Doc's genius late-game coaching decision

Lost amidst another bad loss to a mediocre team was Doc Rivers' (Tom Thibodeau's?) late-game coaching decision to have his two biggest men defend the inbounds passer.  With the Celtics down two points and only 4.4 seconds remaining, Doc had Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett harass the inbounds passer on two successive plays. 

The first play, C.J. Watson drew the unfortunate task of passing the ball inbounds, and couldn't even see over Boston's two monsters, much less pass the ball over them.  Four seconds later, he called timeout and Don Nelson had to switch inbounders to give the 6'10" Vlad Radmanovic a chance.  Even Vlad had troubles throwing the ball in, and had to loft a super-dangerous pass right in front of his own basket that, unfortunately for the Celtics, was corralled by Monta Ellis to end the game.

For those of you who didn't see the game, here's what the defense looked like:

Be sure to applaud my serious photo-shopping skills.  Look at that high-tech and well-rounded circle. 

Seriously, though, has anyone ever seen that strategy employed before?  I hadn't, at least not that I can remember.  (And it's tough not to remember two seven-footers flailing their arms and doing jumping jacks in a strategy you've never seen before.) 

It seems like a great move, as long as you have two long seven-footers to execute it.  Who knows?  Maybe Doc will start a trend and, before you know it, every team will have their seven-footers jumping all over the place on late-game inbounds plays.

It was almost enough to save the Celtics last night.

The Morning Walkthrough: Monta Ellis 'had his way with us tonight'

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn't mean we have to. Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day.

Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston - "'[Ellis] played great for them," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "He basically saved the game for them at the end of the game with that play. One misstep and Tony [Allen] would have had a layup. [Ellis] made a great adjustment to get to the ball and maintain control.' Ellis connected on 15 of 26 attempts, and added four assists. Celtics guard Ray Allen admitted there was little the Green could do to slow him. 'We started out putting one-and-a-half guys on him to start the game, which turned into two guys guarding him and that didn’t work,' said Allen. 'By that time it was too late. He basically had his way with us tonight.' Said Ellis of his big night: '[Scoring is] really just coming to me. I’m trying to get everybody involved -- got myself going, and they keyed in on me, so I moved the ball and everybody got involved.'"

Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston - "Celtics coach Doc Rivers pointed to a season-high 25 turnovers as the key in allowing the Golden State Warriors to rally from an 18-point deficit for a 103-99 triumph at Oracle Arena. 'I told the guys [at halftime] that we had 58 points with 15 turnovers -- that's a miracle,' said Rivers. 'Typically, if you have 15 turnovers, you have maybe 35 points. The fact that we had 58 points with that many turnovers was amazing. But you can't have turnovers against them. They score too quick and too easy. Honestly, that was the difference in the game. 'We were up 18 in the first quarter -- that happens. Eighteen points doesn't mean much, they're an offensive team and we knew they'd get back in it. It was more the 25 turnovers that turned the game around.'"

Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald - "Instead of patiently pounding the ball into the paint against the undersized Warriors, the Celts were content to jack up 3-pointers. They went 5-for-19 from beyond the arc and got outscored in the lane, 44-36. The best sign for the Celts was Rondo, who was utterly undaunted by his two free throw failures against the Clippers. Rondo also tweaked a sore left hamstring in the first quarter. 'I thought he played terrific all night,' said Rivers. 'His hamstring is bothering him. We almost took him out at the end but he just wanted to keep playing, and he played great.'"

Tom Halzack, Celtics Central - "In a move never before seen in an NBA basketball game (by me), Doc Rivers stationed his two tallest players, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins, in front of Watson, the player throwing the ball in. Garnett and Perkins went crazy jumping and waving their hands. When Watson was unable to get the ball in, the Warriors called time out and substituted the taller Vladimir Radmanovic as the player to throw the ball in. Perkins and KG again waved wildly, causing a huge distraction as Radmanovic was forced to throw a football pass leading Ellis to a spot in the back court. The scheme almost worked as Ellis started to fumble the ball a bit as he got to it. But he recovered and the Celtics were forced to foul him. Monte made both foul shots essentially ending the game."

Paul Flanner, WEEI - "We have been down this road many, many times before with Tony Allen. Throughout his star-crossed career, Allen has shown sporadic spasms of brilliance, mixed with head-scratching periods of inertia. So, it comes with no small parts of restraint to say that Allen’s return to the Celtics lineup has been nothing short of solid. Yes, Allen still mixes the sublime with the bizarre, but on the whole the good has far outweighed the bad. His latest comeback is even more intriguing because when the season started one would have been hard-pressed to imagine a scenario in which Allen would have even been given the chance to contribute, let alone excel."

Have a link I might want to look at? Send it my way by email (jayking@celticstown.com) or Twitter.

The Morning Walkthrough: Kendrick Perkins is a thief... in a good way

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn't mean we have to. Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day.

Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald - "Watching Perkins roll out an arsenal of moves far more lethal than what he had when Jefferson was around these parts, Jefferson might have been moved to ask, 'Who are you and what have you done with the Perk I knew?' But Al has been paying attention. 'We were just talking about that last night, how well he’s been playing and how his confidence has gone up on the offensive end,' Jefferson said. 'The way he keeps playing, I think he has a chance to make the All-Star Game. I actually do see him a lot because (the Celtics) always play on a day we don’t play and I watch them every chance I get. To me, he had a quiet night, compared to the games I have seen him play.' And some of the Celtic’s moves may seem a bit familiar. 'I stole a lot of stuff from him,' said Perkins, who made 7-of-10 shots while Jefferson was hitting 9-of-18. 'The pump fake I do? That’s from him.'"

Dan Duggan, Boston Herald - "'Actually I kind of surprised myself. I wanted to lay it up, but I saw him running so hard, so I just had to finish,' Allen said. 'I was pretty happy after that. It actually motivated me throughout the game.' It’s the type of play the Celtics have come to expect from Allen, who missed the first 20 games of the season while recovering from offseason surgery on his right ankle. 'Tony was phenomenal,' coach Doc Rivers said. 'He’s been terrific. He’s just doing the things we need him to do. This is the best stretch that we’ve had him, as far as with this group of guys, where he’s playing his role.'"

Frank Dell'Apa, Boston Globe - "Rajon Rondo had 13 points and 15 assists in the Celtics’ 122-104 victory over Minnesota last night. But Rondo was regretting one of those assists after being informed that Paul Pierce had a chance to break a team record for 3-pointers without a miss. 'I had no idea, I didn’t know he shot 6 for 6 until I saw him do an interview,' Rondo said. 'You know, I looked him off on one, too. The skip pass to Ray [Allen], Paul said he was open, too. He made sure he told me that right after.' Pierce became the first Celtic to convert six 3-pointers without a miss in a home game. He tied a team record for threes without a miss in any game established by Danny Ainge at Utah Jan. 4, 1988, and Walter McCarty at Toronto Nov. 2, 1999."

Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston - "'Well, first of all I didn’t think [House] was athletic enough to get to the ball," said Rivers. "So the fact that he got to the ball, I was shocked. And then he made a play once he got to the ball -- it was pretty spectacular. It was great. I was happy because it was a great defensive play.' Allen, who registered season-highs with 15 points (5-of-8 shooting) and 24 minutes, couldn't believe how the play unfolded, either. 'That was random -- a transition play, Eddie got a tip on the ball, defensively, chased it down to me and I was just running the lane for the fast break and we got the bucket,' explained Allen, who said he initially didn't intend to go for the jam. 'Actually, I kind of surprised myself. I wanted to lay it up and I saw [Brewer] running so hard, so I just finished, had to finish.'"

Frank Dell'Apa, Boston Globe - "'I told him he needs to get back to just playing on his instincts,’ coach Doc Rivers said of Pierce. 'I thought he was trying to get everybody involved, which you want him to do, too. But I think our three really instinctive players are Kevin [Garnett], [Rajon] Rondo, and Paul. You always have to remind them, just be an instinctive player, you have great instincts. Those three guys, you just want them to play. And their instincts do everything for them.’"

Jimmy Toscano, CelticsBlog - "'He's been huge man,' Pierce said of Allen, 'just his energy and what he's been able to bring especially with Marquis [Daniels] out because he's a guy who can come in and slash, score, and also what he's best known for is his defense. He comes in right away and he gets a steal and a fast break layup to start the game off when he gets in the game. Kendrick Perkins was matched up with his old friend Al Jefferson tonight. Perkins finished the night with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Jefferson recorded 20 points and 11 rebounds. 'Perk [Kendrick Perkins] is getting better and better every game,' said the Timberwolves' Al Jefferson. 'If he keeps playing the way he's playing, he's going to get a big contract. He's a great defensive player, always has been... Plus his offensive game is getting better.'"

Have a link I might want to look at? Send it my way by email (jayking@celticstown.com) or Twitter.

The Morning Walkthrough: Swagger isn't always a good thing

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn't mean we have to. Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day.

Julian Benbow, Boston Globe - "The Celtics went up as many as 15 in the first half. Kendrick Perkins nearly had a double-double in the first quarter. Tony Allen seemed like he was everywhere at once. But once the lead got comfortable, so did the Celtics. 'You almost hate to go up [big],' said Ray Allen, “because your human nature has you settling and getting comfortable.' There’s a swagger that comes with a winning streak. And having done so and then come out and run up a large lead, Celtics coach Doc Rivers, said his team had a false sense of it. 'We played with this swagger - the losing swagger,' Rivers said. 'It’s one thing to have the winning swagger and you go out and you feel great about your team, and you go out and play. And then there’s another thing when you just show up and you think the other team’s going to lay over and fall because you’re the Celtics.'"

Ron Borges, Boston Herald - "To lose to the Sixers took maximum disinterest by the Celtics and a bit of a hostile whistle by the referees, although the latter were far from co-conspirators in the Celtics demise. When you blow a 15-point lead to a team that is 6-19, well, you’re doing it to yourself. Last night, the Celtics got what they deserved, which was coal in their Nikes a week before Christmas. 'We’re our own worst enemy,' growled a disgusted Paul Pierce before returning to the locker room and pasting up a 'No Media Loitering Here' sign around his locker. Too bad he didn’t have a 'No Sixers Loitering In the Paint' sign up when Elton Brand put back a miss by Marreese Speights a foot from the basket with 7.7 seconds to play for the game-winner, because no one in green and white did anything to prevent it."

Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston - "Elton Brand's putback with 7.7 seconds remaining lifted the 76ers to a stunning 98-97 triumph over the Celtics, ending Boston's 11-game winning streak Friday at the TD Garden. 'We were like, 'Aww, here we go again,'' said Brand, who came off the bench to score a game-high 23 points. 'We’ve been here in the Cleveland game, the Detroit game... Charlotte with two minutes left. You know we’re much better than our record indicates. We should have closed out some of these games. We closed out a game with a team winning 11 in a row, the best in the league, it bodes well for our confidence.' Echoed 76ers coach Eddie Jordan: 'We made some great plays down the end, big plays. And for a long time, we’ve lost these types of games. We just kept saying we couldn’t get a break and we came to the conclusion that we have to make our breaks. We said that before and we made some breaks tonight.'"

Mark Murphy, Boston Herald - "The Celtics might as well be spending their Friday night home games in their actual homes - out in the suburbs, next to a warm, drowsy fire. It’s a nice prescription for sleep, if not winning basketball. The Celtics, caught in this increasingly bizarre spell all season, fell to 2-4 in Friday home games with last night’s 98-97 loss to Philadelphia."

Frank Dell'Apa, Boston Globe - "Asked if he was disappointed in the ejection, Rivers replied: 'Yeah, I am. I’m disappointed when anybody gets thrown out of a game. You know, whether he’s right or wrong doesn’t matter - you’ve got to control yourself to stay in the game. But he didn’t. And I didn’t - I wasn’t going to try to stand there and talk him out of it. He’s a grown man. And, you know, at some point, it’s him - he understands his value to this team, and his teammates understand his value to the team, and I think, at some point, that’ll get to him. Listen, I can [talk to Wallace]. And I will a little bit. But, I’m not going to have a summit, I can tell you that. It’s too early. He’s been doing it a long time. He’s an expert at it. But we knew that when we got him, and I still love him. I think he’s great, he’s been great for our team, but he’s going to have some of these days.'"

Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston - "'I sliced it at the top, got the hand off and I was just trying to get some space to get a shot,' said Pierce. 'I thought I got a good look at the rim, it felt good coming off my hands, but sometimes the ball bounces off that way, you know? Tough one to swallow.' The Celtics, who led by 15 in the third quarter, know it shouldn't have come down to a final possession. 'I think our energy sucked all night,' said Celtics forward Kevin Garnett. 'I think we could have done a better job of having energy out there. Philly's a team that's going to scrap for 48 minutes and we didn't put them away when we were supposed to.'"

Celtics-76ers preview: How will Iverson react to not starting tonight?

I would say "Home, sweet home," but, well, the Celtics seem to be better away from the confines of the Boston Gah-den.  Philly will be without Allen Iverson tonight (who I wish would play), and his spot in the starting lineup will likely be taken by Willie Green.  The same Willie Green who somehow, miraculously and unexpectedly, torched the Celts in the two teams' last meeting.

Here are three things to look out for during tonight's game: 

1. Allen Iverson's reaction to not starting - I know he's hurt and all, and not even cleared to play but, well, it's Allen Iverson we're talking about.  We're not talking about practice, we're talking about a game... and Allen Iverson likes to start games on the floor, not on the bench.  Can't you just see a postgame explosion from Iverson, ripping into a bewildered Eddie Jordan for not starting him while Jordan thinks to himself, But you weren't even healthy enough to play...?
2. Celtics big men - Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace will be going against a thin, injury-riddled front line lacking much punch.  The Celtics should look inside early and often tonight.
3. Philly's athleticism - Philly doesn't have much going for them so far this season, but one thing they do have is athleticism.  With wings like Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young, Philly can get up and down the court in a hurry, and could cause problems for Boston... that is, if Boston plays like they're in a coma.  If Boston exerts even minimal effort in this one, they'll win.  They're just far more talented than Philly.  Period. 

