Celtics Title Town

I think the Celtics have found Jeff Green's replacement. Pietrus will give the Celtics spacing that's needed when Allen,and Pierce are sitting. He aslo brings defense. It will be a good signing.

"We want him to just shoot it," said coach Doc Rivers. "I don't care how many times he shoots."[...] Against the Raptors, Rondo had six free throw attempts (he made 5) while playing about 23 minutes. To put that in perspective, Rondo only had five games all season last year in which he attempted six or more free throws. 

"That's . . . we need that," Rivers said.

 

We all have flaws,and the only way to fix them is by working on them. Of course you could be stubborn,and not give a shit. But I believe most of us care about are flaws,and we try to fix them. For Rondo he simply has an issue with making jump shots. You can see every season that Rondo has improved. The writing is on the wall,and it says please shot  the ball Rondo. We live an era that scoring is first,and defense is second. We live in  an era were passing is lost,and scoring is the hot girl next door. Rondo is like  the pretty girl that everyone passes up because she's not out there wearing low cut shirts.

 

Rondo in time will blossom as a shooter. In the first quarter of last nights game. Rondo looked awesome. It was a better looking jumper,and it didn't look forced. He was 3/5 from field goal range,or 15 feet out. I think Rondo will shot the ball better at home this season.I think he will struggle a little on the road with his jumper. That's my thought. Rondo is a smart guy,and he understands if he wants to be a top point guard he needs a better jumper. He doesn't need to be Steve Nash hitting three balls,or Paul scoring 20 points a night. He needs to be Rondo with a jumper that will hurt the other teams defensive plan. Rondo thanks  for working hard,and I hope to see great results this season.

 

Also I have always disliked Donny Marshal,and I think he's talking out of his %ss about the trade source.

 

 

We've heard a lot about what a bad egg Rajon Rondo supposedly is.  According to Kevin Garnett, his main flaw (also his strength) is that he is stubborn.  Granted, pitching a container of some kind through a video-monitor while pitching a fit is bad news,  but at least Rondo admitted to his fault right away, and appears to have made impressive efforts since then to mend fences and to change his ways (and yet fans continue to criticize him and call for him to be traded).  What should  we say about the Celtics brass, who pitched a bad batch of deadline trades through the Celtics's bright playoff hopes last year, while pitching a fit about Kendrick Perkins' supposedly outrageous contract demands?   And what should we say about the kind of stubborness they have shown, continuing to defend what they did more than six months later?  I think we should call them out for having a very bad attitude.  

Consider these recent remarks from the Celtics owners...

 

However, when asked about the trade, Celtics owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca said they would still make the deal all things the same.

"You can't evaluate trades until it's all said and done because different assets turn into different things," Pagliuca said Wednesday on 98.5 The Sports Hub's Felger and Massarotti Show. "At the time we did the trade, I thought it was a very thoughtful trade. The basketball staff looked at it -- we needed scoring and Jeff Green supplied that scoring.

"The thing I loved about it is [Celtics president] Danny [Ainge] is always trying to win a championship. So it was a bold move. And we want people that take bold moves and take a risk to win a championship, not just compete. We want to win in Boston."

As Grousbeck explained, the deal was made with long-term goals in mind, especially taking into account the fact that Perkins was set to become a free agent at season's end.

"We did think that we would have Jeff for longer, and we are still hoping to," he said of Green, who is expected to be able to play again. "Perkins [was] for sure leaving at the end of the year because he had already rejected everything we could pay him. So having Perkins coming off of injury -- a great guy who we love and won a ring with -- for a short term versus possibly a short-term upgrade with longer-term rights? Yeah, we probably would do it again. That doesn't mean -- we might be wrong again. Part of it was the longer-term view which we may still have."

http://www.nesn.com/2011/12/celtics-probably-would-do-kendrick-perkins-trade-again-still-see-boston-as-attractive-market-for-fre.html

Notice the blazing contradiction here.   On one hand these guys declare that it's all about winning a championship.  Then they claim that it was all done with an eye to the long term (and specifically that they didn't like Perkins' contract demands).   Both claims can't be true, in the circumstances under discussion.  Not only was The Trade indefensible itself (and made worse by related trades), but the defenses put forward for The Trade are themselves indefensible.  Yet not only the Celtics brass continue to stick to their indefensible defenses, but most of the Celtics-related media and quasi-media also continue to defend them.  Talk about stubborn.  TALK ABOUT AN ATTITUDE.

