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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 7:14:27 GMT -5
Down go Celtics! KO’d Loss to lowly Charlotte like punch in gut By Mark Murphy | Thursday, January 10, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics  Photo by Matt Stone It’s not often that they run into someone with Joe Frazier tendencies - a team that is capable, on a given night, of forcing the Celtics [team stats] to trade punches. The surprising difference last night was the standard of opponent throwing the body shots - a Charlotte team that was one of the worst road units in the NBA, and yet the one to hand the Celtics their first double-digit loss of the season. The Celtics’ 95-83 loss gave the Bobcats just their second road win of the season. The C’s, in turn, lost for only the second time at home while shooting a cold 41.7 percent from the floor, with Paul Pierce [stats] (4-of-14, 13 points) and Eddie House (3-of-10, seven points) epitomizing the offensive struggle. It was a strange way to have a nine-game winning streak snapped, as well as a 4-0 home streak. The Celtics now have this nugget to file next to their two-point loss to Detroit on Dec. 19, truly an odd couple of home losses. But they knew what the Bobcats could be about. It took a buzzer-beating trey from Ray Allen - unavailable last night along with Glen Davis because of injuries - to seal a win in Charlotte on Nov. 24. “We feel like we beat these guys twice,” said Bobcat Gerald Wallace, who probably wouldn’t have found much disagreement across the hall. “We’re not that good yet that we can just turn it on,” said Celtic James Posey. “You have to show enough respect for the league and be ready to play every night.” Instead, they opened the door to all sorts of defensive trouble, starting with Charlotte’s ability to shoot 49 percent. Beyond an unstoppable 34-point long ball attack from Jason Richardson and 15 from the ever-active Wallace, the player who hurt the Celtics the most was backup center Nazr Mohammed. His 18-point, 10-rebound double-double accentuated a stunning 48-28 edge in paint scoring by Charlotte. It was the second-worst paint performance by the C’s this season. As such, no one escaped criticism. “They got their butts kicked,” Doc Rivers said. “I didn’t sugarcoat it. I said, hey, we all (were responsible). (Charlotte coach) Sam Vincent did a better job than me, and their players did a better job than our players. “Give them credit. It’s one thing I believe in, if they play better, give them credit,” said the Celtics coach. “And I thought they played better. We probably could have controlled that, but we didn’t.” With 12 minutes left it was already too late. The Celtics, after leading by a peak of 11 points in the second quarter, weren’t in the mood to play catch-up. Pierce, who scored only his second basket of the night to open the fourth quarter, was shooting 2-of-11 with 7:08 left. The Celtics trailed 81-70 as the result of a 6-0 Charlotte run when Pierce came out of a timeout with a trey. Richardson answered with a deep two, and the Celtics captain came back with a three-point play off a drive. A pair of controversial calls - the first sending Richardson to the line after he drew minimal contact from Pierce, and the second a travel call on Posey when he appeared to be fouled shooting a trey - had the crowd on its feet. But its indignation melted when Mohammed dunked home a putback for an 87-76 lead with 4:41 left. Perkins answered with his own dunk, but Mohammed came right back for an 89-78 Charlotte lead. The Celtics, in the unlikely role of chaser, were staggering from some heavy shots. They had gone scoreless for almost two minutes when Garnett missed the second of two free throws, but received a break when the rebound went out off Charlotte. But Pierce missed the ensuing 3 so badly, it banked clumsily off the rim, springing Richardson for his fourth hoop of the quarter and a 91-81 lead with 47 seconds left. Article URL: www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1065672 |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 7:18:38 GMT -5
Dudley accentuates positive By Mark Murphy / Celtics Notebook | Thursday, January 10, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics Photo by Matt Stone Jared Dudley heard about Boston College’s loss to Robert Morris and, like most others, winced. But the Charlotte rookie, known during his remarkable career at The Heights as one of the most positive thinkers in college basketball, still has hope. “You have to have leadership, and you have to try and keep moving ahead,” he said before the Bobcats’ 95-83 upset of the Celtics [team stats] last night. “But they’ve had some good wins already this year. They beat Rhode Island, and Rhode Island was ranked, and they won down at Maryland, so there have been good things. “My senior year we lost to Vermont early in the year, and we still went on to do good things. You have to gain respect from people, and you have to gain a consistency.” Those words also apply to Dudley’s situation with the Bobcats. It’s difficult to build consistency on the bench. After some strong early appearances for Charlotte, Dudley has slid back. Last night, he recorded an assist and a rebound in three minutes. In the previous five games, he had played no more than four minutes, including a pair of DNPs. Unlike in the first month of the season, when Dudley was an emergency starter and finished with 11 points and nine rebounds in 39 minutes on Nov. 24 against the Celtics, coach Sam Vincent has been looking elsewhere. “I can’t get frustrated. Just stay positive, because I know that my time will come,” Dudley said. “Injuries occur. There are opportunities. Not that you hope for injuries to happen, but when the team is not successful, you have to make changes. “But I spend my time well. Now it’s more important than ever to get out there and work before games. I come in at night and shoot, that sort of thing. The key is to stay ready.” Issue a nonstarter Paul Pierce [stats] was asked about Chris Bosh’s All-Star campaign ad, in which the Toronto big man poses as a used-car salesman in an attempt to get voted into the Eastern Conference’s starting lineup. Pierce knows better than to bid for one of the two starting forward spots. “I didn’t even have to see the ballot,” Pierce said. “When Kevin Garnett came into the Eastern Conference, I knew I wasn’t even going to start. Why campaign if you won’t start? The All-Star Game is always fun because you get to be around your peers, but if I don’t make it, I have a bigger goal in mind.” That said, most agree Pierce will make the trip to New Orleans next month. “Yes, he is having an All-Star year,” said Doc Rivers, who has a better-than-good chance of being the East coach and might have to lobby his peers to make sure Pierce is named a reserve. “You wouldn’t think I would have to, but I’ll probably call around anyway.” Baby takes break Glen Davis, his right knee still sore, sat out last night’s game. Though Ray Allen, as expected, also took a seat, the numbness in his right hand from a pinched nerve apparently had improved yesterday. “If this was a playoff game, he’d play,” Rivers said. “I’m expecting him and Baby to play Friday.” Article URL: www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1065685 |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 7:22:08 GMT -5
