To our bakers dozen of loyal readers out there, consider this to be an open invitation to write for Full Court Press. We need passionate articulate followers of the Celtics who are interested in writing the occasional piece for no pay and little glory. What I can offer you in return (at least until we start making some money) is guidance and hands-on experience in the world of freelance writing as well as a built-in readership that comes along with the association with Bruce Allen’s successful Boston Sports Media blog. Also, we need girls and we’re not ashamed to admit it. To clarify, there aren’t many women bloggers out there covering the Celtics and we would love to be the site that adds their voices into the mix. Regardless of your gender, however, experience is not necessary. That’s what editors (me) are for. Much like when Dick Vermeil held open tryouts for the Philadelphia Eagles in the mid-seventies, I expect some fat guys wearing capes to show up to audition. This is fine with me. In my humble opinion, there’s nothing better than fat guys wearing capes acting jolly and mucking up the works. Anyway, if you want your Celtics-related thoughts to be digested by the smartest readers on the entire web, reach out to me by sending an e-mail to Kevin@bostonsportsmedia.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

By Kevin Henkin

See, here’s what occurs to me about the Celtics or, specifically, about covering and rooting for them: Despite the rough weekend, things have never been so good. Not for my generation anyway. Following the surprising second loss in three games against inferior competition, I recalled a moment from my youth during the early-to-mid eighties. I had woken up on a Saturday morning to find that the Celtics had suffered the second of rare back-to-back losses out on a West coast swing. Looking up from the paper in disgust, I muttered something to the effect that the Celtics “sucked”.

I’ll never forget the look of astonishment on my father’s face. It must have taken him a moment to realize that for as long as I had been rooting for the Celtics, they had always been exceptional, always been a contender. As far as I knew things, Larry Bird, Robert Parish & Co. had always been there chalking up a steady stream of wins. As a result, I completely lacked the perspective to understand what a couple of unexpected mid-season losses meant, which is to say: not much.

Having learned that valuable lesson long ago, I advise you to erase these losses from the memory banks as quickly as possible. Chalk them up to fatigue or perhaps a bit of a timely karma reality check. Perhaps people will now quit all those useless speculations about the team’s chances of surpassing 72 wins and remember that the regular season serves most usefully as a qualifier for the playoffs. By now we already know that barring a Garnett injury, this team will glide to a division title in its sleep. In the meantime, they’ll certainly try to win every game they play but will also understand the greater importance of keeping their key players healthy and rested while otherwise continuing the learning process together and sorting out who else can contribute under various circumstances.

For the rest of us who love the team and the sport of basketball, it all remains ever so compelling, even on a daily basis. Think of all the storylines to follow. Will Tony Allen ever stabilize and evolve? Is Big Baby the real deal as a draft night steal? Is Garnett’s gravitational force on the team’s intensity sustainable? Will Kendrick Perkins eventually snap and go gladiator on a slew of terrified opponents? All of the above sure beats watching another year of Paul Pierce aging through his prime in misery while Bassy Telfair and Gerald Green continue to not get it.

As for the rest of this season, I hope we can all take a collective step back from placing so much grave importance on these regular season games. Leave that useless hysteria for the new generation Red Sox fans. The Detroit game? Yeah, that mattered because it served as a litmus test of whether the newly constructed Celtics could stand up to the uber-battled-tested and long assembled Pistons. A disappointing yet meaningless loss to the Wizards? Ummmm…not so much.

To reiterate: 30-5. An .857 winning percentage. Front-runners for home court advantage throughout the playoffs. And as if life couldn’t get any better, those guys who somehow beat the Celtics a couple nights ago? They have the misfortune of having to face them again immediately thereafter on the parquet floor. And you thought Garnett looked irritable during nine game winning streaks? Pass the popcorn, boyos. This ought to be good.

To pass the time until the Celtics can redeem themselves on Friday against the Nets, I offer the following abbreviated version of Quotable Quotes:

“You never know. Some teams can jell quickly. I thought that they would take longer to jell, but they’ve proved everybody wrong. They’re really, really good.”
-Shane Battier before the Rockets’ loss to Boston

“Everybody glorifies their Big Three scoring. You [also] have to glorify the defensive side of basketball for them.”
-Rafer Alston before that same Rockets loss

“They look at us, it’s crazy, but as much publicity that they’ve gotten, they’re looking at us like we’re the big dog, And that’s validation of that; when they win a game like that they go crazy like it’s the Super Bowl.”
-Chauncey Billups, reflecting two days after the Detroit loss to Boston

“They were so good. We just really, really started to dislike — not dislike — close to hate (them). It would just make me sick to see Bird do what he was able to do as a basketball player. And as it went on, it got more intense and more intense, and then we ended up with all of the things that happened. You know, slugging each other, all of that sort of thing, and some fights. That went on because of the rivalry. It was pretty brutal at that time”
-Former Coach Chuck Daly on the Celtics-Pistons Rivalry in the 1980’s.

