Celtics Central

Can a leopard change his spots?

If ever there is an offensive minded animal, it is Stephon Marbury. Like Allen Iverson, the game was always tailored around himself. Unlike Iverson, Marbury understands that things are different now.

There were a number of highlight film plays in the Hawks game the other night. One play that won’t make it, but got my attention was a strip of Flip Murray in the fourth quarter by Stephon Marbury.

Stephon is shooting an anemic 31.7 % from the floor and 25% from the arc, while contributing just 3.2 points per game. He has only gotten to the foul line for 6 shots, making half of them. If someone finds Stephon’s shot please send it to the TDBankNorth Garden. When it does show up, it will really make a difference in the second unit’s effectiveness, and should make things easier on everyone.

Maybe Doc should tell Marbury to really ‘think shot’ for one game (or two) to try to get him going. Run plays for him off picks, etc. In the meantime, he is doing other things pretty well.

He averaging 2.9 assists in 17:11 minutes in 18 games. That works out to 6.0 assists in 36 minutes, which is a credible number. Marbury’s drives and kicks, and pick and rolls, and pick and pops are getting better as well. Timing is important and it is getting better.

It looks like another offensive minded player may be starting to see things the Celtic way. Defense counts.

The Play
Marbury was guarding Flip Murray late in the Hawks game. Flip cut to the hoop with Marbury in pursuit. Marbury appeared beaten on the play. As Flip went up for what looked like a sure lay-up, Marbury floated in front of him, stripped the shot, ending up with it in his hands as he was going out of bounds himself. He instinctively threw it towards Perkins, who retrieved it and headed down court. Really nice defensive recovery, and turnover caused.

That defensive play was really good. Was that something that is coming from playing with this team?

Yeah. Definitely, I mean defensively, this is what the team concentrates on. Offensively, I’m not there yet, but, there are so many other things you can do to help.

Five rebounds, four assists?

Just playing the game, helping the team win.

You’re a positive on the floor even without your shot, which is what Doc is looking for, right?

Yeah, eventually my shot is going to go down. I’m playing in a different role so…offensively, I have to adjust my game. Like I said, eventually my shot will start to go down and doing all those other things, it will all catch up.

Has it been a challenge for you to realize that you could impact the game, even with your offense going the way it is?

mmm…I understand the game of basketball, and I understand that there’s so many other aspects that you could contribute, other than scoring the ball. I’ve been a scorer all my career and now I’ve been put in a different situation.

The best thing for me to do is take advantage of the situation and continue to push on and try to help the team win a championship.

Going forward, what do you feel you and Mikki Moore need to do for this team?

We have to be more cohesive on the offensive end. I think defensively, as long as you play hard, you can make up. But on the offensive end, we’re still learning each other, executing on our second and third option. Eventually that will click.

This next week is a very important week for us, because we are going to be able to practice two days so….any time you get practice on this team it’s huge cause we never (get to) practice.

While watching Stephon a lot in the last game, you could see that he was trying on defense. His rebounds and assists were examples of him doing other things while waiting for his shot to arrive. It seems that if Marbury wanted to, he could be a pretty fair defender. He has enough quickness left to do that.

If Marbury can get his mid range game going and get the timing on his drives right (he made a ‘high degree of difficulty’ lay-up with Josh Smith draped all over him), he and Eddie House could become Excedrin Headache # 23 for opponents in the play-offs as the starters rest.

Having someone of Marbury’s talent and experience coming off the bench can be huge come playoff time.

When Marbury’s shot starts to drop, the Celtic’s become just that much harder to defend. In the meantime, he is starting to do other things to try to help the team win.

Did you know that Mikki Moore is putting up 150 shots a day, on off days? Neither did I.

There are always recorded quotes that you don’t use after each game. You pick out the ones that best tell the story and dovetail them into your recap. That leaves you with other comments can be of value, but might not worthy of a separate story. Here are a few thoughts from Mikki Moore after the Hawks victory.

Mikki…..

We toughed it out. You know, it’s pretty hard to sweep a team….and a team of that caliber, they’re a great team. Their young, but they’ve got a lot of talent.

They fought hard the whole game, but our coaches gave us a good strategy, and we executed well tonight.

