NBA players are dropping like flies in the playoffs. Perhaps a victim of the 66-game lockout shorten season or in some cases because of self mutilation (see: Amar'e Stoudemire punching glass), big names and small names alike are missing the most important games of the year.
2011 MVP Derrick Rose suffered a torn ACL, Knicks rookie guard Iman Shumpert the same. Baron Davis just went down with a nasty knee injury himself. Dwight Howard will not play in the playoffs, Al Horford just returned after sitting out nearly the entire season, his backup Zaza Pachulia is still out. The flash in the pan known as Jeremy Lin has been sidelined for the first 4 games of the Knicks-Heat series. Memphis stud Zach Randolph worked his way back into the lineup the final couple weeks of the regular season. The T-Wolves' chances of making the post season went out the window when rookie PG Ricky Rubio blew his ACL, the Clippers lost their leader Chauncey Billups, and many more. And then you have the "old" Celtics.
The C's are up 3-1 in their 1st round series with the Hawks. Boston managed to win the Atlantic Division title despite numerous injuries throughout the season, which began with the news that Jeff Green would miss the year and need heart surgery. Chris Wilcox was forced to the sidelines in an eerily similar fashion. And Jermaine O'Neal... whatever. The veteran group fought through the multiple back-to-backs and the ridiculously thrown together season (little to no practice time and crazy travel schedule) to win the division (for the 5th straight year) and enter the playoffs as the #4 seed. They still did not have home court advantage.
Where do the Green stand health wise?
Ray Allen missed the last 9 games of the year with an ankle injury and Games 1 and 2 against the Hawks. Allen surprised himself coming back for Game 3, saying that he had told KG he would probably miss the entire series. It's hopeful that he will be on the court the rest of the way, but it's no sure thing. Allen will undergo surgery when the C's are done.
Paul Pierce, who was extremely durable this season, hurt his knee in shootaround prior to Game 4, and Doc left the morning get-together thinking the Captain would miss the game. He played, 24 points in 17 minutes, and said on his twitter that he was glad he only played limited minutes to he could rest his knee.
Mickael Pietrus played in 42 of the 66 games this year. He missed time with a concussion and left Game 4 in the 3rd quarter with a hamstring injury.
Avery Bradley re-injured his left shoulder in Game 3. He was a game-time decision in Game 4 (he played), but will be a concern through the rest of the playoffs. He apparently popped out his shoulder 2-3 times during the season, but Doc Rivers said it was like a "LEGO" and would just pop back in, but in Game 3 it did not do that. Gross.
Greg Stiemsma (feet) sat out of nearly every single practice the Celtics had this season. He should be able to go the rest of the playoffs for as much time as the team needs him, but it should be pointed out that he's been playing banged up all year.
Is it possible that Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett are the healthiest players on the team?
The lasting image of the 2011 playoffs for the Celtics was Rajon Rondo playing against the Heat with one arm. After Dwyane Wade tackled him to the floor, Rondo got up and tried like hell to play through the pain. The 2009 playoffs were essentially a lost cause because of the knee injury that kept Kevin Garnett from suiting up with the team. Now in 2012, Rondo and KG are the healthiest, and without question the two pieces most important to knocking of the Heat in a potential Eastern Conference Finals match-up.
Few would have predicted the type of season KG had. At 35 years old and with well over 1,200 career games played, Garnett averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists per game (playing in 60/66, sitting out a couple for personal reasons and for rest). I believe he will be All-Defensive 2nd Team and All-NBA 3rd Team, at center, where he really flourished in the 2nd half of the season.
Health has already derailed the top seeded Bulls and the Orlando Magic. If the Celtics are going to make a deep run they are going to continue to walk the injury tight rope. KG and Rondo will have to defy the odds and Pierce (knee), Allen (ankle), Bradley (shoulder), Pietrus (hamstring, head), and Stiemsma (feet) will have to be "healthy enough."
Believe it or not I said Heat-Celtics in the East Finals in my pre-season predictions. There is no reason to change that now.
