18 Straight....Wins this time.

by Green17 on Dec 21, 2008 10:17 PM EST Comment 26 comments

Rajonknicks_medium

Two years ago the Celtics lost 18 games in a row. Now they've won 18 straight. Amazing how things can change so quickly. A couple quick bullets from the game.

Rajon is playing at an All-NBA level right now. He took over in the third quarter, making 6 consecutive layups at one point. It was almost like he was playing a 10th grader, and I'm not just saying that because NateRob was guarding him.
However I wonder when we'll see the Hack-A-Rondo strategy pop up in a close game. It will come.
Last game the talk was of nicknames for Rondo and Perk to compliment GAP/Big Three. Maybe we just need a nickname for Rajon and something else for the supporting cast? (yes that's a joke)
However, yet again, the Celtics built up a huge lead based on a scorching first quarter only to let the Knicks back into the game at half time.

Final - 12.21.2008	1	2	3	4	Total
New York Knicks	21	37	29	18	105
Boston Celtics	40	26	32	26	124

Complete Coverage >

BOSTON CELTICS
STARTERS	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
Paul Pierce, SF	25	5-11	3-6	4-4	0	2	2	5	0	0	3	4	17
Kevin Garnett, PF	34	5-8	0-0	2-2	0	6	6	8	1	0	4	2	12
Kendrick Perkins, C	29	6-7	0-0	0-0	2	10	12	2	0	4	5	3	12
Ray Allen, SG	36	7-12	2-5	2-2	1	2	3	4	3	0	0	2	18
Rajon Rondo, PG	32	12-14	0-0	2-5	1	5	6	5	2	0	1	0	26
BENCH	MIN	FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
Tony Allen, SG	28	4-5	1-1	2-6	0	2	2	5	0	0	4	1	11
Eddie House, SG	18	3-5	3-5	0-0	0	6	6	3	0	0	1	2	9
Leon Powe, PF	17	4-8	0-0	2-5	4	1	5	1	0	2	2	1	10
Brian Scalabrine, PF	14	3-4	1-2	0-0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	6	7
Gabe Pruitt, PG	5	0-1	0-1	0-0	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	0
Patrick O'Bryant, C	2	1-1	0-0	0-0	0	2	2	0	0	0	2	1	2
Sam Cassell, PG	DNP COACH'S DECISION
TOTALS		FGM-A	3PM-A	FTM-A	OREB	DREB	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	PF	PTS
		50-76	10-20	14-24	9	38	47	33	6	6	22	22	124
		65.8%	50.0%	58.3%	Team TO (pts off): 23 (24)

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Comments

"I wonder when we'll see the Hack-A-Rondo strategy pop up in a close game."

If I were playing the Celtics, I’d go with Hack-A-Perk.

by Toine43 on Dec 21, 2008 10:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would be afraid to hack a rondo, by all accounts he shoots pretty well in practice even taking those little jump shots from behind the foul line when the defender goes under, he took and hit one of those tonight and I was thrilled to see it. The problem for the opposition is you just might get him hot, seeing a couple of free throws going in and feeling that might get rondo in a place the opposition doesn’t want to see. I’d hack perk first, but is he really that bad from the line, I know he is in the 50’s but seems like a better stroke than that.

by chicagogreen on Dec 21, 2008 10:40 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

When it comes to foul shooting,

it’s hard for me to believe the numbers lie. Until they prove otherwise, I see no reason Perk and Rondo shouldn’t be hacking targets for opponents around the league.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Dec 22, 2008 12:46 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Very true, Steve. It’s disappointing that his foul shooting remains as poor as it is. I don’t see Perkins as the depth of problem that Rondo is at the line, though, because he handles the ball less. To truly become an All-Star, Rondo’s got to improve his foul shooting.

by CoachBo on Dec 22, 2008 7:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

18 Straight

Good Game! Some Rajon’s plays were so perfect they looked like they had been digitally remastered or airbrushed.

I beg to differ on one point. Although the Knicks cut the lead a couple times the Celtics never let them back into the game! It was a game of runs, as it usually is, with the Celtics controling the pace most of the game, and more importantly, when it mattered the most, whenever it seemed there might be a momentum change.

Other teams are not going to lie down and let us win, but this team is determined not to let down and lose, either.

By the way…everyone come join us in the Chat Room during the games and cheer or groan along with us!

by thirstyboots18 on Dec 21, 2008 10:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

just call him rage

by guy incognito on Dec 21, 2008 10:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

perhaps a fuller form, Ragin' Rondo, might work better

The Cleveland Indians used to have a hard-throwing all-star pitcher by the name of Sam McDowell. He was universally known as Sudden Sam, though I don’t recall him ever being called just Sudden.

by no kidding on Dec 21, 2008 11:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Then again, it's hard to beat just Rondo.

Some guys just have a great name for the situation. With Rondo, it fits in smoothly with Celtic’s tradition, being so reminiscent of Hondo. And as a similar example, why would a guy named Bird ever need a nickname?

by no kidding on Dec 21, 2008 11:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rondo hits about 65% of his free throws.

