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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 8:08:12 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166431&format=textKevin Garnett’s tutelage a Perk of job Lessons may prove big for Celtics By Mark Murphy | Saturday, April 18, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP Kevin Garnett’s nickname, “The Big Ticket,” is one of the best-known in the NBA, though his teammates generally don’t use it. KG, or even a simple Kevin, slides a lot easier off the tongue. But Kendrick Perkins [stats] is different. “Ticket” has become a regular part of the Celtics [team stats] center’s dialogue because he adulates his older teammate. Perkins’ emergence as a much-improved and equally underrated post defender is the result of his two-year apprenticeship under Garnett. The playoffs begin with today’s Game 1 against the Bulls at the Garden, and as in 25 of the final 29 regular-season games, Perkins, not Garnett, will be the defensive captain. He can’t wail to the Garden rafters like Garnett. But Perkins has learned to get his point across, to communicate with a scowl from his spot in the paint. “I’m just trying to get better,” he said. “The key is, guys just have to have a lot of trust in me. Your teammates have to trust you. You’re like the captain on defense, but as the playoffs start I have to do a better job of doing that. Since (Garnett) went out, we’ve been giving up more points. “We’re scoring more, but we’re also giving more up. We have the No. 2 defense in the league field goal-wise, so we have to keep that up. I think you have to put a lot on your shoulders, and you have to do better than you’ve done during the season. In the playoffs you have to elevate your game. This is when it really matters.” The ability of Perkins and fellow big men Leon Powe, Glen Davis and Mikki Moore to stay clear of foul trouble will be one of the greatest challenges against the Bulls. But there’s also such a thing as excessive self-imposed pressure, which Perkins is prone to, as well. “Perk just has to be Perk, doing what he’s done all year long,” Paul Pierce [stats] said. “He’s our defensive stopper. We put him on the other post guys. He’s our shot blocker, our rebounder. He’s probably going to have to play more minutes. “But we’re not throwing a heavy load on Perk. It has to also come from Baby, from Leon, Mikki Moore, from all the guys we have out there who can play that position.” That’s why, when asked about Perkins’ importance, Doc Rivers carefully included all four of his big men in the answer. “The good news as far as Kevin being out, we have been able to work on our defense,” the Celtics coach said. “The numbers - the old numbers of Kevin being out were up in terms of teams scoring more - but the recent numbers show that we’re a better defensive team. We’re getting better again. Before we were trying to outscore everybody, and I thought in the last 10 games we started stopping teams again - minus the Cleveland game (a 107-76 loss last Sunday), we should throw that one out. “We must be a great defensive team to win in the playoffs. Perk is very verbal. The year with Kevin has really helped him. Baby is becoming more verbal on the floor. Leon and Mikki are catching up to that. Having the four is really big. The biggest part of Kevin being out was that we only had three bigs. Leon was out as well, and (Brian Scalabrine) was out. So we had three bigs, and one (Moore) was learning a new system.” School is out, though. And Perkins, as the new paint presence of record, has to tie the rest of these players together. Losing Garnett in mid-February actually may have been a blessing. “It helped us a lot,” Perkins said. “It gave Leon a chance and Baby a chance to step up. I think our confidence is through the roof. In the playoffs the big thing is that we all have to be consistent. “People are counting us out. I don’t even think people expect us to make it past the second round. We just have to give ourselves a chance to win every game. As long as we have the Truth and Ray Allen, we’ll be all right.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 8:29:38 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166426&format=textKevin Garnet down, out Fiery Ticket gets used to inactivity By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook | Saturday, April 18, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP In the frenetic life of Kevin Garnett, yesterday qualified as a holiday - albeit an unwanted, frustrating one. The Celtics [team stats] forward, scratched for the playoffs barring an unforeseen improvement in his sore right knee, was suddenly the guy on the couch. “He’s not doing any rehab today,” Doc Rivers said after yesterday’s practice. “Not doing anything today. He’s just sitting around - sitting in at the big men’s meetings, doing what you do. I’ve been through that as a player, and it’s no fun. “He’s been great. I told the bigs yesterday that Kevin is going to be involved as far as telling us what he sees.” But forget about giving him a title, like assistant coach. “I don’t even want to give him that title because he thinks he’s there,” said Rivers, who ruled out a re-evaluation of his shelved star. “I just don’t see it - I just hope he wears a decent suit,” Rivers said of Garnett’s anticipated gametime attire. “That’s going to be very questionable.” Garnett’s on-bench patience is also open to speculation. How long will it take, for instance, before Garnett starts tugging at his tie, should he wear one? “He’s going to want to,” Rivers said of Garnett feeling the urge to attempt a comeback. “But I think it will be easier for him to sit on the bench knowing that he can’t. Before he was doing rehab all game, and he probably got more out of rehab than anyone I can remember. It didn’t work, but he did it. “He’s done - there’s no chance. In some ways maybe all of the rehab may have hurt. Maybe he should have been sitting around for the whole month. Today he was in a sweat suit. It was just a normal day. “We just don’t think it’s going to happen. If it happens then I’m all for it. It would be the best news of the day.” Doc takes April honor Rivers was named Eastern Conference coach of the month for April after one of the more improbable