Kobe Sinks Celtics
by Greg Payne on Jan 31, 2010 6:08 PM EST
in Boston Celtics Games
Email
PrintKobe Bryant buried a free throw line jump shot over Ray Allen with 7.3 seconds left, giving the Los Angeles Lakers a 90-89 lead. Ray Allen's potential game winning jump shot went begging and the Lakers escape Boston with a one-point win.
- The Celtics had the lead for much of the fourth, only to see it evaporate with mere seconds left.
- An offensive foul called on Paul Pierce with 27.5 seconds left really swung the momentum in the Lakers' favor, leading to Kobe's theatrics.
- Kobe was held to just 8-20 shooting and scored only 19 points, but he certainly made it when it mattered most.
- Rajon Rondo was huge today, putting up a line of 21 points, 5 rebounds, 12 assists, two steals and just one turnover.
- Ray Allen shot just 2-10 on the day, including that final miss, and finished with just seven points.
- Andrew Bynum was a beast for the Lakers, and the C's had virtually no answer for him. He posted 19 points and 11 rebounds, with five of those boards coming on the offensive glass.
- Tony Allen contributed 12 crucial points in the first half when the Celtics were staring an 11-point deficit in the face. He also played very good defense on Kobe for much of the afternoon.
- Both teams held double-digit leads in this one, with the Lakers going up big early, and the C's holding an 11-point lead as late as the 9:16 mark of the fourth quarter.
- The Celtics displayed signs of the energy and tenacity we expect from them. A win today in a late game fashion might have meant big things for this squad moving forward. Unfortunately, it's just another heart breaking loss, ending what was a nightmare of a weekend against three of the NBA's top teams.
369 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
i'm sorry that was a bofus call on Pierce
Artest flopped…Bryant does that on nearly every play to free himself.
- JoeB
did you watch the replays? PP did push Artest, and Artest sold it to the max. It was a fair call
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 6:11 PM EST up reply actions
you don’t think he pushed? LOL. Were you at the receiving end of the push? If you were the ref, and you saw a push, you could ignore it, but it would be as bad a call as ignoring it.
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 6:27 PM EST up reply actions
push or flop
you keep talking about a push, you can’t flop either. artest flopped.
that kind of contact happens on every single drive on every single play. if officials feel they need to call it in an attempt to keep players a bit more honest, fine, i can handle that. but not on the most important play of the game.
i’m not blaming the loss on officiating by any means, but that was an awful call given the amount of contact, the laughable flop, and the situation.
P2 is the man.
The call was made
because it was blatantly obvious. If it hadn’t been called, heads would have rolled somewhere. Sucks that it had to come at such a crucial moment.
Keep the faith.
P2, so you’re saying legitimate fouls can become illegitimate depending on the importance of the play? If so, for whom? If you were a Laker’s fan, would you consider a non-call on the most important play as fair? And if the tables were turned, would you not want this foul called against LA? Can we at least try to be cosistent especailyl if we’re demanding same from the refs?
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
not what im saying at all, i tried to type my thoughts too fast.
I’ll use a different example. How many times a game do we see illegal screens called? probably at least 4 or 5 and that goes for pretty every team. You could argue that those illegal screens happen on just about every pick and roll. Especially when KG or Perk are involved. Those calls are made from time to time but not all the time, and they are rarely made in the final minute of a 1 point game.
How often do we see players in a final shot situation get hacked on their way to the basket but the whistle gets swallowed? It happens all the time.
In this situation, calling a highly debatable touch foul on an offensive player with less than a minute to go is insane. Especially considering you can go back at any point in that game if you have tivo and see hand on player conact of that nature on seriously EVERY POSSESSION. The difference this time was Ron Artest, being the “Great” defender that he is, flopped to get the call. its crap but its part of the game. If you read my original post all I said was it was a terrible call and in my opinion it was.
Someone said flip the sides and I agree. If that happened to Kobe instead of Pierce Lakers fans would be absolutely furious and they’d have every right to be.
Now, all that being said, the reason why the Celtics lost this game is because once again in teh fourth quarter instead of putting them away they played not to lose down the stretch and it killed them.
P2 is the man.
had the lead
they had the lead when artest flopped.
Yeah, but...
…we had benefitted from some questionable calls as well during the course of the game. Short of blatant mischief by refs, we can’t cherry pick our way to blaming refs for a game we could have won easily.
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
Celtics lost when they gave up their lead
How many more games like this do we have to see?
It's nice to see you around, TVI
though I would be wary of throwing too much actual logic and reason around in this particular climate, right as you are.
-sw
Growing up in the Weinman household, you learn two rules very quickly if you aspire to reach double-digits in the years-of-age category: Hate thy Knick, hate thy Yankee.
Go Celtics, Go Dodgers. -sw
by Steve Weinman on Jan 31, 2010 7:40 PM EST up reply actions
TVI, don’t agree we could have won easily per se, but i get and agree with your point. However, my real complaint is, if you watch the replay, the call was made by the outside official who was blocked out of the play by Pierce. He was behind Pierce, how the heck can he see it? All he saw was Artest ending up 7 rows deep. If that’s good officiating then I’ve got a real problem with it. You can’t make a call based upon the reaction of the defender, you need to see the play. Otherwise, it’s a no-call. And if that call was not made and we won the game, the posts on this thread would be a lot different. Fakers got the breaks when they really counted, and didn’t deserve them.
- JoeB
watch the play again
artest actually fell in a different direction (towards the basket) to the one he WOULD have had he been pushed by pierce (to his (artest’s) right. pathetic call. course the celtics scored 8 points in the last 9 min of the game, so who cares. they had a great rhythm going with rondo, but someone thought it best to change that tempo in the 4th.
JoeB, you keep saying it was a bogus call, but you do not offer any explanation why it’s a bogus call. Are you suggesting PP never pushed Artest? And if he did push, are you faulting the ref for calling it? If so why?
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
it’s bogus because it wasn’t a push (his arm was extended out, but not even fully), Artest flopped on it, and it’s a call that is rarely made…especially with a game in the balance. So, yeah I fault the ref for the call. Celts should have put them away earlier, but they still were in a position to win in what was expected to be a close game. They didn’t get they call.
- JoeB
But yet...
his arm was extended.. and it was a push.
as a defender, it’s artest’s right to call attention to the push. I didn’t like that he flopped, but you can’t say that it wasn’t a push… and you can’t say it doesn’t get called, because it does get called often enough that it’s a risk to pull off that move.
at best, PP took the gamble that they wouldn’t call it, and lost.
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 6:48 PM EST up reply actions
Jonny, arm was out, but don’t agree it was a push. There wasn’t even any real contact See my earlier reply on a post. The call was made by an official blocked out of the play. He couldn’t see it. Just poor officiating, but would have thought we would still have won this game.
- JoeB
artest flopped
artest flopped, that is why its not a foul on pierce
Correct
Before Artest conciously flops, you can see the pushoff clearly. (must be Kobe’s fault)…
by nba is the worst on Feb 1, 2010 9:41 AM EST up reply actions
I expected the above to post under TVI's 1st comment
My take is that Pierce pushed sideways (so the official behind him COULD see it).
I’d like to ask 7mnsx8 where he got the idea that “flopping is illegal” and that if a player flops it negates the foul that occurred prior to the flop?
by nba is the worst on Feb 1, 2010 9:51 AM EST up reply actions
I just stepped through it frame-by-frame
I’m not going to say it was a flagrantly bad call because things happen fast and the Officials are going to call what they call.
