Knicks (0-0) at Celtics (0-0) Round 1 Game 1 4/17

[Jon]

and in the role of Kendrick Perkins tonight, Jermaine Oneal!!!

Yep.  I really think he proved that tonight.  He's not as good as Kendrick at straight up man-to-man defense, but he's a superior shot blocker, and that helps.  

Also very happy to see Ray go off.  We've missed that.  

If Ray and JO can take this into next game, we're in good shape.  KG, PP, Rondo, and Baby should all shoot better next game.  

[fairweatherfan]

thunder down 13. Wonder if there season is over

That's silly.  The real reason is that they don't care as much about winning the game as a bunch of guys on the Internet.

[RebusRankin]

Man can we get this from JO for 23-28 every night?

[Kwhit10]

For JO playing so well his +/- was a surprising -11.

[fairweatherfan]

and in the role of Kendrick Perkins tonight, Jermaine Oneal!!!

Yep.  I really think he proved that tonight.  He's not as good as Kendrick at straight up man-to-man defense, but he's a superior shot blocker, and that helps. 

Luckily our next two opponents at least won't require him to play much man-to-man D.  Neither NY, Miami, or Chicago can exploit his matchups much, and his help D will be really useful against all of them.

[angryguy77]

For JO playing so well his +/- was a surprising -11.

thats why stats can be horrible indicators of how a guy impacts a game in a positive way. He was huge

[Thruthelookingglass]

wow. ray allen is cold blooded...nice comeback...need to play better though moving foward

I think that like the Lakers, the Celtics picked up some bad habits waiting for the time to flip the switch.  Unlike the Lakers though, the C's found the mental toughness to finally shake the rust and get themselves in position to win.  I am hopeful that now that we'll see faster starts from now on.

Loved JO steppin' up tonight.  He kept the game within reach and led by example.  And thanks Ray for doing what you do. 

[hpantazo]

Doc's postgame" "we won the game tonight because of Jermaine Oneal"

[Thruthelookingglass]

PS - Go Perk!

[Jon]

Man can we get this from JO for 23-28 every night?

I think so.  It was foul trouble that kept him out more than anything.  Plus, Doc played him 37 minutes against NY, so there obviously aren't any constraints on his PT.  

I also liked how Doc played him down the stretch.  I was screaming for Baby to be taken out.  No offense to Baby, but he can't defend the basket like JO can.  

[ballin]

For JO playing so well his +/- was a surprising -11.

thats why stats can be horrible indicators of how a guy impacts a game

Wrong. That's why +/- is just a horrible stat. And adjusted plus/minus isn't any better.

Stuff like TS%, rebound %, and wins produced, on the other hand, are invaluable. But hey, you can keep painting all statistics with the same broad brush.

[hpantazo]

on the replay, KG tripped Turiaf to get Ray open for the game winner

[greensquirrel]

Doc's postgame" "we won the game tonight because of Jermaine Oneal"

I hope this means he'll be using him to close games from now on.

[bello_man09]

PS - Go Perk!

hes getting eaten alive by NENE!!!

[outcry]

I've never been a huge fan of the +/- stat in basketball. In hockey, on the hand, it is a total different story.