McMallum On The Celtics

Sounds like solid analysis to me.

Perk’s “gathering” drives me about as crazy as the blitzing “defense” did the previous 3 years. The thing I’ve had the hardest time with concerning Rivers is that bad habits with his young players appear to never be broken. Perk seems to learn well. There should be drills to remedy the “gathering” issue.

The last time Paul played any consistent defense prior to this season was for Carroll. Along with the rest of the team the previous 3 seasons, defensive intensity was an oxymorn. Absolutely accurate that it must be a major adjustment for him to play both ends of the court. I think Paul has been the consumate teammate this season but he does look tired at times. Paul has to have made the biggest adjustment by far for this to work. Garnett has made little, if any. This is the player he’s always been. Ray has had to adjust to inconsistent looks for the first time.

I think most of his comments are well founded, but he didnt provide a conclusion to how this would or should play out. He is definitely right on the money about the team still learning each other.

For a while there it looked like Paul would be the last shot guy, but maybe not. This is where all the Doc Rivers haters should chime in and say the coach is the one to decide and it needs to be based on match ups on a given night. This way he can be blamed when the shots dont fall.

As to being ‘gassed’, I think that is more of an emotional state not unlike a runner who starts out ‘too fast’ and has yet to find his stride part of the way through the race. We still could use a couple of quality back ups at center and PG but how long to find them a role and work them into the rotation? 8)

This writer did not mention that Scot Pollard lives on “Planet Pollard” and when he’s not in the game he’s working as a doorman at a Boston hotel to pick up extra money. When Doc wants him in the game he calls him on his cell and Pollard gets rid of his doorman’s coat and hat (he wears his Celtic uniform underneath) and rushes over to the Garden. When this secret was revealed it was also revealed that Pollard received a $1.00 tip of which the IRS was quick to get it’s take

Also, let’s not over analyze this team. It will take care of itself and be ready when needed.

People seem to give Garnett a pass because he is so likable and has such a hard working rep, but he is grabbing 7.5 rebounds per game in January after 11.8 per in November. We have to have him go back to being the dominant player on the glass he has always been.

As for the last shot guy, it’s so much harder to stop an offense than it is a single guy going one on one. It’s stupid for us to go to one guy when you have three great options.

I agree the whole team looks tired, either emotionally or physically except for Ray Allen who had some time off. I think when Rondo comes back he’ll bring all kinds of energy.

It is a catch all, Roy. Th kind of generalized statement that isn’t actually based on anything concrete. Rondo is a “poor decision maker” because he is a second year point guard, and is an easy target for such criticism. That his own personal stats, like the fact that he gets 7 assists for every bad pass he makes (behind only to CP3 and Calderon in the league) point to him being very far from that have no bearing on this guy’s statements. That the Celtics offense, by design, takes the ball out his hands isn’t a factor either. A simple blanket statement that supposedly describes a problem of the team. Pathetic reporting if you ask me.

It is worrisome that this team is tired this early in the season.

It’s not. San Antonio are tired at this point every year according to everyone. It’s worrisome if they can’t come out of the All-Star break with some new energy. Now it’s just the way the season is, it’s that time of the year where you’re play drops off some for awhile.

we’ve got the talent & defense, now we need to upgrade experience at point & center..Damon & PJ will do…

The Celtics have tried and delivered good basketball, passing basketball, defensive basketball and want to win every game. They tried so hard they are getting tired and when you play hard both ways on the court you will get tired. Mentally you make more mistakes, your shots come up short, you free throw percentage and 3 point shots percentages go down. You might not box out for a rebound. I just think the rest of the way they have to be aware of this. You want to come into the playoffs fresh and we haven’t reached the all star break yet. Gabe, Big Baby, Leon, Scal, Scott, Tony, James, Eddie, 2 empty roster spots add a few minutes per game per player and the starting 5 will be more rested.

i apologize for changing the subject, but i don’ know where to put this post. i just watched the cavs beat san antone by 2 points- and if you didn’t see the game, don’t believe the papers. the refs absolutely let lebron run at will. he can charge and they don’t call it. he can move into a player with the ball and they call a charge on the spur. i have not seen a more biased called game in any c’s telecast. watch out c’s for the cavs. mr untouchable will have a clear path. the spurs also did not pay any attention to varajao, and he gets every rebound. do not play off him to go after lebron- he’ll gobble up the miss.

I agree wholeheartedly with nazzbo regarding James and the Cavs. The Pistons, Celtics and anyone else will have to absolutely slaughter Cleveland in order to win a series. The NBA looks like it is determined to get James back to the finals. Perhaps they should investigate themselves while they are busy throwing Tim Donaghy under the bus.

in what way has rondo showed himself to be a qoute “poor decision maker”

hes no steve nash, but he generaly makes alot of real nice plays a night, and already knows how to get his teamates involved.

noy bad for a kid with barley over 50 starts in his NBA career.

Rondo isnt the problem, the lack of anyone to run the offense when rondo hits the bench is the problem. ive had zero problems with rajon this year, in fact he’s been impressing the hell out of me with his rapid growth.

hes not an elite PG by any means yet, but hes going to be. My only wish for this season would be to be able to toss him into a time machine for 3-4 seasons, then bring him back for this year heh.

A decent article, but yes. C’s do need a capable vet at backup pg. Cassell is REALLY old, so I don’t know if he’s an option. Somebody.

Yeah, Nazzbo I watched the Spurs/Cavs. The refs let the Cavs have that game. Parker got hacked at the rim, no call. Then Lebron literally rammed his head into Oberto & knocked him over on his way to the basket. Sorry, that’s an offensive foul. Lebron is great. But he doesn’t need that kind of help from the refs.

Good article but off-point with the Rondo analysis. Sounds like he is buying into the junk that some of the ESPN analysts (Tim Legler and Greg Anthony) put out about Rondo and the Celtics. Rondo has been pretty good especially pushing the ball up and distributing on the break. Doesn’t shoot half-bad either.