Celtics-Lakers Game Highlights

Here is the game highlights from NBA TV and ESPN, including those sexy Lakers' shorts. Had they wear tight jerseys as well, they will be looked more like the Aussie Rule Football (AFL) team.

(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Celtics-Pistons Game Highlight and After-thought

If you do not have ESPN TV, like me, here is the highlight (ESPN), and more.

As expected, the game is competitive and intense as both teams treat it as a self-measuring stick for the best team in the East.

As Chris Sheridan summarises, "experience, savvy and depth" to be the deciding factors for the outcome. Early in the fourth quarter with a 4 points lead, when Doc Rivers gives Rajon Rondo (who has an impressive first-half) a rest and hands over the ballhandling to Eddie House, he could barely get the ball over the halfcourt line against the suffocating defense of Lindsey Hunter. A 9-2 run put the Pistons ahead 70-67 before Rondo returns, and Detroit never trails again.

Next crucial moment, on their final possession, it looks like the play is drawn for Paul Pierce even though he already has a tentative shooting night (instead of going to the hot-hands). I can understand this from Doc Rivers perspective and i know he is willing to live with the decision. Pierce nevertheless has missed his 15-foot fadeaway attempt from the corner, but more importantly, he shoots it too early, leaving too much time on the clock for Pistons.

Coming out from the last time-out for the final shot, when Pistons' Tayshaun Prince notices that Tony Allen has checked back in as defender, he has told Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton (knowing one of them would get the inbound) to give Tony Allen a pump fake because Tony was just coming in off the bench cold. So Doc Rivers sub pattern and defence strategy has been exposed by the experience of Pistons.

The next meeting between the two will be Jan. 6, at Detroit.

Comparing Rondo and Parker's first and current season

Further to my early post, below is a breakdown of the PGs between the new Celtics and 2002-03 Spurs.

Statistics:
__________ G -_ Min _ Pts _ Reb _ Ast _ Stl _ TO _ FG% _ FG

Rajon Rondo:
(2007-08) 20*_ 32.1_ 8.4 _ 3.9 _ 5.2 _1.70_1.70 .531 _3.8-7.2
(2006-07) 78__ 23.5_ 6.4 _ 3.7 _ 3.8 _1.64_1.76 .418_2.4-5.8

Tony Parker:
(2002-03) 77 _ 33.8 _ 15.5 _ 2.6 _ 5.3 _ 0.9 _ 2.4_.464 5.9-12.7

(2001-02) 77 _ 29.4 __ 9.2 _ 2.5 _ 4.3 _ 1.2 _ 2.0 .419_ 3.5-8.3


Current Progress:
Through Dec.11, the 6-foot-1 point guard was shooting 54.7 percent from the floor, which ranked 13th overall and first among starting guards. He is also ranked in the top 16 in steals (1.7 per game) and assist-to-turnover ratio (2.9).

Rondo's leadership skill is still work-in-progress.
"Rondo is more a leader by example; he's going to work hard but you don't see him as a director. He is a little quieter and not as flamboyant as (Tony) Parker ... Parker had charisma in leading his team. "(SI).

Rondo has made two big changes in his shooting. He hasn't attempted a single three after going a senseless 6-for-29 (20.7 percent) from beyond the arc last year. He has also focused on elevating for his jump shot even though many of his attempts are uncontested as the defenses focus on Boston's three stars. Rondo tries to jump to the same height to develop consistency.


Weakness:
Rondo is converting only 48.5 percent from the free throw line, which speaks for his confidence under pressure.


History:
Rondo is drafted No. 21 in the 2006 draft. The Celtics to acquire him in a draft-night trade with Phoenix.

Parker is drafted No.21 in the 2001 draft by the Spurs.

Celtics-Sixers Game Highlight and After-thought

Before the game, Pierce scolded a couple of teammates in the locker room who having too much fun and screaming to some music. "We're trying to play a game," he said. The two players got quiet. No detail about who the two are (ESPN).

Sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic divison, the Sixers are all cited up to play the league leader. I wonder if the Celtics' sloppy performance in the first half is to do with the lack of team practice or something else. But they are able to lift it up after Doc Rivers challenge individuals to play better during half-time break.

Celtics-Cavs Game Highlights and After-thoughts

If you have missed the game, like me, here is the highlights (ESPN).

Two after-thoughts.

It seems that Ray Allen's legs are tied towards the end of regulation, as he missed two free-flows uncharacteristicly (he has played 44 minutes up to that point). I guess his sore ankle, hurt in previous game, also making it difficult to play the long minutes. Given the Celtics' bench is thin in guard-position due to injury, let's keep monitoring how coach Doc Rivers will handle Allen's playing time tomorrow against the Knicks.

