Boston Sports Then and Now

Celtics 3-0

The Celtics have started out very strong, going 3-0.

Beating teams by an averages of 22 points, the Celtics have shown us that they are still the team to be reckonedwith in the East– possibly the league. KG’s, over-scrutinized (yes– I’m guilty of it too), return to action has shown to be successful thus far. Though Garnett (13 ppg, 7 rpg) is still not in game shape, his impact just being on the floor, is overwhelming opponents.

Rasheed Wallace (9.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg) is a great fit. He is raining down shots from downtown (it seems) on every possession. Most impressive is the team’s defense, holding opponents to 79 points and 38 percent shooting. The combo attack of Wallace, Garnett and Perkins has devastated opponents with help defense, talk defense and the refusal to allow opponents to get easy buckets. Length, strength and depth on the front line is certainly not an issue for this year’s team.

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KG and Sheed are already making their defensive presence felt.

Yes, it’s early. Only two games have been played in this infant 2009-10 season but the Celtics have made a statement thus far. This team will not be scored upon or give up easy baskets.

Through two games, the C’s have kept their opponents to 36 percent shooting, 22 percent three point shooting and forced 17 turnovers per game. Talking on defense has dominated the front line of Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins and new comer Rasheed Wallace.

Boston’s ‘SOS’ style of defense is not a concept endorsed by most teams in the league as a priority. Though “help defense” is a fundamental of basketball, the mentality taught by most coaches is, responsibility to your man first, if all else fails– help.

Doc Rivers and Tom Thibodeau have ingrained the idea that “all defenders are responsible to each other FIRST”.  An impression that has been effective and lasting for the Celtics. This mind frame has spilled over into every aspect of the player’s culture and is exemplified through the team motto of “ubuntu”.

After the Celtics routing of the Bobcats on Wednesday night, Doc Rivers discussed the team’s defense, telling reporters,

“I thought it was terrific. What did you think? I thought it was great. I thought, obviously, very active early. Tons of deflections. We keep that number and it was extremely — as high as you can possibly probably get it at halftime. And I thought we carried it over, contested starts. Last two nights, I thought it has been absolutely wonderful.”

After the same game, team captain, Paul Pierce added,

“We always stress hot hands, and when we’re able to get in the passing lanes, force turnovers, get out on a break– it makes things easier when your doing those things.”

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Paul Pierce and the C's pushed past LeBron and Cavs in the opener.

The Celtics finally broke a losing streak that loomed over their heads at the Qfor 5 years. In the opening quarter the C’s again seemed to be caught in the glare of the Q’s pregame pyrotechnics.

The Cavs ran out to an early 17-4 lead and the Cleveland crowd erupted into early MVP chants, seeming to release their pent up frustrations from last years, surprising playoff loss to the Magic.

As the teams settled down and the emotions of opening night faded away, the real matchup started. The Celtics exploited the weaknesses of the Cavs and LeBron’sfamiliar solo act  became apparant, showing that the addition of Shaquille O’Neal had not changed much early on for this team. Possibly more apparent then the addition of Shaq, was the subtraction of Delonte West — still out with depression issues.

It may be a new year and the Cavs may have added Shaquille O’Neal but LeBron was still on his own offensively. James’ 38 points led all scorers. The rest of the Cavs starters scored just 41 points combined, proving not much has changed for the Cavs in a season.

What was more impressive was the play of the Celtics second unit, out-scoring the Cavs reserves, 28-10. Doc Rivers went to his bench with 4:54 remaining in the first. Rasheed Wallace made his debut in green (white actually), nailing his first shot attempt. Wallace, one of the early candidates for sixth man of the year (is it too soon to discuss awards? lol), scored 12 points in 23 minutes. Sheed, sporting an afro, played excellent defense, grabbed 3 rebounds and his presence was most felt when teamed with Garnett on the defensive end as they talked with every squeak of the sneaker.

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KG and the Celtics had a strong preseason and are ready for the opener versus the Cavs.

We all know that normally the significance of the pre-season is minimal. However, the 2009-10 preseason held many notable components for the Boston Celtics. Many questions needed to be answered for the Celtics during training camp this year. These questions were integral to the success of the Celtics this season.

During this meaningful pre-season, the Celtics answered those queries with emphatic authority. This squad proved that cohesion and chemistry will be no issue. They showed that the ego’s of their superstars and role players will take a back seat to the team’s success. Kevin Garnett (averaged 12 points, 5 rebounds per game) proved that, though he is still improving daily, he will return to regular season action as the player we remember. Marquis Daniels can fill the empty shoes of James Posey. Rajon Rondo is putting W’s over his contract and Doc Rivers continues to earn the respect and admiration of his players.

All of the above were dire elements in question as the season approached.

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The Big Ticket is back.

The media was back in Waltham. The players were in uniform, smiles on faces. They looked loose and excited to start their bid to reclaim championship glory.

At 4 pm the Celtics were scheduled to hop on a bus and head to Newport, R.I. for the start of training camp tomorrow.

So many questions were needing be answered. Lets highlight a few big subjects (in order) addressed today…

#1  -  KG’s Health

The greatest part about watching coverage of the Celtics Media Day was seeing KG, back in uniform, with a smile on his face and talking about his injury/recovery. Finally! Some comments from the man himself to put me at ease a bit.

First things first, Garnett admitted that the injury was more severe then initially thought. He told the media,

“No surprises, other then the severity of the injury”, Garnett told media. “I didn’t know it was that bad”.

Garnett was then asked to elaborate on his comment.

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The Celtics hope that Rasheed Wallace will fill the role of veteran role player the way Bill Walton did on the 1986 championship team.

By 1985, Bill Walton had already won an NBA title and Finals MVP with the Portland Trailblazers and spent the next several years fighting ankle injuries that would keep him off the court more then in uniform.

The injury plagued Walton was 33 years old and never played more than sixty seven games in an NBA season. Most NBA experts considered Bill Walton’s career to be over.

Larry Bird and Red Auerbach felt differently…

Walton had put the word out to the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics that he was available. Pitching himself as the leagues ideal 6th man, and back-up for Kareem or Parish, Walton waited to hear offers from both teams.

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