runs in the league. The Celtics, with Garnett, Leon Powe, Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine all in various phases of inactivity, went 6-1 for April, including 5-0 at home. That run allowed the C’s to lock up the second seed in the Eastern Conference. Baby gets new name Nicknames generally derive from coaches or teammates. But Glen Davis, who said he is now known as Ticket Stub instead of Big Baby since he is starting in place of Garnett, apparently came up with this one on his own. “Oh no, he gave himself that name,” Kendrick Perkins [stats] said with a slight grimace. “Man, that’s Baby, he needs attention like that.” Perkins had one piece of advice for Davis. “For him to give himself that nickname he has to live up to it,” the Celts center said. “I think it’s cool in a way, because he gives himself confidence.” No fish out of water Garden fans are about to become better acquainted with one of the league’s more underappreciated gems. When last seen, John Salmons was scoring a career-high 38 points in the Bulls’ come-from-behind win over the Celtics on March 17. Talk about timely relief for the injured Luol Deng (tibia stress fracture). “He’s a guy who’s definitely improved over the years,” Paul Pierce [stats] said of Salmons. “You saw in Sacramento what he did, and he’s continued to do it in Chicago. They have a number of guys who are capable with him, Ben Gordon and Derrick Rose - they’re all capable of being 20-point scorers. We have to try and minimize that.” That isn’t to say Salmons, who is also an above-average defender, is going to change anything in Pierce’s approach. “No person I play against changes what I’m going to do,” Pierce said. “I play within the framework of what we try to do, and I try to pick my spots.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 8:36:31 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166429&format=textFive keys to the Celtics/ Bulls series By Steve Bulpett | Saturday, April 18, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP The Celtics [team stats] embark today on what is officially known as the 2009 NBA playoffs, but from all accounts we might as well call it “The Voyage of the Damned.” Anything the Celts can do in the first couple of rounds is simply fattening them up for the kill, right? The Cavaliers have probably joined Celtic Nation, hoping the Green can get to the conference finals so they can drop an anvil on their defending champion heads. “Yeah, so they beat us in seven games last year,” the Cavs will say. “We’re going to take them out in three and a half. They’ll be so embarrassed, they won’t even come out for the second half of Game 4.” Ah, but if the Celtics do, indeed, get a return match with the Clevelanders, won’t that be interesting? Sure, the Cavaliers would be a prohibitive favorite, but heavy would lie the crown of presumption on the head of King James and his merry men. But that’s a story for another round. To reach that star, the Celtics first have to get by Chicago -- hardly a foregone conclusion. Remember, the Hawks took the C’s to seven games in the first round last season... and that was with Kevin Garnett. So here are the factors that will go a long way to determining the winner of this duel. 1. THEY’VE GOT NO TICKET TO RIDE The Celtics can’t use Kevin Garnett’s absence as an excuse if things start to go south. While few expect them to win without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, the players can’t let that enter their mindset. Instead, the Celtics need to be strong-willed and try to use Garnett’s absence to propel them in a different direction. They could use this as their opportunity to prove their own mettle. The stock of every single player in the rotation would rise if the Celts go deep into the postseason without The Big Ticket. 2. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS Even without Garnett, the Celts should have no problem generating offense. Assuming the Bulls believe by now that KG is out (word is they still harbor doubts about the moon landing and the validity of the Zapruder film), they will undoubtedly load up on Paul Pierce [stats] and Ray Allen and try to keep Rajon Rondo [stats] from getting up a head of steam. But if the C’s simply move the rock in the halfcourt set, Glen Davis will wind up with open jumpers and Leon Powe will be dunking to his delight. And once that starts happening, Chicago will be slower to rotate away from these guys and Kendrick Perkins [stats]. That’s when the guys with the big numbers can bring the coup de grace. The key will be the keeping the pass to dribble ratio high. 3. SALMONS RUNNING UPSTREAM Yes, Pierce will run into trouble -- and multiple Chicago defenders -- if he tries to go off on his own, but he still needs to take advantage of the circumstances. John Salmons was a key addition at the trade deadline, a fact driven home to the Celts when he made 14-of-20 shots and dropped 38 points on them on St. Patrick’s Day. But Salmons isn’t Salmons right now. A groin injury has limited his mobility, helping him hit just 9-of-36 shots in the last three games. Worse yet, he’ll have to deal with Pierce. So if the C’s can get their captain isolated on him, he’ll be a good bet to beat Salmons one-on-one or hit a wide-open teammate when the help comes. 4. ROOKIES ON THE LINE Derrick Rose had a Rookie of the Year season, but this is the playoffs. There is no reason to believe he won’t continue to play his game and impress with his ability to keep the offensive pressure on opponents. But it will be interesting to see how he does against Rajon Rondo for a full series. Similarly, Vinny Del Negro will be under the gun in his first year as a head coach. Sources say he struggled early but worked better as the year went on with a staff that includes veteran top men Del Harris and Bernie Bickerstaff. It will be interesting to see how Del Negro -- the kid from the other end of the Mass. Pike -- plays chess against Doc Rivers. 5. DANCE WITH THE ONE THAT BRUNG YOU The Celtics went 2-1 against the Bulls this season, but they were 0-1 against the post-trade Chicagoans. The C’s scored 121 points in that one and lost because they surrendered 127 on 53 percent shooting. It would thus behoove the Green to remember that defense needs to be their first priority. They could get great shots and be a bit off, but if they dig in on defense, most everything else will take care of itself.