Celtics Central

Game 2 in the journey, as Kevin Garnett is calling it.

This will be an interesting match-up. The Celtics beat Toronto 89-85 in Europe in their first preseason game. Both teams have come a ways since then.

If people think Danny Ainge thinks differently, and I do, then the same must be said of Bryan Colangelo. He took a moribund Raptor roster that was heading nowhere, and transformed it in one preseason into a division winner with a 47-35 (.573). That was an incredible 20 game swing from the year before at 27-55 (.329) The Celtics are looking to do even better, as hard as that may be to believe.

He did it by reshaping the roster with a decidely Euro flavor. He added #1 draft pick Andre Bargnani to be the book-end to franchise player Chris Bosh and filling out the roster with Rasho Nesterovic, Anthony Parker, and Jorge Garbajosa, going against traditional thinking by trading a big for a small, PF Charlie Villanueva for lightning quick PG, T.J. Ford to add to to Jose Calderon.

This off season many think he overpaid for one of last season’s best 3 point shooters, Jason Kapono. But if Jason hits those threes, it opens up the lane for their two prized bigs – Bosh and Bargnani. The other unheralded addition was Detroit reject, Carlos Delphino.

Much maligned, and hard pressed for PT in Detroit, Carlos was reputed to play a pretty good defense. He played 34 minutes in the Raptor’s 37 point beat down of the Nets 2 nights ago, copping 4 steals, 6 boards, and 4 dimes while turning it over but once. Bryan has found another good fit for his ‘team first’ team.

I’ve been slow to be a believer in this Toronto team. If they put together another outstanding season, I’ll have to give credit where credit is due. I actually like what they are trying to accomplish.

Chris Bosh is coming off of a preseason knee injury, and has played limited minutes so far, though I’m sure he wasn’t needed in the 2nd half against the Nets. Bargnani is putting up solid numbers and looks like he has moved comfortably into the #2 option on the team.

These games could be precursors of a rumored NBA Europe division, one day.

So…Boston gets a real test today. The 2-0 Raptors are playing well and will get a second look and a second chance to vindicate themselves against the star laden squad that beat them in October.

T.J. Ford won’t be intimidated by the three stars, from Mike Ganter of the London Free Press….

“…..in between the lines it’s us against them.” “What makes Boston different than Jersey or different than Philly?” T.J. Ford asked yesterday after practice.

“It’s still five-on-five. It’s still basketball. Yeah, they have big names. Yeah, they’re all-stars. Yeah, those guys will probably be hall of famers. It’s all true, but between those lines those guys are just like us. They’re no different. I’m not looking at KG like he’s a hall of fame player

Boston won’t have the crowd on their side this time and will need to stand up to a tough team in their arena.

On a side note, Steve Bulpett of the Boston Herald reported a near fight between Glen Davis and Leon Powe during practice yesterday, after Powe gave Davis a bloody nose during a scrimmage. Words were exchanged, but no blows. The two are competing for time at the back-up PF spot. Brian Scalabrine was the first off the bench and played 20 minutes in the opening game to each of their garbage time 2 minutes at the end. This particular story is a good one to watch. All three players bring something different to the game. How Doc decides who gets what PT, and what they do with it will be an ongoing story.

The real story today is how well Toronto defends agains Boston’s three stars. They solved New Jersey’s three stars pretty easily. And Boston will have it’s defense tested by a balanced scoring attack. James Posey will be available to play after serving his one game suspension.

Results later tonight.

T

(Apologies to all for the late posting. Computer troubles.) Boxscore

The Boston Celtics began their quest for a NBA title by beating the Washington Wizards
handily, 103-83, at the TDBanknorth Garden. This is the same team the Celtics lost to 3 straight times last year. But..uhmmm….this is not the same Celtics team.

Led by Kevin Garnett’s 22 pt, 20 rebound game, and Paul Pierce’s 28 point explosion, the Celtics broke a close game open in the 2nd quarter.

Paul Pierce began the night welcoming the fans, choking up a bit when he talked about Red Auerbach. “Red will always be with us.”

In fact, the team honored Red by naming the famed parquet floor, the “Red Auerbach Parquet” complete with his signature emblazoned for all to remember his legacy.

Both teams opened tight, as the raucous crowd (18,624) sounded as if it was almost a play-off game. Add the drama of the new team, led by the 3 stars, arch nemesis Gilbert Arenas guaranteeing a loss for the Celtics on this opening night, and you have a great story unfolding right before your eyes.