“We still look at Detroit as the cream of the crop in the Eastern Conference, and I’m pretty sure that they don’t look past us as being one of the top teams in the Western Conference.”
-Jerry Stackhouse on the Pistons, following Detroit’s loss to Boston

“Why the hell can’t they stop Nazr Mohammed?!”
-Kevin Henkin, shouting to no one in particular during the Celtics perplexing loss to the Charlotte Bobcats

By Kevin Henkin

As I noted a few weeks ago, the Celtics have become so good that complaining has essentially gone out of style in these parts. This obviously poses quite a problem for us negativity-fueled writers. As a solution, we have been forced to adjust our standards for what is deemed worthy of criticism from “downright petty” to “simply ridiculous”. Bearing these freshly established unreasonable standards in mind, I’ve got some new bones to pick with the Celtics team. Here are just a few of the latest notable imperfections that are bugging me these days…

Tony Allen’s Allergic Reaction to Orange Leather

Although Tony Allen has shown some ability to create opportunities for his teammates on offense, do you ever honestly feel safe when he faces pressure while handling the ball at the point? Me neither, mostly because he acts as if his fingers are severely allergic to orange leather whenever dribbles the ball for too long. Yes, this space has previously advocated bringing a Gary Payton type onboard, not because we love loud-mouthed has-beens. Rather, we are concerned by the idea that a player with a weak handle becomes the starting point guard whenever Rajon Rondo goes down to injury.

Ray Allen’s Invisible Man Cream

Sure, the Celtics were able to win the glorified scrimmage against the Memphis Grizzlies and the epic road battle against the Pistons despite Ray Allen’s startling impression of thin air on offense. Yes, yes, history is obviously on Ray Allen’s side here. Even so, the long-term and likely playoff success of the team will be largely dependent upon Ray Allen’s ability to be consistent.

Kendrick Perkins’s Recent Propensity for Technical Fouls

Okay, so they still won the games despite the needless freebies provided to the opposition courtesy of Mr. Perkins. My greater concern is that he’ll go “Robert Parish on Bill Laimbeer” in one of these games and the Celtics will lose him to suspension. Remember the old saying: It takes a big man to cry but it takes a bigger man to laugh at that man.

Rajon Rondo’s DVR Box

According to Rajon Rondo’s blog, his favorite television shows include The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Will & Grace and The Love Boat. Okay, I made one of those up (but only one). Also, Oceans 11, 12 AND 13 were listed among his top seven movies. This is unacceptable. Color me officially concerned that the man charged with running the Celtics offense, a job that obviously requires sound judgment, has some highly questionable taste in television shows and movies.

We Aren’t the Champions (Yet), My Friends

It might be a little early to be cueing up the Freddy Mercury victory tunes. Nevertheless, all that seemed to be missing from the post-game Celtics celebration in Motown last Saturday was a tiny Dominican man and some cases of chilled champagne. I also felt the burning of Bill Laimbeer in effigy at halfcourt “for previous offenses against the delicate sensibilities of Johnny Most” was a bit over the top. As Papa Joe Paterno once notably advised, when you hit the end zone, try to act as if you’ve been there before.

I’m sure I’m missing some other infractions against perfection here but I remain ever diligent on the case to bring them to your attention. After all, if people can complain that the immense win against Detroit was “ugly” (as, to my amazement, some have), then nothing else is really out of bounds to kvetch about. Stay tuned.

By Mike Brilliant

The Celtics haven’t played anyone this year….They’ve enjoyed a cushy home schedule so far…Just wait until they get on the west coast…and finally….silence…..

Well, the Celtics’ first west coast trip is officially on the books with an impressive four game sweep against the Kings, Sonics, Jazz and shorty-short throwback Lakers. The last two games were very chippy indeed, involving multiple technicals, throw-downs, bloody faces and even a ridiculously uncalled-for NFL tackle from Lousy Loser Lamar Odom. Seemingly unfazed, the Celtics completed the week with record pace 26-3 overall record. The following grades are handed out based on that week’s worth of work:

Coach Doc Rivers: A+

Rivers appears to be pressing all the right buttons these days. Most teams would be prone to sluggishness from playing four games in five nights after a long west coast flight. Unsurprisingly, it seemed like the Celts were indeed sluggish in the first half of the Kings, Sonics and Jazz games. Thankfully, Rivers appeared to unleash some constructively motivating halftime locker room speeches because his team turned it on in the second half of each of those four games.

