This was the first game of the season I was able to witness in the flesh, in a three-quarter full Verizon Center of half dorky-looking Celtics fans, one quarter weird dudes talking to me about his latest 50 mile race, and one quarter belligerent drunken Wizards fans. Two wannabe Wizards thugs even roughed up a pudgy middle aged Celtics fan right next to us.
My companion for this fine contest will remain anonymous, but let's just say his name rhymes with Spaniel Goo On Ya. This man is a fine lad with whom I am well pleased.
Here are some in-person observations about the C's:
1) Their offense, I dare say, looks a lot better than last year. Rondo is far more confident and he is WAY more aggressive pushing the ball in transition. Remember last year, when we were complaining for three quarters of the season about how Doc would never let Rondo push the ball? I barely do, either, because Rajon was tearing up and down the floor tonight. The ball was out of his hands quickly, the offense was moving quickly, and the ball was constantly in motion. He also hit a nice jumper in perfect stride, instead of hitting a do-you-think-he'll-shoot-it-oh-dear-God-no-woah-he-actually-made-it herkey jerky miracle shot.
2) Paul Pierce is far more mature this year than last. Last year he got into pissing matches with Caron Butler and wound up ruining the Celtics offense single-handily. This year, even after stuffing Butler at the buzzer to end the first half, he just jogged off the court. While his 39% from the floor does concern me a bit, he's taking good shots and I'm sure he'll come around.
3) Ray Allen has found another good way to score points- transition! Amazing how this works. Last year the Celtics had trouble finding Jesus some good looks. He played well, but he didn't totally fit on the team (consistently) until the NBA Finals. This year, with Rondo pushing the ball, he gets a lot of good looks in transition and he's having a great year as a result.
4) Perkins threw down a sick dunk on JaVale McGee. (However, JaVale looks like he was a very good pick, even for a dude that makes Travis Knight look like Brock Lesnar.) Anyway, Perk didn't have to play that much but you do notice him a lot more when you see the games in person. Other teams seem to take a lot more jump shots with him in the lineup- I wish there was some kind of statistic to check this out.
5) Javaris Crittenton got a raw deal... his line of 6 minutes, 4 turnovers may be the stuff of legend. I am sure Basketbawful will take notice. However! First things first, it was his first game with the team. Second, the Wizards coach didn't leave the bench for the entire game. Third, if you watch the tape, and I'm sure some nerd out there will, at least three of those turnovers weren't his fault. He'd take it to the lane, look to dish... but everyone was cutting AWAY from the basket! It was especially striking and disturbing in contrast to the Celtics, who were all cutting to the basket no matter who had the ball (KG and PP had 7 and 6 assists, respectively). I didn't blame Javaris, the offensive sets he was running for the first time made no sense whatsoever. He would dribble, his teammates would scatter. What the hell!
6) KG had a good night, but three of his five awful turnovers were lazy-ass passes that led to steals by the always plucky and opportunistic Juan Dixon. I was going to say that KG's horrible lollygagging bounce passes that were easily stolen were the only bad things about the Celtics' performance, then I remembered that Scal got stuffed at the buzzer by Dominic McGuire. (Also, let the record show that Scal had a block that was not recorded in the box score.)
7) I would say that I wished the Celtics had a savvy veteran like Juan Dixon to back up Rondo, but Eddie House went 4-5 from deep and I think he has the quickest release in the game. Plus, Gabe could play 20mpg for most teams in the NBA, right now.
8) In garbage time, Big Baby hit two contested 20-foot jumpers. I didn't think he had it in him, and I was glad to see that he did, because unless he sheds 20 pounds and can actually jump he is going to get stuffed every other time he shoots. He's shooting 33% from the field and he's a 4. I would wager that he is at least in the league's top five for getting his shots blocked per minute. So, time for Big Baby to get some range, glad he's working on it.
9) Also in garbage time, our favorite Irishman Popcorn O'Bryant had a very productive day! 2 points on a nice hook shot, an offensive rebound, 2 assists and a steal. Plus, his hustle saved what would have been a Scal turnover. He was very active and the Wizards had to adjust to him on defense. I gotta say, I love Popcorn!!!
10) Absolutely dismal fantasy performances for me tonight, Nick Young didn't get anything going at all, I don't know what the hell is going on with DeShawn Stevenson, and Perk was alright in the points department but only grabbed three rebounds. Good thing they were all riding the bench... what a horror show.