-Keefe
Showing posts with label Ray Allen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ray Allen. Show all posts
Monday, May 7, 2012
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
3 Celtics Trades That (Probably) Won't Happen
The NBA Trade Deadline is just a week from tomorrow. It also marks the 1 year anniversary (on the NBA calender) of the miserable Kendrick Perkins to the Thunder deal. I'm still not over it. In my defense, I HATED it at the time and even spent 5 hours on 98.5 The Sports Hub that night explaining how bad the move was and that Danny was hinging his playoff hopes (the team was atop the East at the time) on two injured, old centers named O'Neal. At least Jeff Green fit in well.
But anyway, the Celtics (20-17) have just 29 games left to play in this shorten 66 game regular season. And after a slow start and multiple losing streaks, they find themselves playing for 1st place in the Atlantic Division against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight and an automatic Top 4 Seed (avoid Miami and Chicago in Round 1!) in the Eastern Conference. The C's are currently on a 5 game winning streak (Cavs, Bucks, Nets, Knicks, Rockets). But with their future very much in question, what should they do?
Many of the trade rumors that have circulated around the league involve the Big 4, rightly so. Kevin Garnett ($21.2 million) and Ray Allen ($10 million) are unrestricted free agents after this season. While Paul Pierce (2 years remaining, avg. $16 million per year) and Rajon Rondo (3 years remaining, avg. $12 per year) are not only under contract going forward, but are both playing at a very high level. In fact, to be fair, KG and Allen are also playing at a much higher than anticipated level this season, particularly in Garnett's case, as of late (18.8 points, 10.2 rebounds during 5 game-winning streak.)
Because of this sudden winning streak and the newly found rotation Doc Rivers has stuck to (aided by the Jermaine O'Neal injury), the idea of keeping this group together and making one final run has begun to emerge, amongst some. Can they beat the Bulls in a 7 game series? What about the Heat? The thought that they could miss the playoffs with this group is ridiculous. Not only based on their own abilities, but more so the rest of the Conference. They WILL make the playoffs, but how far can they go?
If the Celtics want to make moves AND not go into full fledged re-building mode they have to keep Rajon Rondo. I repeat, KEEP RAJON RONDO. He's a bargain for an All-Star and is a Top 5 Point Guard in the NBA. Do you need more around him? Of course. Can he win a title as the best player? No. But how many guys can?
I keep Pierce as well, unless a 3-team deal comes along involving one contender (who else would want Pierce) or the right team steps up and the C's get young players/picks. Now is the time to deal Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, but you can't give them away.
Hired guns. Assassins. Mercenaries. Ok, rentals. That's what Ray and KG would be for teams with their eyes on the Larry O'Brien Trophy. So after that long winded open, here are 3 Celtics trades that (probably) won't happen:
1. Ray Allen to the Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, future #1 draft pick.
There would have to be other filler in their to make the deal go through, but the Clippers desperately need a 2 guard. Billups is out for the year, Mo Williams is a PG, and Randy Foye just isn't good. Youngster Eric Bledsoe has played in just 11 games this year and doesn't see the court much. He is a good piece though for either the C's to build around and or deal themselves.
2. Paul Pierce & Ray Allen to the Grizzlies for Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Josh Selby, and two future #1 picks.
For some reason the Rudy Gay-Zach Randolph combo has not netted a lot of success. Memphis is good with 1 and not the other. They could make a serious run at it this year with a core of Gasol-Randolph-Pierce-Allen-Conley with T.A, Speights, and Cunningham. Meanwhile the C's get younger and enter the Rondo-Gay era. With Pierce and Allen gone, they would have to do this as well.
3. Kevin Garnett & BOS 1st round pick to the Hawks/ Josh Smith, Kirk Hinrich, & Avery Bradley to the Warriors/ Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, GS & ATL 2nd round picks to the Celtics.
Lot going on there. IF the C's pull off trades 2 and 3 they are looking at squad of Rondo-Ellis-Gay-Bass-Biedrins with Mayo, Selby, and for the rest of this year Wilcox, Pietrus, Stiemsma, Johnson.
