The Celtics injuries are certainly starting to pile up, as it seems that the title of my paper, "who is going to step up" brings a new meaning by all the injuries. The starters have been bitten by the injury bug, as Kevin Garnett (who has now been out for a couple of weeks) and Rajon Rondo (who was injured in the Celtics' win vs. the Cavaliers). Also the bench is in rough shape as on of the top bench players, Tony Allen has been out for some time now with a dislocated thumb, as well as big men Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Brian Scalabrine who both get a high amount of playing time, are now out.
Obviously the Celtics have missed and are missing KG because of his veteran presence on the floor, but he will likely miss at least one more week.
With so many people out and Ray Allen and Paul Pierce having fatigue issues, the rest of the team will need to step up in order for the team to stay competitive for the number one seeed in the east.
I agree with Coach Rivers when he said that it is a growth period and that if anything, it will make the team stronger. Let us hope that he is right.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Article 11: Celtics without five players vs. Heat
"The Boston Celtics boggest opponent right now is the training room."
Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis joined Kevin Garnett, Brian Scalabrine and Tony Allen on the list of players that will not be playing against the Heat on wednesday the 11th.
Coach Doc Rivers said that both Rondo and Davis will miss at least the next two games.
Kevin Garnett will miss more than that.
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen both played 45 minutes in the loss to Orlando, and were told that they would recieve limited minutes for at least the next game.
8 of 15 players played a full practice on monday, with the 5 injured players plus Pierce and Allen doing a shortened practice.
Doc Rivers said "In the long run, I think this might make us a better team."
Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis joined Kevin Garnett, Brian Scalabrine and Tony Allen on the list of players that will not be playing against the Heat on wednesday the 11th.
Coach Doc Rivers said that both Rondo and Davis will miss at least the next two games.
Kevin Garnett will miss more than that.
Paul Pierce and Ray Allen both played 45 minutes in the loss to Orlando, and were told that they would recieve limited minutes for at least the next game.
8 of 15 players played a full practice on monday, with the 5 injured players plus Pierce and Allen doing a shortened practice.
Doc Rivers said "In the long run, I think this might make us a better team."
Friday, March 6, 2009
Final Focus; Further Research Needed
When I started the project, I started giving information and reporting on games of the Celtics'. As my blog analysis pointed out, however, I have started to explore the statistics and the importance of the Celtics' bench. I have started to do supplemental research in order to prove my point that a deep "supporting cast" is necessary for a team to be successful, and prove that the Celtics' bench players are some of the strongest in the league. I would like to learn and find out by researching statistics, and player comments and reactions from press conferences. A primary source of these statistics may be from box scores in the newspaper or online.
I am trying to arrange at least an email interview with someone in contact with the Celtics, for example someone that works in the front office of the organization, or perhaps someone from the press. I am looking to get a hold of either of the Celtics radio announcers, Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell, to get some in depth insight into a topic that they would know just as well as anyone. I have a few questions ready to ask if I can get a hold of any of them. I was also thinking that I would try to talk to local news sports host Lee Goldberg about some of his thoughts on the Celtics.
I have not put much thought into my oral presentation, I do not think that the time parameters will be hard to meet, as this is a topic that I am passionate about and could talk about for much longer than 20 minutes if needed. I think that it may be difficult to do an interactive activity with this topic, as several people have posted on my blog that basketball is not anything that they are familiar with. If I can come up with a strong activity, it may help get the attention of my classmates and make them slightly more knowledgeable with the sport.
I am trying to arrange at least an email interview with someone in contact with the Celtics, for example someone that works in the front office of the organization, or perhaps someone from the press. I am looking to get a hold of either of the Celtics radio announcers, Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell, to get some in depth insight into a topic that they would know just as well as anyone. I have a few questions ready to ask if I can get a hold of any of them. I was also thinking that I would try to talk to local news sports host Lee Goldberg about some of his thoughts on the Celtics.
