The Scary Part of What the Cavs Are Doing

by Steve Weinman on Dec 10, 2008 1:00 PM EST in NBA Comment 77 comments

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It was the Cleveland Cavaliers who gave our beloved Celtics their toughest test of all four playoff opponents last spring, pushing the Celts to a seventh game that remained undecided until the final seconds. It is the Cavs who were believed by many (self included, it's not often that I make a prediction that doesn't go south immediately) to be the Celts' biggest challengers in the East this season. At 18-3 with an average point differential of plus-13.6, they have no doubt met expectations thus far. But it is the fact that the Cavaliers currently lead the Association in offensive efficiency that is a cause for concern for fellow contenders around the league.

We knew this team could defend. The Cavs ranked fourth in defensive efficiency in 2006-07 They fell to eleventh last year largely because they played the first quarter of the season without holdout Anderson Varejao, who may be their best interior defender. With Varejao, Ben Wallace and Zydrunas Ilgauskas on the front line, this team has as much size as any in the East. Despite Wallace being definitively on the downside of his career, he can still hit the boards and defend a bit. What the Cavs have done and continue to do is clog the paint, take charges and avoid giving up second opportunities to opposing offenses (and that freakish small forward makes a couple of insane plays every night) . It's no surprise that this team is second in basketball in defensive efficiency.

What has made the Cavs beatable in the past is that they couldn't seem to find the right mix of players with which to surround LeBron James and his special set of talents. Keying on LeBron - as the Celtics did in last year's playoffs - made this squad stoppable by good team defense as the supporting cast couldn't seem to do enough to carry the load when tested.

Not the case right now. For the first time, it seems that Danny Ferry has surrounded LeBron with a cast full of players who fit beautifully into their roles around the young star.

Mr. James, of course, needs no introduction. His per-game stats are actually down to a not-quite-miserly 26.5 points, 7.0 boards and 6.5 assists per game, but that is a function of LeBron playing just 35 minutes per game. This marks the first time since his rookie season that he has averaged less than 40 per night. James' per-minute production is actually better than ever as he is averaging career highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks (and a career low in turnovers) per 36 minutes. He is also playing the most efficient offensive basketball of his career, putting up a true shooting mark of 58 percent. The fact that 15 of the team's 18 wins have come by double-digit margins will only leave Bron more well-rested for the playoffs. Wonderful.

But at the risk of sounding as though I take LBJ's play for granted, we've seen LeBron perform at a high level before. It is this supporting cast that has been the X-factor thus far. That starts in the backcourt with new addition Mo Williams and newly repositioned Delonte West. Williams came to town with a reputation as a shoot-first point guard who didn't do much defensively. He hasn't been great defensively, but he hasn't killed the team by any means either, and his offensive contribution has been big. The jump-shooting guard is scoring 15.4 points per game (second on the team) on 55.8 percent true shooting, and he's forcing defenses to pay attention to him. He is still dishing out more than four assists per game. Williams' aggressiveness to take and ability to make shots while also doubling as a floor general has added a new dimension to this offense.

Williams' arrival has been a boon for Delonte West. Not a true point guard, West is now excelling at the off-guard spot armed with a primary responsibility of stretching the floor. The defensive focus required on James and Williams provides West no shortage of good looks, and he has been capitalizing on them with more efficacy than ever before. The former Celtic is using his sweet southpaw stroke to bomb from deep to a tune of 43.5 percent three-point shooting and 48.5 percent from the field overall. West is scoring more than 11 points per game and doing it on a career best 61.6 percent true shooting. He is fast becoming a weapon for the Cavs, and he looks as comfortable as he ever has at the NBA level.

That Daniel Gibson has yet to heat up makes the backcourt even more of a threat. Gibson is a 40.9 percent three-point shooter for his career, but he is checking in at just 29.4 percent this season. Hard to imagine that he will continue at that rate, and once he finds his stroke, he will be just one more stretch-the-floor guy to give James, Williams and Zydrunas Ilgauskas more room to operate. Meanwhile, Wally Szczerbiak has helped out a bit in this role, shooting nearly 48 percent from the field and scoring a shade less than seven points in less than 20 minutes per game.