Just one of those nights,’ in otherwise special season By Steve Bulpett / The NBA | Thursday, January 10, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics  Photo by Matt Stone Fire the coach. Trade half the roster. Run the miscreants through double sessions. (Not that we feel this way or anything, but the Celtics [team stats] are doing so well this year that this may be the only chance to type this stuff. We couldn’t pass up the opportunity.) Sadly for those who revel in the negative, last night’s 95-83 loss to the Bad News Bobcats actually stands as a monument to the Celts’ thus-far-amazing season. As in, it’s more than a little incredible that it took them so long to have a game like this. Then again, it was a night of firsts for the Shamrock A.C. First loss to a sub-.500 team. First time trailing at home going into the last quarter. First time giving up 30-plus points to an opponent in a regulation game. First time losing by more than five points. First time the Celts looked like a normal NBA team going through the rigors of a season. As such, some were in a self-forgiving mood. “It’s just one of those nights, man,” said Paul Pierce [stats], who lauded the ’Cats after he made just one of his first nine shots overall and finished with that same ratio from 3-point range. “We’re not going to win every game of the season. We have to expect everybody’s best, and tonight was one of Charlotte’s best games. We took one on the chin and we just have to bounce back.” Some were not so nice about it. “It’s a long season, but when you don’t compete it hurts even more,” said James Posey. “When you don’t give yourself a chance to win the ballgame, it hurts. We’re just not there yet. We have to play every night. We can’t turn it on and off like that, and we can’t play like that. “You’ve got to bring your energy. You should be up for every game just because we know what we’re playing for and just out of respect to the league and the other teams. When you don’t do that, that’s when you have nights like tonight.” True enough, the Celtics did play as if they’d left their heart in Auburn Hills, Mich., with Saturday’s stirring win over the Pistons. They played as if they’d forgotten that digging in and doing the defensive dirty work is what won them 29 of the first 32 games. But it is unrealistic to think the Celts wouldn’t have these occasional lapses - no matter how improved their talent. In fact, it’s even crazier to believe they were going to go into Los Angeles a week ago Sunday and beat the Lakers by 19 in their fourth road game in five nights. Last night, the Celts were well rested while the Bobcats had played the night before, and the relative energy levels defied conventional wisdom. This was a little comeuppance for the local lads. “I think we’ve gotten so spoiled to the point where we’ve come out and worked so hard defensively and been consistent with it,” said Kevin Garnett, unable to will the Celts home this time despite 24 points and eight rebounds. “Tonight that wasn’t the case. I think we spoiled not only you guys (in the media) but the fans and everybody, and that’s a good thing. We worked to that point. It wasn’t given to us. We’ve went out and worked for that.” Though coach Doc Rivers still believed his team came to play, Kendrick Perkins [stats] looked at Charlotte’s 48.8-percent shooting and said, “That ain’t Celtic defense. We’ve just got to look at ourselves in the mirror.” Ultimately Rivers was able to digest one bad loss in a garden of very good wins. “I wasn’t waiting for one,” said Rivers when asked if he was surprised at the stinkbomb, “I can tell you that. And I was hoping we never had one. I don’t know if the word is surprised, but I can accept it. I can.” In the marathon that is the NBA season, Rivers really has no choice. Article URL: www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1065692 |
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:05:56 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/01/10/celtics_shocked?mode=PFCeltics shocked By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | January 10, 2008 The Celtics followed their biggest win of the season by handing the Bobcats possibly the biggest win in their franchise's history. Just days after knocking off the Detroit Pistons, the Celtics suffered a stunning 95-83 loss to struggling Charlotte at TD Banknorth Garden last night. The loss ended a nine-game winning streak for Boston (29-4), as well as an opportunity for the Celtics to become only the fourth team in NBA history reach 30 wins without a fourth loss. The Celtics also lost by more than 5 points for the first time this season. "It's one game," said Paul Pierce. "We won nine in a row before that. We're not going to win every game. They are an NBA team also. On any given night we can get beat by anybody. Tonight's just one of those nights. "Maybe it's good for us. I always say you can learn from a bad win. But you can also learn from a bad loss, not to take anything away from Charlotte." Bobcats guard Jason Richardson scored 34 points, tying a season high by making 14 of 22 shots and nailing two 3-pointers. The 34 points were the most scored by a Celtics opponent in regulation this season. Cleveland's LeBron James scored 38 points in a 109-104 overtime win over the Celtics Nov. 27, but 11 came in OT. "I felt great tonight," said Richardson, who also had 9 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 43 minutes. "The team was giving me the ball. Coach [Sam Vincent] was drawing the plays up. I knew when they were doing that, I had to do something. If I wasn't scoring, I had to do something and make something happen with the ball. "Every time I got it I felt like the rim was just as big as the ocean. I just threw [the ball] up in the air and it was going in." Kevin Garnett, who had a team-high 24 points for the Celtics along with eight rebounds, said, "[Richardson] hit some tough shots. I felt in certain situations Paul made him go to his counter
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:07:13 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/01/10/all_would_vote_this_outing_their_worst?mode=PFAll would vote this outing their worst By Peter May, Globe Staff | January 10, 2008 Well, I guess we know what happened to the guys who ran the numbers for Barack Obama in New Hampshire. They went out and set the pointspread for the Celtics-Bobcats game. And you know what? They were right. The Celtics deserved to be 13-point favorites, even though, as Gerald Wallace said after last night's stunner, "We should be 2-0 against them." As we know, once in a while strange things happen in politics and sports, and last night, 24 hours after Obama saw a 13-point poll lead disappear in the Granite State, the Celtics suffered the same fate against the lowly Charlotte Bobcats at TD Banknorth Garden. In what certainly qualifies as a shocker, Charlotte took it to the Celtics and came away with a 95-83 victory. Who saw this one coming? Charlotte had played the night before and had yet to win a game on the second night of a back-to-back all season. The Celtics hadn't played since last Saturday (but had had only one practice since then). The Bobcats had lost 11 straight on the road, their only victory away from Charlotte coming Nov. 4 in Miami, their first roadie of the season. The Celtics were 29-3, although one of those wins had been gift-wrapped by the Bobcats in Charlotte Nov. 24. In that game, Jason Richardson had an inbounds pass stolen, leading to a winning three at the buzzer by Ray Allen. "I knew I had to make it up to my teammates," Richardson said. Did he ever, with a macho, 34-point performance in which several of his 14 field goals came as the shot clock was about to expire. "Jason Richardson was tremendous, absolutely fantastic," Doc Rivers saluted. But the Bobcats? They were still 12-21 and had not won more than two straight all season. The Celtics were going for their 10th straight victory and were coming off the huge win in Auburn