A lot has happened since I last shared my thoughts with the Bleacher Report community.Scott Skiles was fired, Kobe was NOT traded to the Hawks as I had suggested (and instead has the Lakers rolling), and the Celtics have looked more and more like the 1986 version of the team, minus the short-shorts.
I'll be the first to say that some of my predictions have fallen flat. However, the Celtics' dominance has not been one of them.
I felt this team was that good in November—and I still feel that way.
But two straight losses to the Gilbert Arenas-less Wizards can get a man thinking, and this team is not without its holes.
What has become painfully clear in recent weeks is that the Celtics need another low-post scorer to take some of the heat of Kevin Garnett. Kendrick Perkins is an excellent energy guy who can give you defense and rebounding, but his offensive game leaves much to be desired. Defenses can shift their focus down low to stopping Garnett and Paul Pierce (when he posts up)—and recently that's started to catch up with the Celts.
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Glen Davis has shown that he could fill the void, but that might be asking a bit much of the rookie, and increasing Davis' minutes would mean more minutes for Garnett at center. Playing Garnett more at center doesn't sound like a huge deal, and down the road might be the C's best option—but the C's would need a proven scoring and rebounding threat at the 4 to make such a move.
And right now, Big Baby ain't it.
Another problem that has reared its head in recent weeks is Ray Allen's age. He's the oldest of the new Big Three, and he's shown that he may also be the most fragile.
Between bad ankles and a pinched nerve, there are questions surrounding Ray's health. Tony Allen has stepped up nicely at times in fill-in duty, but still plays out of control too often and has yet to develop consistency in any part of his game.
Add all this to the fact that Rajon Rondo has been nicked up and you can see why this team could use backcourt help. Eddie House has been great, but he's much better suited to scoring off the bench than providing strong point guard play for the second unit.
The only available options in a trade at this point come with high salaries and bad contracts, so the C's best bet is to stay put for now. But if help becomes available—and word has it that everyone in Milwaukee will be up for grabs—the C's should explore options.
Tonight, the surprising Trail Blazers come to town to face the suddenly reeling Celtics. The C's badly need a win to show their recent losses to the Wizards are nothing more than a sluggish stretch—and not an indication of larger problems.
That said, this is still the best team in basketball until further notice.
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10 months ago
herro,
you change title of newspaper article. it contain racist slur against my countrymen. you change title right now before i karate chop you. you a racist piece of shit against chinese people.
sincerely,
ching chong xong xang wing
10 months ago
The team with the best record isn't necessarily "the best team in basketball until further notice." The C's intensity from opening night has been admirable but it's starting to catch up with them. It's a marathon, not a sprint. With a lack of depth and three stars in their 30s it was bound to happen eventually. You can't play with Game 7 intensity in December. It's tough for Doc because he can't ask a team to not play hard. He could've cut their minutes though. Pierce is averaging 39 (14th in the NBA), Garnett 35 and Allen 38 (18th in the NBA). You can't peak in January. For a team with only one player or coach with a ring it's no surprise they don't know this. Especially when that one guy, James Posey, played for the worst champion since 1978.
They've got a ways to go mentally, too. The way they reacted after wining the second Pistons game reminded me of the 2002 Sacramento Kings. They thought all they needed to beat the Lakers was home-court so they destroyed everybody in the regular season and had nothing left in the tank when the playoffs rolled around.
If the Celts and Spurs were to meet in the Finals, I'd take my chances with the team that's 10-deep and has four rings over the one that's 7-deep with none. Greg Popovich has forgotten more about basketball in the past 48 hours than Doc Rivers will ever know.
Until somebody proves otherwise, the Spurs are the best team in basketball.
10 months ago
Agreed with Andrew. Also, another low post guy to complement KG? KG is not a low post threat. The guy lives on 18 foot jumpers. Granted they go in, but he's not a low post threat by any means. The reason Duncan will always be regarded as a better player (despite the rings) is that he always draws a double in the post and is a legitimate threat to score each time he touches the ball. Garnett catches the ball at the foul line and is not a big threat to score down low. Duncan can do either, though his J is much weaker than Garnett's. Let's be honest: Boston doesn't score alot. They win due to defense, and now since the team is fatiguing, teams are able to score.
10 months ago
To me, the Celtics have looked like a cross between a tired and a bored team since they beat Detroit. I don't think the last week proved anything except what we already knew: They need a backup point guard.
10 months ago
I agree with nearly every comment here. They do look like they're starting to wear down a bit and the All-Star Break might do them a world of good. Also, they still haven't played (assuming the Suns are better than the Lakers) the "Big Three" out west yet, so the book is still wide open on them.
Their unselfishness is admirable, as is their firepower against good defenses. But besides Pierce, most of their players have one dimensional talents that can be neutralized by great defenses. Garnett does shoot too many jumpers, they do need a veteran backup point guard, a better center, and they need Rondo to work on his strength, decision making, and his non-existent offense.
For the sake of the NBA, they better not have peaked in Janurary. That would make for an awfully long winter and spring for Boston fans.
10 months ago
this is a MINOR setback. all great teams have moments of boredom and loss of focus. its good that the C's are getting the games they shouldn't lose around playoff time out of the way now.
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