Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett And Company Roll In LA With 109 To 96 Win

 

The Boston Celtics did not avenge the 2010 Finals loss with a win over the Lakers on Sunday. However, the Celtics got further proof that they are indeed a team to reckon with come June. The 109 to 96 win over the Lakers is not the only part of the box score that showed Boston’s dominance over their hated rival. The biggest key in this game was the Celtics dominated in the paint. The Boston Celtics crushed the Lakers on the boards despite having Shaq only play 13 minutes due to foul trouble. The 43 to 30 advantage took away the edge that LA had last season. The main reason for this was the play of one Kevin Garnett (18 points and 13 rebounds).

                If Kevin Garnett just did the defensive job that he did on Pau Gasol, he would have more than done is share to help Boston win. KG would bother the alleged most skilled big man in the NBA the entire way. He would force him into tough shots. Gasol would have zero impact with only 12 points and 7 rebounds in 40 minutes of work. When one adds in KG’s tremendous help defense in sealing off the paint, you realize KG was a beast on the defensive end.

                However, KG was huge on the boards. He would box out and position himself all night. Garnett would rip down 13 rebounds to help offset the loss of Shaq on the boards. There would be no second chance points for LA as KG would make twelve of those defensive. This was the difference between game seven of the Finals last season and this game. Boston showed they would not be dominated on the glass. The main reason was KG.

                However, there were plenty of Celtics that contributed huge in this win besides KG.

1. Paul Pierce is a Laker killer. The man averages 26 points a game against the hated rivals. He would not disappoint on Sunday with 32 points. He would take over early in the second half and Boston would not look back. Any thoughts of Ron Artest being able to cover Pierce were killed today.

2. Ray Allen was his usual lights out self in big moments. Ray would bury clutch shots all day and finish with 21 points including three from down town.

3. No one runs an offense like Rajon Rondo. Rondo was truly magic in LA making the Celtics offense a well oiled machine. Rondo would have 16 assists for his efforts. It is no surprise the Celtics were down four points at the half with Rondo only grabbing 1 assist at the half. The second half was a different story as he reeled off 15 as the Celtics pulled away. He would also bury a few jump shots as well as take it to the hoop for a solid ten point night with only 9 shots attempted.

4. Kendrick Perkins was solid in the paint. Perkins played 27 minutes and grabbed 6 rebounds. He also did a great job on rotations and boxed out his man to ensure easy rebounds for KG.

5. Glen Davis would give a spark off the bench with 13 big points despite being under sized. He would hit his jump shot and bull his way in for scores.

6. Nate Robinson had a decent shooting night with 11 points. He would shoot 3-5 from long range. The threes stretched the floor and were instrumental in Boston’s win.

                The win was a nice way to help erase the memory of the Phoenix debacle. The Celtics showed the Lakers that they are ready for a rematch. They showed LA that their big advantage last season is gone. KG is healthy and LA is in trouble. However, a lot can happen between now and June. However, enjoy it right now folks. Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!!!!!!!!

Boston Celtics Doc Rivers Takes $15,000 Hit: Steve Javie Should Be Fired

 

Asked about how what precipitated the first technical, Rivers told reporters: “”[Javie] actually came into our huddle. We were standing there, he came up to us. I’ll tell you exactly what was said. He said, ‘You guys are complaining way too much.’ And I said, ‘Well, let’s make the right calls.’ And his answer back was, ‘I’ll make a call for you.’ And that’s how I got the tech.”

Rivers could be seen on the broadcast chastising Javie, repeating, “It’s all about you,” and his mock clapping after the first technical led to Rivers’ second infraction and his early departure.

“I didn’t have any choice words for him,” Rivers told reporters. “I didn’t say a word. I didn’t even swear then. You know what I said? ‘It’s about the game. It’s not about one individual.’ That’s all I said, over and over again. Whatever, it wasn’t about that — why we lost the game. We didn’t play well, I thought they played well. It happens.”

