C’s Finally Here

Posted on October 30, 2012 by christoph131

The season is finally here! If you’re like me, you probably completely ignored baseball, patiently waited for hockey and football to start (still waiting on one of those), and have been following the C’s offseason very closely. We are a completely different team than we were last year. There are only 3 players from our ’08 championship team left (Pierce, Rondo, KG). However, many believe that this is the most talented and deepest team that we have had in ages. We couldn’t keep up with the Heat in the 4^th quarter of games last year in the playoffs, so we went out and got some fresh legs and defensive specialists. We have Jeff Green back who will help on Lebron and Bosh, and drafted Sullinger who looks to rebound on every play, something we have been lacking over the years.

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Ray’s Departure

Posted on October 26, 2012 by christoph131

I have always been a big Ray Allen fan. He is one of a million, a dying breed. There are few pure shooters like him remaining in the league. However, he is starting to gain enemies due to his apparent dislike of the Celtics Organization. While Doc and Rondo and company have remained quiet, Ray has continued to talk poorly of the organization which he won a championship with. After being talked to by Pat Riley and the Heat Front Office, Allen has begun to talk about the positive times that he remembers from Boston.

He talks about all of his deteriorating relationships since he has taken his talents to South Beach, but at least acknowledges his time in Boston. He tells ESPN: “I’m always going to be a Celtic no matter what,” Allen said. “It’s always going to be in my veins. Once you live there and play for that team and win a championship, it doesn’t matter where you go. You’re always going to be a Boston Celtic.”

Personally, I am going to miss Ray, but at the same time, I think that we are a better team this season so it doesn’t bother me as much as it might bother other people. I do wish that he would stop putting former teammates and this organization down, but everyone should always remember him for his time in Boston and all those clutch moments, especially in the ’08 Finals.

Throwback Thursday – Celtics 2008

Gallery

Posted on October 25, 2012 by jtulz07

This gallery contains 20 photos.

With this year’s Celtics (full) season only a few days away, why not relive the magic season that was 2007-08. Nothing better than sending Lebron home in the conference series and beating the Lakers at the Garden en route to … Continue reading →

Yet Another NBA Change

Posted on October 24, 2012 by christoph131

The NBA has decided that Centers will no longer have a special spot in the All-Star game. Instead, the team will be made up of 3 frontcourt players, and two backcourt, rather than two forwards and a center. It comes as no surprise seeing as most teams don’t rely on a traditional center anymore like the old days.

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Celtics Newcomers

Posted on October 23, 2012 by christoph131

Last week, we took a poll about who you guys think has been the biggest star of the pre-season for newcomers, and I included Jeff Green because he was injured last season. Jared Sullinger won with over 50% of the votes, and Jeff Green was tied for second with Courtney Lee and Jason Terry, all with roughly 12% of the votes. Everyone keeps going on about how good our team is going to be because of our depth but here are some reasons why each player will succeed in our system.

Jared Sullinger: Rookie that fell to us in the draft, should have been a high lottery pick if not for an injured back last season. Not too many rookies get minutes in our system, but Jared could be starting some nights. KG and Doc Rivers have both said that he has a very high basketball IQ and does not play like a rookie typically does. He has adapted to the Celtics’ system real quick, and is not timid out on the court. He rebounds consistently and shoots right when he gets the open look, rather than hesitate and up fake 15 times like a lot of smaller big men like himself. And good news for C’s fans: Garnett said he is “giving him the book, teaching him everything I know”.

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Can the Celtics Win Again?

Posted on October 22, 2012 by christoph131

The Celtics have been my favorite sports team since I can remember. Yes, the B’s, Pat’s, and Sox are obviously right up there, too. But I have always seen the Green and White above all. I love their history, from Red Auerbach and Bill Russell, to the original big 3 (Bird, Parish, Mchale), to the new big 3 and everything in between. That being said, I do not remember the last time that I was this excited for the Celtics season to start. With the Pat’s barely sneaking by, the NHL in a lockout, and the Sox not playing last season (I’m pretending that’s what happened), I cannot wait.