The Celtics didn’t disappoint. Garnett missed his first shot badly, but started to get under control after he hit a couple of foul shots. Each of the three Celtic stars took turns missing shots to open the game. The first basket made was, fittingly, a Perkins lay-up after a feed from a driving Ray Allen.

Until the offense got untracked, the team’s defense was solid and kept them in the game. After being down 12-14, and finding baskets hard to come by, Ray Allen actually got the team the lead it would never relinquish by busting out for 7 points on 3 straight baskets. The quarter ended with the Cs up 21-18.

Paul Pierce spearheaded the second unit (Scalabrine, Pollard, Tony Allen, and Eddie House) that started the 2nd quarter, as they pulled away from the Wizards, leading by as many a 22 points. Pierce carved up the Wizards with 15 points in a variety of ways as the Cs outscored the Wiz 37-18.

By the time Garnett and Ray Allen checked back in, the score was 38-26, meaning the much maligned bench of the Celtics had administered a 17-8 whipping on the beleagured Washington team. Paul had 10 pts. in the run, supported by offensive contributions by each player save Pollard. From there, the team ran away to a 22 point lead without even looking that good doing it.

But it was the team’s defense that surprised. They held a potent offensive team to 36 first half points. The team’s defense looks every bit as good as it looked bad last year.

Doc Rivers

…”I was most proud of, at half time…..we leaned on our defense until our offense started clicking. Once it did, then everything took care of itself. I though the big stretch of the game, was the beginning of the 2nd quarter, we had our second unit on the floor, and we increased the lead. I thought that was just fantastic.”

Kevin Garnett sets the tone defensively.

Doc…

We aren’t going to win by outscoring people every night. ….We are only going to win, if you play defense..and that’s everyone. Clearly, having Kevin Garnett changes your defense…..He has great energy. He is able to get out on a lot of pick and rolls a lot of bigs can’t….We scored half our points tonight on pick and rolls in transition, in the post. So… Garnett has the ability to stop them. And that’s big for us.”

He also plays a solid interior D as he stopped a number of attempts to attack the middle, just be being there and being ready. His 3 blocks were impressive, especially the block of an Arenas drive that brought down the house. Gilbert was driving and trying to avoid contact with a long extension that KG just leaped up to cleanly get as Arenas tumbled to the ground. Even the replay drew a thunderous 2nd roar.

The green machine accrued 10 steals with it’s tenacious defense led by Rajon’s 4 and Garnett’s 3.

Doc said, “We got steals from playing solid. We were not gambling. We just played solid D and help D. And by playing help D, the ball literally came to us, instead of trying to make steals. We are much better when we play that way. A couple of times that we did try to go for steals, we got back doored for lay-ups and fouls

.”

But even in a victory as solid as this one, the team was far from perfect. Doc

….”We played good, but we can be much better than that….There’s a lot of things and I mean a lot of things that we have to improve on. I thought in the 3rd quarter, our mindset was not right. We kind of relaxed a bit….. And the game got close enough to make me nervous, and I didn’t think it had to tonight.”

Still, the team was far from disappointing. It lived all the way up to its hype. Garnett’s 20-20 game was supported by 5 assists, 3 blocks and 3 steals. Ray Allen finished with 17 pts. and Rajon Rondo contributed 15, including a couple of jump shots sandwiched around some truly torqued drives. That was on top of some stellar defense on high scoring Gilbert Arenas…which reminds me….

Gilbert was booed with passion most every time he touched the ball tonight. ‘Agent Zero’ had guaranteed a Washington win in Boston. He also has said he wants to score 100 points against the Celtics someday.

Here are a few zeros for number zero:

1) Washington record 0-2 (0-3 after tonight)
2) Wizard 3 pt. shots 0-16
3) Arenas’s 3 pt. shots 0-5
4) Arenas predictions that came true 0-2

Gilbert was a believer after the game…

They proved themselves tonight. You know, with the crowd in it?…
They’re just like us..offensively. When you have it clicking, you have it clicking. You can’t double KG on that block…or Ray Allen or Paul Pierce. That’s a dangerous team. Especially when you’re veterans.”

You know when I made my prediction, you know..someone has to be the villain. I’ll be the villain. I don’t target the players or the actual team…..Someone has to hype up stuff.”