Doc Rivers Explaining His Ejection Courtesy of Chris Forsberg ESPN

Steve Javie is the lowest form of scum on the planet. He is obviously a man that takes his power too seriously and has zero clue as to what his job is as an NBA official. Over the years I have seen many awful calls both and worse missed calls. This incident involving Doc Rivers shows it is time for Steve Javie to join the ranks of the unemployed. Not only did he cost Doc Rivers $15,000, he also cost the Celtics a shot at this game.

First off an official’s job is to be impartial. They are to have zero emotion. They are to be like a judge presiding over a murder trial. They are not a part of the show, but rather the guys that make sure it runs smoothly like the pit crew in NASCAR. Steve proved he is incapable of this. First off he had zero business instigating this confrontation in the first place. Why is he going into a team huddle during a timeout anyway? He went in there because he was upset. He should not get upset. I don’t care what a player says or does, it is his job to maintain his composure at least to the point of not escalating the issues. The second problem is he showed that he made calls based on the fact he felt the Celtics were complaining. Here is a novel idea. If I am constantly being spoken to, maybe it is me. Maybe I should get better positioning and see if I am missing something. No, not high and mighty Steve. Steve was going to show the Celtics good by calling a ridiculous game. The KG ejections to go along with the Perkins and Nate Robinson Techs clearly show that.

The bottom line is I should not even know the refs name. He should never be a part of the story. If a ref has a story like this, they should not be working in the NBA. Doc Rivers is right, the game is not about one man and Steve made it that way. I would like to think like in the real world Steve would face ramifications for his actions, but David Stern protects his little sacred cows from criticism. There will be no fine or suspension. It’s too bad because guys like Steve ruin the sport. Until the NBA cleans up the controlled mafia that is the NBA refs, basketball will always have the cloud of Tim Donaghy over its horizon. Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!!!!!!

 

Boston Celtics Doc Rivers Armed With Size In Latest Battle With Lakers

 

                Last season the phrase “size matters” was in full effect for the NBA Finals. The eventual champion Lakers had plenty of size in Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and even a 30 percent due to injury Andrew Bynum to dwarf the Boston Celtics. The Celtics size front was hampered in many ways. A 70 percent due to injury Kevin Garnett was a huge loss. Rasheed Wallace hampered with a back injury did not mix it up in the middle on the defensive end. To make matters worse, Kendrick Perkins was done at the beginning of game six with his torn ACL. It is no wonder the Lakers won boththe battle of the boards and the playoff series.

                This season is different. Danny Ainge went out and made sure size would not be an issue in the next Celtics and Lakers encounter. Ainge would add Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal, and Semih Erden to go with Kendrick Perkins. Granted Jermaine O’Neal is out, but the Celtics have three centers that can do battle with the Lakers and their size. Last season was painful watching Glen Davis try to man the middle against either Gasol or Bynum. The man is just too small for those guys on the defensive end, especially on the boards. Now the rotations have Shaq and his large inside presence, Perkins and his solid defensive game, and if trouble a capable seven footer in Erden.

The bottom line is the Lakers no longer have the clear edge in size. Kevin Garnet playing with Shaq or Perkins is a very good counter to Bynum and Gasol. Davis coming in should be a better matchup of Lamar Odom. The matchups are now much more even. The Celtics should also be able to keep LA off the glass for the most part on the offensive end. At worst, it should be light years better than the job that was done in game seven of the Finals. This is a huge step in defeating the Lakers. Doc has the weapons, look for him to use them. Remember Go green Or Go Home!!!!!!!!!!!

Boston Celtics Rajon Rondo Has New Jump Shot: Will This Be The Difference Against the Lakers?

