The 2010 Celtics are Starting to Resemble the Boston Celtics Again

The Big Three ‘Flip the Switch’ as Celtics are Finding Their Identity
March 18, 2010 by Nick Gelso

Since January 1st, I have been trying to figure out what is wrong with this season’s version of the Boston Celtics. I have cited lack of enthusiasm, effort, focus and intensity. I have also speculated about some sort of locker room divide. No doubt that this season’s team has a very different personality from the team that defended their title last year. Rasheed Wallace has been suspect to poor defense, shooting too often from the perimeter and, over all lazy play. I had thought for a while that Rasheed had infected the team with his lackadaisical nature. All of the above may have been true.

Over the last week, the Boston Celtics have followed another nationally televised loss to the Cavs with blow out victories over the Knicks and Pistons. Boston provided it’s fans with the third showing of Gino in as many games in the TD Garden. The Celtics had not had back to back double digit victories since November 11th and the fans had been left sitting on their hands in disbelief (and disgust) at the personality this team was developing.

In the Celtics two home games this week, it looks as if a light bulb may have gone off. That “switch” that has been over-discussed this season may finally have switched to on. Convincing victories in front of your home crowd is likely to produce more smiling players, better ball movement, tight defensive rotations but, most of all, the victories may have been the confidence boost the Celtics have been seeking for four months.

The C’s have put their fans through a roller coaster ride of a season with more lows than highs and yet they sit at the number 3 spot in the Eastern Conference and 19 games over .500. The panic button had been pressed after a slew of scary losses that included the Nets and a blow out at the hands of the Grizzlies, not to mention the Cavs 20 point victory– all coming on the parquet floor.

So…What has changed in a week and will it last?

Despite the obvious, overall increased productivity in every statistical category, the Big Three has come to life and that may be the game changer for the Celtics. Ray Allen has had a reasonably productive season while not being challenged with any injuries. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett have been brutalized with injuries and inconsistencies. That all may have come to an end.

Over the last two games, Garnett has averaged 18 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists on 15-20 shooting and playing less than 25 minutes in both games. As we have witnessed all season, the KG the Celtics needs to succeed is burning with an intense fire, shouting out defensive rotations while jabbering to opponents. Unfortunately, the KG we have become accustomed to and has been so important to the Celtics championship aspirations through three season’s has not been on display every night as it had been in the past. Is Garnett’s contagious personality totally tied in to his ability to perform personally? This season has proven that to be true. That’s a scary thought for the Celtics as Garnett is still learning to perform within his bodies limitations. The Celtics need KG’s persona, his growl more than they need his bite. If Garnett can keep up his intensity, even when not having dominant performances, Allen, Pierce and Rondo should be able to do the rest. That is still yet to be seen this season.

Paul Pierce has suddenly woken up from a 2 month slump where he notched a 14 point per game average. On Monday night, Pierce showed major signs of waking up, scoring 15 points on 5-9 shooting in 15 minutes of play. Wednesday night’s performance against the Knicks may have been his most impressive performance since the Celtics blew out the Bobcats on March 3rd. Against the Knicks, Pierce tied David Lee’s game high of 29 points but did it in 20 less minutes. Possibly the Truth’s most productive game of the 2010 season, Pierce added 6 rebounds and a steal in 24 minutes of play. Pierce also passed Cliff Robinson for 38th on the NBA all-time scoring list. The Captain boycotted the media for the second consecutive game in a move that is very Bird-like. I love that he is pissed off, focused and not to be distracted by the media.

Ray Allen had a quiet scoring night (9 points) versus the Knicks but he chipped in with an uncharacteristically loud confrontation with David Lee where teammates, coaches and officials had to break them up. Most importantly, Shuttlesworth’s lack of three point shooting has plagued Boston this season and over the past three games Ray’s stroke has returned. Allen has shot 16-29 from the field while hitting fifty percent of his shots from the distance.

The Celtics have now confirmed that when the Big Three is hitting and Rondo is passing– they win. Simple as that. The identity crisis this team has faced has been directly related the veteran-three’s lack of consistent productivity. Rajon Rondo (5 points, 12 assists) is a passing point guard. Though he has the ability to score, the team clicks on all cylinders when Rondo is feeding and keeping the ball moving while controlling the pace of the game. Rondo echoed that thought to the Boston Globe last night,

“I could have been more aggressive, but I try to get guys shots,’’ Rondo said after taking only three field goal attempts.

Then, after Garnett walked behind uttering a distracting line or two, Rondo remained on point: “We’re 2-0 when I take five or less shots — so keep passing the ball.’’

“Everybody’s back, guys are playing well, we’re winning, so be it. Regardless of the outcome, of how many shots I take a game, as long as we win.’’

Possibly more impressive or coinciding with the Big Three’s re-emergence, has been the Celtics ability to dominate statistical categories that have been a thorn in their side this season. In the last two games, the Celtics have increased their three point shooting (nearly 40 percent) and rebounding. The Celtics rebounding has been so alarming this season and in the last two games they have out rebounded their opponent 81-64 and it’s been a team initiative to get the rebounding stats back in order. Kendrick Perkins has re-asserted himself as the team’s leading rebounder and defensive beast. Perk has averaged 10 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game this week.

Two blowout victories at home over weak team’s certainly does not constitute a lock for banner 18. It does, however, remind the C’s what has worked for them over the course of two very dominant season’s. The roles are starting to fall back into their traditional positions. Perk is rebounding and defending, Rondo is dishing, Pierce, Garnett and Allen are scoring and, most importantly, leading.

In a season that has proven to be filled with frustrations for fans, the Celtics may have finally found their team’s identity in the 67th game of the year and as funny as it seems, their identity looks very similar to that of 2008 and 2009. Truth be told, the C’s may have lost who they are a bit this season but as they continue to search, they can find it within themselves. We have been patient and, after 67 games, we can all say better late than never.

Go Celtics!

Noteworthy:

I have not been easy on Big Baby Davis this year but I have to say that his rebounding has been impressive. Averaging 2.7 Offensive boards per game, Glen has proved that he is getting back in shape.

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