Road Unis at Home

I'm not sure if Mike or Tommy commented on the Celtics wearing their road uniforms at home, but my take is that the Celtics were sending a message, mostly to themselves. Tonight was the first game of the road trip, at least in the players' minds, and the road trip is being looked at as the first turning point of the season. Play well or play poorly. Either way, we're gonna learn something about this team.

Rasheed Wallace said it best after the game. This team plays Celtics basketball in spurts. In the third quarter, I saw this team moving in unison on defense like they did two years ago, and it was in the third quarter that we started to build a lead. Still, allowing the Raptors to shoot 55% for the game is a sign that the green's D has a ways to go.

Best movement laterally and vertically we've seen from KG this year.

Best all-around performance from Sheed this year. Sheed looks more interested, and that probably doesn't hurt.

My new MVP candidate--Paul Pierce--played another very good game. He gave us what we needed, and you can't ask for more than that. Larry Bird always seemed bigger than the game. I'm not sure I get that impression from Pierce, but he can still have an MVP year if he keeps giving us what we need and we end up with the best record in the NBA.

Too many offensive possessions still end with no shot due to turnovers, offensive fouls, or three second calls. For a veteran team, this should be fixable, but has always been our Achilles heel.

Big Baby will make a difference upon his return. It might take a few games, but throwing those young legs and that big and fairly nimble body in the paint can't do anything but help.

Road begins now. Bring it on.