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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 6:27:18 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1087748&format=textC’s go through motions, gear up for postseason Powe does damage in win No. 66 By Mark Murphy | Thursday, April 17, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Matt Stone Sir Galahad and Monty Python had the Holy Grail. The Celtics [team stats] are in search of something more reasonable. They want meaningful games again. They want to play their starters for starter-sized minutes against the starters from other playoff teams. This nightly Leon Powe showcase is inspiring - last night he shook the crowd with a career-high 27 points - but Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce [stats] and Ray Allen are starting to look out of place on the bench. So it was with gratitude and anticipation that the Celtics closed out the regular season last night with a 105-94 win against New Jersey for a rare, 4-0 series sweep of the Nets. Befitting a game between one team that already had determined its playoff seeding and another at the end of the road, the game was an ugly mash of jump shots, free throws and sloppiness. Atlanta is coming to town for a yet-to-be scheduled first-round series this weekend, and the NBA can’t make up its mind on a date and time soon enough. But a major juncture finally has arrived. As Garnett walked from one teammate to another after the game, he said the road has begun to 17, as in the franchise’s next championship that this team can sniff. Last night was the starting point. “Now it’s time for some real basketball,” said Pierce, like the rest of the team not much concerned about the numbers produced along the way, including a 66-win campaign that is the best by a Celtics team since the 1985-86 championship team won 67. There also is the 42-win improvement from last season’s 24-58 team, an NBA record that bettered the previous mark by six games. Those numbers don’t mean anything compared to what is about to happen. “There’s just a feeling of anticipation and sometimes a feeling of anxiety right now,” Allen said. “You want to make sure you are ready, and you think of things you need to do to focus even more than during the year. The situation helps you focus.” But one benefit from the past two weeks was the additional responsibility handed to the bench. The Celtics won 10 of their last 11 games, with the reserves generally finishing business. “I don’t think you’ll see all five of them together in the playoffs, but it gives each one individually a lot of confidence,” Rivers said of empowering his bench. “And you never know. With foul trouble or something, they may have to finish a game.” Powe especially seems to have blossomed under those conditions. Last night he parlayed his 27 points into a double-double that included 11 rebounds and 9-of-13 shooting from the line. At his most furious, Powe scored 10 straight points in the fourth, including a dunk that had Ray Allen and Sam Cassell, arm-in-arm, stepping through a rather odd celebration dance. All of the C’s double-figure scorers were reserves, including Tony Allen (18 points, 8-for-8 performance from the line) and Eddie House (10 points). For a Nets team that already had one foot in the offseason, even this was too much. “His effort, No. 1, he was extremely active,” Nets coach Lawrence Frank said of Powe. “I think when you look at Leon, he is a huge effort player. I know he’s had other big games, but tonight it was a career high, so you have to give him a lot of credit. Powe was the best player on the floor, and we just couldn’t do enough to win the game.’ Though he’s not likely to log the same minutes from this point forward - last night he played a team-high 34 - Powe, too, is thirsting for the real season to begin. “I think we are all ready,” he said. “It’s the moment we’ve been waiting for. It’s a new season, and when you have that, you just attack it head-on. Just have confidence in yourself, that’s all.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 6:32:16 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1087750&format=textProphetic Pierce knew better days were here By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Beat | Thursday, April 17, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Matt Stone Paul Pierce was on familiar ground. He took the microphone and walked to center court before last night’s game for yet another dance with the leprechaun logo. But this time, his regular season finale chat was decidedly different. Delightfully different even. “All I can remember the last two or three years is coming here and promising y’all better days,” he said. Perhaps Pierce, who went on to say that the better days are finally here, simply doesn’t want to remember the bad buckets of bygone days. That’s where I come in. I carry a laptop. With a lot of memory. The captain was actually quite prophetic a year ago. “We vow that at this time next year it won’t be our last game,” Pierce told the crowd, and it was noted that this was fairly bold stuff for the leader of a team with the second worst record in the NBA. Last night he had to work hard to be humble. The Celtics [team stats] were about to collect their 66th victory, a whopping 42-game improvement, six better than the previous best boomerang (by San Antonio in 1997-98). “We said in the locker room that we’ve had a good year this year,” he told the Garden crowd. “But we want to make it a great year. The only way to do that is to put another banner up in these rafters.” The contrast is striking. Last April 18, the Celts closed with a loss to Detroit and the only competitive item on their mind was ping-pong balls for the lottery. Now they were talking about a championship flag. “Yeah, it’s a whole lot different,” Pierce said after the C’s 105-94 victory over New Jersey. “I was on my way to the airport right now. True story. Shoot, I left after the game last year. But we’re excited to be going to the playoffs, capping off a good regular season. The guys couldn’t be more thrilled on how we played this season. “I’m definitely happy about the position we’re in, and now we’re getting ready for the playoffs.” Pierce really didn’t have to say much. This time around, the Celtics let their game do the talking. Last evening was billed as Fan Appreciation Night, with the requisite giveaways and video clips of players expressing their appreciation to the paying customers. But from the other side of the equation, this was Thanksgiving Night, as the fans thanked the players for entertaining basketball and for not making them feel so silly when reaching deep into their pockets to buy tickets.cw0 Pierce admitted he didn’t know things would be this good. He couldn’t have. But even playing beyond mid-April was a stretch when seen from back then. Yes, the Celtics had to play their way down to 24 wins, but there was still nothing concrete to indicate they could pass the necessary Eastern obstacles and get into the playoffs. Yet Pierce was still surprisingly optimistic as he spoke in the dressing room that night. “I would think so,” he said when asked if the club was headed in the right direction. “I would think there would be a sense of urgency at this point (after) two consecutive years without making the playoffs. This is a town eager for the Celtics to be in the playoffs, eager for the Celtics to be one of the best teams in the NBA. I just can’t see us sitting here again next season not talking about playoffs.” But the Celtics weren’t just talking about the playoffs last night. They were talking about winning. Winning everything. And after capturing the best record in the league by a full seven games, no one was doubling over in laughter. Better days indeed.