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 8:37:36 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166430&format=textPlayoff matchups: Celtics vs. Bulls By Mark Murphy | Saturday, April 18, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP Hear the latest rumor? The one claiming that Chicago had inside information on Kevin Garnett’s impending playoff scratch and that the Bulls folded by choice to Toronto on the last night of the regular season? No way. Chicago had too much to worry about without trying to make a choice between the Celtics [team stats] and Orlando. The Celtics aren’t the only team that will suffer from a major absence in this series. Luol Deng -- a true thorn for the Celtics in recent years -- missed the last 22 games of the regular season with a stress fracture in his right tibia, depriving the Bulls of their best two-way player. Paul Pierce [stats], accustomed to peeling off the wiry Deng at the end of a game, won’t shed any tears over this particular absence. But the most important number to digest is 18-7 -- the Celtics’ record without Garnett this season. Pierce is already using the “U” (underdog) word. They are preparing to be disrespected. Here’s a look at how the Celts and Bulls match up for this first-round series: CENTER KENDRICK PERKINS (6-foot-10, 280, 8.5 ppg, 8.1 rpg) vs. JOAKIM NOAH (6-foot-11, 232, 6.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg) Though Brad Miller comes off the bench, he may ultimately end up in this matchup more than Noah, whose prime value is as an active body who can score garbage points. Though few have noticed it, Perkins has had a breakthrough season as a defender -- one that may be good enough to land him on one of the league’s all-defensive teams chosen by the coaches. He’s too physical for Noah, and has enough of an edge to deal with the equally nasty Miller. If Garnett’s prolonged absence has revealed one quality, it’s Perkins value in the paint. Perkins also has developed a decent post game, most recently with a fadeaway jumper out of the paint. Noah doesn’t have the strength to guard Perkins (or any other big, physical five) in the post. EDGE: CELTICS POWER FORWARD GLEN DAVIS (6-foot-9, 289, 7.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg) vs. TYRUS THOMAS (6-foot-9, 215, 10.8 ppg, 1.9 bpg) The Garnett void will never be filled, but with Davis as a substitute starter, the Celtics have received capable scoring out of the so-called “four” spot, thanks in part to Davis’ much-improved jump shot. Davis and Thomas have some catching up to do. Not only were they teammates on the 2004-05 LSU team that reached the Final Four but they also grew up together in Baton Rouge. And for the purposes of this series, they couldn’t have more contrasting styles: the long, lean Thomas as one of the NBA’s best young shot-blockers, confronted by the burly Davis’ inside game. Leon Powe brings more defensive edge to this position as a reserve, but Davis obviously knows a thing or two about his old friend. EDGE: EVEN SMALL FORWARD PAUL PIERCE (6-foot-7, 235, 20.5 ppg, .457) vs. JOHN SALMONS (6-foot-6, 207, 18.5 ppg) Salmons has been a revelation since coming over from Sacramento in a trade. Offense has been a nice bonus coming from a player who was best known for his ability to defend. This won’t be an easy matchup for Pierce, but with Garnett out, it may not matter who covers the Celtics captain. This is his time of year. EDGE: CELTICS POINT GUARD RAJON RONDO (6-foot-1, 171, 11.9 ppg, 8.2 apg) vs. DERRICK ROSE (6-foot-3, 190, 16.8 ppg, 6.3 apg) The Chicago PR staff has assembled a chart of their star rookie’s better performances this season. One team you won’t find on the list are the Celtics. Rose has shot 45 percent (15-for-35) over three games against the Celtics this season, but also has averaged just over two points lower (14.3) and almost two assists lower (4.6) than his overall averages. Though he generally flew under the radar where the most improved player award was concerned, Rondo was in the mix for that discussion. Where the Celtics guard has had enormous -- and under-appreciated -- impact, is as a defender. He already has made life difficult for Rose this season, though the Chicago rookie is a better player right now. This will be the most entertaining pairing of the series. EDGE: EVEN SHOOTING GUARD RAY ALLEN (6-foot-5, 205, 18.2 ppg) vs. BEN GORDON (6-foot-3, 200, 20.7 ppg) From Richard Hamilton to Rudy Gay, Allen just can’t seem to get away from these UConn-on-UConn matchups. But he once again draws the most dangerous scorer on the other side, especially from deep. Allen, however, will make Gordon work down the other end far more than the Bulls guard is accustomed to do. Allen, like Pierce, has been carrying an increased scoring burden since Garnett’s demise, and is enjoying one of the most efficient seasons of his career. Gordon had better brace himself now for all of those picks. Allen’s defenders have a nasty habit of colliding with Perkins and Davis. EDGE: EVEN BENCH CELTICS (Leon Powe, Eddie House, Tony Allen, Stephon Marbury, Mikki Moore, Bill Walker) vs. CHICAGO (Brad Miller, Kirk Hinrich, Aaron Gray, Tim Thomas [stats], Linton Johnson) Hinrich can be one of the finest backup point guards in the league, and Miller actually may be better than the man he backs up (Noah). But this is where those 25 games without Garnett will pay dividends. The Celtics bench is often the reason they win these days, with House enjoying a career year. Powe’s return has taken pressure off the oft-overmatched Moore, and Marbury is now playing as if he truly gets it. His playmaking and control have been sound. His scoring is still needed. EDGE: CELTICS COACHING DOC RIVERS vs. VINNIE DEL NEGRO Springfield native Del Negro has done a nice job in his first year, but Rivers arguably has coached the best season of his career while juggling one of the most injured playoff teams in the field. This team has forged a real identity in the absence of Garnett and the departure of James Posey, and the reserves have improved greatly as a result. That’s coaching. EDGE: CELTICS
