A few notes from yesterday and today's practices:
* Head coach Brad Stevens said yesterday that Avery Bradley will play Sunday. Bradley has missed the last five games with a sprained right ankle.
* Kris Humphries did not practice yesterday. "We give him an extra day off every now and again, just to heal some nagging little things, but it’s nothing big," Stevens said. "He’s got a little bit of a knee [ailment] that we just want to give him an extra day off." Stevens said Humphries will play Sunday.
* Gerald Wallace has missed the last two practices due to a death in his family. Stevens is unsure if Wallace will be available for tomorrow's game.
* The Celtics will not offer Vander Blue a second ten-day contract. Blue is headed back to the Delaware 87ers of the NBDL. He saw only 15 minutes of action in five games with the C's.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Final: Sixers 95, Celtics 94
If you happened to be channel surfing tonight and saw that the two worst teams in the Atlantic Division were facing off, you more than likely passed right by it, assuming that this game would not be worth watching.
But that was not the case.
In their first matchup of the season, the Celtics (15-33) and Sixers (15-31) gave the fans their money's worth, but Evan Turner broke the hearts of the Celtics' faithful with a game-winning shot as time expired to give the Sixers a 95-94 victory.
This one had 12 ties and six lead changes.
The good:
* Even with two injured fingers on his shooting hand, Jared Sullinger was still the best player on the court. Sullinger recorded his 13th double-double of the season, putting in 24 points and 16 rebounds
* Kris Humphries is going to get paid this offseason. Since he started getting significant minutes, Humphries has become an important piece on this team. He's performed very well, and he continued his strong play tonight with 13 points and 9 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.
* Although the Sixers killed the Celtics in points in the paint, the C's did the same on the boards. They outrebounded the Sixers, 59-40. They also had 17 second-chance points to Philly's 7.
* The C's kept Philly's fast-break attack in check. Philly came into tonight third in the league in fast-break points per game (17.1), and they had eight in the first quarter. But the Celtics locked in defensively and only allowed four more fast-break points in the final three quarters.
The bad:
* The Sixers got into the paint with ease all night long, and it proved to be costly for the Celtics as Evan Turner's game-winning floater came in the paint. The Sixers scored 58 points in the paint to the Celtics' 40.
* Boston largest lead of the night was eight, and it came with 8:05 remaining the fourth quarter. It's a little disheartening that Boston could not hold a lead like that against a team that allows the most points per game in the NBA.
* The Celtics now sit alone at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. They have lost 19 of their last 22 games.
* An interesting stat on Rajon Rondo. He's played in six games this season. The Celtics have lost them all. He missed one game in that six-game stretch, and that was the Celtics' only victory.
The Celtics have three days off before returning to action Sunday afternoon against the Orlando Magic. Tipoff is set for 1:00 pm.
But that was not the case.
In their first matchup of the season, the Celtics (15-33) and Sixers (15-31) gave the fans their money's worth, but Evan Turner broke the hearts of the Celtics' faithful with a game-winning shot as time expired to give the Sixers a 95-94 victory.
This one had 12 ties and six lead changes.
The good:
* Even with two injured fingers on his shooting hand, Jared Sullinger was still the best player on the court. Sullinger recorded his 13th double-double of the season, putting in 24 points and 16 rebounds
* Kris Humphries is going to get paid this offseason. Since he started getting significant minutes, Humphries has become an important piece on this team. He's performed very well, and he continued his strong play tonight with 13 points and 9 rebounds in 21 minutes off the bench.
* Although the Sixers killed the Celtics in points in the paint, the C's did the same on the boards. They outrebounded the Sixers, 59-40. They also had 17 second-chance points to Philly's 7.
* The C's kept Philly's fast-break attack in check. Philly came into tonight third in the league in fast-break points per game (17.1), and they had eight in the first quarter. But the Celtics locked in defensively and only allowed four more fast-break points in the final three quarters.
The bad:
* The Sixers got into the paint with ease all night long, and it proved to be costly for the Celtics as Evan Turner's game-winning floater came in the paint. The Sixers scored 58 points in the paint to the Celtics' 40.
* Boston largest lead of the night was eight, and it came with 8:05 remaining the fourth quarter. It's a little disheartening that Boston could not hold a lead like that against a team that allows the most points per game in the NBA.
* The Celtics now sit alone at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. They have lost 19 of their last 22 games.
* An interesting stat on Rajon Rondo. He's played in six games this season. The Celtics have lost them all. He missed one game in that six-game stretch, and that was the Celtics' only victory.
The Celtics have three days off before returning to action Sunday afternoon against the Orlando Magic. Tipoff is set for 1:00 pm.