In the frontcourt, Ilgauskas remains the rock, causing matchup problems with his 7-foot-3-inch frame. Z shoots the ball very effectively for a big man, and he is also comfortable camping out in the low post and backing down smaller opponents with his array of spin moves and jump hooks. He gives this team more than 15 points per game and does a solid job in pick-and-roll sets.

One would be remiss to discuss the Cavs' offense without also touching on two contributors who don't carry quite as much of the scoring load: Ben Wallace and Anderson Varejao. Neither needs to be shooting the ball all too much, but both specialize in doing the little things: crashing the offensive glass, fighting for 50-50 balls, screening and looking to finish garbage buckets around the rim. Wallace grabs nearly three boards per game at the offensive end. Though he isn't featured in the offense by any means, Varejao is shooting 60 percent from the field and averaging a career high 8.3 points per game simply by taking what the defense gives him as far as dunks, putbacks, tip-ins and the occasional drive to the rim are concerned. The Cavs as a team are fifth in basketball in offensive rebound rate, and the efforts of Wallace, Varejao and Ilgauskas are a big part of the reason why.

As is often the case, the Cavs are showing that when a group of players come together in a situation in which everyone knows and understands their roles and complements each other without trying to do too much, the team plays more effective basketball a whole. They are taking care of the basketball, ranking fifth in the league in turnover ratio, and they are making the most of their shots, too. The Cavs sit at fourth in points per shot and second in true shooting across the Association.

Mike Brown has his defense running smoothly as usual in Cleveland. But it's that top-ranked offense that adds a new danger factor to this Cavs team.

Well, that and the fact that the Cavs are only expected to get better come February when they move a couple of expiring contracts for a veteran contributor.

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Comments

I wonder if they trade Wally this year?

I thought for sure that they would be looking to shop Wally and upgrade their front court at some point this year. But things are going so well for them, I wonder if Danny Ferry hesitates to make that move. I would think Wally is expendable with Pavlovic and Gibson coming off the bench. Adding someone like a Shawn Marion would be huge for this team.

by D Dub on Dec 10, 2008 1:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Right now...

that is the question of the hour. It was a virtual lock before the season. The magic bullet in Danny Ferry;s gun. Now, with the chemistry on this team, both on and off the floor, I’d say it is less than 50%. Wally is playing at a very high level and the young bigs(Hickson and Jackson) are getting minutes because of all the blowouts. This means they could become living, breathing contributors later in the season.

Unless there is an injury, or the Cavs start losing, it might be a risk Ferry doesn’t want to take…

FTS

FearTheSword

SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers Blogger

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 10, 2008 2:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I know it's blasphemous to say in this space...

But the Cavs are my title favorite right now.

They have clearly improved over last season, and as D Dub said above they could very well add a major piece midseason. All is well and good for the C’s now, but I am confident that Posey’s loss (and gain for NO) will really be felt in the playoffs. And with how close the serious was against the Cavs last year…. how can I be confident that all their improvement didn’t launch them into the “favorites” status? The answer… I can’t be. Sorry.

by Big Ticket on Dec 10, 2008 1:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

To me Cavs still have to beat Boston in the playoffs to be considered ‘favorites’ Celtics are still favorites until they are beaten when it counts. Still a bit early. Injuries etc. can keep both Celtics (heaven forbid) and Cavs in check.

by NoraG1 on Dec 10, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I also don’t like looking at what happened last year. Doesn’t mean it will happen again. The team has had a year now to get used to each other. I think it will show in the playoffs this year.

by NoraG1 on Dec 10, 2008 1:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m not sure how you could be confident about anything especially with the fact that C’s beat the Cavs this season. I’ve heard though that Cavs are much better than they were in November so maybe thats it.

Tony Allen > Dearly departed JP

by Birdbrain on Dec 10, 2008 4:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually West becomes the real pg when paired with Williams, even though West guards the other team’s sg.

