Sloppy Seconds
by Jeff Clark on Oct 10, 2007 7:59 PM EDT
in Boston Celtics Games
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I thought this game was going to be about Kevin Garnett and Al Jefferson. Instead it was about Ray Allen and Ricky Davis. Both were hot early on, but Davis cooled off in the second half and Ray Allen simply didn’t. Glad to see Ray step up and say "I can take over a game too."
Garnett, while quiet in terms of scoring, was still all over the court. In fact, at one point he was diving on the court for a loose ball. Not sure how many superstars do that in their second preseason game.
Overall, however, this was a very sloppy game, which is more in line with what I would normally expect in the preseason. I think everyone was geeked up for the Raptors game because it was the first time out and everyone was really focused on making each other look good. This game saw a lot more turnovers, missed assignments, and bad communication. Case in point, Garnett pulled the ball out of the basket and went to inbound it to Rondo who was already darting across the lane in the opposite direction that KG passed it to. Turnover. Basically this is stuff that happens when you have lots of new teammates.
With that said, the team did go on a run at the end of the 2nd half that made me smile. You see, this is what good teams do. All NBA teams are going to be able to go back and forth and match baskets for much of the game. Good teams pick their spots and just start rolling for a stretch. Two or three minutes later a 2 point game becomes a 12 point game and they go back to trading baskets, but the game is already under control. This is how I see the Celtics winning a lot of games this year.
I also enjoyed seeing the Celtics continue to look for the extra pass. Pierce had a look at a 3 pointer that he would have shot ten times out of ten, but he saw Ray Allen in the corner and passed it to him for an easy 3. Garnett is one of the best passing big men I’ve ever seen and Perkins is very, very good himself.
My favorite play of the game involved 3 good, quick passes. Perkins started it with an entry pass from the top of the key to Garnett at the free throw line. KG half turned and found Rondo sneaking along the baseline behind the defense. Instead of going up into the trees he found Ray Allen wide on the wing beyond the arch. Swish. Just a fun play to watch.
In fact, you see Perkins starting the offense quite often from the top of the key. Is he the backup point guard I’ve been looking for? Hmmm.
On the other side, it was nice to see some old teammates once again. And of course it was nice to look at them and for the most part think "I’m glad we don’t have those problems anymore." Gerald Green is going to need to be a volume shooter to be effective because I think he needs that rhythm like Ricky Davis does. Telfair was nothing special. Gomes was pretty quiet. Ratliff had more of a pulse than we’ve seen in a year, but he’s about 5 to 6 games away from another season ending injury.
And of course, they just didn’t get the ball to Al Jefferson enough. Or as the immortal Hubie Brown put it: "Please give the man the look, because he can finish the basket." Preach on Skeletor.
Not a pretty game to watch, but it was a learning experience. Now let’s get the team back to the states and get back to work.
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Jefferson didn’t get the ball much because the Timberwolves didn’t clear out the middle to isolate Jefferson one on one. The middle was fortunately congested due to the presence of Wolves in the paint along with our defenders. Otherwise, Jefferson could have done some damage.
Jefferson is beginning to time his blocks perfectly as Batista and others found out. His success will depend alot on the Wolves devising an offensive scheme that gives Jefferson room to operate.
by moskqq on Oct 10, 2007 8:58 PM EDT reply actions
moskqq – you kinda had the Perk thing wrong did you not? at leat today anyway. Give the guy some props, he played a solid game and looked quick and you should step up and give the man some props.8)
Jeff , nice recap. I now have a KG man crush. The block on Juan Howard was nice.
BB has skills but he is trying too hard. Batista needs work. I have to admit Scali looked better. He refuses to rebound but he did look better.
PP has some adjusting to do in not needing to be the hero – so far so good.
I am shocked how few comments there are on the board at this time of year. This summer there would be like eighty to one hundred a thread, and now there are only a couple each time. whats up? Where are all the fans?
by jurrasic earl on Oct 10, 2007 9:39 PM EDT reply actions
Perk wasn’t quite a point guard, although he sure looked like one on that drive and dish to KG! As others here and I have been saying, Doc’s non-existent system ;) runs through the 2 bigs who start at the high post, looking for Pierce ducking in from the wing, and if not available, freeing he and Allen with cross and down screens. In the halfcourt, we are not reliant on the drive and dish qualities of a protypical point guard.
TEAM basketball is so fun to watch, everyone looking to make the right play, find the open man, nobody caring how many looks they get, this will only get better.
Jeff, I always give you nothing but props and that is not a good thing, so how about this. I cannot believe the title of this article and did not appreciate your vulgar use of the word “geek”. However, other than the fact that your assessment of the game was somewhat narrow, shallow and warped, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep up the good work! ;D
I missed the game. How did Rondo look leading the charge? Did I read Master Po going easy on Scal? Pretty soon Iowa Schoolboy will reverse field on Doc. Even Brickowski must have finally done it – gone to the Raptors. You guys are afraid KG will read this site and kick your A** for dissing his boys. I love that guy already.
so so game but we won it so easy. the thing i noticed was the intensity and coaching from the bench of thibedoux (sp?). they played defense. minnie wasn’t that hard to defend because they didn’t feature big al, but our d effort was there.batista was nothing special but i would take him over ratliff in a second. he looks like he could be a hair better on offense than perk, but not close on d. he can take up space on the boards. the ex c’s except mr. davis in the first half showed little and the wolves looked like last year’s losing celtics.
i’m guessing that a lot of people are lurking that might be have been posting in years past. because if you havent been able to see the team play yet via leaguepass or whatever then youre probably sitting on your hands, excitedly reading first-hand accounts and trying to imagine what the new-look celts actually look like. at least that what i’m doing!! its not really a posting kind of mood—its more like fantasizing.
