The Herald got it right from Rondo’s agent. According to his agent, Bill Duffy, the Celtics point guard has been named to the Eastern Conference All-star roster, presumably to replace Joe Johnson, the injured Atlanta Hawks guard. This would be Rondo’s third all-star appearance. Nice birthday present for RR, who probably should have been selected [...]
We apologize if your comments are being deleted (provided that they are not offensive). We are looking into why this is happening. We also want to apologize for the lack of a game thread for last night’s game. We had a premonition that the Celtics would play that poorly and thought if we pretended the [...]
I talked with Detroit star forward Greg Monroe prior to the Celtics-Pistons game on Wednesday night. Here is what the 2nd year big man out of Georgetown, who is averaging 16.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists per game had to say. 1. Just your 2nd year in the league, but playing so well, were you disappointed [...]
Readers! Last week’s responses to the 5-on-5 questions were really, really great. We had way more qualified answers than we were able to use. So we’re going to keep doing it! FOREVER. Here are this week’s questions: 1. Are you concerned about Rondo’s media boycott this week? 2. The trade deadline is less than a [...]
I talked with Chicago starting guard Ronnie Brewer prior to the Celtics-Bulls game on Sunday. Here is what the 6th year man out of Arkansas who is averaging 7.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.1 assists had to say. 1. You guys have a lot of the same players back from last year’s team which was [...]
I talked to Los Angeles back up big man Josh McRoberts prior to the Celtics-Lakers game Thursday night at the Garden. Here is what the former Duke Blue Devil, who is averaging 2.9 points and 3.8 rebounds in his first year in LA, had to say. 1. How have you guys been able to deal [...]
The dust has settled in the past 12+ hours in an extremely eventful Friday night contest against the floundering Phoenix Suns for your Boston Celtics. With a showdown with the Los Angeles Lakers looming a mere 24 hours from now, there’s plenty to talk about in the near future. Still, with so much happening last night in the Desert, it’s necessary to debrief and hear some reaction from the team’s putrid outing in the desert.
Doc’s Ejection:
It took place at the 4:33 mark of the second quarter when Steve Javie gave Doc Rivers the heave-ho after a little chit chat during a C’s timeout. Here’s how Rivers explains it going down (via The Boston Globe)
Celtics coach Doc Rivers had an early night as he was ejected for consecutive technical fouls by official Steve Javie, who had enough of Doc jawing about the officiating in the Celtics’ 88-71 loss to Phoenix. The Celtics were whistled for eight first-quarter fouls against the Phoenix big men, and the Celtics trailed 42-25 with 4:33 left in the half at the time of the ejection. It was one of the Celtics’ worst performances of the season.
“I’m not sure,” Rivers said when asked about the ejection. “I didn’t earn it. So I think you have to ask Mr. Javie. He actually came into our huddle. We were standing there and he came up to us. I’ll tell you exactly what was said. He said, ‘You guys are complaining way too much.’ And I said, ‘Then make the right calls.’ His answer back was ‘I’ll make a call for you.’ That’s how I got the tech. After I got the tech, I didn’t have any choice words for him. I didn’t say a word. You know what I said? ‘It’s about the game, it’s not about one individual.’ That’s what I said over and over again.”
Rivers paused twice to deliver additional invective, likely earning himself an additional fine from the league.
In truth, Rivers might actually want to thank Javie from having to sit ringside as the Celts suffered the TKO.
“Listen, it wasn’t about that why we lost the game,” the coach said. “We didn’t play well.”
A. Sherrod Blakely of CSNNE.com has well and has this reaction from Doc and Ray Allen involving the KG “low blow” and the ejection that followed:
If the league views Garnett’s contact as a punch thrown – which seems highly unlikely, based on the replay – they could potentially suspend him for Sunday’s highly anticipated matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Rivers watched the play inside the locker room, and said he was surprised by the officials call.
“I thought Channing Frye was the instigator,” Rivers said. “Kevin didn’t jump in Channing’s face. I thought Channing Frye jumped in Kevin’s face. I don’t know how we get a throw-out on that.”
Rivers was reminded of the blow near Frye’s waist that was delivered by Garnett.
“If that did happen, it would only be like the 20th time it probably happened in the game,” Rivers said. “You see it all the time; guys poke at your stomach. Come on. If that’s what gets a guy upset, then they’re a really tough guy.”
Celtics guard Ray Allen has taken his share of hits above, around and below the waist.
As an NBA shooter, Allen believes it just comes with the territory.
“I’ve trained where people hit me on the waist; people put me in situations where they’re tugging me. I just follow through on my shot like I normally would,” Allen said. “Guys try to sell it with the referees. Guys fall down and act like they’re dead.”
I’m not going to defend the KG play, however I would be shocked if he earns a suspension because of it. Definitely a fine, but not a game penalty. And definitely not before tomorrow afternoon’s premier showdown.
Say all you want about the drama surrounding this game, but the fact of the matter is the Celtics shot 34.1 percent last night. It’s easy to see why Doc wanted to have this road trip changed, the absurd travel times and turnaround made last night’s contest brutal to say the least. Nonetheless the lack of road scoring has become a problem. Take a look at the C’s offensive point totals from the past four road games.
@ Phoenix 71
@ Portland 88
@ Washington 83
@ Chicago 79
Unsurprisingly, the C’s have lost three of those four games. And given the fact Glen Davis could be on the shelve for awhile with a strained hamstring, the road will not get easier entering LA tomorrow afternoon. Paul Pierce is beat up, KG has been up and down, Ray Allen has cooled off and Rajon Rondo has had more turnovers that made field goals in all of those four games.
I’ll look at this a bit more in-depthly after tomorrow’s contest, but for now, Doc Rivers needs to take a look to see how to get this squad back posting points on the road to give itself a reasonable chance to win games.
Brendan comes back at you later tonight with plenty more to get ready for the NBA Finals rematch tomorrow afternoon.
The Ticker