CelticsBlog

Awesome!

I thought for sure that you were gonna mention Marquis only scoring off of a goaltend again haha.

Pork n Beans - February 1, 2012 reply

finally we have a winning record!!

11-10

ZM15 - February 1, 2012 reply

Yay!!!

celtics2011 - February 1, 2012 reply

Woohoo

vgarcia890 - February 1, 2012 reply

good point

better late than never

Jeff Clark - February 1, 2012 reply

DEFENSE!

Even though the Raptors are terrible, not allowing a 20 point quarter is impressive.

StarzNBarz - February 1, 2012 reply

This should've been 7 wins in a row

Had the Celtics not turned over that ball to Varejao three games ago…

SparzWizard - February 1, 2012 reply

+1

Yes the C’s were real close to being on a 7 game win streak, if it was not for that Cav game, but they are still on a semi roll so thats still good news.

Why do I never acknowledge the funny headlines?

Because this one is hilarious to me. Well done, sir.

Big_Easy - February 1, 2012 reply

thanks much

Jeff Clark - February 1, 2012 reply

My boy JJ doing his thing! Nice win. We did what we should do.

ianboyextreme - February 1, 2012 reply

Above .500! Ah yeah! :D

…nothing much to talk about this game really, but how about that KG 3?

I can’t wait for the next game against the Knicks!! Let’s go redemption! ;)

By the way, is Quis ‘kinda’ injured? He had a DNP status last game and he came in pretty late for an obvious blowout game today. I’m not saying he contributes a helluva lot but just curious.

japsuki - February 1, 2012 reply

Sasha is playing better right now

that’s why Quis is not playing

APC - February 1, 2012 reply

Yeah, Sasha has definitely been playing with more confidence these last few games.

This is good, because Sasha is a hell of an athlete who can do a lot of good things on both ends of the floor.

He always seemed so timid last spring and just never really showed what he can do. I know Doc has always been high on Pavs going back to his Cleveland days. It is good to see him finally start to look confident and show what he can do.

+1

European NBA fan - February 1, 2012 reply

+1

Really like Shasha

Derekg49 - February 2, 2012 reply

I'm not sure why, but...

I lol’d when the camera panned over to doc (laughing hysterically) after Stiemsma made a hook shot :)

yutakhunkhom - February 1, 2012 reply

I remember that scene...

…It was probably a bet… will he shoot, pass or fumble?

japsuki - February 1, 2012 reply

same here- I was already laughing, but that pan shot raised my volume level.

lygafe - February 1, 2012 reply

I bet someone said "My name is Greg Stiemsma and I'm a shooter"

"Wilcox was the only active player that didn't score."

I love that. Great chance for the whole roster to participate and get some floor time.

[And it should be noted that Wilcox pulled down 5 rebounds in 17 minutes of play so it’s not like he didn’t contribute.]

jakeshuttlesworth - February 1, 2012 reply

+1

I just love that everyone had confidence and played real team ball

vgarcia890 - February 1, 2012 reply

really? first time this season...

..a game over .500? gee..how the mighty c’s have become pretty average

jess m - February 1, 2012 reply

6-2 in our last 8 baby!

For the second time ever

This is not the first time we’ve been above .500. We were 4-3 enjoying a 4-game winning streak at one point…Then the pacers came to town.

phi7 - February 1, 2012 reply

two things

Sasha is playing great and JJ has a nice game to be so thin.

Samg - February 1, 2012 reply

How'd you like the way he pulled the rock up from down low under the post to put it up and in, despite the double team swarming him?

The kid is skinny – but he is strong as a bull. He’s going to surprise a lot of people with that.

Nice win tonight.

I went crazy when KG hit that 3 and pretty much every time JJJ scored! Man, I really like our rookies.

