NBA Playoff Thoughts: Pierce, Rondo Help Bulls Get to Game 7; Magic, Rockets Have Close Out Sales
April 30, 2009 by dwil
The Chicago Bulls organization needs to send Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo “thank you” notes. How in whatever’s name does Ray Allen not touch the ball each time down the court?
Can anyone tell me how?
Pierce has now lost at least two games for Boston, missing free throws in Game 4 and an open jumper at the end of regulation of Game 6 (and yes I know Allen missed an important free throw in Game 4 as well). Oh, and Pierce failed to show up for two games.
Now the Boston Celtics face a Game 7 crap shoot with tired legs and even more tired minds.
Meantime, the Chicago Bulls have proved little other than they can play with a very good team if it does not have its best player. That’s right, I said it. The Bulls are a 40-whatever win team and are playing like it. Any other top team in the NBA takes them out in five games at the most.
You see, driving down the Celtics lane when neither Kevin Garnett nor Kendrick Perkins is on the floor means nothing. Hitting open jumpers after forcing the defense to sag because the opposition’s center is, in this very physical playoff series, the only big man on either team constantly saddled with fouls, means nothing.
As poorly as Boston has collectively played, the series should be over and the Cees should be on their way home.
I’m sorry, did I fail to give any Chicago player kudos?
They’d get them if they deserved them.
When a player scores 51 points in 56 minutes but gets only one opportunity to shoot the ball in one overtime (the first) and one in the third overtime, someone on the Celtics deserves to get kicked square in their behinds – Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo.
And because two Celtics players decided, despite the fact that neither of them were shooting well the entire game, that they needed to be “the man” rather than get the ball to the man, the Bulls can get no dap from me.
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While Boston was bust making their first round series far more exciting than it should be, over on NBA TV the Philadelphia 76ers were busy folding like paper at home against an inspired Orlando Magic team. Apparently Magic players realized they had a chance to shine in the absence of Dwight Howard and wroked their butts off to get a 114-98 series-clinching win.
Hell, J.J. Redick played 31 minutes, shot 5-7 from beyond the arc (his only makes), had four assists, more than he probably had in any five-game stretch at Duke, and played pesky, scrambling defense.
The Magic’s two-headed center combination of the ever-potent Marcin Gorat and the ever-wily Tony Battie combined a positively Howard-like box score line: 18 points, 21 rebounds (seven offensive) and four steals (but only one block).
However, it was Rashard Lewis’ night to blow up in Philly. Lewis looked unguardable as he Thaddeus Young Or perhaps better put, “Young Thaddeus”), Donyell Marshall, and Marreese Speights.
Wow, that really isn’t saying much, is it? Oh well, Lewis did look the part of an all-star against that ignonymous trio .
The Sixers played as well as they could for a team missing a big man who can score and a reliable scoring compliment for Andre Iguodala.
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If only Portland had a collective heart.
Or maybe, if only the Trail Blazers had Ron Artest. Fresh haircut and all, Artest scored a career-high 27 points, slowed Brandon Roy just enough to keep him from causing undue damage to the Rockets, Yao got more than 15 shots (8-16), and the Houston Rockets closed out the number four seed Blazers, four games to two.
Steve Blake (1-4, two points) and Rudy Fernandez (1-7, two points) were the toxic twins and their weak performances ensured Portland’s doom. Only Roy, who scored 22 points on 8-17 shooting and LaMarcus Aldridge, who went 12-21 from the floor and scored 26 points despite being in foul trouble appeared to be unfazed by the road conditions.
Maybe next year for Portland.
Meantime, Houston now faces number one seed Los Angeles.
Prediction for this Western Conference semi-final matchup? LA in five.
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Yesterday, Atlanta took a 3-2 series lead with a 106-91 win over Miami. With about four minutes remaining in the game the Hawks Josh Smith went between his legs while in the air and attempted a dunk that grazed off the rim.
That might be the only thing Miami can hang its hat on to steel itself for Game 6.
Dwil – Pierce’s foul of Noah had to have been one of the worst choices I’ve seen a star make in that situation in a while.
I’ll take LA in five as well. While I don’t like how we give up leads, it doesn’t bother me that much because we never real seem to be in danger of losing the games. Its something the team has to address, but I still think we present to many matchup problems for the Rockets as well.
