Re: TSN's Peter May report

[opi@unesco.org]

Go Celtics!

Jimbo, this IS a big game in my opinion. We have first place on the line (I love
saying that), even if we are probably more of a 3-2 team.

Detroit won 29 games last year for the same coach, and I'm sure they feel like a
serious playoff team that can win the East this year. They also have had since
Saturday to prepare, and I'm sure they are treating the game tonight in Boston
as a "must win" and a chance to show the "true" Pistons team.

If Pitino and the boys again whip the ball around and blow Detroit out, it will
be a big surprise and a meaningful one. The Celts can definitely dominate the
boards if they try, even with a starting lineup that averages just around 6-6.
If you see the Celts show that kind of hunger and hustle out there, then I
suppose we have a chance to break our losing streak against them.

I'm being negative on purpose, though. As soon as this approach fails me, I'll
go back to being positive. So far this month, positive thinking hasn't worked (I
was convinced Shawn Green would somehow sign with the Red Sox).

Anyway, have fun. Maybe you can look for other listers if they are out there
tonight.

Go you CELTICS!!

Joe

******

Jim Meninno wrote:

> >From: "Ozersky, Joshua A" <OzerskyJA@corning.com>
> >
> >Team Report posted NOVEMBER 9, 1999  <<...>> Print it!
> >By TSN correspondent
> >Peter May
> >Boston Globe
> >
> >But they remain defensively challenged, especially in half-court
> >situations.
>
> What do the rest of you think about this issue?  To me, the team looks
> dramatically better in half course defense compared to either of the last
> two years.  Especially when you consider the added difficulties of playing
> defense under the new rules.  If you ask me, they were doing great until
> they started pressing, which was more in games 3 & 4, against better, more
> experienced teams, and at a time when the Celtics would be getting tired
> from completing a 4 game in 5 night stretch.  I didn't see a lot of the
> Indiana game, but they looked to be trapping a lot more, both in the
> halfcourt and the press, and were giving up a lot of wide open shots.
> Against Indiana!  You know, a team that can shoot lights out if you leave
> them open, but aren't the fastest guys in the world to stay with one-on-one.
>   Granted, I did miss the second half, where the C's apparently played much
> better.
>
> It will be interesting to see what strategy Pitino employs tonight against a
> rested and prepared team that has picked the Celtics' press apart in recent
> years.  I have a feeling he'll try a lot of pressing, which is a mistake, in
> my opinion.  If they stick to pushing the tempo (shouldn't be a problem
> against a Pistons team that wants to run anyway), playing solid man-to-man
> defense with switching in help situations and limit the Pistons running game
> by taking good shots and hitting a lot of them, they should come out with an
> easy home win.  That's the formula that looked successful against Toronto,
> Washington and Charlotte, but it doesn't seem to be how Pitino wants to
> play.  It's always push the pace on both ends, especially when behind.
> Problem is, when they are pressing they seem to lose their heads on offense.
>   It's rush, rush, rush, get the ball or give up a dunk and then forget
> about ball movement on offense.
>
> I'm probably getting a little paranoid.  I mean, I expected them to lose
> that Indiana game, and the overall positive signs are just too strong to
> ignore.  I am going to the game tonight, as Opie mentioned.  It is my first
> game in quite some time, so I'm looking forward to it.  I did go to one of
> the pre-season layup drills against Toronto last year, but that didn't
> count.  I won't say that this game is critical or even important in the big
> picture of the season, but this is the TYPE of game they will need to win a
> lot of in order to make the playoffs.  So far, they've beaten two playoff
> bubble teams, one home (must keep doing this), one road (a bonus), beaten a
> conference contender at home (another bonus)  and lost to another on the
> road (going to lose most of those).  Keep that up and thing will be fine.
> They haven't played any of the real basement teams yet either.  It'll be
> interesting to see how they look against them.
>
> Later,
> Jim
>
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