Yeah I know. It's not great. It would be exciting to watch Rondo play in an uptempo style with Ellis and Gay on the wing.
These deals (probably) won't happen, but with all the crazy rumors flying around now and for the next week, I got to throw a couple more out there. All I know is that whatever Danny does, it won't surprise me as much as Perkins & Nate for Green & Krstic. Can't wait to see what happens.
-Keefe
But anyway, the Celtics (20-17) have just 29 games left to play in this shorten 66 game regular season. And after a slow start and multiple losing streaks, they find themselves playing for 1st place in the Atlantic Division against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight and an automatic Top 4 Seed (avoid Miami and Chicago in Round 1!) in the Eastern Conference. The C's are currently on a 5 game winning streak (Cavs, Bucks, Nets, Knicks, Rockets). But with their future very much in question, what should they do?
Many of the trade rumors that have circulated around the league involve the Big 4, rightly so. Kevin Garnett ($21.2 million) and Ray Allen ($10 million) are unrestricted free agents after this season. While Paul Pierce (2 years remaining, avg. $16 million per year) and Rajon Rondo (3 years remaining, avg. $12 per year) are not only under contract going forward, but are both playing at a very high level. In fact, to be fair, KG and Allen are also playing at a much higher than anticipated level this season, particularly in Garnett's case, as of late (18.8 points, 10.2 rebounds during 5 game-winning streak.)
Because of this sudden winning streak and the newly found rotation Doc Rivers has stuck to (aided by the Jermaine O'Neal injury), the idea of keeping this group together and making one final run has begun to emerge, amongst some. Can they beat the Bulls in a 7 game series? What about the Heat? The thought that they could miss the playoffs with this group is ridiculous. Not only based on their own abilities, but more so the rest of the Conference. They WILL make the playoffs, but how far can they go?
If the Celtics want to make moves AND not go into full fledged re-building mode they have to keep Rajon Rondo. I repeat, KEEP RAJON RONDO. He's a bargain for an All-Star and is a Top 5 Point Guard in the NBA. Do you need more around him? Of course. Can he win a title as the best player? No. But how many guys can?
I keep Pierce as well, unless a 3-team deal comes along involving one contender (who else would want Pierce) or the right team steps up and the C's get young players/picks. Now is the time to deal Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, but you can't give them away.
Hired guns. Assassins. Mercenaries. Ok, rentals. That's what Ray and KG would be for teams with their eyes on the Larry O'Brien Trophy. So after that long winded open, here are 3 Celtics trades that (probably) won't happen:
1. Ray Allen to the Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, future #1 draft pick.
There would have to be other filler in their to make the deal go through, but the Clippers desperately need a 2 guard. Billups is out for the year, Mo Williams is a PG, and Randy Foye just isn't good. Youngster Eric Bledsoe has played in just 11 games this year and doesn't see the court much. He is a good piece though for either the C's to build around and or deal themselves.
2. Paul Pierce & Ray Allen to the Grizzlies for Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Josh Selby, and two future #1 picks.
For some reason the Rudy Gay-Zach Randolph combo has not netted a lot of success. Memphis is good with 1 and not the other. They could make a serious run at it this year with a core of Gasol-Randolph-Pierce-Allen-Conley with T.A, Speights, and Cunningham. Meanwhile the C's get younger and enter the Rondo-Gay era. With Pierce and Allen gone, they would have to do this as well.
3. Kevin Garnett & BOS 1st round pick to the Hawks/ Josh Smith, Kirk Hinrich, & Avery Bradley to the Warriors/ Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, GS & ATL 2nd round picks to the Celtics.
Lot going on there. IF the C's pull off trades 2 and 3 they are looking at squad of Rondo-Ellis-Gay-Bass-Biedrins with Mayo, Selby, and for the rest of this year Wilcox, Pietrus, Stiemsma, Johnson.
Yeah I know. It's not great. It would be exciting to watch Rondo play in an uptempo style with Ellis and Gay on the wing.