This Boston/Chicago series is going to take forever to end. No offense to those who like competitive games (co-signed!), but 3OT’s?! Anyways, I’m looking forward to the Houston/L.A. series since I’m a Lake-Show follower. I was somewhat surprised at the Magic’s showing at the 76er’s sans Howard.
Does Pierce owe you money? You really have it in for him this week. He basically saved the C’s season in Game 5 and all you could do was blame Vinny for not defending him correctly.
Anyway, these games are reaching the point where I don’t care who wins. I just kind of want them to end. 3 OTs is just too damn much basketball.
But I think two things happened last night that are interesting in a historical sense.
1. Ray Allen added a huge listing on his resume when the Hall of Fame/All Time Greats discussions include him after his career. To do that once in Celtic Green in Chicago is probably worth 5 All Star seasons in Milwaukee.
2. Rondo had a learning experience. That felt like Ralph Sampson or Bill Laimbeer in the old Garden last night. And if you want to be a superstar, you have to go through one of those nights were you are a SuperVillian on the road. I don’t think he handled terribly well. He turned the OTs into some kind of grudge match with Rose when he really should have just been feeding Allen. But, he seems like the kind of player who grows from these experiences.
Final thoughts,
1. Has there ever been a guard who is as good a shot blocker as Rose is already? Jordan had his moments but I don’t ever recall him blocking shots off the dribble or in one-on-one low post situations like Rose does.
2. What are the odds that Garnett is in uniform in Game 7?
Esquire
Pierce couldn’t make up his mind on that foul. At first he didn’t want to foul him because he knew how many fouls he had so he was jogging, then he thought about the situation and realized it was better to make Noah shoot free throws and decided to foul him. By the time he mad up his mind, Noah was too close to the rim and things went horribly wrong.
Not impressed by the C’s not having Garnett seeing as Deng is nattily dressed on the sidelines also.
That said I am loving this series. I hope Ray Allens legs aren’t too tired for game seven for the C’s sake.
Big Man – I felt like he was just stunned that Noah was able to steal the ball from him and then was able to handle the ball and run that fast down the court (I know I was shocked). It just looked like the whole thing shocked him and I thought he should have just let the play go.
awb, I’m also loving this series. the only other 7-gamer that I’ve seen this exciting was Dallas-san Antonio a couple of years ago when every game went to the wire including a game 7 in OT.
I also couldn’t understand how Ray Allen wasn’t getting the ball in the OTs. he was hitting killer shots from all angles and hands in his face. gotta go down with Rray firing.
I think Pierce will step up in game 7 like game 5. However, it is possible that all the OTs are adding up on the Cs. if they lose, it may be from tired legs of Ray and Pierce. You could usually tell if the misses are hitting the rim on the front end. I still think the Cs take it though.
If the Celtics lose this series, losing Game 1 will be the reason. They don’t have the legs or the bench to play Chicago in a war of attrition. I agree that Pierce was a combination of stunned/exhausted on that play by Noah. Noah’s energy made that play happen and Pierce looked like, well, me after the first 15 minutes of the pickup game at the gym with the 22 year olds.
By the way, I do find it hard to imagine Pierce and Allen allowing this team to lose a Game 7 at home against this team.
I can’t see the C’s losing a Game 7 at home. They have too much pride, and there’s also the considerable home court advantage that the C’s have always enjoyed at home. I doubt Ray Ray will be out of his mind shooting like he was last night, though.
Myron-
“Does Pierce owe you money?” That is seriously funny. Naw man, he owes his teammates an explanation, though.
To all-
…as for the brusqueness of these perceptions, I wanted to demystify the series and it in a very real context. The Bulls are not that much better than they were the last month of the season, Vinnie D. is no better a head coach, but the Celtics are a much, much worse team without KG. And because of his presence, and that Pierce was allowed by last year’s Lakers to look so good, Pierce’s flaws have become more apparent.
The C’s will probably take it. Derrick Rose finally looked like the pressure was getting to him-you can’t forget he is still a rookie. He still has the poker face but his game is definitely telling on him.
