Question: What do jumbo brown eggs, the Days of Christmas, honey-dipped Dunkin' Donuts and Boston Celtics winning streaks have in common?
Answer: They all come in packages of 12.
The Celts made it a clean dozen (as opposed to a Dirty Dozen), shooting a season-high 61 percent en route to a 112-93 decimation of the Milwaukee Bucks last night. Boston goes for lucky 13 tonight at home against the Washington Bullets.
"It used to be you had a chance by dropping off this team," said Milwaukee coach Don Nelson. "So far, from what I've seen, that's history. At this time, I don't know how to play this team. I consider myself a bright coach, but I'm out of ideas if they play like that. They made us look like a high school team, and we're not. Maybe the Celtics are awesome."
Destroying the Bucks in Milwaukee will certainly rank as one of the plums of this streak. Milwaukee hadn't been beaten this badly at home since Nov. 27, 1979 (118-93 vs. New Jersey). The Bucks were 18-4 at home this season and beat the Celts four times in five tries last year.
But this is a new season, and the Celts are playing at the top of their game. "They're my pick to win it all," said Nelson.
The Celts blew it open by hitting 15 of 19 shots (a Villanovaesque 79 percent) in a 37-24 third period. And all of that happened while Kevin McHale stayed in the locker room icing his sore left Achilles' tendon.
McHale hit all six of his shots in the ugly first half, pushing the Celts to a 46-43 halftime lead.
Then came the blowtorch. The Celtics simply exploded out of the blocks in the third quarter. Noting that Nelson had no center on the floor, Boston turned inside and found Robert Parish (12 of his 20 in the period). The Chief led an early 8-0 run which pushed Boston's lead to 58-46.
"The key was the way Robert Parish started the second half," said Bill Walton (12 points, 7 rebounds).
When Parish wasn't dealing out punishment underneath, the Celts went to the perimeter game. Larry Bird (24), Scott Wedman (17) and Dennis Johnson picked the Bucks to pieces with a textbook performance of passing, cutting and shooting. The deer that made Milwaukee famous were ill prepared for Boston's torching.
"We moved the ball well," said Bird. "We kept moving the ball and hitting the outside shot, and that made it easy for us."
Nelson called time three times in the first nine minutes of the third. Nellie's third plea for mercy came after a Danny Ainge bomb gave Boston a 74-55 lead with 3:11 left in the quarter.
When Parish picked up his fourth foul, Walton came in and scored nine points in 2 1/2 minutes as the Celts cruised to an 83-67 lead at the end of three.
Terry Cummings (24 points, 13 rebounds) cut the lead to 12 early in the fourth, but the Bucks were no match. Walton teamed with Parish underneath, and Bird got hot from the outside. A jumper by Ainge gave the Celts an 18-point led with seven minutes left. Bird's three-pointer with 3:51 showing made it 104-83, forced yet another timeout and sent throngs of Rhinelanders into the streets.
"I don't thnk we can play any better," said Jones. "We played well against the Lakers and had a great game, but this one measures up to that one."
Nobody bragged about the first 24 minutes.
The Bucks hit only three of their first 14 shots, but still managed a 21-19 lead at the end of one.
Milwaukee Brewer Charlie Moore went to the free throw line for charity between periods and hit five of eight -- a better percentage (.625) than the Celts compiled in the quarter (7 for 14, .500).
McHale warmed up and scored four baskets in the first four minutes of the second as the Celts built a six-point lead.
The deluge of turnovers and missed shots continued as the Celts and Bucks staggered toward intermission. McHale was the only exception.
1.29.2008
Near Perfect Third Quarter is Preview of Playoffs
Cs Warming Up for their Mind-Blowing Third Quarter Against Hawks in Eastern Conference Semis
Zip, zip, zip, zip . . . swish, groan.
That's what it sounded like in the third and fourth periods at the Mecca last night. The Celtics put on a textbook performance of passing and hitting the open man as they routed the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston made 15 of 19 shots in the third period. On more than one occasion, all five Celtics touched the ball before it swished through the net.
"That's the kind of basketball I like to play," said Bill Walton. "Everybody is involved; nobody is standing. Everybody is moving, and whoever is open gets the shot. That's the way we're playing now, and it's the most fun way."
The longest winning streak in Celtics history is 18 (February/March 1982), and that represents the only time the Celts have won more than 13 straight games since Larry Bird came aboard in 1979. The Celts had winning streaks of 12 and 13 games during the 1980-81 season.
Kevin McHale is concerned about his sore left Achilles' tendon. "It's just not healing as quickly as it's supposed to," McHale said before last night's game. "I think it was probably stupid for me to have played against Indiana and Atlanta. The tendon was strained. Now the tendon feels OK, but the muscles around it have atrophied. That's what I have to find out now. If it doesn't feel better tonight, I should probably just wait until after the All Star break." McHale hit all six of his shots in the first half but did not return for the second half. Celtics coach K.C. Jones said McHale probably would not play tonight vs. Washington
Zip, zip, zip, zip . . . swish, groan.
That's what it sounded like in the third and fourth periods at the Mecca last night. The Celtics put on a textbook performance of passing and hitting the open man as they routed the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston made 15 of 19 shots in the third period. On more than one occasion, all five Celtics touched the ball before it swished through the net.
"That's the kind of basketball I like to play," said Bill Walton. "Everybody is involved; nobody is standing. Everybody is moving, and whoever is open gets the shot. That's the way we're playing now, and it's the most fun way."
The longest winning streak in Celtics history is 18 (February/March 1982), and that represents the only time the Celts have won more than 13 straight games since Larry Bird came aboard in 1979. The Celts had winning streaks of 12 and 13 games during the 1980-81 season.
Kevin McHale is concerned about his sore left Achilles' tendon. "It's just not healing as quickly as it's supposed to," McHale said before last night's game. "I think it was probably stupid for me to have played against Indiana and Atlanta. The tendon was strained. Now the tendon feels OK, but the muscles around it have atrophied. That's what I have to find out now. If it doesn't feel better tonight, I should probably just wait until after the All Star break." McHale hit all six of his shots in the first half but did not return for the second half. Celtics coach K.C. Jones said McHale probably would not play tonight vs. Washington
Is Powe Being Showcased?
The Lakers acquisition of Pao Gasol is vaguely reminiscent of the Mychal Thompson pick-up in the summer of 1987. There is only one difference. This time the acquisition won't net them a title, not this year anyway, not unless they get Jason Kidd, too.
What the Gaosol trade does tell me, though, is that teams are gearing up for the stretch run.
Danny Ainge, protestations to the contrary, is no doubt active on the phones himself. Rumors of the Celtics acquiring Sam Cassell likely scratch only the surface of his miscellaneous machinations.
One deal I have heard repeatedly as of late is Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine, and Leon Powe for Sam Cassell. This trade scenario seems far-fetched at best. The only problem is that I am hearing it from the same guy who told me Garnett was coming to Boston before just about anyone else knew.
The source emphasizes that Powe's increased PT of late is proof of what he is saying, as that increased PT demonstrates that the Celtics Agent Zero is being showcased for a trade.
Still, I am inclined to write-off his apparent insider's knowledge on Garnett as beginner's luck.
Here's why.
Sam Cassell is 38. He would most likely be a one-and-done with the Cs, meaning he'd play from February through June and be done. Meanwhile, the Cs would be without the services of three other players who are currently playing important roles.
Tony Allen isn't totally healthy yet and he definitely isn't a point guard. But if we get a traditional point guard to back up Rondo, and I’m pretty sure we will, even if his name isn’t Sam, Allen's value increases immediately. As a wing guy, Allen can D-up 2s and 3s. One could argue that his skills overlap with Posey's and thus we don't need him. But given how frequently Celtics’ players have gone down this year with injury, I'd rather not risk going thin at the backup wing spot just to get Cassell, especially if we have to throw in Powe and Scalabrine.
Brian Scalabrine is one of the more underappreciated Celtics in recent memory. He sits on the bench and does nothing...until asked to step up and start in place of an injured Kevin Garnett, which against the Dallas Mavericks meant guarding Dirk Nowitski. No, he didn't shut him down. Yes, he picked up a couple of quick fouls. But I also saw him put a body on Dirk, and force him to hoist some low-percentage fade-aways. Big Baby couldn't have stayed with Dirk. Nor could have Pollard. Leon Powe did reasonably well, but he's not as tall as Scalabrine, and if Powe would have been assessed the two early fouls, then you risk getting Posey in foul trouble early by putting him on Dirk.
Leon Powe’s recent play may not be evidence that he is "coming into his own," but he certainly is making a case that he has something to offer. Last year Doc Rivers said "as long as I'm in this league, I hope to have Leon Powe on my team." I agree. Leon Powe is Brian Scalabrine, only with more talent. He is a guy that can sit on the bench and sit and sit, until called on to perform, at which point he brings some toughness and grit, not to mention an inside presence. Oh, and he puts up the numbers that Scalabrine doesn’t.
Before the season began, I compared the Celtics bench to the 1990 Pistons bench, and, oh boy, did I get laughed out of the building. Not as many people are laughing now.
It is easy to confuse Detroit's 1990 championship team with the 1989 squad. But the two teams did not have the same roster. The 1989 team included Adrian Dantley and Rick Mahorn, while the 1990 squad had neither. The 1990 team relied primarily on Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, and Vinnie Johnson off the bench.
It is not obvious to me that Laimbeer, Rodman, and the Microwave offered the Pistons much more than James Posey, Eddie House, Tony Allen, Glen Davis, Leon Powe, and Scot Pollard offer the Celtics. House and Johnson are a push, Rodman is better than Posey, and Laimbeer is better than Pollard. But the Celtics bench still has three more players who contribute on a regular basis.
The other night the Celtics bench played 94 minutes against Dallas, and that doesn't even count Scalabrine's minutes in a starting role. Since the start of the New Year, Doc has been playing his bench more than 80 minutes a game. That is a heap of minutes, son.
Long story short:
The Celtics bench is effective not because it contains three highly talented players who play 20 minutes per game each, but because it is comprised a 5-6 role players who bring a variety of skills to the court, and who provide Doc a significant amount of flexibility in devising game plans.
It says here you don't eliminate a proven, palpable strength to get Cassell. You figure out a way to get Cassell without your bench taking a hit. Otherwise, an injury to Cassell after he joined the Celtics would mean Doc would be short four key bench players, not just one.
What the Gaosol trade does tell me, though, is that teams are gearing up for the stretch run.
Danny Ainge, protestations to the contrary, is no doubt active on the phones himself. Rumors of the Celtics acquiring Sam Cassell likely scratch only the surface of his miscellaneous machinations.
One deal I have heard repeatedly as of late is Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine, and Leon Powe for Sam Cassell. This trade scenario seems far-fetched at best. The only problem is that I am hearing it from the same guy who told me Garnett was coming to Boston before just about anyone else knew.
The source emphasizes that Powe's increased PT of late is proof of what he is saying, as that increased PT demonstrates that the Celtics Agent Zero is being showcased for a trade.
Still, I am inclined to write-off his apparent insider's knowledge on Garnett as beginner's luck.
Here's why.
Sam Cassell is 38. He would most likely be a one-and-done with the Cs, meaning he'd play from February through June and be done. Meanwhile, the Cs would be without the services of three other players who are currently playing important roles.
Tony Allen isn't totally healthy yet and he definitely isn't a point guard. But if we get a traditional point guard to back up Rondo, and I’m pretty sure we will, even if his name isn’t Sam, Allen's value increases immediately. As a wing guy, Allen can D-up 2s and 3s. One could argue that his skills overlap with Posey's and thus we don't need him. But given how frequently Celtics’ players have gone down this year with injury, I'd rather not risk going thin at the backup wing spot just to get Cassell, especially if we have to throw in Powe and Scalabrine.
Brian Scalabrine is one of the more underappreciated Celtics in recent memory. He sits on the bench and does nothing...until asked to step up and start in place of an injured Kevin Garnett, which against the Dallas Mavericks meant guarding Dirk Nowitski. No, he didn't shut him down. Yes, he picked up a couple of quick fouls. But I also saw him put a body on Dirk, and force him to hoist some low-percentage fade-aways. Big Baby couldn't have stayed with Dirk. Nor could have Pollard. Leon Powe did reasonably well, but he's not as tall as Scalabrine, and if Powe would have been assessed the two early fouls, then you risk getting Posey in foul trouble early by putting him on Dirk.
Leon Powe’s recent play may not be evidence that he is "coming into his own," but he certainly is making a case that he has something to offer. Last year Doc Rivers said "as long as I'm in this league, I hope to have Leon Powe on my team." I agree. Leon Powe is Brian Scalabrine, only with more talent. He is a guy that can sit on the bench and sit and sit, until called on to perform, at which point he brings some toughness and grit, not to mention an inside presence. Oh, and he puts up the numbers that Scalabrine doesn’t.
Before the season began, I compared the Celtics bench to the 1990 Pistons bench, and, oh boy, did I get laughed out of the building. Not as many people are laughing now.
It is easy to confuse Detroit's 1990 championship team with the 1989 squad. But the two teams did not have the same roster. The 1989 team included Adrian Dantley and Rick Mahorn, while the 1990 squad had neither. The 1990 team relied primarily on Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman, and Vinnie Johnson off the bench.
It is not obvious to me that Laimbeer, Rodman, and the Microwave offered the Pistons much more than James Posey, Eddie House, Tony Allen, Glen Davis, Leon Powe, and Scot Pollard offer the Celtics. House and Johnson are a push, Rodman is better than Posey, and Laimbeer is better than Pollard. But the Celtics bench still has three more players who contribute on a regular basis.
The other night the Celtics bench played 94 minutes against Dallas, and that doesn't even count Scalabrine's minutes in a starting role. Since the start of the New Year, Doc has been playing his bench more than 80 minutes a game. That is a heap of minutes, son.
Long story short:
The Celtics bench is effective not because it contains three highly talented players who play 20 minutes per game each, but because it is comprised a 5-6 role players who bring a variety of skills to the court, and who provide Doc a significant amount of flexibility in devising game plans.
It says here you don't eliminate a proven, palpable strength to get Cassell. You figure out a way to get Cassell without your bench taking a hit. Otherwise, an injury to Cassell after he joined the Celtics would mean Doc would be short four key bench players, not just one.
Walton Approaching Perfection for 86 Cs
Several hundred thousand American parents will spend several million unnecessary dollars this coming summer. They will send sons and daughters to specialized camps in order to learn how to play basketball properly. According to some local college coaches, all they need to do is turn on the television and watch Bill Walton.
"I don't think there has been another big man as sound fundamentally as Bill Walton," contends Harvard coach Peter Roby. "If you wanted to show your big people, especially, how things should be done, you'd want them to imitate Bill Walton." Agrees Northeastern's Jim Calhoun, "Technically, he's the greatest center I ever saw. I'm still a Bill Russell man -- I think he could change things in a game more than anybody -- but I've never seen a more complete package than Bill Walton's."
Of course, the delightful reality is that Walton is very much alive and well in Boston Garden, as the Washington Bullets will learn tonight. And no matter what he may have lost physically since his salad days at UCLA and Portland, he retains his unsurpassed technique. Bill Walton doesn't even know how to do things the wrong way.
He is a product of John Wooden; that's why. During Walton's first trip to Boston, in November 1975, he fascinated those watching him work out with the Trail Blazers when, while resting on the sidelines during a scrimmage, he completely undid his sneakers and then put them back on again, meticulously relacing them from the bottom up, an involved process that must have taken 10 minutes. Current Northeastern assistant coach Karl Fogel, then a Boston State assistant, interpreted the action for laymen present.
"That's one of the first things you learn at a John Wooden camp," Fogel said. "How to tie your shoes."
When apprised of the incident a few months ago, Walton laughed. "Actually, the first thing you're taught is how to put on your socks."
Walton says he began playing basketball around 1960, and even then, two years before his first Final Four appearance and four years before the first UCLA championship, John Wooden was The Word in Southern California. "John Wooden was on the rise," says Walton, "and he did many clinics all over the Southland. Every coach I ever had utilized his techniques and his philosophies. I just had great coaching from the very beginning."
That Walton also was blessed with great natural ability has never been questioned. But there have been other wondrous natural talents -- George McGinnis and David Thompson to name the two most obvious examples -- who never really learned how to play, and who could not compensate for the erosion of physical gifts as they got older. "Bill Walton," says Boston College coach Gary Williams, "is what happens when you take superior physical ability and combine it with all the proper technique."
Fans mostly see results, which is why the Moses
Malones and Artis Gilmores of the world appeal far more to the uneducated than to the aficionados. Coaches look at Bill Walton the way young actors look at Laurence Olivier. They don't know whether to be more impressed by what he knows or what he intuits.
"When he catches the ball," says Williams, "he reads the rotation before the defense knows what it's supposed to do. Others catch the ball and then start figuring out what's going on, but he always knows where the pressure will come from. On defense, we preach, 'See the ball,' and Bill Walton always sees the ball. He helps better than anyone I've ever seen because he instinctively knows when his man is not going to be a factor in the play."
Bill Walton's hands fascinate the coaches. "They are always up, offensively and defensively," points out Boston University coach Mike Jarvis. "His arms are always extended," confirms Roby. "Even his fingers are extended. There is no one like him."
In addition to latent skill and technique, Walton brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the game which can chill a coach. "His feel for the game is the key thing," says Calhoun. "Sometimes my own team struggles so much because we have some great athletes who simply do not have a feel for the game. I've seen Walton come up behind a guard and flick the ball away. Big men don't do that."
Much of what the coaches like about Walton, they also like about Larry Bird, and thus do the local college coaches find themselves far more interested in the NBA than in years past. Williams says this is not all good. "I should be watching tapes," he says, "and instead I'll turn on the Celtics and watch for two hours." Adds Calhoun, "I'm the kind who used to love the NBA play-offs but find the regular season boring. Now, because of Bird and Walton, I go out of my way to see them play because it's so intriguing."
Jarvis, for one, is not surprised to learn that Walton's training predates his actual union with Wooden himself. "I can tell that whoever had him in high school (the name is Gordon Nash) had to be very, very good," Jarvis points out, "because something like Bill Walton could not have happened in just four years."
Walton says one other person deserves credit for his development. "The things I learned from John Wooden were all in the framework of team offense and team defense and all related to being out there with four other people," he explains. "When I got to Portland, Jack Ramsay took it a step further and worked with me in practice in an individual sense. It was a tremendous help. Call it additional education."
And education is what Walton provides to everyone who will take note of the whys and wherefores of what he does. "It's a clinic when he plays," concludes Jarvis. "He and Larry Bird. He is great for coaches because he has perfected things that appear to be very simple to learn but that are difficult to teach."
"I don't think there has been another big man as sound fundamentally as Bill Walton," contends Harvard coach Peter Roby. "If you wanted to show your big people, especially, how things should be done, you'd want them to imitate Bill Walton." Agrees Northeastern's Jim Calhoun, "Technically, he's the greatest center I ever saw. I'm still a Bill Russell man -- I think he could change things in a game more than anybody -- but I've never seen a more complete package than Bill Walton's."
Of course, the delightful reality is that Walton is very much alive and well in Boston Garden, as the Washington Bullets will learn tonight. And no matter what he may have lost physically since his salad days at UCLA and Portland, he retains his unsurpassed technique. Bill Walton doesn't even know how to do things the wrong way.
