Why the Celtics are in trouble

While watching the Boston Celtics fall to 4-8 last night, I was surprised at just how bad the Celtics looked. I knew they weren’t playing well to start the season, but I figured being out of shape from the lockout was the main reason for the slow start. Unfortunately for Celtics fans, they wish getting into shape was the only problem with this team.

My main takeaways from their game against the Thunder:

• They are old. I know I’m not telling you something new, but the Celtics looked soooo slow last night. I know they were playing one of the youngest teams in the NBA, a team that makes most of their opponents look slow, but it was shocking at just how much of a difference there was in the tempo of their play. Other than Rajon Rondo, the rest of the Celtics’ starting lineup has played a lot of games over their careers (Ray Allen – 15 years, Paul Pierce – 13 years, Jermaine O’Neal – 15 years, Kevin Garnett – 16 years). Speaking of old, the way that Pierce was shooting 3’s last night made it look like he was two-hand pushing a medicine ball towards the rim. With Durant and Westbrook effortlessly shooting fadeaways from all spots on the court last night, Pierce must of been thinking about how nice it would be to be young again.
• The Celtics can’t score. When you’re scoring less points per game than the Charlotte Bobcats and the Sacramento Kings, you know you’re in trouble. The Celtics are averaging less than 90 points a game and the reason is quite simple. As Mike Fratello and Chris Webber pointed out on the broadcast last night, the Celtics only have two players that can create their own shot: Pierce and Rondo (And to be honest, do you really want Rondo shooting anyway?). Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett both need to be “passed open.” They can’t dribble to create their own shots, they are spot up shooters who need to have their feet set before they catch the ball and go up with it. Teams with the athletic ability of the Thunder can guard players like Allen and KG, so it’s up to playmakers to make plays.
• They have a very limited bench. Besides Brandon Bass, who should be starting over O’Neal, the bench for the Celtics is suspect to say the least. Mickael Pietrus hit some big shots last night, but he’s not exactly the guy you can count on night in and night out to perform. With the offensive problems the starting five has, the Celtics need a spark from their bench players, but no one on the Celtics bench has shown they are capable of filling that role.

Losing Jeff Green, for the whole season, was a big blow to the Celtics. During his time with the Thunder, Green was a proven scorer that would have provided a lot of energy for this older Celtics team. I know Green did not play well during his brief time in Boston last year, but I think he would have been more comfortable starting the year off with the Celtics. His role would have been more defined and he would have had a huge impact on this team.

Unfortunately for the Celtics, they don’t have time to wait until Jeff Green gets back.

NBA Christmas Recap

New York Knicks 106, Boston Celtics 104

Thoughts: Despite giving up 104 points, the Knicks defense is actually decent this year. And the only reason they are decent is because of Tyson Chandler. His six blocks along with multiple contests at the rim, are the main reason why this Knicks team has a chance to go far in the playoffs. Overall, the Knicks looked good in Game 1.

Boston impressed me a lot in this game. The Celtics almost pulled off a huge upset without their best crunch-time player, Paul Pierce. Rajon Rondo looked like he was on a mission. I really, really like Brandon Bass. He’s active on both ends of the floor (5 offensive rebounds, 6 defensive rebounds) and he showed he can score. When Pierce comes back, the Celtics have a solid starting 5 with Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett and Bass. The bench is still an issue. (Sasha Pavlovic starting for Pierce, really?)

Interesting Box Score Stat: Toney Douglas led the Knicks in Field Goal Attempts with 19. (There’s no way that was the game plan.) Carmelo was second in FGA with 17 and Iman Shumpert, the rookie from Georgia Tech, shot 13 times in 22 minutes before leaving with an injury.

Going Forward: Even though it’s only one game, the Celtics look much better than we thought. They are older, so it will be interesting to see how they hold up over the course of this 66-game season. As far as this rivalry goes, it will only get more intense; especially after the little tiff between Garnett and Bill Walker at the end of the game. Don’t forget that Baron Davis and Paul Pierce will be back for the next game in this rivalry.

Miami Heat 105, Dallas Mavericks 94

Thoughts: This game was not as close as the final score indicated. The Heat were up by 32 going into the fourth quarter and if we learned anything from the fourth quarter, it’s that the Dallas bench is better than Miami’s. Miami dominated this game from the opening tip. There’s not much to say about this game, but you could tell Miami came out on a mission.