Rivers raised a few eyebrows by slotting Tony Allen as the starting point guard when Rajon Rondo was declared out of the Lakers game with a bum hamstring. We’ve all seen T.A. play at the point for a couple minutes here and there but his handle is um…a little less than comforting at times. After all, this is the same guy that Tommy Heinsohn wanted to restrict to a two-dribble-and-pass-or-shoot rule last year. Well forget us doubters because boy did it work! Allen submitted an efficient 6 point and 4 assist performance while preserving Eddie House’s best role as a gunner off the bench. In short, nice call by the coach.

Paul Pierce: A (C- in 1st halves, A+ in second halves)

Pierce averaged 27.5 points, 6 rebounds and 5.5 assists on the west coast. He only shot 40% from the field but went 14-23 from deep waters and 36-40 from the line.
Pierce had a mediocre first half in the Seattle game and a brutal first half in the Utah game. However, he recovered to light it up in the second half of those two games scoring 26 and 24 respectively. In short, the captain scored points when the team needed them the most and continued to play above-average defense (See Artest, Crazy, Ron,). Pierce also earned his second Player of the Week award in three weeks.

Kevin Garnett: A-

Teams are starting to get frustrated with the Celtics’ intensity and championship-style defense. From this couch, it looked like Utah and L.A. were taking out those frustrations primarily on Garnett. The Big Ticket got thumped on the head and knocked down during the Utah game and was bloodied by an errant Bynum elbow in the Lakers game.
Other than band-aid above the eye boxer’s look, KG was his usual rock self. He fell shy by one rebound in the Utah game of submitting a double-double in all four games.

Ray Allen: B+

Allen shot a bit better on this trip (44%) than his season average (42%). However, as has been typical, his three bombs always seemed to detonate at the right time. He averaged 17 points and once again gave Kobe Bryant (who shot 6-25) fits on Sunday night.

Rajon Rondo: C

Rondo missed the Lakers game from an injured hamstring, which occurred during the Utah game. However, even before the injury, Rondo didn’t play as well as he had been playing, averaging 7 points, 5 assists and only shooting 28.5%. He also let old friend Delonte West light it up with 19 points and 8 assists. I have a feeling he’ll be up for the Detroit game on Saturday night, as he may have a score to settle with a certain Chauncey “You can’t guard me with all my big game performances” Billups.

Kendrick Perkins: B+

Big K did his job on the trip. He played good defense and averaged 8 boards in just over 22 minutes a game. Perkins did, however, earn two silly technical fouls on the trip, one of which was for his post-dunk murderous stare at Andrew Bynum and the Lakers.

James Posey: B

Jimmy James was his usual rock off the bench. Rivers said before the trip that he would rely on the bench a bit more during the four game haul and Posey was the big winner minutes-wise. He played an average of 28 minutes and averaged 8 points and 5 boards per game.

Eddie House B

The Microwave shot 7-17 from 3 point land. For the week, he averaged 9 points per game and had a +/- of +27, which is exactly what you want to see from one of your key bench players.

Tony Allen: A

Allen was everything you could ask for in a spot starter against the Lakers on Sunday night. He played good defense and had a line of 16-3-4 in 42 minutes. As mentioned above, his play also allowed the team to keep Eddie House in his customary role as “the spark off the bench”. After witnessing a few occasional jams from Allen over the last few weeks, we then saw him miss one against Utah. Stay tuned.

Glen “Big Baby” Davis: C

Big Baby got 2 DNP-CD’s this week but he did manage to play 11 minutes in the other two games. Excluding the Utah game, it seems like Davis has lost his role of the bench to Pollard, although the size of opposing bigs remains the primary driver behind Davis’s minutes.

Brian Scalabrine: C

Scalabrine played 10 inconsequential minutes this week. He did manage to get 4 boards and also chucked up 2 errant threes (Look out!).

Scot Pollard: C

Pollard saw more minutes this week that any other during this young season and his performance was uneven. He submitted a solid effort in Sacramento, netting 5 boards in 10 minutes. Unfortunately, he then laid a stinker in Seattle with the following line: 13 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 1 TO and 4 fouls. Utah was a DNP-CD and in L.A. he had 3 boards.

Leon Powe: Incomplete

Well, to be fair, Leon did get 47 seconds in the Lakers game…..