Hills, Mich. Still, before the game Paul Pierce talked about the Bobcats in almost reverential terms, saying this season's Celtics prepare for every team the same way. In the past, Pierce reckoned, that might not have been the case. In the past, Pierce reckoned, a game like this might well have resulted in an upset. Oh, well. "Maybe it's good for us," Pierce theorized after the game. "You can always learn from a bad win. You can also learn from a bad loss." Expect that to be the theme today when the Celtics gather for practice. Boston was without Allen, but that had not been a problem earlier in wins over Milwaukee and at Toronto. It was last night. "We missed him a lot," understated Kevin Garnett, one of the few Celtics to play anything close to normal (24 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks). Pierce suffered through a horrible shooting night (4 for 14). The Celtics missed 16 of 20 3-pointers; Pierce missed his first seven from international waters before finally connecting in the fourth quarter. He then missed one more. Not even the sight of a Brian Scalabrine dunk could get the Celtics over the hump. What we saw last night was, basically, life in the NBA. Upsets happen all the time. It's just that they didn't happen here. This was the Celtics' first loss of the season by 5 or more points; the closest team to them in that category has six. Fans have been treated to such an otherworldly brand of basketball for the first two-plus months of the season that they somehow envisioned the Celtics being immune to the common ailments of the NBA. They aren't. "We've spoiled not only you guys [the media], but also the fans and everybody," Garnett said. "And that's a good thing. We worked for that." The Bobcats historically seem to give the Celtics a hard time and they were true to their history last night. This was, by far, the most convincing win over the Celtics this season - the only convincing win over the Celtics - as the Bobcats fought off an 11-point second-quarter deficit, led at the half, and took the lead for good with 97 seconds left in the third. Boston never got closer than 7 in the last seven minutes. The Bobcats played a terrific game. They took it to the Celtics offensively (something the Pistons stopped doing in the second half) and had a humongous advantage in points in the paint (48-28). The Bobcats held an advantage on the glass (42-40). They shot better than 50 percent most of the game and finished at 48.8. They forced 17 turnovers, six in the fourth quarter. Hey, look at it this way. The Celtics went 32 games before suffering their first stinkbomb of the season. "I wasn't waiting for one, I can tell you that," Rivers said. They weren't going to go 40-1 at home (but, trust me, no one figured Loss No. 2 would come last night). Perhaps it was just time. Houston nearly beat them Jan. 2 and Memphis took them to the wire last Friday. The good thing for the Celtics - and Obama - is that there is another contest coming.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:08:56 GMT -5
www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/01/10/allen_davis_sidelined_with_minor_injuries?mode=PFAllen, Davis sidelined with minor injuries By Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff | January 10, 2008 When it comes to injuries, Celtics coach Doc Rivers would rather err on the side of caution. Guard Ray Allen missed last night's game against Charlotte with a pinched nerve in his neck. Rookie reserve forward Glen Davis missed his first game with right knee soreness. Rivers expects both to return tomorrow night at New Jersey. "I want to be healthy at the end," Rivers said. "We don't have a lot of bodies. One thing I preach to them a ton is that everybody has to pitch in. You have to stay ready. If a guy's injured and I put him out there, I always say, 'What does that say to the guy behind him?' I'd rather play the other guys. I just think that the more we play those other guys, the better we will be at the end of the day anyway." Rivers added that Allen felt better and looked good running and shooting during yesterday's shootaround. The seven-time All-Star has missed three games this season. "He feels great, he said," Rivers said. The Celtics definitely missed Allen during their 95-83 loss to the Bobcats last night. The 6-foot-5-inch, 205-pounder is averaging 18 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 4 assists in 30 games and has nailed 37.6 percent of his 3-pointers. In Ray Allen's absence, Tony Allen had 6 points on 1-of-5 shooting, 0 rebounds, 1 assist, and no 3-pointers in 28 minutes. "We missed [Ray Allen] a lot and we can't wait for him to get back," Tony Allen said. Said Kevin Garnett: "We missed him a lot. He's one of our better players. But when he's out, somebody else has to step up." Pierce eyes berth For Paul Pierce, there was only one drawback to the Celtics' acquisition of Garnett. With Garnett and Cleveland's LeBron James listed as forwards on the Eastern Conference All-Star ballot, Pierce knew his chances of being voted by the fans to start were slim. "I didn't even have to see the ballot," said Pierce with a smile. "Once I saw that Kevin Garnett was coming to the Eastern Conference, I said, 'There goes my chance to start.' " When the second All-Star balloting update came in last week, Garnett had an NBA-best 1,527,963 votes, James had 1,294,019, and Pierce had 352,243. But with a team-best scoring average of 21.2 points on the NBA's top club, the five-time All-Star has a very strong shot to be selected as a reserve. "All-Star is always fun," Pierce said. "You get a chance to be around your peers and be recognized for what you've done throughout the beginning of the [season]. If I got an opportunity to make it, that will be great. But I have a bigger goal that I have with this team." Rivers lauds Skinner Rivers said he has an "amazing amount of respect" for Boston College coach Al Skinner for developing three NBA players: Charlotte rookie forward Jared Dudley, New Jersey rookie forward Sean Williams, and Timberwolves forward Craig Smith. Dudley made his Boston pro debut last night. "All of the guys that go in come out to be players," Rivers said. "It's not a coincidence. There are schools that are clear to me, in my opinion, that turn out to be, because of the way they play and the way they are coached, that have an upper hand with their players. "Al plays rough, tough defense like the NBA. They're physical and he's a big coach on execution. One of the things a lot of players struggle to do on this end is execute and read. [BC players] seem to all know how to do that." Dudley entered last night averaging 4.3 points and 3.2 rebounds, and did not score in three minutes. When asked about Skinner's influence on preparing him for the NBA, Dudley said, "We're not buddy-buddy. We don't talk on the phone all the time. I talked to him very rarely at the school. He gives you that coach relationship you're going to have in the NBA. When people come to our practices now, [they say] it could be a joke because you don't do a lot of running. That's how it is in the NBA. We shoot a lot and we scrimmage here and there. That's what we do. "He prepared me for the NBA life, practices. You have to make your own work ethic. For someone that's lazy, you're not going to be good at BC and you're not going to be good after." Vincent reflects Bobcats first-year coach Sam Vincent was selected by the Celtics with the 20th pick in the 1985 draft, played 103 games for Boston in two seasons, and was a part of the 1986 NBA champions. "I never got off the bench," Vincent said. "I'm not kidding myself. I got Danny [ Ainge] and DJ [Dennis Johnson] ready for what they had to achieve."
