CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: A Few Random Thoughts

Usually after a game I post comments from the opposing team's boards. But, the Thunder don't seem to have any fans who wanted to comment on the game. There was only one board with a game thread and that thread didn't have any comments. Maybe they should have stayed in Seattle.

Since I couldn't find any comments on the game, I figured I would add a few random comments about this and that. We are finally getting updates on the injuries. Tony could start practicing as soon as Monday after he meets with his doctor. Scal is still having headaches and somehow I have a feeling that he may not make it back this season, which is a real shame since he was really playing well before the concussions. Leon's rehab is going well and He expects to be back for the playoffs. KG may play again on Friday and no one seems to know what is really going on with him. Are they just being cautious? Is the injury worse than they are letting on? No one knows?

Rajon Rondo is good. Mike Gorman during tonight's game, Rondo's total assists for this year rank 5th for the Celtics all time for a single season. Consider all the winning seasons, all the great Celtics' teams and the point guards who ran those teams and you get an idea of how special Rondo is. In just his 3rd season, he has racked up enough assists to make him 5th all time behind Bob Cousy (59-60 and 55-56), Sherman Douglas (93-94) and Tiny Archibals (79-80). And, the season isn't over yet. He has a good chance to move up on the list.

Speaking of special, how good is Ray Allen? I have to admit I was a bit skeptical as to what he had left when we traded for him. He was coming off double ankle surgery and was up in years and I didn't know what we would get from him. But, along with being one of the classiest guys in the league, Ray Allen is still one of the best players in the league. He is a joy to watch as he runs around screens to get open and nails the jumper. And, he isn't just a 3 point shooter. He can pull up on a dime and hit a jumper in the lane and has also shown that he can finish at the basket. I have to say, he has been the most consistent player on the team this season. This may not be his highest scoring season, but it is certainly among his most efficient. He is shooting 49% from the field, 41% from beyond the arc, and 95% from the line. Impressive. I have no doubt that he will be effective for years to come. He is just that good.

The Cavs-Mavs game started out with promise. The Mavs jumped out to a big lead but then just seemed to roll over and let the Cavs run right over them. After half time, they just stopped playing. Sad. It was good to see Gerald Green getting some playing time. But, I really enjoyed watching the Hawks beat the Lakers. On any given day, the team playing the Lakers is my second favorite team. I usually cringe when I have to listen to any announcers other than Mike and Tommy. But, I have to say that the Hawks announcers are among the best in the league. I very much enjoyed listening to them again today. And, even more so since the Hawks were beating the hated Lakers.

Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury are both showing that they are going to be a factor for the Celtics. Last night Mikki Moore got his first double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds and Marbury handed out seven-assists with his shot starting to fall as well. With the breaks between games coming up, they should get even better. We are starting to see them pay benefits in games and it is only going to get better. I like what I am seeing from both of them. I also like what I am seeing from Bill Walker. He is going to be a very good player. I loved that block on Malik Rose last night to force a shot clock violation. He is a very scrappy guy and may very well be the Celtics answer to who is going to replace James Posey.

Big Baby had another good game. He had a triple double the hard way. 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 stitches. The stiches in his forehead came from one of Kevin Durant's razor sharp elbows. I think the quote of the night came from Doc Rivers after the game.

"Once they hit him he was a different player. I'm going to start carrying a hammer around,"

You have to hand it to Big Baby for taking the hit and coming back to play so well to close out the game. The experience that he is getting with KG out is definitely going to make him a better player and the Celtics a better team in the playoffs.

Can any one in the league get their shot off quicker than Eddie House? By the time you realize that he has the ball it is already through the net. I love the combination of Marbury and House. Without having to bring up the ball, Eddie is free to get into position to hit the open shot and Marbury is finding him there. It was a real shame that he wasn't in the 3 point shooting contest. Eddie is the best instant offense off the bench since "The Microwave" was playing for the Pistons. He is shooting 52% from beyond the arc in his last 35 games. That is pretty incredible.

I have to wonder if James Posey's ejection and suspension for throwing the ball at a ref wasn't from built up frustration that he made the wrong decision in the off season. He may have thought that as close as the Hornets were last season that his addition would put them over the top to win it all this season. He has had to endure a lot of ups and downs with the Hornets this season and although the Celtics are struggling, he has to see that they are much closer to the top than the Hornet are, even with his help. He may be seeing his hopes for a ring this season slipping away and that frustration is building. Too bad, because he really could have helped the Celtics this season. But, if he wasn't happy with the deal he got with the C's then we are better off without him. I like the team we have. With everyone healthy, I like our chances to repeat.

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