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 8:50:19 GMT -5
www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166428&format=textGuarded optimism after Danny Ainge scare By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Beat | Saturday, April 18, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by AP Danny Ainge was doing well yesterday, less than 24 hours after having a heart attack and undergoing surgery. We know this partly because the Celtics [team stats] and sources report the team’s general manager is up and around and looking forward to getting back to work. But we know this mainly because Doc Rivers, scared five steps closer to his grave by the initial news Thursday, was laughing and texting jokes to his boss. “I got calls from friends and coaches,” Rivers said. “One of them - I won’t tell you his name - said, ‘We’re (expletived). Danny Ainge doesn’t drink. He goes to sleep at a reasonable hour. He takes care of himself, and this happens. Look at us. We’re screwed!’ “He was joking, but he was serious. He said, ‘If that guy has a heart attack, we’re done.’ You know, Danny lives as pure of a life as anyone you know.” Rivers exhaled when he got the word Ainge had made it through surgery to repair the blockage, and he was feeling even better when Ainge contacted him. ‘He texted me and said, ‘I’m all right. Just do your job and move on,’ ” Rivers said. The coach wrote back, referring to Eddie House hitting his last four treys Wednesday to break Ainge’s franchise record for season 3-point percentage. “I joked about the Eddie thing,” Rivers said. “I told him I would have taken him out if I’d known that it was going to do this much damage. . . . I won’t tell you what he texted back.” Ray Allen thought about Ainge’s lifestyle, too, when he got the news Thursday - because he follows a similar path. “It was scary,” Allen said. “When I heard about it, your next thought is how is he? I didn’t want to hear any bad news. And it bothered me so much because when I look at Danny I think of him as a guy who did what I did, a guy that won championships, a guy that is very active and fairly young. I was like, wow, I don’t think he drinks or smokes or anything. And it’s like, I think I’m living my life the way I need to live and then this happens. Anything can happen. You’ve really just got to live your life. We focus so much on basketball, but at the end of the day you’ve got to take care of yourself.” Paul Pierce [stats], too, was rocked by the first reports. “I think it just makes me appreciate the people around you a lot more - everyday relationships, seeing one another - because you don’t know when it’s your time,” he said. “We’ve been through a lot together. You never want to see somebody go through something like that. It’s tough. I’m just kind of dealing with it. I really don’t know what to say to him, other than keep your head up. I don’t want to send him flowers . . . you know, Danny’s not that type.” Pierce laughed, but he noted later his bond with Ainge. “Most people don’t develop a relationship with your GM, but me and him have had our ups and downs until we got to the point where we are today,” he said. “It’s tough to see a guy like that - such a good guy who I put my trust in and a guy who’s believed in me - have something like this happen to him.” If the Celtics seemed a little less concerned about Kevin Garnett’s injury, well, that was just perspective taking over. “This trumps all things,” Allen said of Ainge’s situation. “This is a life issue. We all feel like we’re invincible. We feel like our hearts are so strong and our bodies are so strong, but sometimes things happen that are unexplainable.” Rivers has no problem explaining that he wouldn’t be Celtics coach in the first place were it not for his trust in Ainge. “It’s far more than the usual relationship,” he said. “We’re very close. People were asking me Garnett questions and I just wanted to get out of there to see what was happening with Danny. “When that happens, you could care less about the basketball thing. Like, who gives a (expletive)? That’s just basketball.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 8:52:27 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/18/bullish_on_their_chances?mode=PFBullish on their chances Pierce relishes challenge By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | April 18, 2009 While the national anthem plays before every game at TD Banknorth Garden, Celtics captain Paul Pierce looks up at the retired numbers in the rafters, paying homage to the legends who starred on the parquet before him. With a championship ring in hand and his name high on several franchise lists, No. 34 unquestionably will someday hang from the rafters, too. But should Pierce's name be spoken in the same breath as those of Bill Russell, Larry Bird, John Havlicek, and Bob Cousy, or is at least another championship needed? While some notable Celtics past and present believe Pierce already has solidified his place in franchise history, Pierce himself believes more is needed. Like another championship or two. "It's hard to say right now," said Pierce about his legacy. "It's going to mean a lot with all of the great players that have been through here and have won multiple championships to be right there with them. Maybe they'd consider me one of the best Celtics of all time with Larry Bird, John Havlicek, Bill Russell, and all those guys. "Two championships, at least. Maybe three, at least. All of them have at least three. Russell, we don't even have to talk about him. Bird has three. All of them have at least three. But two would really solidify it." Unfortunately for Pierce, getting that second championship this season seems like a long shot since the news Thursday that Kevin Garnett is expected to miss the playoffs with a knee injury. Despite being plagued by a long list of injuries, the defending champions seemed to have the third-best title hopes behind the Cavaliers and Lakers a week ago. But with the Garnett news, Boston would likely need a "Hoosiers"-type performance, with Pierce leading the way, to repeat. "It's most definitely going to be a challenge," Pierce said. "I already put in my head that Kevin isn't coming back. We've got to move on. We've got to play. We can't make any excuses. We've