These deals (probably) won't happen, but with all the crazy rumors flying around now and for the next week, I got to throw a couple more out there. All I know is that whatever Danny does, it won't surprise me as much as Perkins & Nate for Green & Krstic. Can't wait to see what happens.
-Keefe
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
5 Questions With Kevin Martin
I talked with Houston starting shooting guard Kevin Martin prior to Tuesday night’s Celtics-Rockets game at the TD Garden. Here is what the Western Carolina alum who is averaging 18.2 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists had to say.
1. At the beginning of the year everyone made a huge deal about the trade that didn’t go through (Lakers-Hornets-Rockets aka “Chris Paul to the Lakers Deal”) and all the talk was about Paul and Lamar Odom and how he handled it, how have you dealt with it?
Martin: Just play basketball and that’s all. That’s all I do.
2. Trade deadline is now a week from Thursday. How do you and your teammates focus on basketball and what needs to be done?
Martin: I think you think about more important things like getting better as a team and making it to the playoffs.
3. Guarding Ray Allen tonight, you’ve been doing it throughout your career. What’s that like?
Martin: Ah, you know, you just got to make sure your legs are warm, cause Doc is always running him off screens. So you got to be prepared for that.
4. What has Kevin McHale been like as Head Coach this season?
Martin: Oh he’s been great. He’s definitely been a great inspiration for our team this year. Somebody who has been through the fire before. And established a style of play of toughness and things like that, so I think that’s why we’re at the point we are, because of him.
5. Western Carolina, what was the story behind that? Were you not heavily recruited coming out of high school?
Martin: (smiles) Ah, nah you know. Just like my career been kinda overlooked and underrated. So that’s why I think I’m the player I am today, because a lot of that stuff fuels me.
-Keefe
Sunday, February 12, 2012
5 Questions With Ronnie Brewer
I talked with Chicago starting guard Ronnie Brewer prior to the Celtics-Bulls game on Sunday. Here is what the 6th year man out of Arkansas who is averaging 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists had to say.
1. You guys have a lot of the same players back from last year’s team which was the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Do you feel that you are better this year?
Brewer: We have a year under our belt, to gel, build chemistry, comradery, another year under Thibs’ system. So I think overall we are getting better. Last year we had a lot of injuries, this year the same thing, so we are learning how to play with injuries, and overall just get better as a team.
2. How are you guys dealing with this season, obviously a young and athletic team you’re set up well, but with not a lot of practices how is that?
Brewer: You have to learn quickly, make adjustments in walk-through and film and test it in games. We have a lot of guys on this team who can do a lot of different things, and I think that helps to our advantage. When some guys who aren’t having great nights we have other guys who step up and make up for it.
3. What’s it like guarding Ray Allen?
Brewer: I mean he’s a tough tough assignment. He comes off two or three screens, has a quick release, one of the best shooters to ever play the game. It’s definitely a tough test for me individually and our team as a whole.
4. How is it with Coach Thibodeau, you mentioned having a year under your belt now, but how was that adjustment, just how defensive minded he is?
Brewer: Man, to me, that’s what allows us to win. He expects greatness on defense, get stops. You can really tell on our team, when we’re successful, we’re defending, we’re rebounding, and that leads to easy baskets. So the adjustment for some guys who were defensive minded was pretty easy, but we’re still learning to get better.
5. How has the addition of Rip Hamilton helped you, a veteran guy who plays the same position?
Brewer: Yeah man, he’s a tremendous addition to this team. He’s only going to make us better. For a vet like him he’s very opened minded you can ask him anything he’s open to tell you what’s helped him be so successful for so many years. He’s huge for us, we’re definitely hurting and missing him right now.
-Keefe
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
3-Point Shootout Participants
Paul Pierce will defend his 3-point shootout title this upcoming All-Star weekend in LA, and his toughest competition will likely be from his teammate Ray Allen. Here are the "sharp shooters" invited to take part.
