A Nice Start
by Jeff Clark on Oct 28, 2009 7:14 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics Articles
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PrintIronically the game didn't start off very well at all. Sure the Cavs were hitting every shot imaginable, but they were also getting really good looks at the basket and stopping the Celtics from doing likewise. But credit the reserves for clawing their way back into the game. Credit Doc and the coaching staff for making adjustments on the fly. Credit Perk for pushing Shaq far enough away from the basket to be outside his comfort zone (and thus guardable without a double team). Then credit the starters for following the lead of the bench and closing it out (thanks in large part to the Truth).
So for a game that started off so poorly, it actually ended up being a very nice start to the NBA season for us. Yes it was just one game, but it sets the tone for the season. It marked the first time since 2004 that we were able to win in Cleveland. If you were doing a power poll today, you'd have to put the Celtics ahead of the Cavs.
It also plants a seed of doubt in the minds of LeBron, Shaq, and the Cavs as a whole. They are already questioning themselves after a massive playoff thud. They'll get better. They'll win a lot of games this year and they'll be there at the end as one of the East competitors. They might even beat us a few times. But they will have to chew on this loss for a while. And they'll have to answer questions about "if the Cavs can't win, will LeBron bolt?"
In reality, a few bounces of the ball either way and the Cavs could have won this game and it would be the Celtics having to deal with it. Celtics fans would be justifying the loss as "just one game" like the Cavs fans are right now. We'd probably be turning our anger on Big Baby and the distraction he caused this week. Or maybe we'd be howling at the Celtics to either sign or walk away from the table with the Rondo negotiations. In short we'd be looking for someone to blame. Thankfully we don't have to do that.
We won. The Cavs lost. End of story. And a good start to the season.
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A win, not a solid one.
I agree to that last line, JC.
We managed to pull it out. It wasn’t really gritty, it wasn’t really sloppy, it wasn’t really very good, really bad or whatever. It was however a very fun game to watch.
That said, the Cavs didn’t impress me at all, and the C’s did. I think we deserved to win tho.
Then again, I think banner 18 will be green.
- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel
Tie Breaker
This win may be more important at the end of the season.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
games are long, season is longer
In basketball it’s all about momentum. Neither team really needed this game – it’s all about positioning yourselves to peak in the playoffs. Think of it like a marathon, and so judge both teams accordingly.
First question being: does this team have the necessary pieces – are we physically built to go the distance? Based on what I saw today, the C’s have a much healthier balance than Cleveland. As a team we look like we’ve got a good distance runner’s body. That is, we’re long, deep, versatile, and though not freakishly athletic we do have the ability to sprint/push the tempo when need be.
For the Cavs – I think Anthony Parker is a great pickup. Lebron has lacked reliable outside shooting, and AP is consistent as they come. But overall, the Cavs have an oddly shaped runner’s body. They’re not well balanced and they don’t seem so deep. Shaq + Z give them clumsy feet and a huge butt, and yet Lebron is still the most dynamic player in the league. Mo is hot & cold. Delonte is a big ? Varejao is really supposed to score for them? I just don’t see how the pieces fit for this team.
by milt palacio's shot on Oct 28, 2009 8:41 AM EDT reply actions
“Lebron has lacked reliable outside shooting.” Is this really true, though? Gibson, Delonte, Mo Williams, Ilgauskus, and Wally are all better-than-average outside shooters. It seems to me that at least part of the problem is that they don’t have an offense that can utilize the parts they have. Or maybe that LeBron doesn’t know how to utilize them.
Sheed...
…was very impressive, as was Marquis Daniels -
2 key signings.
.
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
Not just good, but GREAT
Nearly 5 years since a road win vs the team with the best home record last season. KG at about 70% but effective nonetheless. Rondo made some key plays to thwart the comeback…
No one on the Cavs outside of LBJ and Shaq shot well, some of it was due to the defense but there were a LOT of open bricks. The 3-pt line made the difference as it did in the preseason.
Sheed really hit some key shots but ran out of gas in the 4th. Luckily the Cavs defense is nothing like it was last season…
by nba is the worst on Oct 28, 2009 8:46 AM EDT reply actions
Chris Webber
I loved the attitude from Chris Webber last night. When they were showing highlights, all the highlights for Cleveland were of LeBron. Each clip of the Celtics was of a different player. He said the highlights showed the differences in the two teams.
What I saw last night from the Cs was simply they appear to be way more balanced. Instead of relying on one person to carry them through a game, they look to be riding guys for minutes, not the entire game. So I love that. They have a ‘team’ again.
How many people went through this last night? Daniels in the corner launching a three. My thought was, “no, no, no, . . . . yes! Great shot.”
Totally agree about the balance.
The Celtics can get scoring from 5-6 guys on any given night. Reminds me of an 80s team.
Mo, you can trade anything of mine.
