Thoughts on the upcoming Celtics game

by chrischa on Dec 29, 2008 6:53 PM PST

First off, whats Anthony Peeler doing these days? He ownes a car dealership in Minnesota? KP you need to find this guy and offer him a 1 game contract.

I'm sitting here watching blazers courtside on comcast and mike barrett poses a question to mike rice: if Joel punches KG in the face and the blazers lose, are you ok with that? This is the kind of conversations that come up when the celtics are in town.

KG takes things too far, but what if the blazers had a "KG type" on the roster? Someone who will actually hold his teammates accountable (in an arguably negative way). Or what if our leaders, Broy, LMA, suddenly started letting guys have it when they slack off, screw up or don't have their heads in the game? Obviously if you're gonna do this you have to have some juice and I can't think of anyone who has more than Brandon. Problem is, he's more of that lead by example kind of guy and isn't so vocal. Well, maybe he's vocal, but he's not gonna get in a guy's face...

Travis! Quit shooting those crazy f-ing jumpshots!

LA you are 6'11" ... Why do you only have 3 rebounds?! And for god's sake quit shooting jumpers and take it to the hole!

Greg. I can't even look at you right now. Go sit at the opposite end of the bench.

Sergio, if you don't D up that point guard walking the ball up the court RIGHT NOW, I'm gonna get your boy Rudy deported!

I mean, would we think less of Broy if we saw him in the huddle chewing out some of the other guys? Maybe he already does, behind closed doors. But could you really imagine Brandon getting on his teammates? I couldn't. I think he will show he's frustrated on the court at times, but he seems like the kind of guy that would avoid any confrontations. LA, Greg, they're the same way. And I love our guys for being the opposite of a guy like KG, but it probably wouldn't hurt to have someone be a little more vocal when some of the guys have their heads down or when guys are playing like bone heads.

I'm fully prepared to lose this game tomorrow night. Mentally, I'm at peace. I'm not even gonna say that I expect our guys to match Boston's intensity because I've been let down too many times. I guess if the Blazers play well enough so that I don't have to change the channel in disgust, I'll be happy.

Brandon Roy and/or Greg may not even be able to play in the game. Can't they get "the shot" like in varsity blues? He could be out for 2 weeks...or 2 quarters. Do they even test for steroids in basketball? Somebody test KG then. If this isn't roid rage, I don't know what it is.

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I don't like the times, sometimes, when he punks people,

but I think his commitment and sense of history are admirable. We could use that passion and perspective, but I think we’ll grow our own means. I don’t think that there’s any reason to read steroids into that clip.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

by Ojala John on Dec 29, 2008 7:28 PM PST reply actions

I Dont Have my Hopes Up

but Here is my Post Christmas Wish List

-Oden has a huge game with monster dunks and blocks
- Roy makes Pierce fall on the ground with crossover and swish in his face.
- B rex dunks on KG with no regard for human life.
- Big Fatty Davis cries after we beat them.
- During Post Game handshakes, Shav gets KG with a STFUppercut

"shaq and zach randolph have the same trainer... "

best one liner i ever heard.

by bowdown on Dec 29, 2008 8:08 PM PST reply actions

BRoy is more subtle.

As a coach or a leader, you try not to yell
or chew a player out around the other guys.
BRoy would likely catch up to the guy in the
locker room, before-at half-after and say, " Hey,
on those back picks, you gotta YELL if you’re
gonna switch. We gotta get better at communication,
Big fella !"
or something like that .
Coaching is a lot harder than most people think.
Being a leader as a coach or player, you must have
earned respect before players will listen to criticism !

It's GO time !

by walkoff41 on Dec 29, 2008 8:14 PM PST reply actions

It's 'Roid rage alright! HemaRoid rage! That guy is a pain in the.....

You know darn good and well where I was going with that…

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA is LaMonster!!!!!
37:52 Mins 7-13 FGs 7-8 FTs +21 1 Off 9 Rebs 2 Ast 2 Stl 21 Points - LMA vs Toronto 12-27-08

by LaMarvelous on Dec 29, 2008 9:17 PM PST reply actions

One more thing. I still would pay good money to see Joel or Ike or Shav punch KG right in the face - Dream On.

Blazer's Edge Ambassador to The Dream Shake Blog
LMA is LaMonster!!!!!
37:52 Mins 7-13 FGs 7-8 FTs +21 1 Off 9 Rebs 2 Ast 2 Stl 21 Points - LMA vs Toronto 12-27-08

by LaMarvelous on Dec 29, 2008 9:22 PM PST up reply actions

In the last game

with Toronto, I saw one play where Batum botched up a pass and Roy didn’t say a word and just looked down, disappointed. It spoke volumes about how he felt, and yet he didn’t humiliate Batum. Clearly Nic caught the message.

