12.19.2008

If You're Not Gonna Play Any Defense

then I guess you have no choice but to go with plan B--outscore them. The Bulls are shooting 51% from the floor through three quarters, something only one team has done against the Boston defense through an entire game. Good thing the Celtics are shooting 63%, led by Mr. Instant Offense himself.

You know, Kendrick Perkins. He's 12-15 for 25 points.

Now let's see if the bench can hold the lead.

I know I promised to chill on this front, but Tony Allen and Leon Powe need to start contributing again. Of course, just as I say that TA steals the ball and dunks it home for two points. Now you could say meaningless points in garbage time.

But when your bench is not scoring, no lead is safe, and there's no such thing as garbage time, especially with 8 minutes left in the game. Doc has put the entire bench in now, and they are actually playing with some purpose. Leon Powe grabs an offensive rebound and puts it back in.

For the last five games, I wasn't sure whether that was Leon Powe on the floor or the Ghost of Curtis Rowe inhabiting his body. This bench needs consistent production from both TA and Leon.

Five minutes to go. 20 point lead. Are the starters safe? Let's hope so. Ray played 33 minutes, but nobody else played more than 30. That would be a nice night for the Big Five if they could watch the rest of the proceedings from the pine.

Yes, Big Five. Let me be the first to say it. Everyone in our starting lineup is outstanding in some way shape or form.

4 comments:

1111 said...

to me, in 10 years we'l speak of that great team with 5 all star (at different moment of their careers...) starter and saying things like "and they have the luxury of Leon Powe and Tony Allen caming off the bench!"

Lex said...

Yeah, you may be right, 1111.

Rondo definitely looks like an all-star this year, and Perk can't be too far behind.

Gotta see how the season ends. But this two-year stint is looking like something for the history books!

FLCeltsFan said...

we are definitely moving from the Big 3 to the Big 5 this season. Perk and Rondo are picking their games up to another level. I agree that our bench needs to pick it up. Right now, they are inconsistent, but capable of being much better. Last night though the Bulls had their starters playing against our bench when we lost that lead in the second quarter. BUT, having played their starters against our bench, their starters didn't have much left when it came to playing the starters in the 3rd quarter. They won a battle but lost the war.

Lex said...

You know the 1987 and 88 teams were known as the Big 5. It was the media's way of saying the Celtics still were the best at something, namely the best starting lineup.

Let's just hope that's not why this crew is called the big 5.

The bench still makes me nervous.