Easy Stretch Is Over; Tough One Coming. Are Celtics Ready?

by JR99 on Jan 5, 2012 3:18 AM EST

We've had a nice stretch, mostly at home, against some pretty-bad teams. And we won all those games. So far, so good. Now the hard part starts, one of several the team will face this season. Coming up, we've got: Indiana, Dallas, Chicago, @Indiana, and Oklahoma City. No easy games there, and the one in Indiana is the 2nd of a back-to-back. The schedule gets much worse later on, but this is the first real challenge for this team since the Miami game.

Are the Celtics ready?

Our bench has some bright spots, but lacks cohesion. Ok, let's just say it: it lacks a point guard. If Rondo were out there with the 2nd team, it would make a world of difference. But he can't always be. So who's going to step up? (Not Dooling, folks. He's just not up to the PG task on a contending team.)

Also MIA is Marquis Daniels. I really do not know what's wrong with that guy. After a good start, he's fallen very hard and fast. Can't hit 1-footers anymore. WTH?

Starters are all doing fine, and if not quite fine, then certainly improving steadily. But beyond that, we reliably have only Bass and Stiemsma (so far, anyway). We need a couple more guys to step up. Will it be Daniels and Pietrus? How about Bradley? Is he going to be ready for prime time sometime this season? Will Wilcox help out? What about the kid Johnson? He looks good on paper.... but where's the beef, young man?

A lot of questions left, and very little time left to find answers.

Well.... ok, not quite. We REALLY have till May to figure it all out. Because I don't really care which seed the Cs get. I figure that, health permitting, this team's gonna hit the playoffs HARD. Healthy, I see them quite capable of going to the Conference Finals, and possibly beyond, regardless of where they land in the seeding order.

I.e., if ever there was a year when the 09-10 strategy of "to hell with home court, just stay healthy" should apply, this is that year.

Be respectful and keep it clean. Thanks.

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Comments

As long as either ray or rondo is in the backcourt we are fine. Even if Bradley or Dooling is bringing up the ball I feel like they do a fine job.

When Pietrus comes in Marquis will be able to play SG instead of SF. I like how he is attacking but he is missing the easy shots inside. I feel like they will fall eventually and it’s just a fluke.

I still think we need another center from the crop of free agents still out there.

by Whetzell on Jan 5, 2012 6:47 AM EST reply actions

I'd like to have Pietrus back.

But he’s still a bit away.

But yes, I think the team is ready. We’ve seen some nice things in some role players the past few games (Bradley, Steamer) and Bass has been a revelation so far.

If we can get something out of Dooling and Bass, and the starters keep playing the way they’ve been playing, this next stretch should be a good test to see what this team may develop into.

The level of the opponent goes up, but there’s a fair bit of rest built in there and you have 3 of them at home, my predictions would be:

1/6 – Indiana @ Home
1/11 – Dallas @ Home
1/13 – Chicago @ Home

The Celtics have a day off and a game at home with the Pacers. They’ll grind out a tough win against a motivated Pacers team who’s angry after getting blown out on Wednesday. With 4 days off after, the practice time and rest will do wonders, and the Celtics will take care of business against two very tough opponents on the Garden floor.

1/14 – Indiana @ Away

3rd Game in 4 nights, with a road back to back against a good team. Will take a miracle, expect a blowout loss.

11/16 – OKC @ Home – Return of Perk to the garden. I expect the Celtics to drop this one, ending the stretch of the schedule at 4-2.

"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach

by Sizzlack on Jan 5, 2012 12:09 PM EST reply actions

does anybody know

when pietrus is scheduled to come back?
cause id rather have him after these set of games and when we have more than a one day break to allow him to integrate in training with the second unit and everything.

by ZM15 on Jan 5, 2012 12:35 PM EST reply actions

Daniels has just been bad

I think maybe he’s lost some quickness or agility or a little of both. He just can’t get a good shot off. They are not quite being blocked but are definitely being bothered or altered. Hopefully , he will improve, but if not…………..it’s sad. In any case, right now, when he’s in the game, we suffer. He is as bad a ‘black hole’ when he gets the ball as anyone we’ve had, and accordingly has dragged the 2nd unit down – since he seems to take almost all the shots.

I'm not the Devil's Advocate but I consiider him a close friend

by Dipper on Jan 5, 2012 4:13 PM EST reply actions

He's been... ok.

He’s had some decent games, and he’s one of the better perimeter defenders on the team.

The thing with Daniels is, he’s not going to put in 20 points a game, he’s not a scorer like Bass is. But he’s not going to hurt you either, he’s a + defender, doesn’t turn the ball over a lot, and can get to the rim and finish. He’s struggled a bit lately because he’s not getting a lot of calls and getting to the line.

Other than that, I don’t think he’s been awful, he just hasn’t been a standout either. Pietrus will help, it should allow Daniels to spend some time at the 2, where he’s always been more productive. But he and Bradley will end up battling for time there.

by Sizzlack on Jan 5, 2012 5:19 PM EST up reply actions

January sked is ok.. Feb 16 onwards, now that's hell!

Loads of road games with 5-game and 8-game road trips, not to mention the back-to-backs.. We’re definitely not going into the top three seed in the east.. Good thing the Knicks still suck and the Nets can’t get Howard, at least we’re still a lock to win the division..

by Rany on Jan 5, 2012 9:07 PM EST reply actions