We knew, when West was here, that he does all the little things that don’t necessarily show up in the box score. We’re seeing the same thing in Cleveland.

by Brickowski on Dec 10, 2008 1:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Good points Steve

Here’s what I love about the matchup — with PP playing at playoff level, he and Bron can trade buckets all night while the rest of the team can effectively neutralize the rest of the Cavs with smothering team D. I will grant that Lebron is much harder to bait into one-on one nonsense than Kobe, who I still believe will be a snap to break in half after getting past the Cavs…

by Hal Jordan on Dec 10, 2008 1:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Length

The thing that Cleveland has that we don’t is interior length. Big Z, Wallace, and Varejo are all true bigs, while Baby and Leon are undersized guys.

Getting more size either that is with getting some useful minutes out of Pattie O (doubtful) bringing back PJ (hopeful) or making another move, Celts need more size on the interior IMO.

by GaBerkowitz on Dec 10, 2008 1:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Bingo!

We saw last year how Neon Leon and Baby just got out-bigged by the Cavs. It’ll be even worse this year, since the Cavs have jelled.

Remeber all the posters here who thought Chicago got the better of the big trade with the Cavs? Yeah, right.

"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark

by Eeyore III on Dec 10, 2008 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

" For the first time, it seems that Danny Ferry has surrounded LeBron with a cast full of players who fit beautifully into their roles around the young star."

……And David Stern has supplied the messiah with a halo and a quarterback’s practice jersey. The way the messiah is officiated is a bigger concern than the very talented messiah and the talented cast that Ferry has surrounded him with.

Beyond that, their length is a big concern. Although Davis seems to hold his own defensively against Ilgauskas.

It is a formidable combination indeed.

by Finkelskyhook on Dec 10, 2008 2:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Didn't you see...

the 3 technicals called on the Cavs last night? Including one on LeBron….

If anything, LeBron doesn’t get some calls because his size generates alot of contact.

FTS

FearTheSword

SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers Blogger

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 10, 2008 2:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What messiah games are you watching, FTS? Contact?

The Red Sea parts whenever the messiah goes to the basket because the opponent knows that if he’s within 4 feet of the messiah he’ll get called for a foul. The entire focus of the best players on the messiah’s opponent’s team appears to be just to stay on the court.

The messiah is probably the most talented player in the history of the NBA. Not the best. But arguably the most talented. Sadly, because of the ridiculous way he is biasly officiated, his games, IMHO, are boring to watch.

The messiah needs no help. The fact that he gets so much help, the Cavs have solid coaching, and Ferry has done a terrific job of assembling complementary players makes the Cavs all the more formidable.

by Finkelskyhook on Dec 10, 2008 2:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

just be glad

that he doesn’t get treated like Paul Pierce where he literally gets teeth knocked out and there is no call……..

by agh on Dec 10, 2008 3:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have watched every minute....

And LeBron does not get all the calls you think he does. Just watch the Washington series last year to see that.

FTS

FearTheSword

SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers Blogger

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 10, 2008 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

He has certainly gotten his fair share.

by NoraG1 on Dec 10, 2008 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you're a funny guy

God bless and good night!

by BrickJames on Dec 10, 2008 7:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

danny has to know we need another big. or we have to work the offense differently with our second line gigs when they’re in.

by nazzbo on Dec 10, 2008 2:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The scary part of what the Cavs are Doing

The Celtics are better that they were last year. Its also very true that the Cavs are much better than they were last year, and can even improve before we star the playoffs. If we want to repeat, we will definitely need to have home court advantage over them. Thats what’s won it for us last year; and this year it looks like it will be eevn more important, provided we play them sometime in the playoffs.

by Reyquila on Dec 10, 2008 2:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Who have the Cavs beat ?

by LarBrd33 on Dec 10, 2008 2:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Great Point....

That is true. Three “tough” games this year and the Cavs lost all three, though each was on the road….

What the Cavs are doing that they haven’t done in the past is show up to play every night despite their opponent. They aren’t just beating teams they should beat, they are crushing them, as they should. LeBron has seen action in the 4th quarter just twice in the last 8 games.

8 games will define the season for the Cavs, and likely the top seed in the East — 3 against Boston, 3 against Detroit and 2 against L.A. At least for the Cavs 5 of those are at home.

FTS

FearTheSword

SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers Blogger

by John Bena (aka CavsBlogger) on Dec 10, 2008 2:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I know who they didn't beat.