I have not put much thought into my oral presentation, I do not think that the time parameters will be hard to meet, as this is a topic that I am passionate about and could talk about for much longer than 20 minutes if needed. I think that it may be difficult to do an interactive activity with this topic, as several people have posted on my blog that basketball is not anything that they are familiar with. If I can come up with a strong activity, it may help get the attention of my classmates and make them slightly more knowledgeable with the sport.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Response to :For Celtics, Spurs the Model of Consistency
Despite the Celtics losing this game, I enjoyed watching this game. It was frustrating at times, yes, but it was interesting to see the Celtics play against a team that they resemble. The Celtics have a strong core of players, they play a defensively based style, and they always find a way to win. The Spurs have been the closest thing to a dynasty over the last 12 years. When it came down to it, the more disciplined team won. It cam down to the end of the game were the Celtics were making a big run in the third quarter, and when 98% of the teams in the league would change their game plan or get flustered, the Spurs stayed strong and their discipline showed, and played together.
That is the type of team that I would hope that the Celtics will be in the future. This loss will mean very little as the author of the article points out, but it was interesting to see the goal of the franchise as the face of a strong veteran team was playing right before our eyes.
EM
That is the type of team that I would hope that the Celtics will be in the future. This loss will mean very little as the author of the article points out, but it was interesting to see the goal of the franchise as the face of a strong veteran team was playing right before our eyes.
EM
Article 9: For Celtics, Spurs the Model of Consistency
The San Antonio Spurs have been the leagues elite teeam over recent history, they have won 5 championship titles in the last 12 years. They have kept the same core players for this entire run, Tim Duncan, Bruce Bowen... but have cycled surrounding players in and out.
The author points out that they play a lot like the Celtics do.
The Celtics played the Spurs on Sunday and lost by a score of 105-99. The Spurs ended the first half of the game with a lead, and barely looked back the Celtics made a push at the beginning of the of the third quarter, but could not seal the daeal as the Spurs executed as a proper veteran team such as themselves should do. The Celtics commited turnover after turnover and missed jumper after jumper while the Spurs were getting hot.
The Celtics brought the game to within 3 points before having to foul to stop the clock giving the Supurs time to extend their lead to 6 points and the game. The Celtics are now 42-11 on the year and are still leading the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.
The author points out that they play a lot like the Celtics do.
The Celtics played the Spurs on Sunday and lost by a score of 105-99. The Spurs ended the first half of the game with a lead, and barely looked back the Celtics made a push at the beginning of the of the third quarter, but could not seal the daeal as the Spurs executed as a proper veteran team such as themselves should do. The Celtics commited turnover after turnover and missed jumper after jumper while the Spurs were getting hot.
The Celtics brought the game to within 3 points before having to foul to stop the clock giving the Supurs time to extend their lead to 6 points and the game. The Celtics are now 42-11 on the year and are still leading the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Article 8 Response to: The Meaning of Obama: NBA embraces new leader's message
Wow, I apologize for not taking as detailed notes as I could have, but there was so much information, and I feel more compelled and exited to talk about this topic because it touched me. I urge everyone to read this article even if you know very little about basketball.
This article does not directly talk about the Celtics or the topic of my blog, but I feel that it is necessary to talk about this subject at this time.
I got chills when I read that Michael Jordan the best player ever to play the game, the face of basketball essentially, said that he cried like a baby. I enjoyed reading about how NBA players black, white, American or otherwise all joined hands to help Barack reach the level that he is at today, possibly the most powerful position in the world today.
Honestly I was left speechless after reading this article and it almost made me fell like crying myself. Guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers Mo Williams had great input saying, "It defines the commitment. It defines the unity. It defines what Martin Luther King did. It defines what America is about, bringing everybody together and living as one."
The high percentage of african-American players in the NBA clearly sparked the overwhelming reaction to the Inauguration of the 44th president, but If you look at it, the NBA is really a microcosm of the country with the past and present players as well as the diversity that is noticable in the Association.