You and the rest of the bigs had a great game. Do you feel that you’re finally fitting in with this team?

Oh yeah. I’m still trying to cut down on these fouls, but Atlanta put a lot of pressure on our bigs. Thye were coming off the pick and rolls real aggressive, so I think I ended up with four (fouls), Perk ended up with five, and Baby ended up with five.

It seems like you were going through a period where you weren’t getting any breaks from the refs.

It’s frustrating, but you have to keep playing. You have to adjust your game. You have to still play aggressive, but you have to play smarter.

You went 4 for 5 shooting. It seems like you’re getting a lot of confidence in your shot.

I’ve been coming in on off days and Cliff (Celtic Big Man Coach Clifford Ray) has been working with me on my jump shot a lot. I come in on a day off and shoot at least an hour, hour and a half, and get up over 1500 hundred (sic) shots.

He must have meant 150 shots.

Is he working with technique?

Technique and endurance. If you don’t get up enough shots, your form on your shot will fail when you get tired in the game.

After hearing that, I went back and checked. Mikki really hasn’t been used that much this season before he came to the Celtics. His season high in shot attempts is eight and that happened just recently with the Celtics against OKC.

He has taken as many as six shots only four times since November 9th, before coming to the Celtics. With the Celtics, he has taken as many as five or more shots three times already. He has three double digit rebound games with the Celtics. He had one previously with the Kings.

With KG, Leon Powe and Brian Scalabrine out, Mikki’s minutes have been much greater than expected.

Clearly, before his buy-out by the Kings, Mikki hadn’t really been used that much this season. With the Celtics, much of your effort and energy is spent at the defensive end of the floor. Legs get tired, and slight changes can occur in your shooting form. As Ray Allen will tell you, your legs are quite important to your shooting form.

So far the work is paying off. He is shooting 57% with the Celtics and a lot of the shots are mid range, elbow jumpers. That high percentage shooting is what has put all the Life cereal Mikki wants, on the Moore family’s table. Mikki once led the league in field goal accuracy, at .609% in 2006-7 with the Nets.

His ability to draw defenders out or make them pay if they don’t, is a main reason the Celtics picked him up. At this particular skill, he is better than P.J. Brown, Joe Smith, or even Drew Gooden, the two bigs that went to other contenders, instead of the Celtics.

Celtic TV commentator, Greg Dickerson, mentioned that, at a time out in the Hawks game, Doc Rivers told Moore to stop jumping out at players on defense, and stay close to the rim to best utilize his length. It resulted in what could be his best defensive effort to date.

It seems that Moore is progressing satisfactorily. You never know. He may be asked to make a P.J. Brown jump shot to help seal a win. He will have the skill to do it. What no one knows, is if he can handle the pressure. Only that moment will tell us.

In the meantime, Mikki is getting prepared for those moments, 1500 hundred shots at a time.

Boston is a city famed for its revolutionary history.

Not a musket shot was fired, but the Celtics’ bigs staged an uprising of their own on this wet spring evening in 2009. Kendrick Perkins provided the block ‘aid’ with 7 of them against the high flying Hawks. Every one who played scored, and all contributed something positive to the effort.

Paul Pierce led the scoring with 21 points, while adding 6 rebounds and 5 assists and was the only player (save Bill Walker) without a single turnover. It was the only game all season that Pierce has had no turnovers. Though the team had 16 TOs, they weren’t hurt by them as they usually are.

Celtic bigs Perkins, Glen Davis, and Mikki Moore played extremely well at both ends of the floor, in what Boston fans can hope is a preview of what these players will contribute come playoff time.

If this is a rivalry, someone forgot to tell the Hawks they have to win some of the time. Boston swept the season series, 4-0, with a convincing fourteen point win that was up to twenty with 4 minutes left in the game.

Paul Pierce…

When Rajon is aggressive, he’s scoring the ball and it opens up everything for all of us. Night in and night out you know me and Ray are going to get our touches, but when Rajon is out there getting 16 points, getting lay-ups, knocking down jumpers, it just opens up the floor for everybody, as you can see.

Perk getting lay-ups,Baby getting wide open shots, I’m getting good looks and our offense gets pretty much unstoppable when he’s going.

