Friday, November 30, 2007

Celt .45s

Wow. This is getting almost Patriot-like. The Celtics cruised (that's not even an accurate enough term) to a stunning 104-59 win over yet another hapless New York franchise, bettering Boston's record to 12-2 in the young NBA campaign. That's right fifty-nine Knick points—rescued from their worst loss ever by a buzzer-beating trey.

By the way, 12 wins is exactly 50% of the total garnered in all of the 2006-2007 season. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen each scored 21 points—despite both sitting out the entire 4th Quarter. Kevin Garnett played only 22 minutes, and still got 11 boards.

Of course, part of this story is that the Knickerbockers are about as lousy as a professional team can get—and are "coached" by the "fraud-de tutti-fraud" of all time, one Isiah Thomas.

Nevertheless, this Celtic Thing is really starting to catch on. These guys are still undefeated at home and seem destined to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals unless injury befalls TNBT (The New Big Three). Enjoy this while it lasts—which could be all the way to June.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Victory Over Lakers Will Get Attention

This blissful start to the 2007-2008 season is all well and good. But, fans of the Green for more than a few years were (understandably) a little skeptical. The 1986 Championship seems like two lifetimes ago to those of us who are old enough to remember Jungle Jim Loscutoff rambling down the lane. (By the way, Jim and his son run a great kids' camp in Andover, Mass. called Camp Evergreen).

Anyway, last night's 107-94 win over the hated Lakers may offer the first opportunity for the rest of the country to stand up and take notice. If the Celtics are solid enough to dispatch the lads from La-La Land, the national pundits might opine, something must be up in Boston. The Governator came all the way from Sacramento the see the game. Heck, there were even "BEAT L.A." signs in the Garden again!

And so it should be. The New Big Three (who will heretofore be known on this blog as "TNBT") showed up in force once again—Garnett (21 pts., 11 boards); Pierce (20 pts.); Allen (18 pts.). But two other C's were huge in the win over "Kobe and Four Other Guys" (heretofore referred to as "KAFOG")—Rajon Rondo with 10 assists and the resurgent Kendrick Perkins with 21 points and 9 boards.

All in all, a very satisfying victory for the suddenly 10-1 Division leaders. That sounds so right.

Monday, November 19, 2007

Almost Perfect

It had to end some time. And, it did in the swamps of Central Florida, as the C's lost their first game of the year to the Magic, 104-102.

The Cs battled from 20 down, trailing after three quarters, to make it a game at the end. They fell just one Pierce 3-pointer short at the buzzer.

The Big Three were aided by some complementary parts last night—although Pierce led the way with 28 points, joined by Allen with 19 and Garnett with 14 (and another double-double). The exciting rookie Rajon Rondo added 18 points in the comeback—but the Celts were victimized by only 4 of 16 shooting from the three-point arc. So, it's over. But, the fact that the team battled back to make a game of it is yet another new wrinkle in your 2007-8 Celtics.

Monday, November 12, 2007

This Undefeated Stuff Could Get Contagious

First, the Red Sox won seven straight post-season games on their way to World Series Championship number seven. Then, the Pats laid waste to the NFL, running up a 9-0 record on their way to the second perfect season in league history.

Now, your 2007-2008 Boston Celtics have just won game number five, against, oh yeah, zero losses. What the heck has been dropped in the Quabbin Reservoir? What ever it is, order up five more cases for the Bruins!

In an emotional win for Coach Doc Rivers (who lost his Dad days earlier), the Cs convincingly beat the Nets 112-101 at Exit 37 W.

The Big Three were the Big Three again—Pierce getting 28; Allen 27; Garnett 18.

Can we be witnessing the true revival of the Green? Well, the last time they went 5-0 to start a season, the Big Three were you-know-who in 87-88.

Monday, November 05, 2007

Great Start For "Big Three II"

Well, it's just two games. But, the early returns on "Big Three II-The Next Generation" are pretty encouraging. First, the Green dispatched the Washington Wizards and Gilbert "The Mouth That Bored" Arenas. Then, on Sunday, they traveled up to America Lite and whipped the Raptors 98-95 in OT. The final nail in the coffin this time came via a corner three by Ray Allen.

But, again, Kevin Garnett soared with 23 points (10 in OT) to go along with 13 boards in what is shaping up to be one continuous Double-Double. Oh, and the screen off which the Allen winner was sunk was set by Mr. Garnett.

Our original All-Star (Paul Pierce) chipped in with 13 points and 6 assists, while the almost forgotten James Posey netted 11. This is balance, my friends. Unselfish balance. The watchword of Red.

This could be the beginning of a beautiful relationship, Boston.