Full Court Press: Celtics vs. Magic 11/29/04

By Dan
November 30, 2004

It is all well and good to talk about athleticism and being a running team, but it is quite another thing to put that talk into practice.  The Celtics did just that last night in running the Orlando Magic out of their own building in a 117-101 thrashing that was never really even close.

I had spent the afternoon in a near depression over the news that Delonte West had broken his hand.  If you have even a smidgen of basketball knowledge and had watched West’s play in the two games he has been on the floor this season, then you know that this news was crushing.  It is easy to see that the kid gets it.  He brings a ton of energy into the game, but even more importantly, he knows how to play under control with intelligence.  Losing him for an extended period is a huge setback for the second unit, as he easily could have settled into a nice role of giving twenty quality minutes a night to spelling Gary Payton.

But from this dark cloud of despair emerged? Marcus Banks?  In the words of Ted Sarandis, WOW!  Marcus Banks was the best player on the court last night for either team.  He played with intensity and reckless abandon (he always does this—with heavy emphasis on the word “reckless”), but he was always under control.  In the past, he has reminded me of someone’s escaped pet hamster running insanely all over the kitchen until it runs smack into the closed screen door.  Last night he led the C’s to 30 fast-break points, which is their second highest total for the season and the second game in a row they turned in more than thirty.  If Banks can overcome his other big problem, inconsistency, it will make the loss of West a lot more manageable for the C’s.

Banks was not alone however.  Boston’s ability to push the ball on offense meant less time in the half-court set, and it resulted in easier baskets.  The Celtics put up 70 points in the paint because they scored on lay-ups and pull up jumpers instead twenty foot jump shots.  In fact, the C’s only took nine three’s the whole night.  If that’s not a testament that the days of “chuck and duck” offense from the Jim O’Brien era are over, then I don’t know what is.

Rookie Al Jefferson continued to excite C’s fans with 16 points and five boards in only 21 minutes of action, while also blocking two shots.  Paul Pierce had a decent shooting night because he did not force anything, and Raef Lafrentz continued his early season “Lafren-naisance” (yes, I know that’s a stretch, but you try coming up with a catchy slogan for a 6’11” Frenchman with a bad knee) with 14 points and six rebounds, all while shooting over 50% from the field.

A running offense often times makes defending an easier task.  The C’s this season have been terrible in their half-court defense with the starters on the floor.  The age of Gary Payton and defensive disinterest of Paul Pierce catches up with them often as always seem a step behind in their rotations.  Not last night though.  Because they set the tempo and pace of the game early, Orlando felt the need to follow suit.  When this happens over 48 minutes, the Celts have a huge advantage.  This is because of the athletes on their second unit.

Overall, it was everything that the little cult club I like to call “Celtics Fans” hopes to see from the team this year:  solid defense, good ball movement, and above all, constant running and motion.  This team has the athletes to create chaos and mismatches all over the floor as long as they keep running (I sound like Tommy), and last night was a very enjoyable Exhibit A.