Celtics 99 - Grizzlies 98
A very quick recap of the Celtics first win since opening night, but it would be foolish to devote time to anyone else than the Celtics captain Paul Pierce. Not only did Pierce submit yet another tremendous performance, but he also made the game winning assist. Since the beginnings of the Full Court Press, I have criticized Paul Pierce time and time again. Much of my criticism was levied at Pierce because I believed that he was forcing his own shots at the end of games and calling his own Isolation plays in an attempt to win the game by himself. But, much has happened over the past year, and Pierce has made a number of strides since that point to become a much better playmaker than I had imagined.
The devastating losses that the Celtics suffered against the Pistons and Bobcats followed last year’s theme of Iso-laden offense and forced shooting from Paul Pierce down the stretch. But, it seems that Doc Rivers is actually calling those Isolation plays and limiting his team’s ball movement when they perhaps need it most. Placing blame at Pierce’s feet for Doc’s absurd play calling was incorrect and misplaced, but Doc continued his failed thought process through the previous game. Tonight’s final play was Exhibit A as to why passing and moving without the ball breed much more success than hoping your best player can get a basket with the entire defense focused on his every move.
Paul Pierce is a very good, sometimes great player. Under Jim O’Brien his decision making suffered severely, and it took an entire season under Doc Rivers to shake the bad habits of Obieball. Now with a renewed approach to the game, Paul Pierce is making good decisions with the basketball and can find the open man as well as anyone on the roster. Tonight, Pierce’s improved passing and vision paid off with a pass to an open Ricky Davis for the game winning 17 foot jump shot. Two years ago, I believe Paul Pierce takes the shot himself with the defense in his face, but Pierce is so much more aware of his teammates today that he was determined to make sure that his team got the best possible chance to win the game. You don’t always want your best player being the decoy, but doing so from time to time would prevent teams from double and triple teaming Pierce if he does take the final shot.
The numbers have always been impressive from Paul Pierce (29 points, 9-13 FG, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 blocks tonight), but in the past it has been failures in situations like tonight that have kept Pierce from getting his due. No doubt, if Paul Pierce can continue to execute and make the types of intelligent decisions that put the Celtics in a position to succeed then this franchise can win a lot of ball games. It really is up to Doc to not let this team fall into the Iso trap, and make things much easier on the defense to stop. One measly field goal in the final 10 minutes of play against the expansion Charlotte Bobcats is an obvious sign that his play calls (heavy on the Iso’s) were not working.
Who knows if Doc read some of our ramblings here and found Jesus in how to run an offense down the stretch. But one thing is certain, for at least tonight, Doc Rivers figured out that if he lets his team move the ball around and put the rock in Pierce’s hands, good things can happen.
Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to see if this smart game planning can continue on Friday against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs. I have yet to hear what the line is on this game, but the over/under on times “Tim Duncan has never lost to the Celtics” is uttered between now and then is set at 56.
Place your bets now, Pete Sheppard. I think Tony Battie is starting.