Pork n Beans - February 1, 2012 reply

easy win

What happens when Rondo comes back? Shouldn’t Doc limit Rondo’s minutes, to keep him fresh. I would hate to see Moore’s minutes disappear, that kid can shoot. I also like other guys starting the offence from time to time.

forever_green - February 1, 2012 via mobile reply

Our precious lottery pick

precious, my precious

calc - February 1, 2012 via mobile reply

As a confidence builder - great game

- JJJ seems to have terrific promise. His body is practically a twin of KG’s, and he seens to have skills. More PT is what he needs, Doc. Could be a nugget sitting there.
- Bradley has an offensive game, even now. It’s cutting to the basket, usually from the corner, for the easy bucket. Works for me!
- Raptors are always hapless vs. Celtics, but they caught us at a bad juncture this time (bad for them), after Cleveland. The guys had something to prove…. no letting off the accelerator.

We’re gonna need every last healthy body for the tough part of the season that’s coming up soon. Good prep night for all that.

KGHurtYourFeelings - February 1, 2012 reply

My 2012-2013 line up

first unit

PG Rondo
SG Moore
C Howard
PF Bass
SF Pierce

second unit

PG Bradly
SG Allen
C Stiemsma
PF Johnson
SF Pietrus/Green

Add in Daniels and the 3 draft picks we have sounds like a really good team for years too come what does everyone else think?

usmco4 - February 1, 2012 reply

only problem is DH is quite a long shot

Derekg49 - February 2, 2012 reply

Fun game to watch

Love that ball movement, the defense and the all-around contributions.

I wonder if this Rondo injury is a huge blessing. It looks like we’re finally, out of necessity, learning how to run an offense without him on the floor.

Definitely not a great opponent, but I liked pretty much everything I saw.

I’ve seen only the highlights.

Ray Ray looks smooth again, He’s penetrating. The ball movement seems better.

I’m a big fan of Rondo, but a Rando-less Celts team may have more chemistry.

avery_t - February 1, 2012 reply

nice win C's

Bulls&Heat both go down in flames tonight…great night

nanaluvsball - February 1, 2012 via Android app reply

Highlight of the night is KG 3 pointer

Nice win but we can’t judge much from this. Despite our recent success, I still miss Rondo. It’s entertaining watching the guy play. I hope he comes back on Friday against the Knicks like it’s been rumored. A healthy Rondo means an even more dangerous Celtics.

Get ready, Knicks. It’s pay back time!!!

Clench - February 1, 2012 reply

I agree that we ultimately need Rondo.

But it’s good to be able to give him as much time as needed to get 100% healed.

I guess those 2 games against the Cavs had 1 bright spot....

Every time they get a big lead now… Doc can just huddle up the crew and say 1 word… “Cavs”.

japsuki - February 1, 2012 reply

Yep

Games like those are good in that way… team needs reminding every season to ‘step on their throats when they’re down.’

More minutes for Jajuan Johnson..!

This kid is going to be really good. Doc said something along these lines after they drafted him, but the only real weakness in his game is something he can easily improve on, his strength and body mass. He’s long, defensive minded and can make shots from all over the floor. Tommy Heinsohn said it on the broadcast, Jajuan could turn out to be a draft steal for the Celtics. It’s going to be exciting to watch this kid develop and I hope Doc will start to play him in games other than blow-outs.

BlackMass - February 1, 2012 reply

Body mass - yep, needs more. Strength - nah, he is already strong as heck.

Not that being stronger would hurt – but he’s like KG (only slightly smaller) – way stronger than he looks.

JJ kicked butt in the strength tests at the combine.

That showed tonight when, despite being double teamed he took the rock from down low under the post up and in.

He could use some more mass, though, to help hold the block on defense.

I really love JJ's length and jumping ability...

on both ends of teh court, but especially the defensive end of the court.

I think a future front court of JJ and Steamer would be a very long,and dynamite shot blocking defensive duo that could cause alot of problems for opposing teams especially in a 1/2 court type game.

C's took care of business...

beating a team they should and are in good groove even considering the loss to the Cavs a couple of nights ago.

Its interesting how well they have played without Rondo.

Kudos to Bradley as he had another nice game, is making the most of teh extra time he is seeing on the court considering Rondo injury and is getting a boat load of valuable playing experience that will only help his growth and development.

I thought Bass looked nice tonight and agree he should be a keeper.
Sasha and JJ also looked good in there minutes.

