the next level

[snoopy1@xxxxxxx]

OK.  We have had two games now to see what we've got.  On the plus side, 
the C's are averaging over 100 ppg, there seems to be more inclination to 
have an inside game, and shot selection has improved.  On the other paw, 
the defense couldn't stop Fred Hoiberg, the free throws were really, really 
bad, and Kedrick Brown seems to have feet transplanted from Bill Walton.

As enjoyable as the first two wins were--and believe me, I enjoyed them as 
much as anyone--New York and Chicago do not in any way represent the better 
teams in the NBA this year.  Tuesday night, we have a chance to slap around 
the New Jersey Nets.

Tough talk about a team that knocked us out of the playoffs?  Yep, but 
here's my reasoning.  The playoff series featured a lot of "circus shots" 
by Jason Kidd.  He kept penetrating the defense just enough to throw up 
wild shots that resulted either in baskets or fouls.  The next factor was 
Kenny Anderson--for all everyone complains that he was the best PG we had 
in ages, he sure didn't play well against the Nets, and hurt the Celtics in 
the series.  Then there were the refs.  That's a whole other post.  The 
final part was that the Celtics offense never really got cranked up, or 
more simply, if Paul Pierce didn't score, no one on the Celtics did.  The 
Nets simply closed Pierce down and dared everyone else to make shots.

This season, we have some things ostensibly in our favor.  First, better 
ball distribution.  From what I can tell, the C's are spreading the 
scoring--while I grant that Pierce and Walker still shoulder a lot of the 
scoring burden, I think it's measurably less than last year.

Second, we can theoretically tell Sundov to make like a wall between Kidd 
and the basket.  Sundov is tall enough that he doesn't have to leave his 
feet on a fake, thus cutting down Kidd's opportunties at the free throw line.

The Nets plan to use Rodney Rogers as a diversion from Kidd and open the 
perimeter with threes.  Our advantage is our guys should know how to beat 
Rogers better than anyone, since he recently played for us.  That allows us 
to anticipate better.

The Celtics defense has GOT to play keep away from Kidd as much as 
possible.  The less he has the ball, the more ineffective the Nets 
are.  Don't let him squirm free and catch a pass.  When he does, he 
inevitably gets a foul called in his favor.  (Like I said, the refs are a 
whole other post)

If we spread the offense, tighten the defense, and keep Kidd to minimal 
contact with the ball, we stand a good chance of making the Nets wish 
they'd stayed home.

However, the C's have a problem that the Knicks tried to exploit a few days 
ago.  Free throws.  We're not hitting anywhere near 50%, as far as I can 
tell.  Going one-for-two is considered a positive.  It's real hard to make 
fun of Shaquille O'Neal's free throw percentage when ours as a team is 
worse!  If the Nets decide to throw bodies at the C's and send people to 
the line, a game can be easily lost.

Similarly, the rebounding needs work.  Lots of work.  We got outrebounded 
by the Chicago Bulls last night.  That's like getting out pitched by 
Charlie Brown.  No longer can we say, "no big guys", not when Sundov made a 
rebound without his feet losing contact with the floor.  We need more 
rebounding.  It's nice to talk about running more fast breaks, but very 
hard to do without the pumpkin in your paws.

The Celtics have four days to get ready for the next game.  Now, as they 
expect to lose the services of Kedrick Brown for a stretch of time, they 
have to make more adjustments.  Sundov, Shammond and Baker, though nowhere 
near as fast as Brown, will all have to provide an inside presence to 
offset the obvious play of handing the ball to Pierce or Walker.  I think 
the other teams have figured that offensive set by now.  :>)

Time to move to the next level.  No one will be surprised if we make the 
playoffs this year.  It's expected.  Now the team has to play like it's 
going to win close games and games against lesser teams.  And it has to 
step up against teams like New Jersey.

By the way, there's 20 days left to make predictions.  :>)

Onward to #17

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
Please visit the Celtics Beagle Website at
http://users.mfi.net/fluteaphrael/celticsbeagle/celtics.html