It is reported that LeBron James has been talking trash with Paul Pierce the entire second half. After LeBron James misses an 'in his face' attempt to end the regulation, he becomes more focus and asserts his dominance during OT. I know that it is only November, but Paul Pierce and his team will remember this loss.

Both teams will meet two more times during regular season, including the one coming this weekend (Dec. 2, local time) at home. I can almost sense that the Celtics will do anything for revenge.

Celtics-Bobcats Game Highlights

It's a tense game, going all the way to the buzzer (ESPN).

"Trailing by 2 points and the Bobcats inbound the ball, the Celtics needed a dumb play by Jason Richardson, a great defensive tip by Eddie House, a smart feed by Paul Pierce, and the nerveless Allen to connect from international waters, all in the last 4.7 seconds." (Boston Globe).

The New Big Three are meshing

Before the season starts, speculation is on about who will be the primary offence (Pierce or Garnett or Allen). I think the consensus concludes that it will be between Garnett and Pierce, through the high/low post, while Allen will wait for the double-team.

Bethlehem Shoals of FanHouse has posted an interesting observation. Shoals compares the New Three's game with Spurs' trio as follow,

But whereas as the serene Tim Duncan has remained the philosophical center of the Spurs, the Celts orient themselves around Paul Pierce--perhaps the most flawed of the team's trio of All-Stars ... he's expected to play to his greatest strength: Pure, unadulterated go-for-self scoring.

Even though Pierce may not be their best player, Shoals believes that the flaw in his game should be viewed as "honest, indefatigable scoring to the table, which at his level is a very valuable commodity."

We have seen how well Celtics have played so far. They won games by the margins of 20, 3, 26, 23 and 11 respectively. While Garnett has streamlined his rebounding and passing game, Pierce and sometimes Allen looks for their shots. If and when Pierce struggles, the other two compensates (Allen won it in OT in the second game).

I have to tip my hat off to Danny Ainge, who "figures out a way (bringing in two of the most adaptable all-stars) to neutralize Pierce's drawbacks while still allowing him to do what he does best".

As Shoals sums up, "that's what makes this Big Three such an ingenious combination."

Commercial ad by the New Big Three

One of the new ESPN commercial, using the movie 'Hoosiers' as storyline.






They actually have some stuff put on Jeff Van Gundy's cheeks that makes it looks like he has been crying.

Roundup the first week

As the end of first week of the season approaches, we have already been entertained with a few surprises (especially if you are fan of the Bulls, the Pacers or the Heat). But here comes an interesting one.

According to Peter May, the respectful pro-sport journalist, the #1 defensive team in the NBA, in terms of field goal percentage (35.9%), is the Boston Celtics. And not only are they tops in that category, they also were third in points allowed (article).

I should point out that Celtics have had a relative easy schedule so far (played only two games). Both wins, however, are against play-off teams with pretty good offence.

So the sign is there, with fresh legs and light travelling schedule. Let's see if they can keep this up.

SI Front-Cover for 2007/08 Season Preview

Doc Rivers' response: “They honored our guys on the cover, but shouldn’t San Antonio be on the cover?” he said of the defending NBA champs. “We’re not San Antonio. We haven’t done anything yet.”

Celtics-Knicks Game Highlights

The new Celtics debut at the Garden.







It doesn't feel like a preseason warm-up, does it.

Three-teams Race to the Conference Final

Around this time of the NBA calender, you read prediction about which team will win the conference anywhere you go. So let me immerse myself to this role play.

No, i am not going to hard sell you the Celtics except saying this, the chance of Boston to get there is better than 1 in 4. But there are few other teams which are rated higher than the Celtics by many experts. The Bulls, the Pistons, and may be the Cavaliers, from top of my head.

The Pistons are definitely a threat. With the core group of Billups, Hamilton, Prince and Wallace, Mcdyess, they have the superior match-up against the Celtics' triple-threat, either in isolation or in transition. I'm looking forward to their first match-up in regular season.

Many have rated the Bulls the top team in the east, based on their toughness and deep run in last season playoff. Somehow i feel the Celtics will have a better chance if facing them, with Pierce and Garnett playing the low/high post game, verse the Bulls' perimeter game.

The Cavaliers are probably less a threat at this stage, as they're still trying to bring back the full team from last season. Let's give them a bit more time.

OK, the above is based on what we have already known.

What about the thing we don't know yet, such as .....
(it's in today's sport news) the possibility of Kobe Bryant be traded .....

My first reaction is, to subscribe every cable sports TV available and to start re-arranging my appointment schedule for the next few months.

Seriously, to make this trade possible, the other team must have enough assets to offer and deep pocket to take on Bryant's contract, and he will only be interested in playing for a title contender. So there are only handful of teams qualified, and i am assuming that Lakers will cross out those teams that are competing in the same conference.