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 6:34:54 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1087749&format=textTalk of Doc extension put on hold By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook | Thursday, April 17, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Matt Stone Doc Rivers, one of the front-runners for the NBA’s Coach of the Year award and coach of the greatest wins turnaround in league history, has also done a good job of raising the Celtics [team stats]’ concern about his future in Boston. Two league sources confirmed yesterday that Celtics management recently approached Rivers to begin discussions about extending his contract, which runs through next season. Rivers, however, expressed a desire to put off any talk about a new deal, fearing it would become a distraction in the midst of the Celtics’ playoff run. As a result, discussions are expected to resume this summer. Wyc Grousbeck, the Celtics managing partner, director of basketball operations Danny Ainge and Rivers all declined comment. Ainge said the playoffs are not the appropriate time for contract talk, especially for someone who is still under contract for another year. Grousbeck, obviously thrilled about his team’s turnaround, would only add, “I think he should be coach of the year, but unfortunately I can’t vote.” Playoffs start Sunday The league announced late last night that the Celts will open their first-round series against the Hawks Sunday night at the Garden at 8:30. Game 2 follows next Wednesday at 8 p.m. Game 3 is at Atlanta on Saturday, April 26, 8.p.m.; Game 4 Monday, April 28, 8 p.m.; Game 5 in Boston on Wednesday, April 30, time TBA; Game 6 in Atlanta on Friday, May 2, time TBA; Game 7 in Boston on Sunday, May 4. Rivers actually took some time out in yesterday morning’s shootaround to prepare for Atlanta. “We didn’t do anything on (last night’s game), which our players thought was strange,” Rivers said. “But we’re ready, and starting tomorrow they’ll be ready.” Rondo Star-struck Rajon Rondo [stats] won the Comcast Sportsnet’s Sixth Star award, an honor given to Al Jefferson [stats], Delonte West and Ricky Davis over the previous three seasons. Rondo was also rewarded with a break in last night’s game, in addition to James Posey. Eddie House, who missed the last two games to a groin injury, played. Posey’s break, in particular, was strategic, considering the role he will play in the first-round playoff series against Atlanta. “We wanted to give him one day off, because he’ll have to play with an amazing amount of energy,” Rivers said of Posey. ’Strong fan of Rivers Rivers’ league-wide appeal is extensive enough that he will have supporters from all corners pulling for the Celtics’ upcoming playoff push. Count Nets guard Darrell Armstrong in that group. The 39-year-old guard was a member of Rivers’ first team in Orlando, the one that finished 41-41, missed the playoffs by one game and ended up earning its rookie leader the NBA’s Coach of the Year award. “This is his big year,” Armstrong said. “I’m very happy for him, because there was a time when I played for him that I thought we would be doing something special, too. “I’m pulling for him, that’s for sure.” But however well Rivers does this season, Armstrong believes he has already earned his credentials. “We went 41-41, and we were picked to win 10 games,” he said of an Orlando team that started four undrafted players. “He did a great job. He had Ben before he went to Detroit and became Ben Wallace, and he had Chucky Atkins in his first year, when he told Chucky ‘I’m not just bringing you in the make the team, I’m going to play you.’ And he did. “We had all guys who were role players,” Armstrong said. “We had two 10-game losing streaks and we still finished 41-41. By the end of the season nobody wanted to play us, I can tell you that. That whole season was an honor to Doc and our players as well. We didn’t have talent, but we damn sure had the fight.” One key to Rivers’ success now, according to Armstrong, was his playing background. He understands stars like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce [stats] and Ray Allen because he played with players of their stature.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 6:36:34 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1087570&format=textKnicks coach Thomas philosophical before season finale By Associated Press | Wednesday, April 16, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | NBA Coverage Photo by AP INDIANAPOLIS - Isiah Thomas sounds like a man resigned to his fate. With speculation swirling about his future as Knicks coach, a subdued Thomas spoke philosophically about New York’s dismal season just hours before the team plays its season finale at Indiana. "What I’ve been asked to do and required to do by the Knicks, I’ve tried to perform to the best of my ability," Thomas said before the team’s scheduled shootaround. "This is a very disappointing season. I’m not used to being at the bottom. But this is what it’s like on the bottom, and this is how you get treated on the bottom. That’s how it is." New York must win Wednesday night to avoid tying the franchise record of 59 losses, and many believe Thomas will be gone by Friday. The Knicks new president, Donnie Walsh, said Tuesday he has spoken with Thomas about his future, but that the conversations were continuing. Walsh has said he wants the coaching situation cleared up before June’s NBA draft. Thomas already has lost one job, as team president, to Walsh. After going 56-107 in two seasons as the Knicks coach, Thomas could be about to lose that job, too. Team spokesman Jonathan Supranowitz said no news conference had been scheduled for Thursday. Thomas insisted Wednesday his thoughts were still on basketball. "The last day (of the season) will be tomorrow," he said. "Today, I’m worried about how we’re going to play, how we’re going to defend, how we’re going to execute and the game itself." Injuries certainly aren’t helping. Supranowitz said backup forward Renaldo Balkman was doubtful for Wednesday night’s game after getting hurt in Monday night’s home finale against Boston. Forward Wilson Chandler also will miss the Indiana game with a sprained left knee, leaving the Knicks short-handed in their quest to avoid the franchise’s dubious record. It has been that type of season. "I’m not looking for sympathy or anything like that," Thomas said. "That’s sports, and basketball has been extremely good to me. You can’t be on top all the time, although I want to be. You’ve got to overcome the bad times and hold onto your dignity." But can he hold onto his job? Thomas seemed to acknowledge there have been mistakes. "I know in basketball, just like in football or golf or baseball or whatever sport you choose, there are some times you get it right and some times you don’t," he said. "I’ve had many high points in my life, and I’ve definitely had my low points. But none of it is permanent, and you keep moving forward."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 6:37:58 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1087744&srvc=celtics&position=4C’s start playoffs Sunday By Herald staff Thursday, April 17, 2008 - Updated 2h ago E-mail Printable (0) Comments Text size Share (0) Rate The NBA announced that the Celtics [team stats] will open their first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks Sunday night at the Garden at 8:30. Game 2 follows next Wednesday at 8 p.m. The series shifts to Atlanta for Game 3 on Saturday, April 26, at 8.p.m., and Game 4 on Monday, April 28 at 8 p.m. If necessary, Game 5 would be back in Boston on Wednesday, April 30, time TBA. Game 6 in Atlanta would be Friday, May 2, time TBA. And a deciding Game 7 would be in Boston on Sunday, May 4.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 6:40:19 GMT -5