Interesting Box Score Stat: No Mavs starter played more than 29 minutes. In this season, it is going to be important to make sure your team stays healthy and rested with all the back-to-back games they will face. I think it was smart of Coach Rick Carlisle to cut his losses and make sure his team stays healthy. I think this will be a trend that we see throughout the year. Teams not willing to go for the huge fourth quarter comeback in order to give their top players a rest.

Going Forward: This game didn’t teach us much. Dallas won’t be as bad as they played and Miami…. Actually, Miami might be that good this year as long as they keep playing the way they played yesterday. Michael Wilbon said the Heat have a chance to go 58-8 this year and I can see it, too.

Chicago 88, LA Lakers 87

Thoughts: This was the best game of the day. Chicago had the game in hand, and then forgot to score for 10 minutes from the end of the third to the fourth quarter, and then still won thanks to Kobe’s anti-heroics. Derrick Rose’s improved jump shot was a beauty to watch. The Lakers bench played really well, so it has to be disappointing to lose this game at home.

Interesting Box Score Stat: Kobe had eight turnovers. This has been an issue with Kobe in the past, but it really came back to bite them yesterday. His turnover at the end of the game that led to Rose’s game-winning floater was the classic case of Kobe trying to do too much. The Lakers had a timeout left so there was no need for Kobe to try and force that pass through three Bulls’ defenders.

Going Forward: How many more games will Kobe wear these oversized jerseys? It looks like he borrowed some of Bynum’s jerseys as Bynum sits out with his four game suspension. We can only hope that Kobe returns them when Bynum comes back in three games.

OKC Thunder 97, Orlando Magic 89

Thoughts: Kevin Durant is a stud, Russell Westbrook took as many shots as KD and James Harden looked really good. Just what we expected from the Thunder. On the Magic side, Dwight Howard could not have looked more disengaged. It has to be hard to be one of his teammates and watch your best player basically sleep walk through an important game.

Interesting Box Score Stat: The Thunder were +18 when Nick Collison was on the floor, the best of any Thunder player. Collison won’t wow you with his athleticism, but he’s a true team player that continues to draw charges, get rebounds and set screens. He’s perfect for this Thunder team.

Going Forward: My prediction of the Magic being a five-seed in the Eastern Conference is in trouble if Dwight Howard is going to keep playing like he did on Christmas. The Magic need to figure out what they are doing with Howard quickly.

LA Clippers 105, Golden State 86

Thoughts: There was a “Beat L.A.” chant in Oracle Arena last night. That might be the first “Beat L.A.” chant directed to the Clippers in the history of their franchise. Mark Jackson will be a good coach for the Warriors. This game was much closer than the final score and Jackson’s Hack-A-DeAndre Jordan worked pretty well at the end of the third quarter.

Interesting Box Score Stat: All five starters for the Clippers were +15 or more. (Paul +19, Billups +18, Butler +17, Jordan +15, Griffin +17) Yeah, they’re starting five is really good.

Going Forward: The Warriors will struggle this year, but you will see some stretches of better play from them. They’re ability to run and put up points quickly will get them a few upsets this year. The Clippers took care of a team that they were supposed to. I’m excited to see what they do against teams with equal talent levels.

NBA Preview: The Eastern Conference

This is the most excited I’ve ever been for an NBA season.

We’ve had to wait until late December to get this season started, and I know I’m not the only one itching to get the games tipped off.

I can’t wait to see how long it takes Kobe to publicly throw his teammates under the bus. (On another note, I can’t wait to see how long it takes Kobe to turn on new coach, Mike Brown.)

I can’t wait to see the Miami Heat out on the court again.

I can’t wait to see if the OKC Thunder can take the next step to a World Championship.

I can’t wait to see Chris Paul throwing alley-oops to Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

I can’t wait to see if last year’s surprise playoff team, Memphis, can continue to rise.

Most of all, I can’t wait for Christmas.

The NBA is back!!!

Here’s my preview of the Eastern Conference. A Western Conference preview will be up later today, or tomorrow.

In order of how they will finish this year:

No. 1 Chicago Bulls

Key Addition: Richard Hamilton

Key Subtraction: Keith Bogans

Depth and athleticism were the keys to the Bulls’ best record in the NBA last year and they still have both qualities on this year’s team. Richard Hamilton looked bored and unhappy in Detroit so the change of scenery, along with the chance to play with last year’s MVP, Derrick Rose, will provide a big lift to Bulls. The main reason I like the Bulls over the Heat and other teams in the East is because of their frontcourt depth. Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and a full year of a healthy Carlos Boozer gives the Bulls one of the best frontcourts in the league. Oh yeah, and they have last year’s MVP Derrick Rose.