Gabe Pruitt: Incomplete

Did play 1 minute in the Lakers game. However, the long rookie point guard could see some significant minutes in the week ahead if Rondo continues to be bothered by his sore hammy.

By Kevin Henkin

Changing gears a bit, we’re going to add a new regular feature here at FCP by handing the microphone over to some other folks who have some interesting thoughts to offer regarding all things Celtics:

“They all of a sudden have something at stake now, which is their absolute legacy. And now they’re going to use each other, a little bit like we did two years ago. We used each other to establish something because we felt we had something at stake.”
- Pat Riley on the Big Three

“I’m like everyone else. I didn’t care about the Celtics the last few years. But now I love watching them. Kevin Garnett is the best. Every time you look, he’s got a double-double.”
- New England Revolution star Taylor Twellman on being a shameless front-runner (Someone get this man a pink hat immediately!)

“I thought they were actually better than I expected in some areas, better defensively…I thought that they were what I expected from the standpoint of their main guys.”
- Flip Saunders during a Detroit radio interview after defeating Boston

“I’m looking forward to watching the Celtics. I love the way they play.”
- TNT Analyst Charles Barkley, who hasn’t had a kind word to say about the Boston team since roughly the Reagan administration, before the game against Seattle on December 27th

“I like Rondo. He’s figuring it out. I think the biggest thing he has to learn is to say ‘no’. No, I’m not giving it to you right now. No, you’re open [but] yes, I’m still going to run this play…When you’re running the point guard position, you’re like the quarterback. You have to understand who gets it, when they get it and why they get it. Even though they are the best players on the planet, you still decide who gets it.”
- TNT Analyst Kenny Smith on Rajon Rondo and the challenges of running the Celtics’ offense

“If Rondo can’t stop Delonte West, the Celtics can’t beat Detroit.”
- Barkley on Delonte West’s scoring effort (19 points in 25 minutes on 6-8 shooting) against the Celtics and Rondo

“”I don’t know if anyone has improved as much as Rondo. When you put what he’s doing in that pressure situation … he has done an unbelievable job. He has a tough job, being the quarterback of that team. And for a second-year guy, having to play with the superstars that he’s playing with, he hasn’t deferred to those guys. He’s shown a lot of aggressiveness.”
- Flip Saunders on Rondo

“I don’t know if they have gone on any extended road trips yet. I know they usually take a big one right after the Christmas break. We just hope to see them out West where we can beat them up a little bit.”
- Phil Jackson about the Celtics to a Chicago reporter in mid-December

“We’re better. I think our continuity is better, our rhythm is better and I think we have a better understanding of what our strengths and weaknesses are.”
- Kobe Bryant about the Celtics, days before suffering a 19 point season series sweep defeat against them at home

“They’re leaving here like they’re giving away free tofu outside.”
- Celtics Announcer Mike Gorman during the aforementioned game against the Lakers in Los Angeles with 3:40 left in the fourth quarter and the Celtics ahead by 19

“I don’t care what they would have offered me for Kevin Garnett. I think I would have turned it down. Those guys come along once every twenty years, maybe. I know they hadn’t been winning with him, but that couldn’t have been Kevin’s fault. He’s simply too good a player. Poor Kevin [McHale]. He must be answering a lot of questions these days. I really feel badly for Kevin. I like him. I think his good friend Danny did it to him, pulled the wool over his eyes or something. Danny, all of a sudden, is on top of the world as he should be, and Kevin is probably hiding in his cellar.”
- Bob Cousy reflecting recently on the Kevin Garnett trade

By Kevin Henkin

As people who are fond of clichés like to say, life is often stranger than fiction. After all, what kind of Celtics’ year could begin with an 18 game losing streak (originated on January 7th) and end with the team leading the league in wins and all relevant defensive categories? And yet, the men in green still strive for greater improvement, as evidenced by their rumored recently sworn 2008 new years resolutions, detailed as follows:

Kevin Garnett – Resolves to leap tall buildings in a single bound, which is about all the Big Ticket hasn’t done for his new team already. Also resolves to drive Rasheed Wallace clinically insane by Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Paul Pierce – Resolves to keep that chip on his shoulder firmly in place because it serves him so well. Also resolves to continue channeling frustrations from dirty or rough defenders (e.g. Ron Artest, Matt Harpring and Jamaal Tinsley) into gritty offensive performances. Lastly, resolves not to call Antoine Walker in the middle of the night and giggle like a schoolgirl into his answering machine.