The Morning Walkthrough: Celtics whole starting five should be in the All-Star game

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn't mean we have to.  Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day.   

Mark Murphy, Boston Herald - "There are many quality guards in the Eastern Conference, and now that sentimental favorite Shaquille O’Neal is with Cleveland, the competition for an All-Star spot at center is thick as well. But in the biased view of their teammates and coaches, Rajon Rondo [stats] and Kendrick Perkins [stats] are as worthy of a trip to Arlington, Texas, for the Feb. 14 game as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce [stats] and Ray Allen. 'Our starting five should go,' coach Doc Rivers said after yesterday’s practice. Funny how that sentiment has spread. 'He means so much to this club,' Pierce said of Rondo. 'But our starting five should be in the All-Star Game.'"

Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston - "'Mentally, you have to be confident in that ligament, that thumb,' said Davis. 'What I have to do right now is get strong, mentally, using it. To shoot, or when somebody hits you and you have to stay focused, and make sure you don't hurt it again. When I get over that, that's when I'll probably be 100 percent.'  Davis pegged his birthday -- Jan. 1 -- as a potential return date (the Celtics host the Raptors on Jan. 2), but admitted he's taking everything slow at his teammates' urging.  'It's a good sign when Baby got the cast off,' said Celtics captain Paul Pierce. 'For him to come out here and do some stretches with us, he hasn't been able to do that in a while; a couple dummy offensive plays. Slowly, but surely. It's still a long season. We want these guys to be healthy at the right time, and completely healthy.'"

Scott Souza, Courtside View - "Marquis Daniels also watched practice and lent a few thoughts on some things he saw from the sideline. He is expected to miss the next five to seven weeks after surgery to repair a ligament in his left thumb.  Daniels said he would have kept trying to play through the injury if not for Rivers pulling him off the floor.  'As a basketball player with a competitive nature you want to be out there with these guys competing,' he said. 'But everyone is keeping me up and involved.  I was trying to keep going, but (Rivers) pulled me out of practice, telling me he was noticing it a lot more. It was something we decided that needed to be done. … I wasn’t going to (pull myself out). I just want to play and be on the floor. We have a great team right now, so you don’t want to take yourself out of it if you don’t have to.  Unfortunately, I had to get this taken care of.'"

Steve Weinman, D-League Digest - "'All of this brings us back to Hudson. His job is to show that he can run a team because that’s what the Celtics may need him to be able to do. Forget for a moment that there is a jump from playing at UT-Martin to playing in the D-League and an even larger jump from UT-Martin to the Association, so how much of his scoring ability will transfer to the next level of basketball remains in question. It doesn’t matter. Not right now, anyway. Hudson, whom at least one scouting report pegged early in his senior year as possessing mediocre ball-handling skills and speed, needs to show that he can help create opportunities for those around him without turning the ball over with abundance. He needs to make smart decisions with the ball in his hands. He needs to use his length (listed at 6-3 and possessing a sizable wingspan) to cause defenses problems offensively and to make his man tentative with the ball at the other end. Given the lack of playing time he is receiving with the Celtics, any chance to get some run is significant for Lester Hudson. But this one is especially important because it will give Hudson further opportunity to focus on turning himself into an NBA-level point guard.'"

Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston - "The Celtics enjoyed a couple of days of downtime after polishing off a perfect three-game road trip Monday in Memphis and coach Doc Rivers noted there was some expected rust to shake Thursday. 'Practice was OK, it was typical of taking a couple of days off," said Rivers. 'We were flat early, but I thought we got it going... We had one more drill left, but I blew the whistle and said, 'That's it.' We were going so hard at the end, let's save something for [Friday].' Said captain Paul Pierce: 'It's good to get back out there. It was nice to get some rest after playing so many road games, get the body adjusted back to the time. We came in today, freshened up -- it's not as crisp as we want to be, but as practice went on it got better.'"

Greg Payne, CelticsBlog - "As that season went on, the notion of a championship became more and more realistic and we quickly adjusted to the fact that that squad was really, really good. It was almost as if the 22 years prior to that had never happened. But when we locked ourselves into that mindset that told us a championship was possible, we began to expect certain things, and when they happened, we took them as they came, rather than appreciating them for all they were worth. Even simple things like a Pierce step back jump shot, or an Allen three-pointer in transition were taken for granted because they happened so routinely. But the uniqueness of these players makes every play they make that much more memorable, and we need to recognize that."

Henry Abbott, TrueHoop - "Every which way people slice and dice crunch time numbers -- field goal percentage, plus/minus, you name it -- Bryant is not the NBA's best in crunch time. A glance at last year's crunch time numbers on 82games.com makes clear Bryant shoots more than anyone else in the NBA in crunch time, but is he more skilled at making those shots? That's what we're trying to judge, right? In crunch time field goal percentage, last season Bryant finished 92nd in the League, right behind Michael Beasley. Others ahead of him include Kevin Garnett, both Gasols, Zach Randolph, Carmelo Anthony, Jason Terry, Jameer Nelson, Tim Duncan, Amare Stoudemire, Eric Gordon, Brandon Roy, Andre Iguodala, Jason Kidd, Ben Gordon, and Chris Bosh."

Tom Halzack, CelticsBlog - "Thought [the Celtics] were going gently into their assisted living facilities, eh? Tut tut, my skeptical friends. The ‘assisted living’ comes courtesy of one Rajon Rondo, point guard extraordinaire. Rondo plays one gear higher than the rest of his starting unit.  11 game win streak says they are rounding into shape after starting strong, stumbling, then slowly righting the ship. The only major surprise was/is the lack of 48 minute intensity, and rebounding woes. They still look like one of the best teams in the NBA to challenge the Lakers. Back with a vengeance? They are back. Vengeance comes later."

Have a link I might want to look at?  Send it my way by email (jayking@celticstown.com) or Twitter. 

Celtics-Grizzlies Game Preview: Grizzlies and Celtics both riding high

Pre-Game coverage from Celtics Town:

• Memphis Grizzlies: Talented but unwilling to commit defensively
• Throwing some dimes: Memphis Grizzlies blog Three Shades of Blue guarantees win
• It took Hasheem Thabeet 19 games to finally register his first NBA assist

Something's got to give in tonight's matchup between Boston and Memphis; both the Celtics and Grizzlies are playing terrific basketball.  The C's have won 10 straight, while the Grizz have merely defeated four of their last five opponents.

Here are three things to look for:

1. Boston wings vs. Memphis wings - O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce.  That's a whole lot of talent flanking the wings tonight.  What should be the difference-maker: Boston's perimeter players are not only talented and efficient, but also dedicated on the defensive end.  Mayo and Gay are both young, and both supremely skilled, but often bring nothing more than a lackadaisical effort on the defensive end.

2. Rebounding battle - Zach Randolph is a beast to keep off the glass, and has been rebounding the ball at close to 15 boards a game in the Grizzlies recent streak.  But it isn't just him; the Grizz also have Marc Gasol pounding the boards, and are outrebounding opponents by a league-best 4.95 boards per game (including a 49-26 dismantling of Miami in last night's win).  The C's, meanwhile, have struggled to rebound the basketball.  They'll have to have a full team effort on the glass tonight, if they intend to win the battle on the boards.
3. Boston bigs - The Boston big men should have their hands full with the rebounding and scoring of Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph.  On the other end, though, it should be open season for Kendrick Perkins and Kevin Garnett:  The Grizzlies have a porous defense, and -- on most nights -- their interior "D" might as well be two matador defenders waving red flags and screaming, "Ole."

The Morning Walkthrough: Celtics starters play together

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn't mean we have to.  Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day.


Zach Lowe, CelticsHub - "I’ll be honest, though: I was a little surprised to see the C’s starters leading the league again this season. My impression has been that Doc is experimenting with different line-ups more often now than in either ‘08 or ‘09. I’ve written before that Doc has never—almost literally never—played KG without both Ray and Pierce on the floor alongside him.  That has changed a bit this season; half of the five-man units KG has spent the most time with include just one of the other Big Three members, according to 82games. But about 500 of KG’s 700 minutes played have come as part of the starting line-up, so the more diverse usage of KG is really just picking at the margins.  We’ve also seen Doc play Eddie House more with the starters as the first man off the bench, a move that has allowed Rondo to take a new leadership role with line-ups that usually include three back-ups and one other starter. I suspect we would have seen even more of this sort of experimentation if not for the Marquis Daniels injury.  And yet still: The C’s starters spend a ton of time playing together."


A. Sherrod Blakely, CSNNE - "There's no universal currency when it comes to measuring the value of stellar point guard play.  But make no mistake about it.  The play of Rajon Rondo during Boston's 10-game winning streak has been priceless.  Rondo's numbers - 13.2 points, 10.4 assists and 4.5 rebounds - during the streak tell the story of his versatility.  But it's what he has done for the rest of the team that has coach Doc Rivers excited about his budding point guard prodigy.  'It's great where he's at mentally with our team,' Rivers said. 'If we come down and take three or four shots without running our offense, he'll slow it down and get us in a set. That's a sign of a great point guard.'"


Gary Washburn, Boston Globe - "Weeks ago there was hesitation. Rondo would pause before taking a jumper and then either force the shot or attempt an acrobatic drive. That is no longer the case.  'I’m taking [the jumper] more. I am getting it with the shot clock running, trying not to settle for the jump shot, [but] I don’t mind taking it at all,' he said. 'I just try to be efficient as much as possible. Teams are giving me the shot and I am taking it this year and I think that’s the only difference. I have more freedom. I don’t know what it is, I am just shooting it.'  Coach Doc Rivers has been pushing his point guard to shoot more. First, the more Rondo shoots, the more confidence he gets. Second, the more he draws defenders, the more he can drive past them for a dish to a teammate or layup.  'It’s great where he is at mentally, he understands our team,' Rivers said. 'If we come down and take three or four shots without running the offense, he’ll slow us down and get us in a set. That’s the sign of a great point guard. He’s become a leader on our team and I think that’s the step he’s taken this year. Our guys now want to follow him and that’s huge when your point guard is your leader.'"


Jeff Clark, CelticsBlog - "Call me greedy, but I want a little more.  I'm looking forward to one game in particular 12 days from now.  Last year this team had some similar themes that were concerning.  The team ran over lesser teams but hit a brick wall against the Lakers and staggered through a rough stretch.  They got their mojo somewhat back down the stretch but we don't know how good the team could have been with a healthy KG in place.  The Magic beat us in November, which appears to have motivated the team to step it up a notch.  They haven't lost since and they get their chance at revenge on Christmas day.  I want that win.  I want it badly."


Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald - "Lester Hudson, the pride of Central High, was very much looking forward to coming home.  In fact, he will find it hard not to be a little sentimental tonight when he takes the FedEx Forum floor in his Celtics uniform. After working his way through community college and Tennessee-Martin, the 25-year-old rookie guard has reached this level against strong odds.   'I think about it all the time because it was my dream,' Hudson said. 'It was the dream of everyone in here to be an NBA player. It was rough for me growing up, and there were times I didn’t know it was going to happen. I doubted myself. But I kept working hard, and I had good people in my corner - family and friends and my coaches.'"

Throwing some dimes

Once in a while, someone else's article catches my eye.  Sometimes, it's because the article is so spot-on I wish I'd written it myself.  Other times, it's because the article enlightens me with a stat I never knew.  Still other times, it's because I disagree with whatever's written.  No matter what the reason, I dish it off to another writer to make his/her point.  You know, throwing some dimes.

• Red's Army discusses who on the Celtics will make the All-Star team, and includes Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins and, well, and nobody else.  In my eyes, that's just wrong, flat-out wrong.  Don't get it twisted, I think Pierce and Rondo should definitely make it, and I'm a big fan of the Vote for Perk movement.  But if Perk makes the All-Star team and Kevin Garnett doesn't, it will be a travesty.  An absolute travesty.  For everything that Perk does for the C's, Garnett does so much more.  He's their best passing big man, their most consistent mid-range threat, and can do a lot of things that Perk simply cannot do.  I'm all for Perk making the All-Star team, just not in lieu of Garnett; KG is still a lot better than Perk, no matter how much adulation has been bestowed on Perk lately.  Also, I don't think Ray Allen will make the team, but I think he's playing very good basketball... everything, that is, besides his normal calling card: three-point shooting.
  
• Celtics Hub: Eddie House did something last night that he hadn't done in a long time, and rarely ever does.
• Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston: Boston did a much better job rebounding last night, especially in the second quarter, when Washington did something else that hadn't been done in a long time... maybe ever.  They didn't have a single rebound.
• Jeff Clark from CelticsBlog appreciates "the good Tony Allen": 

Tony Allen is an easy target on this blog.  He's known for his maddeningly low basketball IQ and frequent boneheaded plays.  But he's on this basketball team and in the NBA for a reason.  He's athletic, aggressive (which is important: see Gerald Green), and he gets after it on defense.  When the stars align and he is focused on what he needs to do to help the team win, good things can happen like they did last night.

 

Doc Rivers: Kendrick Perkins is Celtics' best defender

If you're like me, you've watched Kendrick Perkins grow up and always loved his propensity for doing the little things, for sacrificing his own individual glory for the good of his team.  I always appreciated this about Perk, but I also thought that willingness to do the "nitty-gritty" aspects of the game would keep him from getting the recognition he deserves.

Well, don't look now, but Perk is starting to get a lot of recognition, first within the Boston media, and now with Sports Illustrated.  He's improved every part of his game; his post play, his defense, his rebounding, and is now getting love from all angles

Doc Rivers even called Perkins the Celtics' best defender, an enormous feat considering he plays in the same frontcourt as Kevin Garnett.

Via SI's Britt Robson:

Unlike most players, Perkins doesn't use a forearm when guarding opponents who operate with their backs to the basket. "If you use the forearm, you don't have enough balance when they spin or fade away," he said. Instead, he uses hands for sensory information; the outside hand placed on an opponents' tailbone to determine where he's going (and, if possible, to guide him), while the inside hand stabs for steals.

Along with producing studier balance, this approach enables Perkins to provide resistance with an unyielding chest and trunk as the hands give way. It's a classic, albeit increasingly rare, style of bump-and-grind, low-post defense.

But Boston coach Doc Rivers cherishes Perkins' defense as much for his brains as his brawn. "[Assistant head coach] Tom [Thibodeau] does a terrific job getting our guys to communicate, but at the end of the day, Kevin and Perk are seeing things before they happen; they have such high basketball IQs and adjust to all the wrinkles," Rivers said. "The other thing that has happened to Perk to make him better is his focus. He accepts who he is and knows that his biggest value to the team is being our best defender."

"Our best defender."  Just let that sink in for a second.  Did you ever think Perkins would become our best defender, back when he was an overweight, clumsy big man straight out of high school?  I can't say I did.

But he deserves Doc's accolades, and has become an incredibly valuable player for the Celtics, to the point he is now being mentioned in some venues as a possible All-Star.  (If you want to vote for Perk to become an All-Star, click here.)
 
Perk is one of the few centers in the league who can handle just about any post player without a double team.  He's physical, moves his feet well, and alters a lot of shots he doesn't block.
 
Conratulations, Perk, you earned it.  Just do a better job guarding Andrew Bogut next time, huh?

Andrew Bogut and Milwaukee Bucks feeling little confidence as they head to Boston

Via the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel:

Doubts are starting to creep into the minds of Milwaukee Bucks players.


It's only natural the team's confidence would sag a bit as it has lost seven of the last eight games following an exciting 8-3 start.

But Bucks coach Scott Skiles addressed the issue at Monday's practice session and told his players that too much contemplation could be counterproductive.

"We're not thinking properly about it," Skiles said. "Confidence has to come first. You can't be out there in a game feeling unsure about yourself."

Feeling unsure about yourself certainly isn't the way to feel heading into a matchup with a 16-4 championship contender on a 7-game winning streak.  The Bucks are struggling recently, losing a lot of games, and noone on their team has performed as poorly -- relative to expectations -- as Andrew Bogut:

Bucks center Andrew Bogut has struggled in the last three games after a 22-point, 15-rebound showing against the Chicago Bulls on Nov. 30. Bogut excelled in his return from a lower leg injury and blocked two shots late in the game to help preserve the Bucks' 99-97 victory over the Bulls.


But he could not duplicate that effort while matching up against Washington's Brendan Haywood, Detroit's Ben Wallace and Cleveland's Shaquille O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.

"He has to play with much more of a swagger, much more confidence than he currently plays with," Skiles said. "Now he does in some games.

"It's got to become more consistent. He's got to establish himself in every game and let the other team feel that he's out there. Sometimes it will be by scoring the ball. Other times it will be getting big rebounds or whatever it is.

"He can't predetermine and think 'I'm playing against a guy I've struggled against before.' He's just got to bring it every night. And he's good enough that when he does, he's very good."

It's odd Bogut has played so badly recently, because he's actually having a damn good season.  He's very near a double-double average (14.6 ppg and 9.1 rpg), to go along with 1.8 bpg, and had started to establish himself as one of the Eastern Conference's top centers before stumbling in his past few games and having Scott Skiles discuss his lack of confidence.

It's too bad for Bogut he has to try to revive himself from his early-season slumber against Kendrick Perkins and the stout C's interior defense.  (Note: It's weird saying "Kendrick Perkins and the C's defense" rather than "Kevin Garnett and the C's defense", but that's how good Perk has been this season.  If you ask me, he's NBA All-Defense, no doubt.)  If Bogut is still struggling with his confidence -- and, really, even if he isn't -- tonight could be a long night against the long, mobile and talented Celtics frontcourt.

The Morning Walkthrough: Brandon Jennings was mentored by former Celtic Allan Ray

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn't mean we have to.  Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day. 

Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston - But here's the strongest connection between Jennings and the Celtics: He was mentored by former Celtics guard Allan Ray while playing overseas last year. Colleague Chris Broussard detailed the connection in last November's ESPN the Magazine: "After practice, Allan Ray, the former Villanova star who is in his second year with Virtus Roma, gave Jennings a pep talk. Ray got kicked out of several practices last season. 'When you're The Man in high school, you can do whatever you want,' Jennings says despondently. 'This is something new for me, especially playing for a coach who's real controlling and doesn't take no stuff.'"

Steve Weinman, D-League Digest - There is little reason to doubt that this sort of performance will be the norm for Walker as long as he remains in the D-League. He has NBA strength at his position.  He has NBA speed, and he is explosive around the rim.  All of that is exactly why Walker’s prospects for finding his way back to the NBA and staying there won’t hinge on how dominant he is as a scoring force at this level. This is about improving his game from the neck up.  From his high school days at North College Hill to his time at Kansas State to last season with the Celtics, Walker has always had the physique to be a special player. Finding a way to put his tools together and harness his energy on the court has been and continues to be the biggest challenge.

Zach Lowe, Celtics Hub - It’s a small but gradual evolution: KG’s shot selection is moving both closer to the rim and further away. He’s getting more shots at the rim and within 10 feet and in the area between the foul line and the three-point arc—the area NBA experts generally consider the least “efficient” place from which to shoot.   But this isn’t a bad thing. The first reason is simple: Since 2007, KG has made a slightly higher percentage of shots from 16-23 feet than from the 10-15 foot range. And that makes intuitive sense. Those 16-23 footers tend to be open shots created by dribble penetration or a pick-and-pop, while the 10-15 footers are more often created in one-on-one isolation and shot within crowds.  Put another way: A shot from 10-15 feet away is (generally) the worst shot Kevin Garnett can take.

Me, Celtics Town - Watching the Boston Celtics, though, floods back all the memories of high school basketball, a time when my team wasn't a bunch of individuals, but a close-knit group of brothers. It is easily evident on the court just how much the Celtics care about each other and want to win the game, not just for themselves, but for each other. You can see it every time Kendrick Perkins sets a screen to free somebody else to score, or Kevin Garnett sits on the sidelines during a blowout and screams like the world is ending. You can see it when Rajon Rondo takes fewer than five shots in an entire game, more than willing just to set his teammates up, or when Paul Pierce defers to his teammates for large parts of the game, happy to ride out somebody else's hot hand. You can see it when the Celtics go on a run, and the entire bench is standing up and cheering, even if NBA rules no longer allow that. You can see it when Shelden Williams, fresh after catching his first DNP-CD of the season, remarks on Twitter not about being hurt by not playing in the game, but about how big a win it was to beat the Spurs. You can see it in every defensive rotation, every dive to the floor after a loose ball, every extra pass to a more open teammate; the Boston Celtics play the game the right way, a selfless way, a way that inspires teamwork, friendship and camaraderie. A way that not only brings wins, but happiness.

Bob Ryan, Boston Globe - Young Mr. Jennings should make sure he extends a pregame fist to a certain No. 5 of the Celtics, because thanks to the Garnett Effect, he was able to pocket $3.65 million before reaching his 20th birthday.  Kevin Garnett was the human toothpaste who oozed out of the tube back in 1995, demanding the NBA take him directly from Chicago’s Farragut Academy rather than from an institution of higher learning.  No player had tried to come to the NBA directly from high school since Moses Malone, Darryl Dawkins, and Bill Willoughby had done it in 1974 and 1975. Their mixed success (Malone was an all-time great, Dawkins, a.k.a. “Chocolate Thunder’’ was a gigantic tease, and Willoughby was a talented, misused failure) somehow doomed the experiment, and the NBA floated along serenely doing its business with a mixed bag of collegians until Garnett changed everything by submitting his name to the draft.

The Morning Walkthrough: Rebounding is the 'tear in C's fabric'

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn't mean we have to.  Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day.

Jeff Clark, CelticsBlog - Lets just say that [rebounding] is a tear in the fabric.  We can sew it up, patch it up, or ignore the problem.  Ignoring it isn't an option because the tear will just keep getting bigger and leave a big hole in our attack.  Patching it with an outside person might help, but might end up causing more problems than it is worth.  I think we have players that can rebound but they need to make if more of a priority.  Perk, Sheed, and KG should be able to board with anyone.  Sheed and KG spend a lot of time on the perimeter on offense, but if they emphasized it, they could pull down more boards.  I think.

Frank Dell'Apa, Boston Globe - Daniels’s role likely will be filled by Tony Allen, who is expected to return for the first time this season after ankle surgery, and Brian Scalabrine.  Allen practiced at full speed yesterday and will be evaluated today.  “I’m just taking it one step at a time and building my energy and strength, getting the rhythm of these plays and defensive schemes and just get back in gear,’’ he said. “This was a good day, but I want to see how my ankle responds.  “If it doesn’t swell and ache, I know I’m building.

Red's Army - It's hard not to feel bad for Greg Oden.  Just when he was playing up to some of the hype that preceded him a few years ago, he went down with a fractured kneecap that will probably end his season.  Add it to the list.  Oden's getting hurt like a guy who got drafted by the Clippers.  I was a believer.  I thought this was the year he stepped into his own and helped the Trailblazers move into the next level out West.  I still think he's got the tools to be a good player in the NBA.  He might never be the franchise player people thought he would be, but he can still be good.

Sherman Alexie, via Truehoop -In this poem, I also liken it to the every day death of the Sonics. I feel their loss constantly. And then, seeing that Oden is down for the season (and likely done as an everyday player for good), I first thought, "Well, I'm glad I don't have to feel the kind of pain that Blazers fans are feeling today. I don't have to feel the pain of every Sonics loss or injury anymore."  But then, I thought, no, I miss the losses as much as the victories. I miss the pain as much as the joy. I miss the losing streaks as much as I miss the wins. Hell, I miss Luke Ridnour. And so, I think, my grief for my father -- my ever-present grief -- is so important because he never goes away. I don't forget him. I keep him alive that way.

Doc Rivers happy with C's unhappiness

Via the Boston Herald:

Doc Rivers was pleased when several players - most notably Kendrick Perkins - expressed dissatisfaction after Thursday night’s win in San Antonio. Perkins appeared to be more bothered by the fact that the Spurs grabbed 20 offensive rebounds than impressed by a win in what is always one of the toughest road stops in the league.

But this is how Rivers knows that his team has remained on message.

“We’re (9-1 on the road) and it’s great,” said the Celtics coach. “But I read the comments from some of our guys in San Antonio, and what I liked is that a lot of them weren’t happy with how we played.

“Those are good signs for your team,” said Rivers. “We’re winning games and we’re very happy with the record, but we’re not a finished product either.”

I like that the team isn't happy, too.  Remember last season, when the Celtics got off to a blazing start that Doc kept trying to tell everyone was a bit of fool's gold?  The players seemed to buy into the notion that they were simply superior to every other team in the league, despite Doc's (correct) notion that they weren't, and overconfidence set in.

Whether it's because they lost a few games early in the season, or whatever else it may be, this season's crew realizes they still have work to do, and are staying grounded even after a nice 7-game winning streak. 

And that sense of wanting more, the C's knowledge that they aren't close to being a finished product -- and not the winning streak or 16-4 record -- is what makes me very optimistic about this young season.

Kendrick Perkins dominates Charlotte front line in easy 108-90 victory

This one was over when there were, well, about 36 minutes left. Actually, it might have been over even before that.

Honestly, the only reason I even watched the second half was to see when the Bobcats would surpass that ever-elusive 60-point barrier they fell short of last time (the answer: four minutes left in the third quarter), whether 'Sheed would pick up his second technical of the game (nope), and if KG would really come to blows with Nazr Mohammed. (And, if so, would Stephen Jackson fire bullets into midair to end the beef, only to get run over by a car -- or, in this case, Perk?) Sadly, none of that happened either.

All I need to do to explain to you how badly the Bobcats were outclassed is to tell you one thing: Nazr Mohammed (yes, THAT Nazr Mohammed) was arguably their best player. From my experience following the NBA, let me share some valuable knowledge with you: When Nazr Mohammed is your team's best player on any given night, you are going to lose on that night.

The player who's supposed to be their best player, Gerald Wallace, was completely non-existent. Greg Payne from CelticsBlog wrote an article titled "Paul Pierce Will Have His Hands Full With Gerald Wallace", but Pierce remained empty-handed the whole game, as Wallace more or less entirely disappeared. Mike Gorman noted, "Wallace wishes he didn't get up this morning," but his play was even worse than that. He probably wishes he doesn't get up tomorrow morning, either.

The Celtics, much like they've done recently, played great team basketball. They moved the ball terrifically, at times looking like a well-oiled machine. Playing against a Charlotte Bobcats team with an old, slow, and weak frontline, the C's did just what they should do; pound the ball inside. (Note: What the hell happened to Tyson Chandler? A few years ago, he was on the National Team. Yes, the USA National Team. And yes, for basketball. Now, he looks like Space Jam's Monstars took over every skill he ever had, as well as all of his athletic ability.)

Kendrick Perkins was dominant. He rebounded, he blocked shots, he scored, and he even threw in a between-the-legs crossover move to blow by Mohammed for good measure. (Okay, maybe "blow by" isn't the right phrase. How does "rumble by" sound? A little more accurate? Good.)

But you know what? That crossover, as nice and unexpected as it was, wasn't even my favorite part of Perk's game. So what was my favorite part, you ask? When he fouled a Charlotte player and, instead of sending a menacing scowl in the direction of Mr. Referee, he simply raised his hand and admitted the foul. It wasn't a nice play, and it wasn't positive for either Perk or the C's, but Damn! did it make me chuckle. Since when does Perk politely raise his arm after getting whistled for a foul? Seeing him do that proves true the old adage: There's a first time for everything.

Besides Perk, Ray Allen was Boston's other stud. After a prolonged slump left Ray shooting only 30% from behind the arc, it was nice to see the classy star break out for 27 points, including 5-6 shooting from three-point land. He drained a couple threes to start off the first quarter and, by that point, had already matched the total number of three-pointers the Bobcats would hit in the entire game. (Which, coincidentally, is also the number of threes they've drained against the Celtics ALL SEASON -- two.)

While just about everybody for the C's played well, one thing people might complain about is Doc's decision to put the starters back into a 20-point blowout with six minutes remaining. I see why you would complain; after all, who needs KG getting hurt playing useless garbage time? Still, I don't think it was all that bad. Even with those minutes, Ray Allen was the only starter above 33 minutes. (36 for Ray, 33 for Pierce, 31 for Rondo, 29 for Perk, and 26 for Garnett.) Maybe Doc shouldn't have put those guys back in -- and, really, I still don't get why he did. It was still a 20-point lead! -- but, with those minutes, nobody should be too worn out for Thursday night's game in San Antonio.

Anything else worth noting? Ummm... Garnett got into a little scuffle with Mohammed in the first half. Rasheed got another weak tech. (This time, he was walking off the floor when the whistle was blown. His reputation really kills him when it comes to techs.) Rondo was decent, Pierce had his first single-digit scoring output of the season, and Garnett continued his efficient play. D.J. Augustin barely played any minutes, Flip Murray was horrendous, and Boris Diaw is kind of chunky.

After winning in such convincing fashion, on the road -- again -- I want to say the Celtics are road warriors, but I think it has a lot more to do with who they played in their losses, rather than where they played those games. Had the Celtics played Atlanta, Phoenix and Orlando on the road rather than at home, they probably still would have lost all those games. Being on the road shouldn't help win games... right? Right?

Anyways, on a completely unrelated note, it sure is fun, ain't it?

Beating up on mediocre teams, that is.

Kendrick Perkins, fourth-best shooter in Celtics history

He's mostly known for his defensive exploits.  In fact, if you had to choose the crowning individual moment of his career, you'd probably have to say it was handling Dwight Howard so effectively in last season's playoffs.

So how, then, is Kendrick Perkins the fourth-best shooter in Celtics' history?  That's right, the "offensively challenged" Perkins is not the fourth-best shooter on this year's team, or the fourth-best shooter in his immediate family, or the fourth-best shooter who scowls 450 times per game, but the fourth-best shooter in the entire history of the proud Boston Celtics franchise.

Via the Herald:

Perkins, now fourth in the NBA with a .644 shooting percentage, has a career .550 field-goal percentage that is fourth in Celtics history, trailing only Cedric Maxwell (.559), Kevin McHale (.554) and Parish (.552).

With Tuesday’s 21-point, 9-for-10 performance, his high water mark for the season, Perkins has shot 33-for-41 over his last six games.

“Perk is just taking his time, man,” said Kevin Garnett, who has also made Perkins one of his favorite targets. “He’s a lot patient. He’s doing great at what’s been given to him. At the same time, he’s taking his time. Offense is just patience, and (letting) the defense react. As an offensive player you have to be a lot more aggressive than just finishing. He’s focused on catching the ball and finishing. He’s been offensive rebounding. He’s been a beast. He’s definitely growing as a player.”

First off, let me say that Perkins is first in the NBA with his .644 shooting percentage, not fourth.  Now that doing my second job as editor of the Herald is over, let me explain how Perk, despite entering the league with all the offensive talent of DeSagana Diop, has managed to become such an efficient scorer.

The most important reason is Perk's willingness to do the dirty work.  A lot of players, especially straight-out-of-high-school players like Perk, come into the NBA thinking they are going to light the league on fire, and try to do a lot more than they're capable of.

Not Perk.  Just about from day one, he's been content to handle his role of rebounding and defending.  He realized that he isn't the most gifted scorer ever -- not as talented as his former teammate Al Jefferson, for instance -- and decided to focus on the other aspects of the game, the parts he was better suited for.  Showing maturation far beyond his years, Perk settled into his niche as a low-post presence who didn't need the ball in his hands to be effective.

Surprisingly, it was Perk's willingness to focus on the other aspects of his game that allowed him to be such an efficient scorer.  For the first several years of his career, Perk never forced the issue down low, only looking to score when A) he had a mismatch, or B) he was so wide open and so close to the basket he had no choice.  Otherwise, Perkins was fine with letting his more skilled teammates do the scoring, while he focused on the other, sometimes more important, areas of the game.

This year, Perkins has been doing more scoring than ever, all while shooting at a higher clip than ever before.  His game has improved to the point where the C's now often look to dump it into Perkins in the post, counting on him to provide scoring punch in the paint.  Obviously, Perk has put a ton of time and energy into improving his game, spending time specifically with highly-regarded big man coach Clifford Ray

Along the lines of Perk's work ethic, here's my favorite Perk story ever:  After Perkins got married this summer, he declined a honeymoon because he didn't want to miss any more workouts.  (Note: It's actually true.)  Can you imagine telling your new wife, "Sorry, honey, but I have decided against a honeymoon.  I know you have probably looked forward to your honeymoon your whole life, but I'd rather lift weights and practice my jump hooks."?  I know I can't.  I'm sorry guys, but if I were an NBA player getting married, I'd still be going on my honeymoon.  My training regimen could wait a few days.

But Perk thought differently.  He just wanted to get back to work, back to honing his craft.  He's worked on his game every year he's been in the league and, while he's still more than willing to do the dirty work, Perk is now capable of being the C's leading scorer on some nights.  He won't remind anybody of Kareem in the post -- and, in Boston, that might be a good thing -- but Perk understands his abilities and gets the most out of them.

Do you want to know something funny about Perk being the fourth-best shooter in C's history?

He's probably more proud of the job he did on Dwight Howard.

The Morning Walkthrough: Kendrick Perkins earning a little admiration

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn't mean we have to.  Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day.

Gary Washburn, Boston Globe - "When Doc Rivers took over as Celtics coach in 2004-05, he inherited an overweight Perkins, then watched as his mammoth center trimmed his weight and bulked up his skills. He marveled at Perkins’s condition in training camp and his focus on improvement.  “You know who’s playing great for us is Perk,’’ Rivers said following Sunday’s victory in Miami. “He’s doing all the little things, a lot of the dirty work that you don’t get the credit for.  “One of the things we’ve talked about for years is if he can get it in the paint, they are going to have to foul. If he goes through bodies, he’s going to get to the foul line.’’"

Brian Robb, Celtics Hub - "Kendrick Perkins is leading the league in FG Percentage at 64.3% per game. Let that register for a little bit for a guy who use to be one of the most hesitant shooters on the team, if not the league.  The guy has surely come a long way but Perk’s continued progression on the offensive end has been a pleasure to watch, as he firmly establishes himself as one of the premiere big men, not only in the Eastern Conference, but the entire league."

Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports - "The Nets didn’t back into this record, but earned it Wednesday. All together, the New Jersey Nets laid down and quit on themselves, the way the owner quit on Jersey six years ago. Bruce Ratner will go down as one of the most destructive owners in NBA history, and for one night until the Russian billionaire takes over, one more inglorious night, everyone wanted to celebrate that man’s incompetence and failure in the odd kind of way they could only do here, in Jersey, where NBA basketball seasons have long come to die."

Pounding the Rock - "I may be crazy, but I think RJ [Richard Jefferson] can run with Paul Pierce. The stats don't bear me out--Pierce averages higher in points, rebounds, assists, and efficiency--but let's call it a hunch. In mid-November, Pierce bruised a knee, but it didn't seem to slow him down much. He is aggressive, and Jefferson is going to have to push back."

