Sorry for the gap in between posts, but I feared blowback after the way the Celtics thumped the Blazers on national TV and I didn't want to hurt any feelings (too much...). Needless to say, people in Blazer land were super pissed off, and honestly, I can't blame them. But it was only one loss, and more than anything, it showed the Blazers (and their fans) where they need to be at season's end if they truly want to compete.
In other news, I am officially home for the holidays sans laptop (which is no longer soaked in whiskey and is working again, woo hoo!), so my posts for the next week or two may be spotty and somewhat behind on the breaking news, but I'll do my best. The good news, however, is that while I'm home I get to watch every single Celtics game, so I won't be lacking in material to cover.
I missed the Hawks/Celtics game from yesterday because I was flying across the country, however I will say that it was quite encouraging to see KG step up and carry the team in the fourth quarter by hitting big shot after big shot. More importantly, most of his fourth quarter looks were in the paint, meaning that Garnett was especially aggressive and exploited his physical gifts to the fullest against the smaller Josh Smith. KG often relies on the fade-away (this was especially true in the playoffs against the Hawks last year), so it was refreshing to see (I caught some of the late-night replay) Garnett being aggressive on both ends of the floor.
Additionally, I want to comment on something that ESPN's John Hollinger recently wrote about Rajon Rondo that I found to be quite profound and illuminating. Put simply, Hollinger stated that Rajon Rondo and the Celtics play better when he is pushing the tempo and taking risks, as evidenced by his fantastic 25/9/8 against the Jazz. In that game, Rondo had 6 turnovers and missed several layups as well, however he was once again the catalyst for another Celtics victory. Hollinger believes that with Rondo you take the good with the bad, and I am frankly inclined to agree. Although I disdain turnovers (possibly the worst thing you can do to your team in a basketball game), the turnovers mean that Rondo is playing aggressively and attacking, which I'd much rather have him do than slow down and play passive basketball.
Although the Celtics are built around the big three, Rondo is the catalyst for for the team, plain and simple. If Rondo plays with energy, then so do the Celtics and they become nearly impossible to beat. Conversely, if Rondo plays flat basketball, then the Celtics tend to stagnate and it becomes much harder for them to execute on offense and get into a good rhythm for the game.
I know, it seems weird to think that a team with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett (three guys who can get their own shot any time) could possibly stagnate on offense, but it's true. When you thik about it, all three of Boston's primary scorers are jump shooters by trade. Without somebody to penetrate the paint and collapse the defense, then open looks are scarce and contested shots are abundant. When that happens, you shoot a lower percentage and the offensive flow grinds to a halt and turns into lots of one-on-one isolation sets. The ball stops moving and even mediocre defensive teams can cause problems for shooters. Additionally, the Celtics transition game absolutely dies without Rajon Rondo to push the tempo. Once again, easy looks and offensive rhythm evaporate into thin air, and the Celtics struggle for every basket they get, even against mediocre teams. These are just a few of the many problems that arise for the Celtics when Rondo plays passive basketball.
On the other hand, when Rondo is aggressive on offense and takes those risks, the Celtics are an offensive juggernaut that will blow the doors off of the competition and spin heads along the way. When Rondo plays at top speed, there isn't anybody in the NBA that can keep him out of the paint. And when Rondo gets into the paint, the defense collapses and suddenly the Celtic shooters get open looks from everywhere on the floor. Rondo excels as a playmaker, and when he gets into the lane the ball is free to swing around the perimeter and find the best shot for the team.
I have written about Rondo in the past, and I used to think that what he needed to become an elite NBA point guard was a jumper. Upon further review, however, what I think he needs to develop more than anything else is consistency. If Rondo can show up with the same drive and determination to be aggressive, play hard and make plays, then he will be unstoppable on both ends of the floor. With a little more seasoning in the Association and the opportunity to play with Pierce, Allen and Garnett, I believe he will develop this mentality. With the hand-check rules the way they are in the NBA, Rondo doesn't need range on his jumper to be a threat on offense, just ask 2007 Finals MVP Tony Parker about that. Besides, Rondo plays on a team loaded with shooters, so he is even more effective as a slasher who can kick the ball out to the perimeter for an uncontested jumpshot any time he wants. If Rajon can continue to play at such a high level, he'll surely make the All-Star team this year and the Celtics may never lose again.