Once they picked up Posey…I thought that was a great move. Because, you know, when you have a team like that, you need glue players. Perkins is playing glue…. I wanted to tell (Rondo)…. you look more comfortable than you did last year.”

Yet he left the door open to skepticism…”Once you sub those guys out, what can you do? If the starting 5 has to play 48, they will be a hard team to guard.”

Well, the stars played about 38 minutes each tonight and the bench did well
enough to break this game open, and that was without Posey who was suspended for one game for an off court incident this summer.

Things look like they are going to shape up into quite a season. Climb on board for the ride.

These two teams compare in interesting ways. Both teams have offensive fire power provided primarily by three players. They are both run by coaches who stress offense. Previously, neither team has played very good defense.

This off season, both coaches hired defensive specialists for assistant coaches. Even then, there is a connection. The Wizards hired Jeff Van Gundy protege, Tom Thibodeau, on July 3rd. On Independence Day, just 24 hours later Tom had declared his freedom. It just wasn’t the right fit.

After the Celtics decided not to go the youth route any longer, during which time Larry Brown was the assistant coach of choice for Doc Rivers, the Celtics landed ‘the one that got away’ from Washington – Tom Thibodeau himself.

What most Celtic fans don’t know is that Washington did not give up on it’s efforts to land a top defensive coach. Three weeks later, they ended up with a very good one. His name is Randy Ayers. His resume is excellent.

From July 24 on the Wizards NBA.com website….

“We are pleased to have Randy join our coaching staff,” Jordan said. “As an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers, he implemented the defensive schemes for a team that advanced to the NBA Finals, and he has been on staffs that have made numerous postseason appearances. He will fit in nicely with our coaching staff.”

Ayers spent the last two NBA seasons as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic, where he helped Orlando reach the NBA Playoffs last season with the league’s seventh ranked defensive unit. Having joined the Magic as an assistant coach on June 10, 2005, Ayers saw the Magic cut the opposition’s scoring from 101.8 points per game in the season prior to his hire, to 96.0 ppg in his first season in Orlando and 94.0 ppg last year.

Not too shabby. Previously he was the head coach at Ohio State where he lead then to 4 post season appearances.

This year both teams will run most of their offense through three players. Arenas, Jamison and Butler could score as high a percent of their team’s points as the Celtic’s vaunted threesome – Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen.

Eddie Jordan is a offensive minded coach. Doc Rivers has stated in the past that he runs practices stressing offense. Both coach’s teams have provided results that bear those thoughts out.

But now each team has reinforced its coaching ranks with top notch defensive ‘wizards’, though the Celtic’s was a Wizard for ‘but a day’.

The Celtics are already showing results. According the Cs own website, the Celtics were the top defensive team in the league for preseason according to Mike Zarren….

The Celtics had the #1 defense in the league this preseason, holding the opposition to 0.884 points per possession.

We have witnesed the defensive stands that held teams in check for long periods of time this preseason. It was something to behold. Rajon Rondo, James Posey and Tony Allen surround and support the great defensive effort of Kevin Garnett with talent of their own on that side of the court. Even Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are hustling around the court and diving for loose balls. It matters. A team is as good as its weakest link defensively. Other teams will exploit those weak links as often as possible.

Early indications already show good results. I expect Washington to get results before the year is through as well.

Tonight’s game pits teams that are similar in some ways. Let’s see how things turn out, and which team’s defensive coach has the early results in their favor.

T

The Boston Celtics begin a highly anticipated campaign after remaking the roster to drive for a title now.

They will unveil league stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen alongside Paul Pierce at TDBankNorth Garden against the Gilbert Arenas led Washington Wizards.

It will be a moment filled with excitement, emotion and every Celtic fan’s hopes for the coming year. It has been 20 years since they have enjoyed a championship caliber team. Could this be the year? Many think they have a real chance.

Tonight the talk and predictions stop and play begins. Doc Rivers says his players are ready to get it on. Peter Stringer on Celtics.com reports…..

(Doc Rivers)-

“I can’t wait. I don’t know if excitement is the word, but I just want to get it started. I know this is a long journey we’re going to have to go through,” Rivers. “[The players] are ready. That’s why I ended practice [early]. As a coach, you have to have a feel sometimes, and they wanted to play. They’d like to play right now.”

The Celtics will be without James Posey who will serve a one game suspension tonight for a previous off court incident. Brian Scalabrine is 50-50 with a severe toe sprain, as well. Scot Pollard will see limited minutes as he is just now returning from a sprained ankle.