got to go out there and get it done. "It is definitely going to be a lot tougher without him. We've just got to be ready to step up to the challenge. I think these guys are ready for that." Only Havlicek and Bird have scored more points in franchise history than Pierce. Only Havlicek has made and attempted more free throws than Pierce. Only six Celtics have dished out more assists. Only nine have played more games with the Celtics. Pierce, who was the MVP of last year's NBA Finals, also averaged a team-best 20.5 points per game this season. "He will go down as one of the best Celtics ever," Cousy said. "We'll let the historians decide his legacy." Celtics coach Doc Rivers and guard Rajon Rondo agreed. "He is in that upper echelon," Rivers said. "He was before we won it last year. Now that he has won it, he can't be denied. He's already cemented himself there." Said Rondo, "He probably was one before [the 2008 championship]. But that seals the deal now that he's won a championship. He's the best player that I've played with. If there is anybody that I want to have the ball, it's Paul over anybody in our league. I'm not just saying that because he's my teammate. "He just makes plays down the stretch. He wants the ball, but he'll give it up, too. He's done that a couple times this year when guys have double- and triple-teamed him. He's passed it to Ray [Allen] and Ray has made plays for us. Like I said, I'm going with Paul." In terms of statistics, Pierce, who grew up a Lakers fan in Inglewood, Calif., has made his mark, with a lot more basketball to be played. But through nine seasons, what was missing was a championship, although he played for a franchise that has won more than any other team in NBA history. Pierce knew that no matter what he did individually, it would be hard to truly leave an imprint with the Celtics unless he earned a championship. The possibility of that long-awaited title increased when Allen and Garnett were acquired prior to last season. And the Big Three got it done in their first season together, helping win the 17th title in franchise history. "I was as pleased as he was when he won a championship," Cousy said of Pierce. "It's like kissing your sister to never get the brass ring, such a shame. Basketball is such a complete team effort in terms of winning a championship. You need to sense that accomplishment to have a lingering and successful career. "I'm not a yesterday person. But my most memorable accomplishment was winning a championship for the first time." Seeing Pierce get emotional during the ring ceremony Oct. 28 cemented the fact that all his individual accomplishments paled in comparison to winning his first title. "I haven't even watched it yet," Pierce said of the ceremony. "There was so much built up. Everything I've been through, there was so much coming out. A lot of people who haven't been around me kind of understand it. Just living with the fact that when you walk in and see these banners, it's all about what have you contributed to this franchise. "Finally after winning one, you felt like you finally did something for this franchise. You can score so many points and break so many records, but until you put up a banner, that's the only thing that matters around here." Said Cousy, "I was not surprised. I'm not close to Paul. I haven't been traveling around the team the last four or five years. I'm not close to the current group. But over his career I've never seen him emotional before. It showed how meaningful it was to him. It showed his softer side." Pierce is far from satisfied, however. After the Finals, Pierce and several teammates spent about a week celebrating in Las Vegas. While there, Pierce bumped into Michael Jordan, who won six titles with the Bulls. "He said, 'Congratulations, but you need five more,' " Pierce said. "I was like, 'Man, I'm not even going to play five more years.' You realize that this guy has done it six times. And as hard as basketball is, I did it once and I know how hard that was. That just made me even hungrier to get one or two more." With Jordan's words fresh in his mind, Pierce was back working out days later. And if it weren't for Rivers forcing him to sit out the regular-season finale to rest up for the playoffs, Pierce would have played all 82 games for the first time since the 2004-05 season. "After I got the taste of the first one, going to the parade, looking at the first banner, understanding that these guys did it multiple times, everyone is talking about one-hit wonder," Pierce said. "I don't want to be that. When you get a second one, it solidifies the first one. That's what made me even hungrier." But even if Boston doesn't repeat, there is still time for the 31-year-old Pierce to make a serious run for another title before he retires. And if you thought Pierce was emotional after his first title, tissues would definitely be in order if he could somehow lead the Celtics to another. "I don't have words to describe that right now," said Pierce. "It's going to be hard to imagine what that's going to be like. It's going to make me hungrier for even more if I put up another one. They say the second one is always harder than the first one."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 8:53:26 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/18/celtics_up_after_a_day_of_downers?mode=PFCeltics up after a day of downers By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | April 18, 2009 WALTHAM - They are the defending NBA champions, but the Celtics' profile has undergone some alterations in recent days. Now they are self-described "underdogs" and their task an "uphill battle" as they begin the playoffs by hosting the Chicago Bulls today. The shocks to the system hit early Thursday morning, as Kevin Garnett was declared out, his right knee failing to recover from a Feb. 19 injury. Then president of basketball operations Danny Ainge suffered a mild heart attack - he is recovering at Massachusetts General Hospital and expected to return to work. But the Celtics' difficulties did not start this week. They have been involved in a Sisyphean struggle since December. After a 27-2 start seemed to affirm their near invincibility, the Celtics started losing winnable games. And the players' image of