10 in a Row with No Signs of Slow

Posted by Brendan Jackson on Dec 12, 2009 47719 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2009%2F12%2F12%2F10-in-a-row-with-no-signs-of-slow%2F10+in+a+Row+with+No+Signs+of+Slow2009-12-13+04%3A15%3A49Brendan+Jacksonhttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D4771

From Brad Miller’s first flagrant, I thought this one was going to be a dog fight but that feeling ended pretty quickly.  Throughout the game I tried to have last years’ playoff series in mind and there was very little comparison.  That doesn’t mean Ben Gordon was any type of glue guy or anything but something is definitely not the same in Bullsville.

It’s a weekend, so here are bullets:

• Let’s start this off where I started this post:  Brad Miller.  I, personally, have never liked Brad Miller.  I really wished Shaq had connected on that wayward punch years ago.  If you watched tonight’s game, regardless of you City affiliation, it’s easy to see why I don’t like Brad Miler.  In case you missed it, here’s short list: He flops.  He pretends to be tough when he’s not. He pretends to be hurt when he’s not.  He’s always griping to the refs.  He’s always trying to hook someone or lock arms with someone down low and then cry when he doesn’t get the call. He fouls flagrantly.  Last year he hit some huge threes in the playoffs thus disproving the existence of Karma.  He perpetuates the stereotype that white men can’t jump. Aside from the three point shooting, Brad Miller was guilty of all those transgressions in tonight’s game.  Now that Brad Miller is done, I feel like I can move on with my night, and these bullets.

• The Celtics did not shoot well at all (43.2%) but still won by 26.  Basketball coaches everywhere are reaffirming their respective mantras that essentially say, “I don’t care if we win two to nothing.  It’s about defense.”  The Bulls shot terribly (32.6%).  Specifically Rose, Deng, and Hinrich.

• The Bulls brought out what Zach Lowe calls the White Flag of surrender (aka Aaron Gray) early tonight.  I think Gray could be bench player in this league, provided he quits getting his healthy eating tips from Michael Sweetney.  Despite being really fat, I like him better than the Collins twins.

• The Bulls have a true tale of two rookies.  Taj Gibson spent four years in college and came out a seasoned basketball player.  James Johnson is very very talented but does not know how to play basketball in this league, yet.

• Off the bench, Doc played Scal almost exclusively at the three, with Rondo and Eddie at the one and two, respectively, making one of the larger leaps in height from the two to the three that I can think of right now.  Another note on Scal, 0-0 from the field.  Very curious.

• Great minute limits tonight.  KG 27, Pierce 25, Perk 22, Ray 30.

• Rondo’s jumper won’t look good in the box score, but his makes are starting to look like they’re going in which makes me very excited to see him shoot more.  Only time will tell.

• Salmons has to be so frustrating for Bulls fans.  He killed the Celtics with great outside shooting in last years’ playoffs and he just does whatever he wants now.

Okay, so that was short and I’m sorry.  I know I had more but it’s the weekend and you should be out- and so should I.

Bonus Bullet:

Ray’s NBATV post game malapropism:  “Dirk Nowitski and Peja Stojakovich are deadpan shooters.”  I’m giving the UCONN English department a call Monday morning.