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:14:03 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x1695661823Megliola: Loss not the end of the world for C's -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Lenny Megliola/Daily News staff GHS Wed Jan 09, 2008, 11:49 PM EST -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Story Tools: Email This | Print This Boston, Mass. - Remember when the Celtics were a really good team, like, last week? Just kidding. Let's just not go crazy over this. Maybe it was a trap game for the Celtics, no doubt it was a lousy one, but one of these nights was bound to pop up and bite this team. Last night was one of them, a no-doubt-about-it 95-83 thrashing administered by the Charlotte Bobcats before 18,624 stunned fans, a few who had the audacity to boo when it was 81-70. Maybe this will cool the jets of the folks who thought they were backing a 70-12 team. Come on now, no cryin' like Hillary. The Boston defense, their m.o. so far, was the pits. The Bobcats outscored the Celtics in the paint 48-28. Hello, anybody home? What happened? "I can't pinpoint it," said Kevin Garnett. But this he knew: "We're going to be tested in all kinds of ways." He figured almost everyone had been seduced by the team's sensational start. The Celtics had no answer for Jason Richardson, who lit 'em up for 34 points. "Just one of those nights, man," said Paul Pierce. "(The Bobcats) had their best game of the season." Pierce? He started off 1-for-9 and finished at 4-for-14. As porous as the Boston defense was, coach Doc Rivers said "we scored 83 points. We have to be a better offensive team." But the D was what did them in. To a man the Celtics were a) confounded and b) ticked off by their weak defensive effort, although Pierce was quick to say, "Not to take anything away from Charlotte. They played hard. They played well." The Celtics played without Ray Allen. "We missed him a lot," said Garnett. "But when he's out, other players have to step up." None did. This one stung, but it's all about the big picture. "We're not going to win every game," said Pierce. "On any given night you can get beat by anybody." Hey, this team's 29-4. This time in 2007 the Celtics had embarked on an 0-18 journey that made them the laughingstock of the league. Only by keeping losing could they make SportsCenter, and the Celtics obliged. Nobody around here was laughing. Then again, almost everyone was ignoring the Celtics. Guys in sports bars weren't asking the saloon keeper to turn on the Celtics game, they wanted it turned off. Put on the Animal Planet. Anything. When we last saw the Celtics they were schooling the Pistons Saturday night. That Detroit game was "our biggest challenge to date," said Pierce. "We were able to see where we are. We might see (the Pistons) again in the playoffs." Some folks are already betting on it. This Detroit thing has taken on a life of its own. During a timeout last night the Jumbotron showed highlights of the Saturday game against the Pistons. Nothing but Boston baskets were shown, like the Celtics threw a shutout or something. When the video was over, this appeared on the screen: Round 3 3-5-08 Never mind that. When do they play the Bobcats again? Naturally, a win over the Bobcats last night was expected, a lock really. Boston was on a nine-game winning streak. The Bobcats were, well, the Bobcats, one of those perennially bad expansion teams. They were nine games under .500 in a division that only had the Orlando Magic to brag on. They'd only won once on the road, so it was kosher that they celebrated this victory like they'd won a playoff round. A year ago, even if the Celtics were home against a terrible team, all bets were off whether they could walk away with a W. Pierce sounded a warning though. All this is just fine, no complaints, "but it's not even half a season. We're still learning about ourselves." Still, after all the suffering of years past, Pierce is having a ball. "It's a lot of fun. I'm excited about the possibilities." A year ago, opposing players and friends were flooding Pierce with condolences after games. He was a star trying to carry a nowhere team. Now, he said, "people come up to me after a game saying how happy they are for me." The presence of Garnett has overwhelmed Pierce even though he's played against the guy his entire career. Garnett has taken charge by just being himself. Pierce knew Garnett was the leader type, blue-collar too. To Garnett, practice was serious business. No holding back. This blew Pierce's mind. "The fascinating thing about it is to see him do it every day." Nothing held back. So the Celtics lost on the parquet last night. "It kinda hurts to lose at home," said Kendrick Perkins, "especially to teams you're supposed to beat." "You can learn from a bad loss," Pierce pointed out. Class is still in session.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:15:30 GMT -5
www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x921638228Bobcats 95, Celtics 83: Bitten by Bobcats -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Associated Press Wed Jan 09, 2008, 11:56 PM EST -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Story Tools: Email This | Print This Boston, Mass. - Hardly anyone except for maybe Charlotte's Jason Richardson could have seen this coming. The Celtics were rolling at home and the Bobcats were miserable on the road. Richardson had 34 points and nine rebounds, Gerald Wallace had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and the Bobcats stunned the Celtics 95-83 for just their fourth loss of the season last night. "I'm not surprised because we're a pretty good team," Richardson said. "It just doesn't show in our record." And it really didn't when they played on the road. The Bobcats, who entered with an Eastern Conference-worst 1-11 road mark, also got 16 points and eight assists from Raymond Felton. But it was Richardson, who went 14-for-22 from the floor, that hurt the Celtics most. "Jason Richardson was fantastic, just tremendous," Boston coach Doc Rivers said. The loss snapped a nine-game winning streak for Boston (29-4) and spoiled its bid for the fastest start in team history to 30 wins. The 1959-60 Celtics started 30-4 before going on to win the NBA title. Kevin Garnett led Boston with 24 points and eight rebounds. Paul Pierce scored 13 points on just 4-for-14 shooting. "We aren't going to win every game of the season," Pierce said. "We have to expect everybody's best, and it was one of Charlotte's best games." The Celtics' only other loss at home came when Detroit's Chauncey Billups hit two free throws with 0.1 seconds left in an 87-85 win on Dec. 19. Boston is 16-2 at the TD Banknorth Garden. Richardson hit some keys shots when Boston tried to mount a comeback, many coming late in the shot clock. "I thought our offense was pretty effective and Jason Richardson just got hot and made some big shots," Bobcats coach Sam Vincent said. "The bottom line was that there was a better-focused effort of getting the ball to the rim, and getting to the bucket instead of settling for outside shots." Boston hit just 42 percent of its shots. "It was our execution," Rivers said. "It was our defensive execution. But listen, guys, we scored 83 points, too, you know. We have a better offensive team." The Bobcats led 72-65 after three quarters and opened it to 81-70 on Richardson's layup with 7:08 to play. Boston pulled to 83-76 on Pierce's three-point play, but Richardson hit two free throws and Nazr Mohammed had a pair of baskets inside to keep the lead safe. Boston never moved closer than seven points in the final 5 minutes. The Celtics looked like they were in for another easy night at home when they opened a 35-24 edge midway into the second quarter, but the Bobcats responded by scoring the next 14 points en route to a 45-41 halftime edge. Charlotte trailed 63-61 late in the third quarter before closing with an 11-2 spree that was highlighted by Wallace's breakaway windmill jam, giving the Bobcats a 65-53 lead. Garnett scored 14 points in the quarter and Richardson 11. Charlotte lost the previous game between the teams at home on Nov. 24 when Ray Allen hit a 3 at the buzzer.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:17:04 GMT -5