invulnerability began being dented by injuries. In fact, from the time Ray Allen and Garnett made their first Celtic appearance Nov. 2, 2007, through Dec. 24, 2008, the team had a 93-18 record in regular-season games. From Christmas Day on, the Celtics went 35-18. Chinks appeared in the Celtics' armor. They sometimes failed to produce in crunch time, even at home. They were badly outplayed twice in Cleveland. They overachieved with several players missing and they were resourceful in difficult circumstances. But they have not been a dominant team on a consistent basis. All of these factors have downgraded expectations outside the team. But the Celtics seem confident. And their expectations are not unrealistic. The Celtics won 12 of their last 14 regular-season games and defeated Cleveland without Garnett last month. "Guys have to realize it's an uphill battle," captain Paul Pierce said yesterday. "In order for us to repeat, it's going to be the toughest thing we'll ever have to do. And we're seeing that firsthand with the type of adversity with Kevin and with Danny." There have been darker days in Celtics history. And the Celtics have shown that a team can play possum and suddenly win the championship - well, at least the 1968-69 version did that. In any case, the Celtics consider it a relief to have concluded the regular season and to be playing for higher stakes. Almost anything could happen in the next few weeks. Garnett, who will be on the bench instead of watching from the locker room, could make a spectacular recovery by simply resting his knee. Ainge could pull more rabbits out of the hat in the offseason during the draft or via trades, but he already has left his stamp on this team with Stephon Marbury and Mikki Moore, whose acquisitions were expected to pay off in the postseason. "We came out of the gates playing well," coach Doc Rivers said. "Clearly, we weren't going to continue to go at that [27-2] pace, but we lost a couple games, got tired, got 'leagued' playing on Christmas Day and the next day somewhere else. Those are tough, emotional games." That was a slightly different Celtics team, with 15 healthy players, and no Marbury or Moore. "That's this team," Rivers said. "We still believe we can win. Eighty-two games, you go in streaks. We followed that up with another long streak. It's a streaky league - good teams go on streaks but they never go on bad streaks long. "I don't care what our identity is, honestly. We just want to win games. There are certain ways you want to play. We would love to go to the post more. And we will go to the post more because I think you have to do that to stop runs. But we don't care what people call us, how we play, what our identity is, as long as we win." But first, there are the Bulls. In the teams' last meeting, Chicago earned a 127-121 victory, Pierce concluding the game playing center for the first time since high school. That was also the only time the teams have played since the Bulls acquired Brad Miller and John Salmons from Sacramento. "Playoffs are about taking teams out of their first and second option, then it comes down to guys making their own plays," Rivers said. "And the Bulls have four or five guys who can grab the ball and create on their own. The key to the series for us is to try to keep them out of the paint. If they're in the paint it's going to be a long series for us; if they're out of the paint then we have a chance." The last time the Celtics were in position to win back-to-back titles, they started the season with Ainge on the injured list and Bill Walton limping around with a foot problem, returning to action for brief stretches before finally shutting down. They reached the 1987 Finals, losing to the Lakers. "What do we miss most?" Pierce asked. "[Garnett's] intensity, his focus, when he's talking to guys on the foul line - we miss a whole lot of things without Kevin. He's our emotional leader, he does so much. He's a presence out there that really turns the game. But he's not going to be out there and we're ready to move on without him. "We've been without Kevin for the last month or so. We still believe that we can win the championship and that's our goal. It doesn't decrease what we try to do out here - the focus is up, the guys get here early and are getting ready doing things we've been doing all year long so we can prepare for this." Rivers has been getting the Celtics to remain focused. "No one is going to wait for you to get it together," Rivers said. "I know [Derrick] Rose and [Ben] Gordon are not going to wait, so we have to get ourselves together. "We just had a bad day [Thursday], that's how I look at it. That day's over, now let's have some good ones. The good news - well, there is none - but as far as Kevin being out, we have been able to work on our defense. The recent numbers show we're a better defensive team. We hit a lull when Kevin first went out and we were trying to outscore everybody. And I thought over the last 10 games we started stopping teams again. We must be a great defensive team to win in the playoffs."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 8:54:33 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/18/ainge_recovering_nicely?mode=PFAinge recovering nicely He'll miss opener and likely Game 2 By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | April 18, 2009 WALTHAM - Danny Ainge was present during the last three Celtic championship runs, as a player in 1984 and '86, and as general manager last year. But Ainge will miss the playoff opener today against the Bulls and has been told by doctors to skip Monday's game after surgery Thursday following a mild heart attack. "He's doing well, he's recovering well, and all the tests have been positive so far," said Ainge's son, Austin, a scout with the team. "Obviously, he is going to take it easy for a little while, but he'll be back in the swing of things. It's only been 36 hours, so we'll see how he feels and what the doctors say." Team spokesman Jeff Twiss said Ainge could be released from Massachusetts General Hospital by tomorrow. Ainge, 50, was admitted to the hospital after awakening with chest pains Thursday morning. Celtic coaches and players learned Ainge would be undergoing surgery within minutes of having determined Kevin