Four Takeaways from Game 4

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I could be completely wrong. I would like to see Lee start in order to guard Felton.  Pierce is too slow Bradley's too weak. Bring Green as first sub. I don't like Bass playing C but Doc's doing that anyways.

Gotta use Lee or TWill to guard Felton, because we can't survive another game with Bradley getting abused allowing dribble penetration and getting our bigs in foul trouble.

What the heck happened to Lee? Why does Doc hate him?

I have other question. Why not to use Shavlik in 3 quoter? We are horrible in second half in any case, no energy or points, why not to give a rest to KG. He can rebound and score, he is energy guy.

Free Shavlik!

Because Shavlik is barely an NBA player and it's the playoffs.

Nuff said.

Every year consistently when Boston struggles, some yahoo's on this board pick out the names of whoever happens to be the 15th man on our bench and claim Doc is "holding him back" and that Doc is a "terrible coach".  It's nonsense. 

Poor JaJuan Johnson, Luke Harongody and J.R Giddens... getting held back by the man.   

Don't get caught up in that foolishness.

FACTS and evidence have been laid our ad infinitum here about doc's coaching failures. nobody can rebutt them yet.

[CoachBo]

Calling them facts is certainly a matter of opinion - one that is not shared here.

The problem in this series is hardly Doc Rivers.

[kozlodoev]

One takeaway from Game 4: A so-so team missing their second best player came back from 20 down and almost beat us on our own court. Everything else is pretty irrelevant.

[CelticConcourse]

One takeaway from Game 4: A so-so team missing their second best player came back from 20 down and almost beat us on our own court. Everything else is pretty irrelevant.

This isn't PAPOUG Playoffs. Point differentials don't matter, wins do.

[SHAQATTACK]

disappointed in Bass .  4 and 4 

[kozlodoev]

One takeaway from Game 4: A so-so team missing their second best player came back from 20 down and almost beat us on our own court. Everything else is pretty irrelevant.

This isn't PAPOUG Playoffs. Point differentials don't matter, wins do.

Uh-huh. And the Knicks got three of them.

[BballTim]

Calling them facts is certainly a matter of opinion - one that is not shared here.

The problem in this series is hardly Doc Rivers.

  True, it's having the guy that make your offense go sitting on then bench in street clothes.

[Spicoli]

Doc Rivers is not thinking clearly. Avery Bradley is an utter failure at point guard, yet he still has him out there starting. Bradley is no longer defending well either, so he should have his butt planted firmly on the bench.

Also, Jeff Green is a revelation. This guys game is so smooth and fluid. He scores with ease. I'm so happy to have him as a building block for the future.

[CelticConcourse]

disappointed in Bass .  4 and 4 

If you watched the game, you could call him the MVP of the game, like most of the Celtics players did as well as Doc. His defense was out-of-this-world. 10-35 shooting for Melo.

He's one of the best defenders in the league. (7th in opponent's FG%)

[PhoSita]

Jeff Green is giving me more and more confidence that he could average 18-20 points a game starting once Pierce is gone and make himself an attractive trade chip for somebody.

[Humble G]

disappointed in Bass .  4 and 4 

If you watched the game, you could call him the MVP of the game, like most of the Celtics players did as well as Doc. His defense was out-of-this-world. 10-35 shooting for Melo.

He's one of the best defenders in the league. (7th in opponent's FG%)

TP Bass was a beast in guarding melo today very impressive...yeah he could have rebounded a lil better but his defense was the only reason we had a chance honestly

[eugen]

Bass played well trying to stop Carmelo. PP very good, and Green good too. KG is still not in top conditions and is evident he is trying the maximum. AB should stay on the bench, In 1st qrt made 2 stupid trunovers.

[KGs Knee]

#2 - Avery Bradley is getting exposed by Ray Felton.  Just absolutely abused.  Felton only has 25 pounds on Bradley, but I take this as more proof that Bradley definitely isn't a long-term solution at Shooting Guard.  He's too small.  I like him as a backup defensive role playing PG.

So, let me get this straight.  Bradley is not a "long-term solution at SG" in your eyes, as evidenced by his play as a PG?  You crack me up man!

[KGs Knee]

#1 - Jeff Green is solid.  Give him credit... this is his 3rd game dropping 20+ in this series.  He's exactly what I always knew him to be... solid fringe star who can average 17-20, but will never make an all-star team.

#2 - Avery Bradley is getting exposed by Ray Felton.  Just absolutely abused.  Felton only has 25 pounds on Bradley, but I take this as more proof that Bradley definitely isn't a long-term solution at Shooting Guard.  He's too small.  I like him as a backup defensive role playing PG.

#3 - Paul Pierce:  29 points, 8 boards, 6 assists

#4 - Kevin Garnett:  13 points, 17 boards, 6 assists, 1 block, 1 steal

In other words... as usual, Boston only really ever goes as far as their two best players take them.  Had they played this well in the first 3 games, the series would be a different story.

  What we're seeing in the playoffs is exactly how far "their two best players" take them, and for fun we should compare it to how far Rondo carried the team last year.

Shhhh...Rondo detractors don't like to hear this.

The reality is, this team would still be good enough to compete with anyone, if it's best player wasn't injured.

There's no need to "blow it up" next year.  Rondo will be back, and all will be well.

[syn2k12]

disappointed in Bass .  4 and 4 

If you watched the game, you could call him the MVP of the game, like most of the Celtics players did as well as Doc. His defense was out-of-this-world. 10-35 shooting for Melo.

He's one of the best defenders in the league. (7th in opponent's FG%)

TP