Just don't break stuff anymore, Rondo.  Overall, I like your attitude a lot more.

Last night I had to take off my glasses,and clean them every 30 seconds. At least when Jermaine O'neal was on the floor. He was so engaged on defense,and he set the tone for the Celtics. I think every Celtic fan assumes that JO will miss time. I think he will miss time,but I don't think it will be as much as some think. This is the healthiest Jermiane has been in a long time. He looks five years younger,and I can't get over it. I care about a healthy Jermaine in the playoffs. So Doc do what you can to save him.

ESPNBOSTON LINK

* No injury for J.O.: Celtics center Jermaine O'Neal departed for the locker room in the third quarter of Wednesday's game, but coach Doc Rivers said it wasn't anything to be concerned by for the oft-injured veteran. "I didn’t want him falling asleep on the bench," joked Rivers. "No, I think he went to go get a massage, honestly. He asked me if he could go get a massage and I said, ‘Sure, whatever.’"

Rivers heaped praise on O'Neal's preseason play after he blocked four shots in less than 12 minutes of court time Wednesday.

"He’s great. He defends the basket, man," said Rivers. "His blocked shots, his timing -- it’s just amazing. He looks great. What you saw is what he’s been all camp. I told you, coming out of our mini training camp, he was the MVP. He’s a rare bird, you rarely see a guy that blocks shots that takes charges. He does both. That’s just unusual."

BOX SCORE

Rondo scored 15 of his 17 points in the first half to lead the Celtics to an 81-73 victory over Toronto.

Rondo had 10 points in the first 8 minutes for Boston, which scored the game's first eight points and never trailed. Rondo had seven assists and two steals in 23 minutes. I'm not going to lie I was over excited about Rodno's three jumpers made in the first quarter. His form looks solid,but I need to see it in the regular season.

"We want him to just shoot it," said Rivers. "I don't care how many times he shoots. What I did like more than his jump shot was that he got to the foul line I think six times in the first half. We need that."

 Brandon Bass, scored 12 points in 18 minutes, while rookie E'Twaun Moore, Boston's second-round draft pick, had 11 points and four rebounds in his 18 minutes. I have been happy with both so far,but I hope it translates into the season.

Jermaine O'neal I hope  he stays healthy. His defense is awesome,and he blocks almost anything that comes into the paint.He looks years younger,and that's what I hoped for.

I'm not worried about the 20 turnonvers because it's the  preseason. The Celtics also lost the rebounding battle 48-38  to the Raptors.

Stiemsma had a nice hook shot Paul.

 

Raptors 0-1  vs Celtics 1-0

Coverage: CSNN

7:30 PM ET, December 21, 2011

TD Garden, Boston, MA

Final preseason game.

What to look for tonight?

• No Paul Pierce tonight
• Dooling taking over for Rondo off the bench. I'm looking for more scoring from Dooling. Not a lot,but I want to see if he hits a shot or two.
  
• The rookies getting playing time. They closed out the first game against the Raptors. I want to see if they can keep a lead. Even though the rookies won the game,and finished the game. They did lose a double digit lead.
  
• Bass,and Wilcox owning the glass,and scoring when needed.
  
• JO looking fresh,and active on defense,and on the glass.
• Rondo's jumper.

It's only the Raptors,and it's only the preseason. I still look for the little signs that show me how good this team could be this season. I'm still looking for a three-point shooter off the bench. Maybe someone will step up.

 

Will add updates as they come on the game!

 

The Celtics are already declared dead by many media experts. Are they right? Could they be wrong? Are they wrong? The Celtics took a hit once Green was announced done for the season. Can they replace him? No,and yes. They can sign a player to the veteran minimum.  Will that player even be to the same caliber as Green? No,and they might not be bad. It's really early to grasp how good the Celtics will be,or any team really. I liked what I saw from many players in the first preseason game. If that's a glimpse of what they can do. I'm a happy fan. Once the rotation's set will get an understanding. Of course when you talk about the Celtics everything's based on health. If the Celtics are healthy I can see them being near the top in the East. Ray,and KG looked fresh Sunday,and so did JO.

