Thursday, November 21, 2013

Celtics Back To Winning Ways With Losing Days


Now that’s more like it.

The Celtics are finally back on track after a spell of disagreeable basketball.
I say “back on track” because they’ve now lost five in a row, and I say “disagreeable basketball” because I don’t agree with that four-game win streak. I mean, what the Hell are they trying to prove, anyway? This train’s bound for glory and by glory, I mean the NBA Draft Lottery.

Look, I love wins as much as the next guy, but we’re playing for much more than a handful of W’s. We’re playing for the big picture, and that doesn’t include making a first-round exit in the Playoffs. Been there, done that.

Now, I’m being a little facetious (emphasis on the “little”). Of course I want our Celtics to be competitive, which I think they can be on most nights. And, I’d have to be crazy (or a New York fan) to not want these guys to start developing a winning attitude so that, when the time comes and the right team is in place, they know how to win the right way. Tanking is not an option. It has never worked for the Celtics, and history makes the strong argument that it hasn’t really helped many other teams, either.

That said, the Celtics best chance at near-future contention is not to please the fairweather fanbase but to draft smartly, trade wisely and play the style of basketball to match the talents of those wearing the green and white jerseys.

For those of you who believe that draft picks won’t get the C’s back into championship contention, that’s just crazy talk. With a draft that is believed to be as deep as any in recent memory and the Celtics in possession of six first round picks in the next five years, there is a significant opportunity to draft a once in a blue moon superstar to pair with Rajon Rondo, Jared Sullinger, Jeff Green, Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk. Hell, they may even be able to draft two. And, if Danny Ainge and co. believe that the player they need is already toiling for the NBA, then he can trade off a combination of multiple picks and a superfluous player (Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries and/or Keith Bogans, anyone?) or two (see: “Like 2008 Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen”).

My point is, as I have said before, true GreenHeadz should just sit back, relax and embrace the stress-free simplicity of the 2013-14 Boston Celtics. You’ll be glad you did in about three years.
Bring it, Indiana! And, remember...

Monday, November 11, 2013

Hookin' Up Dunks & Facials & Throw Downs...
...With one of the game's most
emphatic dunkers.
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Yes, Indeed, folks...though the season is only six games old, Jumpin' Jeff Green has already taken enough heads to warrant our very first "Conjunction Dunktion...With Jeff Green" post of the 2013-14 season.

So, sit back relax and then prepare to jump back up to your feet again and cheer, as the NBA's most carnivorous dunker plays whack-a-mole with the rest of the League.

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Mean Jeff Green Gets Edgy With Reggie In A Preseason
Game Against The "New-Look" Brooklyn Nets
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Proving That He's An Equal Opportunity Kind Of Guy, Jeff Throws One Down Against The Other Side Of Town vs. The New York Knicks
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Making Those Toronto Dinos Sore, Jeff
Soars And Scores Against The Raptors
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Making The Ball Disappear Through The Hoop Against The Magic, Jay Gee Went On A Spree In Orlando
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Putting The Exclamation Point On This Week's "Conjunction Dunktion" As Well As Jason Maxiell's Head, J-Max Probably Wishes This Video Would Disappear

Saturday, November 9, 2013

C's Kick Heat In Nuts With Buzzer Beater, Extend Win Streak To 3

 
Are you freakin' serious!?!? Did the "rebuilding" Boston Celtics just stick it to the defending champion Miami Heat? With a game winning 3?! In their own building?!?!?!
 
Yes!! Yes, sportsfans...this really happened! After continuous (and mostly negative) comparisons to Paul Pierce as in "Jesus, Jeff...you're the new Paul Pierce, for Christ's sake!! You have to start being our go-to guy!!", Mean Jeff Green threw up the middle finger to haters everywhere and sank the game winner right in LeBron's face!

With the Celtics down two following a classic tank job at the free-throw line by Dwyane Wade who missed two freebies that would have iced the game for the Heat, Jeff Green raised up, up, up over LeBron's outstretched arms and calmly made like M.C. Hammer, not only saying "You Can't Touch This" to South Beach's Number 6, but proving that he was "2 Legit To Quit." Okay, even I know how bad that last sentence was, but what can I say? I'm still delirious from passing out after "The Shot" happened.

But, as much as I would love to continue talking about that incredible and unexpected win, I wanted to do something a little bit different. Sure, other blogs and sports sites will show you photos like the ones above that display in full glory the afterglow of the win, but I'd like to bring fans the stories behind the story.
 
And, what I am about to reveal could change the way we look at the National Basketball Association forever.
 
Without further ado...the win in pictures.
  
While others looked at the series of photos above and reveled at the sight of Jeff Green floating as his shot found its way across the arena and through the basket, I took a closer look at the photos to reveal the truth (No, not THAT Truth...though Jay Gee certainly seemed to be channeling his inner Captain).
 
God favors the Boston Celtics. I know, I know...but read on...if you dare.
 
