Plenty of blood, plenty of fouls.

[JB <jbmetzea@yahoo.com>]

   I've watched hockey games with less contact than last nights game. Miami,
coached by the missing son of Darth Vader, who also happens to have the same
plastic surgeon as Keith Richards, fouls on every play. This defensive
strategy, as perfected to a high art by Detroit in the late 80's and carried
on by Riley and the Van Gundy coached Knicks, is very effective. Foul early
and often, the ref's can't possibly call every foul and won't. For a long
stretch, early in the game, the whistles were in the pocket, by the time
they started blowing them, it was too late.
   Actually, I liked the way the C's ran their first few offensive plays.
They were cutting into the lane and looking for passes in the open areas.
Had the first few shots gone down, they might have fared better. As it was,
there were no Celtic highlights. This had to be the worst game played this
season. After a few possessions, our offense deteriorated into Walker or
Pierce trying their moves, or a three point heave, from one of the other
players standing around the perimeter.
   Walker looked like an old man, trying to get baseline on Grant. He was
absolutely ineffective, trying to get inside. Grant ate him for lunch. He
came out to the three point line to discourage threes and was always
directly in his path to the basket.
   Pierce fared little better. While he could break down his defender,
Mourning was always there to rock him, on the way to the basket.
   Anderson was also uninspiring. Miami always seemed to be back on defense
and when Kenny cut into the lane, there was always a hand up to block him.
   JJ, was reticent. Is that a good word?
   Battie was overmatched.
   Vitaly worked hard and as usual gets A for effort, even with the 8
stitches in his head from Mourning's forearm.
   Erick Strickland hit a few shots and worked hard on defense, but as a
point guard, he is out of control and does not have the sensibility or the
handles, to play that position.
   If we needed evidence that the Celtics are deficient against teams with
inside strength, we got a tough lesson last night. Bandaids, to balance our
roster, will help, but we need more inside players. I'd call Portland and
see what they want for Dale Davis. Unfortunately, trading Vitaly or Battie,
to get that help, is not an answer. We need more size and strength., Trading
one of our centers would still leave us deficient.
                 

              JB
                   
     
                   

                           Unchain My Heart!