Time for a Statement…And the Rebirth of a Rivalry.

Yes the Boston Celtics are off to a blazing 20-2 start this season. They are undefeated at home winning by an average margin of 20 and overall their point differential per contest is plus 14, which is far and away the best in the league. Tonight at home against the Pistons someone is going to make a statement. The Celtics despite their torrid first quarter of the season realize they have not won anything yet. The Pistons have been an eastern power for the past six seasons and are still real pissed about last year’s playoff collapse against the King and his Cavs. Oh yeah and remember the late 80’s thru the 1991-1992 season? There was a bit of a rivalry between these two teams…something tells me that will be reborn tonight in front of a crazed Boston crowd.

This rivalry actually started in the mid 1980’s when the Celtics were champions and the young Pistons were fighting to be a playoff team and earn some respect. In 1986 the Celtics won 67 games, which included a 40-1 record at home and won their 16th NBA championship by going 15-3 in the postseason. Larry Bird was the best player in the world, and he was joined by arguably the best single season team the game of basketball has ever seen. The Pistons took notice. After winning 46 games Detroit was eliminated in the 1st round of the playoffs by Dominique Wilkins and the Atlanta Hawks.

Detroit knew they were a few pieces away from being able to challenge a team like the Celtics. To their credit that off season they went out and got those pieces. First they traded forward Kelly Tripuka to the Utah Jazz for forward Adrian Dantley. AD was the kind of player the Pistons needed as he could score from the blocks and from the wing. He was 6’5” but played like he was 6’9”, one of the toughest covers there was in the game at that point. That summer the Pistons drafted Dennis Rodman and John Salley. Rodman and Salley instantly made the team more athletic and very deep in the front court behind Bill Laimbeer, Rick Mahorn and Sidney Green (by the end of the season and the playoffs Salley and Rodman were playing major minutes while Green was hanging with Tony Campbell and Kurt Nimphius on the bench.)

The backcourt was lead by none other than Isiah Thomas. At that time Isiah was the best six foot player in the league and had entered all world player status. But something was missing. Contending for a championship. Along with 2nd year guard Joe Dumars and Vinnie Johnson the Pistons had one of the best three guard rotations in the league. But it was the added depth upfront along with the continued development of the bad boys’ attitude that propelled in the Pistons into contenders for the 1986-1987 season.

We all remember who the instigator was for Detroit, and while Bill Laimbeer was a very good basketball player he deserved what he got from the Chief and the rest of the Celtics. Fast forward the video to the 1:55 mark and let it run…watch Robert Parish and Bill Laimbeer under the basket.



Tonight we will not see anything like that but we will see two very good basketball teams who are both on a journey to achieve greatness. The game will be physical, chippy and there will be lots of trash talking. Tonight marks a marquee NBA match-up where these two teams will be looking to make a statement while revitalizing one of the league’s all-time great rivalries from 20 years ago. Detroit got its championship in 2004 and is hungry to another, the Celtics are after the franchises first since 1986. They clash at 7pm in Boston on ESPN, find a TV and get comfy.

A Real Gem...

The Coach had a few extra minutes to play with at lunch today while updating his play sheet and found this gem on you tube. In 1988 before the start of the season the Celts were overseas in Spain. This is a great video and Drazen Petrovic is one of the oppoents. "Draz for 3...Bada Bing!!!"
The Celtics season was unfortunately far from great as Larry Bird missed 76 games due to foot surgery and the team finished 42-40. It was a breakout year for Reggie Lewis as he saw major minutes and responded with almost 19 points per game but it marked the beginning of the end for the Big 3 and the glory days of the 1980's. Enjoy.

Knowing your role...making your name

As we are in the heat of the holiday season I thought it was time for us to recognize four players that are starting to make a name for themselves as role players on some of the leagues best teams. These four are giving the gift of quality minutes to their squads. As you know championships are won with the perfect mix of stars and role players and these four have really been playing well thus far:



Linas Kleiza-Denver Nuggets
Kleiza has been giving the Nuggets some extra scoring off the bench as his 10.7 ppg in 22 minutes per night has been a big help on a team that is just now getting healthy and starting to gel. Kleiza has the ability to play the 3-spot or be a step out 4 as his range and ability to run the floor for Denver make him very versatile. As the season goes on and teams are game planning for Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson and Marcus Camby, it will be Kleiza who will find himself benefiting from open looks and the Nuggets ability to run.



Kelenna Azubuike-Golden State Warriors
While Stephen Jackson, Baron Davis and Coach Don Nelson’s bad mock neck’s get most of the attention in Oakland, Azubuike has been a key contributor for them thus far. After scoring 7 ppg last season he is up to 12.6ppg which includes shooting 35% from three. His versatility on the perimeter at both ends makes him very valuable as he can guard either the 2 or 3 spot and take some of the defensive pressure off of Jackson who since returning to the team has averaged 40 minutes per game.



Jason Maxiell-Detroit Pistons
With Ben Wallace gone for over a year and Chris Webber not returning many were wondering who would step up inside on the Pistons to shoulder the load with Rasheed Wallace. Jason Maxiell has answered the call in Motown. The former Cincinnati Bearcat is now getting 24 minutes per contest off the bench for Detroit and his contribution has been very strong. His 9 ppg, 6 rpg and team leading 1.63 blocks per game have been huge. In December his numbers have increased to 11.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg and he is shooting 63% from the floor. But besides the numbers Maxiell is a physical force that plays a bit bigger than his 6-7 260lb frame. Detroit needed a boost depth wise and Maxiell has been getting it done.



