Stoudemire Return For Knicks In Game 3

So Amar'e is going to be back Game 3 for the Knicks barring any setbacks. You can argue either way if that is a good or bad thing, but I think it's a good thing. The Knicks have done very well when Melo is playing PF, but this is a series that I really think they need another big body. The Pacers are a big team, that can play post defense. The Knicks tried to go small and got their ass kicked. If Stoudemire is healthy he could as least help limit the damage underneath.

The bottom line is that the series is over if the Knicks aren't draining 3's. JR Smith is really the key, he needs to be a sharp shooter, and he hasn't been good since mid way through the Celtics series.

It's so aggravating watching the Knicks, because if the Celtics had Rondo they would've beaten them. I'm not saying the Celtics would've won it all or anything, because they had some serious flaw even with Rondo, but they are better than the Knicks.

Captain's Thoughts: Why the Celtics Lost

I'm not the most astute observer of basketball, but I do think I know why the Celtics were eliminated by the Knicks.

#1: No Rondo
Everyone who once suggested that the Celtics were better without Rondo should be forced, for one year, to wear hats and shirts that quote that absurd theory. Rondo has been especially good in the playoffs, and his ability to run the offense was a stabilizing factor that would have prevented some of the runs that the Knicks went on in this series. Losing Rondo lost this series.

#2: Age
This is an old team. Small bumps and bruises become nagging injuries. Pierce and Garnett didn't have enough gas in their tanks to play 40 minutes of great basketball every night. And it won't be any better next season. If they come back next season.

#3: No Depth
When the Celtics won in 2008 they had a good supporting cast for The Big Three. When they made other deep playoff runs, they had guys who could score, guys who could play defense. This year they had no random 25+ point nights from Ray Allen. They had Avery Bradley in a role he's not suited for (again, the Rondo injury). In Game 6, only Jason Terry scored points off the bench. When Pierce and KG needed the most support, they received the least.

It might be difficult for the most optimistic Celtics fans to realize, but this team just wasn't that good. It was old, it wasn't deep, and even with a healthy Rondo I don't think the Celtics would be a match for the Heat. Not in a 7 game series. The C's were 41-40. They nearly pulled off an historic comeback in Game 6, but they lost this series in Game 1 when they scored 8 points in the 4th quarter. They lost this series in Game 2 when they scored 23 in the second half.

And now we enter a period of uncertainty for the C's. Rondo will be back. But what kind of team will be back with him? Pierce and Garnett can still play, however they can't be the centerpieces of this team anymore. And in the NBA, unless Rondo can become pals with other great players who decide to come here, or the Celtics get a #1 overall pick, it is very difficult to rebuild.

This might be the end of a mini-era for the Celtics.

-The Captain

92 Celtics, 86 Knicks

The Knicks are going to lose this series because of stupidity.

Last night the Knicks proclaimed they were wearing all black to their game, because it was going to be a funeral for the Celtics said Kenyon Martin. However, the Knicks were the ones that ended up looking foolish and giving the Celtics extra motivation for this game. The question is, who are the Knicks? What have any of these guys done? The biggest game Carmelo Anthony has played was the National Championship game at Syracuse and as for J.R. Smith his probably was in China during the lock out. The Knicks haven't won a playoff series in 13 years, and hopefully it stays that way.

Kenyon Martin finished with 2 points, 2 rebounds and 5 fouls, and JR Smtih was 3-14.

Jeff Green had an incredible 4th quarter. He had ten of his team high 18 points came in the final 12 minutes. His back-to-back threes inside three minutes were huge to hold off the Knicks. And that old man KG had a game for himself, 16 points, 18 rebounds and 5 assists. His 20-footer with 48 seconds remaining was the dagger. Paul Pierce didn't have the best shooting night, however, his 10 point 3rd quarter was great. And Jason Terry played phenomenal on defense? and offense with 17 points. But the MVP for the Celtics has to be Brandon Bass, he provided scoring with 17 points, but he played incredible defense on Melo. Melo started off hot by hitting 5-7 but finished the game shooting 3-17.

The biggest and continuous issue is Avery Bradley, as Raymond Felton has killed him all series. You know it's bad when Doc has to bring in Jason Terry as a defensive replacement for him.

And of course another vintage KG interview:

Celtics @ Knicks Game 5 Preview

So we are once again at that emotional game where it could be the Celtics last. Paul Pierce's contract next year is non guaranteed, and you never know when KG could walk away (I think both will be back). Yet, the Celtics have always been a tough out.

The Knicks won the first three games of this series, holding the Celtics to 75 ppg. In game 3 the Celtics scored 54 points in the first half and led by 20 early in the third quarter before they once again hit the offensive wall, and they were limited to just 30 points in the third and fourth quarters.

There is a ton of things going against the Celtics in this game. As I just stated their offense overall has been horrid. They have to go to NY, and JR Smith is back.