Paul Pierce, Celtics
Ray Allen, Celtics
Kevin Durant, Thunder
Boobie Gibson, Cavs
James Jones, Heat
Dorrell Wright, Warriors
Well you got 3 All-Stars and 3... others. What about Kevin Martin or Mike Bibby? I'd rather see Reggie Miller dust himself off and get in there over the Gibson-Jones-Wright 3-headed monster.
Some history on the 3-point shootout. It began back in the glorious 85-86 season where, surprise surprise, Larry Bird won. In fact Bird took home 1st place in the first 3 (why not) competitions. Dale Ellis got a win in the 4th year, then sharp shooting, never playing Craig Hodges of the Bulls ripped off 3-straight.
Mark Price captured back-to-back titles, Glen Rice, the obnoxious Tim Legler was in there, Steve Kerr, Jeff Hornacek (2), Ray Allen in 00-01, Peja (2), Voshon Leonard (remember him?), Q-Rich, Dirk, Jason Kapono (2), Daequan Cook (the Gerald Green Dunk contest winning parallel), and then Pierce last year.
I'll tell you what, the dunk contest with Griffin, McGee, DeRozan, and Ibaka will definitely be the highlight of the night, and maybe the weekend, but I'm down to watch Pierce and Ray go head-to-head in a 3-point shootout, throw the league's leading scorer in there as well and I don't even care about the 3 also rans.
I'll find a way to enjoy the shootout, probably not as much as the picture above though.
-Keefe
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Why the Celtics Can Win the 2011 NBA Title
When the Celtics finished 50-32 and in 4th place in the Eastern Conference last year, no one thought they would be just minutes away from winning their 2nd championship in 3 years. They’re too old. They won’t be able to compete with LeBron’s Cavs, Dwight’s Magic, or certainly
Depth. This team, since 2007-2008 has always had the best or second best starting lineup in the NBA. Rondo-Ray-Pierce-KG-Perk have never lost a playoff series when starting together, as Doc likes to point out. But they’re second unit has never been confused with the league’s best bench mob.
Sure they have gotten great contributions from the likes of James Posey, P.J. Brown, Glen Davis, Eddie House, Rasheed Wallace, and Nate Robinson since the Big 3 has been here, but consistent great play from the subs has been elusive.
The loss of Kendrick Perkins for perhaps half the season, was an obvious concern for this team. How would they fill the void? Danny Ainge and the front office not only made sure they replaced Perk, but also the retiring Rasheed Wallace, making the decision to bring in extra pieces and not merely wait for Perk to return from knee surgery and rehab.
In addition to the now Big 4 of Rondo-Ray-Pierce-KG, the C’s have added Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal, and 2008 2nd round pick, Turkish center Semih Erden to grab rebounds, bang bodies, and do the ugly stuff.
The team re-signed Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, and Marques Daniels, brought back Delonte West, brought in Von Wafer and drafted Avery Bradley and Luke Harongody. It was a busy off season for the Celtics, not one where they were just happy to win the East and play the Lakers close.
Obviously just having depth is not enough to win an NBA title. The C’s still have their star-power as well. Paul Pierce, and maybe I am a little biased here, is a Top 10 player in the league. Ray Allen is a Top 5 shooter, and Kevin Garnett can still anchor a defense and score on the majority of bigs in the league.
As for Rajon Rondo? After getting cut from the World Championship team… I mean leaving because of a sick relative… he is out to prove a point. He has always played well against the biggest name PGs in the league, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, etc., but now you have to add all the players who won Gold instead of him, Russell Westbrook, Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, and most notably Bulls PG Derrick Rose.
I expect a monster season from Rondo to go along with more of the same from the rest of the starting lineup and a much improved bench, which of course should allow KG to not have to play crazy minutes in the regular season.
The Celtics also do not possess any major weaknesses that other clubs, specifically the Heat, Magic, Thunder, and Lakers can exploit. Rebounding was an issue last season, (25th in rebounding differential), but the additions they have made should help solve that problem.