Indeed
My favorite thing about that part was when the announcer said that "this might be the Celtics best 3 shooting lineup… House, Allen, Rasheed, and Marquis. Whhhhhhat? Marquis isn’t a good 3 point shooter. I’m happy he made the shot though. Haha
by 18isGREATERthan72 on Oct 28, 2009 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions
If Perkins shooting from the outside...
…is a new part of the C’s offense, then I might need to up the alcohol intake level as I watch close games. I’m sorry – love KP – but I will always cringe when 4 all-stars are on the floor and yet the best shot they can find is the Beast from 15 feet. His shot comes off like a loogie that kind of hangs for a second before falling…
by milt palacio's shot on Oct 28, 2009 8:54 AM EDT reply actions
The shots were good.
Seriously. He made one of three of those? Not bad seeing as one of them very nearly went in. I thought they looked good, and we’d been warned that he’d been practicing on those.
Also, I thought Rajon’s shot looked a lot better than it did two seasons ago. Seriously. Technique-wise it looked solid instead of the awkward shots he used to take.
- Dirk 'DaarisDirk' van Boxtel
correct
When the in-&-out shot popped back out, I was amazed. It was a beautiful shot and all things put together – he was wide open on the play – I want him to take that shot.
You WANT guys taking shots that are the result of plays that get them wide open. Over the course of a season those will fall a lot more often than the off-balance fall-away jumpers, or the out-of-control flips-as-you-are-falling-because-you-got-tripped-by-your-own-feet-in-traffic or the last-second-beat-the-shot-clock-with-a-guy-in-your-face shots.
But really, Perkins’ real job in this game was to come in whenever Shaq was on the floor and keep him out of the paint. And that is exactly what he did.
Yeah, pretty much
It’s not like Perkins is shooting 18 foot jumpers. Those looked like 8 feet or something, maybe less. And clearly that shot is within his range when he’s wide open. I imagine, if nothing else, Cavs fans were irritated by those shots. : )
Lebron
Hey if Lebron is going to have to put up 38 every night against the good teams for the Cavs to have a chance to win then I’m not worried about them.
Feels like the 80s, just killing time til we get the Lakers in June…
Key Play - Message for the Season
With less than a minute, down 6, Lebron drives the left lane and IS SWARMED. Has to find someone else and throws it away. Lockdown team D on a last minute play. What a great sign.
I really thought he was going to take over, he’s the best I’ve ever seen, he’s “King James”, national TV, gets the calls etc. Instead Pierce took over.
That’s just it. In crunch time,our C’s were in the position they seem to prefer. Then they made the plays when it mattered and the Cavs didn’t. In my own biased opinion, the better team executed better down the stretch, it’s that simple.
by Thruthelookingglass on Oct 28, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Watching the Cav’s team, it seemed that after the first period, Lebron was the only one who seemed to really ‘want it’.
As much as I’ve thought of him as overrated the last couple of years – and hate the way he received such favored calls by the officials again and again – I thought he played with real genuine hustle and intensity last night. Yet the rest of his team looked like they were sleepwalking.
New year. Same old Cavs.
I thought it was a fairly routine game. Sheed was Sheed, Daniels was Daniels, KG was KG, and (particularly at the end) Pierce was Pierce.
Message to LeBron: when you are 5 feet away from a guy and throw a pass as hard as you can, don’t expect him to catch it. That turnover at the end was 100% LeBron’s fault.
He’s a great player, though, and the officials make him even better. As someone said last night (Heinsohn? Gorman?) , the NBA has become a “three step league.” LeBron thrives in that environment, even though IMHO the game of basketball was just fine the way it was.
KG was KG??
as in..what? he only runs and jumps completly different then pre-injury
his ups didn't look the same
he should have had that alley oop and not the fade away. that is just probably conditioning though. he’ll get stronger. he still looked good out there and I was very happy to see him playing. Damn Shaq! he is done.
"I was like a kid in a candy store running around with his head cut off ,,,," 0_o
by CaliforniaGreen on Oct 28, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
It may be a three step league, but it looks like they’re calling it pretty much the same despite the language change in the rules.
I actually thought the officials were calling more on Lebron than usual. A palming violation and a charge? I’ll take it. I thought the officials were pretty good last night, especially considering it was their first action, in a while. Maybe they should have little mini camps occasionally throughout the year.
agreed
couldn’t believe he got called for that charge or the palming. both correct calls but they never call anything on him unless it’s blatant.
Maybe PP is going to get those superstar calls since he drew that charge ;-)
I was astounded when they called the palming and the charge on him as well. It’s just something he’s gotten away with for so long.
by 18isGREATERthan72 on Oct 28, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Love the C's Bench.
Love the C’s team as a whole. Take Lebron off the Cavs and they are a 30-35 win team.
Mo, you can trade anything of mine.
Pierce
LeBron took about twice as many shots as Paul. But Paul hit the key shots and free throws at the end. And there lies the Cav’s problem. Very little passing. The ball sticks.