That's it for now, Celtics take on James Posey n' the Hornets tomorrow. I*Heart*Celtics staffers will be in attendance, hurling racial slurs at Scal with aplomb. Go C'sSource URL: http://ledger-heath.blogspot.com/2008/12/mike-james-and-javaris-crittenton.html
Visit ledger heath for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection
My companion for this fine contest will remain anonymous, but let's just say his name rhymes with Spaniel Goo On Ya. This man is a fine lad with whom I am well pleased.
Here are some in-person observations about the C's:
1) Their offense, I dare say, looks a lot better than last year. Rondo is far more confident and he is WAY more aggressive pushing the ball in transition. Remember last year, when we were complaining for three quarters of the season about how Doc would never let Rondo push the ball? I barely do, either, because Rajon was tearing up and down the floor tonight. The ball was out of his hands quickly, the offense was moving quickly, and the ball was constantly in motion. He also hit a nice jumper in perfect stride, instead of hitting a do-you-think-he'll-shoot-it-oh-dear-God-no-woah-he-actually-made-it herkey jerky miracle shot.
2) Paul Pierce is far more mature this year than last. Last year he got into pissing matches with Caron Butler and wound up ruining the Celtics offense single-handily. This year, even after stuffing Butler at the buzzer to end the first half, he just jogged off the court. While his 39% from the floor does concern me a bit, he's taking good shots and I'm sure he'll come around.
3) Ray Allen has found another good way to score points- transition! Amazing how this works. Last year the Celtics had trouble finding Jesus some good looks. He played well, but he didn't totally fit on the team (consistently) until the NBA Finals. This year, with Rondo pushing the ball, he gets a lot of good looks in transition and he's having a great year as a result.
4) Perkins threw down a sick dunk on JaVale McGee. (However, JaVale looks like he was a very good pick, even for a dude that makes Travis Knight look like Brock Lesnar.) Anyway, Perk didn't have to play that much but you do notice him a lot more when you see the games in person. Other teams seem to take a lot more jump shots with him in the lineup- I wish there was some kind of statistic to check this out.
5) Javaris Crittenton got a raw deal... his line of 6 minutes, 4 turnovers may be the stuff of legend. I am sure Basketbawful will take notice. However! First things first, it was his first game with the team. Second, the Wizards coach didn't leave the bench for the entire game. Third, if you watch the tape, and I'm sure some nerd out there will, at least three of those turnovers weren't his fault. He'd take it to the lane, look to dish... but everyone was cutting AWAY from the basket! It was especially striking and disturbing in contrast to the Celtics, who were all cutting to the basket no matter who had the ball (KG and PP had 7 and 6 assists, respectively). I didn't blame Javaris, the offensive sets he was running for the first time made no sense whatsoever. He would dribble, his teammates would scatter. What the hell!
6) KG had a good night, but three of his five awful turnovers were lazy-ass passes that led to steals by the always plucky and opportunistic Juan Dixon. I was going to say that KG's horrible lollygagging bounce passes that were easily stolen were the only bad things about the Celtics' performance, then I remembered that Scal got stuffed at the buzzer by Dominic McGuire. (Also, let the record show that Scal had a block that was not recorded in the box score.)
7) I would say that I wished the Celtics had a savvy veteran like Juan Dixon to back up Rondo, but Eddie House went 4-5 from deep and I think he has the quickest release in the game. Plus, Gabe could play 20mpg for most teams in the NBA, right now.
8) In garbage time, Big Baby hit two contested 20-foot jumpers. I didn't think he had it in him, and I was glad to see that he did, because unless he sheds 20 pounds and can actually jump he is going to get stuffed every other time he shoots. He's shooting 33% from the field and he's a 4. I would wager that he is at least in the league's top five for getting his shots blocked per minute. So, time for Big Baby to get some range, glad he's working on it.
9) Also in garbage time, our favorite Irishman Popcorn O'Bryant had a very productive day! 2 points on a nice hook shot, an offensive rebound, 2 assists and a steal. Plus, his hustle saved what would have been a Scal turnover. He was very active and the Wizards had to adjust to him on defense. I gotta say, I love Popcorn!!!
10) Absolutely dismal fantasy performances for me tonight, Nick Young didn't get anything going at all, I don't know what the hell is going on with DeShawn Stevenson, and Perk was alright in the points department but only grabbed three rebounds. Good thing they were all riding the bench... what a horror show.
That's it for now, Celtics take on James Posey n' the Hornets tomorrow. I*Heart*Celtics staffers will be in attendance, hurling racial slurs at Scal with aplomb. Go C'sSource URL: http://ledger-heath.blogspot.com/2008/12/mike-james-and-javaris-crittenton.html
Visit ledger heath for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection
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