I think Brandon is growing into a leader, and he’s working out his own style. He’s doing it vocally and by body language. Personally I kinda prefer it over the KG histrionics.

by Stryder9 on Dec 29, 2008 9:26 PM PST reply actions

oh, trust me, I don't want broy to turn into KG

I’m like the president of the I hate KG fanclub. I was just wondering if we could bring in a guy or if our leader(s) could become a little more vocal. I don’t even know if being vocal would make a positive difference or if it would damage the team. Chemistry is a weird thing to measure but its one of the best things we have going right now.

The Blazers as a whole are far more like my wife than like me in the sense of their physicality on defense.
-Dave

by chrischa on Dec 29, 2008 10:35 PM PST up reply actions

It was the play where Batum dribbled off of Roy’s foot, right? I liked that too

My HDTV is a JustinTV streamer who doesn't just use a webcam :(

by inroywetrust on Dec 30, 2008 3:09 AM PST up reply actions

My thoughts?

The Celtics are the tricked out Hummer that just pulled into the Crate & Barrel parking lot and they see the last open spot in the whole lot right in front… and the Blazers are the speed bump in their way.

We’re gonna get creamed tomorrow night.

It’s sad, I know, but it’s reality.

"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Dec 29, 2008 10:07 PM PST reply actions

ouch.

reverse psychology?

The Blazers as a whole are far more like my wife than like me in the sense of their physicality on defense.
-Dave

by chrischa on Dec 29, 2008 10:32 PM PST up reply actions

You are underestimating "home court advantage" in the NBA

The Blazers have not been creamed by anyone at home. I’m not saying the Blazers will necessarily win, but they have a chance maybe 30-40%. Boston dropped most of their road games in the playoffs last spring. Winning on the road against good teams is tough.

by upper left corner on Dec 30, 2008 3:05 AM PST up reply actions

Play Bayless.

Really, he played well against the Celtics in his limited minutes and if he punches KG we don’t lose much.

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 29, 2008 10:32 PM PST reply actions

I hate to encourage violence

but the guy is just begging for it. Did anyone watch the golden state game? how did they beat them? theres got to be a blueprint on how to beat these guys…

The Blazers as a whole are far more like my wife than like me in the sense of their physicality on defense.
-Dave

by chrischa on Dec 29, 2008 10:37 PM PST up reply actions

Make a lot of 3 pointers?

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 29, 2008 10:44 PM PST up reply actions

so the warriors just got hot with the 3's?

I seriously didn’t even see the highlights of that game which is pretty rare for me. I suppose the blazers are capable of doing that…live by it or die by it though

The Blazers as a whole are far more like my wife than like me in the sense of their physicality on defense.
-Dave

by chrischa on Dec 29, 2008 10:49 PM PST up reply actions

I'm just guessing.

I only saw part of it.

by Nick Van Excellent on Dec 29, 2008 11:15 PM PST up reply actions

... It's not really a mystery.

Got to be long, fast, athletic, score in the running game, get hot from the three, and hope to catch them on a night when some of their guys are off. Stay disciplined at home on their shooters. Don’t play against their half court defense.

Look at the teams that have tended to do well against them last couple of years. Atlanta, Suns, GS, Cavs, Denver, Jazz. The best way to beat them is get them to play a running game.

Unfortunately, their defense is perfectly constructed to beat teams like ours; slow efficient offenses that don’t run much. It’s almost like we’re copying the mid-00s Pistons and Spurs, but the Celts were built to beat the stones and spurs.

by howlingfantods on Dec 30, 2008 12:32 PM PST up reply actions

Celtics Fan Here

Obviously, I’m more than a little biased with respect to the KG discussion which has already run its course on this blog and on many others. I would like to say though that sometimes his vocal nature scares me too. When he chews another Celtic out, I always sort of worry about that player tuning out, resulting in a rift in the team.

However, no discussion about KG’s vocal nature is complete without also mentioning that he’s the one to show the most love to teammates when they do something well or when they have a monster dunk. Seriously, the guy does everything short of violating the player. It’s awesome to watch and pumps up the team to an entire new level. So with all the hate and scolding, comes the love and the crazy KG celebratory punching and pushing.

by RealTangiblesGuy on Dec 30, 2008 4:00 AM PST reply actions

You had to do it didn't you?