The rest of the team should be ready to rumble. Little used Brandon Wallace may see daylight due to Posey’s absence.

The Wizard’s Gilbert Arenas has a dislike for the Celtics particularly and has used the off season to talk a little trash – at one point guaranteeing a win tonight. He also has said that he would love to score 100 points against the Cs sometime. Gilbert is a great talent, with a mouth to match, and is coming off of a 34 point game against the Pacers in their opening night game.

The Wizard’s lost in OT (119-110) to that Pacer team, one many expect to be inferior to them. The Wizards have a potent offense, but are not known for solid defense. They attempted to address that area by hiring Jeff Van Gundy protege, Tom Thibodeau, in the off season. Tom stayed all of one day in Washington before backing out. Where did he land? That’s right. Right here in Boston as Doc’s defensive specialist. And the Celtics are the better for it. Preseason indications are that this team will impact games on the defensive end of the floor – for the first time in years.

The starting line-ups are:

Celtics:
PG – Rajon Rondo
SG – Ray Allen
SF – Paul Pierce
PF – Kevin Garnett
C- Kendrick Perkins

Wizards:
PG – Gilbert Arenas
SG – Deshawn Stevenson
SF- Caron Butler
PF – Antawn Jamison
C – Brendon Heywood

Key match ups will pit defensive specialist Rajon Rondo against high scoring Gilbert Arenas, while Washington defensive specialist Stevenson will try to handle Ray Allen. Butler vs Pierce should be interesting as well.

Jamison will not be expected to handle Garnett as I think you will see Haywood help on KG often.

So the real thing finally begins for the new look, star powered Celtics. I’ll be at the game to give you a complete rundown of the action tomorrow morning.

T

Boston sports jubilation is ratcheting up a notch as Boston’s former flagship and recently laggering pro sports team, the Celtics, are quickening their step in hopes of catching their lofty NFL and MLB counterparts.

Featured on the recent cover of Sports Illustrated, ESPN magazine, and even entering the conversations on Boston radio sports talk shows for the first time in a long time, the Celtics have the sports world’s attention. Win or lose, it will be well documented by the national media throughout the year. There will be lots of drama and they are truly Boston’s new reality show.

There are three hungry titleless stars on a mission, along with a good guy coach in search of redemption, and a controversial team president who came up with a nice roll of the dice and says, “Here’s what I got.”

Celtic fans can no longer cry about being left out because of an anti-Celtic bias by David Stern, because Boston isn’t a major market, it is too cold, it has a racist image, or any other such nonsense. The Celtics simply did not have the gravitas to shatter those beliefs. Now they do.

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen just walked through that door.

The negative dramas surrounding the Celtics just became positive ones with the team’s makeover this summer. And that is what Sports Illustrated’s Ian Thomsen titled his cover story – Extreme Makeover. No one is quite sure how happy it will end and how many happy tears will be cried in this ‘reality show’ at season’s end, but it is starting off fairly well.

Even Paul Pierce didn’t think Ainge could pull off what he did, to turn this team in a new direction. Even after the trade rumors began, before the draft, Pierce didn’t think Ainge could possibly get Kevin Garnett. When the two players met at a pick-up game at UCLA Paul didn’t even mention becoming team mates to Kevin. From Thomsen’s SI article….

“He didn’t even bring it up,” says (a confused) Garnett…

“I just thought there was no possible way,” says Pierce, “and left it at that.”

The day of the trade, Pierce came in and hugged Danny Ainge saying (Sports Illustrated article)……

“Never did I think you could bring me these kind of veteran players.”

While Boston is rocking, the Cavs are rolling…in the wrong direction.

This preseason and last night’s game made clear that Cleveland will be hard pressed to duplicate last year’s success. While preseason games and records are not usually good predictor’s of what is to come, I find it hard to believe that Mike Brown will get this team going right out of the gate.

Even LeBron sounds realistic about their current state and 1-7 exhibition record (from an article by the Globe’s Julian Benbow for The Plain Dealer) …

“Season starts next Wednesday,” James said. “We either get it together or we get blown out some more. Simple as that, get it together or get blown out.”

“We are still in the process of searching.”

The Celtics scored 62 point in the paint on a team that prides itself on defense. Benbow’ article again…..

