Celtics going through rough stretch
January 10th 2009 04:48
Everybody is wondering how a championship caliber team like the Boston Celtics could actually fall in the slump that it's in right now. Wasn't this team the one who just set a franchise record 19 straight wins? Aren't they the owners of the best 29-game start in NBA history at 27-2 making league observers concede to its eventual successful defense of the title?
For some reason vulnerability has come to the invincible Celtics on Christmas Day when they got beat by the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course we all know that it was a marquee match-up that the Celtics lost but it is also natural to expect Boston to bounce back and start another lengthy streak of wins yet again.
But instead of a rousing start, the Celtics were beat by a non-playoff prospect like the Golden State Warriors! Losing to the Lakers was understandable what with being on the raod and all. But to the Warriors!? That was really something unexpected and uncalled for as far as Celtics fans are concerned, and in ways, unacceptable to the team itself.
The situation was that they were still on the road and are coming off that loss to the Lakers but it still isn't enough reason or excuse for the defending champions to lose to Golden State. Heck! They were even up at the half by 12 points and were shooting well too. Was it that the Celtics were drained of their ability to dominate opponents just because they lost to the Lakers on Christmas Day? Had Boston rested on their laurels that they will just breeze through everybody once they're game with the Lakers are done? If we answer yes, then the Celtics have no business being called a championship team.
Whatever hostility was raised in that loss to the Warriors was quelled after the Celtics obliterated the Sacramento Kings with a 45-point win. After that, a win against the Portland Trail Blazers to finish their 4-game Western Conference road trip at 2-2 was a possibility with Brandon Roy in the sidelines because of injury. But alas, It was a 5-point loss at the end of the day. The Celtics finished the 4-game road trip at 1-3. Now that was a weird thing to happen as far as the Celtics are concerned. They were outplayed down the stretch and were oushot by the Blazers who has their star player sidelined!
The Celtics ended the year losing 3 of its last 4 games (all road games) and it was a must to start the new year in a positive note as they returned home to face the Eastern Conference's worst team Washington Wizards. As expected, the Celtics thrashed the Wizards with a 25-point beating and Boston was happy. But as it turned out, it was just the calm before the storm.
Two days later, the Celtics were in somebody else's homecourt again, this time, at Madison Square Garden to take on the inconsistent New York Knicks. Knowing that in another two days that they will be visiting another weak team in their Conference such as the Charlotte Bobcats, Boston looks good to go in making a good 3-game winning streak before coming back home to play the Houston Rockets.
Unfortunately, it didn't become a 3-game winning streak. Instead, it was the second back-to-back losing effort in almost two weeks! How the hell did that happen!? They lost to the Knicks and the Bobcats!? Losing to the Warriors could have been a fluke. But to lose to two moribund teams on consecutive games? There's got to be a problem. There has gotta be.
And just recently, the Celtics had just dropped a home game to the Houston Rockets making it a 3-game losing streak (their first in this season) which is also the 6th loss in eight games. These details are usually found in non-playoff or rebuilding teams' ledger reports. To find the Celtics in this predicament is just unbelievable. What's worse is that they have their next game against their Eastern Conference adversary LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road. Just imagine, with the way Boston is stumbling against any team at this point of the season, there is a high percentage of them getting whipped at the Quicken Loans Arena. That has yet to be seen though as of this writing.
In our own research we tried to figure out the cause of the Celtic slump.
Shooting performance
In the two wins that the Celtics had (which were both routs), they shot awfully better than their opponents. The prime example was their win against the Wizards wherein they shot 55.4% from the field and an astonishing 12 of 20 from the 3-point territory for 60%!
This team has guys like Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Eddie House who could all flat out shoot. Kevin Garnett is perhaps their only reliable go-to-guy at the post so it's important for their perimeter offense to exist night in and night out. If that's the case, winning comes easier for them.
In this slump though we can see that there are signs of let-ups when it comes to their shooting. In the loss against the Knicks, Allen missed all of his 9 3-point tries! He also had a game wherein he was limited to just 7 points in just 6 attempts all game probably because of the foul trouble he encountered. Eddie House and Paul Pierce continues to lift their shots from the perimeter but they have been getting cold lately compared to their counterparts.
As a team, they suffered in a lot of bad shooting nights. 5 of 22 (3pt%) vs Lakers, their cold 2nd half spell against the Warriors which caused their 56% shooting to drop to 47.1%, 40.7% vs Blazers which includes 3 of 14 from deep, and 40.5% vs Knicks with 24% from three. The Bobcats and Rockets also oushot them in both the field and the 3-point line.
Eroding defensive play
The Celtics became champions because of their defense. Yes they do have the Big Three and Rajon Rondo's improving playmaking skills but their true strength comes out when their defense dominates their opponent.
In their 6 losses we see that they have slipped giving a little more number of points to the opposition but this certainly isn't the case. There is one detail that merits attention. That is why the teams that defeated them instantly had an edge to beat them in those nights.
