38.9% vs. 31.5%
by hankfinkel on Apr 4, 2007 10:59 PM EDT
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PrintWe are 95.2% certain that at least 85.7% of you who have spent at least 1.71 days on CelticsBlog in the last 3.11 months will recognize the significance of the percentages in the title. When the game tipped of at 8:09pm tonight, the battle for lottery odds for the top 2 picks in the 2007 draft - expected to be 7' 3/8" Greg Oden (15.7 pts, 9.6 reb, 3.3 blk) and 6' 9.74" Kevin Durant (25.8pts, 11 reb, 1.9blk) - was on. Early reports that Michael Redd was 95.5% likely to play proved 100% incorrect, while Al Jefferson was 99.9% likely to sit this one out (which proved accurate). For our part, we were 100% psyched to watch an epic tankfest in action. Yeah, sure we were.
Charlie Bell, Ruben Patterson, Earl Boykins, Ersan Ilyasova and Dan Gadzuric started the game against Rajon Rondo, Delonte West, Gerald Green, Ryan Gomes, and Kendrick Perkins in this summer league tilt. {styleboxjp width=250px,float=right,color=grey,textcolor=black,echo=yes}What? You’re kidding me? This game counts? Well, most of the first quarter was like watching the 1919 World Series and being in on the fix.{/styleboxjp} Players were not just not covering guys, but were blatantly running away from players going to the basket. No kidding. The most entertaining aspect of this quarter was listening to Donny Marshall exaggerate his pro career. Who is Jared Reiner? Perk just schooled him in the post. Enough said. First quarter ends 25-21 Bucks. We’re speechless and feel vaguely dirty. We’d rather be watching Joakim Noah dance.
Brand-spanking new Celtic Kevinn Pinkney grabbed an offensive rebound on the first play of the second quarter, and on the second possession raced down the court and got a dunk and one on a pass from Allan Ray. Tommy gave him a point and an “I love Kevinnâ€! Players seemed to move at will on the court throughout the quarter. Ray weaved through the defense like Tiny Archibald. The lead changed hands about 117 times, looking like the game was being played for the last possession and the honor of getting to throw an air ball. We’re well aware that game stories usually have more description and analysis, but this game was really beyond such higher cognitive processes. Pinkney apparently did not get the memo when he signed his 10-day contract: he scores 11 points in 7 minutes in the quarter. Pinkney isn’t even in the NBA.com box score at this point. Without his 11 points, it looks like the Cs are down big. Over at ESPN, his position is listed as IR. Pinkney promptly goes to the bench after his last basket in favor of Perk, who immediately throws an air ball from 2 feet away. This substitution may go down as Doc’s finest coaching moment of the season. Halftime: 53-52 Bucks. This better be over by Lost.
At the start of the second half, Pinkney makes the NBA.com box score, and Delonte goes to his right hand on a drive! Sure, he sprained his ankle doing so (and hobbled off to the dressing room 4 minutes later), but the ball touched his right hand! Look for footage on ESPN later. {styleboxjp width=200px,float=left,color=yellow,textcolor=black,echo=yes}“Sebastian Telfair has now come into the game without his headband.†This is an actual Mike Gorman quote.{/styleboxjp} You really gotta wonder what he and Tommy are thinking here. Earl Boykins appears to be looking to set a Bucks single game scoring record. The Bucks quickly erase a small Celtics lead, and go up 73-67 with 4:32 left in the third quarter. We’re pretty sure that the home crowd (and we use the word “crowd†loosely) booed at this point. Mike Gorman goes to commercial with “Bucks surge ahead of the Celtics†without even a touch of irony in his voice. Ladies and gentlemen, that is a professional. Players run up and down the court for the rest of the quarter, and seem to be scoring points. Pinkney hits a jumper, Rondo doesn’t, Boykins has 30 points at the end of the quarter. Bucks up 79-72 at the end of the third. Fourteen minutes until Lost.
We’ll call this the Lost quarter. We’re sorry, but we’re supposed to miss Kate and Juliet handcuffed together running through the jungle mud-splattered during a rain storm for this? We trust that you’ll understand if our reporting of the fourth is a bit spottier than usual. We’ve agreed to tag-team between commercials, so at least one pair of eyes is on the game at all times. Right Hank? Hank?
Fortunately, the fourth quarter continues to be a lackluster affair. The Bucks and Celts continue their game of hot potato while Donny Marshall starts channeling Allen Iverson: “Shootaround? You’re talking about a shootaround?†Allan Ray makes a three pointer. What’s up with the threes tonight? Gomes, who has attempted only eight threes all year, is shooting them like they’re his specialty. He’s attempted five tonight (and made three of them, darn him). Even Rondo shot a three. Apparently Sawyer’s being voted off the island (it’s a timeout! I swear!). Leon Powe just fouled out of the game. Let me repeat that: Leon Powe fouled out. I swear we’re not making this stuff up. Kate just woke up handcuffed to Juliet. Question: if you have five players on the court and they all physically shrink away from the rebound, is David Stern preparing to dial the phone?
{styleboxjp width=210px,float=right,color=maroon,textcolor=white,echo=yes} Final: Celtics lose solidly, 89-98.{/styleboxjp} You’ve got to give it to them. They just wanted it more. The Cs shoot a resounding 37.4% and commit 15 turnovers. Quite an achievement when no one is playing defense.