But technically, it is very clear that Pierce did NOT pushoff. Yes his hand is up, but Artest does not go anywhere in the direction that his hand nominally ‘pushes’. Instead it is clear the hand up to preserve existing space and for balance as Pierce alters his direction away from Artist towards the sideline. Technically, Artest actually is guilty of the foul because he steps into Pierce’s path and steps on his foot. It is the stepping on the foot that causes Artest to lose control of his own momentum towards the baseline.
It is technically a ‘wrong’ call. I wouldn’t go so far as a ‘bad’ call other than from a game flow perspective even if Pierce HAD pushed off, it is a ticky-tack call to make with the game on the line.
hahha
it was a super legit call,did you scream on that call with kobe and tony allen where kobe didn’t even touch ALlen???? hahahha, now THAT was a bad call.
by lakersbluedevil on Jan 31, 2010 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
not resetting the clock was also a bad call
by cheekmeister on Jan 31, 2010 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
ron flopped
its not super legit. Had Artest not flopped it would have been. Artest flopped. its a no call.
Another heartbreaking loss
Time to reconsider that Ray Allen no-trade clause?
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 6:10 PM EST reply actions
Agreed. I’m just following up on something I’ve ben saying… I think the Celtics should consider trading RA, get something in return while his valu is still high.
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 6:16 PM EST up reply actions
People keep saying this, but no one has yet proposed a viable trade that makes sense.
Every trade for Ray proposed so far simply doesn’t make sense for either financial reasons or technical reasons or basketball reasons.
And you have to be very clear – are you trading him to get help making a run THIS year? Or to rebuild for the future? For the former, I just don’t see any viable trades. For the latter, you don’t do that until the team is completely out of it. Are we completely out of it yet?
Here’s a trade idea
It’s a long post, but here’s the relevant excerpt:
What type of players can the Warriors expect? …Swapping expiring-contract Allen for long-term deals Ellis and Maggette (the trade works under the cap) would be the biggest salary cap robbery since Pau Gasol became a Laker — and would rest on similar justifications. Even if the Celtics tossed in a pick or a young cheap player, the deal would be a purely business transaction by a financially struggling team. The trade would instantly clear $74.7 million in fixed costs off the Warriors’ balance sheet. For a team estimated to be worth $250-400 million total, that’s serious money that would likely make the team a much more attractive acquisition target. Even if Maggette weren’t added to the deal, the Warriors could save significant money by including Vlad’s or even Biedrins’ deal to make the numbers work.
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 7:55 PM EST up reply actions
Seen how Marc Gasol is playing lately?
Sort of makes the “robbery” line look foolish…
by nba is the worst on Feb 1, 2010 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
while his value is still high?! The guy’s washed up. He’s had more single digit point totals over the last 2 years than some bench players. Who’d pay anything for his old bones?
by FrankieSatin on Jan 31, 2010 7:00 PM EST up reply actions
:)
LOL @""who’d pay anything for his old bones". That was cold. Anyway, what I meant by value is his expiring contract.
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 7:29 PM EST up reply actions
As much as a Iove Perk.
He needed to hit both of those Freebies at the end.
Don't Trade Rondo or Perk!
no heart?
what were you watching? they came back from a big deficit at the start. Don’t agree at all Amir.
- JoeB
Another heart driven 3 points by Rasheed….what happened to that big game on national TV that we heard about
by Nick Sannicandro on Jan 31, 2010 6:11 PM EST reply actions
Referee Assisted
Well, it was referee-assisted, but the Lakers won nonetheless. It wasn’t just the last call, it was a series of them on the 4th quarter, including the bogus travelling call on Rondo.
As I said earlier, Bennett Salvatore and his crew would be very, very bad news for the Celtics.
I often wonder if Salvatore is on the take. I really do.
I know some folks will knee-jerk defend the refs
but jeeze, that guy is sooooo bad.
let's face it...
…the NBA loves this. they want the drama, they want the close games, even the controversy. it sells tickets and has folks watching games. they won’t do anything about about Salvatore or anyone else.
- JoeB
agreed
should have put them away, but still had a chance to win an expected close game. If I recall correctly, Pierce’s jumper went it. Still don’t like the Rondo traveling call either. So the ending, or last couple minutes, was expected. Calls did not go our way. I blame Salvatore and co. for that.
- JoeB
Quit whining about the refs
There was that bogus call where the ball clearly went off Big Baby at one end and the Celtics got the ball, not to mention the refs not seeing that Perk’s rebound was aided when he bounced the ball off the back of the stanchion. There were bad/missed calls both ways. In the end the Lakers made the plays and Boston did not.
Salvatore certainly gave Toronto the game when the Lakers played there
Jumpshooting Raptors were +17 in ft margin in their 1-pt “win”.
That Salvatore and J. Crawford still have their jobs is ridiculous…
by nba is the worst on Feb 1, 2010 10:00 AM EST up reply actions
Well, clearly we should blow up the team
after all, a 2 pt loss on the road to the Magic, a winnable game blown by the bench on the road in Atlanta and a frustrating 1-pt loss to the Lakers at home.
Trade Ray! Trade KG! Burn down the Garden!
(Just anticipating the junk to come.)
Yes -- they went 0-3 during the gauntlet, as Doc coined it
Nothing to worry about. Everything is fine. And they only lost double digit leads in two of the three games, because I think the biggest lead against Atlanta was 9. Unreal how people seem to be happy with a 3-game losing streak against the best in the league.
even
when the celtics win you make the same comments.
I just happen to be a fan not happy with losses
Especially when your team had the lead in all three games and choked it away each time. Sorry, but I just don’t find a whole lot to be optimistic in the last 4 days.
wins/losses
I doubt that. your a fan of another team.
There are some things
- KG healthy
- PP playing well
- Rondo had a great game, until he mysteriously shut down in Q4. I have to blame Doc for that… it seems by design that they quit doing what works – Rondo slashing constantly – in Q4 in favor of PP isos. It can’t be Rondo’s idea. Doc may just be the stupidest man in the whole organization. Who knew?
- Etc.
Dump Doc. Make KG player-coach. So there!
Why go for a 3 when you're down 1?
Drive to the basket!
and the lakers were out of fouls to give too!!!!!!!!!!!!
that is unexceptable
by chuckslammin on Jan 31, 2010 6:14 PM EST up reply actions
i agree PP should have taken it in
but i really doubt we would have heard a whistle. i’m sorry, but that traveling call and offensive foul on PP were just killers.
- JoeB
agreed
coming from a Laker fan – Ray Ray does NOT scare us one bit. PP on the otherhand – aside from his whine baby status, is a much more feared baller. The only thing is, just don’t get a booboo, because he’ll start crying and get carried off in a stretcher.
by FrankieSatin on Jan 31, 2010 7:05 PM EST up reply actions
this team is H-I-S-T-O-R-Y. KG needs to retire…he gives us absolutely NOTHING. Look at him. He’s on the sidelines with ice packs all over him. The dude is DONE. GONE. JUST RETIRE. Ray Allen…NOTHING. We’re toast. Time to get rid of the relics and start over. Rondo is the only consistent guy on this team.