He is a product of John Wooden; that's why. During Walton's first trip to Boston, in November 1975, he fascinated those watching him work out with the Trail Blazers when, while resting on the sidelines during a scrimmage, he completely undid his sneakers and then put them back on again, meticulously relacing them from the bottom up, an involved process that must have taken 10 minutes. Current Northeastern assistant coach Karl Fogel, then a Boston State assistant, interpreted the action for laymen present.
"That's one of the first things you learn at a John Wooden camp," Fogel said. "How to tie your shoes."
When apprised of the incident a few months ago, Walton laughed. "Actually, the first thing you're taught is how to put on your socks."
Walton says he began playing basketball around 1960, and even then, two years before his first Final Four appearance and four years before the first UCLA championship, John Wooden was The Word in Southern California. "John Wooden was on the rise," says Walton, "and he did many clinics all over the Southland. Every coach I ever had utilized his techniques and his philosophies. I just had great coaching from the very beginning."
That Walton also was blessed with great natural ability has never been questioned. But there have been other wondrous natural talents -- George McGinnis and David Thompson to name the two most obvious examples -- who never really learned how to play, and who could not compensate for the erosion of physical gifts as they got older. "Bill Walton," says Boston College coach Gary Williams, "is what happens when you take superior physical ability and combine it with all the proper technique."
Fans mostly see results, which is why the Moses
Malones and Artis Gilmores of the world appeal far more to the uneducated than to the aficionados. Coaches look at Bill Walton the way young actors look at Laurence Olivier. They don't know whether to be more impressed by what he knows or what he intuits.
"When he catches the ball," says Williams, "he reads the rotation before the defense knows what it's supposed to do. Others catch the ball and then start figuring out what's going on, but he always knows where the pressure will come from. On defense, we preach, 'See the ball,' and Bill Walton always sees the ball. He helps better than anyone I've ever seen because he instinctively knows when his man is not going to be a factor in the play."
Bill Walton's hands fascinate the coaches. "They are always up, offensively and defensively," points out Boston University coach Mike Jarvis. "His arms are always extended," confirms Roby. "Even his fingers are extended. There is no one like him."
In addition to latent skill and technique, Walton brings a certain je ne sais quoi to the game which can chill a coach. "His feel for the game is the key thing," says Calhoun. "Sometimes my own team struggles so much because we have some great athletes who simply do not have a feel for the game. I've seen Walton come up behind a guard and flick the ball away. Big men don't do that."
Much of what the coaches like about Walton, they also like about Larry Bird, and thus do the local college coaches find themselves far more interested in the NBA than in years past. Williams says this is not all good. "I should be watching tapes," he says, "and instead I'll turn on the Celtics and watch for two hours." Adds Calhoun, "I'm the kind who used to love the NBA play-offs but find the regular season boring. Now, because of Bird and Walton, I go out of my way to see them play because it's so intriguing."
Jarvis, for one, is not surprised to learn that Walton's training predates his actual union with Wooden himself. "I can tell that whoever had him in high school (the name is Gordon Nash) had to be very, very good," Jarvis points out, "because something like Bill Walton could not have happened in just four years."
Walton says one other person deserves credit for his development. "The things I learned from John Wooden were all in the framework of team offense and team defense and all related to being out there with four other people," he explains. "When I got to Portland, Jack Ramsay took it a step further and worked with me in practice in an individual sense. It was a tremendous help. Call it additional education."
And education is what Walton provides to everyone who will take note of the whys and wherefores of what he does. "It's a clinic when he plays," concludes Jarvis. "He and Larry Bird. He is great for coaches because he has perfected things that appear to be very simple to learn but that are difficult to teach."
How Long is Leon Powe?
As bloggers, our jobs often require us to be one-part backhoe and one-part squirrel. We dig things up only to store them away for a later date.
With Leon Powe, I wasn't sure the nuts we had stored away for him were ever going to be ready for excavation. But with his sudden emergence as a viable offensive threat and solid force on the glass, it appears I can finally pull out a few nuggets for inspection.
After Leon Powe declared himself eligible for the NBA draft in 2006, the Bay Area ran a series of articles on him. One of those articles (posted separately today) opined that Powe might go as early as the middle of the first round, in part due to his 7'4" wingspan.
Say what?
Yes, I found it just as hard to believe as you. How did we get this far into the Leon Powe Era without hearing about his enormous wingspan?
So I did a little digging around, and couldn't find any corroborating evidence of this attention-grabbing number.
But I did find a few links saying his wingspan was a good 7'2"
7-2
7-2
7-2
With Leon Powe, I wasn't sure the nuts we had stored away for him were ever going to be ready for excavation. But with his sudden emergence as a viable offensive threat and solid force on the glass, it appears I can finally pull out a few nuggets for inspection.
After Leon Powe declared himself eligible for the NBA draft in 2006, the Bay Area ran a series of articles on him. One of those articles (posted separately today) opined that Powe might go as early as the middle of the first round, in part due to his 7'4" wingspan.
Say what?
Yes, I found it just as hard to believe as you. How did we get this far into the Leon Powe Era without hearing about his enormous wingspan?
So I did a little digging around, and couldn't find any corroborating evidence of this attention-grabbing number.
But I did find a few links saying his wingspan was a good 7'2"
7-2
7-2
7-2
Powe Always Had Game
Oakland Tribune, The (CA)
May 24, 2006
Section: Sports San Mateo
Powe Goes to the Pros for Some Dough
BERKELEY -- Convinced he is ready for the NBA but will need every advantage before the June 28 draft, Cal sophomore Leon Powe hired an agent Tuesday and made his departure from college basketball official.
Powe, who led the Pac-10 Conference in scoring and rebounding this season, signed with Oakland sports agent Aaron Goodwin and is ready to move forward at full speed.
"If I was going to try to better myself in the draft, I needed to make a move," said the 22-year-old Oakland Tech High graduate. "I think it's going to start getting hectic, and that's when the money part started coming in."
Goodwin, whose clients include Oakland native Gary Payton, has arranged for Powe to work out for the Portland Trail Blazers this week, then to travel east for workouts next week.
Powe, a 6-foot-7 power forward, canceled a planned workout Tuesday with the Warriors.
"I didn't want to get worn out," said Powe, who already has worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers and for an assortment of scouts in a separate Southern California session. "I'm going to go in there with my best."
Powe originally put his name into thedraft without hiring an agent, which allowed him the option of withdrawing by the June 18 deadline. By signing with an agent and accepting financial help, he disqualifies himself from returning to college ball.
The choice of Goodwin was a bit of a surprise, if only because Powe has been close since the ninth grade with Calvin Andrews, who works for Bill Duffy's rival Bay Area-based agency.
Goodwin's past clients have included Jason Kidd and LeBron James, and in 2004 he was rated by Sports Illustrated as the No.8 most influential minority in sports. "I just thought he was the best fit for me," Powe said.
Powe is hoping to move up to a top-10 position, but projections for him are mixed, ranging from the middle of the first round to early in the second. Only first-round NBA picks earn guaranteed contracts.
Although Powe said the feedback he's gotten from workouts so far has generally been good, he knows anything can happen on draft day.
"If I get picked in the first (round), that's very good," he said. "If I don't, I made the decision, and I've got to make the best of it."
Questions about Powe generally focus on either his height or the condition of his twice surgically repaired left knee. Powe was listed at 6-8 during his Cal career but may be an inch or so shorter. His Colorado-based surgeon, Dr. Richard Steadman, examined Powe's knee after the season and pronounced it entirely sound.
Cal coach Ben Braun expects Powe to be a success in the NBA.
"When you've got a 7-foot-4 wingspan and his heart and tenacity, it doesn't matter what his height is," Braun said. "Obviously, we're going to miss Leon in a lot of ways. I'm just happy for the opportunity he has."
Biographical Notes
Powe excels down on the block, but can also step out to hit the mid-range jumper. A McDonald's and first-team Parade All-American at nearby Oakland Tech HS, he is the most highly acclaimed recruit to play under Braun at Cal.
He originally hurt his knee in April after his junior year of high school, undergoing reconstructive surgery, but returned to play a full season as a senior. After a normal postseason physical in the spring of 2004, doctors noted he needed to have the knee operated on again. Powe had the first of two surgeries April 21 (bone graft) and the second operation (reconstructive) in the two-part procedure Sept. 8.
He was cleared for full contact May 26, 2005, and went on to be named MVP of the 2005San Francisco Pro-Am league where he averaged 33 ppg and 11 rpg. In 2003-04 Powe earned Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and All-Pac-10 honors, becoming the first freshman in the history of the league to lead the Pac-10 in rebounding. He was also the first Golden Bear freshman to be named team MVP and pace Cal in both scoring and rebounding since Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 1995-96.
In his final season, Powe led the Pac-10 in scoring (20.5 ppg) and rebounding (10.1 rpg) last season. He set a Pac-10 tournament record with 20 rebounds in one game in March of 2006.
May 24, 2006
Section: Sports San Mateo
Powe Goes to the Pros for Some Dough
BERKELEY -- Convinced he is ready for the NBA but will need every advantage before the June 28 draft, Cal sophomore Leon Powe hired an agent Tuesday and made his departure from college basketball official.
Powe, who led the Pac-10 Conference in scoring and rebounding this season, signed with Oakland sports agent Aaron Goodwin and is ready to move forward at full speed.
"If I was going to try to better myself in the draft, I needed to make a move," said the 22-year-old Oakland Tech High graduate. "I think it's going to start getting hectic, and that's when the money part started coming in."
Goodwin, whose clients include Oakland native Gary Payton, has arranged for Powe to work out for the Portland Trail Blazers this week, then to travel east for workouts next week.
Powe, a 6-foot-7 power forward, canceled a planned workout Tuesday with the Warriors.
"I didn't want to get worn out," said Powe, who already has worked out for the Los Angeles Lakers and for an assortment of scouts in a separate Southern California session. "I'm going to go in there with my best."
Powe originally put his name into thedraft without hiring an agent, which allowed him the option of withdrawing by the June 18 deadline. By signing with an agent and accepting financial help, he disqualifies himself from returning to college ball.
The choice of Goodwin was a bit of a surprise, if only because Powe has been close since the ninth grade with Calvin Andrews, who works for Bill Duffy's rival Bay Area-based agency.
Goodwin's past clients have included Jason Kidd and LeBron James, and in 2004 he was rated by Sports Illustrated as the No.8 most influential minority in sports. "I just thought he was the best fit for me," Powe said.
Powe is hoping to move up to a top-10 position, but projections for him are mixed, ranging from the middle of the first round to early in the second. Only first-round NBA picks earn guaranteed contracts.
Although Powe said the feedback he's gotten from workouts so far has generally been good, he knows anything can happen on draft day.
"If I get picked in the first (round), that's very good," he said. "If I don't, I made the decision, and I've got to make the best of it."
Questions about Powe generally focus on either his height or the condition of his twice surgically repaired left knee. Powe was listed at 6-8 during his Cal career but may be an inch or so shorter. His Colorado-based surgeon, Dr. Richard Steadman, examined Powe's knee after the season and pronounced it entirely sound.
Cal coach Ben Braun expects Powe to be a success in the NBA.
"When you've got a 7-foot-4 wingspan and his heart and tenacity, it doesn't matter what his height is," Braun said. "Obviously, we're going to miss Leon in a lot of ways. I'm just happy for the opportunity he has."
Biographical Notes
Powe excels down on the block, but can also step out to hit the mid-range jumper. A McDonald's and first-team Parade All-American at nearby Oakland Tech HS, he is the most highly acclaimed recruit to play under Braun at Cal.
He originally hurt his knee in April after his junior year of high school, undergoing reconstructive surgery, but returned to play a full season as a senior. After a normal postseason physical in the spring of 2004, doctors noted he needed to have the knee operated on again. Powe had the first of two surgeries April 21 (bone graft) and the second operation (reconstructive) in the two-part procedure Sept. 8.
He was cleared for full contact May 26, 2005, and went on to be named MVP of the 2005San Francisco Pro-Am league where he averaged 33 ppg and 11 rpg. In 2003-04 Powe earned Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and All-Pac-10 honors, becoming the first freshman in the history of the league to lead the Pac-10 in rebounding. He was also the first Golden Bear freshman to be named team MVP and pace Cal in both scoring and rebounding since Shareef Abdur-Rahim in 1995-96.
In his final season, Powe led the Pac-10 in scoring (20.5 ppg) and rebounding (10.1 rpg) last season. He set a Pac-10 tournament record with 20 rebounds in one game in March of 2006.
1986 Cs (36-8) Extend Win Streak to 11
DA GREEN MOVES TO 36-8
Playing on their creaky home floor, they trailed by hideous scores of 15-4, 29-10 and 47-26. They moved like five blocks from Stonehenge and made Seattle rookie Xavier McDaniel look like Elgin Baylor.
And through it all, there appeared little concern. Oh, there might have been a little grumbling in the upper deck, but the guys in green were composed and confident.
It was, therefore, no surprise when Boston's men at work crawled out of the gutter and took back the day from the Seattle SuperSonics. The amazing part of yesterday's story is that the Celtics can win a 114-101 decision after trailing by 21 and make it seem almost boring. This must be the way it works when a team wins 11 straight games.
"They did what the best team in basketball does," said Seattle coach Bernie Bickerstaff. "They played well and made open shots. You know they're coming, but you've got to answer."
The first 15 minutes were truly unique. The 36-8 Celtics, 21-1 at home and hoping to take a 13-game winning streak into the All-Star break, couldn't keep up with lowly (17-31) Seattle.
McDaniel (12 points in the first quarter) tap-danced on Scott Wedman for the first nine minutes, scoring from every possible angle. Meanwhile, old pal Gerald Henderson poured in 10 first-period points and the Sonics were flying. The Celts shot 41 percent, got outrebounded, 11-6, and committed seven turnovers in 12 minutes as Seattle burst to a 37-20 lead at the end of one.
"We weren't bad, we were totally ugly," said Celtic coach K.C. Jones.
"It can happen," said Dennis Johnson (24 points, seven assists). "Bad defense, no rebounds, turnovers, and taking a team very lightly. We're just lucky it happened early enough so that we could do something about it."
Larry Bird was on his way to a 4-for-17 shooting performance. Bird compensated (as usual) with 14 free throws, 11 rebounds, six assists and five steals, but his early clanging didn't help the cause.
"We were brutal," summed Danny Ainge.
Boston was no better in the first three minutes of the second period. Two free throws by Al Wood made it 47-26 with 8:17 left in the half.
Jones had already used three full timeouts and a 20-second pause. Hopeful that the Celts could gain some ground before half time, he inserted Bird and Robert Parish.
Bird scored his only four field goals of the afternoon in a 3:34 stretch (yes, that's correct, he was 0 for 7 in the second half) as the Celts closed the gap to 63-51 by half time.
"K.C. didn't need to say much at the half after the way we played," said DJ. "We knew we had to get our game together."
There was a small manpower problem. Kevin McHale (sore Achilles' tendon) was in street clothes for the fifth straight game and Wedman had suffered a four-stitch cut inside his upper lip in the first half.
No problem. Wedman started the third quarter and hit two bombs and a fast- break layup as the Celtics ran off 10 straight after a Danny Vranes free throw. Seattle's lead was down to three points and there was again a sense of inevitability. Wedman scored 11 of his 15 points in the third period.
Henderson (20 points, seven assists) and the estimable Jack Sikma (20 points) tossed sandbags in front of the green wave, but with 1:03 left in the third, Jerry Sichting canned a transition jumper to give the Celtics their first lead (78-77) since 2-0.
It should be noted that Bird did a nice job on McDaniel during this stretch. The X-factor contributed only one field goal after his All-Star first half.
A quarter-closing 6-0 run gave Boston an 82-77 lead at the end of three. Seattle had five field goals and was outscored, 31-14, in the third quarter.
"The third quarter has been a problem for us all season long," said Sikma. "We've been very inconsistent. When they began to double-team down low, it caused us some problems. And once they started shooting from outside better, we were in trouble."
For all practical purposes, that was it. Boston pushed the lead to 13 with 8:45 left and shifted into cruise control. The Celtics made 12 of 13 free throws and Seattle turned it over six times in the sloppy final period.
Playing on their creaky home floor, they trailed by hideous scores of 15-4, 29-10 and 47-26. They moved like five blocks from Stonehenge and made Seattle rookie Xavier McDaniel look like Elgin Baylor.
And through it all, there appeared little concern. Oh, there might have been a little grumbling in the upper deck, but the guys in green were composed and confident.
It was, therefore, no surprise when Boston's men at work crawled out of the gutter and took back the day from the Seattle SuperSonics. The amazing part of yesterday's story is that the Celtics can win a 114-101 decision after trailing by 21 and make it seem almost boring. This must be the way it works when a team wins 11 straight games.
"They did what the best team in basketball does," said Seattle coach Bernie Bickerstaff. "They played well and made open shots. You know they're coming, but you've got to answer."
The first 15 minutes were truly unique. The 36-8 Celtics, 21-1 at home and hoping to take a 13-game winning streak into the All-Star break, couldn't keep up with lowly (17-31) Seattle.
McDaniel (12 points in the first quarter) tap-danced on Scott Wedman for the first nine minutes, scoring from every possible angle. Meanwhile, old pal Gerald Henderson poured in 10 first-period points and the Sonics were flying. The Celts shot 41 percent, got outrebounded, 11-6, and committed seven turnovers in 12 minutes as Seattle burst to a 37-20 lead at the end of one.
"We weren't bad, we were totally ugly," said Celtic coach K.C. Jones.
"It can happen," said Dennis Johnson (24 points, seven assists). "Bad defense, no rebounds, turnovers, and taking a team very lightly. We're just lucky it happened early enough so that we could do something about it."
Larry Bird was on his way to a 4-for-17 shooting performance. Bird compensated (as usual) with 14 free throws, 11 rebounds, six assists and five steals, but his early clanging didn't help the cause.
"We were brutal," summed Danny Ainge.
Boston was no better in the first three minutes of the second period. Two free throws by Al Wood made it 47-26 with 8:17 left in the half.
Jones had already used three full timeouts and a 20-second pause. Hopeful that the Celts could gain some ground before half time, he inserted Bird and Robert Parish.
Bird scored his only four field goals of the afternoon in a 3:34 stretch (yes, that's correct, he was 0 for 7 in the second half) as the Celts closed the gap to 63-51 by half time.
"K.C. didn't need to say much at the half after the way we played," said DJ. "We knew we had to get our game together."
There was a small manpower problem. Kevin McHale (sore Achilles' tendon) was in street clothes for the fifth straight game and Wedman had suffered a four-stitch cut inside his upper lip in the first half.
No problem. Wedman started the third quarter and hit two bombs and a fast- break layup as the Celtics ran off 10 straight after a Danny Vranes free throw. Seattle's lead was down to three points and there was again a sense of inevitability. Wedman scored 11 of his 15 points in the third period.
Henderson (20 points, seven assists) and the estimable Jack Sikma (20 points) tossed sandbags in front of the green wave, but with 1:03 left in the third, Jerry Sichting canned a transition jumper to give the Celtics their first lead (78-77) since 2-0.
It should be noted that Bird did a nice job on McDaniel during this stretch. The X-factor contributed only one field goal after his All-Star first half.