As the shot went up, this Miami-based Celtics fan put in a special request with the man upstairs...
 

And, as we all know very well, the Miami Heat represent the Devil...I mean, come on...as if the red uniforms, flame at the tip of the "T" in "Heat" (which, by the way, resembles a pitchfork with missing prongs), and the reference to the more-than-balmy temperatures down under the down under didn't already give it away, you have LeBron, Wade, Bosh AND Battier on the same team? And, Chalmers...don't EVEN get me started with Chalmers!


Anyway, in this battle of good vs. evil, clearly, God won this round. Just look at how the Devil's minions reacted to the sight of pure goodness as it flooded the arena...

Many of them appeared to feel the light of righteousness entering through their heads.

 
It was apparently too much for this guy, as he began to head for the exit even as the ball soared to its glorious destiny...
 
 
Say what you will about Miami fans, though (and there IS plenty to say!) they sure do know their famous paintings. Several of them chose to deal with their pain by emulating a well-known Edvard Munch work of art...
 
Scream 1

Scream 2
Clearly, though...this one really put a hurt on Heat fans right where it counts...

 
...and, ultimately, good didst triumph over evil.


The End.



Box Score

Tale of THE SHOT

Celtics Jeopardize Draft Position, Win 2nd Straight

 
Hey, look at that...Jeff Green has as many hands as the Celtics have wins for this young season. What, you thought I was gonna say something crazy like, "Two down, eight to go!"? In your dreams! We're winning this Draft Lottery thing!!

In all seriousness, though, nice win for the C's tonight against the Orlando Magic and good two-game run. The guys are beginning to mesh a little bit better and it looks like there's more cohesion executing the game plan that Coach Stevens is trying to implement, though it's important to note that A) As I've stated previously, this team can beat any team on any given night when they run and play decent defense and B) it WAS the Jazz and Magic, after all.

Speaking of defense, though the C's are currently tied for last place in the Eastern Conference, according to John Hollinger's Defensive Efficiency rating chart, the Celtics are 10 in the league. And, while I absolutely abhor writing about rankings of any kind with a mere six games burned off the schedule, I can talk about some of the reasons for the Green's success in the past two games and their general success through the first three quarters of the four losses.

Brandon Bass has been a BEAST. Channeling his inner KG, he's almost singlehandedly shut down possessions of opposing teams with his energetic, tenacious defense. As has been noted in several blogs by numerous writers, Bass has stepped up to take the role of defensive leader with the kind of relish that can fill a dozen giant hotdogs. I have no idea what that means, but Bass is playing his @$$ off.

Jeff Green is also starting to pick up his aggression on a more consistent basis on the long road to becoming the Celtics' go-to option. See what I mean?


Green also had a great baseline jam in this game, and he's been picking his spots with more frequency as the season inches along. The Kelly Olynyk's (who had a very clutch basket), Jared Sullinger's and Jordan Crawford's of the team are starting to gel together with the veterans (Gerald Wallace had some moments off the bench, where he presumably will continue to contribute from) and their tenaciousness and energy are beginning to pay dividends at the end of games.

Again, as was stated before, Jeff Green and Brandon Bass are going to be key to anything positive the Celtics do this year, which we know isn't much more than moral victories and entertaining basketball. While I understand that one or both of these guys may be moved along the road back to championship contendersville, but it would be nice if both could stick around to be part of Banner 18 in a few years.

In the meantime, keep enjoying the development of our team chemistry and...

 
Celtics vs. Jazz
 
 
Celtics vs. Magic
 
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Who Got Next?
 
Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat

Saturday, November 9, 2013
7:30 PM ET                        

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Celtics 2013-14: Preparing For The Future, Practicing For The Present

 
 "It's been a long time...I shouldn't of left you..."
-- Rakim, I Know You Got Soul
 
With THAT said, what more can be said about the Celtics struggles in these larval stages of the 2013-14 NBA season?

I'm reading/hearing a lot from folks about how upset they are about the losses that are starting to pile up with this team. Now, granted, most of these people are not hardcore fans because, if they were, they'd know that our C's are in the midst of a rebuild and wins really aren't the point this season.

Still, for all you Negative Nellies and Debbie Downers out there...as was stated in the previous post, it's all about the development of young players, the polishing of assets and hunkering down for the future where glory awaits.

Watching Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk, Vitor Faverani, Jordan Crawford, MarShon Brooks and the rest improve and make strides together as a team is actually kind of exciting...just read this great article by MassLive's Jay King if you don't believe me.

These guys will learn how to close out games...their hard work will extend over 48 minutes and we'll get our first win of the Brad Stevens Era. In fact, I think we stand a good shot of getting it against Utah.

In the meantime, let's just sit back and enjoy watching these guys find themselves and before you know it, they'll start putting together a couple of wins.

Here and there.

On occasion.

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Who Got Next?

Boston Celtics vs. Utah Jazz
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
7:30 PM ET
TD Garden, Boston, MA