aol.nba.com/celtics/news/blog/post-ups.htmlIn-Game Notes 95-83 Bobcats, FINAL: This one slipped away. The Celtics dropped their second home game with some uncharacteristically poor defense early on, and didn't match the Bobcats' intensity until they'd dug themselves a hole. Check the Audio Archive for postgame reaction from Coach Doc Rivers and the locker room. 89-80 Bobcats, 2:28/4th: KG called for the crowd to raise up on more than one occasion, but the Celtics will need a series of defensive stops to pull this one out. Pierce had just four points in the first half, and didn't score in the third quarter, but he has nine in the fourth to this point. He's been all over Jason Richardson on the defensive end and has been subjected to a few questionable calls, but he's about as locked in, intensity wise, as we've seen him this year. But for the team as a whole, the intensity may have come a bit too late. 70-75 Celtics, 10:00/4th: Brian Scalabrine just ignited the crowd with a two-handed slam. Scal headfaked Mohammed, getting him up in the air, then drove past him and threw it down with authority for what might have been the loudest two points of his career. 72-65 Bobcats, End of 3rd: The Bobcats are getting scoring from across the lineup. Four guys are in double-figures already, and Nazr Mohammed is quietly having a nice game with 12 points and seven rebounds. The Bobcats are outshooting the Celtics 52%-41%. 65-63 Celtics, 2:29/3rd: KG came on strong out of the locker room, scoring 10 points in the first seven minutes of the quarter. But Jason Richardson is on a mission himself and busy lighting up the scoreboard. But most importantly, the Bobcats have that look in their eyes. They beat New Jersey at home last night and look extremely confident on the floor right now. Several teams have been beaten on intimidation when they've come into the Garden, but after playing the Celtics to the wire at home in their first matchup, the 'Cats appear to believe that they can hang with the 29-3 Celtics. Relevant stat: The Bobcats are 1-11 on the road this season. 45-41 Bobcats, Halftime: The Bobcats put together a 14-0 run to take a 38-35 lead before Paul Pierce hit a jumper to stop the bleeding. Once again, Doc Rivers talked about getting Tony Allen extended minutes in tonight's game, and he played the first 21 minutes of the half before sitting down for a quick rest at the three minute mark. He's came back in again, presumably to close out the half, but he managed to pick up his third foul, earning him another seat on the bench. 35-24 Celtics, 5:55/2nd: Eddie House has been drawing comparisons to the legendary Detroit Pistons Microwave, Vinny Johnson, because of his ability to heat up quickly. House is getting open looks and he's already got seven points (3-5 FGs) in six minutes on the floor. Take a look at his Celtics.com Hotzone Chart (by the way, that's a new feature we've added to the game previews) and you'll see that he's pretty much hot from every spot on the floor these days... 24-20 Celtics, End of 1st: Jason Richardson has eight points (4-7 FGs) to lead the Bobcats, but man, if there's a more out-of-control player in the league going to the basket, we've yet to see him. He seems to just put his head down, throw it in fifth gear and barrel toward the bucket. James Posey or Tony Allen should probably be able to pick up a few charging calls if they're willing to jump in front of him in the paint. Rajon Rondo has nine points thanks to three basket drives and a jumper from the top of the key. 22-16 Celtics, 1:59/1st: We have a Brian Scalabrine sighting. Scal hasn't played since the West Coast road trip, and has spent several recent game nights riding the stationary bike. 18-12 Celtics, 3:32/1st: Kevin Garnett is having a monster first quarter. Garnett has nine points, three rebounds, a pair of assists and a steal. He's pretty much been all over the place The Bobcats had plenty of success against the Nets by working the ball into the post last night, so let's see if they try that approach again tonight. It's unlikely that they'll shoot 58% from the field tonight like they did at home last night, so they'll need as many easy baskets as possible. Doc Rivers pointed out before the game that Gerald Wallace is the second leading individual scorer in the league on fastbreak points, so look for him to leak out early in transition tonight. Pregame Media Access First off, Big Baby and Ray Allen are both out tonight. TA will start at shooting guard. On the lighter side, Paul Pierce hasn't been doing pregame media recently, but he popped into the locker room to meet the press tonight. He says he hasn't seen Chris Bosh's All-Star Game campaign video, and he has no plans of doing his own. "Once KG came to the Eastern Conference, I had no chance," Pierce said of getting voted into the game as a starter. But he noted that he's not too concerned with an All-Star bid and that the team has bigger goals in mind. Pierce continued to talk about how he cherishes the opportunity to play alongside Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, and noted that players around the league have expressed their envy of his situation after he was patient with a struggling team for several years. As always, you can hear the interviews with Doc Rivers and Paul Pierce in the Audio Archive. Shootaround Update on Allen and Davis According to P.R. maven Jeff Twiss, Ray Allen rode the stationary bike at shootaround and will be a gametime decision, while Big Baby went through the morning workout with the team and at this point is a better bet to play tonight
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:31:26 GMT -5
www.bostonsportsmedia.com/celtics/2008/01/they_said_it_quotable_quotes_a_1.htmlThey Said It: Quotable Quotes About the Celtics To pass the time until the Celtics can redeem themselves on Friday against the Nets, I offer the following abbreviated version of Quotable Quotes: “You never know. Some teams can jell quickly. I thought that they would take longer to jell, but they've proved everybody wrong. They're really, really good." -Shane Battier before the Rockets’ loss to Boston “Everybody glorifies their Big Three scoring. You [also] have to glorify the defensive side of basketball for them." -Rafer Alston before that same Rockets loss “They look at us, it's crazy, but as much publicity that they've gotten, they're looking at us like we're the big dog, And that's validation of that; when they win a game like that they go crazy like it's the Super Bowl." -Chauncey Billups, reflecting two days after the Detroit loss to Boston “They were so good. We just really, really started to dislike — not dislike — close to hate (them). It would just make me sick to see Bird do what he was able to do as a basketball player. And as it went on, it got more intense and more intense, and then we ended up with all of the things that happened. You know, slugging each other, all of that sort of thing, and some fights. That went on because of the rivalry. It was pretty brutal at that time” -Former Coach Chuck Daly on the Celtics-Pistons Rivalry in the 1980’s. “We still look at Detroit as the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference, and I’m pretty sure that they don’t look past us as being one of the top teams in the Western Conference.” -Jerry Stackhouse on the Pistons, following Detroit's loss to Boston “Why the hell can’t they stop Nazr Mohammed?!” -Kevin Henkin, shouting to no one in particular during the Celtics perplexing loss to the Charlotte Bobcats