Ray Allen – Resolves to win at least three more games with back-breaking last-second three pointers and to continue earning his nickname of That Smooth Killer That Is Ray Allen.

Kendrick Perkins – Resolves to avoid killing any opponents with his bare hands (same every year). Also resolves to keep the ball above the shoulders on offensive rebounds and to smile at least once per game.

Rajon Rondo – Resolves to take the open jumper. Also resolves to grow three inches in order to be able to stack up against Chauncey Billups and to utilize speed to consistently stay in front of his man on defense.

James Posey – Resolves to draw at least one charge on each player in the NBA not wearing a Celtics uniform. Also resolves to provide longer pre-game hugs to his starting teammates.

Eddie House – Resolves to overcome latent fear of full court presses and one-year contracts. Also resolves to increase the quickness on his catch-and-shoot release span to the speed of sound.

Glen “Big Baby” Davis – Resolves to prove that he can actually slam dunk the ball during a game. Also resolves to quietly remind everyone with his play that he was a throw-in second rounder in the Ray Allen trade.

Scot Pollard – Resolves to single-handedly usher Chester Arthur’s bushy muttonchops back into style. Also resolves to utilize J.D. Drew’s oxygen chamber as a means of avoiding any further inexplicable injuries.

Tony Allen – Resolves to finish every fast break or drive to the basket with a thunderous dunk, thus conquering of his fear of blowing out his knee again.

Brian Scalabrine – Resolves to keep his chin up and remember that his value to this team is far from limited to his in-game minutes.

Leon Powe – Resolves to stop wishing terrible things upon Glen Davis, who has unceremoniously stolen his role as the “young physical energy guy with six fouls to burn”. Also resolves to grow his hair out into an afro to avoid any further resemblance comparisons to Tracy Morgan of SNL and 30 Rock fame so people will stop randomly shouting “I’m Brian Fellows!” at him.

On a personal note, I resolve to continue to thoroughly enjoy writing about this particular incarnation of the Boston Celtics. Let me put it thusly: We’re onto something special here, folks. If there were any doubters about lack of scheduling difficulty before this past week as a means of undermining their impressive record, let me present to you the just completed west coast swing as Exhibit A as evidence otherwise. This team is for real.

By Mike Brilliant

This week was first quarterly exam time for the Celts. The exam started out as a true test of toughness with a game against the playoff grizzled, crunch time battled, former champions – the Detroit Pistons. Then the Celts eased back into playing the underachieving Chicago Bulls while finishing off the week trying to avenge a 2 point loss against the up and coming Magic. Let’s see how the Celts fared with the grades just out from the professor….

Coach Doc Rivers: C (Tom Thibodeau: A++++)

Doc was tested in the Detroit game. He got a taste of what the playoffs will be like. Simple coaching adjustments can make or break a game. Flip Saunders went to Billups throughout the 4th quarter to take advantage of his size advantage over Rondo. Rivers’s counter move was to insert Tony Allen to cover Billups. Allen created a turnover on Detroit’s second to last possession seemingly leading to the Celts getting the last shot to win. Unfortunately, Allen was also on Billups on the last possession, biting on his upfake with 0.1 left on the game clock. Game over.

Otherwise, I didn’t mind the play that Doc called on the Celts last possession versus Detroit.

Option 1: Ray Allen was to inbound the ball to Garnett who in turn could post up his man or go back to Allen or Pierce.

Option 2: Allen inbounds to an open Pierce who takes his man for the winning shot.
We all know what happened. Is it Doc’s fault? Or the players (Allen and/or Pierce)?

Ultimately I think the blame falls on Doc for time management and the players’ decision making.

Overall, the Celtics’ defense was terrific all week. Props to Tom Thibodeau! And to my colleague Kevin Henkin for mentioning in his article that Tommy T. needs more accolades.

Paul Pierce: B

The Captain really struggled against Detroit. Tayshaun Prince is a tough matchup for anyone because he’s got freakishly long arms. Pierce shot 5-16 that night. Of course, the 16th shot was the most important, which he missed AND left 3.7 ticks on the clock. This was just enough time for Billups and the Pistons to upfake their way to a win. Pierce did have outstanding games against Chicago (22 points and 7 boards) and Orlando (24 points and 6 assists). The Chicago game impressed me the most. Luol Deng has consistently shut down Paul the last 2 years, but Pierce rose above and shot an efficient 6-11, including 4-6 on threes in the blowout win.

Kevin Garnett: A-

Garnett posted 26 and 12 vs. Detroit and 21 and 12 vs. Orlando. And, of course, stellar defense. As a plus, by blowing out Chicago, the Celtics only needed him for 25 minutes on Friday night. Limiting KG’s minutes will be important with four games in five nights on the left coast next week.

