North Station Sports

The Celtics hot start, though impressive, has not left me awe-struck enough to think we would not have challenges. I figured this road trip, with 2 back to back outings, would pose our first real test. I did not, however, feel that it would be at the claws of the T-Wolves.

Through 5 games of the 2009-10 season, the Celtics have breezed to a 5-0 record. They have shot 52 percent from the field, dished out nearly 28 assists per game and shot 45 percent from downtown. As a team, The C’s have held opponants to barely 80 points per game, 17 assists and 22 percent from downtown. The league’s most unstoppable defensive force has out-rebounded opponents, out-blocked opponents, out-hustled opponents and been pesty in picking their pockets. As impressive as the Celtics defensive exploits have been, possibly the stat that has stood out most has been their ability to keep their opponents from getting easy baskets. Early this season, the Celtics have held their opponents to 40 percent shooting whiles forcing nearly 18 turnovers per game.

The legs of the veteran Celtics have been a frequent topic of conversation. How would they hold up in back to back’s? Would Doc have to employ Coach Pop’s strategy of resting his aging vets in consecutive games?

There is no doubt that our 30-something players struggled last night. Eddie House (2-8), Rasheed Wallace (2-7), Ray Allen (6-13), Kevin Garnett (6-13) and Paul Pierce (3-12), shot, a combined, 35 percent from the field and 26 percent from downtown.

NSS  loyal readers know that, though I study them daily, I am not really a stats guy. I’ve always been less interested in the players numbers on paper and more interested in the teams numbers on the scoreboard.

While looking at the post-game box score this morning, I couldn’t help but notice that our vets were off point last night. While watching the game, Ray looked to struggle more then his stats displayed, Pierce was simply flat, Sheed (2-7– all shot attempts were from downtown) was in his three-point shooting down-pour mode– when Sheed took the court, it was raining 3’s and it wasn’t a positive thing last night. Kevin Garnett, though his FGP was not great, played well and controlled the flow late in the game.

Young Guns Have the Vets Back…

Former Phil Jackson protege, Kurt Rambis, adopted the familiar strategy of leaving Rajon Rondo alone on the perimeter, challenging his offensive abilities from the distance. Rondo (18 points, 8-16 shooting) made him pay as he hit  some outside shots and broke down the defense with his lightning fast penetrations.

Kendrick Perkins’ offensive growth is continuing. Last night, in addition to his tough defense, he notched 13 points on 6-7 shooting.

Marquis Daniels and Shelden Williams were again quietly effective. They scored a combined 12 points on 4-7 shooting.

After the game, I found myself re-assured by the youngsters flourishing ability to control games when the key-vets are being held ineffective.

Are the T-Wolves a Sleeper?

The Timberwolves offense was the first of any opponent to permeate the Celtics defensive strategies. They shot 52 percent from the field and dished out 22 nickles.

Are the Wolves offense that good? No.

Was the Celtics defense that bad? Well, on a league wide standard, I would say, no. Based on the Celtics standard of defending the basket– I’d say, yes.

The point, in bold, is, the Celtics pulled out the victory in a game where they played flat and, uncharacteristically, emotionless. Despite the high standard we hold our team to, we cannot expect them to cruise through every game. There will be unexpected struggles from unlikely opponents. Again, as a scoreboard guy and not a box score obsessed fan, I can honestly say the only numbers that truly matter to me are those displayed with a W or L after them.

Last night that number was followed by a W  in the Celtics column.

We are 6-0!