By heart I mean mental toughness. They cant finish games and that requires heart and fearlessness. Im sick of seeing lethargic play in the 4Q. Thats what I mean when I say this team has no heart, because when it comes down to it they scurry away.
Posey?
what does Posey have to do with this? He wasn’t gonna win this game. You can make the same argument about Marquis Daniels. Bottom line is this team played hard and gave it everything. This was supposed to be a close game and it was. Two calls went against them at the end and a tough shot beat them. I don’t question their heart or mental toughness.
- JoeB
They played hard until it counted. Give them a cookie. They still lost and thats the BOTTOMLINE. They were scared in the 4Q and chocked. Including Rondo.
Scared?
Where are you getting this from? I don’t see anyone scared out there. I’m done with this thread…just ridiculous.
- JoeB
Rondo passing up 3-4 open shots, missed wide open shots from KG and Ray in crucial situations in the game. There it is for you. Yet Kobe can make that shot with Ray draped all over him.
Ok well the weakness of this team is their mental toughness. If you cant see it, its too bad. Its really a hole in their philosophy of not attacking an oppenont that is messing it up. Dont try and question my allegiance to the team, thats pathetic. Im a bigger fan than you I guarantee and I care about what is going.
I disagree Amir
The weakness of the team is injuries and age; Sheed can’t or won’t move his feat defensively, PP can’t drive and finish and Perk will never be quick moving his feet or jumping. That being said, KG looked like he has improved since Atlanta, Tony Allen looked as good as pre. injured knee Tony and I thought Rondo should have been on the court at the end.
They didn't ALL "give it everything"
Doc didn’t. He lazily called the same play he always calls at the end of games, with its Ray-3pt option, which was idiotic. And he left TA on the bench in the 2nd half, after he and Rondo kept them in the game in the first half. (Doc said it was because TA got “too fast”. Presumably a TO. Doc… news flash: Paul had FIVE TOs. TA was an avid ball guardian compared to Paul.
Sheed didn’t. No fight. No movement. No effort, unless he could do something by just sticking his arms out. A useless fecalith, is Rasheed.
The player formerly knows as Big Baby didn’t… not in terms of actually accomplishing anything.
Ray did… but on O, he unfortunately did go back to his pathetic ways. Hard to call it a slump anymore with Ray. He plays great for one game, then slides right back to 2-10 FG, 0-6 3Pt. I would not oppose a move to start TA and let Ray come off the bench. At least try it for a couple of games.
Celtics were in control most of the game
considering Garnett is struggling (he was not himself tonight) and LA had to beat us with 7 seconds left in the game it was not a bad loss.
Garnett hasn't been himself for the last calendar year
Is anyone sure he’s gonna revert to what he once was at some point?
This one is on Doc
In a 1 point game with 7 seconds left, the best you can do is 3 POINT SHOT by Ray Allen? The OBVIOUS correct play is a drive to the basket. Doc failed, badly.
Ray – thanks for another useless game.
You too Rasheed… you got a big mouth and nothing behind it.
But give credit to the rest of the team. Rondo, KG, TA, Perk, even Eddie… good job guys. If you played like this every time out, you’d win 9/10 games.
At least Ray played decent D on Kobe.
His shots didn’t fall though.
by tomatolander on Jan 31, 2010 6:19 PM EST up reply actions
That he did
Ray played excellent D on Kobe. On O tho… useless.
Ray did everything he could do on Kobe’s last shot.
Kobe just hit a very tough shot.
sigh
by tomatolander on Jan 31, 2010 6:23 PM EST up reply actions
But
they needed a shot of TA energy and aggression in there. Beyond me why Coach did not go back to him. This ones on the coaches. And the decision to go Iso
I wonder if Ray will ever be dependable as a shooter again
Or will get get a good game every 6 or 7 games from him?
...who is shooting very badly lately
way it is. he needs a break.
Yes, he is a hall of famer
Unfortunately, he still has to play every game and score points and make shots. He is shooting 34 percent from the field since the Detroit game. Just awful.
HOF/unfortunately
You used the words hall of famer. then concluded your statement with the word awful.
Tony Allen
He played so well in the first half that Rviers felt compelled to keep him on the bench for almost the entire second half.
How many points did Ray Allen have in 35 minutes— seven?
Yeah, i have to admit I wouldn't have minded seeing more of Tony down the stretch.
Of course, if they still lost, with Ray on the bench … folks would be screamin!
Defensively, they actually seem to work best with Tony subbing for Paul, surprisingly.
Brick, I usually don’t agree with you on Doc’s subbing, but I share your sentiments on this one. TA had his head in the game. He should have been playing.
Not to blame Ray for this loss, but isn’t it time the Cs consider trading Ray (again, this is not about tonight’s game).
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 6:21 PM EST up reply actions
Not trade but
pair him with Tony. And Paul with Tony- it was working. And it saves those 30+ year legs down the stretch.
That could work, but...
…given that RA will soon be a free agent, why not get some value for him now?
by The Village Idiot on Jan 31, 2010 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
Bill Walker should easily score eight points in the samr amount of time!!!
"No I’m not KG. Not at all, but I’m Big Baby Glen Davis from LSU, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I’m not the Big Ticket. I’m the Ticket Stub. Don’t count the Ticket Stub out. You might need the ticket to get in the game, but you leave with the ticket stub, because you’ll never forget this game."
Sheed was terrible
No pride, no effort, just a big mouth.
Sheed
did his job defensively as when he was in their he slowed down all the Lakers bigs, especially Gasol.
The C’s did not go to him offensively since he was only 1-3 so you can not ball him for Rondo not giving him the ball .
I myself don’t consider Sheed a Celt. He’ll always be something else to me, and boy, I agree, he plays like it.
he actually played really good defense all game. Stop looking at boxscores and actually watch the game. I saw maaaybe one defensive mistake out of him all game, and a lot more good plays. nothing on offense but thats going up against bynum odom and gasol so didnt expect too many points
I watched the game
the length and bulk of the laker front line was giving KG and Perk at times trouble.
When Rasheed was in he neutralized the Laker big man with his length and bulk.
Yea he got beat a couple of times, but for the most part he did a good job.
Wrong
I watched him on D too. If he could stick his arm out and do something useful, he did. No effort, no movement, nothing by mouth.
You are right
Sheeds favorite play is to swipe his hand at the player or the ball. Sometimes he gets the ball, most times he gets a foul and sometimes he gets nothing and the player scores an easy basket. He is by far one of the laziest players I have ever seen in a Celtics’ uniform.
Not about Sheed
Lazy is all he is. Truth is truth.
We can only hope he turns around in the playoffs. But the truth is… what motivates this man? He’s on his last contract, with GUARANTEED pay. What’s gonna motivate him if he doesn’t care about winning silly basketball games? We’re stuck with him. Again, maybe he’ll change for the playoffs. We live and hope. But right now, he’s just terrible.
He desnt play with a lot of energy but I just thought he played smart all game. Played the passing lanes well, didnt let anyone drive into the lane. Saw 3 or 4 possessions where he played good post defense on Gasol or Bynum with the ball and made stops.
Playing smart would be
keeping your mouth shut
staying in front of your man
take a charge maybe for once in your life
and getting on the low or high post and being a forward
by chuckslammin on Jan 31, 2010 6:29 PM EST up reply actions
So freaking sick and tired
Of watching this team get a lead by attacking the basket and moving the ball, then crunch time comes and they start standing around on every possession trying to run out the clock. They choked.
