Shaq: 2010-11 Celtics Best Team I've Played For

November 25, 2010

The Celtics did not have many contingency plans for their point guard crisis. No Rajon Rondo (hamstring) to start the game. No Delonte West (broken wrist) in the second half. Nate Robinson limited by foul trouble.



So when crunch time came, the Celtics had Paul Pierce bring the ball upcourt and direct the offense. The tactic worked as Pierce's playmaking and shotmaking helped the Celtics extend a 1-point lead in the final five minutes of an 89-83 win over the Nets last night
"[Last] night, we were down to no guards," Celtics coach Doc Rivers said.

But Pierce and the other Celtic starters did not miss a beat.

Pierce broke things open with a jumper (4:10 remaining), then fed Ray Allen for a 3-pointer and a 78-72 lead with 3:26 left. Pierce then hit a turnaround jumper and 18-footer for an 82-73 edge with 2:04 to go. Five straight points by Devin Harris cut the Celtics' lead to 4, but Pierce found Robinson for a 3-pointer on a pick-and-pop play, then Kevin Garnett dunked in transition to wrap things up.

This was a game for Shaquille O'Neal to shine, Marquis Daniels to provide quality minutes, and Von Wafer to establish his defensive credentials. But when it counted, the ball was in the hands of the Celtics' Big Three - Allen, Garnett, and Pierce.

The Celtic starters were 8 for 11 from the field in the final quarter, Pierce the only one to miss a shot. Allen was 1 for 3 in the opening half but finished with 15 points and a season-high seven assists. Garnett was off (4 for 12) but kept firing away and landed a jumper from the top of the key off an Allen feed late in the third quarter, then played floor-pounding defense to stop Kris Humphries.

Pierce playing point is not a long-term solution, though the Celtics might have to use a similar strategy against Toronto tomorrow, unless Rondo recovers enough for trainer Ed Lacerte to OK him to play.

"I'm probably less likely, the way things are going," Rivers said when asked whether he'd use Rondo against the Raptors. "I'm serious about that. Unless Eddie says [Rondo's] feeling great. And I know Rondo, so we're going to have to really have a long talk for him to play."

The Celtics have been rejuvenated this season by the newcomers, plus the recovery of Daniels from injury, the emergence of Robinson as a dependable defender, the maturing of Glen Davis, and Rondo. But this is still the Big Three's show.

Pierce (19.8 points per game), Allen (16.7), and Garnett (15.0) are the Celtics' leading scorers. Their 588 shots are more than half the Celtics' attempts. They are the team's leading free throw shooters. When game-deciding shots are to be taken, it is up to Robinson and Rondo to make certain to find one of those three.

Last night, Pierce was the set-up man and the closer. But it will not be that way every time. "This is a great team," O'Neal said. "The best team I've been on. They've got a lot of weapons on this team, so on any given night anybody can be the leading scorer."