really is that of a 4. that being the case, if the 3 of them cant all start and play together at the same time, than can all 3 really have a future with this team?
The big question. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting olskoolFunktitude:</div><div class="quote_post">that is true. its hard to trust Doc to come up with the best rotation. And your right that Gomes game really is that of a 4. that being the case, if the 3 of them cant all start and play together at the same time, than can all 3 really have a future with this team?</div> That's a good question. I couldn't tell you if they do or not. Gomes is good enough at the four to play off of the bench and bring solid numbers. Will that be what happens? It's hard to tell. Right now you have to start him because Al Jefferson is playing poor basketball. I think that the pressure may be getting to Al. He's playing frustrated. Perk is obviously a keeper, because if he ever learns real post moves, he's too strong to be stopped down there. I think that we're just going to have to trust Ainge and wait for it to shake out. We can't trust Doc to develop the rookies.