Pierce had to be shocked, because there is no way he should be letting a 7 footer beat him down the court and he had the inside angle. Shocked and dismayed. Boy if Noah had any type of offensive game he would be the sh*t!!
And MODI, I too don’t know why Ray Ray wasn’t getting the ball either. It was almost funny watching the Bulls play off of Rondo as he shot 15 footers. I’m sure Del Negro would take that all day.
Dwil,
I agree. Against the Lakers the middle was open all day (A flaw they have had since Phil came to the Lakers-guards you never heard of having career games-I wonder if this is a flaw of the triangle because it is not like LA has had poor defenders all the time.) and Pierce was able to take advantage. They had no Ariza to guard him or Bynum to clog it up. But the cat is still the same=great player; kind of whiny; maybe not as clutch as he should be (although he was hitting some big shots last night)
I’ve enjoyed the series a great deal. It features two flawed teams who have put together some great moments. The games have been incredibly close and hard fought. Great stuff.
Just because the teams are flawed doesn’t mean, for me, that the games aren’t great. I really enjoyed the last Super Bowl, too. The Cardinals weren’t a great team — they can’t run; they have a mediocre defense. The Steelers were a work in progress all year. Still a great game with two flawed teams.
Perhaps that’s precisely what makes Boston-Chicago so intriguing. A lot of “leveling” had to happen for this series to pit to fairly equal teams against one another. Garnett, Powe and Deng couldn’t have added to this by playing…that’s part of the magic of sports. It’s really about the guys that are on the floor.
Temple
Great point man.
The Celtics were never a deep team, even last year. And they lost their two best reserves from that team in Posey and PJ. If they still had those two, this series would have been over in five.
The Bulls, while lacking an inside presence and coaching, have crazy athletic ability, streak shooters and the third or fourth best player on the court every night.
The Bulls advantage with bodies, is being offset by the Celtics poise and talent. They are so closely matched, that it’s impossible for one team to destroy the other barring a really flat game. It’s compelling basketball.
Plus, we’re getting to see cats perform under real pressure. There was pressure on Pierce last year, but he still had KG and the bigs bailing him out on defense. Now, he’s having to carry the load on both sides and that’s really tough.
Last night I was pissed at Doc for putting in Tony Allen when the Bulls went small. He was trying to bolster their defense, but I’ve always believed that when they game is close, the most important thing is to have players who can score. Defense is cool when you’re protecting a lead, but ultimately, the best way to protect a lead, is to keep scoring more points.
Doc fascinates me. He is probably the only coach who could have guided that team to the title last year. At the same time, there are probably 15 coaches who would have won this particular series already.
At some point, doesn’t the head coach have to say, “Hey, guys! Are GOAT shooting guard looks like the “On FIre” dude in NBA Jam. How about we set some screens and get him the ball?” He has to see that Rondo had gotten caught up in a battle with the fans and that Pierce was doing his Pierce thing where he gets fixated on his shot. (That’s always been the big hole in Pierce’s game. He sometimes seems to think he is living in that commercial with O’Neal.).
There has to be a play called…I dunno…”4″ that gets the ball to Ray. Just keep calling it.
Myron
I said on another site that they should have immediately gone into the “Reggie Miller” offense, and the only job of the guys on the court not named Rondo or Allen should have been setting screens. Period.
I think the thing that everyone has to realize is that they tried to get ray allen the ball but once Perkins was their offense changed. Perkins is the best pick setter (besides Garnett) on the team. He was the one popping the sh&^ out of ben gordon and Hinrich to free up allen.
As far as pierce not catching Noah on the steal. Also realize that Noah had sat out like 10 minutes in the first 2 OTs so he had like 30 minutes of real time of rest. He was fresh Pierce wasn’t. That the reason pierce wasn’t able to catch him.
I can excuse Pierce and the rest of the celtics for not coming through. Those dudes were tired and they just have no bench. Now that Garnett and Powe are hurt.
Another thing Big Baby isn’t getting enough props in this series. This kat is fundamentaly sound. Glad to see that the world is witnessing his game. Having the league pass I have seen him get better and better over the last 2 season.
Dwil, from the begining I though the series would go 6. For the simple fact that Garnett was hurt and that the Bulls had more healty bigs (plus the celtics struggle against young teams/just like Larry Birds teams did).
