Why the Good Guys Do Better Against the West

[Snoopy the Celtics Beagle <snoopy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

First, it's been a while--first my computer crashed like a rock on Jupiter, 
then I did likewise.  Both are getting better slowly.  Sorry about the lack 
of game reviews and updates on the CBW.  I've also got over  2,000 posts to 
catch up on.  Eep!

Anyway, I was able to watch the C's games, both winning and (sigh) losing; 
and I realized something simple but profound.  The reason the C's do better 
against the West is that they don't take Boston seriously.  Every team that 
beat Boston this season did so for two reasons: first, by using the press 
on defense and covering Paul Pierce like a security blanket over 
Linus.  The second was emphasized by Toronto, which played like last years 
Celtics, except they actually hit all those threes they shot. The C's have 
deliberately used a defense that leaves them vulnerable to exactly the kind 
of outside shot they used to use before this season.

All those teams that see the Celtics regularly knew if they smothered 
Pierce and harassed whoever brought up the ball, they'd probably win the 
game.  The WC teams saw the absence of Walker and pencilled in a W for all 
Boston games.  They gambled on their running offense. like Sacramento or 
Denver--only to see the running game wither before the C's defense.  They 
bet on their outside shooting as their sole offensive weapon like 
Seattle--only to have the shot fail for three straight quarters.

Seattle, in fact, proves my point--when they played man-to-man for three 
quarters and relied on the outside jumpers, the C's destroyed them despite 
suffering two scoring droughts of their own.  In the final quarter, they 
put the screws to the C's fast break, and drove to the hoop, creating open 
outside looks that started falling.  It helps that the Sonics really don't 
have a significant offensive or defensive presence requiring a doubleteam.

Now, here come the Raptors once more, a truly aggravating team.  Boston 
played well enough to beat them last time out, save only that the C's dared 
them to hit the three.  Well, didn't we look silly as they cranked out 70+% 
at the arc?  I think the C's are defending the back door cut better 
now--well enough that it's worth a gamble or two to go out and challenge 
Toronto at the arc.

Speaking of the three, I laugh at the truly hypocritical Hubie Brown.  For 
the last few seasons he missed not a single chance to lambaste the C's for 
launching threes while he perched on the TNT bench.  Now that he found a 
team desperate enough to try anything, he's back at the helm, and his guys 
are wearing out the paint at the arc line.

As far as that goes, it seems a number of teams are taking a page from the 
C's playbook of the previous two years, making the three a major part of 
their arsenal--just as the Celtics themselves are finally going to the 
hoop.  Watch that petard boys, before someone hoists it!

Ok, that's enough commentary from me--I've got a lots and lots of e-mail to 
read....apologies if there's things I really should have read and responded 
to sooner, as soon as I actually read it, I'll reply, unless it's a dead 
issue by then.  :>)

Snoopy the Celtics Beagle
Please visit the <http://www.celticsbeagle.net/>Celtics Beagle Website