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:34:37 GMT -5
www.charlotte.com/508/story/439646.htmlBobcats drop Celtics to 29-4 RICK BONNELL Jason Richardson takes care of his debts. That's how he looked at this one; he owed his teammates a victory against the Boston Celtics, after committing the turnover that led to a bizarre, buzzer-beating game-winner by Ray Allen in Charlotte. In a spectacular do-over, Richardson scored 34 points -- including several wild jump shots to beat the shot clock -- in a surprisingly easy 95-83 victory in the Celtics' home. This just isn't how it works this season against the East-leading Celts (29-4). Reconfigured around new stars Kevin Garnett and Allen, they hadn't lost to a team with a losing record. Yet to the Bobcats (13-21), this was cosmic justice. "We feel like we beat these guys twice," said Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (15 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals). "They stole one at our home, so we wanted to come here and take one from them." No one wanted that more than Richardson, whose deflected pass to teammate Jeff McInnis on Nov. 24 ended up in the hands of Allen for a winning swish. That robbed them of the signature win they've craved all season. "I turned the ball over and lost that game," Richardson said. "I knew I had to make it up to my teammates." He more than atoned for that error, first by building an 11-point lead, then by beating the shot clock with an 18-foot jump shot, to clinch the game with 47 seconds left. Before that shot, the Bobcats had failed to score on three straight possessions. "I know how that crowd gives them energy," said Richardson, averaging 28.5 points and 52 percent shooting in his past 10 games. "I had to keep them quiet." Central as Richardson's performance was, there were several other factors that carried the Bobcats through. For the second straight game, Charlotte's zone defense negated the opposing team's pick-and-rolls and post-up plays. The Celtics shot 42 percent, and though Garnett finished with 24 points, fellow star Paul Pierce was limited to 13. Allen didn't play because of a pinched nerve in his neck. The other big prop-up was a concerted effort to feed the post. The Bobcats were successful Tuesday finding centers Emeka Okafor and Nazr Mohammed for a combined 34 points against New Jersey. Okafor wasn't sharp Wednesday (eight points, three rebounds), but Mohammed was exceptional with 18 points, 10 rebounds and 8-of-11 shooting from the field.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:36:20 GMT -5
www.telegram.com/article/20080110/NEWS/801100567/1009/SPORTSPierce doesn’t expect to start CELTICS NOTES By Bill Doyle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF wdoyle@telegram.com BOSTON— The Toronto Raptors produced a video to promote Chris Bosh as an NBA All-Star, but Paul Pierce wouldn’t consider asking the Celtics to release one about him. “That won’t do me no good,” he said. “You’ve got Kevin Garnett and LeBron James ahead of you. No chance.” Pierce’s scoring is down this season with Garnett and Ray Allen helping out, but some believe he’s enjoying his best season. He’s certainly playing better defense. But despite the Celtics’ gaudy record, he knows the only way he’ll make the All-Star Game is if the coaches vote him in as a reserve. “I didn’t even have to see the ballot,” Pierce said. “Once Kevin Garnett came to the Eastern Conference, I said there go my chances of starting.” Pierce has been an All-Star reserve five times, and he insists this year wouldn’t be any more fun just because the Celtics own the NBA’s best record. “It’s not like I’m going to be down there bragging about my team,” he said, “because we haven’t won anything yet.” Celtics coach Doc Rivers calls his fellow coaches some years to lobby for his players. Some years, he doesn’t think he needs to. This is one of those years. When informed that Pierce deserves to be on the team, Rivers replied, “Thanks for the bulletin.” If the Celtics continue to own the best record in the Eastern Conference, Rivers will coach the All-Star team, but he admitted he has given no thought yet to voting for any reserves. Pierce is averaging 21.2 points, 5.6 fewer than his last healthy season of two years ago. “Maybe I’m taking less shots,” said Pierce, who is attempting three fewer a game, “and putting a little more effort on the defensive end, but for the most part I think I’m playing the same way I have been my whole career.” Pierce’s patience paid off. In his 10th NBA season, he’s finally on a team that should contend for a championship. “A lot of people around the league,” he said, “are coming up to me before and after the games and saying how happy they are for me for just going through the bad times and sticking it out and now look at the opportunity you have. A lot of them wish they were in my position.” Allen, Davis sit out Ray Allen missed last night’s game with a pinched nerve in his neck that caused tingling and numbness in three fingers on his right hand and discoloration in his right pinky. While playing with the pinched nerve the previous two games, Allen made only 3 of 17 shots and failed to score in double figures in back-to-back games for the first time in 10 years. Prior to those two games, he had scored in double figures in 126 consecutive games. Rivers said Allen’s fingers felt better and if last night were a playoff game he would have played. Rookie Glen “Big Baby” Davis also sat out with a sore knee. Rivers expects Allen and Davis to play tomorrow night at New Jersey. Tony Allen started for the third time in place of Ray Allen. He has also started once in place of point guard Rajon Rondo. “Basically if the one, two or three is out,” Rivers said, “Tony is going to be the starter.” Tony Allen had played better as a starter earlier this season, but he made only 1 of 5 shots last night, finishing with 6 points. “He’s up and down,” Rivers said, “and he’s starting to be more up than down, which is very good for us.” “His game is maturing,” Pierce said. “He’s taking his time out there. I thought he rushed earlier in the year and that’s when he was making mistakes. When he takes his time and he knows what he wants to do on the court, that’s when he’s his most effective.” Allen is still trying to regain his explosiveness after undergoing knee surgery a year ago this month. “You see in the weight room every day he has the strength in his leg,” Pierce said. “It’s just a mental block he has to get past.” Dudley seeing less time Former Boston College star Jared Dudley started earlier this season as a rookie for the Bobcats, but his minutes have fallen off dramatically. Last night, the 6-foot-7 forward played 2:50 and failed to score. He hasn’t played more than five minutes in any of his last six games and sat out two of them. “I don’t agree with it, but I’m not someone who’s going to be a cancer,” Dudley said. “That’s not me. Hey, you support your teammates, whoever’s out there. There’s nothing else I can do, I’m not going to jump higher, I’m not going to be an NBA 3-point shooter.” Dudley met with Charlotte coach Sam Vincent about his lack of playing time. “He wants veterans to dig us out of this hole,” Dudley said, “because they’re been in the NBA a long time and they know what it takes.” Dudley’s scoring average has dropped to 4.1 a game.
