Celtics Analysis

Last night’s defeat was and still is a tough one to digest. KG attacked the basket, the crowd was sensational, and the Lakers looked panicked but that was just in the first few minutes of the game.

After the first few possessions, I was convinced the Lakers were going to fold the game away like they were facing Phil Ivy in no limit poker. Boston looked great and the Lakers looked as appealing as Khloe Kardashian. As time went one, Boston fan’s realized that it was actually Kim walking down the street. (I can not escape a Kardasian reference. Maybe I need to include a Rob or Bruce one soon...)

Boston, wake up! You are in the NBA Finals! Below are my rants about the Celtics/Series…

- Paul Pierce, offensively, has been invisible. Outside of Rondo, Pierce’s play is the most critical to the Celtics’ success. Pierce is the only player on the team who can create his own shot. That element can not be overstated. Pierce is one of the best slashers in the league, yet, has not played like one versus the Lakers. If he is able to penetrate LA’s interior defense then the Celtics will be just fine – shots will open up for Allen and Pierce will be able to draw fouls on the Lakers’ big men. Pierce needs to elevate his play, fast.

- Allen is not the savior. Boston fans are naïve to think that Ray Allen deserves the ball at the end of the game or the quarter. At this point in his career, he is simply a shooter, an above average JJ Reddick. If his shot is off, like last night, then Allen is useless. Pierce had a horrible night but he at least created scoring opportunities for his teammates. Allen can’t, it is not his game. Sugar Ray scores because Rondo and Pierce set him up. Shooters have up and down performances from one game to another. The series rests on the play of Pierce, Perkins, Davis, and Rondo.

- Doc Rivers is finally realizing that he needs to play Davis over KG in most situations. KG was originally attacking the rim but started to play soft at the end of the game. His rebounding has been criminal to the Boston Brotherhood and is embarrassing to watch. The Lakers size is a huge advantage- Odom, Gasol, Bryant, and Bynum are all athletic rebounders. Davis needs to play more important minutes then Garnett. Big Baby is relentless rebounding the basketball and going after loose balls while Garnett has been passive in all accounts. Doc needs to keep KG on a short leash and not hesitate to pull him for Davis.

- Does anyone in the Celtics organization realize that Derek Fisher is left handed? Play him accordingly. There is no reason for Fisher to carry the Lakers for the entire 4th quarter. Fisher has made a living making clutch shots, but not carrying an entire offense. Force him to drive right and he will be forced to pull the ball back up.

- Tom Brady. Yes, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is one of my Celtic rants. Brady was at last night’s game and sat next to Kobe Bryant’s dad! He even joked around with Kobe after the game. Is Brady serious?! There is no way he is on our side anymore. Brady has bought a house in Los Angles, wore a Yankees hat, and name his son John Edward Thomas (JET(s)).

… There is still no reason to panic. The Celtics could have won last night's game despite being down by 17 at the half. They played well enough to win and had limited turnovers. It is tough to win thou when Pierce and Allen do not show up. I will be at Game 4. Hopefully, the Celtics can regain momentum and even the series.