                Rajon Rondo is the obvious key to the Celtics offense. Rondo is the conductor that orchestrates Boston’s sweet symphony of offense. Rondo is an assist machine that keeps every one of his teammates involved and playing Celtics basketball. It was Rondo that led the charge to the NBA Finals last season with his spectacular play. However, there is one team that seems to do a great job of keeping Rondo from completely taking over games. That team is the Los Angeles Lakers. The great news is Rondo has added to his game to help neutralize LA’s defensive efforts. Rondo’s new weapon is an improved jump shot.

                The old book on defeating the Boston Celtics was to have Kobe defend Rondo, but play off him in order to double team, help clog the driving lanes, and keep Kobe fresh for the offensive end. The reason was Rondo could be dared to shoot the foul line jump shot and he would probably miss. This affected Rondo big time and he often looked unsure of himself at times. Rondo is a great player and he would get his stats, but his effect on the game was minimal. This formula worked beautifully in the 2010 Finals and helped them secure an NBA Title.

                The loss in the Finals sparked Rondo to work hard this off season on an elbow jumper. He was determined to make sure that the Lakers defense would no longer be able to defend him in the same way. Rondo is both not afraid to shoot and he is hitting his jump shot. This season the results are showing. Rondo is taking more jump shots than he ever has and his field goal percentage is still 51.6 percent and that is good for his highest ever. More and more instead of attacking the hoop every time and taking the punishment, Rondo is making teams pay with his 12 to 14 foot jump shot.

                This game is the ultimate test for Rondo’s jump shot. If he can hit his shot and force Kobe to guard him, the Lakers will be in trouble. Not only will Rondo be torching them with the jumper, he will have the speed to blow by Kobe to the basket and make plays. If Rondo gets going, that means guys like KG, Ray Allen, and Pierce will get going. The bottom line is this game will be decided in part by Rondo’s new weapon. My money is Rondo comes through in the big moments. Remember Go green Or Go Home!!!!!!!

Boston Celtics Kevin Garnett Gets Ejected In Blow Out Loss To Suns

The Phoenix Suns were once again handed a gift by the schedule makers. For the fourth consecutive year the Suns got to play the Celtics in a compromised position. The Suns got the benefit of the second night of a back to back. The Celtics arrived late into Phoenix to the point that Doc did not even have a walk through practice. Paul Pierce was still sore and Shaq looked very rusty. The NBA refs took care of the rest by ejecting Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett on their way to handing out seven technical fouls. The last five killed any hope of a late rally as the Celtics fell in Phoenix 88-71.

                I would love to tell you that it was a great Suns defense that held Boston to only 58 points entering the fourth quarter and 34 percent shooting for the game. However, that is not the case. The team had no legs under them and front rimmed shot after shot. There was no attacking the rim from Boston. Granted the point of attacking would have been for aesthetics only because the NBA refs would not have given them the foul call. The Suns on the other hand would come out firing as Boston was late with rotations and even Shaq did the unthinkable of guarding Marcin Gortat with his hand down. They did not fight for every loose ball or attack the basket. The Suns got second chance point after second chance points off rebounds that the Celtics either did not hustle for or were out of position.

                The refs were ridiculous. First Shaq picks up two in the first three minutes. The no calls for Pierce would begin and the game was over. The polarizing moment was when KG made contact on Channing Frye taking a three point shot. The contact was a minor shot to the groin that in reality was not a big deal. Frye went down like KG killed him. His acting job was ridiculous and KG received to techs and an ejection. The fact is KG could not have hit Frye in the balls any way; he just is not that great a shot. Any further proof needed was Frye was up like nothing happened moments later. I will guarantee at least one of those Ts will be rescinded. To add icing to the cake the refs T’d up Perkins and Nate Robinson as well.

Doc Rivers had his shouting match to get ejected to fire up his team. It did not work. This was one of those games in the year that the team did not have it. Even the 08 Celtics had a couple games like this. It is not your night when Gortat is draining threes at the buzzer. I am betting that the Celtics will come out a much different team with rest, practice and vengeance on their mind in LA. Remember Go Green Or Go Home!!!!!!!!!!

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