Celtics (36-21) at Pistons (21-38) 3/2

[Cman]

I want some Nate Robinson. He only played 5 minutes in the first half. I don't get it. 

Nate Rob is learning first hand what life was like for Bill Walker -- life in Doc's doghouse means no PT.
 

[Who]

Sheed + Davis + Shelden = Below par big men
Pierce + Ray + Marquis + TA = mediocre wings
Rondo = dominant player but middling play so far
Garnett = dominant player, playing well, but benched by his own coach

Result = a mediocre team

You really think Pierce is a mediocre wing?  If he gets healthy, I think he's a very good wing.

The rest is spot on.

What do you think of Nate?

I'm still waiting to see which Nate Robinson shows up for the Celtics.

If it's a restrained version of Nate who tries to be a floor general than he won't have much of an impact. If it's the aggressive score-first Nate Robinson than he'll be able to be a very good backup guard.

[Spicoli]

So Nate hits two straight shots and gets immediately subbed out? Doc never wants to ride the hot hand. I thought Nate was supposed to be instant offense on this team? So why then, after he makes two straight shots, does the coach yank him and kill any opportunity for the guy getting hot and scoring a bunch of points?

[Kuberski33]

Neurotic it's all about putting in an effort...and for whatever reason, these guys refuse to.  I guess the question to ask is whether it's because they can't or they won't?

The problem is not age...it's desire. 

[MaxwellSmart86]

I want some Nate Robinson. He only played 5 minutes in the first half. I don't get it. 

Nate Rob is learning first hand what life was like for Bill Walker -- life in Doc's doghouse means no PT.
 

I REALLY don't understand Doc Rivers at all...Nate needs to play more...or SOME....Completely ridiculous....Start giving Rondo and Ray a few minutes off....I thought TA looked good---but he gets Yanked for MORE Ray Allen minutes.

[Bahku]

Sheed + Davis + Shelden = Below par big men
Pierce + Ray + Marquis + TA = mediocre wings
Rondo = dominant player but middling play so far
Garnett = dominant player, playing well, but benched by his own coach

Result = a mediocre team

You really think Pierce is a mediocre wing?  If he gets healthy, I think he's a very good wing.

The rest is spot on.

What do you think of Nate?

Pierce is playing mediocre tonight, but when playing his best, is far from mediocre ... same with Ray. Davis is a hustler, but usually out-matched by size at his position ... he's almost always defending a much bigger man, but does a decent job despite. Sheed is just a plain detriment and doing very little good for this team. Shelden needs more minutes, but I can't see him getting enough in Boston to improve his game much. Marquis is above-average, but I don't think he's 100% and is not really playing his strongest position. TA is a very good defender and has great explosiveness to the basket, but Doc rotates him in such odd circles that there's no way he can adjust to any consistency. KG and Rage obviously have the best energy right now, but again, the rotational inconsistencies are hampering their game ... still too early to tell what Nate will do, or when. Doc has got to STOP experimenting, and put players where they should be, WHEN they should be, and stop this "mix-and-match" crap.

[MaxwellSmart86]

Can we have ONE game where the refs don't COMPLETELY SUCK?


Detroit getting away with all kinds of contact---We brush against someone--FOUL on the C's-!

Refs aren't the problem. Intensity and focus are....yet again....

No, the refs aren't the problem....Huh?...Pierce gets CLEARLY Fouled by Daye while shooting with this foot on the 3 point line---NO "and one" for him...Pierce takes a swipe and misses on Daye's dunk--FOUL----AND ONE-!

KG and Big Baby get fouled on their shot attempts...NO CALLS.

I see it too. I don't understand it but we are getting hosed by the Refs all year.

Yup ... a TON of "no-calls" so far, but I've come to expect it ... the Celts just have not and WILL not get the respect from the officials that they deserve.

Maxiell has been "Bumping" guys all over the place...and no calls.

[snively]

So Nate hits two straight shots and gets immediately subbed out? Doc never wants to ride the hot hand. I thought Nate was supposed to be instant offense on this team? So why then, after he makes two straight shots, does the coach yank him and kill any opportunity for the guy getting hot and scoring a bunch of points?

I don't think Doc is comfortable with Nate running the offense yet.  It doesn't help that Nate is backing up the C's best player at this point.

[Kuberski33]

6 minutes of defense ends this....On the other hand 6 minutes of what we saw in the first half gives Detroit an excellent chance to win this one.  If their crowd gets into it, the C's will lose.

[Kuberski33]

Rondo standing straight up on defense...perfect illustration of lack of intensity.

[Thruthelookingglass]

I'd really like to see this team turn on the defensive intensity and sustain it.  I realize folks are saying we are lacking energy and intensity, but that rationale doesn't hold for me. I think the C's are putting in effort and then not seeing the results they used to see.  This leads to slowing down a step -- a depressive response.  The question I have is, does this team have the legs to sustain a strong defensive effort.  Is it age or injury or effort?  Or all of the above.  I keep expecting to see them show signs of defensive greatness. I don't give up easily -- I am hoping to see it in the second half.

I see exactly that in PP.  He's being called differently this year, no question in my mind.

[liam]

I'd really like to see this team turn on the defensive intensity and sustain it.  I realize folks are saying we are lacking energy and intensity, but that rationale doesn't hold for me. I think the C's are putting in effort and then not seeing the results they used to see.  This leads to slowing down a step -- a depressive response.  The question I have is, does this team have the legs to sustain a strong defensive effort.  Is it age or injury or effort?  Or all of the above.  I keep expecting to see them show signs of defensive greatness. I don't give up easily -- I am hoping to see it in the second half.

I see exactly that in PP.  He's being called differently this year, no question in my mind.

No Question in my mind either. It's every game.

[Thruthelookingglass]

John Barry just compared himself to Kevin McHale.  I tasted bile.

[DinTN]

Why is TA only getting so few minutes?

[Who]

8 rebounds in 17 minutes from Ben Wallace

29-22 rebounding advantage for Detroit