Pretty bad for a guard, but nothing like Shaq’s 53% rate. I’ll be surprised if Hack-a-Rondo ever happens (apart from the final minute of a close game, perhaps, when a team is planning to foul anyway).

by PJ Martinez on Dec 21, 2008 11:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

the problem with that

Is many times with the game in foul mode and few seconds left, rondo is usually the guy inbounding the ball into ray, paul, or kg. Not too much of an issue.

by cordialb on Dec 22, 2008 12:11 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The hack-a-player strategy

does not mean fouling a player during the last few seconds when there’s normally fouling. If a team were to “hack-a-Rondo”, they’d be fouling Rajon simply because they think there’s a better chance the Celtics are going to score than Rondo making free throws, and not because of game clock reasons. Rondo inbounding it late in games doesn’t have anything to do with the “hack-a-Rondo” strategy.

by Toine43 on Dec 22, 2008 1:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m pumped that I’m going to the game Tuesday. Scored tix a couple days ago in anticipation of this win and Friday’s win. Rondo is disgusting.

by dobbs on Dec 22, 2008 12:51 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Rondo is the MVP of the Celtics through 28 games...

Great post Green17…Rondo is absolutely playing at an all NBA level right now. In the last 18 games he’s been the best point guard in the league, no question. He absolutely abused one of the best point guards in the league tonight. If that had been a playoff game, Doc would have played Rondo 45 minutes and he would have probably dropped 40+. Every single player on our team relies on Rajon Rondo to perform well.

Whether it’s dumping it down to Perkins for an easy dunk, or rifling a bounce pass from the baseline to Garnett at the foul line for a wide open 18 footer, or pushing the ball on the break only to hand it off to PIerce for an uncontested 3 pointer, or setting up allen perfectly time after time coming off screens, Rajon Rondo makes this team go. If that weren’t enough, Rondo is probably going to make the all NBA defensive team this year. It will be a travesty if he does not make the all star team.

SCOTT

by Vegas Scott on Dec 22, 2008 1:33 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

how about filthy, nasty and the big three

by wahz on Dec 22, 2008 1:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

how about filthy, nasty and the big three

by wahz on Dec 22, 2008 1:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

sorry. filthy is rr and nasty is kp and i realize its a johnny most rip off of

mahorn and ruland

by wahz on Dec 22, 2008 1:39 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Just plain rocks....

As a Wildcat and Celtics fan growing up, it just plain rocks to finally see a player like Rondo not just play and start for the C’s, but grow into an NBA caliber point guard in the process. Go Boston, Go Big Blue, Go Rondo!!!

by bigbluestu on Dec 22, 2008 2:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Correction

NBA all-star point guard.

by bigbluestu on Dec 22, 2008 2:16 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

what a game, the big three will continue to get all the hype, but this wouldnt be the same team without perk and rondo. Its really somthing to watch.

by spinz on Dec 22, 2008 4:15 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

18 in a row

I dont know if I even want them to get to 19, the absolute last thing Id want is the Lakers to end the streak

by TheAncientRivalry on Dec 22, 2008 8:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I share your fear

I do share your fear. But short of sounding like a “rah rah rah” type of guy. Realize that this team fears nothing. Actually, let me rephrase. This team attacks everything. They are assassins going down a list of victims without any discrimination. That said, they are also not afraid to lose. Last year’s championship is a very good example of how focused they are about moving on. They are not thinking about this streak. Right now they are thinking about the Sixers. And come Christmas day, they might be in a special situation. A team on a 19-game winning streak that is actually facing adversity. The Lakers are coming into that game with the same attitude as the Hawks, just more talent. They have had this date circled. This is not just another game to them. And guess what? Everybody will be favoring them. Last time I checked, this is not the way to approach a game against these Celtics. IF the Lakers win, so be it. The Celtics will quickly move on. And as fans, we should. If WE win? Merry Christmas to the fans. But the Celtics? They will quickly move on. And as fans, so should we. The focus will NOT be on consecutive win #21, it will be on beating the Golden State Warriors. They just happen to be on the same night.

by afflatus on Dec 22, 2008 9:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Lakers continue to regress, this game is nothing to worry about. They barely pulled out a win at memphis!

by nba is the worst on Dec 23, 2008 12:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

same old boring Celtics

they keep winning.
I’m loving this

by tommyfan on Dec 22, 2008 9:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

some thoughts

Leon had 10 points and 5 boards last night. What could he do if he started?

by sdhman11 on Dec 22, 2008 9:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

2 different 18's

what a difference between this year’s 18 game streak and the other one. it just goes to show you how much experience counts. we all love what rondo and perk are doing, but if we still had gomes. big al, delonte and yes, wally, we would be somewhere just below orlando and everyone would be talking about the cleveland dynasty.

by nazzbo on Dec 22, 2008 11:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs