C's/Jazz - 11/10/06

Celtics Notes

- “Everyone’s talking about us being this fast break basketball team. And you know we’re really an early offensive team. I think that’s who we are…” – Doc Rivers prior to the Jazz game.

I do not recall anyone talking about “early offense” during the preseason. However, that’s not important now. Doc can call the offense whatever he wants as long the C’s attack like they did in the first quarter. For example following the jumper by Pierce to open the game, the C’s next three baskets were as follows: 2 lay ups by Telfair and a lay up by Pierce. They were attacking the rim and not settling for contested jumpers. Between that and running when possible (steals and outlets) the C’s will give themselves their best chance of winning. As it stands now Rondo appears the most committed to this style of play.

- Maybe it’s because he’s undersized. Or maybe he’s just an intelligent player. Whatever the reason Ryan Gomes is a master of the up fake.

- I was wrong about Ratliff. He is the best shot blocker the C’s have had in a while, although that may be partly by default. At the same time it’s safe to say that he’s not in game shape quite yet. And you can always count on Tommy and Gorman to point this out whenever Theo gets big minutes. "Theo is really chugging out there..."

- “Boozer set an unofficial record last year for games lost to a hamstring injury.” – Mike Gorman.

Given Boozer’s start to this year it is easy to complain about Danny Ainge not acquiring him. The Jazz power forward is a double double beast. At the same time it’s hard to take on a huge contract when the guy receiving the checks is developing a reputation for being soft. And Sloan still has major concerns with Boozer’s defense.

- I like Tommy’s 2-dribble rule for Tony Allen

- Sometimes when I’m watching the Celtics I find myself wondering, “What the hell just happened?” Too frequently they find themselves on the wrong end of scoring runs. Last night it was a 15-0 run in the third quarter. It’s like waking up after a big night out and trying to piece together the evening. They need to learn how to stop the bleeding both offensively and defensively. It's hard to come back from large defecits on a consistent basis.

- Do you think Gerald Green ever looks at C.J. Miles and wonders what the hell is happening? Both players are in their second year in the league after coming out of a Texas high school. Yet Miles starts and gets minutes (17 a game) on a winning team. And Miles isn’t exactly lights out.

- Tommy and Gorman can talk about the controversial calls (goaltending not called on Rondo’s lay up, Pierce foul on Williams). But in the end the C's had some backbreaking turnovers (Wally's travel comes to mind) that disrupted their comeback attempt.

"But there Rondo showed his porn guard...his point guard prowess..." - Donny Marshall following the game. Just throwing that out there.

Jazz Notes

- I liked a lot of what I saw from Deron Williams last night (26 points, 14 assists). And beyond the numbers he was an assassin at points. However, there was one play where he threw a lazy pass to the wing. Szczerbiak stole the ball, raced down court and fed Tony Allen for a lay up. In the process Wally beat Williams down the court. It makes me nervous when a point guard can’t chase down a dribbling Wally. Of course I could care less about the Jazz. But that had to drive Jerry Sloan crazy.

- Mehmet Okur’s inability to get minutes with the Pistons has never been adequately explained. I realize that was a defensive oriented team. But it never hurts to spell your frontcourt with a sharp shooting center that creates match up problems.

Around the NBA

- I picture Eddy Curry going to a Chinese buffet (not hard to imagine). He has a huge dinner, which is once again not hard to imagine. And when he gets his fortune cookie it teaches him how to say, “I own you” in Chinese. At that point Curry has flashbacks to Yao’s 35 points, 17 rebounds and 7 blocked shots from last night.

I think LeBron walking off the court a little early against the Hawks is less of an issue than some reporters make it out to be. At the same time I think it is a bigger deal than LeBron makes it out to be. Does that make sense?

I love the fact that Zach Randolph is scoring close to 30 points a game to go along with 10.5 rebounds a game for my fantasy squad. But it does make me a little nervous when Yahoo! feels compelled to offer the following analysis, “Randolph seems to have his mind on basketball in the early portion of the season, averaging 28.5 points through six games.” Hopefully Randolph will care all year.