The Celtics, tonight, play the first game of what will be four straight road games, 7 road games in 8 games and 8 games in 16 nights. After a grueling 8 games in 12 days stretch to begin the season, the C's somewhat more relaxing stretch of 8 games in 22 days is now over. Now the first real difficult month of the season begins as from now until January 10th the team in Green plays 14 of their next 19 games on the road.
So, what are the things, we, as Celtic fans, should be watching for to decide if this team is either as good as we think they are and title worthy or as flawed as we think they might be and just pretenders:
1.) KG's knee and athleticism - I think this has to be the one thing we all need to play attention too. As far as I am concerned, the Boston medical staff and front office lost any credibility they may have earned in the handling of the care and information released regarding KG's knee injury last year. I will believe my eyes now while watching KG play before I trust my ears and eyes, listening to and reading about what the Celtics' front office and medical staff has to say about KG's knee.
He has looked great. He has looked to be favoring it and limping badly. He has looked explosive and, as Borat might say, "not so much", as well. I think this next quarter of the season will be a telling and revealing stretch of games for KG and his health and ability to bounce back from surgery.
No more home cooking. No more easy rides home. No more facilities and trainers and staff set up specifically for his long term use. He'll be on the road with long plane and bus rides and hotel rooms and limited use of practice and therapy facilities.
Follow KG's knee and game. It will be the most telling thing about how far this team can go this year and during this stretch of games, possibly, much could be revealed.
2.) The defense - it seemed that the team defense came back to life in the second half of that Toronto game the other night. The 1 to 2 step slow rotations were crisp. The man up defense was tight. People were fighting through perimeter screens and picks. Shots were being contested and people were being run off the perimeter shot. It looked almost Celtic-like. Second biggest indicator to watch in this stretch is whether the vaunted Boston D has returned or is still in some sort of self imposed hibernation.
3.) The shooting slumps - this team and several of it players have been in a pronounced outside shooting shooting slump. Take away the game against Philadelphia at the beginning of the month and the Celtics shot 28.3% from three point range for the month of November. For a team with some great three point shooters, that's beyond horrible. Even with that 14 for 20 night against Philly, the C's are still shooting just 31.9% from international waters for the month.
This team seems to be having it's largest difficulties when they are cold from outside. They need for Ray, Paul, Sheed and Eddie to be hitting at an average of about 37%-40% of their 3 point shots if they are to be the double-digit, point-differential winning team that they can be. If they aren't shooting in that range from outside, we are going to continue to see a lot of closer than expected halves and games. Watch the shots of those four aforementioned players, if they are dropping, things will be good. If not, things could be a struggle.
4.) The return of Glen Davis - my guess is that at some point this month, Davis will return and then he will have to fight his way into the rotation. Pictures appear to show a very slimmed down and more athletic looking Glen Davis. If he can return and give this team more than a surprising Sheldon Williams has, it could mean a much more rested Garnett and Wallace come playoff time. Davis could be a huge addition to this team, better than any trade we could look at. If he comes back and plays at or beyond the level of play he gave this team in the playoffs last year, that is going to be a giant factor in this teams long term success.
5.) Rajon Rondo - as much of a Rondo schill as I am, I guess I would be remiss if I didn't include him in this list. As Rondo goes, so goes the Celtics. It really is that simple. This is now HIS TEAM, no matter what people want to say about Paul being the captain or KG the star or Ray the heart of this team. Rondo is the engine that makes the rest of this Celtic team run.
When he is concentrating and pouring forth an effort and bringing the speed and the energy, you know, being Good Rondo, this team is near unbeatable. When Rajon is laying off his man, walking up the ball, passing on easy layups for cute passes, playing the passing lanes and wandering around in the defense and playing for the poke from behind steal, you know, Bad Rondo, this team can be beaten by anyone. Even the Nets.
Watch for Rondo and watch to see if he brings a more consistent and focused game. After an up and down beginning to last year it was right about the first or second week of December where Rondo gathered himself and started playing All-Star caliber basketball. Could he do it again and even better? Should be interesting to see!
Topic: Things to look for as the first tough road stretch begins. (Read 1370 times)