[no subject]

Walker and Pierce are almost certain to play much better 
this year than they have thus far. Even a career average 
statistical year would mean a substantial improvement. 
 
In overcoming their less than ideal start, Obie's and his 
team deserve a lot of credit. BTW, we are now 
statistically on pace (tongue in cheek, dont worry) to 
win over 60 games. 

As I predicted, its becoming more commonplace for the 
Celtics to make the big plays in the fourth quarter. 
Pierce and Walker are in the first year of their 
typical "prime" years in their superstar type 
trajectories. Good talent doesn't win in the fourth 
period. Good veteran talent does.

The difference, last night, is that Pierce and Walker 
barely scored in the fourth, as we won handily.

So when fans talk about the possible return of the 
leprechaun to the Fleet Center, my opinion is "there's 
your leprechaun right in front of the bench". 

I loved that calm smile on Obie's face in the second 
quarter of the Minnesota game, when they made that 
horrific run on us (31-12 or whatever). Obie is, 
like, "okay, we can address this just as well without any 
histrionics or showboating". 

And the bottom line is that under Obie's game management, 
we don't blow as many games like that anymore.

Obie was in the right place at the right time to get the 
interim coaching title two years ago, but he's earned 
everything else ever since IMO. 

He has apparent roster holes few coaches would want, and 
yet the team's averaging over 102 point per game this 
month (6-0) and playing great defense again. The team 
also overcame the adversity of a crap start.

And its not like he isn't Joe Blow non-innovator or risk 
takerI remember at least one post this month that 
absolutely trashed Obie in the midst of our winning 
streak. What he's done is original to say the least, but 
its working.

All that said, this IS a winning streak. Teams play well 
in winning streaks. The numbers always come out looking 
good.  Grunt players look great, but they then tend to 
find their level. I don't think we can get too excited 
(at heart, I'm a Red Sox fan so I know that early winning 
streaks mean zilch). 

This mini-6 game run is about the role players.

As others have noted, Eric Williams' career rebounding 
average is one board every eight minutes (3.1 career). 
Not to mention just 1.4 assists per game. 

That kind of rebounding at ANY starting position these 
days tends to hurt teams.

Last night, as we all saw, Eric Williams had 10 boards in 
27 minutes. But what's equally impressive and 
praiseworthy is that he had 8-rebound nights in three of 
the last four games coming in as well. 

That's four games out of five with 8 or more boards for 
Eric. He's totally got his hard hat on. Its amazing what 
(relatively) healthy knees will do for you. He's a much 
better player this year than anticipated, so far.

But Tony Battie may be replacing EW as the defensive 
alpha dog. He's had three or more blocks three games 
during the winning streak. He's also averaging 8.8 boards 
during the winning streak, and had seven offensive boards 
against Philly. He's shot 50%. But more than all that, 
his hustle and awareness stands out in setting an 
energetic and alert defensive tone. 

And most of all you have Tony Delk and Shammond "Hot 
Sauce" Williams. If I were Obie I would be in full "I 
told you so" mode. It isn't that we have a good point 
guard situation now. 

But the point is that we have a much better one for the 
system than we did with Kenny. 

TD and "Hot Sauce" (do you guys watch the "And One" 
tour?) are each averaging above double figures, while 
Kenny failed to do that last year.

Kenny did have 5.5 assists I think, but that is fewer 
too, incidentally, than Delk-Shammond combined this year 
(5.6). 

What's more, let's talk about consistency. In all eight 
games, Boston's point guard production has been at least 
18 points (and that was the Wiz game). Its not 20 points 
one night, 2-7 shooting the next.

Obie is getting 9 ppg on treys from that one position.

Imagine if we had that last year in the playoffs? We 
would have mauled last year's Nets. We would have eaten 
them alive.

As noted, Boston's point guards have maintained the same 
number of assists as Kenny so far. But during the winning 
streak we've also surpassed that figure from two other 
positions. Paul Pierce is averaging 5.7 assists. Antoine 
Walker is averaging 6.0 assists and setting the offense 
in motion.

Is all this sustainable? Maybe, maybe not, but I'm almost 
sure any decline will be balanced by improvements in 
other areas (FG%, rebounding differential etc.).

And I think its at least semi-plausible that the role 
players and bench can perform as well overall. Vin is 
coming on. Kedrick's coming back.

Let's say that happens. Then this is a damn good 
basketball team.

Long story short, this was a big win for the "Obie 
Method" because the circumstances the Celtics overcame to 
win it were even more impressive and heartening than the 
win itself.

Another good thing is that we need a cushion ahead of the 
tough weekend B2B.

Right now its kind of fun that Boston is in pole position 
to be the lead ESPN story, as the first team to beat the 
undefeated Dallas Mavericks. We'll eventually get cut 
down to size good by someone, probably these guys. But if 
we have to play a far superior team, this is a good 
moment.

I'm actually more worried about the next grudge match 
between Pierce and "Mr Popularity" George Karl. That game 
could go in any of many directions.

In any case, I haven't posted all week but I'm loving 
everything right now! I give Obie and the role players 
infinite credit for this win streak. 

Looking at the season schedule, there is hope for a few 
more good runs of this kind (quite a few, actually). 
Play .500 ball and put together three more of these 5-
game type mini-streaks, and your at 50-wins right there. 
That's what I'm hoping will happen.

Last random thought and I'll quit, hopefully for a long 
time. ;-)  My view is that Vin Baker might not get boo-ed 
once any time this first season on his homecourt. For one 
thing, he's such a sympathetic character. You can see 
every emotion on his face. For another thing, his skills 
are so distinct on this roster. Its something we haven't 
seen in a long time...a guy whose low post moves actually 
often end in a clear, no-jumping required, look at the 
basket from two feet away. And lastly, I don't think fans 
blame Vin for the contract his former owner gave him.

I'm talking only about this season (and I'm totally just 
guessing). The harshness of the reality (contract) will 
sink in eventually. At least, you'll never see me booing 
this guy. I guess I should just speak for myself! ;-)
 
Joe H.

p.s. Back in the USA for the first time in ten years, I 
planned to view all 82 Celtics games. That string will be 
broken on Friday (the Dallas game) thanks to a 
regrettable pledge I made meet-my-wife's-artsy-new-NY-
friends, but I hope the rest of you make it through the 
season. I wonder which IGTC person has the longest 
viewing streak? I can probably make a few guesses! 
Anyway, if anyone's still reading this thanks and 
apologies for going on forever, but its been a week. Over 
and out. Go Celtics! Beat the Mavs! (and then the Bucks)!






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