New-Look C's Host Wizards In 07-08 Opener
by CelticBalla32 on Nov 2, 2007 11:02 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics Games
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Here it is, Celtics fans – the night we’ve all been waiting for. After a lengthy preseason that surprisingly bored most fans in the Boston area, the Celtics are finally set to open up the 2007-2008 regular season, as they host the Washington Wizards at the TD BankNorth Garden. Boston’s brand spankin’ new illustrious trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen will match up against Washington’s sometimes underestimated trio of Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler, and Antawn Jamison. If you like offense, make sure you don’t blink tonight.
The Celtics also have some extra motivation tonight, as Wizards star Gilbert Arenas guaranteed a victory over the C’s tonight. Arenas has always had somewhat of a vendetta going against the Celtics, after they passed on him in the 2001 NBA Draft even though they verbally guaranteed him a selection with one of their three first round draft picks. Because of that, Arenas has always tried to make it a point to light us up. Though he has succeeded on a few occasions, we’re a much different basketball team now. We’ll see if "Agent Zero" can put his money where his mouth is this time.
Projected Starting Lineups
C Brendan Haywood / Kendrick Perkins
PF Antawn Jamison / Kevin Garnett
SF Caron Butler / Paul Pierce
SG DeShawn Stevenson / Ray Allen
PG Gilbert Arenas / Rajon Rondo
Key Matchup: Caron Butler vs. Paul Pierce
Pierce may be a bit more talented and established of the two, but Caron Butler is not to be underestimated. In fact, he’s very similar to Pierce in many ways. Both are big swingmen, both are slashers, both can score inside as well as outside, they both attack the basket, they may be the top two rebounding swingmen in the league, and both are much bigger/stronger than they look on TV from a distance. Caron and The Truth have their work cut out for them tonight, on both ends of the floor.
Celtics X-Factor: Rajon Rondo
Last year in Washington, Rajon Rondo did a terrific job on Gilbert Arenas defensively. He absolutely harassed him, didn’t give him any clean looks, contested every move, and really took him out of his game. After Arenas’ so-called "guarantee," the Celtics would like to see nothing more than for Rondo to shut him down again. Arenas has the size advantage, so this isn’t going to be a cake-walk for Rondo, but if he can at least contain Arenas and keep him away from that 30-point mark, the Celtics should be a decent shape.
Extra Notes
- James Posey will not be in uniform for the opener, as he is serving a one-game suspension warrented to him for DUI charges.
Celtics Keys to the Game
- Ball Movement
- D Up
- Soak In the Atmosphere
- Make Gilbert Eat His Words
Let’s start this thing off with a "W," eh?
Washington Wizards @ Boston Celtics
Friday, November 2, 2007 – 8:00 pm ET
TD BankNorth Garden (Boston, MA)
Game aired on ESPN & CSN
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James Posey will not be in uniform for the opener, as he is serving a one-game suspension warrented to him for DUI charges.
Posey won’t even be in the building… Bummer!
by BleedinGreen417 on Nov 2, 2007 12:56 PM EDT reply actions
Master Po: There’s a documentary on tonight at 8 o’clock on ESPN Classic about the Lakers dynasty. Could you please watch it and write a report for us for tomorrow’s blog? We’ll let you know how the game went.
by halfman/halfoyster on Nov 2, 2007 1:02 PM EDT reply actions
I am glad that Arenas said something. I was getting worried. Had he kept quiet, there would be more motivation for the Wizards to make up for their season opening loss to Indiana and avoid an 0-2 start. While I feel that the high expectations for the Celtics might have them playing “not to lose” rather than playing to win. Now it’s more about proving Arenas wrong. It’s not good making KG, PP, and RA play with a chip on their shoulder. Wizards will find that out tonight.
I just want to say that “Wizards” is the gayest name for a sports team currently in use. (The gayest ever in history was Virginia Tech who were for most of their history known as the "Gobblers"). I agree with the blog name, they should always be the Bullets. I think blogs and reporters all over America should refuse to call them by that rediculous name and only refer to them as the Bullets.
by JohnCK on Nov 2, 2007 2:10 PM EDT reply actions
I’m so geeked up I can’t concentrate. I’ll be in attendance tonight in Loge 10. Seriously, when is the last time the Celtics entered the season with title hopes?
On the downside, I read that the Celtics will be distributing 20,000 “Rally Towels” tonight. Please, oh PLEASE let them be GREEN. I just got done giving Indian and Rockies fans crap for waiving white flags… err…. towels at their games.
In closing, if you’re going to the game tonight, bring it. Let the players and ownership know this is a new era. Welcome to the Jungle, indeed.
After a lengthy preseason that surprisingly bored most fans in the Boston area
Nice sweeping generalization, I seem to remember the preseason home games being sold out as well as more media hype and attention on the Celtics than anything since Bird and co were still walking through that door.
I hope that was supposed to be sarcasm . . . :-\
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Did the Cs make some roster changes this summer?
by The Real Large James on Nov 2, 2007 3:54 PM EDT reply actions
I luv Waltah!!!! (Man am I glad I don’t have to listen to that gahbidge anymore)
by The Real Large James on Nov 2, 2007 6:12 PM EDT reply actions
Is anyone else put off by the blog named “Wizznuts?”
by The Real Large James on Nov 2, 2007 6:12 PM EDT reply actions
Memo to Gilbert Arenas:
Shut up. Gahnett is your daddy.
TIA.
CoachA
by CoachA on Nov 2, 2007 9:41 PM EDT reply actions
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