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:38:36 GMT -5
www.telegram.com/article/20080110/NEWS/801100559/1009/SPORTSBobcats scratch flat C’s Pierce off as 9-game streak ends By Bill Doyle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF wdoyle@telegram.com Boston’s James Posey, left, and Brian Scalabrine, right, battle for the ball with Charlotte’s Ryan Hollins. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS) Enlarge photo -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- BOSTON— Look at it this way. It took 33 games for the Celtics to produce an effort that left their fans holding their noses instead of pounding their chests. Coming off the high of winning in Detroit Saturday night, the Celtics bottomed out by losing to the lowly Charlotte Bobcats, 95-83, last night at the Garden. The loss ended Boston’s nine-game winning streak, dropped them to 29-4 and defied logic. Yes, the Celtics played without Ray Allen (pinched nerve in his neck) and rookie Glen “Big Baby” Davis, but they still should have beaten the Bobcats. Charlotte came in with a 12-21 record and had lost 11 in a row on the road. The Bobcats had played the night before and were 0-7 on the second night when playing on back-to-back nights. The Celtics were rested, not having played since Saturday. The last time the Celtics won 10 straight, Charlotte coach Sam Vincent was a rookie guard on the Green late in the 1985-86 season. The Celtics won 14 in a row in March and April that year and went on to capture their 16th and final NBA championship. Vincent’s Bobcats made sure the Celtics didn’t extend their winning streak to 10 last night. “I’m less concerned about ending their winning streak,” Vincent said before the game, “and I’m more concerned about extending our winning streak to two.” Boston’s previous three losses came by 2 points at Orlando, by 5 in overtime at Cleveland and by 2 at home against Detroit. The Celtics entered the night 14-0 against teams with losing records. But last night was a different story, a reminder of what it was like for the Celtics last season when they finished 24-58. The Celtics played with little life, blew an 11-point lead and tried to rally by taking 3-pointers. They made only 4 of 20. “We just didn’t compete,” James Posey said. “It was like we were waiting to turn it on. That’s something we can’t do. We’re not that good yet.” With Boston trailing, 89-80, and 1:59 to go, a Paul Pierce 3-pointer was waved off by an offensive foul on Kendrick Perkins. That’s the kind of night it was for the Celtics. The Celtics knew they’d be without Allen, but they didn’t expect Pierce to be basically a no-show for the first three quarters as well. Pierce made only 1 of 9 shots and scored just four points in the first three quarters before scoring nine in the fourth to finish with 13. He sank just 1 of 9 3-point attempts. Davis also sat out with a sore knee. Allen beat the Bobcats in Charlotte on Nov. 24 with a 3-pointer at the buzzer. Davis scored a game-high 20 points at Detroit Saturday. The Celtics missed Allen’s scoring and Davis’ energy. Kevin Garnett had 24 points and 8 rebounds as Boston lost for only the second time in 18 home games. Rajon Rondo had 13 points, but only 4 assists. Posey scored 10 off the bench. The Celtics came within three points of scoring a season low, but Pierce was more concerned about Boston’s defensive lapses. His defense against Jason Richardson was especially lacking. Richardson tied a season high with 34 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter. He made 14 of 22 shots and grabbed 9 rebounds. “I know what it feels like to be in that kid of groove,” Pierce said. “I take my hat off to him.” Richardson was obviously motivated to play the Celtics again. His lazy inbounds pass in the closing seconds at Charlotte last month led to Allen’s game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer. “I pretty much lost the game for my teammates,” Richardson said, “so I knew the next time we were around I had to make it up to my teammates.” The Celtics reserves opened the second quarter and Eddie House’s jumper stretched Boston’s lead to 35-24. With Garnett back in the game, the Bobcats scored the next 14 points to take a 38-35 edge. “I thought we let our guard down,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. “We got an 11-point lead and we started playing out of character a little bit, crashing the glass instead of getting back. Once they got back in the game, I didn’t think we could turn them off.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:39:44 GMT -5
enterprise.southofboston.com/articles/2008/01/10/news/sports/sports04.txtCats' yeow for Celtics By Jim Fenton, Enterprise staff writer BOSTON— When analyzing the only three losses suffered by the Boston Celtics in the opening nine weeks, a common thread emerged. In each case against the Orlando Magic (two points), Cleveland Cavaliers (overtime) and Detroit Pistons (two points), the Celtics could have won, which would have added up to a 32-0 start. The same cannot be said, however, about the fourth loss that was placed on the Celtics' glittering record Wednesday night. For the first time since opening the season way back on Nov. 2, the Celtics submitted a performance in which they were shaky and out of character. Four days after winning an emotional showdown game on the road against the Detroit Pistons, the Celtics were knocked around by the Charlotte Bobcats. Their superlative defense looked ordinary and their explosive offense was flat, which added up to a stunning 95-83 loss at the TD Banknorth Garden to end a nine-game winning streak. In the 10th week of the season, the Celtics finally looked mortal on their home court, losing for only the second time in 18 games. “I wouldn't call it an ice patch. It's one game,” said Paul Pierce, who missed 10 of 14 shots and scored 13 points. “We won nine in a row before that. We're not going to win every game. “They're NBA teams also, and on any given night, you can be beat by anybody, and tonight was just one of those nights. “Maybe it was good for us. You can learn from a bad loss. We've got to put this behind us, and we've got our work cut out for us.” After all the Celtics have accomplished so far, it was a strange sight to witness a team like the Bobcats (13-21), who had won only once on the road and had played the night before in North Carolina, in control against them. True, the Celtics were without Ray Allen (pinched nerve in the neck), and Charlotte's Jason Richardson (34 points on 14 of 22 shooting) was rolling, but Boston had overcome things like that this season. Not on this occasion, though, as the Celtics' bid for their first double-digit winning streak since the 1985-86 season was stopped. Ironically, Bobcats coach Sam Vincent was a reserve rookie guard on that Celtics' team that won 14 in a row. Losing