In my opinion, this is the most talented team that we have had since the Bird era. I wouldn’t go as far as saying that we are as deep as the Russell team (Pictured Below) that had 9 future Hall of Famers on their roster in the 1962-63 season. Needless-to-say, they won a championship that season. That was their 5^th in a row, eventually setting the record with 8 in a row. But we are solid. Continue reading →

Tribute to KG Kick’s Off Chase for Banner 18

Posted on October 22, 2012 by jtulz07

With the C’s preseason coming to an end last night, the countdown to Miami is officially on. The intensity of this game will only be that much higher with Benedict Allen on the opposite side of the court. But who defines intensity more than KG, who has expressed his clear anger with the move by breaking off ties with Ray. So here’s to Kevin Garnett and the chase for Banner 18 one week from tomorrow.

Another New NBA Rule

Posted on October 18, 2012 by christoph131

The NBA has made another new rule on top of the Anti-Flopping Rule put in place a few weeks ago. They have decided that teams take too long after team intro’s to get on the floor for the opening tip-off. The new rule states that all players have 90 seconds to get on to the floor and be ready, or will be assessed a delay of game penalty. Two of these will result in a technical foul before the game even begins.

They felt as though some people take too long, like Shaq a few seasons ago on the Suns when he would basically put on a play before the game started. The clock will countdown from 90 seconds. The Celtics have already been hit with one of these warnings in pre-season against the Knicks. This will force KG to pick up the pace a little bit on his pre-game rituals. Many players are starting to show disgust in this, saying it is pointless for the league to care that much.

What do you think?

Celtics Player Preview: Kevin Garnett

Posted on September 28, 2012 by christoph131

The next player to take a look at is Kevin Garnett. KG has been a key piece to the Celtics since he came over in 2007. He is now 36 years old but showed in last year’s playoffs that he can still play (19.2 PPG, 10.3 RPG in 20 games).

Brandon Bass | Courtney Lee | Paul Pierce | Kevin Garnett |Although he may have lost a step or two in the past few years, the big ticket can still change the game with his unstoppable mid-range jump shot and defense. I’m aware his defense hasn’t been as great, but he is still one of the smartest guys on the court. The only problem I have had with KG is his lack of rebounding, other than in the playoffs. He averages just over 8 per game, but when he was in his prime in Minnesota, he averaged over 13. Rebounding has been a big reason why we have been losing over the past few years, especially on the offensive glass. I gotta admit though, it was nice having him start all 60 games during the regular season.
Garnett was recently ranked #21 on ESPN.com for top NBA players. He was 22 last year.

Doc has said that KG will be the starting Center so that Brandon Bass can play the Power Forward position. He said KG will do whatever it takes to win, even though some have said he dislikes that position. I’m sure he won’t mind as long as he can get another ring.

KG’s stats since he joined the Green and White are below:

SEASON	TEAM	GP	GS	MIN	FG%	FT%	OR	DR	REB	AST	BLK	STL	PTS
’07-’08	BOS	71	71	32.8	0.539	0.801	1.9	7.3	9.2	3.4	1.3	1.4	18.8
’08-’09	BOS	57	57	31.1	0.531	0.841	1.4	7.1	8.5	2.5	1.2	1.1	15.8
’09-’10	BOS	69	69	29.9	0.521	0.837	1.1	6.2	7.3	2.7	0.8	1	14.3
’10-’11	BOS	71	71	31.3	0.528	0.862	1.2	7.7	8.9	2.4	0.8	1.3	14.9
’11-’12	BOS	60	60	31.1	0.503	0.857	1.1	7.1	8.2	2.9	1	0.9	15.8