Link includes a video on the Globe site. www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/04/17/appreciation_abounds_celtics_finish_in_style/Appreciation abounds; Celtics finish in style By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | April 17, 2008 Paul Pierce had something positive to talk about with the Celtics fans this time. The Celtics won 24 games and had their eyes on the draft lottery last season. But with the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the offseason, among others, Boston went from laughingstock to the NBA's best record in one year. So instead of dreaming about the top draft pick, the Celtics are dreaming of winning their 17th NBA championship. Boston finished the regular season with a 105-94 win over New Jersey last night at sold-out TD Banknorth Garden during Fan Appreciation Night. Next up for the Celtics, the Eastern Conference's top seed, is a first-round matchup against the Atlanta Hawks. "The last 2-3 years I have promised you better days," Pierce told fans before the game. "We got better days now, man." The Celtics finished 66-16, the third-best mark in franchise history. The Celtics won 68 games during the 1972-73 season and 67 in 1985-86. The 2007-08 Celtics wrapped up the Atlantic Division long ago and were 35-6 at home and 31-10 on the road. "It's a whole lot different," said Pierce, who had 7 points in 17 minutes. "I was on my way to the airport right now [last year]. True story. I left after the game last year. "We're excited to be going to the playoffs. We capped it off with a good regular season. The guys couldn't be more thrilled about the way we played this season. We're definitely happy about the position that we are in and we're getting ready for the playoffs." Garnett, who had 8 points and 4 rebounds in 14 minutes, said, "I'm pretty fortunate to be in this situation. Now it's here. I'm ready to take care of some business." Forward Leon Powe scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench for the Celtics, and guard Tony Allen added 18 points. The Celtics were 8-1 in April. The Celtics will host Game 1 of the best-of-seven series Saturday or Sunday. And considering the lackluster quality of their April opposition, the Celtics can't wait to see Atlanta. The Celtics began the month with nine games on their schedule against teams that could, at best, clinch the final playoff seed in the East (other than Washington). The Celtics had motivation to clinch home court throughout the playoffs, but had little to play for other than getting the bench players some minutes. "It's really been a tough last couple of weeks just trying to keep them interested," said coach Doc Rivers before the game. "They've been great with it. We've set little private goals for each game to have some kind of interest in it. Honestly, there was not a lot to play for. "Our guys did a great job with that. But they are ready to play meaningful games, I can tell you that. All of us are, so that's good." After last night's game, Rivers said he plans to hold practices every day prior to Game 1. Rivers said his staff spent time yesterday trying to predict when the Celtics' first game would be. Instead of talking about the Nets, Rivers and his coaching staff talked about Atlanta. "We got all the video, the film, the books ready for [our players]," Rivers said. The Celtics are 3-0 against Atlanta this season with a 14.2-point average margin of victory. The Hawks finished the regular season with the worst record of all postseason teams at 37-45 after a 113-99 loss to the league's worst team, Miami, last night. Even so, Garnett and Pierce aren't taking Atlanta lightly. "They're young, athletic," Garnett said. "I don't think people give them a lot of credit. They have guys that can score the basketball." Said Pierce: "They are pretty solid at pretty much every position. They are led by Mike Bibby, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, and Josh Childress. They have a number of guys that are capable and a lot of guys with a lot of talent. The crazy thing about their team is there is no pressure on them. "They're the eighth seed, nobody is expecting them to do anything. That can be the makeup of a team that is dangerous with nothing to lose. We have to recognize that and be ready for it." As the clock ran out on the regular season, Garnett turned to his teammates and said 16. Sixteen is the number of wins needed to win an NBA title. "The road to 16. It's pretty much what it is," Garnett said. |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 6:43:27 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/04/17/confident_hawks_begin_by_talking_a_good_game?mode=PFConfident Hawks begin by talking a good game By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | April 17, 2008 The Hawks began their first-round playoff series against the Celtics with their mouths. The Celtics earned the NBA's best regular-season record at 66-16 and are the top seed in the Eastern Conference. No team in the postseason has a worse record than Atlanta (37-45) and it went winless in three contests against Boston. Despite those statistics, the Hawks plan to "shock the world" like eighth-seeded Golden State did by knocking off Dallas in the first round last season. "We'd be fools to think it's not possible," Hawks forward Josh Smith told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution yesterday. "We'd be bigger fools not to believe in ourselves, especially after the way people have bashed us the past few years. Why shouldn't we think we're going to shock the world? The Warriors showed everybody that it's not impossible." Hawks forward Josh Childress told the paper, "We feel like it's a great matchup for us. I don't think there's any position where you can say we are severely undermanned against them. We don't feel like it's a situation where you can say it won't be a competitive series, because we've played and played well against some of the best teams in the league." When told of the Hawks' comments after a 105-94 win over New Jersey, Celtics forward-center P.J. Brown said, "They're some confident young men. It should be interesting." Rondo the Sixth Star The biggest question entering the season was whether second-year point guard Rajon Rondo could lead a championship-caliber team with three perennial All-Stars. Considering Rondo is a Most Improved Player award candidate and the winner of the Celtics' Sixth Star award, it's safe to say he has answered the critics. Rondo won the 21st Sixth Star Award yesterday for perseverance and leadership on and off the court. Rondo received 40 percent of the approximately 5,000 fan votes. Rondo, who averaged 10.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.2 rebounds, was given an engraved Tiffany vase at halftime. "It's an honor to get the award," Rondo said. "It means a lot. The fans picked the award. It's a great award to have, especially being a Celtic." When asked how concerned he was about Rondo being his starting point guard at the start of the season, coach Doc Rivers said, "I wasn't that concerned about it and he's come a long way." Rivers gave Rondo and reserve forward James Posey the night off against the Nets. Veteran Sam Cassell started in Rondo's place while guard Eddie House also returned to action after missing three games with a right adductor strain. "I could use the rest," Rondo said. "I'm cool physically. [Rivers] has been saying he was going to do it. I played the entire second half against New York [Monday]. I guess he knew what he was doing." Said Rivers: "I wanted it to be a last game [for Rondo to be off]. That gives him a little bit more rest because he is going to have to play with an amazing amount of energy [in the postseason]." Good step for Pollard Celtics center Scot Pollard, who is out for the season after having surgery on his left ankle, said via text message he was told by his doctor in Indianapolis he could take his protective boot off tomorrow. On the Celtics getting 66 wins, the humorous Pollard, who wears No. 66, said: "Don't underestimate the Pollard factor, 66 wins. Now you know why I picked that number." . . . Nets forward Keith Van Horn landed $4.3 million after being involved in a sign and trade from Dallas in the Jason Kidd deal Feb. 19. Van Horn, who was enjoying post-basketball life in Colorado at the time of the trade, did not play one game for the Nets after he was acquired. "He got one [heck] of a deal," Rivers said. "I want to see if I got one of those things somewhere in my deal on someone's salary cap somewhere." . . . Nets center Josh Boone, a former UConn star, did not play because of a right MCL sprain . . . On former Boston College star Sean Williams, a rookie with the Nets this season, coach Lawrence Frank said: "Sean has come a long way. I think there have been bumps in the road from a playing standpoint. Initially, when we drafted him, and obviously not finishing out at Boston College, everyone had 'character concerns' but that has been the least [of our concerns]."