-Keefe
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Shaq to Boston
Shaquille O'Neal appears to be on his way to the Boston Celtics. I don't hate the move at all. He's a lot like Perk, but better offensively, and if he's signing for the minimum then why not? Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Garnett-Shaq with Jermaine O'Neal, Glen Davis, Von Wafer, Nate Robinson, Avery Bradley off the bench. I like it, and now they don't have to wait and pray for Perkins to get healthy.
But can you imagine if this was the team in 2003?
2003 Stats (02-03 season)
Shaquille O'Neal - 27.5 pts, 11.1 rebs
Kevin Garnett - 23 pts, 13.4 rebs
Paul Pierce - 25.9 pts, 7.3 rebs
Ray Allen - 22.5 pts, 44% 3pt
Jermaine O'Neal - 20.8 pts, 10.3 rebs
Shaq & KG were 1st Team All-NBA
Pierce & Jermaine were 3rd Team All-NBA
All 4 were All-Stars
Check out some of my favorite Shaq moments over the years below...
-Keefe
But can you imagine if this was the team in 2003?
2003 Stats (02-03 season)
Shaquille O'Neal - 27.5 pts, 11.1 rebs
Kevin Garnett - 23 pts, 13.4 rebs
Paul Pierce - 25.9 pts, 7.3 rebs
Ray Allen - 22.5 pts, 44% 3pt
Jermaine O'Neal - 20.8 pts, 10.3 rebs
Shaq & KG were 1st Team All-NBA
Pierce & Jermaine were 3rd Team All-NBA
All 4 were All-Stars
Check out some of my favorite Shaq moments over the years below...
-Keefe
Friday, March 5, 2010
Celtics: The More You Know
Ray Allen: drafted in 1996- 1,000 career games*
Kevin Garnett: drafted in 1995- 1,105 career games*
Paul Pierce: drafted in 1998- 862 career games*
Rasheed Wallace: drafted in 1995- 1,065 career games*
Michael Finley: drafted in 1995- 1,082 career games*
*regular season games
The Boston Celtics can put a lineup on the floor that is a combined 171 years old and that has played in a combined 5,114 regular season games. (To be fair there are 5 championship rings (1 each) amongst this group as well.)
Can any other team in the league trot out a lineup this old/ experienced?
In a word, No. Dallas comes in 2nd with 168 combined years from (Dampier, Kidd, Najera, Terry, T. Thomas.)
On the flip side, the Oklahoma City Thunder with a lineup of Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Harden, and Mullens = 103 years old.
The More You Know
-Keefe
Kevin Garnett: drafted in 1995- 1,105 career games*
Paul Pierce: drafted in 1998- 862 career games*
Rasheed Wallace: drafted in 1995- 1,065 career games*
Michael Finley: drafted in 1995- 1,082 career games*
*regular season games
The Boston Celtics can put a lineup on the floor that is a combined 171 years old and that has played in a combined 5,114 regular season games. (To be fair there are 5 championship rings (1 each) amongst this group as well.)
Can any other team in the league trot out a lineup this old/ experienced?
In a word, No. Dallas comes in 2nd with 168 combined years from (Dampier, Kidd, Najera, Terry, T. Thomas.)
On the flip side, the Oklahoma City Thunder with a lineup of Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Harden, and Mullens = 103 years old.
The More You Know
-Keefe
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
CelticsHub.com Podcast
Rich Keefe & Brian Robb (from www.CelticsHub.com) discuss Ray Allen trade rumors, Rasheed Wallace, the old-looking Celts, and more NBA chatter in another podcast. Give it a listen.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Make room for another banner & another number
-Keefe
Like Steve Carell at the end of 40- Year Old Virgin it finally happened. Ok, the Celtics didn’t have to wait quite as long to capture another NBA Championship, but it sure felt like it. The Boston Celtics are the 2008 NBA Champions… Read that again, and see if it sinks in. If you’re a C’s fan it probably won’t just yet. To the sports fan outside of New England it looks like just another title for a spoiled fan base. But the reality is the Celtics were at their worst while the Sox and Patriots were at their best. The Green overcame that and were the only story in the Boston area the past few months. If you’ve stuck with this team (and I hope you have, it means a lot more) you understand where they have come from and where they are today. It is truly amazing.
