CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Random Thoughts 2/22

It seems like suddenly the Celtics are the team that everyone loves to hate. On 1st and 10 on ESPN, which was before the trade, one guy made the comment that the Cavs were the best team in the East and the other mentioned that Detroit might have something to say about it. Not one mention about the Celtics being there as well. It also seems that lately the refs have it in for the Celtics in every game. They get terrible calls every game. Stephen A Smith has declared the Celtics the big losers at the trade deadline because everyone else got better and the Celtics didn't. And on top of all that, teams that we play all have it in for the Celtics and every one of them play their very best when facing the Celtics. It's rough at the top.

Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak are on their way to Cleveland along with Ben Wallace. They took a big chance in order to try to match up with Boston and Detroit. If healthy and motivated, Ben Wallace will give them a defensive presence inside but he hasn't seemed very motivated lately. Wally and Delonte will give King James some offensive help if they can stay healthy but both have had a history of injuries. If I were the Cavs, I would worry about the curse of the ex-Celtics as the teams with more than one former Celtics on them have been at the bottom of the league this season. I like both Delonte and Wally but don't want them to do too well for a team that will be a big rival for the Eastern Conference.

Gerald Green is on his way to his home town. I hope that he can get a chance to play in Houston. Maybe since he will be closer to John Lucas he can get more instruction and finally turn the corner to become a more complete player. He was compared to Tracy McGrady when he came into the league and hopefully Tracy can take him under his wing and bring him along.

The Celtics have to get back their defensive intensity. They built this record on defense and then suddenly after the All Star break, they seem to have completely forgotten how to play defense. Tom Thibodeau must be having some sleepless nights. Hopefully they can find their defense tonight or this could be very ugly.

There is something about Manu Ginobili that I just don't like. Maybe it's his humongous flops. Or maybe it is his dirty style of play. I don't know, but I just don't like this guy. I think that Johnny Most wouldn't have liked him either.

Sam Cassell wasn't traded. There are still rumors that he will be bought out. The Cavs and Celtics both are reported to want him. Both are championship contenders. The Cavs want him to start, the Celtics would want him to come off the bench. Coming off the bench could lengthen his career but some players just like the glamor of starting. Would his friendship with KG be enough to sway Sam I Am to come to Boston?

Detroit has been doing the Celtics a favor by losing their last two games. The Bucks play in Detroit tonight, so chances are they aren't going to continue that trend. The Celtics need to win tonight if they hope to keep pace with the Pistons.

Tonight's game should be a good one. The Celtics must get their defensive intensity back again if they want to beat the Suns. Perk has to step up and play Shaq inside and we will need KG to be his old self to cover Amare. Rondo will need to continue to play aggressively on both ends of the court. The matchup with Nash will be a tough one for him, but I think he is very capable of doing well against Nash.

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