Biggest (Most Pleasant) Surprise Friday Night vs Detroit

[footey]

The obvious good news: Pierce is back and, yes, we really missed him those first two games.  JO actually looked like he worked out a lot in the off season, and the more his confidence came back, the more aggressively and better he played. And Brandon Bass is a real stud; Danny really upgraded on this trade.

But the best thing that happened: the return of the vaunted team defense.  Wow. I thought they played terrific last night, the rotations were excellent, there was a lot of hustle. Just like old times.

[PosImpos]

I'm hoping that the thing with JO is really just about confidence and if the team actually goes to him early and he doesn't get in foul trouble (tall order) he will continue to produce.

We'll see.

[cman88]

I'm hoping that the thing with JO is really just about confidence and if the team actually goes to him early and he doesn't get in foul trouble (tall order) he will continue to produce.

We'll see.

he averaged 13ppg in Miami 2 years ago before he got injured..not saying we need that production from him. but if JO can be a factorr offensively it makes our starting unit that much better because teams cant forget about JO

Look how our offense was with shaq last year...and a productive JO technically has a more varied offensive game.

hopefully it carries over into the season

[BballTim]

I'm hoping that the thing with JO is really just about confidence and if the team actually goes to him early and he doesn't get in foul trouble (tall order) he will continue to produce.

We'll see.

  I think he's gotten hosed on some of the foul calls, and the foul trouble hasn't helped him get into a rhythm at all.

[Q_FBE]

Sasha Pavlocic had a good outing defending Teyshaun Prince and knocking down a few shots. I would like to see more out of him backing up Pierce at SF.

Key on Dooling has not looked comfortable out there but I think that is complete lack of familiarity with his teammates more than anything.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

I say on JO, if he can get 10 games or so NOT injured...he could really have a good year. It has always been injuries that kept him from turning the corner.....into a very productive player at BOTH ends. He has the talent...he has some good post moves...his D is good and getting better..I really hope he goes all year without ANY injury....of course ALL our guys the same.....I'd like to see lebron and wade get hampered by reality though...LOL.....and kobe deserves some pain after what he did to Perk.....then Ron artest..Metta-what-eva..!

[celtics2]

JO and again Bass really feeling it off the bench.

Why were we down on JO? He was acting like the Guest of Honor at a Funeral. Pre Game Heinsohn mentioned JO is going to be included more in the offense. All Players have ego's. Maybe he's been loafing or sulking. With gunners like KG, Allen and Rondo he'at least 4th choice there. With Pierce in he's 5th. I remember from time to time Bird would say *we gotta get the Chief involved*.

My question is: why would it take 3 games to figure this out. Is Doc dense or was JO just tight and all of a sudden loosens like the Michelin Man because he feels the love.

[Celtics4ever]

PP showing leadership and firing up the team.  Granted it was Detroit but we are a different team with him even when he doesn't play a lot.

O'Neal looked better but they were spoon feeding him shots to get his confidence up.  I think this was by design and in some ways he looks to be a better inside option than KG.

[timpiker]

I agree with the D infatuation because its really important to me too - but I am hesitant is going nuts over the C's D when they played the Pistons.

[Chief]

I was very thankful that Pierce looked to have young legs.

[Tgro]

Everyone seemed to be back in their natural role with Pierce back and doing the things they are comfortable with. With Pierce out, it felt like players were having to play compensation roles and it was awkward at best. I was excited seeing our real team play about as close as fully healthy as we might possibly see this season. I'm telling you. If we get our legs under us and in game shape and everyone gels and does their role, what excited me about the game is you could see that we could actually be dangerous!

[TripleOT]

Before we throw a parade over the team's defense, remember that the Pistons are lousy offensively. 

The Cs face the worst offensive team in the league tonight in the Wizards 2 ppg on 38% shooting.  Let's see if the Celtics can string two good defensive performances together. 

[gar]

Think we also need to get KG going to the basket more. This really frees up the perimeter game. If we can just get the inside game established and not get KG too wed to the 18 footers we will be fine.

[Eddie20]

Think we also need to get KG going to the basket more. This really frees up the perimeter game. If we can just get the inside game established and not get KG too wed to the 18 footers we will be fine.

Even that play that KG kicked it out to Pierce for the 3, I didn't like. He was deep in the paint and had inside position on Daye. If he misses, he misses, but that's a good shot. He needs to be more aggressive and look for his shot more.