Ray Allen: A-

Look who’s ankles are feeling better…… to the tune of 39 minutes a game this week. Allen averaged over 21 points while shooting 55% from the field and 50% from downtown, which is just what we ordered from this all-star with the trade for him last summer. When it comes to playing time for Allen, see the KG comments above.

Rajon Rondo: A+

It was a big week for Rondo. He averaged 15 points, 6 assists, 5 boards and 3 steals while shooting 60% from the floor. He scored a career high 23 versus Orlando and even hit 2 threes! Now if only he could grow 3 inches. Doc removed him from the Detroit game in favor of the less vertically challenged T. Allen. Next time we may see Rondo in there…..

Kendrick Perkins: B

Perkins played well against Orlando, pulling down 12 boards. Otherwise it was business as usual, taking about 6 shots a game and playing good defense. There didn’t appear to be any ill affects from the toe injury from the week before.

James Posey: B-

Posey went scoreless in 2 of the 3 games. However, his defensive intensity makes up for any games he may be offensively challenged, which hasn’t been many times this year anyway. He’s always up for hitting a big 3 ball. Maybe Posey should have been inserted to guard Billups last Wednesday? Just a thought, considering Chauncey’s size.

Eddie House: C-

House showed his non-traditional point guard skills (or lack thereof) against Detroit, especially with his difficulty in getting the ball over half court against Lindsey Hunter. He was also a defensive liability in that game. For all the good he has done off the bench this year, that game in particular revealed his weaknesses. I’m reasonably sure one of the available roster spots will be allocated to obtaining a true point.

Tony Allen: B

Allen played a key role in deciding the Detroit game. H e played good D on Billups, causing a key turnover with only seconds left. However, he then got schooled on a Billups upfake that cost the Celts the game only seconds later. The good news was Allen’s performance in the next game against Chicago, where he had 2 jams and a balanced line of 12 points, 5 boards, 2 dimes and 3 steals in 23 minutes.

Big Baby Davis: C

Not much of a factor this week. The starters played about 40 minutes a game in the Detroit and Orlando games limiting Big Baby’s minutes. He did play 18 non-eventful minutes in the Chicago game.

Brian Scalabrine: C

Two DNP’s and only 7 minutes of scrub time in the Chicago game. If the Celtics make any trades this year, his $3 million + salary will be useful.

Scot Pollard: B-

Pollard racked up 7 fouls in 20 minutes of action this week. But somehow he did his job even though he scored 1 point and pulled down 1 board.

Side note: My partner on the “Give and Go” articles, Al Assner, loves Pollard. Pollard is Al’s binky just like Walter McCarty was to Tommy. I suggested Al grow long sideburns and wear a headband to work, just like Scotie P.

Leon Powe: Incomplete

Leon saw 5 minutes in the 4th quarter of the Bulls game. He sharpened his elbows and got to the line 3 times for 4 points.

Gabe Pruitt: Incomplete

DNP x 3

Brandon Wallace: Sionara

Wallace was cut this week so his contract would not be guaranteed. He might have a future in the NBA, but he was too raw to contribute to this team. The roster spot will prove to be more valuable come February.

Gary Payton: B

Payton gets a B. As in “B” for begging to get back on the Celts. Travis Best get’s a “B-” for also begging, but not as loudly.

By Kevin Henkin

Ah yes, with the preponderance of lights and carols and good cheer, it can only mean one thing: Festivus season has finally arrived. I’d like to officially roll out the holiday with the special tradition commonly known as the Airing of Grievances, Full Court Press-style.

Grievance #1 – Hey Doc, give Tom Thibodeau some credit!

Whenever Doc Rivers is asked why his team is so much better on defense this year as compared to last year’s porous squad, he typically gives a snide response that alludes to the shift in personnel from youngsters to veterans. He’ll usually add an aside to the effect of, “Well, last year, we had to spend a whole practice on where the circle under the basket is located. These veteran guys though, they know exactly where that circle is so we were able to skip that practice [ha ha, derisive snort directed at his ignorant haters].” Okay, fair enough. Obviously, the departure of absentee defenders like Wally Szczerbiak and Sebastian Telfair and the likewise arrival of veteran defensive anchors like Kevin Garnett and James Posey has been an enormous factor. Nonetheless, how about throwing a little love to defensive guru Tom Thibodeau for his fine work as well? Not since the fat man roamed the sidelines in Foxboro has a local coach been so adamant in denying just accolades to his coaching staff. A hearty Bah Humbug to you, sir!

