Full Court Press: Celtics vs. Hornets 1/3/05
By Jon Duke
January 3, 2005
Celtics 108 Hornets 90
“UHHHhhhhhhhhhhh…”
You know things aren’t going well for the Boston Celtics when the only commentary Tommy Heinsohn can offer is a series of groans and exasperated grunts. During the second quarter of this evening’s game even a somewhat restrained Heinsohn couldn’t contain his extreme displeasure with the guys in green. The chief culprit of the Celtics difficulty in playing the game of basketball was the absence of their floor general, Gary Payton. After only two months in Celtic Green, Payton has become the most valuable player on the court for a team where many of his teammates are more likely to ask Payton’s daughter out than hit the town with the old man himself.
Nevertheless, Doc Rivers needed to take Payton’s hamstring injury and make FleetCenter priced $7.25 Lemonade. Marcus Banks was inserted into the starting lineup and after a foul plagued first half, Banks helped to push the Celtics to a 17 point lead after 3 quarters. Of course, those who saw a glimmer of hope in Delonte West’s all too brief two game appearance are wishing the St. Joe’s product was available to show what he could in a much larger role in Payton’s absence. But as a certain Gary Busey look-a-like once kinda said “you are what you are.”
Also absent was Mark Blount, not in person, but Blount’s game has been missing for nearly two weeks. I’ve heard on the “Inta-net” that Wyc has authorized the placement of ads on milk cartons across the west coast in hopes that someone will call John Walsh at “America’s Most Wanted” with a tip on where Blount’s game has been hiding. The number is 1-800-CRIME-98 if you, or someone you know has information relating to the safe return of Mark Blount’s game.
But, here’s where I get to take Doc Rivers PhD. to task for what I see as poor decision making. Given that Payton and Mark Blount’s game were missing from this game, one would think the arrival of the 2-26 juggernaut New Orleans Hornets would herald more minutes and responsibility for Messrs. Allen, Banks, Jefferson, and Perkins. Regrettably, this didn’t happen nearly to the level it should have. Banks is literally operating with one of the harnesses parents of young children use, it is incredibly embarrassing… especially when his play doesn’t warrant such a short leash. If Doc wants to see what Marcus Banks can do, the very last thing Rivers should do is put Marcus in the game to stand in the corner and watch a known great distributor like Paul Pierce rather than the proverbial Point Guard of the Future and see what he can do with it.
Down low, Kendrick Perkins and particularly Al Jefferson continue to play effective minutes, but incredibly Jefferson and Perkins log significantly less minutes than “Casper” Blount. Perkins does need help on the defensive end (his rotations are slow), but his rebounding and presence on the blocks more than make up for these deficiencies. And Wheezie continues to look good out there (he even shaved that line beard thing), even if Doc keeps saying he doesn’t know what he’s doing out there. In recent days, Doc has made a point in the media that Al has struggled recently, and he had before a very nice performance Sunday night in Detroit. Yet, for whatever reason, Blount continues to play a lot more than those young studs….”uhhhhhhhhhhhh.”
On the FSN broadcast Tommy gave credit for the Celtics resurgence in the 3rd quarter to Walter McCarty, but to these untrained eyes, Tony Allen was again a huge factor in spurring on the Celtics with his defense. Even in last night’s loss to Detroit, Doc played the kids with 7 minutes to go and, with Allen’s energy, the C’s cut the lead in half. I’m not sure this can be said enough, “TONY ALLEN MUST PLAY MORE!!!!” The kid does what no one else on the team can do, play defense on the perimeter at a very high level. Too bad Doc doesn’t see it.
Of course the Globe and Herald will probably lead their stories tomorrow pointing to Paul Pierce’s 4th career triple double as key to the Celtics win, but much of Pierce’s contribution went below the radar. On the surface this could cause some consternation, but the more that Pierce can fade into the background, and still be very productive, the better the team around him is playing. Also of not was a great first half from our favorite “Fragile Frenchman”. Raef LaFrentz had 9 points and 8 rebounds in the first 24 minutes; to continue a string of good games over the last 2 weeks. Maybe it would be a good time to mix up the starting line up and shift Jefferson into the starting 5 with LaFrentz and play Blount with Perkins or, godforbid, Walter. Failing this, Doc needs to get more out of his post players and as of now, Blount is the weak link in the chain.
More games at home this week, but the possible absence of Gary Payton could play a huge role in how these games play out. Next up are the vaunted Golden State Warriors who beat the C’s in a heartbreaking fashion just under a month ago. Revenge will no doubt be on the mind of those in the home whites.