Tony Allen > Dearly departed JP

by Birdbrain on Dec 10, 2008 4:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What will be scary is if they are still doing it in May.

Way to early for this. Remember Atlanta took the C’s the distance also. The Celtics were not playing all that well in the beginning of the Playoffs last year and picked it up as a team as they progressed through the playoffs.

by Hondo on Dec 10, 2008 2:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cavs are good but.....

Yeah LeBron is scary.
But I think we will get anothet big & Rondo will be the x factor.
I good as lebron was we beat them last yr. with no Ray Allen.
So i think PP & RA will hold their own against Lebron.
But having said that they are very dangerous team.

by tommyfan on Dec 10, 2008 2:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

We've still got a chance

I think the loss of Posey is biggest against the Cavs. He defended Lebron pretty well, but more than anything, he took the brunt of the physical load. I think in a seven game series, Lebron will just wear down PP. Do you really think TA can be defend him at the 3?

With that said, I don’t expect Ray to be a carcass like he was against the cavs last year. He missed about 25 wide open treys. The team is unbeatable when Rondo is on his game and healthy. The Cavs are good, but I think the C’s are the favs.

by Vineet on Dec 10, 2008 2:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I actually think Tony Allen will be able to defend LBJ a little bit. What Pierce did against him that was effective was sag off him and make him shoot long jumpers instead of driving the lanes. TA has the quickness to do the same, and LBJ will be all that much more inticed to shoot over him. And I am not counting out Scal either. He can spread 6 hard fouls out over 6 mpg to give Paul a blow.

I don’t think Danny will add more than one player, and my opinion is that the greater need is a PJ Brown type player.

by D Dub on Dec 10, 2008 4:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Cavs took alot from last years celtics team, and I think they know they need homecourt to beat Boston, I also think they were playing at this level last year in that 7 game series and have carried it over to this season

by TheAncientRivalry on Dec 10, 2008 2:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The Ewing Knicks

This Cavs team reminds me of the Ewing era Knicks. Loads of talent and an all nba player, but no second perennial all-star. You need two perennial all-stars to win a title. Jordan did and Lebron does, too.

As long as Paul is still the Truth and either KG or Ray play at an all-star level (and with the way Ray has been playing, I’m not worried) I don’t think they can get past the C’s.

by agh on Dec 10, 2008 3:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ilgauskas is 7-2. There’s not much you can do about it unless you want to trade for Przybilla. The way to deal with Ilgauskas is to beat him up the floor.

As for Wallace, he’s 6-7 with big hair, so that’s no big deal. Varejao is a little taller than Powe, but that’s not a real issue either. Powe has a huge wingspan and plays two inches taller.

by Brickowski on Dec 10, 2008 4:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rajon the X-factor

I don’t put too much stock into this point differential thing. The incentives for running up the score vs. resting etc are not clear.

Rajon is making the offense run more smoothly but still he plays much better at home than away (in my opinion) If he can get himself to where he is delivering his best games on a night in and out basis, our advantage at the PG spot will put us over the edge.

by GreenBalls on Dec 10, 2008 4:36 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

If Lebron decides to shut down Paul Pierce at the expense of his own offense the Celtics would win the series 4-0. I like the rest of the Celtics’ chances to outscore and out-defend the rest of the Cavs, especially since the Real Ray Allen has returned. The C’s have basically added a top 5 shooting guard, not to mention a potential all-star point guard. Perk has been a lot better than last season as well.

The Cavs may be better but the Celtics are definitely better too. I still believe Lebron would have to play out of his mind for the Cavs to win the series.

by ReadyFor17 on Dec 10, 2008 4:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Don't buy the stuff about the calls

I don’t buy the superstar call stuff. Not to the degree that others seem to at least. The better players are the better athletes and/or players with superior skill who both have the ball in their hands a disproportionate amount of the time AND are able, through their superior skill, agility, and athleticism, to put themselves into a positive that is both advantageous to themselves and compromises the defense resulting in a foul. Pierce does this, Lebron, Wade, heck all players down to Powe and TA do this, but it seems like only the superstars get more calls because they are better at it and they have the ball so much that so many calls have to be made. Refs miss calls both ways, just like with Pierce and any player. But more often than not they get it right.

by Fan from VT on Dec 10, 2008 6:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I must be missing the average NBA players getting 3-5 steps without a dribble like James routinely does. Or the flagrant carrys that Wade or Iverson never gets called for.

by iowa plowboy on Dec 10, 2008 11:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The scary thing that the Celts are doing

For one, everyone is learning Posey’s former role on the team, no exceptions here.