PP
the problem was Paul Pierce takes too much damn time to get the offense going… Then there’s 8 seconds left on the shot clock and he’s throwing something up trying to get a foul!!!
The strong impose their will on the weak
Outscored 19-8 on their homecourt over the last 8 minutes, they deserved to lose.
by Celtsfansince55 on Jan 31, 2010 6:17 PM EST reply actions
So can we stop slamming Eddie house…the guy had triple what your savior rasheed had….but he gets hot and nobody notices, but if Rasheed gets hot everyone will be kissing him again
by Nick Sannicandro on Jan 31, 2010 6:17 PM EST reply actions
Wow.......
I am heartbroken and disappointed but all these comments about trading and how the Celtics are finished need to stop. It’s a tough loss I know, still we came back into the game and we got nobody to blame except the whole team. What they need to do is come back and play like they did before and after the 2nd half like they should had.
Finally
Logic shines through. They played great this game.
Would’ve been nice if Perk’s could hit those freebies… and Paul should’ve taken the last shot to the rim. I <3 Ray, but he was cold today.
Don't Trade Rondo or Perk!
Isolation killed it for us
Rondo should did a pick and roll or at least Paul should driven to the basket. Doc is as much to blame then the team itself he should drew up a better play. Still I agree Celtics played better then they have so hopefully February comes with a good stretch.
They played a great game and lost
They played 2 1/2 great periods and they choked in the fourth quarter, like they did against Orlando and like they did against Atlanta. In the last 16 games in which teh Celtics have held double-digit leads, they have ended up losing 8 of them. What am I missing here in terms of the optimism?
i just sucks that kobe won it for them..lol january ends, fittingly, with a loss
by cheekmeister on Jan 31, 2010 6:21 PM EST up reply actions
they better win tomorrow against the Wiz or this site will self-destruct. a lot of ‘fans’ giving up already. smh
by cheekmeister on Jan 31, 2010 6:35 PM EST up reply actions
After that effort
The 2nd back-to-back in 5 days, it would not be surprising if they lose tonight
by nba is the worst on Feb 1, 2010 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
Nobody to blame
Except the whole team? LOL.
Don't laugh
I bet your one of those fans who screams TRADE! TRADE! TRADE! or whatever. I’m sick of it just accept the loss and move on. I don’t like it as much you do, but going to the extreme won’t help nobody. What you do after a loss is look at what you did wrong and find out what you can do better. Simple as that.
You don't know me
I was just pointing out how silly what you said sounds.
Why Pierce handling the ball down the stretch???
RONDO IS THE PG!!!!!!
And where is Tony???
AWFUL DOC…
Salvatore is the worse official I've ever seen
He blows his whistle… for either side… if too much time has gone by without his input into the game. The worst.
no excuses
was expecting us to lose by 5+ points. glad we kept it close. The Pierce pushoff was a fair call and the refs didnt catch the ball hitting the camera which would have been Lakers ball. Both teams got some calls but they were just able to finish it off. If we can match up with the champs this closely, this team at least has some hope to contend later on in the season.
by celtics3016 on Jan 31, 2010 6:20 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
i said this the other day….ALL THEY DO IS HOIST 3 POINTERS WHENEVER THEY GET A LEAD. They NEVER EVER EVER attack the basket anymore. NO HEART. NONE…ZIP.
really?
We shouldnt be a fan for pointing out the obvious?
by Nick Sannicandro on Jan 31, 2010 6:21 PM EST up reply actions
This simply sucks.
There is no way to sugarcoat it. We keep getting punched in the face and brow-beaten into defeat. And there seems it be nothing we can do about it. The losing started against the Clippers on December 27, 2009 and we cannot get out of this rut no matter what.
The Celtics must answer this with force and not with mouthchecking to the referees.
Bench Rashweed Wallace and play Brian Scalabrine for the next five games and see it this campaign turns around.
Boston Celtics - 2008 World Champions
Look... Cs played a great game
…except for Sheed and Ray on offense. They got a couple of bad calls, and lost in a tight one when Doc lost his mind (3 pt last shot in a 1 pt game, keeping TA on the bench after he played lights out till then, etc.)
I only WISH they played like this all the time.
How can you play a "great" game at home and lose?
I simply don’t get this logic. I must be losing my mind, because for most of this game, Kobe and most of the Lakers were horrible, yet they still beat the Celtics.
how can you make all negative comments
I simply don’t get this logic
Clearly
… I mean great until the end. I liked their energy and intensity (Sheed excluded of course). They did lose it in the 4th… abandoning TA to the bench, abandoning Rondo’s aggression in favor of isos, taking a 3pt last-second shot in a 1 point game, etc. But if they played every game with the level of intensity they displayed in the first 3 quarters (Sheed excluded of course), they’d win 9/10.
But if they played a "gerat" game, shouldn't they have won?
And, what you mention is the bottom line problem of this team — they cannot maintain the intensity, which is why they have blown 8 out of the last 16 double digit leads they have held.
they did win
and you lost because you make the same post every time.
They lose to the better teams because they’re no longer one of the better teams.
by Celtsfansince55 on Jan 31, 2010 6:24 PM EST reply actions
some in the post, some outside
the theory is that when he goes outside, the defensive bigs have to go with him to defend his shot – this opens up the lane for Pierce, Ray, Rajon & Tony (& ‘Quis when he’s back) to slash to the hoop.
Doc
Should get on him to take less 3’s.
But he is not taking as much as he did in the beginning of the year.
Also it spreads the floor for others when he is taking 3’s (even when missing them) like mmmmm says which is a great weapon to have for a big man and a team to have.
What’s people’s thoughts on KG?
by jurrasicearl on Jan 31, 2010 6:25 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You are kidding,aren`t you?
KG is 100% washed-up!
Can't jump for rebounds anymore
Seems very hesitant and so far has been a non-factor on offense since returning.
Still improving every game
… and intensity is there. Mobility is there. The hops will return soon.
9 rebounds in a game where the top rebounder got 11
LA shot 48% so only 38 misses. KG grabbed 9. Perk grabbed 10. C’s grabbed 29.
Not that bad
seriously, we lost by ONE point to the champions (hurts to write this). we don’t have Quisy back yet and KG is still rusty. We WILL return to great shape.
I agree
this isn’t the same KG that got beat to the baseline by R. Lewis.
He’s clearly getting better and more agile by the game.
At this rat, you can expect an alley-oop before the all star break
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 6:31 PM EST up reply actions
Sorry, but it's obvious
You can say no all you want, but KG is clearly getting better by the game. He was excellent tonight. Hoping for near-100% by playoffs.
DRJ1....I do love your loyalty and passion
But, I do have a question.
Why would any Celtic fanatic use a screen-name that honors a Philadelphia 76`er?
I wish
you would explain how every comment you post is exactly the same
Energy, intensity, mobility
… 5-9 FG, good work on D, 9 (defensive) rebounds…. a good day’s work. Not awesome, but great to see him doing so well. At this rate, he should be all the way back in time for the playoffs.
Expect one good game for every 4-5 games.
KG and Ray are no longer capable for that night in and night out.
by tomatolander on Jan 31, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
do you even like the Celtics?
all i see from you on here is that were done and we have no heart…we played hard we got beat it happens tomorrows another day
Rondo did travel
…in the end there, technically. But so does every player in the NBA if you’re going to call that. Kobe did the same thing MANY times… I saw it. It’s the step back that happens simultaneously with the ball going to the floor for the dribble. It’s not called 99% of the time.
