A real problem

[celticinorlando]

problem with that is PP was out of gas

[Celtic#9]

i feel like he could have given it to davis in the corner he was being doubled with another coming over too there was no way he was going to get a shot off.

[housecall]

pierce wanted to be hero in the 4th quarter and OT...and he was too gassed to do it...and it cost boston.

Unfortunately, I don't think Pierce had much of a choice last night.  Rondo was completely useless.  He could not get any separation to get to the hoop, which meant the best you could hope for him, given the way the defense was playing the passing lanes was launching up a long distance shot. 

Don't get me wrong, I hated Pierce's play at the end of the game, but given the way Rondo was playing, and the way they were blanketing and denying Ray, a Pierce ISO was the right call.  He just needed to execute better.

Hopefully, Rondo wakes up (or gets healthy) for next game.

When i reviewed the game i didn't see anyone blanketing Ray,matter of fact he was alone in the corner.

[clover]

Back to that interview, I thought the 'Big 3' were insufferable--and I'm not Rondo having to play with them on the team. 

Pierce launched right into telling the world that Rondo's work ethic and professionalism were lacking and the Big 3 had had to straighten him out.  Ray went on about Rondo's becoming a good player because he's had the chance to watch and learn from the 3 of them.  KG's really pushing the 'shorty' nickname for Rondo, which is diminishing and, I think, dismissive.

In general they talked about Rondo the way you wouldn't want people to talk you behind your back--let alone on global television.  They sounded like jealous nuns, about to break out into a refrain of "How do you solve a problem like Rondo?"

[CoachBo]

I laugh at criticism of Pierce on the last shot - the call appeared to be a four down and the majority of the five on the floor missed it. Horrible spacing, worse execution.

Hard to run an iso when everyone's up top with the guy on the iso.

[LarBrd33]

Back to that interview, I thought the 'Big 3' were insufferable--and I'm not Rondo having to play with them on the team. 

Pierce launched right into telling the world that Rondo's work ethic and professionalism were lacking and the Big 3 had had to straighten him out.  Ray went on about Rondo's becoming a good player because he's had the chance to watch and learn from the 3 of them.  KG's really pushing the 'shorty' nickname for Rondo, which is diminishing and, I think, dismissive.

In general they talked about Rondo the way you wouldn't want people to talk you behind your back--let alone on global television.  They sounded like jealous nuns, about to break out into a refrain of "How do you solve a problem like Rondo?"

It's been brought up a bunch and usually met with some fans saying, "nah... that's paranoid... these guys are professionals", but I think there is a definite divide between the "big 3" clique and the rest of the team.  I think that divide has caused conflict with Rondo.   I think it was one of the primary reasons our chemistry failed in the regular season, because the stubborn hall of famers aren't ready to share the spotlight with some punk kid.  It's one thing to share the spotlight with each other, but not with some young "shorty"...

Not sure what was up with Rondo last night.  I wouldn't be nutty enough to think that interview bugged him... but it seemed like poor timing.

[Chief]

I hate the "give it to Paul and pray" offense. I thought this team was past that. Paul should have gave it to Rondo so he could create a good shot for somebody. Let's hope it's a lesson learned on their way to another title.

[Celtics Fan]

There is no problem at all we just lost a game. Stop reading in to a halftime interview that doesn't reveal nothing guys. They gave their thoughts on his maturity and etc, that was all. Our problem is that we didn't excute right at the end of the game. No time out was not call to regroup and to set a proper play. Point blank.

[Roy Hobbs]

I hate the "give it to Paul and pray" offense. I thought this team was past that. Paul should have gave it to Rondo so he could create a good shot for somebody. Let's hope it's a lesson learned on their way to another title.

Rondo wasn't creating good shots for anybody last night.  It's the reason Doc went away from him in the first place.  Even Rondo acknowledged that he had a poor game, so it surprises me to see so many people blaming Paul.

[celtics2]

pierce wanted to be hero in the 4th quarter and OT...and he was too gassed to do it...and it cost boston.

I agree, there were some problems late in the game with PP trying to do it all. Rondo is the point guard and he should handle the ball. Not Pierce nor Allen. The Big 3 are equally skilled and the shot should be taken by the best positioned player. PP has been a huge part of the Celtic comeback because he was in a slump of sorts. We could be home resting now but we occasionally revert to some dumb basketball. Doc has faith in Rondo and so do I. If there is 13 seconds on the clock I want Rondo handling the ball and choosing who will take the shot. I don't think Orlando is capable of beating us 3 more but could make things miserable for our aging stars. LA looks a bit ripe to me so lets not blow this opportunity.

[celtics2]

I laugh at criticism of Pierce on the last shot - the call appeared to be a four down and the majority of the five on the floor missed it. Horrible spacing, worse execution.

Hard to run an iso when everyone's up top with the guy on the iso.

Rondo has skills the Big 3 could never have and vice versa. I will say this Celtic team would not be where they are today without the contributions of Rondo. I for one appreciate the play of that position more so than any other position on the floor. It's where the flow starts from. Hard to tell if the stories are factual or not but I think Rondo can handle himself well enough to deflect criticism. I think the Celtics need him more than he needs them because of his play of late.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

I ree with the original post. PP was hogging the ball, back to his ISO's, that keep the rest of the team out of the game. BBD and TA waited to get the ball to PP so long the shot clock ran out...PP was still talking to them...No one in to rebound, because pp wanted space to do his one man ball. PP is still great, but more in the team play, that his ISO's..the Celtics biggest thing is team ball, passing, getting everyone touches, follow the shot, tough D...One man play is how Cleve lost, how we beat ORl before. ONE MAN ball...NEVER works...! What do you think the chemistry problem was before, back in January.....well, I doubt it was Ray, he always plays the perfect role, passes when he doesn't have it, layup or dunk when the shot isn't working...Paul was doing the right thing for a while...but slipping back into this AllPaul thing, is only going to help Orlando...!

[CoachBo]

I hate the "give it to Paul and pray" offense. I thought this team was past that. Paul should have gave it to Rondo so he could create a good shot for somebody. Let's hope it's a lesson learned on their way to another title.

Rondo wasn't creating good shots for anybody last night.  It's the reason Doc went away from him in the first place.  Even Rondo acknowledged that he had a poor game, so it surprises me to see so many people blaming Paul.

Totally agree. It was Rondo's worst game in quite awhile.

We would DEFINITELY have gotten a shot at the end of regulation if the call had been executed with any efficiency whatsoever.

[Brendan]

1. Pierce single handedly kept them in the game at various points of the game.

2. You may have causation reversed - just maybe Rondo didn't have it last night - so Pierce took more of the burden (which is why he was "hogging it" and had monster stats.)

Pierce seems to have no problem riding in the side car when Rondo brings his A game.

[LB3533]

Here is the big problem from Game 4.

Poor or inadequate bench production.

That cost us some time to rest most of our starters.