For some perspective, the Celtics won 16 playoff games this year, they won 24 regular season games all of last year. They lost 18 games in a row, and played lineups such as Allan Ray, Kevin Pinkney, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, and Ryan Gomes. The first three guys aren’t even in the league anymore. The lineup in the Usual Suspects probably gives them a game and definitely plays more defense. Not only were those players getting minutes for last year’s Celtics team, but there wasn’t a plan set in place on how to improve. Or so we thought.
365 days ago we were discussing the make up for the 2007-2008 Celtics. Part of that conversation was who the team would draft with the 5th overall pick. Seriously, check the blog archive. Possibilities included Jeff Green, Yi Jianlian, Al Thornton, or as I hoped, a trade. And when I said trade I thought of names like Ron Artest, AK-47, Shawn Marion to pair with Pierce and Al Jefferson. The addition of Ray Allen raised an eyebrow, but KG got people out of their chairs, and that was before the season started.
The Celtics busted out of the gates to an incredible 29-3 start before ultimately finishing 66-16. The questions of whether or not the 3 stars could come together for the good of the team were answered immediately, but critics wanted to see it in the post season. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen had never made the Finals before, and it was well documented, but to have 9 of the 10 ESPN “experts” pick the Lakers was an absolute joke. Marc Stein had LA in 5 games. You think he’s got the Celtics in the top spot of his power rankings today? Got to love a 66 win team being the underdog.
The 17th Celtic Championship means so much too so many different people. Whether it’s the past Celtic greats in attendance, like Bill Russell, Tommy Heinson, Jo Jo White, John Havlicek, and Cedric Maxwell, who had to be thinking if this was ever going to happen again to a franchise that used to be so dominant. To Celtic greats who could not be in attendance, at least physically, Red Auerbach, Dennis Johnson, and Reggie Lewis. (Len Bias was drafted 22 years ago to the date that the Celtics snapped a 22 year drought… Bias was 22 the day he died, he also wore 34 in college same number of the series MVP, there’s way more of these.) To Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers who built and coached this team after having the worst record in the East to the best in the league. To the fans old and new. To some this reminds them of the glory 80s days or even earlier, and to others this is the first time they can celebrate.
But most importantly to the players. The stars, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, fellow starters, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, bench guys Eddie House, James Posey, Tony Allen, Leon Powe, Glen Davis, rentals Sam Cassell, P.J. Brown, and seat fillers Scot Pollard, Brian Scalabrine, and Gabe Pruitt, they can all be called NBA Champions.
Like Steve Carell at the end of 40- Year Old Virgin it finally happened. Ok, the Celtics didn’t have to wait quite as long to capture another NBA Championship, but it sure felt like it. The Boston Celtics are the 2008 NBA Champions… Read that again, and see if it sinks in. If you’re a C’s fan it probably won’t just yet. To the sports fan outside of New England it looks like just another title for a spoiled fan base. But the reality is the Celtics were at their worst while the Sox and Patriots were at their best. The Green overcame that and were the only story in the Boston area the past few months. If you’ve stuck with this team (and I hope you have, it means a lot more) you understand where they have come from and where they are today. It is truly amazing.
For some perspective, the Celtics won 16 playoff games this year, they won 24 regular season games all of last year. They lost 18 games in a row, and played lineups such as Allan Ray, Kevin Pinkney, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, and Ryan Gomes. The first three guys aren’t even in the league anymore. The lineup in the Usual Suspects probably gives them a game and definitely plays more defense. Not only were those players getting minutes for last year’s Celtics team, but there wasn’t a plan set in place on how to improve. Or so we thought.