Garnett would likely be out for the playoffs. "He's a lot better, and that's great news," coach Doc Rivers said of Ainge yesterday. "For an hour and a half [Thursday] it wasn't a lot of fun around here. The Danny thing clearly puts the Kevin thing, for me, in perspective. But [Ainge] is doing much better and he just needs rest - from me and everyone else. It scared the heck out of me. We made the Kevin decision and literally within 10 minutes the next thing follows. When someone calls you and tells you a guy had a heart attack, it scares the hell out of you. "When he was going into surgery, you're scared, you're worried. It hit me hard because he's my friend, he's my age. It's just scary for me. When you know a guy the way I know Danny, and whoever else is close to him, it really tugs at you. "Doctors told him he can't come Monday, but knowing Danny I wouldn't be shocked if he did. I've never known Danny to listen, but that doesn't mean - I wouldn't be shocked, but he shouldn't be there." Said captain Paul Pierce, "All our prayers, all our hearts, go out to Danny. With what's going on with Danny and Kevin, our hearts just go out to both of them. [Thursday] was a tough day to get started. You feel bad for these guys, but the good thing is they're in good spirits, Danny's in good spirits; Kevin is coming along, he's in good spirits. "We have to just go out there and get the job done. There's been a lot of adversity surrounding us this whole year, even right now, but it's something we've got to deal with and get through. We've been tried all year and this is just another part of it. "I haven't had a chance to talk to Danny yet, but from what I'm hearing he's doing fine. Danny, we've gone through a lot together. You never want to see somebody go through that. I don't know what to say to him, but, probably, keep your head up." Scalabrine timetable Brian Scalabrine will miss the first two games of the playoffs but is expected to practice Tuesday and Wednesday and could play Thursday in Chicago . . . Glen Davis earned the nickname "Big Baby" while playing with older children growing up in Baton Rouge, La. Now, Davis is tagging himself "Ticket Stub," a junior version of the player he is replacing - "Big Ticket" Garnett . . . Kendrick Perkins on the difference between Davis and Garnett: "Baby takes charges and gives hard fouls. With KG, he blocks shots and gives hard fouls. It's give and take, either way."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 8:56:34 GMT -5
Red Bull Rondo
Link|Comments (0) Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff April 18, 2009 07:48 AM
Celtics guard Rajon Rondo is expected to arrive to Game 1 against the Bulls today at 9:30 A.M. to the players parking lot off Causeway in a Red Bull racing car. Rondo recently because the only NBA player to sign a sponsorship deal with Red Bull. It is unknown how many Red Bull he will drink before the game.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Apr 18, 2009 9:43:39 GMT -5
Herald www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166431&format=textKevin Garnett’s tutelage a Perk of job www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166426&format=textKevin Garnet down, out www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166429&format=textFive keys to the Celtics/ Bulls series www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166430&format=textPlayoff matchups: Celtics vs. Bulls www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1166428&format=textGuarded optimism after Danny Ainge scare www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view/2009_04_18_No_love_in_Cavs__Pistons/No love in Cavs, Pistons Globe www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/18/bullish_on_their_chances?mode=PFBullish on their chances www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/18/celtics_up_after_a_day_of_downers?mode=PFCeltics up after a day of downers www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/18/ainge_recovering_nicely?mode=PFAinge recovering nicely www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/04/18/baby_talk_provided_by_thomasThomas provides Baby talk www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/2009/04/18/finals_thoughtsFinals thoughts www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/04/red_bull_rondo.htmlRed Bull Rondo MetroWest Daily www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x428851067/Celtics-little-big-men-take-center-stageCeltics little big men take center stage Celtics.com www.nba.com/celtics/playoffs2009/bulls-celtics-preview.htmlSeries preview www.nba.com/celtics/playoffs2009/feature041709-thinking-repeat.htmlAs playoffs arrive, shorthanded Celtics still thinking repeat CelticsBlog www.celticsblog.com/2009/4/18/839742/predictable-predictions-for-thePredictable predictions for the Eastern Quarters www.celticsblog.com/2009/4/18/843552/celtics-stuff-live-sunday-nightCeltics Stuff Live Sunday night with Steve Bulpett www.celticsblog.com/2009/4/18/843117/celtics-open-title-defense-againstCeltics open title defense against Bulls LOY's Place celticsgreen.blogspot.com/2009/04/its-about-who-we-have-not-who-we-dont.htmlIt's about who we have, not who we don't Celtics 17 mvn.com/celtics17/2009/04/let-the-games-begin-bulls-vs-celtics.htmlLet the games begin: Bulls vs Celtics Red's Army redsarmy.wordpress.com/2009/04/18/why-the-bulls-have-no-shot/Why the Bulls have no shot redsarmy.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/where-did-out-for-the-playoffs-come-from/Where did out for the playoffs come from? Worcester Telegram www.telegram.com/article/20090418/NEWS/904180431/1009Baby steps up Bleacher Report bleacherreport.com/articles/158151-another-celtic-championship-it-takes-fiveAnother Celtic Championship? It takes five. bleacherreport.com/articles/157896-the-five-most-important-rookies-in-the-playoffsFive most important rookies in the playoffs bleacherreport.com/articles/157625-with-garnett-out-for-postseason-celtics-defense-needs-to-step-upWith KG out for the postseason, Celtics defense needs to step up bleacherreport.com/articles/157797-kevin-garnett-injured-no-worries-just-body-swap-with-scalabrineKG injured? Now worries, just body swap with Scal ballerblogger.com/2009/04/17/nba-final-grades/Boston Celtics 2009 playoff analysis Chicago Daily Herald www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=287453&src=150Limiting Rondo's penetration big key for Bulls Canton Rep www.cantonrep.com/sports/cavaliers/x718259870/Playoff-preview-16-reasons-the-Cavs-can-win-16-more-games16 reasons Cavs can win 16 more games www.cantonrep.com/sports/cavaliers/x126901710/Health-wantedHealth wanted Chicago Sun Times www.suntimes.com/sports/jackson/901972,CST-SPT-jax18.article No one knows which Bulls team will show up in Boston www.suntimes.com/sports/basketball/bulls/1532741,CST-SPT-bullnt18.article Salmons hurting but still a major factor NY Times www.nytimes.com/2009/04/18/sports/basketball/18playoffs.html?