SEASON	TEAM	GP	GS	MIN	FG%	FT%	OR	DR	REB	AST	BLK	STL	PTS
’06-’07	MIN	76	76	39.4	0.476	0.835	2.4	10.4	12.8	4.1	1.7	1.2	22.4
’07-’08	BOS	71	71	32.8	0.539	0.801	1.9	7.3	9.2	3.4	1.3	1.4	18.8
’08-’09	BOS	57	57	31.1	0.531	0.841	1.4	7.1	8.5	2.5	1.2	1.1	15.8
’09-’10	BOS	69	69	29.9	0.521	0.837	1.1	6.2	7.3	2.7	0.8	1	14.3
’10-’11	BOS	71	71	31.3	0.528	0.862	1.2	7.7	8.9	2.4	0.8	1.3	14.9
’11-’12	BOS	60	60	31.1	0.503	0.857	1.1	7.1	8.2	2.9	1	0.9	15.8

Finally…Center Grades

Posted on March 8, 2012 by leibo4

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Blocks	Steals	+/-	PER
Kevin Garnett	15.1	8.3	2.6	1.12	.94	+136	20.4

Up until last week, KG would have been placed with the power forwards, but with the injury to Jermaine O’Neal, KG has been moved to center and thrived. KG doesn’t have the quickness that he used to in his prime but understands maybe better than anyone else in the NBA how to use his body defensively and to be in the right position.

Positives: By all accounts KG, has not Pierce or Rondo has been the Celtics best player this season. He has the highest PER on the team as well as the best +/-. As I said up above, KG just understands the game. He is still quicker than most centers and gets to good position defensively and the five game win streak was correlated to KG being switched to center. His jumper from outside is still pure as ever. He stretches the floor just like Bass does, and allows room for Rondo, Ray, and Paul to drive the lane. He is still the heart of the Celtics and he brings the intensity to every single game. Last season according to Synergy, KG was the second best defensive power forward in the game, behind Taj Gibson.

Negatives: He has lost the quickness and the ability to jump that he had as a youngster and it shows on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor. Quicker players just go right by him as he helplessly looks on. Also, KG doesn’t seem to want or feel the need to box out. If he stuck a body on some players he would have saved at least 30 offensive rebounds this season for the Celtics. His knees are also a constant worry for the Celtics and his minutes need to be monitored.

Grade: B+

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Blocks	Steals	+/-	PER
Jermaine O’Neal	5.0	5.4	.4	1.72	.32	+26	9.7

Positives: Jermaine O’Neal is the rare NBA player who has completely transformed his game. Long gone is the high-flying center that would sky for dunks on one end and have highlight reel blocks on the other. He still blocks shots now, but it is completely due to his great positioning and timing instead of athletic ability. He is also the rare player who has the ability to not only block shots, but be in position to take charges. Before his injury Jermaine was up and away leading the NBA in charges taken this year. He is also one of the Celtics best rebounders and provides much needed big man depth for the team.

Negatives: His offensive game has much to be desired. He has a decent 10-15 foot jumper, but outside of that, does not bring much else to the table. He is constantly hurt and his latest wrist injury, may keep him out for the rest of the season. Poor guy, because his body just doesn’t seem to be able to hold up anymore. On top of the wrist, his knees are farther gone than KG’s.

Due to the uncertainty with his wrist for the rest of the season. The Celtics may look to cut Jermaine O’Neal to open up space to sign another big man for the playoff run. They also were looking to trade his expiring contract. While I love Jermaine and his passion, I am not sure that the Celtics are going to have him on the roster past this season.

Jermaine O’Neal Update

Grade: C+

Player	Points	Rebounds	Assists	Blocks	Steals	+/-	PER
Greg Stiemsma	1.7	2.3	.3	.89	.25	-82	11.1

Positives: The steamer has been a fun player to watch this year. Burdened with big expectations after a big preseason, Stiemsma has played well in some situations and looked lost in others. He is averaging almost a block every 9 minutes and has shown great defensive ability. He also has a better than expected 10-15 foot jump shot that he’ll hit every once in a while.

Negatives: He is not always ready to play and will sometimes just look lost or confused out there. He takes chances defensively going for the big block and can look silly out there. Other than a few jumpers, he is extremely limited offensively and has terrible hands. You gotta love the steamer though.

Grade: C

Power Forward Grades

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Shooting Guard Grades

Point Guard Grades