Kendrick Perkins improving shot release

Via ESPNBoston:

As Celtics coach Doc Rivers recently noted, "If you been around here enough, it sometimes felt like it took him forever to get it up. [Editor's note: That's what she said.)  He's a gatherer, that's what we call it. He has to gather the ball to go up. You see him doing drills each day, catch and going up quick. He's doing it better."

Watching him, it's easy to see the improvements Perkins has made.  I used to complain all the time about Perk bringing the basketball down, giving both time for big men to recover and an opportunity for guards to swipe at the basketball.  But now he is keeping it high, getting rid of it faster, and becoming a little bit of an offensive threat.


By the way, can't you just see Perk doing the Mikan Drill with a huge scowl on his face?

The Morning Walkthrough: Celtics put on clinic at both ends

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn't mean we have to.  Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day. 

Chris Forsberg, ESPNBoston - "The Celtics continue a four-game road trip Thursday in San Antonio looking to match the six-game winning streak they opened the 2009-10 season with.  And they'll do it oozing confidence. The Celtics were dominant at both ends of the floor Tuesday night, setting the tone early on the defensive end, while showcasing an inside/outside attack for which Charlotte has no answer. Sure, they did it against a Bobcats team they blew out by 33 points at the Garden earlier this season, but Charlotte was riding a four-game winning streak after the recent addition of Stephen Jackson."

Tom Halzack, Celtics Central - "Kendrick Perkins continued his torrid play of late with 15 first half points on 6 of 7 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He finished with a season high 21 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 turnovers. Kendrick is now 21 of 24 shooting over the last three games, and 31 of 38 over the last five games for an incredible 81% rate.  He is fitting into the offense perfectly and making every scoring opportunity count. Is this a sign of things to come as both Rondo and Perkins begin to emerge as the youthful, energetic representatives of the starting five?"

Associated Press, via the Globe - "With Perkins and Garnett drawing attention inside, Allen was hitting from the outside and the foul line, where he made all 10 attempts. The Celtics didn't even need Paul Pierce (eight points) to move into a tie for the Eastern Conference lead with Orlando. "I put some baby oil on the rim," Allen said, smiling. "I said earlier I had to just put it in, just swish the ball, not even mess around with the rim. It's really all a body thing, just getting your legs in the air and being consistent."

Zach Lowe, Celtics Hub - "The C’s might not play a finer half of offense than the first half they played tonight. To put up 62 points in one half while playing at a plodding pace—that’s great on its own. To do it against the team that came into the game leading the league in defensive efficiency? Wow. As the C’s picked apart the Bobcats, I found myself thinking back to how helpless the C’s offense looked at times against Orlando and shaking my head at how different a team could look in two separate games."

Rick Bonnell, Charlotte Observer -"I was so angry; we didn't compete a lick," Brown said. "I can't remember a game coaching this team when I felt more disappointed."The Bobcats were equally inept on offense and defense. They shot just 40.5 percent for the game , 2-of-11 from 3-point range. But the defense - normally this team's most reliable element - hit bottom, giving up 55 percent shooting.
Brown was shocked how willing his team was to stand around, watching center Kendrick Perkins (21 points on 9-of-10 shots) and reserve guard Eddie House (12 points off 5-of-9 shooting) take layups.

Me, Celtics Town - "All I need to do to explain to you how badly the Bobcats were outclassed is to tell you one thing: Nazr Mohammed (yes, THAT Nazr Mohammed) was arguably their best player. From my experience following the NBA, let me share some valuable knowledge with you: When Nazr Mohammed is your team's best player on any given night, you are going to lose on that night."

Rick Bonnell, Charlotte Observer - "Brown threw out a slew of zingers in his post-game press conference, but here's a particularly telling one that didn't make my game story: "You could have taken five people from the stands and run (Boston's) stuff,'' and still have beaten the Bobcats Tuesday. My. That's one ticked-off coach."

Could Kendrick Perkins become an All-Star center?

Nobody can deny Kendrick Perkins' improvement; he's come a mighty long way from the big, bumbling center the Boston Celtics acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in a draft-day trade in 2003.

Once upon a time, Perkins was best-known for being the second-year player taken off the bench in a 2005 playoff game to shoot Paul Pierce's free throws. For those who forget, Pierce was too shaken up by a hard foul to remain in the game. Perk, who had yet to be inserted into the game prior to that point, was summonsed by Pacers' head coach Rick Carlisle to shoot the free throws (by NBA rules the opposing coach is allowed to choose the free throw shooter if the player who is fouled is unable to shoot the shots). Cold and not a very good shooter to begin with, Perk bricked the two free throws, though the Celtics would still go on to win the game. At that point, Perkins was a goat, a liability.

Now, Perkins is admired and respected by Celtics fans. No longer the scapegoat, no longer the young player struggling to adapt to the drastic change from high school to the NBA, Perk has earned his respect. He's spent a long time with assistant coach Clifford Ray, honing his post game to the point that he is no longer an offensive liability. He's become a defensive stopper, capable of shutting down big men down low or moving his feet to hedge out on the pick-and-roll.

Perkins has improved every year, in leaps and bounds. He's gone from a rookie in 2003, averaging 2.2 points and 1.4 rebounds per game, to an integral piece of a championship contender, a true workhorse able to contend with the likes of Dwight Howard. Rajon Rondo played out of his mind in last year's playoffs, and Ray Allen and Paul Pierce both had their moments, but I would argue it was Perkins who was their most valuable player; it was Perk who held the fort down inside against Superman, who was the Celtics' only reliable low-post stopper and a suddenly reliable scorer on the blocks. Perkins, pretty much on his own, kept Chicago and Orlando from scoring at will in the paint.

But will Perkins ever be an All-Star center?

Before you call me crazy for even suggesting that he might one day make an All-Star team (after all, his career highs are 8.5 points and 8.1 rebounds), hear me out...

Perkins has improved every year. He plays for a championship-caliber team that will likely contend for at least the next two years. His position, center, has traditionally been the easiest at which to make an All-Star team (see: Jamaal Magloire). He's still only 24 years old, and has demonstrated a great work ethic and a willingness to refine new parts of his game each year. Last season, for the first time, he showed the ability to stay out of foul trouble and play more minutes.

More minutes means better stats, and if Perkins can accumulate a double-double average with two blocks per game, and the Celtics can run up the best record in the East, it might be tough to keep the big fella out of the All-Star lineup. And if not this year or next year, what about when Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace no longer play in Boston, and Perkins is the only one left to roam the lane? That will mean more touches and even more minutes and, with his work ethic, he'll presumably be better by then, so...

I know, there's a lot of if's associated with Kendrick becoming an All-Star center, but isn't there a chance? Isn't there?

In the end, it doesn't matter to the Celtics if Perkins makes the All-Star team. They know they can rely on him to be a dependable defender and an opportunistic scorer. They know he'll bang down low and rebound the basketball. It's a testament to how much Perk has improved that everyone assumes Rasheed Wallace will come off the bench rather than supplant Perkins in the starting five.

And that's exactly where the Celtics need him. All-Star or not, Kendrick Perkins has become a key player for the C's now, and a cornerstone for the future.