Again, there is s much that I want to say, but little time or oppurtunity to do so. Please, whenever you have ten minutes take it to read this article. David Aldridge, the author of the article says way more than I ever could.
I will sign off tonight with a line from a song that Jay-Z wrote. It is probably supposed to be directed more to the African-American population, but as a Hip-Hop enthusiast, I feel compelled to share it.
"Rosa sat, so Martin could walk, so Obama could run, so our children can fly"
EM
This article does not directly talk about the Celtics or the topic of my blog, but I feel that it is necessary to talk about this subject at this time.
I got chills when I read that Michael Jordan the best player ever to play the game, the face of basketball essentially, said that he cried like a baby. I enjoyed reading about how NBA players black, white, American or otherwise all joined hands to help Barack reach the level that he is at today, possibly the most powerful position in the world today.
Honestly I was left speechless after reading this article and it almost made me fell like crying myself. Guard for the Cleveland Cavaliers Mo Williams had great input saying, "It defines the commitment. It defines the unity. It defines what Martin Luther King did. It defines what America is about, bringing everybody together and living as one."
The high percentage of african-American players in the NBA clearly sparked the overwhelming reaction to the Inauguration of the 44th president, but If you look at it, the NBA is really a microcosm of the country with the past and present players as well as the diversity that is noticable in the Association.
Again, there is s much that I want to say, but little time or oppurtunity to do so. Please, whenever you have ten minutes take it to read this article. David Aldridge, the author of the article says way more than I ever could.
I will sign off tonight with a line from a song that Jay-Z wrote. It is probably supposed to be directed more to the African-American population, but as a Hip-Hop enthusiast, I feel compelled to share it.
"Rosa sat, so Martin could walk, so Obama could run, so our children can fly"
EM
Article 8: The Meaning of Obama: NBA embraces new leader's message
When asked if he cried when Barack Obama was just elected president, Micheal Jordan replied "I was cryin' like a damn baby".
Not only MJ cried that night and the night that Obama was inaugurated. Many basketball players weeped during this time. Donyell Marshall, Kevin Durant and many more let out tears.
Support from NBA players was far beyond outspoken as players like LeBron James, Dwight Howard and past players like Magic Johnson all gave verbal and monetary support as well as a huge amount of help from the amount of followers that these players have in the power that they hold over us.
Other heartwarming stories like that of Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo. Or better known as just Dikembe Mutombo, who has been playing basketball in the united states for many years, although born in Congo. He was naturalized as a US citizen just two years ago, and got to vote for a president for the first time this year, and Obama has made it special for him.
Obama's international popularity is also shown in the NBA with a player named Dirk Nowitski. Dirk was in the crowd in Germany when Obam came to make a speech there.
Ray Allen from the Celtics said that the win inspired him to reach deeper into the realm of possibility.
Not only MJ cried that night and the night that Obama was inaugurated. Many basketball players weeped during this time. Donyell Marshall, Kevin Durant and many more let out tears.
Support from NBA players was far beyond outspoken as players like LeBron James, Dwight Howard and past players like Magic Johnson all gave verbal and monetary support as well as a huge amount of help from the amount of followers that these players have in the power that they hold over us.
Other heartwarming stories like that of Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo. Or better known as just Dikembe Mutombo, who has been playing basketball in the united states for many years, although born in Congo. He was naturalized as a US citizen just two years ago, and got to vote for a president for the first time this year, and Obama has made it special for him.
Obama's international popularity is also shown in the NBA with a player named Dirk Nowitski. Dirk was in the crowd in Germany when Obam came to make a speech there.
Ray Allen from the Celtics said that the win inspired him to reach deeper into the realm of possibility.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Response to: Celtics Blow Out Suns
The Celtics seem to be regaining their swagger back after hitting a rough patch Stating on Christmas day. Having now won 5 straight games, look for the Celtics to regain the top spot in the Eastern Conference.