Powe has stepped up his inside, grind it up game.

Ray Ray is back in black.

Pierce isn’t at the top of his game which means that when he’s back, he’ll be be more pernicious then ever before.

Rondo is a the new pass first (but now scoring PG) star.

Perkules is well… Perkules! A monster on the boards with a nice putback.

KG is the big interior passer in the league.

Ainge will add a new PJ Brown in mid-season.

by TitleMaster on Dec 10, 2008 6:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Would the Knicks be the best metaphor?

“This Cavs team reminds me of the Ewing era Knicks. Loads of talent and an all nba player, but no second perennial all-star”

I disagree, replace Ewing with Hakeem and the Knicks win back-to-back titles in ‘93 & ’94. There is such a thing as a one man wrecking crew, in a defensive squad, but it’s rare. Usually, all-star swingmen (see Drexler, Dominique, Baylor) can’t do it alone.

Ewing is the least clutch of any big man and will lose a series on either a layout or a slew of free throws. Believe it or not but Cartwright, being older and less star-like, anchored the middle for Pippen and Jordan to do their wonders against the Knicks.

by TitleMaster on Dec 10, 2008 6:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

stats lie at crunch time

yeah but when a top-tier team or another game 7 rolls around, will mike brown have a game plan except who-know-who?

tho agree about posey’s loss, we need him for the lebrons of the world …

by celtsucka on Dec 10, 2008 9:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

whoever said we beat him/them without ray is right

not only that, it was like having 25 minutes a game with ray Charles in the offensive end of things and he wouldn’t stop shooting. It won’t be like that this year and that is why we will beat them if we are healthy. it was just so much to overcome last year.

by wahz on Dec 10, 2008 9:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No way the Cavs beat the Celts with their ref help!

Celts have 3 times the free throws at home than the Cavs.

Nice for the Celtics, usually being the recipient of “favorable” officiating…

by nba is the worst on Dec 10, 2008 10:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Funny, but Celts are at the top of the leagues in getting fouls. Could it be that the Celtics go inside more? Couldn’t be.

Favorable calls, for the Celtics? HA!

by NoraG1 on Dec 10, 2008 10:25 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Well they’re shallacking the sixers pretty convincingly right now.

I’m surprised to see lebron get his numbers with out completely dominating the ball.

I can see where the raised efficiency is coming from.

Rondo doesn't believe in easy buckets...

by ManUp on Dec 10, 2008 10:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Numbers for NoraG1

Through the first 12 home games, the Celts were called for 27 less fouls and got 69 (!)more free throws than their competitors.

The Cavs, now having passed the Celts as #1 in opponents’ points allowed, had only 12 less fouls and 17 more free throws (they have only played 12 home games so far).

So, the Celtics have gotten over 4 TIMES as many free throws as the Cavs in their home games.

How can that NOT be considered favorable?

by nba is the worst on Dec 10, 2008 11:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

How about on the road? Same amount of games played on the road or do thos not fit your argument? You have nothing better to do to look up stats to prove how your team is getting screwed by the Celtics even when they are not playing against each other? Stats are nice but have you watched the games? Every team feels they are getting screwed by the officials. With the officials in the NBA how can a team not feel that way?

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 12:07 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ANSWER FOR LARBRD33 (Who have they beat?)

Cavs have beaten the Pacers twice, as well as the Nuggets…

by nba is the worst on Dec 10, 2008 11:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Posey actually struggled defending LeBron.

by RebusRankin on Dec 11, 2008 12:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh and nba is the worst, Boston shot 34 fts in that game and Cleveland shot 33.

by RebusRankin on Dec 11, 2008 12:06 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

NBa is the worst, interesting name for a fan.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 12:09 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

More numbers, Nora...