And btw… how come Sheed gets a tech for saying “And 1” to the ref, but not Kobe? Just wondering.
Because one's an all-time great and the other's an all-time whiner
by Celtsfansince55 on Jan 31, 2010 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Exactly
And where is justice? Nowhere.
Of course… no excuses for Sheed. I’m totally sick of his act.
Wait..
that technical didn’t get rescinded?
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 6:32 PM EST up reply actions
Not yet
…that I heard of. It should.
But it doesn’t matter…. Sheed’s mouth is a problem regardless. I’m so sick of that moron.
Guys, jeez its way past time to stop whining,...that was last year
Danny completely blew “year two” of the window by having an awful post championship summer. The time to relentlessly complain was last year….we GAVE away that year and a title that was ours. Now he had a good summer and we bucked up the bench but it looks like he was a year too late. Rays a litten worse is probably worn out with Danials out and KG has lost it. the question is, is it too late to save it right now, this year?
We need MORE bench help to save this year. Id trade Tony, House Scal and next years first to Chicago for Hinrich right now. The bench becomes Hinrich, Daniels, Sheed, and Baby and all our weaknesses are solved. the future hope is built around Hinrich, Rajon, and Perk and maybe Daniels. Its the only shot we have asw I think Daniales coming back won’t be quite enough though it’ll be close imho.
Get Hinrich
Pretty sure Chicago gave a pretty definitive no to that offer
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
The trade is:
HINRICH, THOMAS, AND SALMONS for RayRay, House and Shelden…
Funny
I’m sure the Bulls are motivated to become worse and help the celts
by nba is the worst on Feb 1, 2010 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
decent game....bad finish
I honestly thought that was one of the better games for the Celtics in the last month. The only thing I would have changed was the last play. Why give it to Ray who didnt shoot well today? They should have tried to get Pierce a bit of separation for a two. Also Rondo should have been in on that last possession.
Not taking time to read other comments right now, so sorry if I duplicate, but this is what happens when you play not to lose instead of to win in the 4th quarter. We stopped attacking and doing what got us the lead in the first place. REALLY discouraged right now that we lost all 3 of these games! Also, I don’t normally say a thing about the refs, but that offensive foul call on Pierce was a joke!
And finally, there's Perk's problem
2-5 from the line is not acceptable, Perk. YOU LOST THE GAME FOR US, Perk. Learn to shoot the damn free throw already. How hard is this? What, you don’t get paid enough??
Kobe was 2-4 from the line
just sayin..
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
Anyone looking to whine about the refs...
Look at the fact that Perk had more free throw attempts than Kobe in this game. That speaks volumes.
Of course not blaming Perk for everything
… but it’s ridiculous that he can’t break 40% from the line. ONE more point and the game is in OT. Two and the Cs win. It’s an aspect of the game the Cs MUST FIX… the sooner the better.
at the same time
Kobe was only 2-4
by the same logic, it’s ridiculous that he only shot 50% from the line, and one more made shot would have actually necessitated that 3-point shot at the buzzer
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 6:41 PM EST up reply actions
Problem is... Perk does this all the time
FTs are a big problem for him… and they need to FIX THIS… STAT.
it was good to see Rondo shoot 3-4 tonight
from the line that is.
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
it isn’t just this 1 point loss that made me come to the realization…come on guys….we haven’t beaten a worthy opponent in a few months. i really don’t think marquis daniels is gonna improve us that much when he returns. okay…yes, i am probably going to extremes a bit, but i am just so frustrated in watching the same thing occur night after night after night. 3rd and 4th quarters collapes with consistency.
OK, so Garnett actually looked pretty healthy today, and I think this team will be adequately salty to get pissed off and go on a run. That was a very good Lakers team, and the Celtics actually looked like themselves tonight. I predict they rip off at least five straight.
so the losses to ATL and Orl werent enough to piss this team off and get them on a run?
by Nick Sannicandro on Jan 31, 2010 6:33 PM EST up reply actions
They came out exceptionally flat to start, actually
Keep in mind they were down 13 at one point in the first quarter. Also, the Lakers are a good team, but they have been on the road for two weeks straight now.
do you think they call that same call at the end on Kobe? no way...artest flopped..and the FT shooting of
this team has cost them the orlando and laker game
by celticinorlando on Jan 31, 2010 6:33 PM EST reply actions
I remember a game a few years ago
where Kobe was called for travelling on the last posession when they were down two.
they lost that game
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
Kobe had 4 free throws today
Not exactly what you’d expect to see if the refs are rigging the game for LA or giving Kobe superstar treatment. He also did get whistled for a fairly questionable offensive foul himself earlier in the game for pushing off while driving.
To be honest, I don't care if they would have called it on Kobe
I care that Paul used his arm illegally on that play, and the refs rightfully called him for an offensive foul.
The Celtics lost because the Lakers were justthatmuch better than them in a tight contest on Sunday afternoon. It happens.
-sw
Growing up in the Weinman household, you learn two rules very quickly if you aspire to reach double-digits in the years-of-age category: Hate thy Knick, hate thy Yankee.
Go Celtics, Go Dodgers. -sw
by Steve Weinman on Feb 1, 2010 12:18 AM EST up reply actions
What worries me about kg is that he doesn’t seem to be bringing the same intensity and leadership
by jurrasicearl on Jan 31, 2010 6:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions
It's true... refs didn't let them play
…and they won on some close calls at the end. But if Perk hits 1-2 more FTs, it would not have happened. If Ray had shot as well as the worst shooter in the NBA, it would not have happened. If Sheed weren’t a lazy good-for-nothing, it would not have happened. If Doc didn’t lose his mind every other game (3 pt last shot in a 1 pt game!) it wouldn’t have happened.
And so it goes.
the FTs shouldn’t have mattered if they closed it out right. too many TOs
by cheekmeister on Jan 31, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
True about the TOs
… and the FTs did matter. One more from Perk ties the game.
And my grandmother had wheels and was a bus
So what? The POINT is…. Perk missed way too many FTs… in EVERY game… and they need to FIX THIS PROBLEM. Now.
Wrong title
Title of post should be Celtics sink Celtics. Bench was abysmal in the 4th, then they went iso, playing not to loos, so natch they lost. Doc should have stuck with Tony—no sense to it, he was hot.
I'd probably agree
did you see the Lakers trying to give the game away though?
there were several dumb isos by shannon brown in the 4th, and Artest played probably the most me first basketball, taking rteally dumb shots, that I’ve ever seen him play as a laker
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 6:39 PM EST up reply actions
maybe we can beat washington tomorrow...
by celticinorlando on Jan 31, 2010 6:37 PM EST reply actions
Another big game another absent ray allen been like this for three years been sayin it the whole time ,and yes paul should have taken it to the hole but that’s the play docs dumb ass drew up down by one go for the three why not and yes that was a bogus call against paul artest sold it give his bum ass credit it is what it is tony played great take him out let ray play don’t ploay tony damn bear the entire fourth makes so much sence, good win to you laker fans congrats
by reggie_35 on Jan 31, 2010 6:37 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Ray Allen's
inconsistent play this season is a concern.