So here are my two possible scenerios (the number in bracket is how many years remaining in contract):

<1> Trade Bryant (3 yrs) to Detroit, for Richard Hamilton (3 yrs), Jason Maxiell (1 yr), Rodney Stuckey (2 yrs) or Ronald Murray (1 yr) plus other bench players. Bryant will team up with Billups, Prince, Wallace and to become the all defence-team of the league.

This is purely from my speculation. But the possible trade will meet both teams' need. Lakers will get Hamilton and Stuckey to somewhat fill-in the vaccum, in the catagory of total point per game and in defence, and to build for the future prospect of Stuckey and Bynum. In addition, Lakers will also add Maxiell to strength their rebound and interior defence catagory, Detroit, needless to say, will get another shot to the Final, with most of their core group intact. I am, however, assuming that Bryant doesn't mind to move from LA to Detroit (i could imagine it'll be a culture shock to him). A question remains is how Detroit's offer can beat the next team (below) for the trade.

<2> Trade Bryant to Chicago, for Tyrus Thomas (1 yr), Ben Gordon (1 yr), Chris Duhon (1 yr), Thabo Sefolosha (1 yr), Viktor Khryapa (1 yr) and may be another bench player. Bryant will team up with Hinrich, Deng, Wallace and Nocioni (or Joe Smith) as the starting five.

This will be the best possible offer available in market right now, in terms of value for return (even better if Chicago is willing to include Deng or Hinrich) and Bryant has already given his consesus to play for the Bulls. The problem with the Bulls is whether they will find good enough player to fill the void (much like what Boston have gone through).

The experts analyse that possible trade will not happen till the season ends. If, however, the above scenerio does materialise, it will still be a three-teams race to the conference final. But fighting for better seeding in playoff will likely be at top of the list for each team right from the start.

It is going to be a fantastic season to watch.

Now and Then

Let the comparison begins ...

Comparing Celtics new roster with 2002-03 champion Spurs

The more i compare both teams, the more similarity i see in them. Make me wondering whether Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers are thinking along the same path.

The 2002-03 champion of the Spurs is very different from the team that has won the title a few years earlier. Building a team around the twin-tower of Duncan and Robinson, second-year French star Tony Parker (drafted in the first round of the 2001 NBA Draft) is the starting point guard. The squad also features a variety of newly acquired three-point shooters, including veterans, Danny Ferry, Steve Kerr and Steve Smith , swingman and defence specialist Stephen Jackson and Bruce Bowen, and a rookie Manu Ginobili (1999 second-round draft choice playing in his first NBA season). The current roster of Celtics features the trio of Peace, Garnett and Ray Allen, with Rondo and Perkins likely be included to the starting five.

When i compares the two rosters, i see similarity in both building a winning team of similar game (the inside-outside threats) with players of similar skills. Spurs have Duncan and aged Robinson inside complementing each other's play, surrounded by mixed of shooters newly joined the team that year. Celtics have Pierce and Garnett working on the low/high posts and complementing one another. Interestingly either one can also switch and engineer offence from perimeter (or penetration). Of course Ray Allen is their other alternative from perimeter. You may argue that there is a gap in terms of the quality of shooters, in favour to Spurs. I agree. So is Danny and Doc, and that's why they're trying to land another shooter like Reggie Miller.

Another similarity is the starting point guards of both teams, both in their second NBA season with certain limitation, Parker's penetration and sometimes inaccurate jump-shot, and Rondo's shooting skill. Among their other difference, i think the most important one is prior playoff experience, which matters during playoff time.

Both teams have chemistry uncertainty to deal with. Spurs have nine new players then and likewise for Celtics. On hindsight we know how well it works out for Spurs. i sense the same outcome will happen for Celtics, with the leadership of Garnett and Peace and their complementing personality (more detail can be found through google search). i also like Ray Allen and Perkins with their team-first attitude. Overall i like the roster that Danny has put together.

Completing my comparison, the defence standpoint also draws some similarity. Spurs' defence covers almost everywhere from perimeter to the paint. The only weak area may be Parker's defence skill and is often explored by the opposing team with bigger guard. On contrary Rondo's defence skill is supposed to be his strength. Celtics' roster also have filled with players with pretty good defence skill. With Garnett and Perkins filling the paint and backing up by Pollard and Powe, Peace is now focusing his training in perimeter defence and Posey will be joining him to strengthen this catagory. My BIG question mark, however, is how well they gels together in team defence, especially in transition and against point-guard with great passing skill.

If they can deliver soon enough, say within first two to three months into the season, i like Celtics' chance to reach the Conference Final.