CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: A Few Interesting Articles from Around the Web

September 26, 2006

Again, the Globe and Herald are silent on what is going on in Boston as the Celtics prepare for training camp but there are a few things out there.
Celtics Blog has a good interview with Clifford Ray. I really believe that the acquisition of Clifford Ray as a coach will be one of Danny's best moves this off season. We have young bigs who need guidance and Clifford Ray is going to help them to break out this season. I loved the way he was up on the side lines yelling instructions in the Summer League and I hope that continues. I also hope that Doc allows him input into how the bigs play.

The 5 position is not a glamour position but when you see who the teams are that play for a championship each year they all have a guy playing the 5 who understands what he needs to do for the team to be successful....Many of the responsibilities of this position do not appear on the stat sheet and you have to watch the game to understand how well or poorly the 5 has played. These are some of the things that Perkins will learn in time

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Clifford Ray understands what the bigs need to do and will help them to do it.

The good shooters will kill you if they are left open but we can always get help from rotations if you make him put the ball on the floor. This group that we have has to learn to rely upon one another in this regard. It has to be a group effort as we do not have the personnel to succeed individually yet.

He understands the need for team defense and hopefully will help Doc to institute it. This was a big need last season and Doc did make a mention of instituting a new defense this season. Since we didn't play any defense last season, any defense has to be better. From all reports, Ratliff is also teaching our young bigs and with both of these veterans behind them, we should see them take a leap this season.

The Globe Green Room has a list of 10 Story Lines to follow this season. I think they are a little hard on Al but they do ask some valid questions. Who will be the point guard? Will Doc improve his in game coaching? How will the Dancers be accepted by the crowd?

Celtics 17 takes a look at Doc's first 2 years in order to try to predict what year 3 may bring. There were a lot of variables in the first two years that won't affect this season. The return of Antoine, Gary Payton at the Point, the departure of both Antoine and Payton, Blount's disgruntled play, the trade mid season that shipped Ricky and Blount out and brought in Wally, all of the injuries last season. Hopefully this season will be smooth sailing as far as injuries. It has to be better, anyway. We have very strong centers this season where we had Blount and Raef last season. We have two very fast pass first PG's this season along with a very determined Delonte West, we have a healthy Wally, Perk, Al, Pierce, and Tony. We have Gomes from the beginning. We have some promising rookies. We DON'T have Blount and his attitude, turnovers, and aversion to rebounding. We do still have Doc, though, but hopefully he has learned from his mistakes and will be a better coach this season. He does have Kevin Eastman and Clifford Ray on his bench, both of which can be a huge asset to him if he will let them be.

The Worcester Telegram has a good piece on Tommy Heinsohn and his artistic endeavors. His art work is really very good. Delonte is another Celtic with very good artistic talent. Maybe one day they can do an exhibit together.

Bill Russell is getting some much deserved recognition with a travelling exhibit from the Smithsonian.

The exhibit focuses on 35 athletes who brought their sport to a higher level. And the world to a higher level.

Russell fits the bill well.

"You try to make the world a better place when you leave it than it was when you came into it," he told a gathering at the preview.

Hoopsworld has a piece on Allen Iverson. Although it isn't a Celtics piece (even though Iverson was almost a Celtic by most reports), there was an interesting paragraph that caught my eye.

It’s not too often that younger members of our society grasp the concept of putting others first so that we can advance ourselves. In basketball every great team needs a great floor general. Someone’s who’s willing to sacrifice some of their personal glory so that the team can flourish. Someone willing to make the extra pass so that a teammate can get the easy deuce. Someone who’s not worried about seeing their name in flashing lights as long as their team gets the W.

The Celtics seem to have several of this type of player - the ones who will do what it takes to make the team better, regardless of the role they are asked to fill. Delonte West comes to mind first and foremost. He isn't out for glory or stats, he just wants to win. I believe the majority of our team this season is that way. Gone are Blount and Raef who complained when they didn't get enough touches or playing time. The group we have has great chemistry and every one will take the role given them and work their hardest to fill it and help the team win. No prima donnas here.

This is a fun piece with a list of the worst moments in sports. One stood out as being sad and funny at the same time.

Rudest welcome back
“For the love of God (”Gawd” as written by Sports Illustrated), go back on strike!,” a Boston Celtics fan implored the Celtics as they were playing a forgettable first game back after the NBA strike, during the proud franchise's forgettable days with then-coach Rick Pitino.

Thinking back to the Pitino years makes this team look extra good. I mean, compared to Pitino, even Doc looks good. I guess everything is relative.

The Globe had a story that was mostly football and about Tom Brady, but it did have some Celtics references that I thought were worth mentioning about body language.

Certainly Bill Russell appeared to be the measure of calm when he stepped on the parquet and dominated. Only later did we learn he was a bundle of nerves before every game, and usually vomited before he left the locker room.

Yet there are times when the way an athlete carries himself says it all. There was no mistaking Larry Bird's body language in 1989, when, angry at coach Jimmy Rodgers for turning him into a ``point forward," he purposely passed up open jumpers and stubbornly passed off to teammates in a game at Detroit.

I had a conversation with Celtics coach Doc Rivers recently about Paul Pierce's body language. Rivers conceded that before he coached Pierce, ``I used to say, `Man, that guy is always sulking.' But when you get closer, you realize it's not really true.

``But, as I explained to him, perception matters. I told Paul, `You have no idea of the value of your smile.' When Paul laughs or smiles, it lights up our team."

Two things here, as great as Larry Bird was, he was definitely not the most coachable player and Doc's talk with Pierce must have worked because he smiled a whole lot more last season than he had any season before.

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