Grievance #2 – Stop qualifying wins!

Before our world came crashing down with the loss to Detroit last week, people were finding new and ridiculous ways to undermine the team’s 18-2 start. The most common sniggers were that the Celtics hadn’t yet played the elite teams and that some of the wins were against mid-level teams who were without their best players. Hmm, I didn’t realize we’d reached the level of winning around here that we could deride certain W’s as only half-earned victories. To this, I say, ‘Poppycock’! As a fat man who roamed the sidelines in Foxboro once remarked, you are what your record says you are, nothing more and nothing less.

Grievance #3 – Stop pretending the roster is complete!

With the dismissal of Brandon Wallace, the Celtics now have two coveted roster spots open. Accordingly, the beat reporters have repeatedly questioned Danny Ainge about whether those spots will be utilized. Both Ainge and Doc Rivers have consistently answered that they are deeply in love their roster as presently constituted, which means they must thoroughly enjoy watching their backup point guard melt into a puddle against a full court press and relish the challenge of a continued lack of depth at the bigs. Note to Danny Ainge: Brian Scalabrine is not a legitimate power forward and Scot Pollard is seemingly a bad sneeze away from landing himself in a full body cast. Meanwhile, players Gary Payton and P.J. Brown remain sitting on their couches, eating Cheetos and waiting by their phones. Assuming your own telephone remains in satisfactory working order, I say get to work and get it done, sir!

Grievance #4 – Save the paper!

It’s hard to ignore the recent clamoring of media to cover and comment upon the rejuvenated Celtics. This is appropriate to a certain degree because the increased coverage is in accordance with the heightened level of interest of the Boston fan base, which is of course the constituency of the media. Then again, I’m a little bit sickened by the whole idea because if you didn’t love basketball or care about the team enough to write about them B.K.G. (Before Kevin Garnett), then I’m pretty sure I don’t care a smidgen about what you think about them now during their current salad days. In short, a pox upon you all for being clumsy louses!

I’m sure there are some of you out there who may disagree with these important grievances. If so, feel free to meet me by the Festivus Pole and we’ll settle it out with some feats of strength until the issue is satisfactorily resolved. To the rest of you, please accept our wishes for a joyous Christmas holiday from the writers of FCP.

By Mike Brilliant and Al Assner

[Editor’s Note: This week brings us another installment of the “Give and Go”, a regular feature here at Full Court Press that offers the back-and-forth banter of two of our writers (Mike Brilliant and Al Assner) as they tackle the issues of the day. Again, if you’re looking for a seemingly endless stream of references to MTV’s The Real World or The Hills, you’ve clearly come to the wrong place. Mike and Al are all about the basketball.]

Al:

A few weeks have passed since the last get together and I have many things on my chest. But first off, obviously this start has been better than anyone could have expected. What has been the biggest surprise to you so far?

Mike:

The biggest surprise so far, and the #1 reason the Celts are 14-2, is the DEFENSE. The presence of Garnett has totally revamped the Boston D. Garnett is an imposing shot blocker at 6’11”. But he’s much more than that. Garnett is like the middle linebacker of the Celts defense. He’s calling switches on pick and rolls and directing his teammates to the right spots on the floor, ala Tedy Bruschi. But the improved D is not the sole product of Garnett. Both Rondo and Perkins are above average defenders for their positions. And with the 5 for 1 trade for Garnett, Rondo and Perk have seen their minutes double this season. And bringing James Posey off the bench to play the other teams’ best scorer (whether it’s a 2, 3 or 4) is a VERY nice luxury to have. Even a one-legged Tony Allen can still play some D. Scot Pollard can even play good positional defense on opposing big men. Unfortunately for Scot, there aren’t many true centers left in the NBA, so he only sees action once every four games. Coaching even plays a role in the Celts defensive resurgence. Tom (3rd Van Gundy brother) Thibodeau has the reputation as a defensive specialist and it’s showing on the court.

Al:

Their defense has been excellent and the “team ” aspect has been the main reason. It should be interesting when they play better offensive teams how this will work. To date, they haven’t played the best offensive teams so it should be interesting to see how this continues.

The biggest surprise for me has been the fact that I don’t think they have had more than one or two full offensive games. They are winning and crushing teams with 12 or 15 really good minutes. Every game it seems like they put on the gas in the 2nd and 3rd periods. It would be interesting to see if they could do that for 30 or 40 minutes a game. In my mind too many possessions are wasted by Paul Pierce taking a fall away.