Rajon Rondo’s 20 points, including some outside shooting, on 7 of 10 shooting, coupled with excellent defense by the Celtics’ frontcourt, kept the Hawks playing catch up most of the night. Kendrick Perkins appeared to be everywhere at times in the game, and finished with 12 points, and 10 rebounds, in addition to his stellar defense. But he wasn’t flying solo.

Al Horford…

I think Moore is making a big difference. Davis is hitting the open shots, but Moore is coming in and Perkins is playing solid down on the block, so they are tough down there.

A Davis running hook, two straight three pointers by Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, and a steal and dunk by Rajon Rondo opened up a 52-52 tie to a ten point lead in a two minute burst early in the third quarter.

After the Hawks closed to within two at 67-65 on an Al Horford lay-up, the Celtics worked inside for 7 straight points on lay-ups by Rondo, Pierce and an ‘and one’ put back by Mikki Moore to make it 74-67. From there they maintained a healthy lead for the rest of the game.

Glen Davis once again stepped up with a big performance, scoring 19 points on 7 of 10 shooting. His defense on Josh Smith, and team defense were just as important, as he helped hold Josh to 5 for 15 shooting and 13 points. Glen added a crowd pleasing swat of a Solomon Jones baseline shot, sending it into the stands in the fourth quarter.

Josh Smith…

When Big Baby is knocking down that that mid-range jump shot, it’s kind of hard because you over commit and he’s right there to knock down the jump shot. It’s kind of like picking your poison when he’s shooting the ball like that.

Big Baby been doing it all season. I’ve been watching the Celtics play, and he’s been able to make an impact for that team, not just tonight, pretty much for the whole season.

With KG, Powe and Scalabrine out, and losing of the previous three match ups this season, it seemed a good night for the Hawks to come in and steal one from the Champions.

How much harder do you have to work since Kevin is out?
Kendrick Perkins….

It’s been difficult, but not too difficult, for the fact that Baby has stepped up his game defensively. He’s also blocking shots. You know…he’s there…he’s alert and helping, taking charges so it’s like we (are) all on the same page right now so …

We miss Kevin, let’s not get that confused. I just think that guys are doing a pretty good job of trying to step in and hold it down until he gets back.

Josh Smith on the subject of KG being out….

It’s kind of a gift for them to have KG out of the line up because they are going to need guys like that to come in and step up.

The Celtics controlled the middle tonight almost as if KG was playing. They allowed just 32 points in the paint while scoring 50 there themselves.

For all intents and purposes, the Atlanta Hawks are having very successful season, building on last year’s attention getting seven game duel with the future NBA Champions. But they don’t impress the Celtics.

Perkins…

Some people keep talking about a rivalry. We beat them 3-1 or 4-0 last season, and are 4-0 this year against them.

At one point, Kendrick and Josh received double technicals for woofing at each while across from each other lined up on the blocks waiting for a free throw.

Afterwards, it’s all forgotten. Josh on the respect he has for Perkins…

He takes care of the dirty work. You always need a player on your team to take care of the dirty work. To get the blocks….and whenever they throw him a bone, he knows how to make the best of it. But he knows his role very well on the team.

Flip Flips Out at End
The Celtics built a 20 point lead with 3:52 to go in the fourth quarter, before subbing out. Flip Murray got hot, scoring 13 points in the final 3:31 of the game to make the score closer.

Orlando beat Cleveland tonight so the Magic are keeping pace for the second seed. The Hawks play Orlando next in Atlanta.

Coach Doc Rivers is giving the Celtics get a rare weekend off, as their next game is in four days at home against New Jersey.

Doc Rivers just confirmed that Tony Allen will play tonight.

Then he said, “Of course, I said that last game, too.”

The Celtics are 3-0 against the Hawks this season. But tonight would be the Hawks best shot at stealing one in Boston, with Kevin Garnett, Brian Scalabrine and Leon Powe still out.

I’m sure their objective is to run at every opportunity possible.

The Hawks are without Marvin Williams as well.

Coach Woodson said their goal is to hold onto the 4th seed in the East. That way they will open with home court advantage where they are 29-9 so far this year.

