It was clear that many -- if not all -- of the Celtics were filled with anger at today's practice after their poor performance on Tuesday night. While the offense was functioning on all cylinders for the most part, the one thing that killed the C's was their defense, and in particular their transition defense. Jeff Green chimed in saying, "I think the only thing that hurt us was transition defense, and defense, period. I think we didn't communicate as well. I mean, offensively, I think we were there. We weren't on the same page all the way, but I think towards the end of the game, I think we got back on our toes." Paul Pierce also echoed this sentiment.
With regards to the communication -- or lack thereof -- on defense, Doc Rivers pointed out during an extensive film session the many occasions in which a lack of communication led to easy drives to the basket. Green also commented on the poor communication:"We didn't communicate. If you don't communicate, it kind of throws everybody off the same page, and we didn't do a good job of that. That's something that we spoke on a lot today and that's something we've got to get better at."
Doc Rivers took the blame for the poor defensive effort. He thought he may have overloaded his team with defensive coverages in the week leading up to Tuesday night, leading to some confusion. In addition, he believes that having a full week in preparation did help either. He believes their defensive philosophy should be simple. Rivers added, "We had way too much time to prepare for it and we put too much stuff in their heads, and I thought they were thinking more than playing on instinct. I told our coaches, we share in that. We had them doing a couple different things, and that’s just not who we are defensively."
Rivers, the mastermind behind the success of the defense, feels that the Celtics will get to where they need to be, but don't expect it to happen overnight. "It's just going to take time," said Rivers. "I'm a little disappointed in [the defense] because we're behind and you can feel that. I see the team every day. They are working, we're going to get it right. It's just going to take time. I think we are potentially better, but we are not right now. Our continuity has to settle in. On paper it looks great, but the key is everyone buying in and understanding their roles."
Following practice, Rajon Rondo was continually asked about his flagrant foul on Dwyane Wade and whether he thought it was a hard foul. "I don’t think it was a hard foul,” said Rondo. "He sold it a little bit, and that’s basketball. They were up, he drove to the hole and I didn’t want to give up a layup. Simple as that."
Wade said after the game that it was a "punk play," but Rondo quickly shot down that idea and was quick to point out that Wade himself is no stranger to such plays. "I didn’t yank him down or dirty plays that you’ve seen him play in the past, so that’s what it is.”
Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge backed the Celtics point guard. Said Rivers, "I didn't think it was that hard. I argued against the flagrant. Listen, Wade has committed a lot of hard fouls on Rondo and we forget about the elbow injury that Rondo had [during the 2011 playoffs]. That was created by Dwyane Wade. I don't think [Rondo's flagrant] was a punk move, unless [Wade's foul that hurt Rondo's elbow] is, too." Ainge added, "I don't think [it was], no. I thought Wade got by Rondo and he fouled him to prevent the lay-in. Sometimes you get yourself in ugly positions. I don't think he meant to grab him around the neck. It just happened that way."
Wade hinted at the possibility of payback the next time these two teams cross paths in Boston on January 27. "We'll see next time we play."
Check back tomorrow for a preview of tomorrow's home opener -- at which I will be in attendance -- against Milwaukee Bucks.
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