Next question: What is your biggest complaint so far?

Mike:

Besides the cheerleaders changing out of their black bikini tops and black spandex pants after their first routine……….After the first 10 games, I would’ve complained about GPA’s heavy minutes. But it seems after this last stretch of 3 games in 4 nights, Doc is starting to get it. So I’ll complain about the lack of set plays in close games. Why do Pierce and sometimes Ray have to dribble out the clock and then settle for a fade away jumper? Why can’t the coaching staff call a timeout and draw up a set play which involves going inside to Garnett as the facilitator? We’ve seen how great of a playmaker Garnett is. If he gets multiple teamed then he’ll either kick out to Pierce or Allen or find a cutting Rondo or Posey under the hoop. What’s so difficult about that?

I’d also like to see Big Baby get a consistent 15-20 minutes a game. This guy is a beast. I realize he may foul out in less time than I would like. But this guy IS the only guy on the Celts who gets offensive boards on a consistent basis. Imagine if he lost 25 pounds
and added some strength?

Al:

The Big Baby minutes issue is my biggest complaint. We see this every year from Doc. He won’t play guys consistently for about 40 games. He did it with Ryan Gomes. Didn’t he do it with Delonte West too?

I think a good 15 minutes a night would be great, should be the first big man off the bench. He also functions well with Garnett in there, his lack of height is limited when playing alongside another big man. When he is the biggest guy that is when he gets in some trouble. Pollard has played well but it limited. He fits the 5 to 10 minute mold.

I don’t think 25 pounds is needed, but a partial Kendrick Perkins diet plan would help. He has a high basketball IQ, understands how to rebound and how to score.

If you had to pick one gift for the holidays would you rather have KG pour powder over your head or a James Posey motivational hug before you start your day? Why?

Mike:

My one gift would be for the top 8 guys in the rotation to stay HEALTHY. That’s the only thing that will hold the Celts back from competing for a championship this year. But to answer your real question……..I would rather have KG pour powder over my head Mike Gorman style. But I know already you would disagree and choose a hug from Posey.

Al:

Yes, how could you turn down a hug. Right before I enter my building for a day of work, if he told me to keep my head up, the day was going to be good, that I could make a difference and that I should watch out for the meatloaf in the cafeteria. That would make my day go much better.

Any questions?

Mike:

I still can’t believe that the Celts are so good that they now have the luxury of cruising through games until the 4th quarter against bad teams. Then they can turn it on and win at the end. This has now happened the last 2 games against Cleveland and Philly. Wow, how one lost lottery can make all the difference?

Al:

Absolutely. I think back to May 22nd and how pissed we all were, but especially you, screaming and smashing your free Celtics bottle opener on the sidewalk. From that point to where we are today has been amazing. As you know, I have justified most of Ainge’s moves over the years and I think he has always done a good job. When you have no assets, you need to accumulate them before you can build a cohesive team. I think he took that approach. I commend him for that.

But back to the summer. We know that the Ray Allen move was important, but obviously the KG trade was the point at which the Celtics became a real live NBA team again. I was trying to find a comparable situation where one move changed the fortunes of a franchise in such a large positive way so quickly. It was like night and day and I am not sure it ever happened before. Sure draft picks have helped teams over a year or two, but to go from maybe a 40 win team on July 30th to a 60+ win team on July 31st To be a place that was a destination for role player free agents. Over the next few summers other more talented players will want to play here.

If you could change one thing from this summer what would it be?

Personally, mine goes back to Jan 10, 2007 when Tony Allen got hurt. In my mind if he doesn’t get hurt, he is included in one of the trades this summer in replacement of Delonte West or Ryan Gomes. Both players are much better fits on this team than Tony Allen. Have I mentioned, how painful it is to watch him. He misses more lay-ups than Antoine Walker, brings nothing to the table, always seems to be out of control. I get annoyed seeing him out there.

Mike:

Nice point on T.A. It would have been nice to have Gomes coming off the bench as a 3 or 4. Maybe we’ll see him back here next year as he’s a free agent after the season.
Looking back, I don’t think this team needed to fill roster spots with Brandon Wallace or Gabe Pruitt. It’s a gamble that either of them will ever be productive NBA players, never mind this year. It would have made more sense to fill the roster with a Dale Davis type and/or a Mike Wilks veteran point guard type.

Al:

I don’t mind Wallace or Pruitt. I think having some developmental prospects is good business. Both are low risk players that may end up being high rewards. The Celtics still have an open roster spot, so having them has not limited them bringing in a veteran big man or point guard.