Are We Ready For The Magic?
by Jeff Clark on Nov 19, 2009 5:39 PM EST
in Boston Celtics Articles
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PrintPerhaps this will change as gametime gets closer, but is it just me or is there a lot less hype for this game than we would have anticipated coming into the season? If you had asked me then how many losses these teams would have after a dozen games and I would have probably guessed 3 total, not 3 each.
The Magic dropped some early games to the Pistons and Thunder and more recently to the Cavs, but they've been feasting on the bottom of the league in their last three wins, including a revenge win over Oklahoma City. For their part, the Celtics have been struggling ever since that TWolves game and have been only .500 in the last 6 games. Will this be a clash of the titans or a battle of who could care less?
Personally I'm hoping for the Celtics to use this game to shake them out of the doldrums. Some players indicated that they've been taking teams too lightly recently. That shouldn't be the case playing against the team that bounced us out of the playoffs last year.
As usual, all eyes will be on the center matchup where Perkins has more than held his own against Dwight. Now we'll see first hand how well Vince Carter is taking over for the departed Hedo. Nameer Nelson is hurt again, so I would hope that Rondo can take advantage of the Jason Williams matchup. Both teams also boast newly improved, deeper benches.
So this should be a good early-season litmus test of sorts for both teams. The cast of characters has changed somewhat (KG and VC in, Hedo and Baby out) but both teams will want to assert themselves as the class of the East and get a leg up on homecourt advantage.
The Celtics have had a day or so of rest, a mostly healthy roster, and clear motivation. In other words, no excuses. If they win, great, we're back on track (for now). If they lose, then there are some issues that the team will have to look long and hard at.
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I honestly don’t know about our team, but I’m ready. I’ve been looking forward to this all day!
by Thruthelookingglass on Nov 19, 2009 5:55 PM EST reply actions
You're both right
With crazy new job I got the game days mixed up, but I am SUPER-excited to see us play well. Feels like it’s been a while . . .
by Thruthelookingglass on Nov 19, 2009 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
The game will be a good test
I for one think the Celtics recent slump was caused due to a lack motivation and energy playing their lower tier opponents.
This game against one of the best teams in the NBA will be a good barometer to judge if the C’s will finally get up and motivated for a game and show some life or not.
I expect the players to be pumped and ready to go for this game.
Should be interesting to watch what happens.
We have Perktonite
That’s plenty.
by joebianca on Nov 19, 2009 8:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Disappointed...but, not surprised by Rasheed
I`m NOT surprised that Rasheed Wallace brought his lazy, uninspired play to the Celtics.
I AM surprised that he`s managed to infiltrate, and get nearly the entire team to join along!
Orlando improved just as much as we did,
if not more, during the offseason. White Chocolate has definitely lost a step, so without Jameer we should have an advantage at PG, though. It’ll be interesting to see if VC can pick up some of that slack. Also I’ll be interested to see if (Eeyore Binky) Ryan Anderson will manage to do anything against our embarrassment of riches at PF.
If the Cs can’t get motivated for this game, I’m officially going to start worrying.
"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
advantage?
Rondo should have a major advantage tonight but we thought the same thing about Ray in last year’s playoffs where he was getting us killed.
Based on Rondo’s recent poor defensive play, I’m not ready to concede an advantage there tonight.
The question is not are we ready for the magic.
The qustion is….are the magic ready for us?
Reporter: About a year ago I asked about the Celtics-Lakers thing and you said you'd really only seen it on TV. Now you've been through it, can you talk about playing the Boston Celtics for the NBA championship?
Kobe: It Sucks.
by Tom Bellinger on Nov 19, 2009 9:14 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
The Magic don’t scare me. The Celtics do.
by Brickowski on Nov 19, 2009 9:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Good one!
remember though, that no one remembers these November games come spring.
I’d like to see Daniels make Barnes look bad.
"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
Magic are going down
I predict an easy win…
by SalmonAndMashedPotatoes on Nov 19, 2009 10:09 PM EST reply actions
Magic will want to revenge
their home loss to us and will come out playing with intensity. The Cs need to be ready and play Celtics ball. Clamp down D, racin Rondo, Perktonite (love that!), Ray gun, the Truth, and Mr Intensity himself. If they all show up, no more Magic!
by Daveonthecape on Nov 20, 2009 12:13 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Great preview.
You sait it all Jeff! I’m expecting the Celtics to come out aggressive and excellent on defense, fueled by the desire of revenge against the Magic.
If they play flat and uninspired like the past few games… then I will be mad and worried.
But I’m confident that this game will put us back on track. Let’s go C’s!
Image caption: Vince Carter is doing his best tumbleweed impression.
Go go Vincent somersault! Norly, nice image!
- Dirk van Boxtel, the wandering Celtic fan.
@DaarisDirk
I love this quote from Doc in today's Herald:
Rivers wasn’t stunned to hear Wallace has mentored Orlando’s Dwight Howard.
"I think Rasheed mentors a lot of guys," Rivers said. "He mentors officials all the time." . .
barometer game
This game should tell a lot about the state of the C’s. If they don’t come out focussed and play with effort/determination, there’s some real issues with this cast of characters. No excuses not to be focussed tonight.
Howard
Magic fan here <<<
If Howard can stay out of foul trouble I give the advantage to the magic, but it has not been able to do that latley.
Good luck, should be a good one
I wonder what effect the new, "positive vibe" Van Gundy
(see today’s Hoopshype) will have?
"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
It's Really Up to the Celtics
Against teams like Golden State, the Celtics can play 40 minutes of bad basketball and 8 minutes of decent basketball and win by double digits.
You can’t do that against the Magic, even the Jameer-less Magic. You can’t stand around on the glass. You can’t let guys take unmolested corner threes, with no one within ten feet. You can’t make one or two desultory perimeter passes and then jack up threes. Someone has to get into Rashard Lewis’ face and STAY THERE.
This Celtics’ team has a Jeckyl and Hyde personality. I have no idea which team will show up tonight, and Rivers probably doesn’t either.
That’s a good way to put it. Against any but the very elite teams, every game is the Celtics’ to lose. When the C’s choose to play with intensity and within their system, they are virtually unbeatable.
by Thruthelookingglass on Nov 20, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
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