 

The biggest key for the Celtics is Rondo. The Celtics can win a title this year if Rondo plays like the playoff Rondo of 2010. He can be that good,and that's the dream this season. If he does that than the Celtics can be a title contender. I like this frontcourt if they stay healthy. The Celtics will need to add a three-point bomber off the bench to spread the flood. Unless Dooling can shot it at a high rate,or one of the young fellows  can become a solid three-point shooter. I honestly believe the Celtics have a shot. It's the lowest chance in this era,but this team can do it. Call me crazy,but I believe. I don't think the Celtics are near the word favorites in the NBA like last season. I could see them pull a Mavericks though.

 

Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix was a guest host on WEEI on Tuesday morning when he dropped some absurd commentary on the Celtics: Link

Mannix: Yes, if Baron Davis is healthy. If Baron Davis is three-quarters the Baron Davis we saw with the Clippers, I think they are better. Tyson Chandler changes them a lot, especially on defensive end. This is going to sound crazy, right now, Miami, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia and Indiana are better than Boston.

The Knicks will have health issues as well. Chandler has a history of injuries,and Daivs is Davis. Sixers,and Pacers? I can see it,but I don't think it's happening.

 

BostonHerald.com

“I love him,” Rivers said. “I love him. I think we couldn’t have picked a better guy to back up (Rajon) Rondo — with his spirit, his knowledge, being a veteran, the fact he can make open shots. And he challenges Rondo every day in practice.

“Rondo has laughed about it several times, ‘This guy doesn’t back up at all.’ And it’s been great. They go at each other in a positive way, and I think it’s the first time Rondo’s had that, and it’s been great for him.”

Rivers has gotten a decent look at Dooling during the player’s 11-year career, but there were some things he didn’t know.

“I knew he was an energy player and, honestly, energy players usually don’t mean high IQ; it means they’re wild,” Rivers said. “Where Keyon has surprised me is that he really thinks the game, and I didn’t know that at all. Even off the floor. (Yesterday) he came to me and said, ‘Hey, we’ve got to figure out how this second unit works. And the second unit has to stop trying to be the first unit in offense. They’re never going to be that. We have to figure out who we are.’ That’s just stuff you hear from him. He’s right.”

This sounds great for Rondo. Another point guard who's older giving him advice. Dooling isn't the best,but Rondo can learn from him. It kinda reminds me of Sam Cassell in 2008. Dooling is the only real back-up that Rondo has started camp with. West wasn't the kind of player to teach last season. He's not much older,and he's not a pure point guard. Rondo had Eddie House in 2007 to start camp with,but House also was a two guard stuck in a point guards body. In 2008-09 the Celtics had Gabe Pruitt,and House backing Rondo. In mid-season the Celtics brought in Marbury,but Marbury isn't the teaching kind as well.

 

Same issue in 2009-10 Rondo didn't have a pure point backing him. Finally Rondo has a veteran who understands the game,and can teach. He's not the best,but he gives his all,and he's simply a teacher. Dooling can make a difference,and I think it will show this season. He won't cause many turnovers,and he will score if he needs to. It also seems like his defense will help the Celtics,and the defense won't suffer once the starters hit the bench.

 

I think the best that could happen is Rondo can get rest. Wouldn't that be nice.

 

 

New deal for Derrick Rose

Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose has agreed to a five-year contract extension, a source told ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard on Tuesday.The contract is worth $94.8 million, a source told ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher.

The Bulls announced Tuesday night that they are set to make a "major announcement" at a press conference featuring Rose, vice president of basketball operations John Paxson, general manager Gar Forman, and coach Tom Thibodeau at 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday.

Rose wouldn't say anything specific after the Bulls' preseason game Tuesday night.

"It's something big, but I think I want to talk more about it (Wednesday) with my family and everybody being there," Rose said after the Bulls beat Indiana on Tuesday night. "But it's definitely something big."

And, teammates say, it was well-earned.

"We're all very excited for him," Carlos Boozer said. "He deserves it. He puts in a lot of effort. I wish the contract was for 10 years."

Boozer won't even be around for another ten years. I hope he's saying it for Rose in general. The Bulls will need helof if they want banner 7.

Quick note: Reggie Evans rumored with the Celtics,but he signs in LA with the Clippers.