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 6:46:53 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x2124110931Megliola: Celtics' playoff drive set to begin -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Lenny Megliola/Daily News staff GHS Posted Apr 16, 2008 @ 11:07 PM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON — Now the fun begins, and the pressure kicks in. You know what 66 wins is worth in the playoffs if you're the Celtics? Squat. Look, it's been an impressive climb up the NBA vine for Boston, going from 24 wins to 66. With Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen jumping on board, it was a no-brainer that the Celtics would be a lot better. Still, becoming this much better exceeded most folks' expectations. And what does it get the Celtics? Stinkin' pressure, that's what. Every game from now on will be played under hot lights. National TV, you may have noticed, rediscovered the Celtics this season. So have hoop-lovin' fans across the land. Boston back from the dead is a sexy story. Everybody wants to find out if the Celtics can win, oh, just 16 more games. No surprise that Comcast SportsNet will start a "Drive For 17" series tonight. SportsCenter and every other media outlet will pick up on the 17 theme that's been on hold for 22 years. The Celtics' first-round opponent will be Atlanta. Doc Rivers used to play for the Hawks. It means nothing to him. "That was 20 years ago," he said. Boston's coach can't wait for the postseason. Someone pointed out to Rivers that the first playoff game at the Garden might be on Sunday afternoon, a time and day when the crowd tended to be quiet as a church mouse. Doc's not worried. A Sunday afternoon in January against the Grizzlies can't be compared to Game 1 of the playoffs for atmosphere. "The crowd will have a lot of energy," said Rivers. "I just want to play the game." He definitely wasn't referring to last night's game against the Nets, although it had its moments. Most of them went to Leon Powe, who had 27 points and 11 rebounds in a 105-94 win. Paul Pierce addressed the fans before the game, thanking them for their loyalty and asking them to raise some hell in the playoffs. "To get (No.) 17 we need you as loud as you can be," said Pierce. "We've had a good year. We want to make it a great year." Rivers took Garnett, Allen and Pierce out, in that order before the first quarter ended. The fans might have thought they were done for the night, and gave them their due. But with the Celtics up 53-47, The New Big 3 started the second half, but all of them were under 20 minutes for the game. Pierce might have given Rivers palpitations in the first quarter when he made an extreme hustle over-the-head, two-hand save at the baseline and landed near the seats. It resulted in a Sam Cassell corner jumper at the other end. That's just how this team has played all year. Rivers' players feel the same way he does about getting on to the important business. The playoffs could start at midnight, for all they care. "I think they've gotten bored the last week," said Rivers. "It's been a tough last couple of weeks, trying to keep them interested. They're ready to play meaningful games." This one was the last of the meaningless games. It had the feel of a preseason October night in Manchester, N.H. Gabe Pruitt even got to work up a sweat in the second quarter. "I don't think we'd be a 66-win team if we didn't go to Rome (before the season)," said Pierce. "That just brought us together." Six months later, "it's time to take care of business," said Garnett. The Celtics will be easily recognizable in the playoffs. They'll be the ones with the biggest bullseyes on their backs. The Atlanta Hawks come in on a free pass. They've been a sub-.500 team all season. If they played in the Western Conference the Hawks would have booked their weekend tee times three months ago. "They're pretty solid at every position," said Pierce, who has been around long enough to know you don't knock any opponent. "They have no pressure on them. They have nothing to lose. We have to recognize that and be ready for it." Both Pierce and Garnett tossed bouquets for the job Rivers has done handling situations, expectations and egos. That's not easy, Pierce pointed out. The Celtics will be picked to win against any Eastern Conference foe, the possible exception being a throwdown with the Pistons, simply because Detroit's been there before. NBA headquarters would love a Celtics-Lakers Final. But we're getting way ahead of ourselves. The moments of truth lie ahead for the Celtics. Garnett faces the biggest burden of expectations. This is his team, the supposed difference-maker in the grand plan. Of course Allen and Pierce have to come up big too. Playoff teams need a starry point guard. This drops a heavy spotlight on second-year man Rajon Rondo. He's been mostly terrific this season. The playoffs are an animal he's not familiar with. "He's come a long way," said Rivers. "With Kevin, Ray and Paul he's a natural point guard." The concern was whether Rondo could make the jump shot. "If there are any doubters he'll prove them wrong in the playoffs," said Rivers. Say this for Rondo. He lacks not for confidence. The savvy of benchmen Cassell, P.J. Brown, James Posey and Eddie House, all four of them elsewhere a year ago, will help. Powe might have been a roster casualty before the season. Now he'll get playoff minutes. "Leon's come as far as anyone we've seen," said Pierce. "I don't think there's been a better second-year player in the second half of the season." Anyway, the boredom is over. The Celtics are back in the playoffs. And they didn't exact come in the back door.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 8:01:32 GMT -5