365 days ago we were discussing the make up for the 2007-2008 Celtics. Part of that conversation was who the team would draft with the 5th overall pick. Seriously, check the blog archive. Possibilities included Jeff Green, Yi Jianlian, Al Thornton, or as I hoped, a trade. And when I said trade I thought of names like Ron Artest, AK-47, Shawn Marion to pair with Pierce and Al Jefferson. The addition of Ray Allen raised an eyebrow, but KG got people out of their chairs, and that was before the season started.
The Celtics busted out of the gates to an incredible 29-3 start before ultimately finishing 66-16. The questions of whether or not the 3 stars could come together for the good of the team were answered immediately, but critics wanted to see it in the post season. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen had never made the Finals before, and it was well documented, but to have 9 of the 10 ESPN “experts” pick the Lakers was an absolute joke. Marc Stein had LA in 5 games. You think he’s got the Celtics in the top spot of his power rankings today? Got to love a 66 win team being the underdog.
The 17th Celtic Championship means so much too so many different people. Whether it’s the past Celtic greats in attendance, like Bill Russell, Tommy Heinson, Jo Jo White, John Havlicek, and Cedric Maxwell, who had to be thinking if this was ever going to happen again to a franchise that used to be so dominant. To Celtic greats who could not be in attendance, at least physically, Red Auerbach, Dennis Johnson, and Reggie Lewis. (Len Bias was drafted 22 years ago to the date that the Celtics snapped a 22 year drought… Bias was 22 the day he died, he also wore 34 in college same number of the series MVP, there’s way more of these.) To Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers who built and coached this team after having the worst record in the East to the best in the league. To the fans old and new. To some this reminds them of the glory 80s days or even earlier, and to others this is the first time they can celebrate.
But most importantly to the players. The stars, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, fellow starters, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, bench guys Eddie House, James Posey, Tony Allen, Leon Powe, Glen Davis, rentals Sam Cassell, P.J. Brown, and seat fillers Scot Pollard, Brian Scalabrine, and Gabe Pruitt, they can all be called NBA Champions.
For KG, Pierce, and Allen it’s like Martin Scorsese finally winning that oscar. Everyone knew he was a fantastic director even though he had yet to win the Academy Award. The Boston 3 Party were each incredible players with great resumes, but alluding them was that ring. Now they are off the list that includes Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Dominique Wilkins, and Patrick Ewing, and join the distinguished company of Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird.
Speaking of Bird I fully expect Paul Pierce to now join him atop the rafters of the new Garden. Before the season even started I felt the same way, but now that he has won a championship, like nearly every other number hanging above the court, there is no possible way the 34 doesn’t make it up there. What a group he will join too, Larry Bird, Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Tommy Heinson, Kevin McHale, John Havlicek, Jo Jo White, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, Reggie Lewis, Dave Cowens, Red Auerbach, and more. It’s an astonishing group of players, and you know Paul Pierce may be in the top 5.
Pierce (30 years old) is a 6 time All-Star, 6th on the all-time Celtics scoring list (10 points back of #5 Cousy), and has the 20th highest scoring average in NBA history. He has been lost in the shuffle playing with clowns like Orien Greene, Dwayne Jones, Kevin Pinkney, Dan Dickau, Andrew DeClergc, and was expected to go places with Ron Mercer, Ricky Davis, and Wally Szczerbiak. The only other time he played with someone who went to an All-Star game in a Celtics uniform, Antoine Walker, they went to the Conference Finals. Give the guy 2 All-Star and the results, an NBA Championship, and a Finals MVP.
You probably saw the graphic that showed in the first year that Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and John Havlicek played together (1962-1963), they won the title. The first year the Big 3 of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish teamed up (1980-1981), they won the title.
And now the first season for Pierce, Garnett, and Allen (2007-2008), they won the title. Cousy never played for the Celtics again after that ’63 season, but it was in the middle of the Green winning 11 titles in 13 years. Bird, McHale, and Parish won 3 times as a trio, now we’ll have to wait and see what lies ahead for Pierce (30), Garnett (32), and Allen (32).
Cue the awkward song and dance from the very end of 40- Year Old Virgin.
-Keefe
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