NBA Scores

Kings 95 Warriors 91

Box score

Pistons 90  Cavs 89

Box score

76ERS 101 wizards 94

Box score

Bulls 93  Pacers 85

Box score

Thunder 87 Mavs 83

Box score

Nuggets 127 Suns 110

Box score

 

ESPNLA STORY

Kobe Bryant has a sprained right wrist from falling down in the second half of the Lakers 114-95 loss to the Clippers on Monday. He is expected to play on Wednesday, however.

"He practiced," said coach Mike Brown. "He went through the contact part of practice and then, eventually I just had him sit down. I think he's fine."

Devin Ebanks did not practice and instead underwent a MRI to evaluate his sore right foot. The MRI came back negative and the second-year forward, who is in the middle of a positional battle with Matt Barnes to determine who will start come Christmas Day, is listed as day to day.

"I got to see how significant that injury is, but I was going to start Devin at the small forward spot tomorrow," Brown said. "If he can't go, I'll probably start Matt."

 

Another issue for the Lakers will be Kobe's health. He's going through personal problems right now,and he's been battling injuries in the past couple of seasons.

ESPNLA story

It took all of one preseason game before new Los Angeles Lakers coach Mike Brown criticized Kobe Bryant to the media, calling Bryant "just as guilty as everybody else at not contesting shots" in the Lakers' 114-95 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday.

What could have become a bump in the road for Bryant and Brown's budding relationship as player and coach actually seemed to do more good than harm.

"That's his job," said Bryant after practice Tuesday. "I'd be upset if he was just letting me skate through things. You make mistakes and the coach's responsibility is to point those out. If he can't point that out to me, he has no chance of pointing that out to anybody else."

Even though Bryant has been around Brown at training camp for less than two weeks, his preconceived impressions of Brown have already begun to change.

"What I've heard about him (before this season) was he was a pushover, he doesn't say what he's thinking and all this other sorts of stuff," Bryant said. "I haven't seen that at all. He's been the complete opposite. He's been detail oriented, he's been up front and open and honest. He praises guys when they do well, he jumps on them when they're messing up right away."

I'm not sold. When it gets tough will see how things shake out. Kobe will continue to test Brown. The Lakers have too many problems for coach Brown,and I think he's the top problem.

 

ESPNLA

"What Kobe has to do now is really look to get Gasol and Bynum going and then pick and choose when he should dominate," Johnson said Tuesday on a conference call with reporters. "Because he's going to need help, especially more this season than any other season, for them to be really one of the best teams and win a championship."

Bryant, 33, and Johnson have each won five championships with the Lakers. Bryant has undergone four knee procedures since 2003 -- including one in Germany during the offseason -- so it's clear the 13-time All-Star will need some help to win another.

"Those two guys got to have banner years -- Gasol and Bynum -- because Kobe can't carry the load," Johnson said, noting Bryant was entering his 16th season. "You can't expect him to be carrying the load night-in and night-out. They're going to look to those two big men to control the paint, give Kobe a break."

And what happens if Gasol and Bynum don't step up?

"If they don't dominate, it's going to be a long season not only for the Lakers but Lakers fans as well," Johnson said.

Said Gasol: "It's definitely important. It's definitely very important Andrew and myself are consistently productive pretty much every game for us to be consistently successful."

I already believe the Lakers won't win the West. I have stressed on many posts that I don't buy into Mike Brown as Lakers coach. The Lakers have an old point guard. Which isn't the end of the world,but if it's Fisher who has slowed down dramatically you're in trouble. Also your small forward Peace has gained weight,and he continues to spiral. The bench is worse this season,and they lost their 6th man Odom,and Odom was the push-pin that kept the front court safe if Bynum went down with an injury.

 

"Because the one guy that did that is now gone, and that's Lamar Odom. Lamar was valuable both on the court and off the court. You're going to miss him in the practice and in the locker room, on the airplane and on the busses. Who is going to replace him being that leader? I think that the way I see it, it has to be Kobe."

Bryant disagreed.

"That's big shoes to fill. L.O. was such a goofball. I'm not that personality," said Bryant after practice Tuesday. "That's just not in my DNA. (I'm the) class a--hole."

Odom was traded to Dallas Mavericks along with a second-round pick in exchange for an $8.9 million trade exception and a first-round pick. The move was made after a three-team trade that would have brought Chris Paul to the Lakers was vetoed by NBA commissioner David Stern.Johnson, who called for the Lakers' brass to "blow up" the team when they were swept by Dallas in the conference semifinals last spring, applauded the Lakers' trade attempt.