You had to shed some positive light on him! Way to go, you’ve just ruined all our passion for beating the Celtics.

Alright so you ruined a little percentage of it.

Garnett is an awesome player, but as humans we nit pick and we’ll never leave alone his tendency to bust peoples jaw over mistakes. See, actual acknowledgement, he is a good player.

What have I done?

by BeloHorizante on Dec 30, 2008 4:44 AM PST up reply actions

im looking forward to this game

i really feel it is a great test for both teams!

for the celtics its a chance against a strong western conference team at home, im guessing the atmosphere will be 50% playoff if you know what i mean. plus the celtics will know the blazers are young and long, so they can match the celtics at every position.

for the blazers it is a great test of their character this season, do they have the mettle to match the defending champs? can they revenge their loss at boston?
the blazers have a lot of weapons and if all weapons are effective the celtics may be the ones worried.

by Yawnie on Dec 30, 2008 5:25 AM PST up reply actions

That may be true...

But if that guy gets down on his hands and knees and starts barking again, I want the Blazer with the ball to reach way back and kick him right in the jaw.

We have Europeans on the team trained in soccer… they’d be good at that.

I’d take an instant disqualification and loss for the game to see that. And I would pay nickel to whoever YouTubed it as I watch it over and over again.

That’d be better than a championship to me.

This year.

Buck Williams for the hall of fame

by Phizbin on Dec 30, 2008 9:11 AM PST up reply actions

Kick to KG's jaw better than a championship?

As a card-carrying Celtics fan, I can understand the KG animosity from opposing fans – at least to a degree, as there are a few players around the league I can’t stand either – but do you really mean that?

Seems to me like being the best would be an even better way to show him up though.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Dec 30, 2008 4:52 PM PST up reply actions

Most of people's beef with KG

isn’t how he treats his own teammates, it’s how he treats opposing players. There’s competitive spirit, then there’s getting down on hands and knees like a dog during a inbound pass.

If that is what KG needs to do, it’s pretty pathetic. Name another all-time great that did that. In fact, try and imagine MJ getting down on his knees to try and intimidate someone. It’s laughable.

"Respect everyone, fear no one." -TP

by Arby on Dec 30, 2008 11:01 AM PST up reply actions

Oh. All-time greats who went out of their way to show up opponents?

Are you kidding me? They all did crap like that. Larry used to tell people where he was going to beat them, then do it. He’d shoot left handed for entire road trips to prove a point. Jordan was pitiless in showing up people he had grudge matches with.

All this handwringing over KG this year is ridiculous. I may be biased since he’s one of my favorite non-blazers, but I’m really having trouble understanding what all the fussing is about. Larry talked trash. Jordan talked trash. Who cares?

by howlingfantods on Dec 30, 2008 12:37 PM PST up reply actions

Totally agree.

It’s like this guys taunting has actually struck fear into the fans themselves, and it’s WEAK. KG has been revered since he came into the league because of his outright passion… only when he did something against the Blazers it became this disgusting act.

I’m not even a KG fan, I just think he’s really good and it doesn’t bother me that he tries to intimidate the opposition at all.

Look at LeBron and his resin thing… it’s the same thing. These guys aren’t just athletes or spectacular basketball players… they’re freakin’ entertainers.

Nothing to see here, move along.

"When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car"

by you'vegottomakeyourfreethrows on Dec 30, 2008 1:19 PM PST up reply actions

Garnett is a punk

He revealed himself in MN back when he started talking about getting his arsenal of guns ready for the upcoming (and ultimately deservedly short) playoff run.

Buck Williams for the hall of fame

by Phizbin on Dec 30, 2008 4:05 PM PST up reply actions

Brad Miller's response to that was hysterical

Sadly, I’m still yet to come across a YouTube clip of it.

-sw

Manuel Aristides Ramirez is the greatest hitter I've ever seen.

by Steve Weinman on Dec 30, 2008 4:55 PM PST up reply actions

I think of Brandon more...

As being like MJ was in a few years. Not being as good a player certainly, but when someone on the bulls would make a mistake. Jordan wouldn’t scream at him, but he would give him ‘The look’. The ‘you do that again, and you’re a dead man’ look. Kobe tries to give his teammates the look….but when he gives that look to Gasol and Vujacic, they just think he is admiring their hair.

It appears as though Bayless might be that guy in a couple years though. Right now he is a cheerleader, but once he starts getting some real play time, I can see him getting in guys grilles.

by tmundal on Dec 30, 2008 8:48 AM PST reply actions