_r=1NBA playoffs may pivot on health of best teams Fox Sports www.nytimes.com/2009/04/18/sports/basketball/18playoffs.html?_r=1Nothing in the way of Kobe Lebron finals msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/9457678/Thomas-ready-to-give-it-the-ol'-college-try Thomas ready to give it the ol' college try Bulls.com www.nba.com/bulls/news/smith_090417b.html?rss=trueMatchup: Salmons vs Pierce SLAM slamonline.com/online/nba/2009/04/philly-happily-provides-orlando-with-motivational-material/Philly happily provides Orlando with motivational material NBA Video nba-tube.com/kevin-garnett-injury-analysis/Kevin Garnett Injury analysis Reservation for Six rfor6.blogspot.com/2009/04/kgs-absence-that-bad-not-really.htmlKG's absence that bad? Not really USA Today blogs.usatoday.com/gameon/2009/04/are-the-celtics-pants-on-fire-when-they-talk-about-garnett.html?csp=34Are the Celtics pants on fire when they talk about Garnett? www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5j942tiyektAxPHa9IL3KPpHsyxxwRose crams for playoff test vs Celtics BallerBlogger ballerblogger.com/2009/04/17/nba-final-grades/NBA Final grades ballerblogger.com/2009/04/17/award-winners/Award winners Hardwood Paroxysm www.hardwoodparoxysm.com/2009/04/17/its-all-marburys-fault/It's all Marbury's fault SI.com sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/paul_forrester/04/17/celtics.bulls/?eref=T1Celtics-Bulls series breakdown sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/chris_mannix/04/17/garnett/index.htmlGarnett's diagnosis opens door for return or some harsh questions OC Register www.ocregister.com/articles/lakers-team-garnett-2366835-last-seasonLakers status as favorites enhanced by Garnett's injury www.ocregister.com/articles/mso-font-lakers-2356589-finals-timesFor Lakers it's not always home sweet home OSC www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3807938Flash host playoff semi-final Monday Philly Daily News www.philly.com/dailynews/sports/43156092.html10 things to ponder as NBA playoffs get under way Orlando Sentinel blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_bianchi/2009/04/do-you-think-its-ok-for-magic-fans-to-be-happy-about-garnetts-injury.htmlIs it ok for Magic fans to be happy about KG's injury? Ohio.com www.ohio.com/sports/43152032.htmlCleveland - Boston rematch less likely ProJo www.ohio.com/sports/43152032.htmlAinge could be out of the hospital by Sunday www.projo.com/sports/billreynolds/sp_bill_reynolds_18_04-18-09_HLE2Q6F_v17.341b326.htmlGarnett's injury has taken air out of Celtics' title balloon Wall Street Journal blogs.wsj.com/dailyfix/2009/04/17/the-count-celtics-and-spurs-play-a-man-down/Celtics and Spurs play a man down Salt Lake Tribune www.sltrib.com/news/ci_12166419?source=rssUtah Flash invited to play games in Iran Utah News directoryearth.us/newsblog-utah/2009/04/17/jazz-recalls-koufos-from-flash/Jazz recalls Koufos from Flash WEEI Green Street greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/big-baby-to-ticket-stub/Big Baby to Ticket Stub greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/rivers-if-you-only-knew/Rivers: If you only knew greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/docs-orders-ainge-told-to-stay-away-from-garden/Doc's orders: Ainge told to stay away from Garden Daily Herald www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=287118&src=150Bulls will need a healthy Salmons against Celtics Dime dimemag.com/2009/04/nba-playoffs-blogger-faceoff-celtics-vs-bulls/NBA Playoffs blogger faceoff: Celtics vs Bulls Canadian Press www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5j942tiyektAxPHa9IL3KPpHsyxxwCeltics shake off bad day, prepare for series with Bulls Chicago Tribune www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-18-bulls-celtics-matchup-apr18,0,721160.story Bulls vs Celtics: How they match up. www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-18-boston-view-celtics-bullsapr18,0,6904560.story Celtics prepared for uphill battle Cleveland.com www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2009/04/mark_knudson_of_the_colorado.htmlIf Mike Brown wins Coach of the Year, it won't be because of Eastern bias ESPN sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=highschoolers-090416Future is now for high school draftees sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2009/columns/story?columnist=sheridan_chris&page=sheridankg-090417A tall glass of 1 percent HoopsAddict www.hoopsaddict.com/2009/04/17/injured-garnett-continues-to-lead-celtics/Injured Garnett continues to lead Celtics DaBullz dabullz.com/2009/04/17/john-salmons-on-facing-the-shorthanded-celtics-recovering-from-injury/John Salmons on facing shorthanded Celtics & recovering from injury CBS Sports www.cbssports.com/columns/story/11642075When it's King versus curses, Cleveland can win... Right? Inside Bay Area www.insidebayarea.com/sports/ci_12169138Flawed Cavs face Cleveland's legacy of losing NBA Outsider mvn.com/outsider/2009/04/nba-rumor-mill-garnett-isnt-out-amare-knocks-porter.htmlRumor Mill: Garnett isn't out Enterprise www.enterprisenews.com/sports/x428850854/CELTICS-NOTEBOOK-Team-still-shaken-over-Ainge-heart-attackTeam still shaken over Ainge heart attack SouthCoast Today www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090417/SPORTS/904170358/-1/SPORTS06Loss of Garnett leaves Celtics without their identity NBA.com www.nba.com/2009/news/features/art_garcia/04/16/10questions20090416/Two months, 16 teams, one trophy and 10 big questions |
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