The all had very good numbers, but all of them had limited minutes. None of the starters played in the 4th quarter because they opened it with a 31 point lead. Honestly I think that it is a good thing that the starters are playing fewer minutes recently because the have all looked tired recently, and seem to need rest.
I did not watch the second half of the game because of the 30 point halftime lead. I figured the game was over. So a thank you to the Celtics for letting me go to bed early that night.
I plan to do a background post on the Obama topic, but I respect the decision of Doc Rivers to get the Florida road trip early so that the team could watch the historical moment on TV. I respect Ray Allen for making the trip himself, midway through the heart of the season, he thought that this moment was important enough to make time for.
EM
The all had very good numbers, but all of them had limited minutes. None of the starters played in the 4th quarter because they opened it with a 31 point lead. Honestly I think that it is a good thing that the starters are playing fewer minutes recently because the have all looked tired recently, and seem to need rest.
I did not watch the second half of the game because of the 30 point halftime lead. I figured the game was over. So a thank you to the Celtics for letting me go to bed early that night.
I plan to do a background post on the Obama topic, but I respect the decision of Doc Rivers to get the Florida road trip early so that the team could watch the historical moment on TV. I respect Ray Allen for making the trip himself, midway through the heart of the season, he thought that this moment was important enough to make time for.
EM
Celtics Blow Out Suns
Celtics 104 Suns 87
The Celtics have won 5 games straight.
Rajon Rondo played well 23 pts 7 assists. Paul pierce 12 pts 8 reb 8 ast. Ray Allen 20 pts. Kevin Garnett 16 pts 8 reb. Kendrick Perins did not play again due to his sore shoulder. Somewhat suprisingly, Brian Scalabrine (like Skaluhbreeny if you didn't know) started this game in place of Perk.
Celtics opened up to a 21-7 lead and never looked back.
The suns never saw the lead or tie after the the C's gained a 2-0 lead.
Ray Allen is planning to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama in person, while coach Doc Rivers thought that it was important that the team flew down to miami earlier than scheduled so that they could watch it on tv.
The Celtics have won 5 games straight.
Rajon Rondo played well 23 pts 7 assists. Paul pierce 12 pts 8 reb 8 ast. Ray Allen 20 pts. Kevin Garnett 16 pts 8 reb. Kendrick Perins did not play again due to his sore shoulder. Somewhat suprisingly, Brian Scalabrine (like Skaluhbreeny if you didn't know) started this game in place of Perk.
Celtics opened up to a 21-7 lead and never looked back.
The suns never saw the lead or tie after the the C's gained a 2-0 lead.
Ray Allen is planning to attend the inauguration of Barack Obama in person, while coach Doc Rivers thought that it was important that the team flew down to miami earlier than scheduled so that they could watch it on tv.
Monday, January 12, 2009
MOrgan's Rotation respose #3
You obviously know what you're doing. just go a little slower and be more carful. I'm sorry to say this but I didn't comprehend much of your articles, thats probably because I don't speak basket ball. You should consider just writting a short entry on the rules of the game or explaining what the game is all about.
Phoebe's Responce #3
Wow Everett that was really impressive, it's obvious you really know how the game works. The only thing I would suggest is read back over that sheet with how to do citations, because yours are pretty wrong. It looks like you have most of the information, but it's all in a different order and one of the dates is missing.
Other than that, great job! I enjoyed reading your rants(: Keep it up!
Other than that, great job! I enjoyed reading your rants(: Keep it up!