A quarter-closing 6-0 run gave Boston an 82-77 lead at the end of three. Seattle had five field goals and was outscored, 31-14, in the third quarter.
"The third quarter has been a problem for us all season long," said Sikma. "We've been very inconsistent. When they began to double-team down low, it caused us some problems. And once they started shooting from outside better, we were in trouble."
For all practical purposes, that was it. Boston pushed the lead to 13 with 8:45 left and shifted into cruise control. The Celtics made 12 of 13 free throws and Seattle turned it over six times in the sloppy final period.
Gerald Henderson Says 86 Lakers are Deeper than 86 Cs
He knows that he played a major part in bringing one of those championship banners to Boston, but Gerald Henderson still hopes his final gift to the Celtics will be something less than a No. 1 draft pick.
"If we don't make the play-offs, Red (Auerbach) will be a genius again in his old age," Henderson said after scoring 20 points in Seattle's 114-101 loss to the Celtics yesterday.
The Celtics own Seattle's top pick (in exchange for Henderson) and hope that the Sonics finish out of the play-offs. Boston has a one-in-seven shot at getting the nation's top pick if Seattle doesn't make the NBA's postseason tournament.
"We might be the last team to get in the play-offs, but we'll get in there," said Henderson.
"I know the people in Boston don't want to hear this, but I'm pretty sure we can make the play-offs," added Seattle coach Bernie Bickerstaff.
Yesterday's loss lowered Seattle's record to 17-31. The Sonics have lost 9 of 11 and would be a lottery team if the season ended today.
Henderson is still slightly bitter about the trade that sent him to the Pacific Northwest. Noting Boston's offseason acquisitions of Sam Vincent and Jerry Sichting, Henderson said, "They got two point guards and they're both sitting on the bench. Maybe K.C. just hasn't found that guy yet."
Asked to compare the Celtics and Lakers, Henderson said, "Boston is 7-8 deep, but the Lakers are 10-deep, and in a seven-game series, it means a lot to have that extra one or two players."
He didn't like being on the losing side in the Boston Garden. "Nothing's changed in this place," Henderson said with a chuckle. "The crowd gets into the game and the coaching staff puts pressure on the refs. Nothing's changed."
Henderson later made a visit to the Celtic locker room to exchange greetings with his former teammates.
Boston's 11-game winning streak represents the longest in the NBA this season, and the fourth-longest of the Larry Bird era. The franchise record is 18 straight, but the Celtics haven't won 11 in a row since December '80- January '81, when they had streaks of 12 and 13 straight . . . Kevin McHale sat out his fifth straight game because of a sore left Achilles' tendon. McHale went through pregame warmups, but the tendon tightened and it was decided that he would rest another day. He will make the trip to Milwaukee, where Boston plays tomorrow . . . Scott Wedman suffered a four-stitch cut inside his upper lip and had a tooth loosened when he collided with Danny Young in the first half.
Boston leads Philadelphia by a whopping eight games in the Atlantic Division non-race. The Celtics have 10 fewer losses than Philadelphia . . . Boston blocked seven shots, Seattle zero . . . Danny Ainge, who is growing his latest in a long line of weak mustaches, fouled out for the second time all year . . . Face in the crowd: Bruin Gord Kluzak . . . Best Laugh: Jack Sikma fired a pass into the lane that bounced off Bill Walton's hands and soared high in the air before coming down through the basket. Runnerup: Jerry Sichting made a jump shot after ducking under Gerald Henderson.
"If we don't make the play-offs, Red (Auerbach) will be a genius again in his old age," Henderson said after scoring 20 points in Seattle's 114-101 loss to the Celtics yesterday.
The Celtics own Seattle's top pick (in exchange for Henderson) and hope that the Sonics finish out of the play-offs. Boston has a one-in-seven shot at getting the nation's top pick if Seattle doesn't make the NBA's postseason tournament.
"We might be the last team to get in the play-offs, but we'll get in there," said Henderson.
"I know the people in Boston don't want to hear this, but I'm pretty sure we can make the play-offs," added Seattle coach Bernie Bickerstaff.
Yesterday's loss lowered Seattle's record to 17-31. The Sonics have lost 9 of 11 and would be a lottery team if the season ended today.
Henderson is still slightly bitter about the trade that sent him to the Pacific Northwest. Noting Boston's offseason acquisitions of Sam Vincent and Jerry Sichting, Henderson said, "They got two point guards and they're both sitting on the bench. Maybe K.C. just hasn't found that guy yet."
Asked to compare the Celtics and Lakers, Henderson said, "Boston is 7-8 deep, but the Lakers are 10-deep, and in a seven-game series, it means a lot to have that extra one or two players."
He didn't like being on the losing side in the Boston Garden. "Nothing's changed in this place," Henderson said with a chuckle. "The crowd gets into the game and the coaching staff puts pressure on the refs. Nothing's changed."
Henderson later made a visit to the Celtic locker room to exchange greetings with his former teammates.
Boston's 11-game winning streak represents the longest in the NBA this season, and the fourth-longest of the Larry Bird era. The franchise record is 18 straight, but the Celtics haven't won 11 in a row since December '80- January '81, when they had streaks of 12 and 13 straight . . . Kevin McHale sat out his fifth straight game because of a sore left Achilles' tendon. McHale went through pregame warmups, but the tendon tightened and it was decided that he would rest another day. He will make the trip to Milwaukee, where Boston plays tomorrow . . . Scott Wedman suffered a four-stitch cut inside his upper lip and had a tooth loosened when he collided with Danny Young in the first half.
Boston leads Philadelphia by a whopping eight games in the Atlantic Division non-race. The Celtics have 10 fewer losses than Philadelphia . . . Boston blocked seven shots, Seattle zero . . . Danny Ainge, who is growing his latest in a long line of weak mustaches, fouled out for the second time all year . . . Face in the crowd: Bruin Gord Kluzak . . . Best Laugh: Jack Sikma fired a pass into the lane that bounced off Bill Walton's hands and soared high in the air before coming down through the basket. Runnerup: Jerry Sichting made a jump shot after ducking under Gerald Henderson.
1986 Cs (35-8) Make it 10 in a Row
The Green Moves to 35-8 After Beating Washington
You've read this story before: There's a sold-out dance hall and a team on the rise trying to make its name and impress hometown skeptics with a victory over the Boston Celtics . Then Larry Bird and Co. strut into town, break more hearts than Cybill Shepherd and fly home with another notch in the sweatband.
The story line has been played out in Atlanta, Ga., and East Rutherford, N.J., already this year. Last night the site was Landover, Md., as the Celts turned back the heretofore high-flying Washington Bullets, 97-88, before 19,123 at the Capital Centre.
It was Boston's 10th straight victory, and perhaps it is time we started paying attention to The Streak. Boston's win skein is the longest in the NBA this season and ties the fourth-longest of the Bird era (the Celts won 18 straight in 1981).
Friday in Washington was much like Thursday in Chicago and every other day in every other city since Christmas. For a full 48 minutes of court time, there was a sense of inevitability. One always gets the feeling that the Celts are never in danger and will ultimately prevail.
Unimpressed by 7-foot-7-inch Manute Bol, a healthy Jeff Ruland, All-Star Jeff Malone and conehead Leon Wood, the Celts blunted the Bullets. Scott Wedman (starting his fourth straight in place of Kevin McHale) hit 11 of 17 floor shots and scored a season-high 24 points with 9 rebounds. Wedman had 17 points at halftime.
"We wished McHale was back playing the way Wedman was shooting in the first half," said Ruland.
Meanwhile, Robert Parish again devoured the backboards (14 rebounds), and the ubiquitous Bird (14 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks) did everything else.
"It all starts with Larry Bird," said Wedman. "Larry Bird brings a winning attitude to this team like nothing I've ever seen."
The Celts trailed only once -- 33-32 in the second period. Boston led, 26-18, after one, 51-46 at halftime, and stretched it to 75-64 at the end of three. The lead swelled to 21 midway through the final period.
Wedman drained his first four jumpers as the Celts bolted to a 12-4 lead. Bullets coach Gene Shue responded by inserting Darren (Make My) Daye and Ruland. Daye took over on Wedman.
"We talked about Wedman's outside shooting and how we had to go out and play him," groaned Shue. "Then we didn't do it."
Wearing a Slick Watts headband on his bald dome, Wood came in and missed his first two shots. Boston held a 12-3 rebounding advantage at that juncture, and Bol was pulled. A jumper by Bird made it 22-10. Cliff Robinson helped the Bullets claw back to within eight at the end of one.
Ruland led a flurry at the start of the second as the Bullets closed the gap to three. Then Manute returned and swatted consecutive shots by Sam Vincent and David Thirdkill. Wood followed with a three-pointer, and it was 30-30. Wood's next three-pointer gave Washington its only lead. Let's not hear any more stories about how great Wood (21 points on 20 shots) is. He heaved his three-pointer while a grumbling Ruland was under the basket being guarded by 6-1 Jerry Sichting.
Jones reinstated his starters, and Wedman put the Celts back on top with a three-pointer. Boston led by five at intermission.
The Bullets trimmed it to three a couple of times early in the third, but Bird, Parish and Danny Ainge (nine assists) soon had the lead back in double figures. Parish snatched six rebounds in the third period. Brutal Bullet shooting (8 for 22) helped the Celts cruise to an 11-point lead at the end of three.
K.C. went with the shock troops at the start of the fourth, and a pair of Rick Carlisle jumpers made it 79-64. A three-point play by Bill Walton with 8:17 remaining made it 86-67. Then Sichting kicked off garbage time with a bomb which pushed Boston's lead to 21 and started the exodus back to our nation's capital.
The Bullets shot 41 percent and totaled a pitiful 16 assists. Bol finished with seven blocks, seven points and six rebounds in 31 minutes, but was never a factor.
Ruland's summation: "It was disgusting."
Shue credited Boston: "The Celtics run basic plays and they make them work. The addition of Bill Walton is a major improvement. When they make substitutions, there's no weakness."
You've read this story before: There's a sold-out dance hall and a team on the rise trying to make its name and impress hometown skeptics with a victory over the Boston Celtics . Then Larry Bird and Co. strut into town, break more hearts than Cybill Shepherd and fly home with another notch in the sweatband.
The story line has been played out in Atlanta, Ga., and East Rutherford, N.J., already this year. Last night the site was Landover, Md., as the Celts turned back the heretofore high-flying Washington Bullets, 97-88, before 19,123 at the Capital Centre.
It was Boston's 10th straight victory, and perhaps it is time we started paying attention to The Streak. Boston's win skein is the longest in the NBA this season and ties the fourth-longest of the Bird era (the Celts won 18 straight in 1981).
Friday in Washington was much like Thursday in Chicago and every other day in every other city since Christmas. For a full 48 minutes of court time, there was a sense of inevitability. One always gets the feeling that the Celts are never in danger and will ultimately prevail.
Unimpressed by 7-foot-7-inch Manute Bol, a healthy Jeff Ruland, All-Star Jeff Malone and conehead Leon Wood, the Celts blunted the Bullets. Scott Wedman (starting his fourth straight in place of Kevin McHale) hit 11 of 17 floor shots and scored a season-high 24 points with 9 rebounds. Wedman had 17 points at halftime.
"We wished McHale was back playing the way Wedman was shooting in the first half," said Ruland.
Meanwhile, Robert Parish again devoured the backboards (14 rebounds), and the ubiquitous Bird (14 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks) did everything else.
"It all starts with Larry Bird," said Wedman. "Larry Bird brings a winning attitude to this team like nothing I've ever seen."
The Celts trailed only once -- 33-32 in the second period. Boston led, 26-18, after one, 51-46 at halftime, and stretched it to 75-64 at the end of three. The lead swelled to 21 midway through the final period.
Wedman drained his first four jumpers as the Celts bolted to a 12-4 lead. Bullets coach Gene Shue responded by inserting Darren (Make My) Daye and Ruland. Daye took over on Wedman.
"We talked about Wedman's outside shooting and how we had to go out and play him," groaned Shue. "Then we didn't do it."
Wearing a Slick Watts headband on his bald dome, Wood came in and missed his first two shots. Boston held a 12-3 rebounding advantage at that juncture, and Bol was pulled. A jumper by Bird made it 22-10. Cliff Robinson helped the Bullets claw back to within eight at the end of one.
Ruland led a flurry at the start of the second as the Bullets closed the gap to three. Then Manute returned and swatted consecutive shots by Sam Vincent and David Thirdkill. Wood followed with a three-pointer, and it was 30-30. Wood's next three-pointer gave Washington its only lead. Let's not hear any more stories about how great Wood (21 points on 20 shots) is. He heaved his three-pointer while a grumbling Ruland was under the basket being guarded by 6-1 Jerry Sichting.
Jones reinstated his starters, and Wedman put the Celts back on top with a three-pointer. Boston led by five at intermission.
The Bullets trimmed it to three a couple of times early in the third, but Bird, Parish and Danny Ainge (nine assists) soon had the lead back in double figures. Parish snatched six rebounds in the third period. Brutal Bullet shooting (8 for 22) helped the Celts cruise to an 11-point lead at the end of three.
K.C. went with the shock troops at the start of the fourth, and a pair of Rick Carlisle jumpers made it 79-64. A three-point play by Bill Walton with 8:17 remaining made it 86-67. Then Sichting kicked off garbage time with a bomb which pushed Boston's lead to 21 and started the exodus back to our nation's capital.
The Bullets shot 41 percent and totaled a pitiful 16 assists. Bol finished with seven blocks, seven points and six rebounds in 31 minutes, but was never a factor.
Ruland's summation: "It was disgusting."
Shue credited Boston: "The Celtics run basic plays and they make them work. The addition of Bill Walton is a major improvement. When they make substitutions, there's no weakness."
Danny Ainge: El Jeffe is Playing El Chef(fe)
"Whenever you bring in a new player, it can change roles and it can change the mood," the Celtics boss said. "All of a sudden, things are different and maybe you don't have what you've had before."
I've been quiet on the Mighty Mouse front by design. Damon Stoudamire no doubt would be an upgrade over Tony Allen, Eddie House, and Gabe Pruitt at the point. I mean, how many more bounce passes can we watch House throw in the general direction of nobody before we take the first step in dealing with the 500 pound gorilla in the room, namely that we don't have a reliable back-up point guard right now, much less a veteran presence that can be a difference maker come playoff time.
At the same time, I have not been quiet on the value of adding a quality back-up point guard. I would acquire Sam Cassell. I would sign Da Glove to a 10-day contract. I wouldn't hesitate to add a Darrell Armstrong-type, knowing full well that Darrell Armstrong himself isn't available.
But Damon Stoudamire is a different animal altogether.
I don't know if it's the drug infractions, his past history with the Jailblazers, or that ugly ass lefty shot that's never been good more than .39 percent of the time. Regardless, the risk factor with him does seem elevated.
What we don't want is someone who comes in with any expectations other than to play a role and solidify a weak spot. I could easily see the yet-to-be-acquired veteran point playing anywhere from 6 minutes a game to 36. But my best guess is that he will average less than 20, and possibly less than 15.
Is the Mouse prepared for such a varied role? Could he perform consistently with inconsistent minutes? Could he lead without being a pain in the keester?
But if the Celtics let the opportunity pass, will the Mouse be the best player the team has a chance of acquiring before March 1?
Yes, Danny, we all understand your predicament.
UPDATE
Sounds like Stoudamire is going to the Spurs. Not sure if that is because he wanted to play for San Antonio or because Danny signaled a lack of interest.
Either way, this blog approves holding off on da Mouse.
I've been quiet on the Mighty Mouse front by design. Damon Stoudamire no doubt would be an upgrade over Tony Allen, Eddie House, and Gabe Pruitt at the point. I mean, how many more bounce passes can we watch House throw in the general direction of nobody before we take the first step in dealing with the 500 pound gorilla in the room, namely that we don't have a reliable back-up point guard right now, much less a veteran presence that can be a difference maker come playoff time.
At the same time, I have not been quiet on the value of adding a quality back-up point guard. I would acquire Sam Cassell. I would sign Da Glove to a 10-day contract. I wouldn't hesitate to add a Darrell Armstrong-type, knowing full well that Darrell Armstrong himself isn't available.
But Damon Stoudamire is a different animal altogether.
I don't know if it's the drug infractions, his past history with the Jailblazers, or that ugly ass lefty shot that's never been good more than .39 percent of the time. Regardless, the risk factor with him does seem elevated.
What we don't want is someone who comes in with any expectations other than to play a role and solidify a weak spot. I could easily see the yet-to-be-acquired veteran point playing anywhere from 6 minutes a game to 36. But my best guess is that he will average less than 20, and possibly less than 15.
Is the Mouse prepared for such a varied role? Could he perform consistently with inconsistent minutes? Could he lead without being a pain in the keester?
But if the Celtics let the opportunity pass, will the Mouse be the best player the team has a chance of acquiring before March 1?
Yes, Danny, we all understand your predicament.
UPDATE
Sounds like Stoudamire is going to the Spurs. Not sure if that is because he wanted to play for San Antonio or because Danny signaled a lack of interest.
Either way, this blog approves holding off on da Mouse.
1.24.2008
1986 Cs Beat Bulls, Move to 34-8
Ray Flynn should have gone double or nothing with Chicago mayor Harold Washington on this one.
It certainly didn't make up for the Roman numeral indignity in New Orleans, but watching a New England team beat a Chicago team four days after You Know What should provide some comfort for still-stunned Pats' fans.
Without benefit of a Sears-Kenmore 46-cubic-foot no-frost fridge, or a self-serving assistant coach like Buddy Ryan, Boston defeated Chicago, 101-91, last night in one of the most lethargic and boring exhibitions yet played in this everlasting regular season.
The victory was Boston's ninth straight, matching the season's longest win streak. The piti-Bulls have lost eight of nine.
The Celts were without Kevin McHale for the third straight game, while the Bulls didn't have high scorer Orlando Woolridge (sprained wrist).
The game's sole redemption was its parity. Neither team could build a lead in the first half. Chicago went ahead by seven early in the third, but a 21-9 sruge by the Celts thrust the Green to a 76-73 lead at the end of three.
Boston was still ahead by three when Larry Bird returned for the final 8:23. After a 24-second violation on the Bulls, Bird hit a middle-range jumper to make it 84-79 and force a Chicago timeout.
The Bulls were relying solely on Quintin Dailey at this juncture. The inimitable Dailey scored a whopping 38 in 21 minutes Tuesday and had Chicago's first eight points in the final period against the Celts.
A fall-down jumper by Bird with 4:23 left put the Celts up by seven. The Celts held serve and led by seven with 2:42 after a banker by Bill Walton. Then Bird rebounded a Dave Corzine miss and Robert Parish scored on a sneakaway to give the Celts a 96-87 lead with 2:06 left. Chicago called time, and fans started filing into the streets of the Windy City.
Scott Wedman started in McHale's place and opened the scoring with a long jumper after Sid Green's game-opening air ball.
Wedman missed his next four shots as the sluggish first quarter continued. Both teams were embarrassingly flat-footed. Wide-open jumpers were the order of the night.
Gene Banks allegedly was guarding Bird, and Boston's MVP hadn't seen this much open space since his last solo shooting session. It took awhile for Bird to adjust to shooting wide-open jumpers, but he made three straight in one stretch, then fed Dennis Johnson for a layup.