I heard the announcers talking about Minny, all the players and the lack of spots, etc. I’m glad we don’t have to go through that crapola again.
by docextension on Oct 10, 2007 11:37 PM EDT reply actions
Its preseason; they are winning; the bonding is going good;players 6-15 are playing well. waiting for the war to start on 11/2. My Thoughts on teh game today was simple look at what we tried to win with last year. I can’t believe we (myself included) expected those guys to win NBA basketball Games, buy we did.
by Freeease1 on Oct 10, 2007 11:45 PM EDT reply actions
I predicted a 10 pt W this morning it was actually 11. I wish I was in Vegas for a serious sports bet winning opportunity.
I know after last year’s schellacking many are gun shy. I was one of the minority that predicted last year this team would not win 40 games and a vast majority thought we would 40 .
I am here to tell you, it is okay to be optimistic this year, 58W regular season. The kool-aid is safe to drink. If you need about 10 to 15 regular season games to get over the jitters fine, but the kool aid will be chilled and waiting.
Boston Red Sox fans showed the same symptoms for years, even tried to make up this phoney baloney curse.
I’m hear to kick the damn door down and tell you we are on our way to the NBA Finals this year. I have a bottle of champagne already purchased and chilled in the back of the fridge. I’m popping that cork after W number 58, coming back on this site and telling you I told you so.
by docextension on Oct 10, 2007 11:47 PM EDT reply actions
I don’t miss the former young Celtics. It looked kinda creepy seeing them in their Minny uniforms. Even Big Al as I knew he had to be part of the deal to make KG happen was not as painful to see as I anticipated. Of course if Al dropped 20/15 on us maybe my mood changes.
My thoughts are with the new and current Cs. I know Minny for at least the next few years will struggle. My fear for Al is that Minny never gets that big star (like I think a guy like Aldridge will be, Durant, healthy Oden, etc) to compliment Big Al. I can see Big Al having a good almost KG like career over at Minny after he signs his long extension.
I know Foye is very decent, Brewer has potential, Gerald I’ve given up on, McCants is decent, Gomes a good role guy, etc. I know Minny has draft picks, salary cap room, etc. I see Minny being mediocre in several years but I’m skeptical they can pull off a Big 3 like Danny did this year for Al in the future.
Others may think Minny may be the Suns or Mavs of the future and I know in 5 or 6 years it will all play out. I just think Minny is in for some disappointment beyond the next few sluggish years.
by docextension on Oct 11, 2007 12:02 AM EDT reply actions
I got one last comment and then time to turn in. I know some Celtic bashers are saying we can’t win even 50 games with Doc.
Have you ever watched one of those Sports Blooper shows where the jockey falls off the horse midway through yet the horse on his own finishes and wins the race anyway?
If you turn up the volume you will hear the announcer make the call, around the turn Big 3 comes leading by 8 lengths and jockeyless Big 3 wins going away, Pistons place, Bulls show.
by docextension on Oct 11, 2007 12:18 AM EDT reply actions
Minnesota is a rudderless ship, Ricky Davis is their leader now? Frightening. The NBA is not an AAU tournament or Vegas Summer League where it can be fun to assess young guys and their “upside”, NBA games and championships are won by established, veteran, men. The Wolves look eerily similar to what we witnessed here last year, just insert Davis into the Pierce role, obviously a downgrade. By the way, where was our pal Blount? It just wasn’t the same only watching KG blow by big Al, I was hoping to see Perk flush one on Skippy too.
“but he’s about 5 to 6 games away from another season ending injury.”
Classic line Jeff. Well done.
by Mr Freeze on Oct 11, 2007 1:15 AM EDT reply actions
If there’s one thing Perk has that could differentiate him and elevate him, it’s his passing. He’s not a very big guy, as NBA centers go, not tremendously gifted offensively, but he can deliver the ball. It’s a rare skill that can make an otherwise so-so center valuable, especially when he’s surrounded by good scorers.
Wildblue, What is there to reverse on Rivers? They beat a team most people in this blog think they should have beat by 50….by 11? In a game where it looked like Minny could have cared less whether they won or lost.
I’ll do an about face on Rivers when in meaningful games his team play consistent real defense. When in crunch time, he makes coaching decisions that don’t defy logic….or percentages. And when he implements rotations which make sense…and actually leaves a team making a run in the game to finish an opponent. This team might sniff 50 wins if Rivers does those things…..But he won’t. Unfortunately, we have an AAU/Vegas summer league coach. For the last 3 years, the jockey can’t find the stable….let alone ride the horse. But a team needs a jockey in the playoffs, docextension…unless you want Garnett to be a player/coach.
Without a backup PG, this team should win 53 games. With, 55.
If Rivers is on top of his game, they’ll win 48. If Rivers is Rivers, they’ll win 45.
I absolutely love to see how Perk and Garnett are working offensively. This team, in spite of Rivers, is going to be ridiculously fun to watch.
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