We are 98.6% certain that was one of the worst exhibitions of competitive spirit and basketball competence that we have ever seen. But, hey - we’re one step closer to Oden (or Durant, pick your sweet poison). Learn to love the tank, embroider 38.9% on a pillow, and get some sleep. It’s going to be a long couple weeks.
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how bout that put back from rondo!!! it was worth watching the whole game just for that play
by Matty Free on Apr 5, 2007 1:23 AM EDT reply actions
Great article by, of all people, Steve Kerr!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=sk-lottery040407&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
by Dino, Alla and Stojko on Apr 5, 2007 6:36 AM EDT reply actions
While the game was as described, I was impressed with Kevinn Pinkney, especially his well executed movement around the basket. One must remeber that Kevinn had absolutely no time to get acqainted with his teammates yet did a respectable job making his presence felt.
At 6’10" we could use his help in the paint, especially if he develops a rebounding penchant to complement his offensive game. He does know how to finish on moves to the basket without “winding-up” before making his move (ala Perk). His performance could just be a “flash-in-the-pan” considering the Buck’s “stellar” defense, but his nomination as the “player of the game” (i.e., Tommy) was well deserved!
by moskqq on Apr 5, 2007 7:20 AM EDT reply actions
In view of his impressive debut, it’s regrettable that few noticed that Pinkney hurt his knee (or maybe his elbow??) and would only be available for spot duty the remainder of the season (especially if he continues to impress). Whew! THAT was a close call, for a minute I thought that we had LOST the services of Telfair!
by moskqq on Apr 5, 2007 7:35 AM EDT reply actions
best blog game recap in a long while. well done
by Ball Dont Lie on Apr 5, 2007 8:53 AM EDT reply actions
I thought it was AWESOME. All these teams are tanking like mad. Aldridge out with “dizziness”? LOL..
by JHTruth on Apr 5, 2007 9:05 AM EDT reply actions
Get the ball to Telfair!!!! Post up Perk!!!!! Gomes for three!!!!! That was stellar.
I had watched Telfair play with the Blazers on league pass last year. thought he was coming to Beantown to stick it to his critics. Wow. I say in two years, he’s hanging with Kedrick Brown. Is he getting pudgy or lifting lots of weights??
Kerr is right, of course. Oden is one of those special big men that don’t come along too often. That’s why all this tanking is justified, in my eyes. You have to be lucky, but more ping pong balls certainly increase your luck.
by obnoxiousmime on Apr 5, 2007 9:21 AM EDT reply actions
That recap was 87% more entertaining than Hank’s usual work, which is usually 83% more entertaining than what I read in the mainstream media. I’m anxiously awaiting the Bucks/Cs rematch next week. It will be tough to top the Bucks shutting down Brian Skinner with an “ear infection.”
Maybe Ryan Gomes will get a hangnail.
by TripleOT on Apr 5, 2007 10:53 AM EDT reply actions
mcpu40 – I want Jeff back too! He does all of this so well. We’re just muddling along until his return. Bob’s keeping it going beautifully though, even taking time to defend his guest writers!
We knew this wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but with such an uninspiring game we tried to go a dfferent route to keep ourselves sane. Sorry it missed your funny bone. Yeah, that first paragraph was a little over the top and dense, but we went for it: don’t really blame you for being annoyed.
Gotta agree with above comments. Pinckney is not going to be a stud in the Nba, not even close. What you have is a guy who wasn’t on any radars but was in game shape because of his time in the d league.
Doc in my opinion, should look at one of these coaching vacancies that are popping up. Doc is a great teacher but not the best x’s and o’s guy. College does not necessarily need the strategies as much as the pros and it a shorter season. He is great with kids as he has proven to us. I think he would excel at Kentucky and it would be an excuse to fire him if the brass decide to take that route.
Oden will announce in two weeks that he is coming out in my opinion and luck has it that Rick Barnes will be offered the Kentucky position. I’m sure you all watch Espn as well. If Barnes even gives the slightest inclination he would consider Kentucky consider Durant a lock for the draft. Its good that Jefferson and Pierce are out because I want 1 of the 2 top picks. I don’t want Durant i would trade him to the West coast. I just don’t think he would fit in our system.
“Strange days have found us/ Strange days have tracked us down/”…Is it possible that Telfair is the only Celtic that actually gets it?…Nah!…He’s just wasted; but remember that getting him probably is the reason we are in this Wayne’s World type end of season with our M1A1’s pointed directly at Columbus and Austin…
But, “It’s hard, and it’s hard, ain’t it hard, Great God!”
mcpu40 – No apologies necessary. If we are going to write we have to be able to take criticism (and I hear you about that first graph!). Yeah, this season has been painful for all, and with all the injuries it’s just hard to watch this. Sports are suppose to be an escape when jobs, relationships, etc. aren’t at their best, and this has been no enjoyable escape this season. Let’s hope next season is much better.
Have a good Easter as well.
This blog is getting bizarro w/o Jeff
Have to agree with you there, mcpu40. We’re pretty sure that Jeff is going to get back Monday, see what’s been going on in his absence and banish us all from his site.
And just kidding about that hex, of course. Hank’s right. There’s no way that you’re going to amuse all of the people all of the time. When you throw something out there, you just hope that somebody likes it (and some days even that’s a stretch).
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