We have some legitimate concerns

[droopdog7]

I know many will say this is just one game (and it is), but we were dominated tonight.  Forget the score, we were never ever to close the gap because we could not get stops.  They didn't beat us with hustle, they beat us with size and youth up front. When we were on offense, we couldn't get shots because of their size. Unfortunately, that is not going to change.

For us to win this series, our bigs just have to play better. That is the bottom line and it is a serious concern.

[Roy Hobbs]

I think this thread and the "the sky is not falling" thread are both right.  Game 1 showed some weaknesses, but we're still very capable of bouncing back.

Some of the legitimate concerns:

1.  Rebounding.  How does Pau Gasol grab *double* the number of rebounds of Perk and KG *combined*?

2.  Defense.  It was atrocious.

3.  Spacing.  This will be improved if Ray can stay in the game.  Doc is going to have to make some adjustments in that regard, maybe asking Paul to pick up Kobe more.

4.  Aggressiveness.  Rondo and KG both looked passive for most of the game, and Paul did, too, until the fourth quarter.

[FallGuy]

I know many will say this is just one game (and it is), but we were dominate tonight.  Forget the score, we were never ever to close the gap because we could not get stops.  They didn't beat us with hustle, the beat us with size and youth up front. When we were on offense, we couldn't get shots because of their size. Unfortunately, that is not going to change.

For us to win this series, our bigs just have to play better. That is the bottom line and it is a serious concern.

Absolutely true.

Perk couldn't handle Bynum and KG looked like a 60-year-old man out there.

One or both of these things may continue. Not an overreaction to take them seriously.

[rjsuperfly66]

They didn't beat us with hustle, the beat us with size and youth up front. When we were on offense, we couldn't get shots because of their size.

They didnt beat us with hustle?  Offensive rebounding is 80% hustle, 20% luck.  LA dominated the boards because no one was hustling to box out.  No one was getting position, and then just reaching in and creating fouls.

The play that turned me off, was Boston had the ball, someone took a shot, and there was a long reason.  Instead of going after the ball, a ball he could have easily had, Pierce started non-chanlantly jogging back to play defense.  Instead, someone from LA grabs the ball, hucks it upcourt, and it was dunk. 

I'd personally say Boston out-hustled almost all game.  Did you see the perimeter defense? How many times did crap guards like Farmer, Brown, and Fisher get space to drive or take uncontested jump shots? I could go on but I'll stop here.

[CelticSooner]

For a man with a torn knee Bynum played well enough. Rondo has to be more aggressive and expose the only matchup the C's have.

If the defense is not there though it won't matter because the C's just don't win high scoring games.

[vinnie]

Perk was dominated by a one-legged Bynum and there is no sense even talking about what Gasol did to Garnett. Disappointing to say the least.

[RockinRyA]

I know many will say this is just one game (and it is), but we were dominate tonight.  Forget the score, we were never ever to close the gap because we could not get stops.  They didn't beat us with hustle, the beat us with size and youth up front. When we were on offense, we couldn't get shots because of their size. Unfortunately, that is not going to change.

For us to win this series, our bigs just have to play better. That is the bottom line and it is a serious concern.

Absolutely true.

Perk couldn't handle Bynum and KG looked like a 60-year-old man out there.

One or both of these things may continue. Not an overreaction to take them seriously.

more sheed perhaps?

[LB3533]

Yeah, Perk has to win that match up with a hurt Bynum.

KG has to at least offset Pau Gasol's game. (Just like he did with Rashard in the ECF).

Rondo didn't really play with assertiveness tonight.

[GreenFaith1819]

I know many will say this is just one game (and it is), but we were dominate tonight.  Forget the score, we were never ever to close the gap because we could not get stops.  They didn't beat us with hustle, the beat us with size and youth up front. When we were on offense, we couldn't get shots because of their size. Unfortunately, that is not going to change.

For us to win this series, our bigs just have to play better. That is the bottom line and it is a serious concern.

droopdog - you are right. I saw the game, and KG and Perk could've boxed out better, even if they didn't match up exactly height-wise.

LA's bigs were allowed to be too active.

[BirdLegend33]

Usually Perkins doesn't do much offensively but he can be a liability just like he was tonight. KG has a bad game and was outplayed by Gasol. I felt even Wallace did a better job than KG. I like that Wallace was one of the few Celtics that showed any fire.