Boston's early defense was no better than Chicago's. Banks roamed the lane unmolested, and Chicago stayed close thanks to a series of layups and Green (10 in the first quarter) jumpers. Parish was replaced by Walton before the quarter ended, and Chicago led, 28-27 after one.
David Thirdkill started the second quarter with Walton, Bird, DJ and Jerry Sichting. Thirdkill took over on Green.
Walton put the Celts ahead with a jump hook, then blocked a Corzine shot, but Boston was unable to build any kind of a lead. K.C. Jones paired Walton with Parish briefly, but Walton picked up his third and fourth fouls and returned to the bench. The immortal Corzine closed the half with four straight, and Chicago led, 52-49, at intermission. Bird did not score a basket in the second quarter, and Danny Ainge pitched a first-half shutout.
George Gervin shot the Bulls to a seven-point lead (60-53) early in the third. Bird helped out with a needless technical, courtesy of Hugh Evans.
It was then that the Celtics tightened up on defense and put together their first serious run of the night. Wedman started the drive with a pair of jumpers, then Ainge hit a jumper and a free throw and Bird canned a lefty runner in the lane. Boston regained the lead on a second-chance jumper by DJ.
After two free throws by Green, Walton hit a foul-line set shot, DJ drained one from out top and Bird hit two from the line to give the Celtics a 74-69 lead. The 21-9 run enabled the Celts to carry a 76-73 lead into the final period.
It certainly didn't make up for the Roman numeral indignity in New Orleans, but watching a New England team beat a Chicago team four days after You Know What should provide some comfort for still-stunned Pats' fans.
Without benefit of a Sears-Kenmore 46-cubic-foot no-frost fridge, or a self-serving assistant coach like Buddy Ryan, Boston defeated Chicago, 101-91, last night in one of the most lethargic and boring exhibitions yet played in this everlasting regular season.
The victory was Boston's ninth straight, matching the season's longest win streak. The piti-Bulls have lost eight of nine.
The Celts were without Kevin McHale for the third straight game, while the Bulls didn't have high scorer Orlando Woolridge (sprained wrist).
The game's sole redemption was its parity. Neither team could build a lead in the first half. Chicago went ahead by seven early in the third, but a 21-9 sruge by the Celts thrust the Green to a 76-73 lead at the end of three.
Boston was still ahead by three when Larry Bird returned for the final 8:23. After a 24-second violation on the Bulls, Bird hit a middle-range jumper to make it 84-79 and force a Chicago timeout.
The Bulls were relying solely on Quintin Dailey at this juncture. The inimitable Dailey scored a whopping 38 in 21 minutes Tuesday and had Chicago's first eight points in the final period against the Celts.
A fall-down jumper by Bird with 4:23 left put the Celts up by seven. The Celts held serve and led by seven with 2:42 after a banker by Bill Walton. Then Bird rebounded a Dave Corzine miss and Robert Parish scored on a sneakaway to give the Celts a 96-87 lead with 2:06 left. Chicago called time, and fans started filing into the streets of the Windy City.
Scott Wedman started in McHale's place and opened the scoring with a long jumper after Sid Green's game-opening air ball.
Wedman missed his next four shots as the sluggish first quarter continued. Both teams were embarrassingly flat-footed. Wide-open jumpers were the order of the night.
Gene Banks allegedly was guarding Bird, and Boston's MVP hadn't seen this much open space since his last solo shooting session. It took awhile for Bird to adjust to shooting wide-open jumpers, but he made three straight in one stretch, then fed Dennis Johnson for a layup.
Boston's early defense was no better than Chicago's. Banks roamed the lane unmolested, and Chicago stayed close thanks to a series of layups and Green (10 in the first quarter) jumpers. Parish was replaced by Walton before the quarter ended, and Chicago led, 28-27 after one.
David Thirdkill started the second quarter with Walton, Bird, DJ and Jerry Sichting. Thirdkill took over on Green.
Walton put the Celts ahead with a jump hook, then blocked a Corzine shot, but Boston was unable to build any kind of a lead. K.C. Jones paired Walton with Parish briefly, but Walton picked up his third and fourth fouls and returned to the bench. The immortal Corzine closed the half with four straight, and Chicago led, 52-49, at intermission. Bird did not score a basket in the second quarter, and Danny Ainge pitched a first-half shutout.
George Gervin shot the Bulls to a seven-point lead (60-53) early in the third. Bird helped out with a needless technical, courtesy of Hugh Evans.
It was then that the Celtics tightened up on defense and put together their first serious run of the night. Wedman started the drive with a pair of jumpers, then Ainge hit a jumper and a free throw and Bird canned a lefty runner in the lane. Boston regained the lead on a second-chance jumper by DJ.
After two free throws by Green, Walton hit a foul-line set shot, DJ drained one from out top and Bird hit two from the line to give the Celtics a 74-69 lead. The 21-9 run enabled the Celts to carry a 76-73 lead into the final period.
Midseason Look at 1986 Cs
Boston has won eight in a row and 12 of 13 since losing five of nine in December. The Celts are 33-8 at the midpoint and have regained the NBA's best record. The Sons of K.C. Jones are 5 1/2 games ahead of the Philadelphia 76ers and have two fewer losses than the Lakers. LA has lost four of five, including a 15-point blowout at the hands of the Celts last Wednesday. Philly has won 17 of 20 but couldn't beat the Kevin McHaleless Bostonians on Super Sunday.
- Bird's shooting -- He should win a third straight MVP. The total game never abandoned him, but he wasn't the same force without his long-range weaponry. Sunday's third-quarter, three-point-shot barrage against the Sixers was vintage Bird. His back/elbow/finger must be feeling much better.
- The development of Bill Walton as a big-game/late-game force -- Walton never played poorly, but only in the last week has he asserted himself at crunch time against the iron. The Walton who swatted seven Laker shots in 16 minutes, then scored 19 points with 13 rebounds against the Sixers would be a major difference in this year's play-off push.
- The bench -- Jerry Sichting is shooting 55 percent. He's learned to pick his spots with the shot and forced Laker coach Pat Riley to admit, "They have the cannons now, and they didn't have them last year." After a horrendous start, Scott Wedman is playing the best ball of his four-year Celtic career, filling in the for the injured McHale. Meanwhile, David Thirdkill looks like a player. He's silently shooting 56 percent and spent 18 minutes guarding Julius Erving Sunday. Look for Thirdkill to get more quality minutes against high-scoring forwards. He could turn out to be the backup small forward the Celts hoped Sly Williams would be.
- Bird's shooting -- He should win a third straight MVP. The total game never abandoned him, but he wasn't the same force without his long-range weaponry. Sunday's third-quarter, three-point-shot barrage against the Sixers was vintage Bird. His back/elbow/finger must be feeling much better.
- The development of Bill Walton as a big-game/late-game force -- Walton never played poorly, but only in the last week has he asserted himself at crunch time against the iron. The Walton who swatted seven Laker shots in 16 minutes, then scored 19 points with 13 rebounds against the Sixers would be a major difference in this year's play-off push.
- The bench -- Jerry Sichting is shooting 55 percent. He's learned to pick his spots with the shot and forced Laker coach Pat Riley to admit, "They have the cannons now, and they didn't have them last year." After a horrendous start, Scott Wedman is playing the best ball of his four-year Celtic career, filling in the for the injured McHale. Meanwhile, David Thirdkill looks like a player. He's silently shooting 56 percent and spent 18 minutes guarding Julius Erving Sunday. Look for Thirdkill to get more quality minutes against high-scoring forwards. He could turn out to be the backup small forward the Celts hoped Sly Williams would be.
A Little Humor from Doc
Garnett wanted to play Sunday, but Rivers benched him. "He wasn't happy about it, but that's all right," Rivers says. "That's what a coach does sometimes."
As for tonight's game against Miami, Rivers said, "Garnett may play. I doubt that, but he may. I just think we just go day to day with it."
Reporters then asked Doc whether he was resting Garnett to lose games again. Last season Rivers came under scrutiny for possibly resting players to improve Boston's draft position.
"Yeah, I'm tanking games," Rivers said. "We really want that 30th pick."
As for tonight's game against Miami, Rivers said, "Garnett may play. I doubt that, but he may. I just think we just go day to day with it."
Reporters then asked Doc whether he was resting Garnett to lose games again. Last season Rivers came under scrutiny for possibly resting players to improve Boston's draft position.
"Yeah, I'm tanking games," Rivers said. "We really want that 30th pick."
Seven Games in May and June
It’s easy to dismiss poor play in January.
Championships are not won in January.
There is plenty of time to get things back on track.
The Celtics will likely add a player or two between now and March 1, which will trigger another period of transition.
Ray Allen is injured and/or in a shooting slump.
KG is injured.
Other than KG, the players have seemed bored and out of synch.
After a 29-3 start, they were due for a fall of some sort.
I buy into this explanation (rationalization?) to some extent. But the KG injury complicates things.
At it’s core, the argument for dismissing January losses is that the games don’t mean anything, and January games against poor teams mean even less. The Celtics should still be able to rise to the occasion against good teams, or so the theory goes.
Well, we just played a good team yesterday, fell behind by 16, and eventually lost the game, making the Celtics 5-5 in their last 10 games. The absence of KG makes yesterday’s loss to the Magic an imperfect barometer of where we are at.
But you can see we have regressed, nonetheless.
We went from playing with DEFCON 1 intensity for 48 minutes, to playing with such intensity only when needed, and sometimes not even then.
We went from taking every game seriously, to only taking some games seriously, and approaching the others with a “stay close and then grind out the win down the stretch” mentality.
Thus, while I do agree that the NBA season ultimately comes down to how you perform in a seven-game series during May and June, you need to show signs of championship caliber play during the season. You also need to show signs of growth.
We’ve seen the Celtics play at a championship caliber level.
But instead of seeing growth lately, we’ve seen regression.
Over the coming weeks, the Celtics will face teams from Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana, and the test they face will be clear.
Can they return to playing ball with a sense of urgency?
Can their offense get back into a rhythm?
Can they make the necessary acquisitions and then integrate those players into the system without encountering further bumps in the road?
This is where Doc will need to step up. But if KG’s injury is prolonged, the lack of an on-field quarterback will make his job that much harder.
Championships are not won in January.
There is plenty of time to get things back on track.
The Celtics will likely add a player or two between now and March 1, which will trigger another period of transition.
Ray Allen is injured and/or in a shooting slump.
KG is injured.
Other than KG, the players have seemed bored and out of synch.
After a 29-3 start, they were due for a fall of some sort.
I buy into this explanation (rationalization?) to some extent. But the KG injury complicates things.
At it’s core, the argument for dismissing January losses is that the games don’t mean anything, and January games against poor teams mean even less. The Celtics should still be able to rise to the occasion against good teams, or so the theory goes.
Well, we just played a good team yesterday, fell behind by 16, and eventually lost the game, making the Celtics 5-5 in their last 10 games. The absence of KG makes yesterday’s loss to the Magic an imperfect barometer of where we are at.
But you can see we have regressed, nonetheless.
We went from playing with DEFCON 1 intensity for 48 minutes, to playing with such intensity only when needed, and sometimes not even then.
We went from taking every game seriously, to only taking some games seriously, and approaching the others with a “stay close and then grind out the win down the stretch” mentality.
Thus, while I do agree that the NBA season ultimately comes down to how you perform in a seven-game series during May and June, you need to show signs of championship caliber play during the season. You also need to show signs of growth.
We’ve seen the Celtics play at a championship caliber level.
But instead of seeing growth lately, we’ve seen regression.
Over the coming weeks, the Celtics will face teams from Texas, Arizona, and Louisiana, and the test they face will be clear.
Can they return to playing ball with a sense of urgency?
Can their offense get back into a rhythm?
Can they make the necessary acquisitions and then integrate those players into the system without encountering further bumps in the road?
This is where Doc will need to step up. But if KG’s injury is prolonged, the lack of an on-field quarterback will make his job that much harder.
Cs Remain Comfortably Atop NBA, Despite Ho Hum Play
Boston ..34-7
Hornets .31-12
Pistons .31-13
Suns ....31-13
Mavs ....29-13
Spurs ...29-13
Hornets .31-12
Pistons .31-13
Suns ....31-13
Mavs ....29-13
Spurs ...29-13
1986 Cs Beat Sixers, Move to 33-8
Cs Beat Sixers
Closer to home, the Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers staged a midseason, midwinter classic. Dare we call it Super?
This had to be the highlight of Super Bowl brunches from Waterville Valley to Big Sur.
As stuffed bears dangled from the Garden balconies, the legends of basketball danced a 48-minute symphony on the parquet floor of the archaic train station. Thanks to the magic of CBS, folks who thought Bill Walton disappeared with Patty Hearst discovered that the big Redhead is thriving in Celtic green.
With Kevin McHale absent (sore Achilles' tendon), Walton scored 19 points with 13 rebounds in 25 minutes as the Celtics defeated the 76ers, 105-103. Larry Bird added 14 rebounds and a troika of stake-driving three-pointers in his 28-point day, and folks named Scott Wedman (16) and David Thirdkill also contributed heavily.
Before we get to the Wild Man of Borneo -- Charles Barkley -- let the record show that Boston has beaten Philly three times in four tries and leads the Sixers by 5 1/2 games with 41 left. Overall, the Celts have won eight straight and 12 of 13, including impressive victories over the Lakers and 76ers in a five-day span.
Philly came to town with four straight wins and a 17-2 record in the last two months. The Sixers hoped to exploit McHale's absence and reenter the laughable Atlantic Division first-place chase.
Despite a heartbreaking defeat, the inimitable Barkley remained unconvinced.
After barreling his way to 26 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, Barkley said, "I'll stick to my original statement. I don't think they can beat us, and if you are intelligent, you saw the same thing today. They cannot beat us. They cannot beat us. The only problem we have is mental. We gave the game away. I honestly think they know they can't beat us."
1986 Barkley's comments raised some eyebrows in the Celtics' locker room.
"I don't know how many times we got to beat them to prove it," said Danny Ainge. "We beat 'em today without Kevin, the player on our team who probably gives them the most problems. Just tell him to keep yapping, that's all."
Robert Parish (five blocks) added, "I'm tired of hearing about Charles Barkley. He's taking over (Cedric) Maxwell's role in the Eastern Conference -- all mouth. I think it's probably good for their team because they have to go out and back that up, which they did not do today. We'll see what he has to say when we go to Philadelphia."
Wedman (16 points), suddenly playing like the All-Star he was a decade ago, started in place of McHale and scored 10 in the first quarter as the Celts squeaked to a 29-27 lead. Boston led by seven earlier in the period, but Barkley brought the Sixers back.
The second quarter was a groaner. The Celts scored only five field goals and shot 38 percent, while Philadelphia shot 37 percent. The Celts led, 51-50, at intermission.
Memories were created after halftime. Maurice Cheeks (22 points, 8 assists) led a 5-minute, 20-4 Sixer run, and the visitors ran to a 74-61 lead.
Bird reentered the game and went on one of his Death Wish Vigilante rampages. He started with two free throws, then chuckled with the rest of America as Barkley missed a dunk. The ball bounced off the back of the rim and sailed toward the Bruins' 1972 Stanley Cup flag.
Then Walton tapped in two Celtic misses and stole a Cheeks pass. Bird followed with a crowd-detonating three-pointer. It was 76-70 and Sixer coach Matt Guokas wanted a timeout. We should mention that Thirdkill (18 minutes) was doing a nice job on Julius Erving (13 points, 3 rebounds) at this juncture.
After the pause, Bird rebounded a Moses Malone miss (he shot 3-16) and set up Ainge for a jumper. Another Bird three-pointer cut it to 76-75 and forced another Philly timeout.
Before the quarter was over, Walton hit on a turnaround banker and a hook over Malone. Then came the clincher. Bird scrambled for a loose ball after Malone missed a second straight free throw and nailed a 35-foot buzzer-beater to send the Celts into the fourth with an 82-78 lead. Bedlam. Don't underestimate the psychological impact of Bird's bomb. It is significant that each of his three-pointers was followed by a timeout or a break between quarters.
The final period was no less spectacular. The Celts trailed, 99-96, with 3:55 left but held Philadelphia without a basket the rest of the way.
Walton played up front with Parish for the final 6:49 and scored over Barkley to cut it to 99-98 with three minutes left. Then Barkley missed another dunk. This one catapulted toward midcourt.
Both teams missed several opportnities before Parish blocked a Malone shot and Ainge found Bird with a crosscourt fastbreak feed for a layup. Bird was fouled and made the free throw to give the Celts a 101-99 lead with a minute left.
Malone (5 of 10 from the line) made a free throw with 0:40 showing but missed the second. Walton rebounded, was fouled and made two to give the Celts a 103-100 lead with 33 seconds left. Cheeks was fouled driving to the basket and made both to cut it to one with 29 seconds left.
As the shot clock wound down, Bird was forced to fire a bomb. He missed, but Walton flew in from the left wing and snatched the most important rebound of the game. He fed to Dennis Johnson who was fouled with three seconds left. DJ made both to seal the victory.
"When it (Bird's shot) left his hand, it didn't look good to me," said Walton. "I was on the far side of the court. The shot ended up going in and out and I jumped up and got it and saw DJ and dumped it over to him."
"In our last seven possessions we had four turnovers and three power moves that were blocked," said Guokas. "Give them credit. They played tough defense inside."
Barkley wouldn't give credit.
"We just gave the game away down the stretch," moaned Philadelphia's Refrigerator.
Closer to home, the Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers staged a midseason, midwinter classic. Dare we call it Super?
This had to be the highlight of Super Bowl brunches from Waterville Valley to Big Sur.
As stuffed bears dangled from the Garden balconies, the legends of basketball danced a 48-minute symphony on the parquet floor of the archaic train station. Thanks to the magic of CBS, folks who thought Bill Walton disappeared with Patty Hearst discovered that the big Redhead is thriving in Celtic green.
With Kevin McHale absent (sore Achilles' tendon), Walton scored 19 points with 13 rebounds in 25 minutes as the Celtics defeated the 76ers, 105-103. Larry Bird added 14 rebounds and a troika of stake-driving three-pointers in his 28-point day, and folks named Scott Wedman (16) and David Thirdkill also contributed heavily.
Before we get to the Wild Man of Borneo -- Charles Barkley -- let the record show that Boston has beaten Philly three times in four tries and leads the Sixers by 5 1/2 games with 41 left. Overall, the Celts have won eight straight and 12 of 13, including impressive victories over the Lakers and 76ers in a five-day span.
Philly came to town with four straight wins and a 17-2 record in the last two months. The Sixers hoped to exploit McHale's absence and reenter the laughable Atlantic Division first-place chase.
Despite a heartbreaking defeat, the inimitable Barkley remained unconvinced.
After barreling his way to 26 points and a career-high 21 rebounds, Barkley said, "I'll stick to my original statement. I don't think they can beat us, and if you are intelligent, you saw the same thing today. They cannot beat us. They cannot beat us. The only problem we have is mental. We gave the game away. I honestly think they know they can't beat us."
1986 Barkley's comments raised some eyebrows in the Celtics' locker room.
"I don't know how many times we got to beat them to prove it," said Danny Ainge. "We beat 'em today without Kevin, the player on our team who probably gives them the most problems. Just tell him to keep yapping, that's all."