www.telegram.com/article/20080417/NEWS/804170775/1009/SPORTSRondo earns Sixth Star Award CELTICS NOTES By Bill Doyle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF wdoyle@telegram.com BOSTON— Rajon Rondo won a vote of Celtics fans for the Comcast SportsNet Sixth Star Award and it remains to be seen if he’ll break the award’s curse. Of the last 13 Sixth Star Award winners, only Paul Pierce was still with the Celtics a year and a half after receiving the award. Last year’s winner Al Jefferson, 2002 winner Erick Strickland, 2001 winner Bryant Stith and 1997 winner David Wesley did not even return to the team the following season. Considering how much Rondo improved this year, he figures to stick around longer than most of the Sixth Star Award winners. Rondo was handed the starting point guard job this season after starting only 25 games as a rookie. “I was not concerned about it,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “I was more concerned about the backup. I said that the entire time. With Kevin (Garnett), Ray (Allen) and Paul (Pierce), Rajon is a natural point guard. I just felt what he does would be accented even more with those guys.” In 77 games, all as a starter, the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 10.6 points and 5.1 assists and shot 49.2 percent. “I think most people were concerned about his shot,” Rivers said. “They weren’t concerned about his point-guard play, they were concerned about if he could make an open jump shot and they still are. He’ll prove them wrong in the playoffs.” Rondo received 40 percent of the 5,000 votes cast for Sixth Star. Rivers rested Rondo and James Posey for last night’s regular-season finale against New Jersey. Sam Cassell started in Rondo’s place and Eddie House returned after missing the previous three games with a strained groin. Rivers looks to playoffs Rivers said he hoped the Celtics could practice hard today and tomorrow, then go through a light workout on Saturday before opening the playoffs against Atlanta at the Garden on Sunday. They could begin the playoffs as soon as Saturday, however. Word was circulating last night that ABC wanted to televise the Celtics at 3 p.m. Saturday, but the Bruins could play at the Garden at 7 p.m. Saturday if a Game 6 is necessary against Montreal and there wouldn’t be enough time to get the ice ready. The Bruins could be eliminated tonight in Montreal, but the NBA doesn’t want to wait until after tonight’s game to set the playoff dates. None of the playoff dates were expected to be announced until late last night after the West Coast games were completed, so all 16 playoff matchups could be set. Rivers said he planned to be up late anyway, studying video of Atlanta. The Celtics have watched video of Atlanta for the last week. Rivers played his first eight years in the NBA in Atlanta, 1983-84 through 1990-91, but he said facing his old team in the playoffs meant little to him. “I mean, it’s been so long,” he said, “20 years ago or something like that. It would be nice to win, that’s what we’re in it for.” Celtics grind it out The Celtics are glad the regular season is finally over. “I think they got bored with the process the last week and a half, there’s no doubt about that,” Rivers said. “It was really a tough last couple of weeks, trying to keep them interested in it, and they’ve been great with it.” Rivers also worked hard last season to keep his players interested, but for a different reason. This year, the late-season games meant nothing because the Celtics had clinched the No. 1 playoff seed. A year ago, the late-season games meant nothing because the Celtics had been eliminated from the postseason. “They’re ready to play meaningful games,” Rivers said. Pierce thanks fans Prior to last night’s game, Pierce thanked the fans for their support and urged them to cheer on the team in the playoffs. “In order to get No. 17, you’ve got to be as loud as you can be,” Pierce told them.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 8:02:53 GMT -5
www.telegram.com/article/20080417/NEWS/804170808/1009/SPORTSCelts net victory No. 66 Powe leads way with 27 By Bill Doyle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF wdoyle@telegram.com BOSTON— All season, the Celtics kept their sights set high, insisting that the playoffs were all that mattered. Nevertheless, they recorded one of the best regular seasons in the history of the storied franchise. By beating the New Jersey Nets, 105-94, last night at the Garden, the Celtics finished 66-16 and became only the 11th NBA team to win as many as 66 games. Eight of the previous 10 went on to win the NBA championship. The Celtics finished with their franchise’s third-most victories. The 1972-73 Celtics finished 68-14 and the 1985-86 Celtics went 67-15. Before last night’s game, Celtics coach Doc Rivers asked his team, “If had won 70, if we had won 50, if we had won 40, if we won had 60, does that matter to anybody in this room? The answer is no, it doesn’t matter, that’s not what we’re playing for. So why even have an expectation of a number.” “We expect to win this thing,” Kevin Garnett said of the NBA title, “and nothing less than that.” The Celtics lost fewer games this entire season than they did during their franchise-record 18-game losing streak last season. They led the Atlantic Division the entire season and ended up winning it by 25 games over runner-up Toronto, the largest margin of any divisional championship in the NBA’s 62-year history. The 1985-86 Lakers held the old record by winning the Pacific Division by 22 games. The Celtics won 42 more games than last season, obliterating San Antonio’s NBA record of a 36-victory, one-year improvement. They finished 35-6 at the Garden to tie for their fourth-most home victories. The 1985-86 Celtics had the franchise’s best home record at 40-1. The Celtics ended up 31-10 on the road to post their third-most road victories. The 1972-73 Celtics were 32-8 on the road and the 1974-75 Celtics were 32-9. They sold the franchise’s most tickets, selling out every game for the first time since they left the old Garden after the 1994-95 season. The Celtics sold out every game during their final 14 years at the old Garden, but capacity was never more than 15,320 there. A sellout at the new Garden is 18,624. “You never imagine a year that we’ve had,” Garnett said. “It’s like one of them dream seasons.” Celtics captain Paul Pierce credits the preseason trip to Rome and London with getting the team off to a fast start. “I don’t think we’d be a 66-win team if we didn’t go to Rome this year,” Pierce said. “We’d be good and I can’t put a number on how many games we would have won, but I thought that trip brought us together.” The top-seeded Celtics will begin their best-of-seven opening-round playoff series against the eighth-seeded Atlanta Hawks on Saturday or Sunday. All playoff dates couldn’t be announced until after last night’s games so the 16 first-round match-ups could be determined. The Celtics enter the playoffs for the first time in three years with their starters rested and their reserves well-tested from playing a lot over the last couple of weeks. Even with the starters not playing much, the Celtics still won 11 of their last 12 games. “I think the rest has gone well,” Rivers said. “They’re rested, they’re ready, they’re healthy, but as far as that (goes) you never know. I’ve never been in that situation before. Every time I’ve coached, it’s been to the last game trying to get in.” Rivers rested point guard Rajon Rondo and James Posey the entire game last night. Garnett played only 14 minutes and finished with 8 points and 4 rebounds. Pierce played just 17 minutes and had 7 points and 2 rebounds. Ray Allen scored 3 points in 19 minutes. Leon Powe came off the bench to lead the Celtics with a season-high 27 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, his fifth double-double this season. The second-year forward came on strong over the second half of the season to work his way into the playoff rotation even with the acquisition of P.J. Brown. “Leon is absolutely playing terrific,” Rivers said. “I’m very happy for him and about that.” Tony Allen also played well off the bench, collecting 18 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Eddie House returned from missing the previous three games with a strained groin to score 10 points. Richard Jefferson led New Jersey with 24 points and 6 assists. Nenad Krstic had 13 points and 12 rebounds.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 8:04:37 GMT -5