[scottwedman]

Usually Perkins doesn't do much offensively but he can be a liability just like he was tonight. KG has a bad game and was outplayed by Gasol. I felt even Wallace did a better job than KG. I like that Wallace was one of the few Celtics that showed any fire.

KG should bounce back.

I am very surprised, however, at Bynum - if he's hurt, he must be a beast when healthy.

[droopdog7]

They didn't beat us with hustle, the beat us with size and youth up front. When we were on offense, we couldn't get shots because of their size.

They didnt beat us with hustle?  Offensive rebounding is 80% hustle, 20% luck.  LA dominated the boards because no one was hustling to box out.  No one was getting position, and then just reaching in and creating fouls.

The play that turned me off, was Boston had the ball, someone took a shot, and there was a long reason.  Instead of going after the ball, a ball he could have easily had, Pierce started non-chanlantly jogging back to play defense.  Instead, someone from LA grabs the ball, hucks it upcourt, and it was dunk. 

I'd personally say Boston out-hustled almost all game.  Did you see the perimeter defense? How many times did crap guards like Farmer, Brown, and Fisher get space to drive or take uncontested jump shots? I could go on but I'll stop here.

Yeah, I don't think this was necessarily hustle.  A lot of the rebounds they got because they were longer than we were.  Can we box out a bit better?  Sure, but the size advantage the lakers took advantage of is nothing new for them.  I had anticipated that we would do better but that was not the case.   

[rjsuperfly66]

They didn't beat us with hustle, the beat us with size and youth up front. When we were on offense, we couldn't get shots because of their size.

They didnt beat us with hustle?  Offensive rebounding is 80% hustle, 20% luck.  LA dominated the boards because no one was hustling to box out.  No one was getting position, and then just reaching in and creating fouls.

The play that turned me off, was Boston had the ball, someone took a shot, and there was a long reason.  Instead of going after the ball, a ball he could have easily had, Pierce started non-chanlantly jogging back to play defense.  Instead, someone from LA grabs the ball, hucks it upcourt, and it was dunk. 

I'd personally say Boston out-hustled almost all game.  Did you see the perimeter defense? How many times did crap guards like Farmer, Brown, and Fisher get space to drive or take uncontested jump shots? I could go on but I'll stop here.

Yeah, I don't think this was necessarily hustle.  A lot of the rebounds they got because they were longer than we were.  Can we box out a bit better?  Sure, but the size advantage the lakers took advantage of is nothing new for them.  I had anticipated that we would do better but that was not the case.   

The things I think which give LA an advantage, like active hands under the basket, big man rotation, etc are all hustle and heart plays.  How many easy layups did LA get tonight during their half-court offense? It was like the team was in a fog from being on the big stage.

[droopdog7]

They didn't beat us with hustle, the beat us with size and youth up front. When we were on offense, we couldn't get shots because of their size.

They didnt beat us with hustle?  Offensive rebounding is 80% hustle, 20% luck.  LA dominated the boards because no one was hustling to box out.  No one was getting position, and then just reaching in and creating fouls.

The play that turned me off, was Boston had the ball, someone took a shot, and there was a long reason.  Instead of going after the ball, a ball he could have easily had, Pierce started non-chanlantly jogging back to play defense.  Instead, someone from LA grabs the ball, hucks it upcourt, and it was dunk. 

I'd personally say Boston out-hustled almost all game.  Did you see the perimeter defense? How many times did crap guards like Farmer, Brown, and Fisher get space to drive or take uncontested jump shots? I could go on but I'll stop here.

Yeah, I don't think this was necessarily hustle.  A lot of the rebounds they got because they were longer than we were.  Can we box out a bit better?  Sure, but the size advantage the lakers took advantage of is nothing new for them.  I had anticipated that we would do better but that was not the case.   

The things I think which give LA an advantage, like active hands under the basket, big man rotation, etc are all hustle and heart plays.  How many easy layups did LA get tonight during their half-court offense? It was like the team was in a fog from being on the big stage.

You're right.  But the reason they work for them is because they are so long.  In most cases, they can run to the front of the rim and it doesn't matter if they are in front, on the side, or even behind us, they can tip the ball and keep the ball alive (if not score).  It is part of the offense and it works because of their size.  I would necessarily call running to the rim hustle or our lack of rebounding not hustle.  It is a very coordinated offense that they run and they don't need a huge opening for it to work.

[celticsclay]

i just feel sad