Robert Parish (five blocks) added, "I'm tired of hearing about Charles Barkley. He's taking over (Cedric) Maxwell's role in the Eastern Conference -- all mouth. I think it's probably good for their team because they have to go out and back that up, which they did not do today. We'll see what he has to say when we go to Philadelphia."
Wedman (16 points), suddenly playing like the All-Star he was a decade ago, started in place of McHale and scored 10 in the first quarter as the Celts squeaked to a 29-27 lead. Boston led by seven earlier in the period, but Barkley brought the Sixers back.
The second quarter was a groaner. The Celts scored only five field goals and shot 38 percent, while Philadelphia shot 37 percent. The Celts led, 51-50, at intermission.
Memories were created after halftime. Maurice Cheeks (22 points, 8 assists) led a 5-minute, 20-4 Sixer run, and the visitors ran to a 74-61 lead.
Bird reentered the game and went on one of his Death Wish Vigilante rampages. He started with two free throws, then chuckled with the rest of America as Barkley missed a dunk. The ball bounced off the back of the rim and sailed toward the Bruins' 1972 Stanley Cup flag.
Then Walton tapped in two Celtic misses and stole a Cheeks pass. Bird followed with a crowd-detonating three-pointer. It was 76-70 and Sixer coach Matt Guokas wanted a timeout. We should mention that Thirdkill (18 minutes) was doing a nice job on Julius Erving (13 points, 3 rebounds) at this juncture.
After the pause, Bird rebounded a Moses Malone miss (he shot 3-16) and set up Ainge for a jumper. Another Bird three-pointer cut it to 76-75 and forced another Philly timeout.
Before the quarter was over, Walton hit on a turnaround banker and a hook over Malone. Then came the clincher. Bird scrambled for a loose ball after Malone missed a second straight free throw and nailed a 35-foot buzzer-beater to send the Celts into the fourth with an 82-78 lead. Bedlam. Don't underestimate the psychological impact of Bird's bomb. It is significant that each of his three-pointers was followed by a timeout or a break between quarters.
The final period was no less spectacular. The Celts trailed, 99-96, with 3:55 left but held Philadelphia without a basket the rest of the way.
Walton played up front with Parish for the final 6:49 and scored over Barkley to cut it to 99-98 with three minutes left. Then Barkley missed another dunk. This one catapulted toward midcourt.
Both teams missed several opportnities before Parish blocked a Malone shot and Ainge found Bird with a crosscourt fastbreak feed for a layup. Bird was fouled and made the free throw to give the Celts a 101-99 lead with a minute left.
Malone (5 of 10 from the line) made a free throw with 0:40 showing but missed the second. Walton rebounded, was fouled and made two to give the Celts a 103-100 lead with 33 seconds left. Cheeks was fouled driving to the basket and made both to cut it to one with 29 seconds left.
As the shot clock wound down, Bird was forced to fire a bomb. He missed, but Walton flew in from the left wing and snatched the most important rebound of the game. He fed to Dennis Johnson who was fouled with three seconds left. DJ made both to seal the victory.
"When it (Bird's shot) left his hand, it didn't look good to me," said Walton. "I was on the far side of the court. The shot ended up going in and out and I jumped up and got it and saw DJ and dumped it over to him."
"In our last seven possessions we had four turnovers and three power moves that were blocked," said Guokas. "Give them credit. They played tough defense inside."
Barkley wouldn't give credit.
"We just gave the game away down the stretch," moaned Philadelphia's Refrigerator.
Air Celtics has Returned to Earth
Playing basketball in the rarefied air of 29-3 is heady stuff. But after watching last night's Timberwolves game, I'm beginning to think that other than Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, the rest of the Boston Celtics forgot to strap on an oxygen tank in the final days of playing ball in the stratosphere.
I'm not sure who is inhabiting the bodies of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and company, but it certainly isn't anyone I'm familiar with. I think Reggie Miller could walk on the court from the broadcast booth and shoot more accurately than Jesus. Paul Pierce has been performing his role as late-game, go-to guy about as often as the stock market experiences a good day.
The Cs appear listless in general and totally out of sync on offense. They don't play defense in the first half. By the time the second half rolls around, they have to play defense just to have a shot at winning.
Consider it a good thing that the Celtics play the Magic and Mavericks this week.
We'll see if our boys can motivate themselves to turn this ship around. We'll see if Doc can get everyone to elevate their games.
If not, a couple of losses might teach them that they have regressed considerably, and are nowhere near a championship run.
I'm not sure who is inhabiting the bodies of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and company, but it certainly isn't anyone I'm familiar with. I think Reggie Miller could walk on the court from the broadcast booth and shoot more accurately than Jesus. Paul Pierce has been performing his role as late-game, go-to guy about as often as the stock market experiences a good day.
The Cs appear listless in general and totally out of sync on offense. They don't play defense in the first half. By the time the second half rolls around, they have to play defense just to have a shot at winning.
Consider it a good thing that the Celtics play the Magic and Mavericks this week.
We'll see if our boys can motivate themselves to turn this ship around. We'll see if Doc can get everyone to elevate their games.
If not, a couple of losses might teach them that they have regressed considerably, and are nowhere near a championship run.
Barkley and Erving not Impressed by 86 Cs
Charles Barkley was talking a lot of trash after the 76ers' loss to the Celtics yesterday. Barkley had a career-high 21 rebounds and scored a team- high 26 points (it would have been 30 if he hadn't missed two dunks), then said some nasty things about the Celtics .
"We're better overall than these suckers," said Barkley.
He also said that Cleveland had better total talent than Boston.
"One through 12, Cleveland has more talent than Boston," said Barkley. "That's the truth. Anyone who knows basketball knows that . . ."
Dennis Johnson laughed when he heard Barkley's remarks, then said, "I don't even know how to respond to that. He's a young guy. You've got to believe you're better than the other team, but he's still out there fighting everything. He made a couple of crucial mistakes today. A couple of those slam dunks he probably should have just laid up easy. He tried to tomahawk 'em, but he just had the tom and not the hawk."
The Celts decided to give Kevin McHale another day off. McHale must really be hurting. He averaged 28 points and 11 rebounds in the first three Celtic- Sixers games. He has tendinitis in his left Achilles' tendon and did not play Friday against Golden State. Team physician Thomas Silva said McHale's condition was "much-improved," but noted that yesterday's day off means McHale won't have to play again until Thursday in Chicago. "That was a big factor," said Silva. McHale has missed only five games in his six-year Celtics career -- three last year and two this season.
Julius Erving on McHale and the Boston bench: "With McHale off the bench, they have a better team than they do now. I've heard people say, 'They've got a stronger team, a stronger bench,' but I don't know if I buy that. They've had stronger teams. They may make a liar out of me, but right now I'm not impressed.
They're moving at a good pace right now." . . . The Celtics were 34-7 after 41 games last year. They are 33-8 at the midpoint this year and own the best record in the NBA.
"We're better overall than these suckers," said Barkley.
He also said that Cleveland had better total talent than Boston.
"One through 12, Cleveland has more talent than Boston," said Barkley. "That's the truth. Anyone who knows basketball knows that . . ."
Dennis Johnson laughed when he heard Barkley's remarks, then said, "I don't even know how to respond to that. He's a young guy. You've got to believe you're better than the other team, but he's still out there fighting everything. He made a couple of crucial mistakes today. A couple of those slam dunks he probably should have just laid up easy. He tried to tomahawk 'em, but he just had the tom and not the hawk."
The Celts decided to give Kevin McHale another day off. McHale must really be hurting. He averaged 28 points and 11 rebounds in the first three Celtic- Sixers games. He has tendinitis in his left Achilles' tendon and did not play Friday against Golden State. Team physician Thomas Silva said McHale's condition was "much-improved," but noted that yesterday's day off means McHale won't have to play again until Thursday in Chicago. "That was a big factor," said Silva. McHale has missed only five games in his six-year Celtics career -- three last year and two this season.
Julius Erving on McHale and the Boston bench: "With McHale off the bench, they have a better team than they do now. I've heard people say, 'They've got a stronger team, a stronger bench,' but I don't know if I buy that. They've had stronger teams. They may make a liar out of me, but right now I'm not impressed.
They're moving at a good pace right now." . . . The Celtics were 34-7 after 41 games last year. They are 33-8 at the midpoint this year and own the best record in the NBA.
These are Not Your Father's Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are playing .500 ball in the eight games since their historic 29-3 start. It’s hard to tell if our boys are still just coasting in vacation mode or if something more troubling is going on.
Either way, I’m finding it hard to get too worked up.
It’s January. We’re losing to crappy teams, not good ones, and we still have the best record in the NBA.
However, one truth that has emerged since the first of the year. The Boston Celtics have proved that either 1) they are unable to play 82 regular season games like each one is game 7 of the NBA finals or 2) they have no desire to so.
I’m going with the second option.
The Dallas Mavericks from last year and the Detroit Pistons from Flip's first year demonstrated that fast starts guarantee nothing. You need gas left in the tank for April, May, and June.
Falling asleep at the switch to crappy teams sounds reminiscent of the last great basketball team to play in this town. The 1985-86 Celtics lost 15 games, 11 to teams who finished the season with losing records.
The comparisons to that team will end soon enough, though.
That team went 59-9 from 12/26/85 to game 2 of the NBA Finals.
I will put any amount of money you want against this year’s squad duplicating that feat.
This is not your father’s Boston Celtics.
Either way, I’m finding it hard to get too worked up.
It’s January. We’re losing to crappy teams, not good ones, and we still have the best record in the NBA.
However, one truth that has emerged since the first of the year. The Boston Celtics have proved that either 1) they are unable to play 82 regular season games like each one is game 7 of the NBA finals or 2) they have no desire to so.
I’m going with the second option.
The Dallas Mavericks from last year and the Detroit Pistons from Flip's first year demonstrated that fast starts guarantee nothing. You need gas left in the tank for April, May, and June.
Falling asleep at the switch to crappy teams sounds reminiscent of the last great basketball team to play in this town. The 1985-86 Celtics lost 15 games, 11 to teams who finished the season with losing records.
The comparisons to that team will end soon enough, though.
That team went 59-9 from 12/26/85 to game 2 of the NBA Finals.
I will put any amount of money you want against this year’s squad duplicating that feat.
This is not your father’s Boston Celtics.
'86 Cs Win (32-8), Only One Game Behind '08 Cs
Green Improves to 32-8
This was a night when season ticket holders "rewarded" their garage mechanics, mailmen, and friends. Go ahead, take the tickets, enjoy the game.
The Celtics played the Golden State Warriors, a team whose coach (John Bach) looks like Spiro Agnew and spends most of his time pleading nolo contendere.
The last-place Warriors are 2-23 on the road and haven't won in Boston Garden since one month before the blizzard of '78.
The Celts drubbed the woeful visitors, 135-114, last night. It was Boston's seventh straight victory and 11th in 12 games.
This was supposed to be the soft center between LA (Wednesday) and Philadelphia (tomorrow) and it lived up to its billing. Kevin McHale took the night off due to a sore left Achilles tendon. Several other players took the night off, and most of them were on the floor wearing Warrior uniforms. Warrior center Joe Barry Carroll shot 2 for 14 and scored six points in 33 lethargic minutes.
Robert Parish, who toiled four years in Oakland before his emancipation, said, "I can relate to what they're going through now. It was like that the last year I was there. They were flat tonight. They weren't very aggressive at all."
The Celts never trailed after 6-4. Boston led, 37-27, at the end of one quarter and 63-53 at the half. It was 93-78 at the end of three periods, and fans were chanting "Beat Those Bears" with four minutes left.
Larry Bird led the Celts with 25 points (his 15th straight game over 20). Starting in place of McHale, Scott Wedman scored 21 with a season-high 13 rebounds. David Thirdkill came off the bench to score a career-high 20 in 22 minutes.
It was bombs away from the outset. While an alleged sellout sat in stony silence, the Celtics and Warriors ran up and down the floor like 10 doctors from the Ernie DeGregorio School of Defense.
Bird and Wedman made three-pointers in the first period shootout. At the other end, the Celts were lazy boxing out and Larry Smith (10 points in the quarter) got some garbage off the offensive board.
Chris Mullin (24 points) made his Garden pro debut with 2:11 left in the first. Boston led by four at that juncture.
Less than a minute later, Bill Walton came off after taking a shot to the nose. Walton has broken his nose at least 11 times in his career and twice this season. Last night's incident did not result in a break, but Walton went to the trainer's room for the rest of the first half.
Dennis Johnson, Jerry Sichting (5-5) and Parish ran it up to 37-27 at the end of one. The Celtics shot 63 percent (17-27) and committed only one turnover in the first 12 minutes.
K.C. Jones had Sam Vincent, Thirdkill, Greg Kite, Sichting and Wedman on the floor at the start of the second. Wedman hit three jumpers in 63 seconds and Boston led, 43-27. Bring on the Sixers.
After missing his first three shots, Mullin scored on a follow drive. Then Jones started to filter the starters back into the lineup, and you could almost hear them groaning as they approached the scorer's table.
The Warriors clawed back and cut it to four on a jumper by Sleepy Floyd (19), but the Celts ripped off six in a row to go back ahead by 10. The Warriors did not score a basket in the final 2:51 of the half and Boston led, 63-53, at intermission.
Danny Ainge carried Boston to an 83-65 lead in the third, but Boston got lazy again and the Warriors staved off the blowout for a few more minutes.
Walton returned with some stuffing in his nostrils and teamed with Thirdkill to push the lead back to 15 at the end of three.
Walton (six assists in 12 minutes) did some nice Johnny Kerr-esque high post passing in the fourth as the Celtics' lead approached 20. A Walton dunk made it 101-82 with 9:45 left. With 8:28 left, Sichting hit an open jumper (there was no other variety last night) and the lead went to 21. Thirdkill was just getting warmed up.
This was a night when season ticket holders "rewarded" their garage mechanics, mailmen, and friends. Go ahead, take the tickets, enjoy the game.
The Celtics played the Golden State Warriors, a team whose coach (John Bach) looks like Spiro Agnew and spends most of his time pleading nolo contendere.
The last-place Warriors are 2-23 on the road and haven't won in Boston Garden since one month before the blizzard of '78.
The Celts drubbed the woeful visitors, 135-114, last night. It was Boston's seventh straight victory and 11th in 12 games.
This was supposed to be the soft center between LA (Wednesday) and Philadelphia (tomorrow) and it lived up to its billing. Kevin McHale took the night off due to a sore left Achilles tendon. Several other players took the night off, and most of them were on the floor wearing Warrior uniforms. Warrior center Joe Barry Carroll shot 2 for 14 and scored six points in 33 lethargic minutes.
Robert Parish, who toiled four years in Oakland before his emancipation, said, "I can relate to what they're going through now. It was like that the last year I was there. They were flat tonight. They weren't very aggressive at all."
The Celts never trailed after 6-4. Boston led, 37-27, at the end of one quarter and 63-53 at the half. It was 93-78 at the end of three periods, and fans were chanting "Beat Those Bears" with four minutes left.
Larry Bird led the Celts with 25 points (his 15th straight game over 20). Starting in place of McHale, Scott Wedman scored 21 with a season-high 13 rebounds. David Thirdkill came off the bench to score a career-high 20 in 22 minutes.
It was bombs away from the outset. While an alleged sellout sat in stony silence, the Celtics and Warriors ran up and down the floor like 10 doctors from the Ernie DeGregorio School of Defense.
Bird and Wedman made three-pointers in the first period shootout. At the other end, the Celts were lazy boxing out and Larry Smith (10 points in the quarter) got some garbage off the offensive board.
Chris Mullin (24 points) made his Garden pro debut with 2:11 left in the first. Boston led by four at that juncture.
Less than a minute later, Bill Walton came off after taking a shot to the nose. Walton has broken his nose at least 11 times in his career and twice this season. Last night's incident did not result in a break, but Walton went to the trainer's room for the rest of the first half.
Dennis Johnson, Jerry Sichting (5-5) and Parish ran it up to 37-27 at the end of one. The Celtics shot 63 percent (17-27) and committed only one turnover in the first 12 minutes.
K.C. Jones had Sam Vincent, Thirdkill, Greg Kite, Sichting and Wedman on the floor at the start of the second. Wedman hit three jumpers in 63 seconds and Boston led, 43-27. Bring on the Sixers.
After missing his first three shots, Mullin scored on a follow drive. Then Jones started to filter the starters back into the lineup, and you could almost hear them groaning as they approached the scorer's table.
The Warriors clawed back and cut it to four on a jumper by Sleepy Floyd (19), but the Celts ripped off six in a row to go back ahead by 10. The Warriors did not score a basket in the final 2:51 of the half and Boston led, 63-53, at intermission.
Danny Ainge carried Boston to an 83-65 lead in the third, but Boston got lazy again and the Warriors staved off the blowout for a few more minutes.
Walton returned with some stuffing in his nostrils and teamed with Thirdkill to push the lead back to 15 at the end of three.
Walton (six assists in 12 minutes) did some nice Johnny Kerr-esque high post passing in the fourth as the Celtics' lead approached 20. A Walton dunk made it 101-82 with 9:45 left. With 8:28 left, Sichting hit an open jumper (there was no other variety last night) and the lead went to 21. Thirdkill was just getting warmed up.
1.23.2008
More Bird Trash Talk
After Bird made four straight baskets with Rodman guarding him, he ran over to Chuck Daly and asked "who's guarding me, Chuck? Is anyone guarding me? You better get someone on me or I'm gonna go for 60." Then he'd continue the banter the next time he got the ball with Rodman inches away.
"I started talking a little trash to him," Horace Grant recalled, when the Celtics were the defending champions. "I'm saying, 'You're not going to score. You're not getting this basket. I remember him then telling me exactly what he was going to do to me. He says he's going to fake me left and then he's going to shoot a right-hand hook over me. And then he goes and does it and scores."
On a West Coast trip in 1986, Bird told the entire Dallas Mavericks bench that after the time out, Ainge would inbounds the pass to DJ, who would hit Bird in the corner where Bird would step back and take a three. "So you got that?" Bird queried the bench. "I'm gonna stand right here. I'm not going to move. They'll pass me the ball, and the next sound you here will be the ball hitting the bottom of the net." And that's exactly what happened. Bird winked at the Maverick before heading back down to the other end of the court.
When the Indiana Pacers put rookie George McCloud on Bird in the closing minutes of a game, Bird yelled over to the Pacers bench, "Hey, I know you guys are desperate, but can't you find someone who at least has prayer?"
Longtime NBA radio announcer Ted Davis, now the voice of the Milwaukee Bucks, told the Milwaukee Journal the best trash talker he had seen was Larry Bird. "You never knew it because you couldn't see his lips move," he said. "He had no lips."
After Craig Hodges won the NBA All-Star Game Three-Point contest in Bird's absence, Hodges was asked if the victory was tainted because Bird hadn't participated. "He knows where he can find me," was Hodges retort. Told of Hodges' challenge, Bird replied, "Yeah, at the end of the Bulls bench."
Knicks' forward Charles Smith remembers when Bird barked "Sorry, Charlie," as he released a long, last-second shot to win a game. "That kind of a thing makes you want to jump on a guy," said Smith.
Heat forward Glen Rice said, "When Bird started lighting you up and talking trash, that's hard on you. It's like driving a stake through your heart."