No. 2 Miami Heat

Key Additions: Shane Battier and Eddy Curry

Key Subtraction: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

With the Heat, it’s always going to be about The Big Three. James and Wade will be more cohesive this year after playing roughly 100 games together last year. Chris Bosh will develop into his role more and he should be more effective this year. The signing of Shane Battier will be huge for the Heat. It gives them another savvy veteran who plays fantastic defense. He provides more backcourt depth that will give LBJ and D-Wade time to rest on the bench. And getting time to rest in this fast-paced, quick NBA season will be important. If the Heat have a chance to get the No. 1 seed for the East in the playoffs, look for them to go for it. LeBron on the road in a Game 7 is not a winning formula for the Heat.

No. 3 New York Knicks

Key Additions: Tyson Chandler, Mike Bibby and Baron Davis

Key Subtraction: Chauncey Billups

Losing Chauncey Billups will hurt, but picking up two veteran point guards to take his place was a huge get for the Knicks. Adding Tyson Chandler to Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire gives the Knicks the best 3-4-5 in the league. Tyson Chandler was a huge reason why the Mavericks were able to beat the Heat. His interior defense could lift the Knicks over Miami if they meet in the playoffs.

No. 4 Indiana Pacers

Key Additions: Louis Amundson and David West

Key Subtraction: James Posey

They’re baaaaaack. The Pacers have the pieces in place to be a force in the Eastern Conference this year. Adding All Star David West to team up with Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert gives the Pacers their best team since Reggie Miller was raining 3’s for the ’03-04 Pacers. On a side note, who the hell grows 2 inches as a 21-year-old?!?! Paul George, that’s who.

No. 5 Orlando Magic

Key Additions: Larry Hughes and Glen Davis

Key Subtraction: Gilbert Arenas

If Dwight Howard stays in Orlando and the Magic add a piece to make him happy, this prediction is too low. If Dwight is upset and gets out of Orlando during the year, this prediction is way too high. So I’m hedging my bets and going right down the middle. The fact is, without Dwight Howard this team is absolutely terrible. (Just look at the roster.) With him, even if he’s distracted, the Magic can battle for home court for the first round of the playoffs.

No. 6 Atlanta Hawks

Key Additions: Tracy McGrady

Key Subtractions: None

A very respectable starting five (Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Horford, Jeff Teague and Zaza Pachulia), but there are question marks with the rest of the roster. Kirk Hinrich is hurt and Tracy McGrady and Jerry Stackhouse aren’t the players they used to be. In a season where roster depth is essential, the lack of a bench will prove costly for the Hawks.

No. 7 Boston Celtics

Key Additions: Chris Wilcox, Keyon Dooling and Brandon Bass

Key Subtractions: Shaquille O’Neal

Another NBA season, another year older for the Boston Celtics. In a year when young legs and depth are the keys to a successful regular season, the Celtics have neither. Losing Jeff Green will hurt, but this team has enough talent with The Old Three to make the playoffs. They will turn it on when they need to to make sure they make the playoffs. But when you’re relying on Keyon Dooling and Chris Wilcox to play significant roles, you have some serious issues.

No. 8 Milwaukee Bucks

Key Additions: Mike Dunleavy and Stephen Jackson

Key Subtractions: None

A full year of Andrew Bogut along with Brandon Jennings and Stephen Jackson are enough to convince me that this team can contend for a playoff spot. In a season where depth is important, the Bucks are two-deep at each position. I like Larry Sanders as a sleeper for  the Most Improved Player award.

The Also-Rans

9. New Jersey Nets

10. Philadelphia 76ers

11. Washington Wizards

12. Charlotte Bobcats

13. Detroit Pistons

14. Cleveland Cavaliers

15. Toronto Raptors

Team Most Likely To Make The Playoffs: New Jersey Nets. I would have had them at 6 or 7 before Brook Lopez got hurt. This team could also make a playoff run if they get Dwight Howard before March.

Team That You Couldn’t Pay Me To Watch: Toronto Raptors. Can you really blame Chris Bosh for leaving?

Team That Should Tank From Day One: Cleveland Cavaliers. They need to get a big man to put Kyrie Irving with.

Player I Can’t Wait To Watch On An Also-Ran: Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats.

Playoff Prediction

Miami Heat over the NY Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.