“That’s a cardinal sin,” Cavs coach Mike Brown said. “We don’t give up middle.”

and…

“A lot of teams don’t have that in three games,” said James…

The deconstruction of the LeBron led Cavaliers occured both inside and out by a Celtic team that was sharing the ball led by Garnett’s 10 assists and Pierce and Rondo’s 6 assists each …

Rondo attacked the middle in the critical 3rd period, drawing Mike Brown’s attention…

“That kid Rondo got in the paint whenever he wanted to.” (Benbow)

Rondo wasn’t quite that good, scoring but 10 points, but he did it at a key moment, when the Cs pulled away for good, near the end of the 3rd. At least 2 of Rajon’s assists (Glen Davis lay-up, Kendrick Perkins dunk) were directly attributed to his penetration.

The injured absence of new PF Cedric Simmons and MIA Anderson Verajeo was noticeable. But Brown’s point guard options are among his concerns as well. He flinched before declaring Damon Jones as his possible starter for the opening game. The Cavs haven’t used the same back court in a single preseason game.

It’s time for me to re-evaluate my preseason predictions for this team and maybe a few others (Miami and Indiana). LeBron won’t let the team go into freefall, but he needs help in order to move the team forward.

Boston starts it climb to NBA glory at home on Friday against the Washington Wizards. In the NBA’s reality show, Boston will no longer be a team of ‘Apprentices’, but instead, look to be a ‘Contender’ and the season’s final ‘Survivor.’

Get me some popcorn and a beer (or in my case – fine wine). I finally have a reality show I want to watch. Check the Boston Celtic’s schedule for dates and times in your area.

Tom Halzack (aka tenaciousT)

This article first appeared in Celtics 17 on the MVN.com network.

The Boston Celtics beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-89 in Boston tonight. They end the preseason 4-3 while The Cavs end at 1-6.

Kevin Garnett looked great in putting up a triple double (21 pts./13 bds./ 10 assts.) in 32 minutes as he tried to get players involved all night. Ray Allen provided 20 points in a variety of ways including a couple of 3 point deflators.

The Celtics had 7 players in double figures and one with 8 pts, getting most everyone into the act. The assists were flowing as 34 of 45 makes were assisted baskets (75%)

The Cavs had 3 assists to Boston’s 14 late in the first half (3:30 minute mark). The team did nothing in the off season to address its offensive singularity and is without a key component of its defense without holdout PF Anderson Verajeo.

Kendrick Perkins went 5-6 including a nice jumper. In 4 games, this preseason he is shooting a near perfect .800% on 12-15 from the floor. Of course, many are lay-ups and dunks coming from Garnett double teams. But he is doing what he is supposed to do – head to the hoop and make them pay. He and Kevin Garnett look pretty good together defensively as well.

Paul Pierce started strong offensively, and ended up with 12 points and 6 assists, while garnering 5 TOs.

The Celtics jumped out to 33-22 first quarter lead that they never relinquished, though Cleveland closed to within a point or two a few times in the third.

With Pierce and R. Allen on the bench, the KG led Celtics started the 4th with 14-0 run. The score was 86 -73 and ballooned to 100 -73 before the Cavs could answer. KG scored 6, working one on one against Ilguaskas while Tony Allen and Posey each had 2 of the first 10 of the 4th quarter.

Eddie House hit early and late for 16 points in 21 minutes. Rajon Rondo contributed 6 assists, 10 pts and 4 steals to the winning effort. Glen Davis has three 2nd quarter lay ups on passes from:
1) Ray Allen when he drew 3 defenders on a drive
2) Paul Pierce when he split defenders in the middle with a nice bounce pass
3) Rajon Rondo when Rondo drove and swiveled a pass by a Cavs defender at the rim.

Davis then took a charge from LeBron underneath when the Cavs had closed to within 6 points nearing the half.

Cavs 3rd quarter moves rebuffed

The Cavs made their moves to close the gap in the 3rd quarter, getting it down to 56-57 when Ray Allen answered with the shot clock winding down, on a quick jumper crossing through the key, was fouled, and converted. The Cavs were again within 2 when Rajon made his first shot (after 17 minutes of play) on a strong drive to the hoop, making it 65-61. Ray Allen finally put some daylight between the teams with the score at 71-68 at about the 3 minute mark, when he drilled consecutive threes to move the Cs out to 77-68. A Rondo drive and dish to Perkins for a jam made it 79. From there, the Celts continued to distance themselves, finishing the quarter at 86-73. Ray Allen had 11 points and Rondo had 8 in the decisive 3rd quarter.