www.patriotledger.com/sports/sports_columnists/x2124110947?view=printEurope trip gelled Celtics -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Mike Fine The Patriot Ledger Posted Apr 17, 2008 @ 01:16 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON — Somewhere above the Atlantic on the way to Rome last October, the Boston Celtics didn’t know what was awaiting them. Oh, they knew about the Coliseum and the crazy Italian drivers, but they didn’t know about themselves. They were going to play their first exhibition games as a new team, and all they had to go on was the informal workouts they’d conducted from the first week of September. It turns out that playing in Rome, and then London, was the polar opposite of the Red Sox playing in Tokyo. The Celtics loved every split second of it. They bonded, got to know one another, got on the same page and immediately began gelling as a team. “To tell you the truth,” said Paul Pierce, “I don’t think we’re a 66-win team if we don’t go to Rome. I thought that trip brought us together. It’s something that had to happen. It’s like we needed that.” “When we went to Rome,” said Kevin Garnett, “we didn’t know what we wanted to be. We took a stand.” New players, new direction, even a new defensive coach in Tom Thibodeau – the Celtics took the opportunity and look where it led them. They toyed with the New Jersey Nets Wednesday night, taking a 105-94 win while looking every bit as ferocious with Leon Powe and the subs on the floor as they have all season with Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. “There’s a reason why they have the best record in the league,” said Nets coach Lawrence Frank. “They’ve had the best habits since Day One, and usually the teams that go the furthest have the best habits. They do it every single day. And what’s impressive about these guys, from player one through 12, they’ve all committed, all bought in, they have great leadership. Their three best players do it every single day. It’s very apparent, and it flows from the best player to the last guy on the bench.” The Celtics took off quickly in November when the regular season ended. They started 29-3 and took the NBA by storm, but they still had to prove themselves. Along the way they met every challenge. Even when they were beaten, and that was only 16 times, they’d come back with a vengeance. They won their season series with the second-best in the East, the Detroit Pistons. They became the best defensive team from start to finish. They knocked off each of the great teams of the West, even sweeping the Lakers and Spurs. They beat the Jazz at home, when they were 18-3. They swept Texas for the first time in 20 years, and when they continued the trip and lost at New Orleans, they wiped out the Hornets by 20 points at home a week later. And that was two nights after wiping out the Suns by 20. They did it because Doc Rivers gave them their space and put them in their place. Pierce said he watches ESPN and reads articles, “but there’s no mention of Doc as Coach of the Year.” He doesn’t understand. People don’t understand, he said, how difficult it is to put a new team together, to mesh egos, to “maintain attitudes. Usually there’s turmoil during the course of a long season, and team meetings, but it was limited. I can remember maybe one. A lot of the credit goes to Doc and how he kept the team focused.” They did it because Danny Ainge managed to somehow turn it around in one year, first bringing in Allen, convincing Garnett that there was something going on in Boston. The moves transformed Pierce into an elite player. there was camaraderie and competence, and a new reliance on one another. The Celtics ended up 42 games better than last season, setting a new NBA record for biggest one-season turnaround. Even Garnett managed a 34-game turnaround from his Minnesota Timberwolves team of last season. “Last year at this time was a whole lot different,” Pierce said. “I was on my way to the airport at this time. True story.” “Like Paul said,” said Garnett, “I’m pretty fortunate to be in this situation.” The Celtics swear they didn’t have any expectations. “I knew we’d be a better team than the one I came from,” said Garnett. “Now I’m here and we’re ready to take care of business one game at a time.” “Business” is the playoffs, which start over the weekend. The Celtics will take on the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks, and no reasonable person can expect anything less than a rout. “Young, athletic, I don’t think people give them credit,” Pierce said. The Celtics will not take anybody for granted, though. Garnett feels that the season is made up of separate parts – the pre-season, the regular season and the playoffs. “There’s three different seasons with three different magnitudes to it, and energy level and focus go up with each season. We expect to win this thing and nothing less than that. That’s the focus here. That’s the mentality and that’s what we are manifesting.” The beauty of it is that the Celtics began bonding from beginning to, well, to this point, because they’re not at the end. They roared with delight as Powe bulled his way to a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds against the Nets, as Tony Allen came down with a one-armed rebound, as Gino danced across the scoreboard and fans joined in. The Celtics loved every minute of it, but they’ve earned it. It was another brief moment of bonding, but it goes out the window today, when they hit the practice court, and hit it hard. “You expect a lot, but it’s nothing detailed,” Garnett said of those early days in training camp. “As we saw us working and how we dedicated each other to each other, then the expectation grew from there. You never imagine the year we had. It’s like one of those dream seasons. “Doc said something before the game which made a lot of sense. We had a good season, and in order to make it great we have to finish it off the way we want to, so that’s what we’re trying to do right now.” And that’s no different than how they felt in Rome on Day One.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 8:06:25 GMT -5
www.patriotledger.com/sports/sports_columnists/x2103872252Celtics notebook: Celtics’ stars turn spotlight on Rivers -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Fenton ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER Posted Apr 17, 2008 @ 03:38 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON — Celtics notebook The focus has been on the Boston Celtics’ three All-Star players for most of their sensational regular season. After wrapping up a 66-16 year, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett turned the spotlight on Coach Doc Rivers. Pierce and Garnett spent part of their postgame press conference following a 105-94 victory over the New Jersey Nets touting the job Rivers has done. “I watch ESPN and read the articles when they talk about Doc, and he hasn’t been mentioned for coach of the year,” said Pierce. “But people don’t understand what comes along with putting together a whole new team, meshing the egos, players you’ve got on this team. That’s work. “People assume you’ve got Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, that this is going to be a great team. The coaches have to do a job and maintaining the different type of attitudes, maintaining the egos on a day-in and day-out basis. “Usually, you go through a year and have turmoil. Over the course of the season, you have a lot of team meetings held among the players. I think because of Doc, I can remember just one in-house meeting we had where players came together. “I think a lot of that credit goes to Doc, how he’s kept the guys focused day- in and day-out and meshing us on the floor.” Rivers spent the last two seasons coaching a young team that failed to make the playoffs, and all the inexperience and injuries made for a difficult job. With the acquisitions of Garnett and Allen last summer, plus a deep bench with James Posey, Eddie House, Leon Powe and now Sam Cassell, the Celtics were transformed, and Rivers brought it all together with few hitches. “Doc’s very straight up,” said Garnett. “You know where he’s coming from. He doesn’t care who you are, what you’ve done in this league. “For this type of team, if we’re not playing our hardest, he says it. He doesn’t cater to anybody on