Glen Davis-Boston Celtics
Throughout the years in Boston there have been many fan favorite’s, some stars, others role players. Well, Glen “Big Baby” Davis has already joined that list. The rookie forward out of LSU has become Boston’s first big off of the bench and has responded as only a man of his stature would…with force. Davis has been a terror in the paint as his 289lb frame at most times has been immoveable. While he did not receive a ton of minutes in November he is making up for it with his play this month. In December he is getting 7ppg and just under 6rpg in 20 minutes per appearance. On December 12th against the Kings he got his first career start, his line was 16 and 9 in 27 minutes which included 10-10 at the foul line. When the season started one of the so-called question marks was the Celtic’s lack of depth in the front court behind Kevin Garnett. Davis is beginning to be the answer there. Yet again Danny Ainge finds NBA ready talent in the 2nd round of the NBA draft.
A Tommy Point for Big Baby and DA.

The Jimmy V Classic...

I had the chance to get over to MSG the other night for the Jimmy Volvano Classic. What a night to be a basketball fan. Though the garden was not full the vibe in the building was quite lively first during the Kansas St. Notre Dame game that featured Kansas St. freshman Michael Beasley and red shirt freshman Billy Walker and the Irish’s junior point guard Kyle McAlarney (Staten Island native) and sophomore big man Luke Harangody. ND won the game by 9 pulling away down the stretch but keep an eye on the duo from Kansas St. Beasley has grabbed many headlines thus far this season and deservingly so, but with Billy Walker back healthy they form quite a duo in the frontcourt. The second game which was very hyped going in with USC and #2 ranked Memphis facing off. While it was quite competitive the game was flat out ugly. The Memphis offense, Princeton on steroids, never found its rhythm and while USC hung tough it was sloppy on both ends. We all know what OJ Mayo is capable of but the night was not the best indication on the MSG stage. But the real story of the evening is what the Jimmy V Foundation has done in its fight against cancer. They have raised millions upon millions of dollars for research and given so many people who are in for the fight of their lives hope. Jimmy V’s contribution to society will far outlast all the love and memories he gave the basketball world. His wife, brother and many members of the college basketball community have taken it upon themselves to carry on the mission that Jimmy V started. To them we all need to say thank you. For more information on how you can help those with Cancer visit http://jimmyv.org/.



The Classic also a great night to see different people from the basketball world. On hand were my man PR from Nike, and the boy wonder Justin Leonard at Dime magazine. Coach Dwayne "Tiny" Morton from Lincoln in Brooklyn who coaches Lance Stephenson was in the building as well. On my way out of the arena I had the opportunity to meet Danny Ainge who was is town to check out Beasley, Mayo and company...the man is always working...hence the turn around in beantown. He was definitely staying low key but it was cool to chat for a few moments...The Coach has to be heading to practice...thanks for reading.

The Beasts...

With winter already here as we are a month into the season (damn it is cold today, the wind is crazy) it's time to look at the top shelf of the league. Thus far we have some clear beasts, lets start in the east.

The East:
Both Orlando and Boston are smoking hot. The Magic sit at 16-4, the Celtics at 15-2. Most were worried about the Celtics not being able to keep their stars happy offensively and the point guard position...thus far I have never seen three happier all-stars on the court together. At the point Rajon Rondo has been improving on a weekly basis as his quickness on both ends is becoming a major headache for opponents and his decision making continues to move in the right direction. The real story regarding the Celtics is their ability to play terrific team defense. KG inspired it but the likes of Rondo, James Posey, and Kendrick Perkins have all been very strong and both Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have totally bought into what Coach Doc Rivers and Asst. Tom Thibodeau have been preaching. It is not a stretch to say the Celtics should win the next 5 games on the schedule (Toronto, @ Chicago, Sacremento, Milwaukee, @Toronto), which would put them at 20-2 set to host the Pistons on December 19th. Rivers has been consciously getting Pierce, Allen and Garnett some good rest as of late and there is only one back to back on the schedule before the C's travel west right after Christmas. You could not have asked for a better start.



The Orlando Magic are smoking hot. Dwight Howard as we wrote about in the season preview has taken no time to cement himself as the best big in the east and a top 3 big in the league. His numbers are startling, but even more so is his court presence. All of his Magic teammates are benefitting tremendously from the attention his draws from the opposition's defense. First is Rashard Lewis. He is proving he was worth every dollar when Orlando brought him in from Seattle. The decision to play him at the 4 next to Howard by Coach Van Gundy is proving to be a brilliant choice and a nightmare for everyone else. Imagine having to game plan for both guys every night at the 4/5 spots? Exactly. While you'd like to see some better rebounding numbers (5.2 in 39 minutes) his 19 ppg and his ability to stretch the defense with his range and finish in transition have been outstanding. At the 3 spot, Hedo Turkoglu has been lights out getting 18ppg and 6rpg and playing with the confidence and no how of an all-star. This front line is very tough.



The backcourt simply does it's job. Jameer Nelson has gotten it done at the point, directing traffic, getting Howard, Lewis and Turkoglu the touches they need. Next to him is Keith Bogn's who has been tough as nails since he was at Kentucky. His perimeter shooting and gritty defense at the 2 spot has been an intangible for the Magic. The bench has been solid with Carlos Arroyo, Kenyon Dooling and Adonal Foyle, but it just got better as last week they dealt Trevor Ariza to the Lakers for Maurice Evans and Brian Cook. Cook another big they can bring off the bench can strech the defense with his shooting and help on the boards...Evans gives them a boost both defensively and in transition...a good deal for the Magic.

We know the season is a marathon but thus far the Magic and the Celtics are the teams to beat...