Comments on: Celtics Sneak By Wolves: 92-90

By: Thomas Halzack

Thomas Halzack — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:33:27 +0000

That’s fair prediction and within the realm of possibility if they can get it going.

From your initial comment, I thought you had them nearly undefeated. You made it sound like I had them for 12 wins instead of 22. We aren’t so far apart after all.

You’re a baiter, you rascal!

By: JB

JB — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:10:22 +0000

“Your wins prediction for them?”-

12? LOL!
Ya never know. Right now they seem to be playing for ping pong balls, but Rambis is very competitive and of course “Big Al” is a monster….
A realistic prediction? 10 wins before the break…. and if Jefferson stays healthy and Rambis keeps the team competing…. .500 after, for about 30.

By: Tom Halzack

Tom Halzack — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:14:30 +0000

Good point about Rondo. I could have mentioned that. I just replayed that play in slo-mo. KG and Brewer both tapped it back towards half court. Rondo went up and knocked it out of Flynn’s grasp and further back before it went out. Good play.

As far as what was the biggest factor on that game, it was without a doubt, the lackadaisical play of the Celtics.

That notwithstanding, there are some good parts on the Wolves and with time should show some life. At this point, I need to see more from Rambis and the team before changing any predictions.

They are not a good defensive team and they have lacked capable height for a while. If Hollins develops, it helps quite a bit. Pecherov had a career game. Hard to draw any conclusions from that. Many of his shots were open shots, as KG (nor anyone else) did not go out to meet him.

Could he be a good player? Who knows? Looks like a Mehmet Okur type at first glance.

We will have to see if I’ve under rated them as the year goes on?

Your wins prediction for them?

By: JB

JB — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:41:17 +0000

With or with out the lackadaisical effort by Pierce and Allen, you should give some credit to the Wolves. Big Al, Gomes and Flynn are starters on most any team in the league and Rambis showed he can coach.
They also played tough, perhaps mirroring their coaches’ (both Rambis’ and new assistant Lambeer’s) style.
As for Pecherov, might he not be a very similar player to Rasheed Wallace? A 7′er, he spread the defense with his outside shooting, daring Gartnett to come out after him. Unlike Wallace though, he could put the ball on the floor and get to the basket. Someone will pay him some decent money next season.
Did I mention that Corey Brewer is a very athletic defender….. just the type that always gives Pierce fits?
I like this team (they play as a team) and predict they will open some eyes, even yours ;>) over the course of the season.

By: JB

JB — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:30:01 +0000

From Frank DelAppa of the Globe:

“Corey Brewer then was tied up by Kevin Garnett on a drive, referee Dave Jones ruling a jump ball with 3.6 seconds on the clock. Brewer won the jump, but Rondo flipped the ball out of bounds with 0.9 seconds on the clock. “

By: JB

JB — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:26:50 +0000

On the jump ball you mentioned, I believe that Garnett tapped the ball to near half court where it was headed for a Timberwolve, but it was Rondo who got up in the air enough to back tap it over the half court line and as it rolled out of bounds about 2 seconds ticked off the clock.
Without Rondo’s effort, the Wolves might have had time for a last shot…..