Philadelphia is fifth, 3.5 games behind them, as we head into the final weeks of the regular season.

Boston is trying to hold onto the second seed, but are neck in neck with the Orlando Magic.

‘Before the Celtic/Bobcat game it was announced that Tony Allen was ready to play. Tony has not played since February 8th, and that is a stretch of 22 consecutive games.

When the game was over, it was 23 straight games. But it almost happened. Tony was up off the bench about midway in the 4th fourth quarter. Shortly after he sat back down, as Doc elected to stay with Eddie House in his small line-up. It worked.

But there was definitely a need for Tony Allen in that and previous games. The Celtics just don’t get the same amount of steals, nor force as many turnovers as they used to. They are down almost one complete steal a game this season.

The always upbeat Tony seemed just a bit down that it didn’t happen. You can’t blame him. I think I can see Doc’s thinking. That wasn’t the best time to bring Tony in. The Celtics were just starting a comeback and it was a tough, physical, play-off type game at that point.

Will there be a minute limit on you when you get in a game?

I don’t know. I’m just looking forward to getting in a game.

How do you think you will fit in?

I’m just attacking practice right now, getting better at the offense, getting better at the defensive schemes. Just waiting for my chance. Keeping it positive.

Hopefully, Doc will give Tony some burn against the Hawks tonight. The Celtic could use the experienced, athletic Tony Allen against the athletic Hawks. It will also be interesting to see whose minutes Tony will cut into. Most likely, it will be Eddie House.

“It was a great, gutty win. There were so many times when we were down and could’ve gave up, and just made big shots.”

Doc Rivers

The Celtics went from a sure loss to a ‘bring the house down’ exciting double overtime win. They did it the hard way, generating 24 turnovers of their own along the way, 21 in regulation.

Ray Allen closed the deal with multiple clutch three pointers, but Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Eddie House, and Kendrick Perkins were instrumental in the comeback, as Doc went small, partially to contend with the mobile Boris Diaw.

I think that’s the second time this year, going small with that small lineup with Paul (Pierce) at four. That got us back in the game. So maybe I should have done it earlier.

Unusual Occurrences
After struggling with his shot all game, Ray Allen hit a game tieing three pointer with 12 seconds to end the first OT and the game winner with 2.1 seconds left in the second overtime. Before that, he missed a foul shot and air balled a three pointer along the way. Ray finished with 22 points on 8 of 20 shooting, but was the dagger when the Cs needed it most.

Rajon Rondo, not known for foul shooting, hit two pressure foul shots with 27 seconds left in regulation to tie the game after a furious Celtic comeback. Then…known for making even the most difficult lay-ups, missed one at the buzzer.

Rondo and Eddie House led the comeback with eight spectacular points each in the fourth. Rajon turned the tables on the Bocats with two big steals in the final three minutes of regulation. Call Rondo and House ‘the resuscitators’. The team was on life support until then.

Until Rondo took over with uber aggression to the hoop (3 tough lay-ups) and Eddie did what he does -make jump shots in a hurry, the game looked like a sure loss for the home team. They energized the rest of the team and everyone picked up the defensive effort, led by Kendrick Perkins. Kendrick played huge, seemed to be everywhere, and ended up with 5 blocks and a number of changed minds underneath.

House finished with 18 points in 32 minutes on 7 of 10 shooting, 4 of 7 from downtown, with mutiple big shots, including a big three in the first overtime to give the Celtics a 98-97 lead

Eddie House…

Our job is to come in and have a defensive energy. Off of the defense, the offense will come. We came in and created a little defense, got some energy going in the building, and we built off that offensively.

Once the crowd got into it, it was like a play-off atmosphere, with the fans living and dying on every play.

The funny thing is…Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo were not having very good games offensively until they caught fire late. Allen was 4 for 14 shooting and 2 for 9 from the arc in regulation for 11 points. He doubled that on 4 of 6 shooting and 3 of 4 from the arc in the overtimes.

Kendrick Perkins had a versatile 7 turnovers to Rondo’s 5, including a carry, 3 second call, offensive fouls, and loose ball fouls. The Bobcats’ Gerald Wallace was deflecting or picking off passes all night, finishing with four steals.