Once Powe went out I new it would go 7 games. The Celtics just don’t have enough big bodies.
Expect the big Christian (aka Dwight Howard) to avg. 25 pts and 18 rebs against the celtics and prove he is the best center in the league.
As far as the Prtland and houston series. Thank god that trash was over…..that series was as bad as watch paint dry. The trailblazers just couldn’t handle the physical play of the playoffs. The point guards can’t create their own shots and they get no points out of their centers.
Mcmillen should have activated Bayless for the playoff roster. He could have helped slow down brooks.
And finally yao got the match up he could succeed in. A match up in which the blazers never ran (which is crazy). They have big men that don’t score so yao could just chill and not play defense (unlike when he played the Mavs, Lakers and Utah in previous series). And only Brandon Roy went to the hole. So yao never picked up fouls….even though he was fouling his @ss off in the series.
That ain’t gonna happen to LA. Yao will have to play Bynum and Gasol on the defensive end. And Odom, Kobe, Ariza, and the big eared boy (farmer) from UCLA all go to the hole.
So bye bye Ron Ron and Yao.
Oh and this Celts vs Bulls series is one of the greatest I have seen in my life.
T3, Big Man and Origin-
Again, I am not concern how exciting the series is – it’s most definitely exciting. The point is if KG plays it’s not exciting at all. And if PP plays up to his alleged status, the series is over.
So, I’m placing the talk about how ≤em≥great≤/em≥ the Bulls are playing must be placed in context with the version of the Celtics they are playing – and even then, with the gross errors committed by Pierce – and Rondo in Game 6 – that have allowed the series to go seven games…..
“Exciting” and “Great” can be distinctly different.
I do not feel games are great when they do not feature two teams with their full compliment of players and playing their best.
Like many people talked about the Patriots-Rams game as a great game…. BUT. The players in the game all said it was a sloppily-played affair.
Exciting? Damn straight! Great? No. For me, it’s the same with this series.
Origin-
“They tried to get the ball to Allen once. ONCE?! Damn, dude should have had the ball every play.
Big Man-
The Reggie offense thought is absolutely true as there was no excuse for Allen not to touch the ball in a position to shoot on every trip up the floor.
I hear you and understand. That is the reason I stated that the series would go 6 once KG was a no go in the playoffs. And I still feel even if Paul P played his best in the series they could not over come the lack of big men they have. Which would still result in them winning in 6 or 7 games.
Also ray allen isn’t that great creating off the dribble. He still would have had trouble beating hinrich (who isn’t the machine when it comes to man to man) off the dribble so it would have been best running him off screens. But since their best screener fouled out it changed the game.
All of this doesn’t matter in the end. They will win tonight. And Perkins will not foul out. But I guarantee that Chicago’s big men will be in foul trouble.
As far as that Pats and giants series I didn’t even care for it. I knew the out come and knew it would come down to the last play before I ever saw it. It was 1991 all over again. Bills vs giants…………I called it 2 weeks before the game.
that block by Rose was sick!
Well, yea, obviously things are different if Garnett (and Powe) are healthy. The Celtics strength is their D and its built around having an eraser guarding the basket. Davis made himself a lot of money in this series, but he is certainly not a defensive stopper and he can’t match the athleticism of the Chicago bigs.
And I really have a fundamental misunderstanding of your dislike of Pierce. He is what he has always been. A guy fully capable of being an elite player for small stretches, but more suitable for being a top 20 or 25 guy in the league. He may sometimes think he is Lebron and there may be small stretches where he plays like Lebron. But he’s never been Lebron.
In a 7 game series, Pierce is probably going to stink up the joint at least one time. That’s always been the way he played.
Anyway, I was right that he and Allen were not going to lose a game 7 at home though.
The most exciing thing about these playoffs has been the realization that we may be entering a new golden age for point guards. You always get great overall play when you have great PGs in the league and for too many years, it was Kidd, Nash, and a couple of combo guards like Davis.
Now, there are four guys in their early 20s who are all already excellent and a few more guys turning into – at worst – above average points. If Rubio comes into the league and shows anything, you could have 8 or 9 all-star quality PGs in 2 or 3 years. The last time that was the case might have been 1987.