this team. We love it like that, that he treats everybody equal and you know where he’s coming from.” Rivers deflected any of the attention thrown his way, praising the players for getting the Celtics to the top of the NBA standings. Asked about why he’s been successful, Rivers said, “Kevin, Paul and Ray, Rajon (Rondo) and (Kendrick Perkins) and Pose and Eddie. Honestly, I just think it’s that. “We have a group of guys that have one agenda. We had to sell that agenda as a staff, but they bought into it and we stayed on it and whenever anyone got off of it, I had individual meetings. But that didn’t happen very often. We have a great group. I’m lucky.” Rondo earns award: Rondo was a DNP to get some rest for the playoffs, but he did pick up an award. Rondo received the Sixth Star Award, voted on by fans and presented by Comcast SportsNet, as the player who shows perseverance and leadership on and off the court. He picked up 40 percent of the 5,000 votes that were cast. The Celtics turned over the point guard position to Rondo in training camp, and he made incredible strides throughout the season, averaging 10.6 points, 5.1 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 steals. Rivers said he had confidence that Rondo would be able to handle the starting role in his second season. “I wasn’t that concerned about it,” said Rivers. “I was more concerned with the backup. I said that the entire time.” Powe leads the way: Leon Powe had a career-high 27 points to go with 11 rebounds in 34 minutes in the win over the Nets. Powe has been a valuable contributor throughout the second half of the season. “Leon is absolutely playing terrific,” said Rivers. “I’m very happy for him. He’s going to help us, there’s no doubt about it.” … House, who missed three games with a groin injury, returned and had 10 points in 16 minutes while Posey was given the night off … Tony Allen took advantage of extended playing time and had 18 points … All of the starters played less than 20 minutes and no one reached double figures in points. Series opens Sunday night: Game 1 of the Celtics’ first playoff series with the Atlanta Hawks is Sunday at 8:35 p.m. on TNT cable. The second game is Wednesday at 8 p.m. with Games 3 and 4 in Atlanta on Saturday, April 26 and Monday, April 28, both at 8 p.m. If necessary, Game 5 would be Wednesday, April 30 with Game 6 Friday, May 2 and Game 7 on Sunday, May 4.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 8:14:53 GMT -5
forum.connpost.com/celticscentral/2008/04/celts_send_nets_to_powe_house.html#commentsCelts Send Nets to Powe House The Nets got Powe. The Celtics got one win richer. The Celtics finish the regular season at 66-16, their 3rd best season ever. Leon Powe had a career high 27 points and 11 rebounds. Eddie House sparked the 3rd quarter burst for an eleven point swing to take back the lead. And don't leave out Tony Allen either. He added 18 points on 5 of 9 from the floor and 8-8 from the foul line. All while playing his usual effective defense. It was a solid game by one of Boston's solid unsung players. Tony is viewed by many as the wild card, or X factor for the Celtics in the play-offs. It has been established that Tony plays more effectively with sizable minutes. He got those this evening (32 plus minutes). He brings a defensive element and a fearless attack mentality the team can really use at times. It hasn't been an easy year for Tony. How far back from that injury is Tony? I just look at it as progress. I can't really give a percent. I feel good some days. Some days it's rough on me. I just look at it like... hey, I got through a full year, knock on wood, I got through a full year healthy. And that lets you know my strength and conditioning people are A-1. Best in the league, I could say because it's tough injury, and I bounced back from it. Tony had 10 fourth quarter points on 3-3 shooting, 4-4 from the line, 3 rebounds and an assist. A play-off ready Celtic team ended the regular season with a solid win against a Nets team that is in transition, 105-94. In what was a final tune up for the play-offs, Doc gave Sam Cassell some minutes with the starters and the bench players were given big minutes again to build their confidence, though that's not what we will see going forward. Doc regarding the value of the bench finishing together... Oh it's valuable. I doubt that you'll see all five of them in together in the play -offs, but it gives each one individually a lot of confidence. Of that stretch,...that was probably the most important part of this last two weeks, is keeping our starters fresh, with rhythm, and giving our bench confidence. The starters, minus Rajon Rondo (DNP - CD), did an acceptable job, but played less than 20 minutes each. The second unit played the majority of the minutes and won the game for the Cs. Led by the Medium Three (Powe, House, And Allen). Glen Davis played one of his better games in a while, hit a few jumpers and was part of the run to retake the lead. He finished with 8 points and 5 boards. Leon Powe... We just had to try and get momentum back on our side. Baby hit a jumper in the corner, and that's what started it.. That's what got the momentum back on our side and from there on we kept the pressure up. The defense, and force some turnovers...got some loose balls and scored the ball a little bit. Leon Powe's improvement has been significant in the second half of the season. He unveiled his offensive repertoire this evening. He hit a few jumpers including a high arcing fade away I've never seen him shoot before. He was his usual tenacious self around the hoop on lay-ups and he threw down a monster dunk in traffic that would have broken fingers if someone had tried to stop it. Powe had twelve 4th quarter points. Most telling about Doc's mindset and what he's preached to the team time and again this season, is to key your eye on the final goal. Did they meet expectations Doc? Didn't have any. I honestly didn't. I told the guys before the game....if we had won 70, if we had won 50, if we had won 40, if we had won 60.....does that matter at all to anybody in this room?....And the answer is no, it doesn't matter. It's not what we're playing for. So, why have an expectation of a number? Because that's not what we are playing for. The Nets they played tonight no longer have their three stars. They traded Jason Kidd and are now run by former Dallas Maverick, Devin Harris. What is the difference between a Jason Kidd Nets and a post Jason Kidd Nets? Josh Boone said this about the Nets with Devin Harris vs. Jason Kidd... When the trade was made it completely changed the structure of our team. We became a much faster team, in that Devin is a little bit quicker than J. We fast break about the same. It's just a little bit different because Devin does it with the dribble where as Jason always used to pass it ahead. But...at least at home, we've been scoring more points. We just haven't been stopping people. So that's been the issue for us... Ever since the trade was made, our defense has been just going downhill. I don't think it's a matter of personnel. We've just been concentrating on scoring, not so much on stopping the ball. So the Nets will pack their bags and head home. The Celtics will pack the practice court and watch film of the Atlanta Hawks, their first round opponent this week-end. How ready are the Celtics for the play-offs? Ray Allen..."We couldn't be anymore ready. We've gone through a lot and we couldn't be anymore excited than we are now."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 8:22:10 GMT -5
