Comparing 2007 to 2008....so far

[GreenPride]

Okay...because i'm bored at work and because i'm curious as to whether our defense is playing better this year i decided to compare last years start with this years.  Thought this would be fun to go back to throughout the year and compare.

Through the first 9 games:

2007
WIN    107-83
WIN   98-95
WIN   119-93
WIN   106-83
WIN   112-101
WIN   101-86
WIN   91-69
WIN   92-91
LOSS   102-104

2008
WIN   90-85
WIN   96-80
LOSS   79-95
WIN   103-99
WIN   96-83
WIN   101-89
WIN   88-76
WIN   94-87
WIN   103-102

8-1 both years.  Last year we gave up 805 points thru 9 games...this year 796 points.  So, i guess our defense is playing better!  Unfortunately our offense isn't putting up the points it did last year at this time.

[Redz]

I'd like to see a breakdown on the Big 3's scoring and minutes for the same periods (just how bored are you? )

The consistent combined output of the Big 3 is much more what I had envisioned going into last season.  It just seems like they're taking on more of the load - in a good way.

Although PP should probably start playing a few less than 45 minutes a game.

 

[GreenPride]

Yes...I am bored...here's the total minutes played for Pierce, KG & Allen for 2007 & 2008 thru 9 games:

2007
Pierce:  346
Allen:  366
Garnett:  317

2008
Pierce:  350
Allen:  311
Garnett:  294

Pierce is up while Allen & Garnett are both down.

[LB3533]

Our bench has played better this year...cutting into the minutes of our Starters.

Our Starters have been starting off slow...Paul plays a big chuck of his minutes with the 2nd unit and that is when we actually start to get back into games.

I actually prefer the start we  are having this season.

Last year we "put everything together" pretty early and pretty quickly....this year we are facing everyone else's "A-Game"...and we are finishing out on top, for the most part. ([dang] you Indiana!)

[Steve Weinman]

Okay...because i'm bored at work and because i'm curious as to whether our defense is playing better this year i decided to compare last years start with this years.  Thought this would be fun to go back to throughout the year and compare.

Through the first 9 games:

2007
WIN    107-83
WIN   98-95
WIN   119-93
WIN   106-83
WIN   112-101
WIN   101-86
WIN   91-69
WIN   92-91
LOSS   102-104

2008
WIN   90-85
WIN   96-80
LOSS   79-95
WIN   103-99
WIN   96-83
WIN   101-89
WIN   88-76
WIN   94-87
WIN   103-102

8-1 both years.  Last year we gave up 805 points thru 9 games...this year 796 points.  So, i guess our defense is playing better!  Unfortunately our offense isn't putting up the points it did last year at this time.

Thanks for taking the time to put together the analysis, but I'd still be wary of drawing value judgments simply based on points per game figures - playing against different opponents may mean different paces, and further, our pace is different from what it was last year on the whole (I don't have pace figures from this time last year).  Efficiency (points per 100 possessions) tends to be a more accurate measure of how well an offense or defense is playing because of that per possession measurement rather than using the arbitrary "game," which provides different numbers of opportunities at each end for each team.

That said, the faster pace being played this year should make our defensive per game figures only more impressive - and the opposite for our lowered scoring.  Sadly, I don't have efficiency figures from this time last year.  To that end, it's nice to have the per game figures as approximations, and again, I appreciate you drawing the comparison - just wanted to point out that those figures aren't the be-all, end-all of measuring team offensive and defensive play.

-sw

[xmuscularghandix]

Okay...because i'm bored at work and because i'm curious as to whether our defense is playing better this year i decided to compare last years start with this years.  Thought this would be fun to go back to throughout the year and compare.

Through the first 9 games:

2007
WIN    107-83
WIN   98-95
WIN   119-93
WIN   106-83
WIN   112-101
WIN   101-86
WIN   91-69
WIN   92-91
LOSS   102-104

2008
WIN   90-85
WIN   96-80
LOSS   79-95
WIN   103-99
WIN   96-83
WIN   101-89
WIN   88-76
WIN   94-87
WIN   103-102

8-1 both years.  Last year we gave up 805 points thru 9 games...this year 796 points.  So, i guess our defense is playing better!  Unfortunately our offense isn't putting up the points it did last year at this time.

hard to put up good offensive numbers when you've "inspired" the WHOLE league to play defense this year. its like they thought it was a joke before now. the whole 110% cliche is really acurate though this far. but so is the "take their best punch" cliche.

[12417]

This year has been different in that you can feel the confidence. Last year it seemed the C's had to blow out their opponents. This year no matter the deficit the team remains calm and works itself back into the game and if its close in the last few minutes they are gonna win, they know it, the opponent knows it and we know it. The Hawks had that look in their eye after William's 3 that there was too much time left and they were right. Shooting 59% from beyond the arc !!!!!!!! It wasn't enough.

[drza44]

I think the biggest "difference" between the two 8-1 starts has been the vets working themselves into game shape, especially KG.  Last season KG came out the first handfull of games on a mission, dropping 20/20 games while playing big minutes and really going all out.  This year, he played the first 5 games or so like it was the preseason and he was working out the kinks on offense.  It's really only been the last two games when he has started to wake up and play like he usually does, and I'd expect that as he hits his groove along with Pierce (who's been balling, and is only ramping up as his wrist gets better) the team should move back up a few notches.  And when Ray finds his stroke consistently, they go up yet again.  I'm actually pretty pleased to see them 8-1 vs. strong competition while not playing nearly up to potential.

[celticmaestro]

TP for the stats GreenPride. I'm very happy with our start this year, even more so than last year considering we've won @ Detroit comprehensively and against tough opposition. It also fills me with confidence about the mentality of this team, particularly Paul Pierce.

[GreenPride]

hard to put up good offensive numbers when you've "inspired" the WHOLE league to play defense this year. its like they thought it was a joke before now. the whole 110% cliche is really acurate though this far. but so is the "take their best punch" cliche.
[/quote]

agree 100%...it's like before the league was just happy to draw fans and play like the Phoenix Suns.  Now all of a sudden it's all about defense and championships.  I'm glad more teams are putting more emphasis on defense now.  Maybe the NBA will get a little more respect now.  A lot of my friends won't even watch NBA basketball as they think it's a joke.  No defense league and players that can travel and foul without being called.  I think what Boston did last year will help the NBA like Bird and Magic did in the 80's...bring fans back to watch the game.