You asked if it was because the Celts go inside more. Comparing the points in the paint, in the 12 home games comparison, the Celtics are +104, but the Cavs are +120, so that argument doesn’t pass analysis. By the way, since I’m a fan of good basketball no matter who is playing it, I’m unbiased, and interestingly have been labeled as “bandwagon, frontrunner, etc” by several Celts homers.

Of COURSE I watch the games. I watched the refs assist the Celts in the wins against the Raptors and Hawks, and in the loss to the Nuggets…

RebusRankin, I’ve got no quarrel with the season opener, the Celts outplayed the Cavs in a very typical game between the two teams in Boston (close win for the Celts)

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 12:25 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Give me a break! There were plenty of times in those game mentioned where the Celtics had bad calls go against them as does the other team. It happens in every game. If you are so unbiased why are you going to this much trouble? I don’t buy it.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 12:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

For an unbiased observer you certainly have something against the Celtics.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 12:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Refs have always had a bias toward star players. Celtics have 3 of them. Maybe they get a little more benefit of the doubt (Lebron does as well) it is not a new concept. It is certainly possible they get away with things but it is not as if the other team does not benefit at times as well.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 12:50 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Road numbers for Nora

Nora,

I also have the Laker numbers, with less than half the fts that the Celts have, if you’re interested.

Here’s the numbers on the Celts 9 road games:
Fouls – 0 differential (this is extremely rare for road teams as I’m sure you would agree)
Free throws +5 (also rare)

Cavs 10 road games:
Fouls +3 (3 more than the home teams)
Free throws -2

Not a big difference on the road, but over 4 times as many fts at home. Tell me, which “other team” has benefitted so far against the Celtics???

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 1:07 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If you can tell me that the Celtics have had no calls go against them. You can’t possibly say that. Refs are not handing Celtics games.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 1:11 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Are you seriously sitting up as an unbiased observer finding every fact you can find to discredit the Celtics?

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 1:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry if I wasn't clear

I’m talking about foul and free throw difference – how many more fts and fouls the Celts got compared with their opponents. For example, the Celtics at Raptors, in that game the Celtics were called for 3 more fouls and got 7 less fts. At the Bobcats, they got 7 more fts and 3 less fouls. Average is 0 differential. So the numbers I posted are the average difference of all games, home and road.

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 1:18 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Posting FACTS is NOT biased

Facts are facts. Surely you would agree that an average of almost seven free throws per game will help win 1-point games!

Bias is when a team gets an advantage from the referees which makes the difference between winning and losing a game…

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 1:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Stats may bestats but coming on the board and specifically pointing these ones out does not make you unbiased.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 1:24 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

If you don't believe me, how about Heinsohn and Gorman?

In the Celtics home win vs the Pacers last week, there was a 13 and a half minute stretch from near the end of the 2nd quarter until the end of the 3rd, where the Celtics were called for ZERO fouls, while the Pacers were called for 12, + two turnovers.

The Celtics’ lead went from 6 points to nineteen during that timeframe.

Gorman mentioned to Heinsohn that the Celts had been foul-free for over 13 minutes.

Heinsohn’s response: (Quote)

“I know that. I’ve seen that. I find it MIRACULOUS!”

Funny stuff…

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 1:33 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

Still think it is wrong no matter what stats you want to waste your time putting up to say the refs handed Celtics games as if they are not worthy of their record. As a Celtics fan, I would not go to a Cavs board an run down everything Lebron gets away with. Congrats on finding that one little instance.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 1:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I Lpve the Celtics, BUT not biased officiating!

The Celts are worhy Champions, but would have lost a few more home games if fairly called.

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 1:45 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

That is not the case. If things were called differently during the game that does not mean the C’s would not have found a way to win those games. It would change the complexity of the game, not necessarily the outcome.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 1:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

You only say that because you’re a Celtics fan. Those of us without that filter can see clearly.

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 1:52 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

You only say that because you are NOT a Celtics fan. I think you have a ‘filter’ also whether or not you want to admit it. I think I made a good point that during a course of the game if you decide to change calls a good team can still win. You change the calls then you have to allow a chance that a team can make adjustments.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 1:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t come here expecting Celtics fans to agree with you this site is called Celtics Blog. What were you expecting? If you wanted a different opinion this was the wrong place to do it.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 2:00 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I expect that at least some Celtics fans are intelligent, and when they learn something they didn’t know, they might have a slightly different perspective going forward.