In seven games since they last met the Lakers, the Celtics have been giving 21 fouls or more every night thus sending the opposing team to the free throw line at a high and alarming rate. Boston opponents had 25 free throw attempts or more. The most glaring was in the loss against the Bobcats that had 34 attempts from the line and 31 of them went in.
Judging from these numbers we see that the Celtics are not playing defense honest enough lately and the other teams are taking advantage of it by getting to the free throw line as often as possible in order to overcome Boston's offense which is actually not as deep as the Lakers. If only the Celtics could limit their fouls and prevent the other teams from taking so much free throws then that will help them to recover and win consecutive games again.
The Rajon Rondo factor
During Boston's 19-game winning run Rondo has been mentioned countless of times. League observers are seeing the great improvement of this young man as a point guard that can efficiently distribute the ball, attack the rim, and play good defense. Heck! He was even mentioned as a possible All-Star! There were even items that coined him as the 4th member of the "Fantasy Four" (Big Three Rondo).
Different opinions are welcome about that topic but the thing that must not be forgotten is Rondo's very important role in his team.
We have said time and again even before last season that the success of the Celtics does not just rely on the Big Three because they can only do much against the deeper teams in the league offensive wise. Rondo would have to contribute in the best way possible because he was the available starting point guard back then. Seeing that he still had a lot of growing up to do, the Celtics signed veteran Sam Cassell just in case Rondo's green side of his game rears out in a hostile playoff environment.
This season Rondo has been churning out impressive numbers and is exhibiting much agressiveness on the offensive end compared to last season which is a good thing. It's very interesting seeing his career grow inside a winning team.
In this current spate of losses for the Celtics, Rondo's numbers aren't really lacking much in terms of offense because even if he isn't scoring he can be seen making that nice pass to an open teammate. Though there is a game that he was flat on his face against Houston wherein he was only good for 5 points and 5 assists. Overall, Rondo's performance isn't that suspect.
Conclusion
The Boston Celtics are the reigning defending NBA champions. So much more is expected of them than this 2-6 stretch. These things don't usually happen to great teams of the past. At least not in our recent memory.
When a team is losing doubts crop up and the great ones usually pull through and stays firm in winning. This type of slump happening to a team that is once at 27-2 and is now overtaken for the top spot on the East by the Cavaliers is not a laughing matter or just an ordinary bad time in the season.
Whatever happens in the Cleveland game, the Celtics had better win it or else the tables will be turned on them. If they cannot get a tight grip at the top spot in the East it will be harder for them to defend the championship without homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.
The key to recovery for the Celtics would have to be a defensive game with more honesty yet aggressive without giving out too many fouls. Afterwards, try to get into good offensive rhythm all game and that is when the Celtics could probably make winning streaks.
Photos by AP
Doc Rivers and the Celtics are being tested.
For some reason vulnerability has come to the invincible Celtics on Christmas Day when they got beat by the Los Angeles Lakers. Of course we all know that it was a marquee match-up that the Celtics lost but it is also natural to expect Boston to bounce back and start another lengthy streak of wins yet again.
But instead of a rousing start, the Celtics were beat by a non-playoff prospect like the Golden State Warriors! Losing to the Lakers was understandable what with being on the raod and all. But to the Warriors!? That was really something unexpected and uncalled for as far as Celtics fans are concerned, and in ways, unacceptable to the team itself.
The situation was that they were still on the road and are coming off that loss to the Lakers but it still isn't enough reason or excuse for the defending champions to lose to Golden State. Heck! They were even up at the half by 12 points and were shooting well too. Was it that the Celtics were drained of their ability to dominate opponents just because they lost to the Lakers on Christmas Day? Had Boston rested on their laurels that they will just breeze through everybody once they're game with the Lakers are done? If we answer yes, then the Celtics have no business being called a championship team.
Whatever hostility was raised in that loss to the Warriors was quelled after the Celtics obliterated the Sacramento Kings with a 45-point win. After that, a win against the Portland Trail Blazers to finish their 4-game Western Conference road trip at 2-2 was a possibility with Brandon Roy in the sidelines because of injury. But alas, It was a 5-point loss at the end of the day. The Celtics finished the 4-game road trip at 1-3. Now that was a weird thing to happen as far as the Celtics are concerned. They were outplayed down the stretch and were oushot by the Blazers who has their star player sidelined!
The Celtics ended the year losing 3 of its last 4 games (all road games) and it was a must to start the new year in a positive note as they returned home to face the Eastern Conference's worst team Washington Wizards. As expected, the Celtics thrashed the Wizards with a 25-point beating and Boston was happy. But as it turned out, it was just the calm before the storm.
Two days later, the Celtics were in somebody else's homecourt again, this time, at Madison Square Garden to take on the inconsistent New York Knicks. Knowing that in another two days that they will be visiting another weak team in their Conference such as the Charlotte Bobcats, Boston looks good to go in making a good 3-game winning streak before coming back home to play the Houston Rockets.
Unfortunately, it didn't become a 3-game winning streak. Instead, it was the second back-to-back losing effort in almost two weeks! How the hell did that happen!? They lost to the Knicks and the Bobcats!? Losing to the Warriors could have been a fluke. But to lose to two moribund teams on consecutive games? There's got to be a problem. There has gotta be.