But Big Baby and House’s poor play all season is really hurting our team
and must be addressed.
Anyone agree?
100%
the thing with ray is we expect too much from him i mean hes getting paid 18 mil this season we expect ray to make these jumpers cuz he was such a great player i doubt any one in the lg would make a big deal for him its his last yr and hes at the end of his career
yeah i totally agree with you
WE WANT SHELDEN
"Ray Allen been [sic] like this for three years"
Like last year, when he posted a 62.4 percent true shooting mark?
But really, what’s the use of being informed, right?
-sw
Growing up in the Weinman household, you learn two rules very quickly if you aspire to reach double-digits in the years-of-age category: Hate thy Knick, hate thy Yankee.
Go Celtics, Go Dodgers. -sw
by Steve Weinman on Feb 1, 2010 12:20 AM EST up reply actions
give up C's, this is a riddle you just can't solve
otherwise, if you guys want to win, here is my advice, and I suggest you follow it:
STOP TURNING THE DAMN BALL OVER 16 TIMES A GAME! IF YOU GET YOUR HANDS ON THE BALL, HANG ON TO IT. DON’T GIVE IT BACK!!!
Ray & KG : Thank you both so much for 2008...much love and respect forever!
Sadly…it is now time to go.
Danny, feel free to blow this roster up….Immediately!!!!
As upsetting at this loss was..
I actually felt like the celtics really showed up for this game. Couldn’t finish it in the 4th which is a definite problem. But, my biggest issue is how much time we waste late in the game looking for a shot leaving someone to often take a shot at the buzzer and miss, it doesn’t need to be that way. I usually don’t mind Paul handling the ball, but that late in the game I think it’s really important to have Rondo handling it. On a more positive note, I thought the defense stepped it up a lot today. Both Ray and Tony did a decent job on Kobe, he just hit the shot at the end unfortunately.
by faithfulcelticfan34 on Jan 31, 2010 6:43 PM EST reply actions
Agree faithfulcelticfan34
We lead and controlled the whole game and almost won with a Garnett ailing.
It took a Kobe jumper with 7 seconds to beat us.
Such a loss is not one to get too depressed over.
Big Surprise
BBD’s going to get a BS (Big Surprise) when he discovers his value on the free agent market
by Celtsfansince55 on Jan 31, 2010 6:43 PM EST reply actions
There will be no FA market for Davis
None. Zero offers. Nobody will take him… not for free.
yep
Ainge should of signed and traded him last summer when he had some value last year.
Since then he has regressed and his trade value has also.
Ray
Is shooting 34% from the field since the Detroit game. Take out the 8-for-12 against Orlando and he’s 28%. He’s killing us right now. Had so many chances at dagger three-pointers today and couldn’t get any down.
yeah, Ray's shooting has really tailed off the last few weeks. Its almost certainly the minutes catching up with him.
Prior to that, Ray was holding up really well. Ray does a lot more for this team than just shoot and even though Kobe made the shot, you really could not ask for tighter man defense than Ray put on him. But obviously, his biggest value is his shot. And other than the Orlando game it has not been there lately.
Ray, like most jump shooters, tracks his FG% with the amount of rest he gets so the obvious problem is that, well, he’s tired.
I would actually vote for a phantom injury once ‘Quis is back. Let Ray rest for 3-4 games. Its only fair – everybody else on the team has had an extended rest! I would bet good money he’d come back strong from that.
Great game by the C's
Really like the way the C’s played better today.
Salvatre/davis ref crew strikes again, alas.
It was actually a great game for them
A few mistakes… and a few referee screwups… is why they lost. But overall… a tough, well-fought battle. Great work by the main guys.
Now if only…
- Doc would get his head out of his lower digestive tract and stop calling 3-pt plays at the end of 1-pt games, and keeping TA on the bench after a great 1st half
- Ray would hit a few more shot
- Perk would hit 1 or 2 more FTs (not 40%, please)
- Sheed would self-destruct
….we would have been just fine.
I think you're reaching.
To state that the refs cost you the game. Went both ways.
The half-crazed ramblings of a Lakers fanatic living in Japan...
I think what he's saying Don
is that a few referee screw ups prevented them from winning
a Laker’s fan’s response would be that a few refereeing screwups prevented the Lakers from winning bigger
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 7:08 PM EST up reply actions
I got that...
And I think you get what I’m saying.
And… hi Jonny!
The half-crazed ramblings of a Lakers fanatic living in Japan...
yeah i get what you're saying
fancy meeting you here eh
you got up pretty early to watch the game eh
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
Ha!
Actually at work – just about to begin my day!
The half-crazed ramblings of a Lakers fanatic living in Japan...
nobody is 100 percent....i am tired of that excuse.
by celticinorlando on Jan 31, 2010 6:50 PM EST up reply actions
not an excuse its the truth
since kg came back from an injury and is rusty and has no lift cuz of his legz ppl think his career is over … smh
kobe has a busted finger and bad ankle/back...every team is hurt...cant keep using every blown win
on the KG injury…look a portland
by celticinorlando on Jan 31, 2010 7:01 PM EST up reply actions
I think he was trying to make the point that Portland
has been missing half of its roster for most of the year.
Exactly jaygunna3
If I was LA I would not be bragging about having to beat a Celtics team with 7 seconds left in the game when when the C’s did not have a healthy Garnett.
When are the C's gonna have a healthy Garnett exactly?
It was a road win for the Lakers after two straight weeks on the road. Face it, it was a good win for LA.
if you say so. face it, you were expecting to win by a whole lot more than 1
by cheekmeister on Jan 31, 2010 7:03 PM EST up reply actions
actually
the line was Celtics +1, so I think the lakers performed just to expectations haha
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 7:04 PM EST up reply actions
So are you saying you're happy with the loss?
If this morning someone had said that Boston would lose by one, would you have said “I’ll take that.”?
True
no bragging here.
I still can’t see what Kobe thinks he’s doing “guarding” rondo
Kobe failed to adjust his defense when his defense obviously wasn’t working in the 2nd Q, and the Lakers let the Celtics right back into the game and let them even build up a good lead.
the lakers are fortunate that the Celtics allowed them to come back into the game, because the Celtics looked to be winning this one for much of the game
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 6:58 PM EST up reply actions
Well, I wouldn’t exactly say that Kobe’s the picture of health right now either.
by VivaLasVivian on Jan 31, 2010 6:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Gotta say... I LOVED this win!
Enjoyed that.
Anyway, Boston’s problem was not attacking the paint at ALL in the 4th.
And jaygunna? You’re never going to have a fully healthy KG. You play with what you have.
As Viva alluded to, it’s not like LA’s a completely healthy roster either.
You play with what you have.
The half-crazed ramblings of a Lakers fanatic living in Japan...
pretty much correct..i hate agreeing with a laker fan
by celticinorlando on Jan 31, 2010 7:02 PM EST up reply actions
Hahahaha...
You’ll find me relatively even-handed.
The half-crazed ramblings of a Lakers fanatic living in Japan...
and why wont we have a healthy kg?
i tell this to everyone if kg plays the rest of the season with out getting hurt WATCHOUT!
Ummm... windows of opportunity.
There’s this ailment going around that affects guys like KG.
It’s called ‘age’.