The year after Bird greeted fellow three-point shooting contest participants by asking which one of them would finish in second place behind him, Dale Ellis told the press that Bird didn't have much to say this year. "There was no need to talk this time," Bird replied,"we all knew who was going to win."
Bird even precipitated a fight with Julius Erving by repeating a single phrase over and over. The phrase? 42-5, or the number of points each had scored during an easy Boston victory.
"I started talking a little trash to him," Horace Grant recalled, when the Celtics were the defending champions. "I'm saying, 'You're not going to score. You're not getting this basket. I remember him then telling me exactly what he was going to do to me. He says he's going to fake me left and then he's going to shoot a right-hand hook over me. And then he goes and does it and scores."
On a West Coast trip in 1986, Bird told the entire Dallas Mavericks bench that after the time out, Ainge would inbounds the pass to DJ, who would hit Bird in the corner where Bird would step back and take a three. "So you got that?" Bird queried the bench. "I'm gonna stand right here. I'm not going to move. They'll pass me the ball, and the next sound you here will be the ball hitting the bottom of the net." And that's exactly what happened. Bird winked at the Maverick before heading back down to the other end of the court.
When the Indiana Pacers put rookie George McCloud on Bird in the closing minutes of a game, Bird yelled over to the Pacers bench, "Hey, I know you guys are desperate, but can't you find someone who at least has prayer?"
Longtime NBA radio announcer Ted Davis, now the voice of the Milwaukee Bucks, told the Milwaukee Journal the best trash talker he had seen was Larry Bird. "You never knew it because you couldn't see his lips move," he said. "He had no lips."
After Craig Hodges won the NBA All-Star Game Three-Point contest in Bird's absence, Hodges was asked if the victory was tainted because Bird hadn't participated. "He knows where he can find me," was Hodges retort. Told of Hodges' challenge, Bird replied, "Yeah, at the end of the Bulls bench."
Knicks' forward Charles Smith remembers when Bird barked "Sorry, Charlie," as he released a long, last-second shot to win a game. "That kind of a thing makes you want to jump on a guy," said Smith.
Heat forward Glen Rice said, "When Bird started lighting you up and talking trash, that's hard on you. It's like driving a stake through your heart."
The year after Bird greeted fellow three-point shooting contest participants by asking which one of them would finish in second place behind him, Dale Ellis told the press that Bird didn't have much to say this year. "There was no need to talk this time," Bird replied,"we all knew who was going to win."
Bird even precipitated a fight with Julius Erving by repeating a single phrase over and over. The phrase? 42-5, or the number of points each had scored during an easy Boston victory.
Mac, Smack, and Takin' it to the Rack
John McEnroe was an excellent tennis player. He won seven grand slams, and recorded an astounding 83-2 record in 1984, still the best single-year mark by a male tennis player.
But like professional basketball, tennis has its dog days.
Tournament after tournament, week after week. Meaningless early round matches against unranked, nameless, uninspiring opponents. There are only four grand slams each year, and the rest of players’ time is spent pursuing money and ranking, and the only reason ranking is important is money.
So the challenge becomes getting yourself to play top-flight tennis despite the monotonous grind.
McEnroe did this by picking fights with umpires and linesmen. He has long since admitted that a major reason he got into so many arguments on court was for the adrenaline it generated, allowing him then to redirect the energy against his opponent.
This gambit was effective for the most part, though increasingly less so as he got older. Studies back then showed that McEnroe typically elevated his game following one of his rants, while his opponent's level of play declined.
Unlike McEnroe, however, NBA trash talk is directed not at officials but at other players. But the goal is still the same--motivate yourself, distract the opponent. Over the last month, much has been made of the on court trash talk by Celtics players.
First it was Garnett getting up close and profane with the Lakers. Then it was James Posey making fun of the Pistons and their fans. This week the attention was on Eddie House and Paul Pierce for talking smack to the New York Knicks.
The Pierce incident in particular was unsettling for some because it reminded Celtics fans of the Indiana Pacers playoff series where Pierce was ejected in one game and assessed with a technical in another. The Cs went on to lose that series in seven games, due in large part to the immature and unprofessional behavior of its players.
So there is clearly a risk in losing your cool.
But trash talk in and of itself is not inherently inappropriate or out of bounds.
The players are adults. They are engaging in a competitive enterprise, and are looking for anyway to gain an advantage of their adversary.
One need look no further than the Laker game at Staples to see the impact Garnett has on opponents when he talks smack after making a big play. By the end of the game, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum were afraid to enter the paint when KG was on the court, and when Odom made one final attempt to drive past KG, only to have #5 reject the effort and tell him to get that sh#t outta there, the effect on Odom was obvious—head down and shoulders slumped.
So combined with timely playmaking, trash talk can be effective.
I also have no doubt it can be self-motivational.
After jumping to a 29-3 start, clobbering everyone in sight, the Celtics looked at the schedule and saw what lay ahead, one bad team after another. Not surprisingly, they lost three of their next four games, two at home.
Equally unsurprising, the smack was back for the next game. And guess what? The Cs started winning again.
If the Celtics find trash talk an effective tool of self-motivation, a way for them to get focused against a particular team or player, then I don’t really have an objection. Sure, the language tends to be a little blue at times. But parents who bring their kids to games may just want to sit further away from the court.
Chuck Person, a well-known trash talker from the 1980s, describes his head-to-head match-ups with one of the greatest trash talkers of all times.
"Bird and I would talk trash to each other for 48 minutes. Our goal wasn’t only to pump ourselves up, but to distract the other guy, get him to make the battle personal and lose sight of the team’s game plan."
Sometimes there may be a fine line separating talking smack and getting yourself thrown out of a game.
But if you're gonna talk the talk, then you better learn how to toe the line and not cross over it.
But like professional basketball, tennis has its dog days.
Tournament after tournament, week after week. Meaningless early round matches against unranked, nameless, uninspiring opponents. There are only four grand slams each year, and the rest of players’ time is spent pursuing money and ranking, and the only reason ranking is important is money.
So the challenge becomes getting yourself to play top-flight tennis despite the monotonous grind.
McEnroe did this by picking fights with umpires and linesmen. He has long since admitted that a major reason he got into so many arguments on court was for the adrenaline it generated, allowing him then to redirect the energy against his opponent.
This gambit was effective for the most part, though increasingly less so as he got older. Studies back then showed that McEnroe typically elevated his game following one of his rants, while his opponent's level of play declined.
Unlike McEnroe, however, NBA trash talk is directed not at officials but at other players. But the goal is still the same--motivate yourself, distract the opponent. Over the last month, much has been made of the on court trash talk by Celtics players.
First it was Garnett getting up close and profane with the Lakers. Then it was James Posey making fun of the Pistons and their fans. This week the attention was on Eddie House and Paul Pierce for talking smack to the New York Knicks.
The Pierce incident in particular was unsettling for some because it reminded Celtics fans of the Indiana Pacers playoff series where Pierce was ejected in one game and assessed with a technical in another. The Cs went on to lose that series in seven games, due in large part to the immature and unprofessional behavior of its players.
So there is clearly a risk in losing your cool.
But trash talk in and of itself is not inherently inappropriate or out of bounds.
The players are adults. They are engaging in a competitive enterprise, and are looking for anyway to gain an advantage of their adversary.
One need look no further than the Laker game at Staples to see the impact Garnett has on opponents when he talks smack after making a big play. By the end of the game, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum were afraid to enter the paint when KG was on the court, and when Odom made one final attempt to drive past KG, only to have #5 reject the effort and tell him to get that sh#t outta there, the effect on Odom was obvious—head down and shoulders slumped.
So combined with timely playmaking, trash talk can be effective.
I also have no doubt it can be self-motivational.
After jumping to a 29-3 start, clobbering everyone in sight, the Celtics looked at the schedule and saw what lay ahead, one bad team after another. Not surprisingly, they lost three of their next four games, two at home.
Equally unsurprising, the smack was back for the next game. And guess what? The Cs started winning again.
If the Celtics find trash talk an effective tool of self-motivation, a way for them to get focused against a particular team or player, then I don’t really have an objection. Sure, the language tends to be a little blue at times. But parents who bring their kids to games may just want to sit further away from the court.
Chuck Person, a well-known trash talker from the 1980s, describes his head-to-head match-ups with one of the greatest trash talkers of all times.
"Bird and I would talk trash to each other for 48 minutes. Our goal wasn’t only to pump ourselves up, but to distract the other guy, get him to make the battle personal and lose sight of the team’s game plan."
Sometimes there may be a fine line separating talking smack and getting yourself thrown out of a game.
But if you're gonna talk the talk, then you better learn how to toe the line and not cross over it.
1.22.2008
Midseason Musings
1. Kudos to Doc Rivers for taking the ingredients to a recipe of unknown quality and turning it into a gourmet meal fit for a king.
2. Kudos to Paul Pierce for overcoming himself, for the most part, and learning to be dominant, without playing heads down, one-on-one basketball.
3. Kudos to Ray Allen for playing through injuries and struggling with adjusting to decreased touches, while finding ways to contribute all the same, and maybe even ways to become consistently more like the Ray Allen we all know.
4. Kudos to Tony Allen for playing the point. No, he's no Tiny Archibald. Heck, he's not even a point guard. Hell, he can barely dribble. But he stepped up to the plate, did the job, and even played a crucial role in a compelling win over the Lakers at Staples. Ever had a job you didn't like, but you had to do it anyway? That's what Tony Allen has done this year at the point, and he has done it about as well as his talents would allow, while recovering from a rather serious knee injury.
5. Speaking of the Lakers, who on God's green earth keeps putting them anywhere near the top of NBA Power Rankings? Come on, people. The purple quit playing, laid down, and cried uncle with seven minutes left of a home game, a game Phil and Kobe declared to be a statement game, a game attended by just about every Laker great. And the purple quit. NBA power? No, NBA pathetic.
6. Kudos to Eddie House for living up to the Vinnie "the Microwave" comparisons, and for playing back-up point about as well as his talents will allow.
7. Kudos to Big Baby for playing Top Ten Rookie ball after getting drafted 35th overall.
8. Kudos to Scot Pollard for continuing to contribute when called upon, even though not called upon consistently.
9. Kudos to Rajon Rondo for exceeding expectations in field goal percentage, ability to penetrate, and overall leadership. You have made yourself a truly indispensable part of the Mission known as Banner 17.
10. Kudos to Tom Thibodeau for whatever role you played in making the Celtics the best defensive team of the millennium.
11. Prayers and worship out to number 5. While whispers of declining numbers and effort are starting to crop up, close observers know the true story. You are the glue, the heart, the soul, and the inspirational leader of this team. You get the green locked and loaded. You get into opponents heads. You make them hang their heads. You make them want to quit. You made the Lakers quit. You are the closest thing to Bill Russell since Bill Russell. You more than anyone are responsible for this team's defensive prowess and defensive dominance. God bless.
12. God bless Danny Ainge for sticking to his guns and his game plan of acquiring young assets to exchange for veterans that could compete for a championship. God bless #32, too, because as much as we loved you while you played here, sending Garnett our way has secured your place among the pantheon of figures in the history of Beantown.
13. Kudos to us. Yes, us. Kudos to Celtics fans who have suffered through 22 years of misery. From the Bias death to the injuries to Walton, Bird, and McHale. From the arse whooping in the '87 Finals to watching the Lakers repeat in 88. From point guards named bagley, upshaw, and minnifield to big men named morningstar, montross, and earl. From Jimmy Rodgers with a perm to Rick Pitino with a weave. From Reggie Lewis' collapse to Paul Pierce's stabbing. From the failed attempt to land Duncan to the failed attempt to land Oden or Durant.
We stuck through it all, and at least for 39 games, our ship has come in.
2. Kudos to Paul Pierce for overcoming himself, for the most part, and learning to be dominant, without playing heads down, one-on-one basketball.
3. Kudos to Ray Allen for playing through injuries and struggling with adjusting to decreased touches, while finding ways to contribute all the same, and maybe even ways to become consistently more like the Ray Allen we all know.
4. Kudos to Tony Allen for playing the point. No, he's no Tiny Archibald. Heck, he's not even a point guard. Hell, he can barely dribble. But he stepped up to the plate, did the job, and even played a crucial role in a compelling win over the Lakers at Staples. Ever had a job you didn't like, but you had to do it anyway? That's what Tony Allen has done this year at the point, and he has done it about as well as his talents would allow, while recovering from a rather serious knee injury.
5. Speaking of the Lakers, who on God's green earth keeps putting them anywhere near the top of NBA Power Rankings? Come on, people. The purple quit playing, laid down, and cried uncle with seven minutes left of a home game, a game Phil and Kobe declared to be a statement game, a game attended by just about every Laker great. And the purple quit. NBA power? No, NBA pathetic.
6. Kudos to Eddie House for living up to the Vinnie "the Microwave" comparisons, and for playing back-up point about as well as his talents will allow.
7. Kudos to Big Baby for playing Top Ten Rookie ball after getting drafted 35th overall.
8. Kudos to Scot Pollard for continuing to contribute when called upon, even though not called upon consistently.
9. Kudos to Rajon Rondo for exceeding expectations in field goal percentage, ability to penetrate, and overall leadership. You have made yourself a truly indispensable part of the Mission known as Banner 17.
10. Kudos to Tom Thibodeau for whatever role you played in making the Celtics the best defensive team of the millennium.
11. Prayers and worship out to number 5. While whispers of declining numbers and effort are starting to crop up, close observers know the true story. You are the glue, the heart, the soul, and the inspirational leader of this team. You get the green locked and loaded. You get into opponents heads. You make them hang their heads. You make them want to quit. You made the Lakers quit. You are the closest thing to Bill Russell since Bill Russell. You more than anyone are responsible for this team's defensive prowess and defensive dominance. God bless.
12. God bless Danny Ainge for sticking to his guns and his game plan of acquiring young assets to exchange for veterans that could compete for a championship. God bless #32, too, because as much as we loved you while you played here, sending Garnett our way has secured your place among the pantheon of figures in the history of Beantown.
13. Kudos to us. Yes, us. Kudos to Celtics fans who have suffered through 22 years of misery. From the Bias death to the injuries to Walton, Bird, and McHale. From the arse whooping in the '87 Finals to watching the Lakers repeat in 88. From point guards named bagley, upshaw, and minnifield to big men named morningstar, montross, and earl. From Jimmy Rodgers with a perm to Rick Pitino with a weave. From Reggie Lewis' collapse to Paul Pierce's stabbing. From the failed attempt to land Duncan to the failed attempt to land Oden or Durant.
We stuck through it all, and at least for 39 games, our ship has come in.
1.18.2008
Walton Acquisition Paying Dividends for 86 Cs
This is what the Celtics had in mind when they endured those interminable Bill Walton trade talks last summer.
Playing in his most important game since joining Boston, Walton hit five of six shots last night and grabbed eight rebounds while blocking a whopping seven shots in 16 minutes of a blowout victory over the Lakers. He helped Robert Parish hold Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to 17 points. Abdul-Jabbar shot 6 for 20.
"I love playing against these guys," said Walton. "I'm from southern California so it makes it even that much more fun to show the people back home I can still play. I was enjoying myself tonight and that's sort of why I like to play basketball."
Seven blocks is a Celtic individual high for this season. One can only wonder how many shots Walton might have blocked if he played more than 16 minutes. Walton's shooting percentage also continues to climb. He's made 15 of 19 shots in his last three games.
Playing in his most important game since joining Boston, Walton hit five of six shots last night and grabbed eight rebounds while blocking a whopping seven shots in 16 minutes of a blowout victory over the Lakers. He helped Robert Parish hold Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to 17 points. Abdul-Jabbar shot 6 for 20.
"I love playing against these guys," said Walton. "I'm from southern California so it makes it even that much more fun to show the people back home I can still play. I was enjoying myself tonight and that's sort of why I like to play basketball."
Seven blocks is a Celtic individual high for this season. One can only wonder how many shots Walton might have blocked if he played more than 16 minutes. Walton's shooting percentage also continues to climb. He's made 15 of 19 shots in his last three games.
1986 Cs (31-8) Crush Lakers, End Talk of Lakers' Greatness
The Lakers entered last night's game with their fans bragging about them as one of the greatest teams ever. But Celtics fans left the game savoring a victory from a team that may soon work its way into the ALL-TIME-GREAT-TEAMS debate.
The Celts won, 110-95, and the game wasn't even that close. Boston led by 23 in the fourth quarter and when the carnage was complete, none of the 14,890 could be heard mumbling, "Gee, I wish I was in New Orleans tonight."
Larry Bird (21 points 12 rebounds, seven assists) and Dennis Johnson (22, seven and six) led the Celts to a 16-point first half-lead, but it was new weapon Bill Walton who took over in the final period when the C's ran away with it.
Walton hit five of six floor shots and finished with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 7 blocks and four standing ovations in 16 minutes. In the Celtic 1985-86 game plan, he is supposed to be the difference in this rivalry, and hoop fans from coast to coast will no doubt tout the genius of Red Auerbach when they read this box score today.
Regular-season victories don't establish much of anything, but this one should stifle the theory that the Lakers won't be tested this spring. It should also put a lid on those "best ever" stories about the Los Angeles team. LA has eight losses -- same as Boston. They have to worry about being the best in 1985-86 before they are compared with the best ever.
The Lakers led for only 50 seconds as the Celts won for the sixth straight time. Boston has won 10 of 11 since losing five of nine in December.
"They were certainly the better team tonight," admitted Kareem Abdul- Jabbar.
Abdul-Jabbar (3 for 14, 12 points) left his skyhook at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, and James Worthy was invisible (5-15, 12 points). LA hummed the Big Chill soundtrack to the tune of 39 percent from the floor (worst of the year), and compiled a season-low 17 assists. Magic Johnson had 15 points, 6 assists and 1 rebound. Need we go on?
"They played excellent team defense," reasoned Abdul-Jabbar. "They blocked the middle, there was no room inside, and we didn't hit our outside shots."
Robert Parish, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds, did a particularly good job turning Abdul-Jabbar away from the basket.
The Celtics rode an 8-0 streak to a 15-7 lead in the first four minutes. Danny Ainge had the final four of the spurt, including a fast-break layup after stealing a Maurice Lucas pass.
LA responded with a heat-seeking 14-4 run and took a 21-19 lead on a three- point play by Lucas. K.C. Jones called time and replaced Kevin McHale with Walton. McHale has been hobbled by a sore left Achilles and had his worst offensive game (3-14, 12 points) in over a month.
McHale's defense was another story. "James (Worthy) was neutralized," said Lakers coach Pat Riley. "He had to shoot over a long arm."
Walton started a 7-0 run with a lefty hook over Kareem. Free throws by Bird and McHale powered the Celts to a 31-25 lead at the end of one. Ainge scored nine in the period, and LA never led again.
The Lakers missed 10 of 12 at the start of the second and DJ drove the Green to 10 straight points and a 47-31 lead. Parish scored on a dunk after handling an impossible Bird pass through a sea of legs, then DJ scored six straight on a tap, a drive and a jumper.
The Lakers cut it to eight by halftime, but Bird came out bombing in the third period and the Celts got the lead back to 13. It was then that Walton started to make his huge presense felt.
The final hoop of the third was a rugged follow-stuff by Walton. It was 88-75 and Celtic fans were chanting "Beat LA."