James Posey had perhaps his best showing so far with 4-5 shooting overall, 2-3 from downtown and 6 rebounds to go with some solid defense. He contributed in multiple ways to the Celtics breakaway.

If tonight’s game was a warm up for the season, what was noticeable was Glen Davis may have moved up the depth chart ahead of Leon Powe for back-up PF minutes. Personally, I think it will come down to match-ups and consistent individual play before the issue is settled.

The Celtics did well against a struggling Cavaliers team playing back-to-back games. While I won’t read too much into tonight’s victory because of that, the Celtics still looked very good in their final exhibition game.

It all begins for real for the Celtics on November 2 at TDBankNorth Garden against the Washington Wizards.

T

Here is my blog article on the latest news and rumors….

The Celtics cut Dahntay Jones and Jackie Manuel. No big surprises there.

It reinforces the Celtics interest in Brandon Wallace’s potential

Here is Bulpett’’s release in the Boston Herald…

http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/celtics/

But it is this little comment mentioned in the Herald’s Mark Murphy article that is peaking my interest…

Rivers might delay his goal of trimming the roster from 16 to 14 until just before the Nov. 2 season opener against Washington at TD BankNorth Garden.

“We may do that, unless we get wind from another team that something is up,” Rivers said. (my bold)

He was referring to the possibility of another team releasing a player who interests the Celtics, particularly a center. The C’s are short at that position, but Rivers is confident that backup Scot Pollard, sidelined by a deep bone bruise in his left ankle, will be available by Nov. 2.

Hmm…..in other news and rumors, Kevin McHale says that some recently acquired players may not even report to Minnesota. That could mean Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, or Wayne Simien.

Internet rumors have Antoine Walker interested in a buy out to come back to his beloved Celtics for some unfinished business. He is said to be willing to accept a veterans minimum salary to play here.

The other possibilities are Doleac and Simien, I guess. But it sounds like something is in the air with the early release of the two players by the Cs.

Stay tuned.

T

To summarize:

a) Internet rumors that Antoine Walker wants to come to Boston.

b) Minnesota’s Kevin McHale said he most likely won’t bring in all three players (Walker, Michael Doleac, and Wayne Simien) he just trade Ricky Davis and Mark Blount for.

c) The Celtics made early cuts – signaling a possible move to add someone else.

Let’s wait and see.

T

The final preseason game for the Celtics will be in Boston on Friday night at 7:30 against last year’s Eastern Conference Champions. ESPN will be showing it.

The Celtics are 3-3 after starting the preseason 3-0. Early success has been somewhat sobered by 3 losses in which the team did not play as well as could be expected. The outside shooters are in a mini slump. Total team chemistry is just starting to be worked on. Doc Rivers
first wanted to get the three star lots of time to try to feel each other out.

This team is certainly a work-in-progress and in its early stages. But the preseason is short and the real season is long. So expect more erratic or awkward play and line-up adjustments as the Celts work to find the right combinations throughout the month of November.

Many Celtic players are not yet in a groove and they will only get there through more playing time together. That’s why team chemistry is so important to any team’s success. The first three games were almost too easy.

Overall, the Cs have been disappointing offensively, shooting just 30-114 from 3 ptland for .263% and .429 FG% from the floor. On the other hand, the defensive stats are better than expected, as they are holding opponents to 83.2 points per game and .382% from the field, ranking the team rather high comparatively for the preseason.

Rookie PF Glen Davis’ offense is emerging as an early bright spot for the coalescing Cs. He is making typical rookie mistakes especially on the defensive end, but his offense looks NBA ready. He has a nice touch passing and is finding the ability to put points on the board. He led the team with 21 points against the Nets. He is one nimble big man. If he can play effective defense, he will see minutes earlier rather than later.

The Pollard less Celtics lack height when center 6′ 10″ Perkins leaves the floor. Neither Davis, Brian Scalabrine nor Leon Powe really can handle decent NBA big men for any period of time. Kevin Garnett best fills those Perkins absences at the moment.

The Cavs

Many think that last year’s demolition (4-0) of the Cavaliers by the San Antonio Spurs in the League Championship Series vindicates the thought that Cleveland might not even have been the best team in the East.

The Lebron led Cavs want to disprove that theory this year. They will get an opportunity to convince us on Friday night.