Meanwhile the C’s had great player and ball movement.
"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird
"Criminally Negligent Officiating"--Tommy Heinsohn
Relish this, boys!
Do you remember how recently we were saying our starting 5 wasn’t as good as many of the opposing benches? This is just fantastic.
UBUNTU
Great to see the concept in practice: Team Defense, unselfish passing of the ball and great individual effort leading to the “Team Win”!
Very inspiring to watch, difficult to emulate and in contrast as in the case in last nights match-up, the better “Team” wins !
Indefatigable on Defence defines these Celtics~
This victory was huge.
Say what you want about the long season and all the games counting the same. This was starting game, and there’s only one. When it’s on national television against a top contender, then you either come out a big winner or you walk away a questioned loser. Don’t tell me everyone connected to the Cavs doesn’t feel lousy this morning.
Good Win
Hey a win is a win. We do have a little work to do like the turnovers. It drives me crazy when they have 2 or 3 in a row. That just kills a run. We will be fine, it’s just the beginning.
Turnovers need to go down
Good point. It seems like they always come in streaks. It’s like they just don’t pay as much attention doing the little things like inbounding the ball, or taking it up the court. I think that has a lot to do with Rondo not always giving 100% effort, but I’m sure it’s something that is going to stick with this core, and as long as they are winning games, I can deal with it. Imagine how much better they would be with just 2 or 3 less turnovers a game.
by 18isGREATERthan72 on Oct 28, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Ray
Ray seemed like the biggest offender last night in terms of careless turnovers. Maybe it just seemed that way to me.
Ray was an offender last night, but I think on the whole, through out the season, it is Rondo and whoever is inbounding the ball, being careless, or when he is passing it to someone. Just seems like sometimes he makes really careless passes.
Obviously it isn’t Rondo every single turnover, but I do feel like he doesn’t take as much care of the ball as he is capable of. I really enjoy Rondo and what he brings to the team though.
by 18isGREATERthan72 on Oct 28, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Rondo had 2 turnovers in 34 mins last night
assist/turnover ratio was 5:1…. I’ll take that for game 1
Don't Trade Rondo or Perk!
I’m talking about in general, not just one game in particular. There are times where Rondo makes passes that I don’t think he should have. Much like he sometimes gambles on defense, it seems like he gambles on offense too.
by 18isGREATERthan72 on Oct 28, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
disagree somewhat with
In reality, a few bounces of the ball either way and the Cavs could have won this game and it would be the Celtics having to deal with it.
In reality, the Celtics kept the Cavs in it through their own mistakes – several careless turnovers in the second half and several missed shots when they were wide open allowed the Cavs to get back to 4 pts without really doing anything to earn it.
I agree
I dont remember the Cavs threatening us at all after the first quarter. The only reason the score was so close was because we fell asleep. In no way shape or form was i concerned about the celtics loosing this game after the 1st quarter.
Random Thoughts
1. I loved the way Perkins played last night and especially against Shaq. He didn’t force anything and get into huge foul problems. He just stayed at home defensively. Very encouraging.
2. Our bench scored 26 points. Lakers bench score 7 or 8 I think.
3. The most important thing about KG’s play was that he ran smoothly and did appear to be without pain. His timing was better than I thought it was going to be with the exception of the missed dunk.
4. Sheed looked like he’s been playing for the Cs all his life. The value of a veteran there.
5. What happened to Doc watching the Big Three’s minutes? KG 33 (okay). PP 37. RA 42!!!!
6. Andrew Bynum scored 25 and pulled down 13 boards. Shoot me.
7. The Artist Formerly known as Big Baby better keep his weight down during his hiatus and at least stay in aerobic shape. He is going to lose muscle tone because he won’t be able to use that hand in the weight room for a while.
by thereallargejames on Oct 28, 2009 12:02 PM EDT reply actions
#7
I’m a little concerned about BBD’s down time, hopefully he won’t fall back into old habits….. but I won’t be surprised if he’s way out of shape when he comes back.
On the other hand, maybe playing with through training camp/preseason with Sweetney scared him from the dinner table…
Don't Trade Rondo or Perk!
Way to GO C's
I was very pleased to see that after a long hiatus of some much loved Celtics bball. The news of Glen Davis kind of worried me at first, but seeing the C’s play like that last night reassured my initial feelings of Green18!
"I was like a kid in a candy store running around with his head cut off ,,,," 0_o
by CaliforniaGreen on Oct 28, 2009 12:32 PM EDT reply actions
encouraging game in a sense
the game was encouraging from the sense that they played a top quality opponent on the road and won without making it a nailbiter. Clearly they are superior to the Cavs.
what wasn’t encouraging was that they started so poorly (definitely appeared unfocussed) and that they let them back in in the 3rd quarter when they could have put them away (again, lack of focus).
Granted this is just based on a single game, but the only team that can stop the C’s from winning the title is the C’s.
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