NSS Week Three Recap
November 16, 2009 by Nick Gelso
Are the Celtics fatigued after just 11 games?
Three games in seven nights– Lots of rest and practice time. Two of their three games were at home– nothing like home cookin’. All three games were against inferior opponents– great time to re-focus our efforts on both ends of the court. After a loss to the Suns and a squeaker in New Jersey, a week earlier, the “light” schedule this week was welcome.
Flash ahead one week. The Celtics are 8-3, finishing this week with a disappointing 1-3 record. A loss to the emerging Atlanta Hawks was painful but tolerable. A loss, one night later, to the Indiana Pacers was just plain excruciating and eye-opening.
A week that ended scattered with poor defense, foul free throw shooting, ill-advised shot attempts and alpha-dog offense all resulted in looks of shock on the C’s smug faces– summed up by a uncharacteristically unslung brick thrown up by Ray Allen in Indianapolis.
The C’s started off their work week on Wednesday with a gratifying blow out (105-86) against Utah at the Garden. A game that saw the Celtics dish out 30 assists on 41 made buckets, re-affirmed the Celtics strangle hold on the east after the previous two disappointing games (1L-1W). The Celtics blew out the Jazz, holding them to 46 percent shooting and 0-10 from behind the arc. Going to bed Wednesday night, I felt re-assured that these Celtics are for real. Upon examining the box score the next morning, I was surprised to see the Celtics were out-rebounded 39-33, allowing 17 offensive rebounds. I shrugged it off as an anomaly on the night’s stat sheet. The Celtics had won in a laugher.
Little Did I know…
The Celtics off-balanced rebounding stat that jumped out at me, popped back into my head two nights later against the upstart Hawks. As I watched the Hawks out hustle the C’s to the tune of a 47-29 rebound disparity, I realized that the Utah box score may not have been an anomaly. Maybe this was a problem.
How does a front line dominated by 7 footer’s, Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett and the bull-like Kendrick Perkins get out-rebounded by anyone? Sure– Pachulia (4 rebounds), Smith (7 rebounds) and Horford (13 rebounds) are more athletic and youthful then our front line.. but more aggresive? More passionate? Wanting it more? That’s hard to believe.
Well believe it!
The Hawks definitely wanted it more.
97-86 Final (Hawks Win)
So, the Hawks were an isolated incident, Right?
Wrong!
One night later, the Celtics traveled down to Indianapolis to right the wrong from a night earlier. The Pacers, Danny Granger, had guaranteed a victory. In the first half of Saturday’s contest, the C’s were making Granger eat his words. Dahntay Jones (1-6) particularly struggled with the Celtics stifling first half defense and Garnett and Pierce let him know it with unbecoming trash talk that would eventually bite them. Boston went into half time with a nine point lead and looked to be back on track.
When the second half began, it looked as if a spell was cast over the C’s at half time and they were put into a comatose-daze. The Pacers jumped out fast and never looked back. Granger finished with 29 points, frequently and uncharacteristically, embarrassing Garnett’s hobbled defensive efforts. Dahntay Jones, repaying the insult, exploited Paul Pierce’s ailing knee on every play. Dahntay finished with 25 points on 6-9, second half, shooting. Jones also broke down the defense often, getting to the stripe 15 times. After (almost) every shot Jones dropped, he waived to the Celtics bench– a blatant reminder to the Celtics that if you can’t bag your trash, don’t talk it.
The Celtics recovered from the rebounding disorder on Saturday night but were quickly afflicted with another game-changing malady.
What happened to the text book ball movement?
In an occurrence that has rarely been seen by the Celtics since 2007, they were forced into a selfish style of play. Chucking up poor three-point attempts and running isolation offense that more resembled the (if we’re struggling) Cavs, get it to LeBron and get out of his way, style of play.
The glaring problem is, not only is this style unbecoming of our ubuntu Celtics but last time I checked, LeBron was not wearing green (yet!) Just kidding– lol.
We can look forward to a team that is determined to get back on track in this week’s opener against the Warriors in Boston.
Week Three Game Results
Wednesday, November 11th: vs Utah Jazz, W 86-105
Friday, November 13th: vs Atlanta Hawks, L 97-86
Saturday, November 14th: @ Indiana Pacers, L 104-113
In an attempt to be more positive, I expect a big come-back week for the Celtics.
Here’s what’s ahead in week four:
As week four begins, the Celtics are facing questions that need to be answered. The media has already declared them washed up and unlikely contenders through 82 games. Their opponents have showed little respect, predicting victories and fulfilling their predictions.
Expect a comeback week for the Celtics. I am not the prediction guy at NSS but based on the up-coming schedule and the rematch against last year’s Eastern Conference finalists, I expect the guys to come out with a chip on their shoulders. Let’s hope I’m right…
Wednesday, November 18th: vs Golden State Warriors
Friday, November 20th: vs Orlando Magic
Sunday, November 22nd: @ New York Knicks
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