Grizz game

[Mark Berry <osuceltic@xxxxxxxxx>]

Great win. That's a solid, well-coached team playing
its home-opener. It was not going to be easy. To
escape with a win is great thing.

I think this game illustrated again the Celts'
problems at point guard. I love Mike James' heart, but
he and Banks really had problems with the intense
Memphis pressure, both in the fullcourt and the
halfcourt. The offense broke down against that
pressure, and that's because the point guards weren't
able to handle the pressure and create the kind of
penetration and back-door opportunities needed to make
the opponent back off. In a perfect world this season,
James would be the backup and Banks would be
developing. But I'm not sure there's anyone out there
to help. Did anyone happen to watch Milwaukee beat the
Pacers last night? T.J. Ford had 11 points, 11
rebounds and 8 assists for the Bucks in his season
debut, and you had to watch it to really appreciate
how good he was. And Ray's fave, Luke Ridnour, does
look good in Seattle (could Brent Barry or Ronald
Murray be available?). Anyway, I'd be very careful
about making anymore deals, even for the needed point
guard. You don't want to mess up what seems like great
chemistry or deplete a strength (the big-man
rotation)unless you're absolutely sure about the guy
you're getting back. And I don't think that kind of
point guard is out there. 

Other thoughts... Eric Williams really was missed down
the stretch. He is what he is, but he usually will be
aggressive going to the basket at crunch time, and is
able to get to the line. Other than Pierce, the Celts
didn't have another offensive option on the floor down
the stretch (because no one seemed able to handle the
pressure and get the ball to Baker). I know Obie was
trying to surround Pierce with his best defenders, but
he needed another shooter out there. I thought that
was a good spot for Lafrentz to see if you couldn't
swing the ball or run a pick-and-pop to get him a
couple of open jumpers. The MUST get Lafrentz a few
more good looks. He's too good a shooter to be
forgotten. But he'll work his way in as time goes on.

I don't want to jinx Baker, but... wow.

Kedrick... all I can do is sigh. Did he relax once his
option was picked up? If he's not streaking down the
floor for a layup, he's not doing anything. And his
reputation as a great defender hardly seems warranted.
Mike Miller went around Kedrick as if he was a statue
late in the game last night. What's he offering right
now? He'll be out of the rotation when Jumaine Jones
gets healthy. 

Anyway, great, great win. Things are tough on the
road, but the team still managed to shoot 47 percent
for the game and end up with 21 assists (not great,
but not bad). Turnovers killed them, but, again,
that's going to be a problem against intense pressure
because the point guards aren't completely ready. 

Looking forward to seeing how the team responds
tonight, the third game in four nights. Pierce is the
only guy who has played major minutes, and even his
time has been low for him (36 mins last night). This
is where depth should show up. A win tonight would
make this a HUGE opening week. 

Mark Berry 

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears
http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/