Random Thoughts as We Continue to Bask in the Opening Win

I know that it's just one game of 82. I also know that Brooklyn's defense left much to be desired, partly because they didn't have Brook Lopez. I know that the Celtics are a young team with not a lot of expectations. But I also know that I love this team. I like that many of them have a chip on their shoulder. I like that they play hard and aim to outwork their opponents. I love the young guys and really enjoy watching them develop and improve from game to game. I'm very excited for this season.

This is posted in the Celtics locker room. #DominateEffortPlays pic.twitter.com/B6o1P7hqoD
— Ben Rohrbach (@brohrbach) October 30, 2014

I love this! I especially love the part about dominating effort plays. In a lot of games, this team will be facing teams that are more talented and experienced. But, if they can out-effort them then, they will have a chance to win. On paper, the Nets have more talent. They also have a lot more experience. But, what they didn't have was more effort. The Celtics played harder and just wanted it more and because of that, they got the win. They may surprise a lot of teams this season just because of how hard they play.

In the Comments from the Other Side after the Nets game, this one comment was my favorite.

Notice how every...EVERY...Celtics player is looking in the paint when they have the ball …they almost expect to find someone open or in a good position.

How great is that? Every Celtic looks in the paint when they have the ball like they expect to find someone in good position. And the truth is, the way they run and space the floor, they usually do find someone open. If you watch the Rondo highlights in today's videos, you'll see how many times players got layups because someone (usually Rondo) zipped them a pass in good position.

I really love every player on this team. I don't want Danny to trade a single one. I'd love to see all these young guys develop into stars as Celtics, and I think they will. Sully and Kelly are close to being stars now. It won't take Marcus Smart to get there either. I'd rather build with these young players and watch some exciting basketball while we are doing it than to trade them away for another 2 or 3 year window as a contender.

When the schedules came out I was amazed that the Celtics had no national TV appearances. I mean, just for the fact that the Celtics are the most storied franchise in the league and they have a very loyal fan base, they should have at least a few games on national TV. On the other hand, even though they are expected to be even worse than the Celtics, in spite of having an aging Kobe Bryant, the Lakers are scheduled to be on National TV a whopping 28 times. It seems that I'm not the only one who thinks this is a bit overkill. Charles Barkley agrees with me.

click on V in upper right to watch video
Yep, the season is only 3 days old and the Lakers have already been on TNT twice. And, they have looked pretty bad in both appearances. I'm with Charles. It's time to stop showing the Lakers. And.... it's back to the Celtics, a sentence is all I want to dedicate to the Lakers. After Wednesday night's game, Rajon Rondo said that he admired the way Tony Parker works off the ball and he wants to learn from him. Coach Stevens emphasizes ball movement in system and had mentioned the Spurs as an example many times. It would be great to see Rondo playing more off the ball and facilitating the ball movement rather than dominating the ball as he has in the past, especially in Doc's system.

Finally, I'm so sad to see what is happening to the Thunder.  Since Perk was traded there, they have been my second favorite team.  I watch all their games, even if sometimes I have to catch them the next day if the Celtics are also playing or if it's a late game.  First it was Kevin Durant going down, and then they got hit with a ton of injuries to their reserves including Mitch McGarry (broken foot), Grant Jerrett (ankle surgery), Anthony Morrow (strained knee. Last night, Russell Westbrook suffered a broken bone in his hand. Maybe Russ should call Rondo for some fast healing tips. The hits just keep coming for that poor team. Get well soon guys!

Next up are the Houston Rockets on Saturday night at 8:00 PM ET. Win or lose, I'm looking forward to another hard fought game from the Celtics.

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