Kelsey Schwarz- Response to 4,5,6
You're a basketball fanatic. (: You're doing a good job with the articles that you've been doing and giving us good information and statistics about the games. I like how you get really into it and know a lot about the team, I think you'll benefit a lot from that. It'd be cool to maybe branch off and look at a different aspect of the team. You could maybe find an article on their coach and what he has to say, or his life even. Or you could find something on the outside lives of professional basketball players. In general, you're doing a good job.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Response to: Celts are back home, eager to forget 1-3 western trip (6)
Wow, what happened? The defending world Champions have looked very poor in their last few showings. Look for them to make a come back against the Wizards, at home, finally. Some rest wil hopefully do the team some good as they have looked tired late in games, probably a result of playing 6 games in 11 days. The hectic schedule will slow down a little bit so hopefully the teeam will be able to turn it around.
The most concerning loos to me was the Loss to the Warriors, a team that was only 7-21 at the time and the Celtics made them look like Michael Jordans 95-96 Bulls in the fourth quarter.
If anything this slide shows how exiting the NBA can be, because there is such a high talent level, truely, anyone can beat anyone else on any given night.
Here's to turning it around in 2009. Happy New Year.
The most concerning loos to me was the Loss to the Warriors, a team that was only 7-21 at the time and the Celtics made them look like Michael Jordans 95-96 Bulls in the fourth quarter.
If anything this slide shows how exiting the NBA can be, because there is such a high talent level, truely, anyone can beat anyone else on any given night.
Here's to turning it around in 2009. Happy New Year.
Celts are back home, eager to forget 1-3 western trip
The Celtics have had an awful road trip. after winning 19 consecutive games, they have now lost three of their last 4 games. Doc Rivers commented on it saying that they looked at the schedule and thought that they could win all 4 games, but it didnt work out that way. The Celtics are 14-1 at home and look to get the winning going again there against a bad Washington Wizards team. The offense has struggle mightily recently anveragin only 86 pts in their three losses. The defese has been suprisingly un-Celtics-like allowing other teams to shoot almost 50 % from the floor.
This was the sixth game in 11 days for the celtics.
When everyone thoought the Celtics would come back after the loss to the Lakers, the Celtics had another poor fourth quarter finish against the Warriors getting outscored 35-17 in the quarter.
They blew out the Kings 108-63 but then followed it up with a loss to Portland. This was a competitive game until the secon half where once again the celtics looked tired and sloppy.
This was the sixth game in 11 days for the celtics.
When everyone thoought the Celtics would come back after the loss to the Lakers, the Celtics had another poor fourth quarter finish against the Warriors getting outscored 35-17 in the quarter.
They blew out the Kings 108-63 but then followed it up with a loss to Portland. This was a competitive game until the secon half where once again the celtics looked tired and sloppy.
Response to Lakers end Boston's 19 Game Winning Streak (5)
Having had watched this game I have got to say that this was a disappointing game to say the least. The Celtics disappeared in the fourth quarter of this game. They did not show as much hustle in this game as they have throughout the late win streak. Paul Pierce who had 20 pts in the game had none in the 4th quarter. I find this unacceptable for the Captain of the team. Ray Allen shot 2-11 after making his first three shots. I also watched Trevor Ariza make a nice hustle play saving the ball from going out of bounds and passing it to a teammate for an uncontested layup. Only on Celtic made it on to the defensive end for this play. Terrible, The biggest game on the schedule so far, and the C's don't even show up.
It was not only the offense who turned the ball over 18 times by the way but the defense and more importantly the interior defense that could not find a away to stop Pau Gasol at the end of the game.
Well maybe Kobe was right and we were just due for a loss, but playing like that I don't think that we would have beaten Oklahoma City...
Call it a wake up call and look for the Celtics to come back with a couple of big wins.
It was not only the offense who turned the ball over 18 times by the way but the defense and more importantly the interior defense that could not find a away to stop Pau Gasol at the end of the game.
Well maybe Kobe was right and we were just due for a loss, but playing like that I don't think that we would have beaten Oklahoma City...
Call it a wake up call and look for the Celtics to come back with a couple of big wins.