And just recently, the Celtics had just dropped a home game to the Houston Rockets making it a 3-game losing streak (their first in this season) which is also the 6th loss in eight games. These details are usually found in non-playoff or rebuilding teams' ledger reports. To find the Celtics in this predicament is just unbelievable. What's worse is that they have their next game against their Eastern Conference adversary LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers on the road. Just imagine, with the way Boston is stumbling against any team at this point of the season, there is a high percentage of them getting whipped at the Quicken Loans Arena. That has yet to be seen though as of this writing.
In our own research we tried to figure out the cause of the Celtic slump.
Shooting performance
In the two wins that the Celtics had (which were both routs), they shot awfully better than their opponents. The prime example was their win against the Wizards wherein they shot 55.4% from the field and an astonishing 12 of 20 from the 3-point territory for 60%!
This team has guys like Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Eddie House who could all flat out shoot. Kevin Garnett is perhaps their only reliable go-to-guy at the post so it's important for their perimeter offense to exist night in and night out. If that's the case, winning comes easier for them.
In this slump though we can see that there are signs of let-ups when it comes to their shooting. In the loss against the Knicks, Allen missed all of his 9 3-point tries! He also had a game wherein he was limited to just 7 points in just 6 attempts all game probably because of the foul trouble he encountered. Eddie House and Paul Pierce continues to lift their shots from the perimeter but they have been getting cold lately compared to their counterparts.
As a team, they suffered in a lot of bad shooting nights. 5 of 22 (3pt%) vs Lakers, their cold 2nd half spell against the Warriors which caused their 56% shooting to drop to 47.1%, 40.7% vs Blazers which includes 3 of 14 from deep, and 40.5% vs Knicks with 24% from three. The Bobcats and Rockets also oushot them in both the field and the 3-point line.
Eroding defensive play
The Celtics became champions because of their defense. Yes they do have the Big Three and Rajon Rondo's improving playmaking skills but their true strength comes out when their defense dominates their opponent.
In their 6 losses we see that they have slipped giving a little more number of points to the opposition but this certainly isn't the case. There is one detail that merits attention. That is why the teams that defeated them instantly had an edge to beat them in those nights.
In seven games since they last met the Lakers, the Celtics have been giving 21 fouls or more every night thus sending the opposing team to the free throw line at a high and alarming rate. Boston opponents had 25 free throw attempts or more. The most glaring was in the loss against the Bobcats that had 34 attempts from the line and 31 of them went in.
Judging from these numbers we see that the Celtics are not playing defense honest enough lately and the other teams are taking advantage of it by getting to the free throw line as often as possible in order to overcome Boston's offense which is actually not as deep as the Lakers. If only the Celtics could limit their fouls and prevent the other teams from taking so much free throws then that will help them to recover and win consecutive games again.
The Rajon Rondo factor
During Boston's 19-game winning run Rondo has been mentioned countless of times. League observers are seeing the great improvement of this young man as a point guard that can efficiently distribute the ball, attack the rim, and play good defense. Heck! He was even mentioned as a possible All-Star! There were even items that coined him as the 4th member of the "Fantasy Four" (Big Three Rondo).
Different opinions are welcome about that topic but the thing that must not be forgotten is Rondo's very important role in his team.
We have said time and again even before last season that the success of the Celtics does not just rely on the Big Three because they can only do much against the deeper teams in the league offensive wise. Rondo would have to contribute in the best way possible because he was the available starting point guard back then. Seeing that he still had a lot of growing up to do, the Celtics signed veteran Sam Cassell just in case Rondo's green side of his game rears out in a hostile playoff environment.
This season Rondo has been churning out impressive numbers and is exhibiting much agressiveness on the offensive end compared to last season which is a good thing. It's very interesting seeing his career grow inside a winning team.
In this current spate of losses for the Celtics, Rondo's numbers aren't really lacking much in terms of offense because even if he isn't scoring he can be seen making that nice pass to an open teammate. Though there is a game that he was flat on his face against Houston wherein he was only good for 5 points and 5 assists. Overall, Rondo's performance isn't that suspect.
Conclusion
The Boston Celtics are the reigning defending NBA champions. So much more is expected of them than this 2-6 stretch. These things don't usually happen to great teams of the past. At least not in our recent memory.
When a team is losing doubts crop up and the great ones usually pull through and stays firm in winning. This type of slump happening to a team that is once at 27-2 and is now overtaken for the top spot on the East by the Cavaliers is not a laughing matter or just an ordinary bad time in the season.
Whatever happens in the Cleveland game, the Celtics had better win it or else the tables will be turned on them. If they cannot get a tight grip at the top spot in the East it will be harder for them to defend the championship without homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs.
The key to recovery for the Celtics would have to be a defensive game with more honesty yet aggressive without giving out too many fouls. Afterwards, try to get into good offensive rhythm all game and that is when the Celtics could probably make winning streaks.
Photos by AP
| 94 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