Tonights game was not really that exciting, Fridays game against the Knicks should be really exciting, so I can not wait for the tip off of that game.

I've been saying for a while we should play Jajuan more!! That guy can play!

Come on, his mid range jumper alone makes him better than Wilcox and Stiemsma, and if you’re worried about his strength and how it could affect our defense, it’s not like Wilcox and Stiemsma are any good defensively. Play Jajuan!!

+1

forever_green - February 1, 2012 via mobile reply

I agree

Id like to see JJ play more also as he could probably help the C’s this year and it would also help his growth and development to help jump start his grooming as the C’s probable power forward of the future.

Disagree about the Steamer though, I think he is a nice in the paint defender and can clog the lane with his length, size, wing span and shot blocking capabilities.

Don’t you think the steamer is a one trick pony though, and Jajaun has more upside.

forever_green - February 1, 2012 via mobile reply

I thick JJ...

is abetter player, but think Steamer is a legit player and not a trick pony.

I think JJ and Steamer are identical on the defensive end of the court , both use there athleticism, length, long wing span, vertical leap and shot blocking abilities quite effectively in the paint and I think are both great help defenders.
I think they both do get pushed around a bit at times during some one on one defensive assignments, which I think will be remedied if both players have a chance to get minutes and develop better defensive positioning skills.

I do agree with you JJ has more upside and pure talent then Steamer and he is a far more effective offensive player both in the paint and from the the perimeter.

I think as mentioned elsewhere a JJ and Steamer front court duo would be a very formidable and effective front court of the future for the C’s (especially on the defensive end of the court) and the 2 of them may very well be needed down the line as the C’s seek to rebuild.

I Agree they are both similar on the defensive end, I just would have to choose Jajaun if I was giving one more playing time than the other. Based mainly on the talent factor. That’s all.

forever_green - February 1, 2012 via mobile reply

Agree ..

If I had to choose one or the other it would be JJ, since he is the more talented overall player.

But Id prefer to not have to choose one over the other and hope we can have both wearing Celtic uniforms in the future…lol

JJ has way more upside, sure, but Stiemsma is definitely not a one-trick pony.

He’s still working on getting his help rotations in the post down, but otherwise, he’s solid on many aspects of defense. He’s not just a shot blocker. His defensive rating is the best on the team and his defensive numbers across the board are all solid. His rebounding percentages are solid – he’s grabbing 20% of defensive rebounds and that has been while sharing the floor a lot with KG & JO – who are also posting DRB% numbers over 20%.

Offensively, he’s got a nice 8-10 ft jumper and is a very good passer. ‘Needs to work on setting his screens sooner and with more ’authority’. But that will come with experience.

Everytime I sign in with Facebook it redirects me to SB Nation's main page

It’s really annoying

plus

both chicago and miami lost tonight! it can’t get much better than this!

keychey - February 1, 2012 reply

Sure it could

…if EVERY other team lost!

If only that was possible.

forever_green - February 1, 2012 via mobile reply

I don't know why some people dislie Ray's defense

This is the guy we throw at Kobe, Wade and, at times, even LeBron and he always holds his own.

dislike*

Agree 100%

Totally agree.

Ray is very under-rated as a defender. People who criticize his defense keep overlooking the fact that he has posted the most minutes each year on this team – which has been among the best (usually THE best) defensive team each year. He must be doing something right on defense.

ray allen is a very good defender.

ray allen is one of the best all around players in the history of the league. he’s one of the smartest players i’ve seen play.

these days, he’s adopted a role: 3-point spot up shooter. But he has the full skill set.

avery_t - February 1, 2012 reply

And KG hit a 3

Hasn’t even TAKEN one this season before tonight…. cute the way he peeked around his defender to see if it went in :)

if we ever feel low about the celtics, can you imagine what a raptor fan feels like. well they will get a good draft pick. no wat to assess this game- the raptors were that bad. our big 3 got a big rest.

nazzbo - February 1, 2012 reply

Yeah, but a good, solid scrimmage is still valuable!