Sullinger, Olynyk chosen as Rising Stars
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| At the very least, the Celtics will have two players to represent the team next month at the NBA's All-Star weekend in New Orleans. |
The game, which will be played on February 14 in New Orleans as part of the All-Star weekend festivities, consists of two teams with each having nine rookies and sophomores.
All 18 players -- nine rookies and nine sophomores -- were selected by the NBA's assistant coaches.
After the Rising Stars Challenge Draft on February 6, fans will be able to vote online from both their computer and mobile device for the starters of each team
The head coaches for both teams will be the lead assistant coaches from the 2014 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs. Frank Vogel, head coach of the Indiana Pacers, and Scott Brooks, head coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, will coach the game for the East and West respectively.
La La, Melo, KG, and Honey Nut Cheerios
Remember the whole Honey Nut Cheerios drama that came about during last year's January 7 matchup between the Knicks and Celtics?
Well, it was all made up.
La La Anthony, the wife of Knicks' superstar Carmelo Anthony, writes in her new book "The Playbook" that former Celtic Kevin Garnett never made a reference to the cereal during his trash talk with Anthony.
Anthony was so outraged by Garnett's comments during the game that he waited outside the Celtics' team bus afterwards to confront Garnett.
Anthony was suspended for the team's next game against the Indian Pacers.
La La writes, "I wasn't ever going to bring up the Honey Nut Cheerios incident again. But since I'm writing this book, I might as well set the record straight for good," La La writes in the book, according to the New York Post. The book was released Tuesday. "Kevin Garnett in fact had never said that I tasted like Honey Nut Cheerios. I tried to figure out how this big lie was turned into a media firestorm. I still can't answer that one ... Melo and Kevin are cool today. And now it's nothing but a faint memory."
Well, it was all made up.
La La Anthony, the wife of Knicks' superstar Carmelo Anthony, writes in her new book "The Playbook" that former Celtic Kevin Garnett never made a reference to the cereal during his trash talk with Anthony.
Anthony was so outraged by Garnett's comments during the game that he waited outside the Celtics' team bus afterwards to confront Garnett.
Anthony was suspended for the team's next game against the Indian Pacers.
La La writes, "I wasn't ever going to bring up the Honey Nut Cheerios incident again. But since I'm writing this book, I might as well set the record straight for good," La La writes in the book, according to the New York Post. The book was released Tuesday. "Kevin Garnett in fact had never said that I tasted like Honey Nut Cheerios. I tried to figure out how this big lie was turned into a media firestorm. I still can't answer that one ... Melo and Kevin are cool today. And now it's nothing but a faint memory."
Game 48 Preview: Sixers at Celtics
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| Brandon Bass and the Celtics big men will have to work hard to secure rebounds against Thaddeus Young and the Sixers. |
Well, now they're even.
Last month, the Celtics embarrassed the Knicks on their homecourt. Last night, the Knicks got even.
So now the Celtics (15-32) have no choice but to move on. Why? Because they have business to take care of tonight. They host the Philadelphia 76ers (14-31) in the second night of a back-to-back.
This is the first meeting of the season between these two teams. Both squads occupy the basement of the Atlantic Division and are near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings. Both teams are 2-8 in their last ten games, and they both have lost three straight games.
Buckle up, folks. This one oughta be fun.
Projected lineups:
Sixers:
Michael Carter-Williams
James Anderson
Evan Turner
Thaddeus Young
Spencer Hawes
James Anderson
Evan Turner
Thaddeus Young
Spencer Hawes
Celtics:
Phil Pressey
Gerald Wallace
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Jared Sullinger
Keys to the game:
1. Get on the glass: The Celtics have improved drastically throughout the year when it comes to rebounding. However, they'll have their hands full tonight with the 76ers. Philly ranks ninth in the league in rebounds, pulling down an average of 44.8 a night. Winning the battle of the boards could prove to be critical.
2. Don't let them run: Philly ranks third in the NBA in fast-break points per game with 17.1. Boston's been mediocre when it comes to defending the fast-break, giving up 13.1 points per game on the fast-break. Boston's defense needs to get back quickly and prevent easy baskets from this young and quick basketball team.
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Game 47 Preview: Celtics at Knicks
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| Jeff Green needs to get back on track for the Celtics to get off the schneid. |
So now that Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce return has come and gone, it's time to move forward.
Tonight, the Celtics (15-32) will look to do just that against the New York Knicks (17-27).
The Knicks have won two straight and are in the midst of an eight-game homestand. Carmelo Anthony has almost singlehandedly won the past two games for the Knicks, scoring 62 (a career-high) and 35 points respectively.
The Celtics have won the first two games of the season series with the Knicks. In their last meeting at Madison Square Garden, the Celtics defeated the Knicks by a final of 114-73.