Then Walton took over the game. He hit an eight-foot turnaround banker to push the lead back to 16, then blocked a shot by A.C. Green which led to a Jerry Sichting transition jumper. Boston led, 95-78, with 10:04 left. Walton had six blocks when Bird checked in with 9:46 left. A Walton tap and free throw made it 98-79 with 8:10 left. There was one more block (a Mike McGee shot), then Walton came off with 7:55 showing and the Garden exploded.
A DJ jumper put the Celts ahead by 21 and the rout was on. Boston led, 102-79, with 5:15 left when Bird got his curtain call.
The rest was garbage.
The Celts won, 110-95, and the game wasn't even that close. Boston led by 23 in the fourth quarter and when the carnage was complete, none of the 14,890 could be heard mumbling, "Gee, I wish I was in New Orleans tonight."
Larry Bird (21 points 12 rebounds, seven assists) and Dennis Johnson (22, seven and six) led the Celts to a 16-point first half-lead, but it was new weapon Bill Walton who took over in the final period when the C's ran away with it.
Walton hit five of six floor shots and finished with 11 points, 8 rebounds, 7 blocks and four standing ovations in 16 minutes. In the Celtic 1985-86 game plan, he is supposed to be the difference in this rivalry, and hoop fans from coast to coast will no doubt tout the genius of Red Auerbach when they read this box score today.
Regular-season victories don't establish much of anything, but this one should stifle the theory that the Lakers won't be tested this spring. It should also put a lid on those "best ever" stories about the Los Angeles team. LA has eight losses -- same as Boston. They have to worry about being the best in 1985-86 before they are compared with the best ever.
The Lakers led for only 50 seconds as the Celts won for the sixth straight time. Boston has won 10 of 11 since losing five of nine in December.
"They were certainly the better team tonight," admitted Kareem Abdul- Jabbar.
Abdul-Jabbar (3 for 14, 12 points) left his skyhook at Chicago's O'Hare Airport, and James Worthy was invisible (5-15, 12 points). LA hummed the Big Chill soundtrack to the tune of 39 percent from the floor (worst of the year), and compiled a season-low 17 assists. Magic Johnson had 15 points, 6 assists and 1 rebound. Need we go on?
"They played excellent team defense," reasoned Abdul-Jabbar. "They blocked the middle, there was no room inside, and we didn't hit our outside shots."
Robert Parish, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds, did a particularly good job turning Abdul-Jabbar away from the basket.
The Celtics rode an 8-0 streak to a 15-7 lead in the first four minutes. Danny Ainge had the final four of the spurt, including a fast-break layup after stealing a Maurice Lucas pass.
LA responded with a heat-seeking 14-4 run and took a 21-19 lead on a three- point play by Lucas. K.C. Jones called time and replaced Kevin McHale with Walton. McHale has been hobbled by a sore left Achilles and had his worst offensive game (3-14, 12 points) in over a month.
McHale's defense was another story. "James (Worthy) was neutralized," said Lakers coach Pat Riley. "He had to shoot over a long arm."
Walton started a 7-0 run with a lefty hook over Kareem. Free throws by Bird and McHale powered the Celts to a 31-25 lead at the end of one. Ainge scored nine in the period, and LA never led again.
The Lakers missed 10 of 12 at the start of the second and DJ drove the Green to 10 straight points and a 47-31 lead. Parish scored on a dunk after handling an impossible Bird pass through a sea of legs, then DJ scored six straight on a tap, a drive and a jumper.
The Lakers cut it to eight by halftime, but Bird came out bombing in the third period and the Celts got the lead back to 13. It was then that Walton started to make his huge presense felt.
The final hoop of the third was a rugged follow-stuff by Walton. It was 88-75 and Celtic fans were chanting "Beat LA."
Then Walton took over the game. He hit an eight-foot turnaround banker to push the lead back to 16, then blocked a shot by A.C. Green which led to a Jerry Sichting transition jumper. Boston led, 95-78, with 10:04 left. Walton had six blocks when Bird checked in with 9:46 left. A Walton tap and free throw made it 98-79 with 8:10 left. There was one more block (a Mike McGee shot), then Walton came off with 7:55 showing and the Garden exploded.
A DJ jumper put the Celts ahead by 21 and the rout was on. Boston led, 102-79, with 5:15 left when Bird got his curtain call.
The rest was garbage.
Remembering the First Celtics-Lakers Game in 86
Tomorrow represents the 22nd anniversary of the first Celtics-Lakers tilt in the 1985-86 season. I remember this game as if it was yesterday. It was my birthday. I was in college. At the beginning of the semester I had bought a thirteen inch color TV for three reasons. 1. Watching Celtics highlights at 10:30 p.m. on ESPN and CNN. 2. Watching Celtics highlights at 1:30 a.m. on ESPN and CNN. 3. Watching the Celtics games on CBS and TNT.
To the rest of the world the day represented Super Bowl Sunday, the day the Chicago Bears were scheduled to play the New England Patriots in the Louisiana Super Dome. Do you think I cared? The Celtics were involved in their own Super Bowl, a game that would go a long way toward telling basketball fans which team would be favored to win next NBA championship in June.
The Celtics dominated the game from start to finish, and Bill Walton, the last great Celtic to wear the number 5, led the way. The victory sent the Celtics on another winning streak. The Lakers, a team some felt might have a chance to eclipse the 1971-72 record of 69-13, went on a losing streak.
It simply couldn't get any better.
But it did.
The Celtics followed up this win with an even more impressive one over the purple at the Forum, winning comfortably without McHale, who was suffering from an injury to his Achilles tendon.
The 1986 Celtics were a team that started coming together and picking up steam in mid- to late January. Let's see if the 2008 Celtics can kick it up a notch around the same time, too. The fact that Ray Allen is starting to elevate his game might be the first sign.
To the rest of the world the day represented Super Bowl Sunday, the day the Chicago Bears were scheduled to play the New England Patriots in the Louisiana Super Dome. Do you think I cared? The Celtics were involved in their own Super Bowl, a game that would go a long way toward telling basketball fans which team would be favored to win next NBA championship in June.
The Celtics dominated the game from start to finish, and Bill Walton, the last great Celtic to wear the number 5, led the way. The victory sent the Celtics on another winning streak. The Lakers, a team some felt might have a chance to eclipse the 1971-72 record of 69-13, went on a losing streak.
It simply couldn't get any better.
But it did.
The Celtics followed up this win with an even more impressive one over the purple at the Forum, winning comfortably without McHale, who was suffering from an injury to his Achilles tendon.
The 1986 Celtics were a team that started coming together and picking up steam in mid- to late January. Let's see if the 2008 Celtics can kick it up a notch around the same time, too. The fact that Ray Allen is starting to elevate his game might be the first sign.
Some thought 86 Lakers Might be the Best Ever
Entering the January 22, 1986 game against the Boston Celtics, the Los Angels Lakers looked like world beaters.
The Lakers were loaded and deep. Their average victory margin was 14 points. They hadn't lost two straight in over a year, and their then current 32-7 record entering the game was the second best in franchise history (the 1971-72 Lakers were 36-3, and won 69 games including 33 straight). The Celtics entered the game with a 30-8 record.
"We have matured," said Worthy.
"We are blessed with depth," added Cooper.
The "best ever" debate started early. There was talk and type devoted to the possibility that that Laker team may be the best ever to lace sneakers (even though an LA loss in Boston would have given the Lakers as many losses as the Celts).
LA's arrival in Michigan was greeted by cover pieces in both Detroit dailies dealing with the "best ever" question.
Abdul-Jabbar took time to debate the LA dynasty issue with Wilt Chamberlain in a nationally televised half time spot Sunday.
"We have confidence in ourselves," said Worthy. "We still have to go out and make it work, but I think we have the potential to be one of the best teams there's ever been."
The Lakers were loaded and deep. Their average victory margin was 14 points. They hadn't lost two straight in over a year, and their then current 32-7 record entering the game was the second best in franchise history (the 1971-72 Lakers were 36-3, and won 69 games including 33 straight). The Celtics entered the game with a 30-8 record.
"We have matured," said Worthy.
"We are blessed with depth," added Cooper.
The "best ever" debate started early. There was talk and type devoted to the possibility that that Laker team may be the best ever to lace sneakers (even though an LA loss in Boston would have given the Lakers as many losses as the Celts).
LA's arrival in Michigan was greeted by cover pieces in both Detroit dailies dealing with the "best ever" question.
Abdul-Jabbar took time to debate the LA dynasty issue with Wilt Chamberlain in a nationally televised half time spot Sunday.
"We have confidence in ourselves," said Worthy. "We still have to go out and make it work, but I think we have the potential to be one of the best teams there's ever been."
Celtics Improve to 30-8, Prepare for Lakers
The Hawks tried everything. They attracted the largest crowd in franchise history (16,522), imported Laker mascot Dancing Barry and talked trash as they bolted to a 23-point first-half lead . . . but they still couldn't beat the Celtics .
Boston's 125-122 overtime victory last night was the Celts' 10th straight in the Omni. The Celtics are 5-0 against Atlanta this year and 24-3 against the Hawks in the last five seasons.
It figured to be just another mundane NBA rainy night in Georgia until the appearance of Barry, and before the Hawks burst to an unthinkable 70-47 second-quarter lead. Eddie Johnson & Co. had a fun time taunting the Celts for a while.
So did Barry, who was flown in from LA to help the Hawks beat the Celtics. He proclaimed, "I'm 6-2 lifetime against them. The people of Atlanta need me."
"I didn't like that," said Kevin McHale. "I didn't like him announcing his winning percentage against the Celtics. He wouldn't go over very big in Hibbing (Minn.), I'll tell you that."
You don't throw the Laker mascot in Boston's face before tapoff. Nor do you taunt the Celtics before the final buzzer. It was like waving a Patrick Sullivan doll in front of Matt Millen or saying "Niagra Falls" to Curly.
Larry Bird (41 points) was in one of his Charles Bronson moods after the awful first half, and scored 17 in the third quarter as the Celts trimmed 14 points off Atlanta's halftime margin. He got a lot of help from Scott Wedman, who hit 10 of 16 shots and scored a season-high 21. Boston shot 64 percent (28-44) in the second half and stormed ahead. One lasting image will be that of Bird giving the choke sign when Dominique Wilkins (36 points) missed the first of two free throws (he missed the second, too) with 1:06 left in regulation.
"We were mad," said McHale. "Everybody got mad and we came back."
"It was certainly one of the greatest comebacks I've ever been involved in. Larry Bird is just an inspirational leader, and it's great to have him on your team."
Coach K.C. Jones went even further in describing Boston's ninth win in the last 10 games. "It was the best we've ever played in the regular season," said Jones. "We had to come a great distance."
The Celts should have been dead tired against the young Hawks in overtime, but Boston had fought too long and too hard to fold. Bill Walton broke a 116-116 tie with a tap-in, then blocked an Eddie Johnson shot. When Dennis Johnson scored on a power drive, the Celts led, 120-116, and Atlanta called time with 2:33 left.
Kevin Willis cut it to two with a follow, and the Celts won in a hail of free throws - four by Bird.
The final period of regulation was even better than the overtime. The Celts trailed by 22 at the half but cut it to eight when Bird scored 17 in the third. A 14-0 burst by the Celts put Boston ahead in the middle of the fourth.
Then the Hawks went to work, and Atlanta led by five after a three-point play by Cliff Levingston. The Celts roared back with six straight, taking a 108-107 lead on a turnaround by Robert Parish (22 points, 11 rebounds) with 1:23 left.
The Hawks worked it in into Wilkins, who was fouled by McHale. McHale went to the bench with six personals, and Wilkins missed both. Bird put his hand to his throat, then hit a bomb with 48 seconds left and the Celts led by three.
Wilkins responded and tied the game with a three-pointer. Then Bird drew a foul from Wilkins and made both to give Boston a 112-110 lead with 28 seconds left.
DJ roared down the court and scored on a drive to tie it again. Boston called time with 0:20 showing.
DJ worked it out top and looked for Bird coming off a pick, but Bird was smothered by Wilkins. DJ went inside to Parish, who forced a long turnaround that missed as the buzzer sounded. Extra innings.
The Celts would rather forget the first half. Boston committed eight turnovers in the first 12 minutes, and the Hawks led 34-25 after one. Atlanta shot 64 percent in the first period. The lead peaked at 70-47 when Eddie Johnson scored on a drive. Atlanta settled for a healthy 70-48 halftime lead.
Bird exploded out of the locker room, scoring a dozen points in the first 4:38 of the second half. The Celts gladly settled for an 88-80 deficit at the end of three. Bird scored 17 in the period as the Celts outscored Atlanta, 32-18.
GLenn Rivers drove the Hawks to a 12-point lead early in the fourth, then the Celts exploded for 14 straight - six by Wedman. Boston led 98-96 with 5:10 remaining in regulation.
CELTICS PREPARE FOR LAKERS
Does Magic think the Lakers are better than the Celtics?
"Yeah," he says flashing what People Magazine should rate as one of the top 10 smiles. "I got to think that. If I was any different, I'd know we'd be in trouble. They think they're better than us and we think we're better than them."
"Sure, our eye drifts a little more to the Green," adds coach Pat Riley. "Our team got off very well this year, but Boston got off just as good.
"I think we have a little more quickness than they do. I think that's obvious. But they play more intelligently and methodically than we do . . . When it comes right down to it, we're a lot alike because we both try to get the ball inside when it matters most."
The Lakers are 32-7 and lead the Pacific Division by a laughable nine games. They are the defending world champs and, barring disaster, they'll be in the championship final for the sixth time in seven seasons. The Green enter the game with a 30-8 record.
The Celts and Lakers split two regular season games last year. They are 6-6 in regular season play since Bird and Magic burst into the league in 1979. The Lakers have won three of the last four regular season meetings between the two teams.
The Celtics have won nine of 10 since their nationally televised Christmas Day disgrace against the Knicks. Boston plays host to the world champion Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night, and Saturday's pulsating victory over the Hawks in the Omni indicates that the Celtics are ready for the Lakers.
Larry Bird's 41 points led the Celtics back from a 23-point first-half deficit in a game that was the mirror image of Boston's humiliating loss in New York.
While chestnuts roasted on open fires, the Celtics blew a 25-point lead in New York and lost in overtime. It was Boston's fifth loss in nine games and coach K. C. Jones was criticized for not using his bench during the slump.
The Celtics haven't been the same since. Jones has gone back to his bench and the Celtics have ripped nine of the last 10 opponents. If not for a controversial offensive foul called on Kevin McHale in Detroit, the Celtics might be carrying a 10-game winning streak into the Laker game.
Scott Wedman's turnabout typifies the sudden impact of Boston's bench. Wedman was shooting 41 percent after the Knick disaster and had made only four of 16 shots while scoring only seven points in a five-game stretch. Since Christmas, Wedman is shooting 58 percent (42-73), and averaging 8.8 points. He hit 10 of 16 shots and scored a season-high 21 against the Hawks Saturday.
"The other teams aren't paying much attention to me because they're keying on our big guys," noted Wedman. "That gives me an opportunity to make a difference."
Wedman wasn't too surprised to see the Celtics roar back from a 70-47 deficit in the Omni.
"Nobody on this team doubted we could come back," he said. "We just knew we had a chance and once you get within 10, you're there."
Bird's 17-point third quarter helped the Celtics cut a 22-point half-time deficit to 14 at the end of three. A 14-0 fourth- quarter explosion (six by Wedman) put the Celtics ahead.
Several factors contributed to Boston's second-half push. The Hawks had billed the game as a "franchise maker" and were talking it up before the opening tap. The presence of Lakers' mascot Dancing Barry was viewed as an insult by some Celtics and the Hawks asked for more trouble when they (particularly Eddie Johnson) taunted Boston during the big first half.
"They weren't about to build a franchise at our expense," said Dennis Johnson. "When they started talking about how this was their night we just decided to go at 'em a little."
"I couldn't believe it when they started yapping at me," added Robert Parish (20 points, 11 rebounds). "It kind of got me going."
Parish made eight of 11 shots in the second half. Boston shot 64 percent (28-44) after intermission.
"Atlanta went into the locker room at the half up 22 and thought the game was over," said McHale (20 points, 12 rebounds before fouling out in regulation). "That really fired us up. We came out in the second half determined to win the game."
Bird's rampage spoke for itself, and he added a silent slap by giving the choke sign when Dominique Wilkins (36 points) missed two straight free throws with 1:06 left in regulation.
Bird appears totally recovered from his lengthy shooting slump. He's shooting 55 percent (107-196) in his last 10 games while averaging 26.7 points per contest. He's scored 21 or more in 13 straight games and is tossing the long bombs the way he did last year. Boston's MVP is 7-15 from three-point range in his last four games. Meanwhile, McHale is shooting 61 percent (76-158) in his last 10 games and has scored at least 20 points in 14 of the last 15 games. Parish is shooting a not-too-shabby 59 percent (82-140) in his last 13 games . . . On the downside, Danny Ainge is hitting only 32 percent (9-28) in his last three starts and was shut out for the first time all season Saturday. Ainge had 12 assists against the Hawks, however . . . In back-to-back games in Indiana and Atlanta, Bill Walton hit 10 of 13 shots and had 13 rebounds and 7 blocks while playing a total of 45 minutes . . . Sam Vincent did not make the trip due to a knee bruise, and McHale is hurting with a sore left achilles . . . The Celtics are 30-8, but were 32-6 after 38 games last season.
Boston's 125-122 overtime victory last night was the Celts' 10th straight in the Omni. The Celtics are 5-0 against Atlanta this year and 24-3 against the Hawks in the last five seasons.
It figured to be just another mundane NBA rainy night in Georgia until the appearance of Barry, and before the Hawks burst to an unthinkable 70-47 second-quarter lead. Eddie Johnson & Co. had a fun time taunting the Celts for a while.
So did Barry, who was flown in from LA to help the Hawks beat the Celtics. He proclaimed, "I'm 6-2 lifetime against them. The people of Atlanta need me."
"I didn't like that," said Kevin McHale. "I didn't like him announcing his winning percentage against the Celtics. He wouldn't go over very big in Hibbing (Minn.), I'll tell you that."
You don't throw the Laker mascot in Boston's face before tapoff. Nor do you taunt the Celtics before the final buzzer. It was like waving a Patrick Sullivan doll in front of Matt Millen or saying "Niagra Falls" to Curly.
Larry Bird (41 points) was in one of his Charles Bronson moods after the awful first half, and scored 17 in the third quarter as the Celts trimmed 14 points off Atlanta's halftime margin. He got a lot of help from Scott Wedman, who hit 10 of 16 shots and scored a season-high 21. Boston shot 64 percent (28-44) in the second half and stormed ahead. One lasting image will be that of Bird giving the choke sign when Dominique Wilkins (36 points) missed the first of two free throws (he missed the second, too) with 1:06 left in regulation.
"We were mad," said McHale. "Everybody got mad and we came back."
"It was certainly one of the greatest comebacks I've ever been involved in. Larry Bird is just an inspirational leader, and it's great to have him on your team."
Coach K.C. Jones went even further in describing Boston's ninth win in the last 10 games. "It was the best we've ever played in the regular season," said Jones. "We had to come a great distance."
