The Edge

I will never question Paul Pierce’s toughness. Quite simply he’s having the greatest career ever for an NBA player bouncing back from a near fatal stabbing. Meanwhile Wally Szczerbiak always tries to come back from injuries too soon. Ultimately this hurts the team as the already slow-footed Szczerbiak is even more of a liability on defense, is not sharp from the field and usually gets hurt again. However, I admire his misguided willingness to fight through pain. Furthermore Al Jefferson is learning to play hurt and Delonte West always does his best to stay on the court. And let’s not forget about Kendrick Perkins who has been battling plantar fasciitis all season. I’ve questioned this team’s coaching, defense, experience and other aspects as well, but never it’s toughness.

However, the 2006/2007 Boston Celtics do seem to lack an edge. Who is this team’s enforcer? Perk has the potential but is so focused on developing his game and avoiding foul trouble. Leon Powe walks around with a homicidal glare but spends most of his time on the bench. Brain Scalabrine is nicknamed Veal. Theo Ratliff can’t stay on the court. Ryan Gomes is too even keeled. Al Jefferson has too much else to worry about. Sebastian Telfair is far more menacing in street clothes with his entourage in toe. Pierce is the star of the team and that is not really his role. Wally is probably too good looking. Rajon Rondo, Gerald Green, Delonte West and Allan Ray lack the personality and appearance for the part. When Michael Olowokandi gets upset he ends up on the wrong end of a stun gun. However, when Tony Allen gets upset people get shot. Allegedly. Maybe it’s because he appears to black out when he dunks. Or maybe it’s because he’s a little unpredictable at times. Or maybe it’s his high energy. Heck maybe it is because he’s the only guy on the team that has been arrested for aggravated battery. Whatever it is the Celtics appear to miss the edge that Allen brought. I’m not saying Allen would have prevented Ricky Davis from hitting the game winning shot or embracing Mark Blount in their awkward man hug in front of the C’s bench. I’m just saying it might have been interesting when the Timberwolves came to town on March 4th.

As it stands I’m dying to here someone say, "Before (insert Celtics player) hit Ricky Davis, the Timberwolves were just running across the street whenever they wanted. Now they stop at the corner, push the button, wait for the light, and look both ways."

The odds might be in my favor if Tony Allen were not currently immobilized.