During the game, Orlando lost to Toronto leaving them with a 55-19 record. The Celtics are now 57-19 in the race for the number two spot in the East. Were the Celtics aware of the Magic’s loss? Eddie House was…..

Yeah, I saw that on the board. I don’t know if anyone else did. I think they knew.

Rondo had 4 turnovers, 4 missed lay-ups, and 11 points at the end of the third quarter. He finished with 21 points and 9 assists.

Lost in all big shot making was a solid game by Paul Pierce who led the Celtics with 32 points on 10 of 20 shooting, 11 of 12 foul shots, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 3 turnovers.

Mikki Moore was frustrated after the game after attracting 5 fouls in 12 minutes, but making both of his shots and helping energize the team to take the lead in the second quarter. Marbury was part of that unit as well, as they got the ball and the team moving, to recover from a 7 point first quarter deficit to lead at the half by three.

After making numerous big shots of their own, It was Raja Bell who shot the final shot in the second overtime that missed, finally sealing the win for the Celtics. The Larry Brown Bobcats are fighting for the eighth playoff position themselves and were going all out for this win, one night after beating the Lakers at home.

Gerald Wallace…

We have to put this game behind us. We fought hard. We did the best we could on a back-to-back. We beat LA and gave Boston everything they could handle, so we’re kind of proud of ourselves. We just have to regroup and finish out the season strong.

The Celtics have the same thing in mind.

All I can say is…..it is about time. It should be interesting.

The Bobcats beat the Lakers at home last night and are looking for a playoff spot.

Former Knick coach Larry Brown and Stephon Marbury will be facing each other for the first time since their dysfunctional marriage and divorce – New York Style. It was the best off-Broadway comedy and drama in New York. Plenty of seats were available. Both are trying to rebuild their reputations after that trauma.

The Bocats beat the Celtics in OT in their last meeting. Rajon Rondo had nine, count them, nine turnovers in that game. The Celtics were in a rut and playing sloppy defense.

After beating the Lakers handily last night, Larry Brown has the rebuilt Bobcats just one game out of the eighth playoff spot in the east, behind the Bulls.

They swept the season series against the high flying Lakers and have beaten them six of the last seven times they have played them. Sometimes you just match up well against a team.

The Larry Brown Show has again climbed into the ratings. The Bobcats are in the spotlight of well coached teams. I always thought that the Bobcats were a better team than they showed. They needed a top coach. Larry Brown needed a team like the Bobcats.

Still, they are inconsistent. With a defensively strong, dominant win against a team like the Lakers, you wonder how they could lose ‘big’ to lowly Washington, Minnesota, and Sacramento, as they have done in the last few weeks.

With six of their last eight games on the road and having to play the Lakers and Celtics on consecutive nights, they have a tough hill to climb.

Brown Almost Doc’s Assistant
Two years ago, Larry Brown considered, for just a moment, coming to Boston to assist Doc Rivers with Boston’s new high profile new acquisitions. Instead, Larry stayed with Philadelphia and Tom Thibodeau left the Wizards after a single day and ended up coming to Boston. The Fickle Finger of Fate, indeed.

That would have been wild if he did come to the Celtics with Marbury joining the team this season. Would that have even happened, if Brown were here? Hmm…..I really doubt it.

Brown Reaches Out to Marbury?
But I will say that Larry Brown has made public comments this season reaching out a bit to Marbury. He has said that he thought it was Isaiah Thomas that created difficulties between Marbury and himself.

Brown was looking for the right situation to redeem his tarnished reputation. Charlotte, a classic underperformer, was a good challenge. After trading Jason Richardson for Boris Diaw and Raja Bell, and Adam Morrison for Vladimir Radmanovic, the Bobcats have better balance and have taken it up a notch.

Point guard Raymond Felton has benefitted from Brown’s tutelege this season and, while the numbers don’t show it, is said to be playing the best ball of his career.

Celtics’ Injury Update
Kevin Garnett will be out until the away game in Cleveland on April 12th, in order to heal his sore knee as best as possible.

Leon Powe is hoping to return for the playoffs. Brian Scalabrine, who, after multiple concussions, is having recurring headaches. Return date unknown. Tony Allen may return shortly.

Game time: 7:30 in Boston