When one team is getting favorable officiating, it equals points. There is only so much “adjusting” that can be done. So far, the only team able to do it was the Nuggets, the Hawks and Raptors were unable to overcome the disadvantage…

It’s nothing new, the Bulls, Lakers, Pistons, and earlier Celtics have had this type of favoritism. IMO, it doesn’t make it right. Or fair. But the NBA, as with life, isn’t fair!

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 2:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just because I don’t agree with you does not make me unintelligent. Talk about rude.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 2:17 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Stubborn, maybe.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 2:21 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

You asked what I expected, I answered. I didn’t mean to imply that you aren’t intelligent, it’s obvious from your writing that you are!

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 2:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Ok, I guess I took it the wrong way.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 2:24 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Cool, sorry I irritated you. The Celtics are heading into a tougher stretch this weekend, with the Hornets on the 2nd day of a back-to-back, and then the Jazz Monday. Also tough next week, but I’ll be surprised if they don’t spank the Lakers by 20 again!

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 2:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

We agree on one thing, the Lakers. I have not been impressed with them lately. Even though they are bent on revenge I think it iwll backfire because their defense is falling apart. If or when they make an adjustment is unclear.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 2:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

One of the bloggers I respect a great deal, Brandon Hoffman, has said repeatedly that defensive intensity comes from within, and can’t be learned. To me, it’s that intensity that sets the Celtics under Thibodeau apart. KG used to be good, now he’s just SCARY good. same for Pierce, Perkins, and now Rondo. And what can you say about a healthy Ray Allen (except that he’s a way better pure shooter than Kobe or LeBron)! Best starting 5 by far…

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 2:49 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Everyone is talking about the Lakers game coming up. But I also can’t wait for the next Celtcs-Cavs matchup. It should be fun and competitive. They are definately the team Celtics have to worry the most about. I did not think that the Cavs would come together so well, but they have. I am impressed.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 2:59 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Cavs Is January 9th. It would not be a surprise if they split 2-2 with the Celts.

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 3:16 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

More free throw againt’s opposing team cannot be a reason for bias officiating. it depends on how the players are executing the game. The more the player attack the rim, the more chance they will landed on the free throw lane. If the Boston applied there best defense againts anyone, do you think it will be easy for them to attack the rim? So looking for bias calls reason by looking into how many free throw boston are taking againts thier opponent are just nonsense.

I trully agree that Cavs will be the toughest team to beat this season for Boston than Fakers[trying to be tough but still softy] that having thier new implemented tough defense[??] as the media is always saying [ they own media, dont wonder].
but my heart and soul goes to Boston anytime they face Cavs.

by spoiled on Dec 11, 2008 4:04 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

So how do you explin the Celtics, with +104 differential points in the paint (shows “attacking the rim”), getting 4 times more free throws in their home games than the Cavs, with a +120 differential points in the paint?

If what you said about players attacking the rim getting more fouls was true, the Cavs should have more free throws than the Celts.

To dismiss this fact as “just nonsense” is uncnvincing, to say the least…

by nba is the worst on Dec 11, 2008 8:20 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

One things for sure...

Lebron sure won’t be sitting out any quarters on Jan 9th. No night off for him.

I’ll admit to being impressed with the team play from the Cavs this season. Even last season, they were starting to gel around playoff time. I still think they have a ways to go on that count, and can be lured into reverting to their old “jump on the king’s shoulders” ways if they are presented with adversity. And there will be plenty of adversity waiting for them in Green.

I’m looking forward to some healthy TA turbo thruster action. I think he can help take some of the burden off of PP defensively. Also, I love watching the Rondo/Delonte matchup.

by Hal Jordan on Dec 11, 2008 9:36 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Refs are certainly doing their best to get the Wizards back in the game. Blatantly missed calls. This is why I don’t buy the Celtics are getting much of an advantage most of the time.

by NoraG1 on Dec 11, 2008 10:07 PM EST reply actions 0 recs