to the Bobcats, who nearly beat the Celtics at home on Nov. 24, is hardly reason to panic, not with a 29-4 record. So the Celtics took their loss, looked for the reasons why it happened and focused on moving on. “Tonight was one of those rare situations where a player on another team gets hot,” said Kevin Garnett, who had 24 points and eight rebounds. “We'll assess this game and see how can we learn from this. “Your effort has to be there night in and night out. I think we have gotten so spoiled to the point where we've come out and worked so hard defensively and been consistent with it. “Tonight, that wasn't the case. We spoiled you guys (the media) and the fans and everybody and that's a good thing. We've worked to that point. It wasn't given to us. We worked for that. We've got to learn from it. Just stay consistent with what we've been doing and that's defense.” The Celtics had never trailed going into the fourth quarter at home this season before the Bobcats opened a 72-65 lead after three quarters. Any time the Celtics tried to get some momentum going and get the sellout crowd involved, the Bobcats turned to Richardson, who shot them out of the picture. “I thought we let our guard down,” said Coach Doc Rivers. “We got an 11-point lead (in the first half) and I thought we started playing a little bit out of character, crashing the glass instead of getting back. “You hear guys say, 'They didn't come to play.' I actually thought we did come to play, but I thought Charlotte played better.” Rivers said he told the Celtics, “that they got their butt kicked. I didn't sugar coat it. We all did. Sam Vincent did a better job than me and their players did a better job than our players. Give them credit.” The Celtics found out what happens when their defense isn't working together, which has been the key reason for the remarkable start. They allowed the Hornets to shoot 49 percent and gave up 48 points in the paint with reserve Nazr Mohammed doing damage to the tune of 18 points. “At the start of the game, we had a lot of energy, but for some reason we just let down, man,” said Garnett. “They got into a rhythm. It wasn't our best defensive effort. I know we've got a better effort in us.”
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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 10, 2008 9:41:50 GMT -5
www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080110/SPORTS/801100390BUDDY THOMAS: Today's C's channeling yesteryear January 10, 2008 6:00 AM Two weeks into the month of January, and people are still talking about the Boston Celtics. Instead of counting down the days to spring training, people are fixated on a totally different set of numbers ... like 72, as in most wins by a team in a single NBA season. And why not? After Wednesday's home loss to Charlotte, the Celtics are on pace to finish 72-10. After years of wallowing in mediocrity, the Celtics have suddenly revived their 1980s persona, establishing themselves as championship contenders. Not only has this current Boston team turned things around, it's on pace to lay claim to the title of greatest Celtics' team of all time. Who'da thunk that? With a series of well-crafted off-season moves and a brilliant draft, Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge has turned this team into one similar to the mid-1980s model he helped lead to Boston's last world championships. The name Paul Pierce has become relevant again, and in some circles even being linked with legendary names in Celtics' history. I don't believe he merits a spot on the Celtics' All-Time starting five, but at least the debate is viable. So where does he rank? Here's my all-time Celtics Five, strictly by position. F: Larry Bird — Without question, the second greatest player to wear a Celtics uniform. In addition to his all-around talent, the 6-9 forward had the ability to inspire his teammates to excel. He was the man responsible for returning the franchise to its storied past, leading the Celtics to 10 Atlantic Division titles and three world championships in 13 seasons. He became just the third player — and first non-center — to win three consecutive MVP awards, was a 12-time All-Star and was twice named NBA Finals MVP. He shot a blistering .496 from the field for his career and excelled in every aspect of the game. F: Kevin Garnett — What? I know he's been a member of the Celtics for less than a season, but he's already doing what Bird did for his team two decades ago. He hasn't recorded the majority of his gaudy career numbers in a Boston uniform, but he's a proven all-star whose numbers speak for themselves. Helping resurrect this franchise in such a short period of time is something few players have been able to accomplish. If Garnett remains healthy for another six seasons, he'll challenge Bird for the title of second greatest player in team history. C: Bill Russell — The greatest Celtics player of all-time was the cornerstone of the team's dynasty in the 1960s and he did it with defense, turning an amazing 21,620 rebounds — an average of 22 a game — into 11 world championships, five league MVP awards and 12 All-Star game appearances. He had 51 rebounds in one game, 49 in two others and 12 seasons of 1,000-or-more. Offensively, he chipped in with 16 points a game over his glittering career. G: John Havlicek — Perpetual motion. He currently ranks as the team's all-time leading scorer with 26,395 points, but showed his all-around talent by grabbing 8,007 rebounds and handing out 6,114 assists. He played on eight championship teams, appeared in 13 consecutive All-Star games and was named to the All-NBA First or Second Team 11 times on offense and eight times on defense. Hondo averaged 20.8 points for his career while shooting .439 from the field. G: Bob Cousy — I was more of an Oscar Robertson fan growing up, but Cousy was the NBA's original Human Highlight Film with his fancy but effective style of play. He appeared in 13 consecutive All-Star games, won six championship rings and led the league in assists with his assortment of behind-the-back and over-the-shoulder passes eight consecutive seasons. Cousy left the Celtics with 6,945 assists (7.6 a game), and in 109 playoff games, he averaged 18.5 points and 8.6 assists. Second Team: Forwards: Kevin McHale and Paul Pierce; Center: Dave Cowens; Guards: Sam Jones and Dennis Johnson. And, since we're talking about the Celtics again, here's my all-time Someone Else's Legend team, comprised of five players who starred elsewhere before making a one-season pit stop in Boston. F: Dominique Wilkins (1994-95), 17.8 ppg. F: Dave Bing (1977-78), 13.6 ppg. C: Bob McAdoo (1978-79), 20.6 ppg. G: Pete Maravich (1979-80), 11.5 ppg. G: Ernie DiGregorio (1977-78), 1.9 ppg. Buddy Thomas' column appears on Thursday in The Standard-Times.
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