The Celts should have been dead tired against the young Hawks in overtime, but Boston had fought too long and too hard to fold. Bill Walton broke a 116-116 tie with a tap-in, then blocked an Eddie Johnson shot. When Dennis Johnson scored on a power drive, the Celts led, 120-116, and Atlanta called time with 2:33 left.
Kevin Willis cut it to two with a follow, and the Celts won in a hail of free throws - four by Bird.
The final period of regulation was even better than the overtime. The Celts trailed by 22 at the half but cut it to eight when Bird scored 17 in the third. A 14-0 burst by the Celts put Boston ahead in the middle of the fourth.
Then the Hawks went to work, and Atlanta led by five after a three-point play by Cliff Levingston. The Celts roared back with six straight, taking a 108-107 lead on a turnaround by Robert Parish (22 points, 11 rebounds) with 1:23 left.
The Hawks worked it in into Wilkins, who was fouled by McHale. McHale went to the bench with six personals, and Wilkins missed both. Bird put his hand to his throat, then hit a bomb with 48 seconds left and the Celts led by three.
Wilkins responded and tied the game with a three-pointer. Then Bird drew a foul from Wilkins and made both to give Boston a 112-110 lead with 28 seconds left.
DJ roared down the court and scored on a drive to tie it again. Boston called time with 0:20 showing.
DJ worked it out top and looked for Bird coming off a pick, but Bird was smothered by Wilkins. DJ went inside to Parish, who forced a long turnaround that missed as the buzzer sounded. Extra innings.
The Celts would rather forget the first half. Boston committed eight turnovers in the first 12 minutes, and the Hawks led 34-25 after one. Atlanta shot 64 percent in the first period. The lead peaked at 70-47 when Eddie Johnson scored on a drive. Atlanta settled for a healthy 70-48 halftime lead.
Bird exploded out of the locker room, scoring a dozen points in the first 4:38 of the second half. The Celts gladly settled for an 88-80 deficit at the end of three. Bird scored 17 in the period as the Celts outscored Atlanta, 32-18.
GLenn Rivers drove the Hawks to a 12-point lead early in the fourth, then the Celts exploded for 14 straight - six by Wedman. Boston led 98-96 with 5:10 remaining in regulation.
CELTICS PREPARE FOR LAKERS
Does Magic think the Lakers are better than the Celtics?
"Yeah," he says flashing what People Magazine should rate as one of the top 10 smiles. "I got to think that. If I was any different, I'd know we'd be in trouble. They think they're better than us and we think we're better than them."
"Sure, our eye drifts a little more to the Green," adds coach Pat Riley. "Our team got off very well this year, but Boston got off just as good.
"I think we have a little more quickness than they do. I think that's obvious. But they play more intelligently and methodically than we do . . . When it comes right down to it, we're a lot alike because we both try to get the ball inside when it matters most."
The Lakers are 32-7 and lead the Pacific Division by a laughable nine games. They are the defending world champs and, barring disaster, they'll be in the championship final for the sixth time in seven seasons. The Green enter the game with a 30-8 record.
The Celts and Lakers split two regular season games last year. They are 6-6 in regular season play since Bird and Magic burst into the league in 1979. The Lakers have won three of the last four regular season meetings between the two teams.
The Celtics have won nine of 10 since their nationally televised Christmas Day disgrace against the Knicks. Boston plays host to the world champion Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night, and Saturday's pulsating victory over the Hawks in the Omni indicates that the Celtics are ready for the Lakers.
Larry Bird's 41 points led the Celtics back from a 23-point first-half deficit in a game that was the mirror image of Boston's humiliating loss in New York.
While chestnuts roasted on open fires, the Celtics blew a 25-point lead in New York and lost in overtime. It was Boston's fifth loss in nine games and coach K. C. Jones was criticized for not using his bench during the slump.
The Celtics haven't been the same since. Jones has gone back to his bench and the Celtics have ripped nine of the last 10 opponents. If not for a controversial offensive foul called on Kevin McHale in Detroit, the Celtics might be carrying a 10-game winning streak into the Laker game.
Scott Wedman's turnabout typifies the sudden impact of Boston's bench. Wedman was shooting 41 percent after the Knick disaster and had made only four of 16 shots while scoring only seven points in a five-game stretch. Since Christmas, Wedman is shooting 58 percent (42-73), and averaging 8.8 points. He hit 10 of 16 shots and scored a season-high 21 against the Hawks Saturday.
"The other teams aren't paying much attention to me because they're keying on our big guys," noted Wedman. "That gives me an opportunity to make a difference."
Wedman wasn't too surprised to see the Celtics roar back from a 70-47 deficit in the Omni.
"Nobody on this team doubted we could come back," he said. "We just knew we had a chance and once you get within 10, you're there."
Bird's 17-point third quarter helped the Celtics cut a 22-point half-time deficit to 14 at the end of three. A 14-0 fourth- quarter explosion (six by Wedman) put the Celtics ahead.
Several factors contributed to Boston's second-half push. The Hawks had billed the game as a "franchise maker" and were talking it up before the opening tap. The presence of Lakers' mascot Dancing Barry was viewed as an insult by some Celtics and the Hawks asked for more trouble when they (particularly Eddie Johnson) taunted Boston during the big first half.
"They weren't about to build a franchise at our expense," said Dennis Johnson. "When they started talking about how this was their night we just decided to go at 'em a little."
"I couldn't believe it when they started yapping at me," added Robert Parish (20 points, 11 rebounds). "It kind of got me going."
Parish made eight of 11 shots in the second half. Boston shot 64 percent (28-44) after intermission.
"Atlanta went into the locker room at the half up 22 and thought the game was over," said McHale (20 points, 12 rebounds before fouling out in regulation). "That really fired us up. We came out in the second half determined to win the game."
Bird's rampage spoke for itself, and he added a silent slap by giving the choke sign when Dominique Wilkins (36 points) missed two straight free throws with 1:06 left in regulation.
Bird appears totally recovered from his lengthy shooting slump. He's shooting 55 percent (107-196) in his last 10 games while averaging 26.7 points per contest. He's scored 21 or more in 13 straight games and is tossing the long bombs the way he did last year. Boston's MVP is 7-15 from three-point range in his last four games. Meanwhile, McHale is shooting 61 percent (76-158) in his last 10 games and has scored at least 20 points in 14 of the last 15 games. Parish is shooting a not-too-shabby 59 percent (82-140) in his last 13 games . . . On the downside, Danny Ainge is hitting only 32 percent (9-28) in his last three starts and was shut out for the first time all season Saturday. Ainge had 12 assists against the Hawks, however . . . In back-to-back games in Indiana and Atlanta, Bill Walton hit 10 of 13 shots and had 13 rebounds and 7 blocks while playing a total of 45 minutes . . . Sam Vincent did not make the trip due to a knee bruise, and McHale is hurting with a sore left achilles . . . The Celtics are 30-8, but were 32-6 after 38 games last season.
1986 Cs Pound Pacers, Move to 29-8
Tough times here in Hoosierland. The Pacers have lost seven straight, own the NBA's worst record, and were even blasted by the maniacal yet revered Bob Knight when they cut Quinn Buckner Wednesday.
A victory over the Celtics was just what the baby-faced Pacers needed to turn things around, but the Celts would have no part of it. Let's face it: Larry Bird doesn't like losing here in the Holy Land and Boston has already dropped its quota of games (one) to the Pacers this year.
The Celts never trailed en route to a methodical 123-105 victory at Market Square Arena last night. Playing without Herb Williams (Herb was not dining at Burger King; he has a deep muscle bruise), Indiana had no answers for the inside game of Kevin McHale (28 points) or the perimeter bombing of Bird (21, including a hat trick of three-pointers). It was Boston's eighth victory in nine games since the Knicks stole Christmas on national television.
Rookie Wayman Tisdale, Steve Stipanovich and Bill Garnett took turns looking up at the long arms of McHale, but none could stop Boston's scoring machine. Despite a painful Achilles tendon condition, McHale hit 9 of 16 from the floor and 10 of 10 from the line. The 16,904 had to be asking, "Where's Herb?"
Boston's strategy was obvious. "They have enough trouble stopping McHale when Herb is in there," noted Bird. "You don't just go in there. Tonight every play, we tried to get the ball down low. We knew before the game, and you've got to take advantage of those situations. We had to go to him just about every time."
Robert Parish took the shots that McHale and Bird eschewed. The Chief hit 8 of 13 for a tidy 20 points in 30 minutes. Backup Bill Walton had 12 points (5 for 6 from the floor) in 17 minutes. It was pretty easy.
"We had a tremendous mismatch problem in not having Williams," admitted coach-under-siege George Irvine.
Pacer fans sensed it was going to be a rough night when the Indiana team won the opening tap - then raced to the wrong end of the floor. The Pacers were tagged with a backcourt violation, and the Celts were on their way.
Bird worked over Ron Anderson (subbing for Herb) in one corner, and McHale tortured rookie Tisdale underneath.
Walton, who was superb at both ends all night, led a 9-2 drive at the close of the first with a tap, a line-drive jumper off the break and a pretty feed to Dennis Johnson for a layup. The Celts led, 32-22, after one.
Clark Kellogg, playing his second game since arthroscopic knee surgery (he recovered much faster than Cedric Maxwell, folks) hit six of six shots in the second period, and it was 46-46 with 5:27 left in the half.
Then the Celts struck. K.C. Jones had his rested starters back on the floor, and McHale scored six in a 16-4 run which pushed Boston to a 62-50 lead. The Celts settled for 64-54 at intermission, but the message was clear.
It was status quo early in the third. Irvine didn't want to tire Kellogg, so he went back to Anderson. McHale (17 at halftime) continued to torch Tisdale, and the Celts led by 13.
Trailing, 80-68, Irvine went back to Kellogg. Indy cut it to 10, but Bird drilled his third three-pointer of the night. The Celts led, 96-82, at the end of three.
It got worse in the fourth. When the Celtics stretched their lead to 115-99, Jones replaced Bird with David Thirdkill, and garbage time was officially under way.
Jones was especially happy with the work of his second unit, the famed Green Team. "They've been doing the job," said Jones. "They kept us even, and then were could push the lead to 20."
A victory over the Celtics was just what the baby-faced Pacers needed to turn things around, but the Celts would have no part of it. Let's face it: Larry Bird doesn't like losing here in the Holy Land and Boston has already dropped its quota of games (one) to the Pacers this year.
The Celts never trailed en route to a methodical 123-105 victory at Market Square Arena last night. Playing without Herb Williams (Herb was not dining at Burger King; he has a deep muscle bruise), Indiana had no answers for the inside game of Kevin McHale (28 points) or the perimeter bombing of Bird (21, including a hat trick of three-pointers). It was Boston's eighth victory in nine games since the Knicks stole Christmas on national television.
Rookie Wayman Tisdale, Steve Stipanovich and Bill Garnett took turns looking up at the long arms of McHale, but none could stop Boston's scoring machine. Despite a painful Achilles tendon condition, McHale hit 9 of 16 from the floor and 10 of 10 from the line. The 16,904 had to be asking, "Where's Herb?"
Boston's strategy was obvious. "They have enough trouble stopping McHale when Herb is in there," noted Bird. "You don't just go in there. Tonight every play, we tried to get the ball down low. We knew before the game, and you've got to take advantage of those situations. We had to go to him just about every time."
Robert Parish took the shots that McHale and Bird eschewed. The Chief hit 8 of 13 for a tidy 20 points in 30 minutes. Backup Bill Walton had 12 points (5 for 6 from the floor) in 17 minutes. It was pretty easy.
"We had a tremendous mismatch problem in not having Williams," admitted coach-under-siege George Irvine.
Pacer fans sensed it was going to be a rough night when the Indiana team won the opening tap - then raced to the wrong end of the floor. The Pacers were tagged with a backcourt violation, and the Celts were on their way.
Bird worked over Ron Anderson (subbing for Herb) in one corner, and McHale tortured rookie Tisdale underneath.
Walton, who was superb at both ends all night, led a 9-2 drive at the close of the first with a tap, a line-drive jumper off the break and a pretty feed to Dennis Johnson for a layup. The Celts led, 32-22, after one.
Clark Kellogg, playing his second game since arthroscopic knee surgery (he recovered much faster than Cedric Maxwell, folks) hit six of six shots in the second period, and it was 46-46 with 5:27 left in the half.
Then the Celts struck. K.C. Jones had his rested starters back on the floor, and McHale scored six in a 16-4 run which pushed Boston to a 62-50 lead. The Celts settled for 64-54 at intermission, but the message was clear.
It was status quo early in the third. Irvine didn't want to tire Kellogg, so he went back to Anderson. McHale (17 at halftime) continued to torch Tisdale, and the Celts led by 13.
Trailing, 80-68, Irvine went back to Kellogg. Indy cut it to 10, but Bird drilled his third three-pointer of the night. The Celts led, 96-82, at the end of three.
It got worse in the fourth. When the Celtics stretched their lead to 115-99, Jones replaced Bird with David Thirdkill, and garbage time was officially under way.
Jones was especially happy with the work of his second unit, the famed Green Team. "They've been doing the job," said Jones. "They kept us even, and then were could push the lead to 20."
Has Jesus Returned to the Garden?
Two straight games of brilliance from number 20.
Well, I'll be dam...
Oh wait.
This is an article about Jesus.
I better not use that word.
How about this:
Jesus Lives!!!
No, no. That is too exuberant.
Alright, let's just go with the facts.
Over the last two games Ray Allen has scored 58 points, shooting 21-34 from the field (.617) and 9-19 from three (.473), numbers hearkening back to the first five games of the season. They are also numbers closer to what we expected to see from Jesus when the Celtics acquired him on draft day and then added Kevin Garnett to the fold on July 31.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this Ray Allen is the Ray Allen we can expect to see for remainder of the season, or at least much of it.
Four reasons why:
1. Ray Allen is starting to get healthy. Like Larry Bird who played abysmally from October through November of 1985 because of back problems and then came out with guns a blazin' in January of 1986, Ray Allen is starting to move with the ease and freedom of his old self. Not only is he more inclined to drive than earlier in the season, he is moving around before taking his jumper with a lightness of foot I have seen since his Seattle days.
2. Ray Allen is starting to get acclimated. Several observers have opined that Ray Allen has had the most difficult time adjusting to a decreased number of shot opportunities. Ray Allen isn't Larry Bird, but I would bet that even the Legend would have taken some time in adjusting from having just about every play run through him to merely being a cog in the engine.
3. The Celtics are starting to get acclimated to Ray Allen. In Ali-Frazier I (the first Pistons game), Ray Allen was on fire in first quarter and part of the second. He was shooting falling left three pointers with multiple defenders draped over him, and still making the bucket. Yet the Celtics proceeded to forget about Jesus over the rest of the second and part of the third, during which their lead vanished. That wouldn't happen now. When Ray is feelin' it, the Celtics will get him the ball.
4. The Celtics started 2008 by stumbling with Ray Allen underperforming, losing three of four, proving to the Celtics and to Jesus that the Celtics need a healthy and productive Ray Allen if they want to continue the dominant start to their season. Ray Allen needs to perform and this by itself should get Ray Allen's game where it needs to be.
I can't guarantee that these last two games won't be mere blips on the radar of an otherwise disappointing shooting year for Ray Allen.
But I have a feeling that it just might be the start of Chapter II, Book II in the Gospel According to Jesus the Celtic.
Well, I'll be dam...
Oh wait.
This is an article about Jesus.
I better not use that word.
How about this:
Jesus Lives!!!
No, no. That is too exuberant.
Alright, let's just go with the facts.
Over the last two games Ray Allen has scored 58 points, shooting 21-34 from the field (.617) and 9-19 from three (.473), numbers hearkening back to the first five games of the season. They are also numbers closer to what we expected to see from Jesus when the Celtics acquired him on draft day and then added Kevin Garnett to the fold on July 31.
I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this Ray Allen is the Ray Allen we can expect to see for remainder of the season, or at least much of it.
Four reasons why:
1. Ray Allen is starting to get healthy. Like Larry Bird who played abysmally from October through November of 1985 because of back problems and then came out with guns a blazin' in January of 1986, Ray Allen is starting to move with the ease and freedom of his old self. Not only is he more inclined to drive than earlier in the season, he is moving around before taking his jumper with a lightness of foot I have seen since his Seattle days.
2. Ray Allen is starting to get acclimated. Several observers have opined that Ray Allen has had the most difficult time adjusting to a decreased number of shot opportunities. Ray Allen isn't Larry Bird, but I would bet that even the Legend would have taken some time in adjusting from having just about every play run through him to merely being a cog in the engine.
3. The Celtics are starting to get acclimated to Ray Allen. In Ali-Frazier I (the first Pistons game), Ray Allen was on fire in first quarter and part of the second. He was shooting falling left three pointers with multiple defenders draped over him, and still making the bucket. Yet the Celtics proceeded to forget about Jesus over the rest of the second and part of the third, during which their lead vanished. That wouldn't happen now. When Ray is feelin' it, the Celtics will get him the ball.
4. The Celtics started 2008 by stumbling with Ray Allen underperforming, losing three of four, proving to the Celtics and to Jesus that the Celtics need a healthy and productive Ray Allen if they want to continue the dominant start to their season. Ray Allen needs to perform and this by itself should get Ray Allen's game where it needs to be.
I can't guarantee that these last two games won't be mere blips on the radar of an otherwise disappointing shooting year for Ray Allen.
But I have a feeling that it just might be the start of Chapter II, Book II in the Gospel According to Jesus the Celtic.
Agent -0- Makes Surprise Appearance for Celtics
With the Celtics getting badly outrebounded in what is becoming a troubling pattern, Doc Rivers turned to a player many Celtics fans may have forgotten about--Leon Powe.
Entering the game with 3:04 left in the third quarter and the Celtics up one, Powe immediately grabbed an offensive rebound and made two free throws. He then grabbed another offensive rebound, and then another. Before it was all said and done, the Celtics Agent Zero had scored ten points on 4 of 6 shooting, and grabbed six rebounds, four of them offensive.
What happened to the Celtics one point lead?
By the time Powe left the game with ten seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Celtics had widened their margin to 27. Powe scored eight of his points and grabbed five rebounds in the fourth quarter where the Celtics outscored the Sixers by 38-16.
It seems unlikely that Powe represents the additional big the Celtics have needed season the start of the season, mostly because he's only 6'8". It is equally unclear whether Powe will get any more minutes from Doc, or return to the important business of thumb twiddling.
But it is good to know that when called on he has some game to bring.
Entering the game with 3:04 left in the third quarter and the Celtics up one, Powe immediately grabbed an offensive rebound and made two free throws. He then grabbed another offensive rebound, and then another. Before it was all said and done, the Celtics Agent Zero had scored ten points on 4 of 6 shooting, and grabbed six rebounds, four of them offensive.
What happened to the Celtics one point lead?
By the time Powe left the game with ten seconds left in the fourth quarter, the Celtics had widened their margin to 27. Powe scored eight of his points and grabbed five rebounds in the fourth quarter where the Celtics outscored the Sixers by 38-16.
It seems unlikely that Powe represents the additional big the Celtics have needed season the start of the season, mostly because he's only 6'8". It is equally unclear whether Powe will get any more minutes from Doc, or return to the important business of thumb twiddling.
But it is good to know that when called on he has some game to bring.
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