Wally World Coming To The Garden

Well, Danny Ainge is no lay-about. He pulled off yet another block-buster 4-for-3 trade that, on the surface at least, is a major upgrade for the Green. The centerpiece of the deal is the former All-Star and blazing shooter Wally Szczerbiak coming over from the Timberwolves. The Szcerb-Meister is averaging 20.1 points per game this year--with a nearly 50% shooting percentage and rock solid numbers from the line (think we need some of that action?).

Also in the deal are former #1 overall pick Michael Olowokandi, and a young center from St. Joe's named Dwayne Jones--who could be the sleeper in this thing down the road. The C's gave up Marcus Banks, Mark Blount, Ricky Davis, Justin Reed, and two conditional second round draft choices (with lottery protection).

Losing Ricky Davis is a bit of a downer--since he was the second most reliable scorer behind Pierce and had completely shed his "idiot" image under Doc Rivers. But, even with Davis' scoring, the C's were lacking a pure shooter who can take pressure of Pierce in late situations (we have lost a bunch of games by 4 points or less). Szczerbiak gives us that weapon.

Also, while we are taking on another big contract, we shed a couple as well (Davis and Blount). More importantly, the extra space on the bench gives the kids more opportunity to flow into the mainstream. This deal means more meaningful minutes for Perkins, Jeffferson and West. So, the addition of Wally World may pave the way for a more consistent, youthful, athletic Celtic team NOW. Good deal, Danny.

Back To The Past

So, who says it's the kids that have to carry the total load? Last night, some of the Old Guard took charge--most particularly Ricky Davis--in the Celtic's 91-78 win over the hive-less Hornets.

Davis scored 32 points (17 in the 3rd Quarter) to pace the Celts--who also got big contributions from senior citizens Paul Pierce (16 points) and Raef LaFrentz (18 points).

The "Kiddie Corps" of Jefferson, Perkins and West all scored in the single digits. Maybe they just need a "Time Out". Sorry.

The Kids Are All Right!

The Celtics' future was on display last night as the 16-time World Champions dispatched the Minnesota "Kevin McHale IS Walking Through That Door" Timberwolves at the Gaaden. The 103-96 C's victory was sparked by huge contributions by both Kendrick Perkins (17 points) and Al Jefferson (18 points) and the usual 25 points from Captain Paul Pierce. Add to this the fact that this blog's favorite Celtic, Delonte West, scored the first 8 Green points of the second half, and you have the makings of a youth movement. Young, fast, athletic Celtics! Will wonders never cease?

Finally, A Break!

The Celtics finally caught a late-game break and foiled an opponent's winning streak by edging the Atlanta Hawks in the "deep" South 98-94. Ricky Davis hit a trey with less than 2 minutes to go to give the C's their first lead in a while, and Paul Pierce nailed another 27 points in preventing the Hawks from enjoying the 3-game streak. Brian Scalabrine was on the floor for 28 minutes and, while not exacly lighting up the scoring sheet, pitched in with key plays when needed. Lost amid all the potential Paul Pierce trade rumors was the fact that the captain logged his 13,000th point in the victory.

One Hundred Shots Heard Round The Garden

The Charlotte Bobcats (a team named after a small snow removal device) nearly beat your Celtics at the Gaaden on Wednesday night by taking 100--that's right--100 shots. We're not even going to talk about how the North Carolinians dominated the Green on turnover points (35-5), or the fact that Boston blew numerous double-digit leads. Let's just say they were WICKED LUCKY to pull out a victory.

The 109-106 shaky win was the result of another MVP performance by Paul Pierce (31 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds--and some want to trade this guy?), and another complementary effort by the suddenly 'Character Guy' Ricky Davis (23 points).

Future star Orien Greene layed in the game winner with under a minute to play, as the Celts stayed teasingly just good enough to keep us all from counting down the days to Spring Training (44).

The Western White Wash

Maybe it was the old uniforms. The Celtics capped off their 1-4 Left Coast swing with a sour 120-110 loss to the reeling Denver Nuggets (who couldn't buy a home win in late 2005). The Celts abandoned the new-wave Black and Green unis with the bold "BOSTON" across the chest, for the old "CELTICS" Green and White. That must be it.

Or, maybe just incredibly inconsistent defense, an off night for Ricky Davis, and plain bad luck. Captain Paul Pierce netted his ho-hum 29 points, and Delonte West (READ: Star of the Future, Do Not Trade) got a career-high 20 points.

But it was just too much Kenyon Martin, Carmello Anthony, Andre Miller and the immortal Earl Boykins (gratuitous cheap shot, he's really not that bad).

Anyway, this team just can't seem to project an identity from night to night. When the offense shines, the defense folds--and vice-versa. Is this coaching? I hope not. I like everything about Doc Rivers--his attitude, the way he handles players, his smarts on and off the court. I hope he stays and this team finds a way to gel into a respectable NBA product.