Sucks to the site server man, I've been getting blocked (like Scalabrine) by the website and unable to post for a few days. I'm sorry, and it angers me more than it does you I'm sure. Anyhow, here is my lovely post, it's not even stale yet!
First, so y’all don’t think I’m just hopping on this bandwagon, read my first ever post on Boston Celtics News here. The writing was on the wall then, and now it's as plain as day. Last night, Rajon Rondo turned in a great performance that showed how far he’s come this year and flashes of the potential of future of his game.
Rondo was a key contributor for the Celtics on Sunday and made a huge impact on both ends of the floor, providing perhaps the best stat line (at least the most well-rounded) of the night for the Celtics. Rondo scored 15 points on 6 of 9 shooting from the field, dished out nine assists (with no turnovers!), grabbed six rebounds and added two steals to fill out the stat sheet. Rondo was part of an all around dominating effort by the Celtics who turned the screws on the Hawks with lockdown defense that fueled their offensive production.
Rondo’s 15 was only three points behind Ray Allen’s team high 18, and he looked impressive scoring in a variety of ways. One thing that stood out in particular was his touch from mid-range and the perimeter. Finding himself open and with space against the Hawks defense, Rondo efficiently knocked down several mid-range jumpers and looked confident and fluid with his release.
He’s shown flashes of shooting touch throughout the year and is still improving, but games like last Sunday’s hint at what is to come in the next few seasons of Rondo’s career. Although Rondo’s strength will always be slashing into the paint and finishing at the rim, if he can add a consistent jumper to his arsenal, Rondo could transform into an elite point guard in the NBA very quickly.
One of the most frequent criticisms or critiques of the Celtics this season has been the tiring assertion that Boston’s role-players are untested and will have to step up in the playoffs. In particular, the ever so wise basketball analysts have been highlighting the fact that Rondo would be left open and would be forced to make shots from the perimeter (they were all drinking hater-ade at the time).
If game one against the Hawks was any indication (not to mention the entire goddamned season! Have they even been watching?), Rondo and the Celtics will be just fine. Rondo continues to grow and improve every game, and he fits seamlessly into the Celtics style and system. I’ve enjoyed watching Rondo improve all year long and I’m excited to see just how this year’s playoff run will improve him as a player.
As an aside, I know the posts have been somewhat infrequent as of late, so guess what? It’s bonus time!!!!!!!!! (Horrible transition, no?)
That’s right, because the structure of the NBA playoffs moves the action slower than a sea turtle on valium (wonderful imagery, really), I’ve got nothing better to write about than some of the other action, which has actually been excellent thus far.
From Monday’s games, I witnessed two astounding and complete performances from two of the Association’s best perimeter players. Though his team lost for a second straight time to the Utah Jazz, Tracy McGrady did it all for the Houston Rockets coming up just one assist shy of a triple-double. Meanwhile, LeBron James punctuated a 30-point blowout of the Washington Wizards coming up just one rebound shy of a triple-double himself.
If and most likely when the Rockets lose this series to the Jazz, it won’t be because of a lack of leadership or effort from T-Mac. Think about it, the Rockets have a lot of young players with no postseason experience (not to mention a less talented roster than the Jazz in general) and are being forced to compete with the Jazz (with the same core nucleus of players) who are coming off a trip to the Conference Finals from last season. The deck is stacked heavily against them, so to speak.
Tonight, T-Max had the fire in his eyes and was aggressive on offense and defense all game long. He was everywhere for the Rockets tonight, evading the defense of the Jazz and scoring from the perimeter effectively and (most importantly) at the rim, while guarding Carlos Boozer as well as the perimeter players on the other end of the floor. In addition to his 23 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, T-Mac had three steals and two very impressive blocks, indicators of his defensive intensity and effort. Unfortunately, the only number that matters right now is the ratio 2:0, which represents the number of Jazz wins as compared to Houston’s. In other words, the prognosis is not good.
One thing that I took from the early game today was the impression that LeBron James doesn’t appreciate being called overrated one bit. He proved it again today, dominating in a very physical game that sent him to the free throw line 17 times (10 makes, not an issue today, but it could be better), earning every one of those attempts the hard way and torturing the Wizards defense once again. Washington is up the creek at this point, they seem to have really ticked LeBron off and currently seem incapable of stopping him (this is why we DON’T POKE THE BEAR!!!!!).
In case you were wondering, by the way, King James has totaled 62 points (55% shooting), 16 assists, 15 rebounds and four blocks in two games. Conversely, DeShawn Stevenson has scored 15 points (31% shooting) dished out seven dimes, gotten one steal and grabbed a whopping one rebound in two games. Who, exactly, is the overrated one? Additionally, this statistical disparity is made all the more hilarious by the fact that LeBron has been abusing Stevenson for two games now and seems to be enjoying making him eat his smack talk every time down the floor.
The Celtics are off until Wednesday, but tomorrow I’ll be watching the second game of the Suns v. the Spurs in San Antonio, you should watch it too.