The half-crazed ramblings of a Lakers fanatic living in Japan...
by With Malice on Jan 31, 2010 7:04 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
???????
so his age will keep him injured?? so as soon as some hits his 30 we are guna toss em on the injured list.. 33 yrs old is not old at all brett farvre is 40 and plays footbal worse then basketball
I don't think you're paying attention...
All good, but tell me: how often has KG play uninjured in the past season-and-a-half?
The half-crazed ramblings of a Lakers fanatic living in Japan...
i dont think you know the celtics very well
we pretty much missed kg the second half of the season last yr and kg’s missed a good amount of games this year to have no rhythm to his game or muscles in his legs hes missing alley oops and lettin ppl like gasol who he dominated in the finals post up on him.. no kg petty much why we didnt make the finals last yr
what Don is saying
is that KG will bever be healthy… if by healthy you mean pre-injury form.
I actually think that he has a shot of getting pretty close to his previous form if he stays healthy for the rest of the season… but the odds of him staying healthy the rest of the season are reduced due to his age
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 7:13 PM EST up reply actions
But only slightly
The main determinants are luck and good care. Mostly it’s luck. Age always increases the risk of injury, but only very slightly compared to the main factors.
He will likely continue to improve and reach near-100% of his pre-injury form by playoff time. Unless he gets unlucky and reinjured, of course.
rondo shoulda finished that game
started off so well kobe played off him n he was makin plays for his teamates.. celtics switch to halfcourt basketball late in the fourth every time and its realy killing us .. rondo needs the ball in his hands late in the games .. we dont need a paul pierce iso running 20 seconds off the clock.. we can have rondo get picks from pierce and pierce can still take dat clutch jumper
No Excuses
Celtics lost because they blew the lead once again. How many times have they done this?
One game at a time
Today is another back-to-back; A loss would be unsurprising
by nba is the worst on Feb 1, 2010 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
Hahahaha...
Hi there.
Gotta say: impressed with the level-headedness most fans here are displaying!
The half-crazed ramblings of a Lakers fanatic living in Japan...
If you want to laugh at laker fans
go to SS&R and go back to the threads where we lost to the Cavs.. or the freaking raptors.
not so good times.
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 7:15 PM EST up reply actions
Not really in the mood to laugh
3 Game losing streak
Sorry guys
the last thing I would want if the Lakers had lost was for Celtic fans to come over and “debate” so i’m going to leave now.
hope to see you all in the finals
I'm always thinking one step ahead. Like a carpenter, that makes stairs. -The Office
by Jonny Somers-Harris on Jan 31, 2010 7:17 PM EST reply actions
They lost, fair & square
Not on the refs, not on KG, not even on Ray. I have never liked the “put the ball 1 on 1 in Pierce’s hands” As great as he is, that has not been a high percentage for us. If I were Doc and Tony Allen had the first half that he had, I would have played him more in 2nd half. It wasn’t a question of Ray’s shot falling. Ray couldn’t get open. Tony had quicker feet today. So I put a little on Doc. Rasheed was laterally slow but clogged the middle. I also am getting tired of Perk not getting his first free throw to the front rim. It’s a FREE throw for ##**# sakes.
4th quarter offense?
As a former coach, I try not to complain too much about Doc and the staff, but the 4th quarter play calling was the problem today.
For 3+ quarters we are running nice motion type sets to get the defensive players moving and create angles for everyone on the floor. Then, inexplicably, we go to total isolation sets in the final 5-6 minutes in order to run the clock. It is like going to the “prevent us from winning” defense in football. What a joke?
Even worse, we let our lead evaporate, and continue to go with the things that sunk us. Isn’t that considered insanity?
Doc and his staff let the team down today! We are not anywhere near the team we were two years ago, but should still have been good enough to win if the guys on the bench didn’t choke it away.
THANK YOU
exactly what i was talking about today and it wasnt just todays game we do this often its slows us down and limits our opportunities .. im no coach but its starting to get obvious now
we minus well put eddie house in for rondo if we are guna run that type of offense late in games
Not just today
You are right. In most of our close losses lately, we have let other teams back in because we have gone long stretches at the end without scoring. Make them play defense on all five guys until a good shot becomes available, like we successfully did the entire game!
We held the Lakers to 90 points. We have to win that game. I just dont understand how we can score 30 points in the second quarter, then abandon the approach when it counts the most.
Not upset one bit.
Look we cant B*tch and moan about the refs and ray missing the last shot. But the celtics have been playing rough as of late but to be honest, I was very happy with the play tonight! Rondo had a solid game, Tony did also! Id say this was a positive. We lost by 1 point to the best in the league. We had a tough stretch does anyone else in the league have 3 games like the celtics just did? Not sure but we have to be the best first half team out there, after this game we looked like the best team throughout 3 quarters. Before you know it we can get that 4th down and not have to worry.
Stop the whining... I hate reading these comments after losses
It’s just one loss. The idea that we should trade away half our starting line-up or that the refs are on the take is ridiculous. I knew that from the middle of January to the middle of February was going to be the big test for us, and that our age would show just a little. Look at the schedule. And so we lost by ONE point against a team that is probably going to be in the finals… I don’t see how this loss means we’re washed up… it could have goine either way. All this single loss really means is one loss. The fact is that all our record this month means is that we don’t have home court right now.This is just the end of January. Championships are won in the post season, where GREEN rules. If PP hadn’t gotten injured, we be looking a lot better right now. I’m tired of all this whining. We’re still in this hunt. If you don’t have the stomach for tough losses, pick another sport to watch. I think Doc just needs to give our guys plenty of rest so we go into the playoffshealthy and rested. Btw, if Ray makes that shot, everyone would be singing Doc’s praises right now.
Not me
I am in no way ready to concede anything that will be decided in May/June. But there is no way I would be singing Doc’s praises for the innefective play calling late in the game. Standing around an only making any team defend two players with five is a bad coaching idea. It certainly isn’t how we built an 11 point lead in the 4th!
If Ray makes that last shot, Doc would still be out of his mind
Making it or not is irrelevant. It was an idiotic choice. Inexcusable for any coach. You don’t draw up a play that includes a 3-point shot as an option (by a guy who was shooting 0-5 3Pt to that point) when there are 7 seconds left in a 1-point game. You just don’t. And if you do… you are an IDIOT. Not a coach. Not a leader. An IDIOT.
I don't disagree with you but...
I highly doubt that the play was drawn up to make Ray the first option. But they have to play the defensive set they’re presented with. Your comments suggests that you think Phil Jackson was sitting on the sidelines twiddling his thumbs. He was telling his guys to deny PP the ball and penetration, probably hoping that Rondo would take it in, and at worst he’d get fouled (given Rondo’s lack of clutch from the FT line). Like it or not, it was an option our guys took… It wasn’t a high percentage shot, but I still have faith in Ray and I still have faith in Doc. If you think Ray is a stupid alternate option, you’re not paying attention… it’s definitely legit… and your time is being wasted on watching the Celtics play.
that was definetley not drawn up
play was designed for pierce to go to the rim which he didnt and saw kobe cheating and threw it to ray.. i dont mind ray taking that shot but only if we are down 2 points .. it hurts but i kinda have to put that last play on pierce he beat artest had a jumper and the lane to drive
No, it was on option
That’s a play they run a lot. It’s PREDICTABLE in the Cs’ end-game at this point. There are several options… PP can take the shot, he can pass to the big who’s supposed to be picking off Ray’s man, or he can pass to Ray. That’s the point. THIS WAS A STUPID, STUPID PLAY in a 1-point game.