I am sure everyone and their mother are expecting this series to be over tonight. What have I learned from being a Celtics fan? Never count out Pierce and KG. I know there isn't much reason for hope, and the Knicks are favored by 8, but I still the Celtics win tonight.

Celtics win 94-92 (OT)
Tommy Award: KG
Game starts at 7:05pm

97 Celtics, 90 Knicks

At least we didn't get swept. The Celtics did the same thing they did in every game in this series so far and blew a giant lead and momentum going into the 2nd half. I just don't get it, at all. It seems like 2 different teams. I guess that is what it's like when you don't have a PG, but the Celtics escaped Boston with a W thanks to Jason Terry and some great defense on Carmelo.

It also could be the fact that the whole Celtics team was in foul trouble in the 3rd quarter. I believe at one point Brandon Bass(who has played great D against Melo), KG, Pierce and Green all had 4 fouls in the 3rd, which is ridiculous. Melo was at the free throw line 20 times and it seemed that he was getting a lot of BS fouls. The foul trouble has been killing the C's as well in this series.

Jason Terry had an outstanding 4th and overtime as he earned his contract. He had 7 points in overtime including a ballsy break a way 3 pointer. It felt good to win 1 and now the Celtics need to take it game to game.

I think the Celtics can make a some noise in NY and if they win in NY, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!

87 Knicks, 71 Celtics

I never thought that I would see this kind of lackluster performance from a Doc Rivers coached team, but this team is playing flat out awful. They play well in the first half, get tired in the second and can't score any god damn points. KG has been a pretty big disappointment on the offensive end, Pierce has been the most consistent but still needs to do more and Jeff Green was horrible last night. You know this team desperately needs? Rajon Rondo. It's funny, all the maniacs out there that said the team is better off without Rondo have seem to have disappeared.

In the previous game he would have made sure the offense didn't stay stagnant and last game the same thing. The Knicks figure out that we don't have a god damn point guard and so our offense is pretty one pass and shoot at times and it sucks. Plus Rondo is a big time playoff performer so missing his monster games kills the Celtics. I hope we can appreciate his skills a little bit more Boston fans.

As for last nights game again, the defense is doing fine. I have zero issue what they are doing on defense, but their offense is just miserable. Courtney Lee got buried last night and should stay that way. Jason Terry is just terribly inconsistent. I wasn't a giant fan of the officiating in the first half, but whatever, can't blame the officials for this one.

These 2 games have been mildly annoying to say the least.

Celtics @ Knicks Game 2 Preview

Everyone is talking about how the Celtics need to get KG going. It's true, but it's not the whole story. Listen, KG isn't what he was, he can give you some good games, but he is not what he is going to get you through these playoffs anymore. You know who is? It's Jeff Green.

Jeff Green had 20 points at half time last game, then he got tired and only scored 6 the rest of the way. Unacceptable, and it cost them the game. He needs to play aggressive all the time. They guy has the talent, he has wanted to be a key member of this team, now he is getting the chance and to be honest he kind of failed. He needs to step up. Imagine he he dropped another 15-20 points in the 2nd half? I believe he can do it, he has that kind of talent. If the Celtics suddenly have a guy that can drop 30 every game they become a scary team.

Garnett played in only five of the final 17 games of the regular season, my hope is that Game 1 was just him shaking off some rust. I do believe he will have a better night tonight.

The Knicks haven't held a 2-0 lead since 2000, and you can already hear some fear in their voices...

"Tomorrow we're approaching this game as a must-win," said Anthony, who scored 36 points in Game 1. "Here on our home court, we want to win this basketball game. We don't want to go back to Boston 1-1."

Sorry Melo, but the Celtics don't die easy, and I think they shake the rust off and take it to the Knicks tonight. Like I said from the beginning Celtics in 6.

Celtics win 92-88
Tommy Award: Green
Game starts at 8pm

108 Knicks, 89 Celtics

It's all fun and games until the Knicks don't miss a 3 pointer.

The Knicks knocked in 14 3 points out of 27 and the Celtics just didn't have a response.

The only ones who were worth a damn last night were Paul Pierce and Jeff Green.

Pierce had 24 points and 15 boards and Jeff Green had 27 points. Everyone else was just terrible. Avery Bradley's offense has disappeared, JET is very inconsistent and the same can be said about Jordan Crawford. Well I guess you can say that about the whole Celtics team to be honest, everyone is inconsistent and if this KG injury lingers like it did in 09, they will be fucked.