Lakers end Boston's 19 Game Winning Streak
Kobe Bryant scored 27 pts and had 9 reb and 5 ast. Pau Gasol scored 20 pts and 7 in the last tree minutes of the game. Kobe later said that the Celtics had won 19 staight and therefore were "due for a loss".
This was also Lakers coach Phil Jackson's 1000th win and by winning this also makes him the 6th coach to reach 1000 wins and the fastest to do so in 1423 games.
The Celtics were actually leading the game with 4 min left in the game. Then the Lakers went off for a 13-2 run to end the game.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers commented that the team "started to lose their composure" towards the end of the game.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce had strong games despite the loss. KG 22 pts (shooting 11-14 from the floor) 9 reb. Pierce 20 pts 10 reb. Ray Allen scored 14 but finished the game shooting only 2-11.
This was also Lakers coach Phil Jackson's 1000th win and by winning this also makes him the 6th coach to reach 1000 wins and the fastest to do so in 1423 games.
The Celtics were actually leading the game with 4 min left in the game. Then the Lakers went off for a 13-2 run to end the game.
Celtics coach Doc Rivers commented that the team "started to lose their composure" towards the end of the game.
Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce had strong games despite the loss. KG 22 pts (shooting 11-14 from the floor) 9 reb. Pierce 20 pts 10 reb. Ray Allen scored 14 but finished the game shooting only 2-11.
Rsponse to: Celtics Rout 76ers for Club Record 19th Straight Win (4)
The Celtics are making it look so easy right now, they are winning the games that they should be winning against their recently weak schedule, leading to 19 straight wins. If they are to win the game against the Lakers, then that would tie them for the thirld longest winning streak in NBA history. Tied with none other than the Lakers 99-00 team. The longest streak of all time is the Lakers 71-72 team who won 33 in a row.
The Christmas day game against the Lakers will be a rematch of the Championship last year that the Celtics won in 6 games.
The game was not particularly exiting seeing as the C's led by double digits throughout virtually the entire game.
The sixers who have not shot well for three points in their last few games continued their woes in this game shooting 0 for 11 in the game and 0 for 19 in their last two games.
As far as the Celtics-Lakers game, I have a feeling that the Lakers will get the win in this one. In front of their home crowd look for a playoff atmosphere and for league MVP Kobe Bryant to have a good night.
EM
The Christmas day game against the Lakers will be a rematch of the Championship last year that the Celtics won in 6 games.
The game was not particularly exiting seeing as the C's led by double digits throughout virtually the entire game.
The sixers who have not shot well for three points in their last few games continued their woes in this game shooting 0 for 11 in the game and 0 for 19 in their last two games.
As far as the Celtics-Lakers game, I have a feeling that the Lakers will get the win in this one. In front of their home crowd look for a playoff atmosphere and for league MVP Kobe Bryant to have a good night.
EM
Celtics Rout 76ers for Club Record 19th Straight Win
The Celtics won their franchise record setting 19th striaght win agaist the Philadelphia 76ers. Leading scorers for the celtics were Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett with 18 each. Perkins had a strong night with 8 pts and 11 reb Ray Allen had 16 pts as well. Although the starters did not have to play much of this game in the game because of the near blowout score.
The Celtics are now 27-2, which is the best ever two loss start in the NBA. It is also the fourth longest in NBA history.
With the fans looking towards Christmas day's game against the LA Lakers, they brought back the famous "Beat LA" chant made famous in the 80s when the real big 3 played for the C's.
This game was never close, the 76ers did not shoot well shooting 0 for 11 for 3 pointers.
The Celtics are now 27-2, which is the best ever two loss start in the NBA. It is also the fourth longest in NBA history.
With the fans looking towards Christmas day's game against the LA Lakers, they brought back the famous "Beat LA" chant made famous in the 80s when the real big 3 played for the C's.
This game was never close, the 76ers did not shoot well shooting 0 for 11 for 3 pointers.
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