Head coach Brad Stevens told reporters at this morning's shootaround that guard Jerryd Bayless will be available for tonight's game after missing the last four games with a toe injury.
Projected lineups:
Celtics:
Rajon Rondo
Gerald Wallace
Jeff Green
Brandon Bass
Jared Sullinger
Knicks:
Raymond Felton
Pablo Prigioni
Iman Shumpert
Carmelo Anthony
Tyson Chandler
Keys to the game:
1. Contain Felton: Raymond Felton could play a major role in the outcome of this one. When he scores at least 13 points, the Knicks are 8-3. When he doesn't, they're 4-13. Rajon Rondo will most likely draw the assignment of covering Felton, and it's up to him to limit Felton's effectiveness.
2. Don't let Melo go off: Carmelo Anthony has gone off lately. However, when he sees green, he shrinks. In two matchups against the Celtics this season, Anthony is shooting only 36%. Anthony will certainly take a lot of shots, but the Celtics must make those shots as difficult as possible.
Monday, January 27, 2014
The case to hoist Ray Allen's number to the rafters
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| It's easy to forget just how vital Ray Allen was to the Celtics' success. |
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett received roaring ovations throughout the night, but the same cannot be said for Allen. When Allen checked into the game for the first time as a member of the Miami Heat back on January 27, 2013 at the TD Garden, the fans booed him, and quite loudly.
But that came after he was honored with a video tribute and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Allen left the Celtics for their rival at the time, the Miami Heat, and he took less money to do so. He took (and is still taking) a lot of heat for doing so. But lost in translation is the sheer fact that Allen was just as big a part of the team's success over the last six years as Pierce and Garnett were.
He was always the third wheel. He was always the forgotten member of the "Big Three." However, that did not make him less important on the court.
The Celtics would never made it to two NBA Finals without him.
Hell, they never would have won a championship if Allen was not on the team.
So if we're so hell-bent on retiring Garnett's number -- I am not saying I am opposed to it -- then why is it so far-fetched to think that Allen's number should be raised to the rafters as well?
Here's my case:
People also tend to forget just how good Allen was during the 2008 Finals. While it's hard to take Finals MVP away from Pierce, many would argue that Allen should have received the honor. In that series against the Lakers, Allen averaged 20.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. He led the team in field-goal percentage (51%) and three-point percentage (52.4%). He also set the record for most three-pointers made in an NBA Finals with 21.
Allen picked up the slack the following season when Garnett injured his knee. As part of his efforts, he scored 51 points in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the Chicago Bulls.
In Game 2 of the 2010 Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Allen set the Finals record for most three-pointers in a game with 8.
In Game 1 of the 2011 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, he hit a game-winning three-pointer to give the Celtics an 87-85 victory over the New York Knicks.
He played with bone spurs in his ankles in the 2012 playoffs and helped the Celtics take the eventual champion Heat to a Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals.
During his Celtic tenure, Allen was named to three All-Star teams and became the NBA all-time leader in three-pointers.
His numbers were very good. He averaged 16.7 points, shot 47.2% from the field, 41% from three-point range and 91.4% from the free throw line.
Allen holds three franchise records. His 95.2% free throw percentage in 2008-2009 is the highest in a single season. He holds the record for consecutive free throws made at 75. Finally, his 45.3% three-point percentage in 2011-2012 was a single season record.
He also came through when it mattered most. Allen's Celtic resume is filled with clutch shots late in games. According to 82games.com, Allen led the Celtics during his five-year tenure with 7 game-winning shots. The definition of game-winning shots here is when your team is down 1 or 2 points with 24 seconds or less remaining in the game.
For those who vehemently disagree with my case, riddle me this: why does Robert Parish get praised when he shows up at a Celtics game when he did not re-sign with the team and signed with the Charlotte Hornets as a free agent? Why did Doc Rivers get showered with love when he came back after he chose to leave the Celtics?
The Celtics currently have 21 numbers retired. Out of all of them, I tried to find the one player who could compare to Allen, as far as his Celtics resume is concerned, and I chose Cedric Maxwell.
In his eight years with the Celtics, Maxwell averaged 13.7 points and 6.6 rebounds, and shot 56% from the floor and 78.3% from the free throw line. Maxwell led the league in field-goal percentage in the 1978-1979 and 1979-1980 seasons. He won NBA titles with the Celtics in 1981 and 1984. He was the 1981 NBA Finals MVP. Lastly, he is the Celtics all-time leader in field-goal percentage at 60%
(One thing to note with Maxwell: his extremely high field-goal percentage is due to the fact that the majority of his shots came in or near the paint. He was not a jump-shooter like Allen.)
Allen's numbers are not eye-popping -- Garnett's aren't either, by the way -- but his impact and commitment during his time as a Celtic make him worthy of having his number 20 retired someday.
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