www.enterprisenews.com/sports/x2103872258Celtics’ third-winningest year in books The Celtics begin the playoffs Sunday night at home against the Hawks. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Jim Fenton ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER Posted Apr 17, 2008 @ 03:40 AM -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON — They have been in a holding pattern since clinching the NBA’s best record back on April 5. All the Boston Celtics could do was count down the final meaningless games on their schedule with one eye on the highly anticipated playoffs ahead. It has been a somewhat boring week and a half to go through, but beginning with a practice session this afternoon, everything changes. Finally, the postseason in next on the agenda for the Celtics with expectations soaring after a sensational 66-16 regular season. “We couldn’t be any more ready,” said Ray Allen. “We’ve gone through a lot, and we couldn’t be any more excited than we are now.” After finishing off the franchise’s third-winningest season with a 105-94 victory over the New Jersey Nets on Wednesday night at the TD Banknorth Garden, the Celtics now get ready for the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round that begins Sunday at 8:30 p.m. The team that was on top of the NBA standings from start to finish is now 16 wins away from the franchise’s first championship since 1986. “We expect to win this thing and nothing less than that,” said Kevin Garnett. “That’s the focus here, that’s the mentality, and that’s what we are manifesting.” The Celtics joined 10 other teams in NBA history with at least 66 victories, and they set a league record by winning the Atlantic Division by 25 games. Their 16 losses are two fewer than the Celtics had during a franchise-record 18-game losing streak last season. All of that has been impressive, but the Celtics have maintained throughout this six-month journey that is means little to them. The trio of Garnett, Allen and Paul Pierce were brought together to bring a title back to Causeway Street, and anything less will spoil what went on from November through the middle of April. “I’m excited about how the season ended,” said Pierce. “It’s over with, we enjoy it tonight, but we’re on a team on a mission, starting (today). “The journey starts right now. It’s a whole new focus. Everything we’ve done from the time we got here in September, from the time we spent in training camp over in Rome is for these moments here. We’re an excited group of guys.” There will be excitement throughout the region as the Celtics are back in the role of legitimate title contender. Only once since Larry Bird retired 16 years ago — the 2002 postseason run to the Eastern Conference finals — have the Celtics generated a wild ride through the spring. Everything the Celtics have done this season, improving by 42 victories over last season, never losing more than three games in a row, has the anticipation level off the charts. “(Coach) Doc (Rivers) said something before the game,” said Garnett. “We had a good season. In order to make it great, we have to go through this journey and finish it off the way we want to.” With the matchup against the Nets meaningless, the Celtics’ coaching staff ignored New Jersey in the hours leading up to the game and went over scouting reports on the Hawks. “We did something actually today with the players that was all Atlanta,” said Rivers. “We didn’t do anything on the game today, which the players thought was strange. (The coaches) are ready (for the Hawks), and starting (today), they’ll be ready.” Rivers admits that keeping his team interested the past two weeks was a challenge as they had nothing to play for and the playoffs on their mind. Pierce addressed the 41st consecutive sellout crowd just before tipoff, thanking them for their support and reminding him of past speeches. “Remember the last two or three years when I promised better days?” said Pierce. “We’ve got better days.” Better days, indeed, as a regular season to remember has raised hopes for a postseason run that hasn’t been experienced in these parts in more than two decades.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 17, 2008 8:30:30 GMT -5
www.nashuatelegraph.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080417/COLUMNISTS06/696830970/-1/sportsNow C's can get back to business When the season started, one Boston scribe of considerable merit looked at the Boston Celtics roster and proclaimed the bottom seven "the worst bench in the league.'' The Celtics have made some changes, adding veteran P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell. But it was the others who provedthat the early assessment wasn't particularly accurate. And in Wednesday's regular-season finale, Fan Appreciation Night at the TD Banknorth Garden, the Celtics showed their appreciation by giving big minutes to some of the little people who made a 66-16 season possible. Little might not be the best way to describe weight room addict Leon Powe or buffet table addict "Big Baby'' Glen Davis. But both have become fan favorites and each had a bigger impact on Wednesday night's 105-94 victory over the loathsome New Jersey Nets than anyone current Celtic who has ever played in an All-Star game. Powe, who is sure to be a factor in the post-season, proved that good things can come out of the middle of the second round of the NBA draft. He finished with a double-double, a career high 27 points and 11 rebounds. "Leon has come as far as anyone we've seen in the last year,'' said Paul Pierce, who scored seven points in 17 minutes in his final playoff tune-up. "Being a second-rounder and being a guy who during the first half of the season rarely got off the bench . . . "He stuck with it, played hard and reaped the fruits of his labor. I don't think there's been a better second-year player – the second half of the season – in the league better than Leon Powe.'' In many ways it was Bench Appreciation Night, with Tony Allen coming through with 18 points and Brian Scalabrine – who is unlikely to make the post-season roster – logging 29 minutes. And now it's on to the playoffs. The anticipation began in mid-November, when the Boston Celtics were off to an 8-0 start, quickly proving they weren't just going to be good this season, but very good. There were big games along the way and they won most of them, going 25-5 against the superior Western Conference while nailing down everything you can nail down during the regular-season, including home court throughout the playoffs. The last couple of weeks have been excruciating for everyone, including coach Doc Rivers, who was forced to invent games within the games to keep his team sharp. While Rivers has worked hard to keep his team interested, he and his staff have studied the Atlanta Hawks in detail since it became increasingly apparent that's who they'd play. "I think they got bored the last week with the process, probably the last couple of weeks,'' Rivers said. "We've set little private goals for each game, just to have some kind of interest in them, because honestly there wasn't a lot to play for. "They are ready to play meaningful games, I can tell you that.'' So how did they handle the last meaningless game? Rajon Rondo, who won the Celtics Sixth Star Award in a vote by fans, took the night off. James Posey, who might have been a more appropriate choice as Sixth Star because he doesn't start, also got a rest. Cassell got his first start and drilled an 18-footer on the game's first possession. His ability to do just that could prove crucial in the post-season, when teams are likely to let Rondo have open shots. When the game was over and the team's record reverted to 0-0 the Celtics still didn't know when the playoffs would begin. "I don't really care,'' said Rivers, who said the team would practice hard beginning today. "I just want to play.'' "Last year at this time, I was on my way to the airport,'' Pierce said. "That a true story.'' Kevin Garnett, as always, put it succinctly. "This is the road to 16,'' Garnett said. "That's pretty much what it is. We're ready to take care of some business.''
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