It was the LAZY way out for Doc…. “oh, let’s run the play we ALWAYS RUN at the end… after all, that’s what they’re EXPECTING, isn’t it?”
The play he SHOULD have called should have included as OPTION ONE a drive to the basket, by Paul or Rondo or TA or anybody. Option 2 is an open mid-range jumper. Etc. Under NO circumstances do you allow a 3-pt option – the lowest possible % shot – in that situation.
That one is all on Doc. Please… somebody… take Doc and Sheed and dump them both on an island until August. I’m sick of both of them.
Just read my post below
Any play that included a 3pt option is IDIOTIC in that situation. Period. Of COURSE it wasn’t the first option. The point is… it shouldn’t have been an option AT ALL.
And for someone talking about wasting time watching them play… you should know that Rondo wasn’t even on the court for that play. Another idiot move by Doc.
Spacing
If you want to make room for a guy to drive the lane you have to create space by drawing defenders to the perimeter. Having guys hanging out 15’ from the rim and in the lane is way too easy to defend, and creates congestion for a slasher. Plus getting an open shot from 15’ is a lot tougher than getting one from the arc. Having a guy camped out at the arc is classic coaching; it keeps the defense honest, and there’s less likelihood of being closely defended at the arc and thus it’s easier to get a pass to a perimeter shooter. This is offense 101. If you’ve already decided on being a Debbie Downer, far be it from me to stop you, but the Celtics are far from being counted out. And losing to the Lakers by one point at the end of January isn’t exactly the death knell for the season, nor is it a salient cue for a massive exodus of players and coach. If you’re this iffy on believing in the Celtics’ season strategy midway through the season, with a record of 29-16, you need to do some serious reflection as a Celtics fan. I’m just saying…
Classic coaching? Huh?
…to “have a guy camped out on the arc” in a 1-point game with 7 seconds left? And WHY on earth would you do that?
Spreading the floor
You’re obsessed. There was sound strategy in effect… read above. I’m not reading any legitimate sports articles today that are criticizing the last shot option. You have to hand it to the Lakers, they played good D on the last possession. They cut off PP, he had to pass. The ball had a chance to go down but it didn’t. Did they need a three to win… duh! Of course not, but if Ray had been playing 8 feet closer he would have been more heavily guarded and it would have been difficult getting him the ball. As it was, Odom contested his shot just enough to make him miss. I think you’re upset… so am I. But this game wasn’t lost in the last 7 seconds… but it was a team loss, not a coaching loss. Still, this team isn’t ready for the scrap pile. How was it that you didn’t realize that from mid Jan to mid Feb they have a tough schedule? Aren’t you paying attention? Considering how they’ve been playing, the game was closer than I thought it would be. I think they need to give KG more time to recover, start refocusing on D and get sheed to stop taking 3s.
Ugh...
I liked the other picture better. Do we need to be reminded of the game winner every time we click on the front page? :P
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
players
If there is one thing I will put on the players it is the continuous lack of defensive rebounding. I understand that Gasol and Bynum are very long, but then move them farther from the basket by actually BOXING OUT!
If they are tall enough to reach over you, then you have to move them far enought away from the ball bouncing off the rim that they cannot get a hand on it. Just about every player out there was guilty of not boxing out, but especially Perk, KG, and Pierce.
Referee Comments
I’m a board certified referee and felt that PP’s arm was definitely way out causing a player control foul.
The flop part is not the criteria you gauge but the degree of the arm wading off the defender. I my eyes it was the correct call.
Comments by a fan…..why must we always have PP try to drive from the top of the key? He is too slow and would better off posting on the block where he is stronger that most forwards covering him. Artest is probably in my mind a top 5 defensive SF in the league.
Ask yourself, if you were able to trade straight up Artest for Wallace would you do it. I would in a heart beat!! This team lacks too many things to make it past the second round.
artest flopped
you’re not a board certified ref. Artest flopped.
We know you are a board certified cry baby
He fouled artest
"Memphis then used a pick-and-roll to get Conley free and he drove past Shaquille O'Neal for the go-ahead layup."
by BS Patrol on Jan 31, 2010 8:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
artest flopped
there is no foul. had artest not flopped it would have been a foul.
Big T is not a ref.
Please stop
attacking other posters, among other things.
-sw
Growing up in the Weinman household, you learn two rules very quickly if you aspire to reach double-digits in the years-of-age category: Hate thy Knick, hate thy Yankee.
Go Celtics, Go Dodgers. -sw
by Steve Weinman on Feb 1, 2010 12:27 AM EST up reply actions
Give me a sack of potatoes for Sheed
…and I’d take it, and think you a fool.
That foul call was not horrible. Didn’t have to be called, but it wasn’t out of line. The travel on Rondo before that — that WAS out of line. If that’s a travel, then so is virtually every other possession in the NBA. That was a ridiculous call by a ridiculous referee.
Btw… are referees “board certified”? What board? Water board??? Ah, if only………..
chum in the water
Hopefully the Celts can turn this close loss into something to get fired up over. Doc and the team need to play the 4th quarter over and over again—during practice, in the locker room, whatever—learn from the mistakes, take it personal, and find a way to dig down and maintain the fire/intensity AND focus that we know this team is capable of. I thought winning this game could halt the skid, but I think to lose the way we did is throwing chum in the water for our celtic-sharks to feed their hunger.
by RedsBean on Jan 31, 2010 8:31 PM EST via mobile reply actions
You know, they were pretty intense
… Sheed aside, of course. What they need is a better brain making the critical decisions.
Ok, it just came to me. Fire Doc, and hire KG to be player-coach. I do not believe KG would have drawn up that same-play-they-always-run-at-the-end-of-games, with its Ray 3pt option. KG would have drawn up a drive to the hoop… 3 or 4 different option guys, depending on who had the lane, but it would have been a drive for sure. Or at worst, a short jumper. Never, ever a 3.
Don’t like KG as coach? Ok, how about Mickey Mouse? Anybody but Doc please.
Ooh thanks for the nice analysis Marcus!
by RedsBean on Jan 31, 2010 8:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
The problems in the fourth as I see it are as follows: the pace becomes slower so we lose the quick hitters off of fast breaks. The other team dares Rondo to shoot from the perimeter and he declines to do so and proceeds to try and create a opportunity for someone else which ends up being a worse shot. We end up having Perk or Rondo at the free throw line a couple of times anyways and end up getting at least one miss per trip, sometimes both. We always end up giving up second shots on rebounds. Add it up and we don’t close out games very well. I love the guy but Rondo has to take those open shots.
The Raptors are now only 4 1/2 games behind the Celtics
Maybe they will rethink trading Bosh.
We are still a better team now than before KG and Ray came to Boston and we got a RING! Stop your griping and support the team!!!
Ditto!!!
Excellent point!!! I’ve been a faithful fan since the 80s and I’m not ready to head for the exit just because of a few losses. The season is only half way through… it doesn’t make sense to start trading away the guys that won us a Championship just two years ago…. in a word, PREMATURE. And you’re right, there is way too much complaining about players coaches and refs. I think these guys that are complaining the most have ZERO confidence in this squad… and if that’s true, I guess they’re only watching to have something to complain about :)
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on CelticsBlog
Related FanShots on CelticsBlog
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