Knicks 100 Celtics 85...I'm Still Not Concerned

So the Celtics lost again. That makes 5 straight losses for the Celtics. in my Crackpot Celtics Theory I said
"Now that the trade deadline has passed I'd expect the Celtics to do the bare minimum to make the playoffs". The Celtics are nine games up on the 9th seed Philadelphia 76ers with 12 games to play. They could lose every game for the rest of the season and the 76ers would still have to win 9 of 12 down the stretch to overtake them(even then they would need to win the right games to win the tiebreaker, they split the season series 2-2 so the next tiebreaker is conference win%). It's not impossible yet, but it's improbable enough that I'm not even remotely worried. Even if it gets close down the stretch they can bring KG back and flip the switch a little earlier. This is just the coast where they overreact to KGs "Knee Inflammation" and rest him up until the playoffs. I wouldn't be shocked to see Paul Pierce take some time off to tend to a vague injury either.

This is a pretty good example of the problem I have with the NBA playoffs. There are too many games and playoff seeding isn't relevant enough. Home Court in a deciding game is nice, getting a cupcake round 1 is nice, but it's nothing compared to being rested and healthy. I still don't think that the Celtics can beat Miami, but for them to have a chance they'll need to be fresh and healthy. I think this win streak is starting to take it's toll on Miami. They have the top seed wrapped up already, but they're still putting in 100% every night to keep this streak going. I think they might be able to catch a weary, overconfident Miami team off guard in the first round.

Is There A Bigger Pussy That Is A Star Than Carmelo Anthony?

Carmelo Anthony sat out last nights Knicks/ OKC game from a "knee" injury and I think his injury is fake as shit and just doesn't want to play because he's a bitch. There is a reason Carmelo Anthony hasn't sniffed NBA greatness, because he is a cheap, immature, me first type of player that doesn't give a shit about playing defense or effort to put his team over the top. he may be the most talented offensive player in the NBA and he know's that, but he lacks the effort to put him in the Superstar category in my eyes.

As much as I hate LeBron james, the dude tries all the time. he tries on defense and he has worked on his game (especially offensively) since coming into the league. he could have let his God given talents dictate the type of player he was, but worked on his shooting, post moves, etc. Meanwhile I have seen no improvement in Carmelo's game since he got drafted by the Nuggets. Last night's game against the Thunder is a game you must suck up and play, I'm sorry if your knee is aching but you would never see a Celtics player take a game off like that unless they were seriously injured.

Carmelo will never be an NBA Champion unless he stops taking the game for granted and starts playing with some heart. Melo is rising significantly in most hated NBA players. My top 5 goes:

1. Wade
2. CP3
3. Melo
4. LeBron
5. Deron Williams

Wade is the cheapest player of our generation, followed by CP3. Melo gives lackluster effort, LeBron drops to 4 because he proved me wrong and I just think Deron Williams sucks. I never got why anyone thought he was a franchise player. he blows, get over it.

Dude, Steve Novak You Are Such A Boner

Has there been a picture that sums up a wet noodle more than this.

Why Not?

Why not watch Carmelo Anthony slap Spencer Hawes and get in no trouble whatsoever.



Carmelo Anthony is a such a piece of shit and for him to not get suspended for this is ridiculous. How many times does he get a bye? He consistently plays like this, he consistently does cheap moves and Stern NEVER punishes him. Yet, Rondo breaths on an official and he gets suspended. Fucking absurd. David Stern always had it out for the Celtics and this proves my point again.

89 Knicks, 86 Celtics

At this point I am looking for anything positive to say about the Celtics, they have been playing awful of late, can't shoot, can't defend, can't win. They have now lost 5 in a row.

Last night was a little different, they defended a lot better, and they played pretty well just missed shots, like the old saying it's a make or miss league. Last night for the Celtics, it was a miss league.

The positives, Rondo did everything in a losing effort, 23 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Everyone else, was awful, yes Paul Pierce scored 22, but turned the ball over in 2 key parts of the game. That pretty much did it.

Jason Terry is really pissing me off, I'm trying my hardest to defend him because he is a nice guy, but he has been a disaster. I almost am thinking that Barbosa should get more PT over him until he works his shit out.

Carmelo also killed us in the 4th and finished with 28 and there was nothing between he and KG.

Knicks @ Celtics Preview

Well the big story tonight will be the KG/Melo rematch, but honestly I don't care about that. I think that whole thing is dumb, and just showed how thin Melo's skin is.

What I do care about is how fucking awful the Celtics are right now. They lost to the Cavs last night out after being called out by Doc. I don't know what is going on in that locker room, but it is unacceptable for the Celtics to be playing the way they are with the amount of talent they have. I'm not ready to jump ship or anything, but its just hard to watch because of how lethargic they look 1/2 the time.

Usually I would go a big rant about how they will show up tonight because it's a prime time game, but I just don't know what team is going to show. They could come out and be that team that beat the Thunder, or they could be a team that will score 78 points, and let up 110.

Who needs to step up? Ummm, everyone. Rondo needs to play better defense, Pierce needs to shoot better, KG needs to play better interior defense, Terry, Bass, and Green need to show they even have a pulse anymore. The list goes on and on (except Sully).

I'll continue to have faith, even though they really don't deserve it right now.

Celtics 98-93
Tommy Award: Sully
Game starts at 8pm