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Quirks of the C’s Schedule, Part I

August 11th, 2010

The 2011 schedule is out. You can view Boston’s schedule here, and SB Nation has a handy list of all 30 NBA team schedules here.

The first thing I look for when the schedule comes out is the number of back-to-backs Boston plays. The second end of a back-to-back is among the toughest games to win; several studies have shown that teams on the second night of a back-to-back have a winning percentage of about .430. That’s not good.

Some good news: Boston has 19 back-to-backs next season, one more than last year and a number that places them in the bottom third of the league in back-to-backs. (The Bulls and Bucks have the most, with 23 each, and 14 teams have at least 21 back-to-backs, according to Basketball Prospectus. The Lakers have the fewest—just 15).

Good news, right? An older team can use a few breaks from the schedule makers.

But dig one level deeper, and the news isn’t quite as good. » More: Quirks of the C’s Schedule, Part I

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Posted in Commentary, Features

Goodbye, Sheed: C’s Waive Wallace

August 10th, 2010

That’s per Art Garcia writing at NBA.com:

Ainge said every possible trade avenue using Wallace’s contract was explored after it became clear he wasn’t returning. Wallace was owed $13 million for the final two years of the three-year deal. The Celtics likely bought out the remainder of the contract.

Whatever the C’s paid Wallace will count against the cap and the luxury tax bill. The exact figure remains unknown at this point. In any case, you can toss away those dreams of the C’s getting a quality piece in return for Wallace’s contract. With Sheed officially gone, Boston has one roster spot open and precious expendable resources with which to fill it via trade.

The Rasheed Wallace experiment is over, and it was a failure. Onto the next.

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Posted in Notebook

Save Your Outrage

August 10th, 2010

As you’ve probably noticed, a panel of 93 ESPN writers and contributors made predictions for the 2011 season, and those predictions included win totals for all 30 teams. Those 93 contributors predicted, on average, that the C’s would win 51 games and finish 3rd in the Eastern Conference behind the Heat (61 wins) and the Magic (56).

And then the righteous outrage began. In its blurb about the predictions, CelticsBlog noted they came from 93 ESPN “experts,” making a point to put the term in quotation marks.

Then the commenters weighed in:

• “I”m surprised they even have us in playoff contention.”

• “Glad to see ‘experts’ in quotes.”

• “What a bunch of geeks….sitting around making predictions that they don’t have to live with.”

• “ESPN=Extra Stupid Predictions Non-Stop”

• “Business as usual. Just more hype for the Chosen 3.”

• “Bullcrap. They didn’t think we’d beat Cleveland last year, or ORLANDO. Lol.”

And here’s where I tell you all the obvious reasons why this loud minority is missing the point. » More: Save Your Outrage

20 Comments »

Posted in Commentary

Is Paul Pierce the Best Offensive Player in C’s History?

August 9th, 2010

As you’ve probably seen, Robert Parish on Monday declared Paul Pierce “the best offensive player the Celtics have seen thus far.”

Is he right?

Pierce Bird

PPG (career) 22.5 24.3

FG % (career) 44.5% (16.5 shots/g) 49.6% (19.3 shots/g)

3-point% (career) 36.9% (4.5 shots/g) 37.6% (1.9 shots/g)

FTA/g (career) 7.7 5.0

Assists/g (career) 3.8 6.3

ORBs/g (career) 1.0 2.0

Turnovers 3.0 3.1

Hmm… » More: Is Paul Pierce the Best Offensive Player in C’s History?

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Posted in Commentary

Sunday Guard/Wing Update: Hughes, T-Mac, Bradley

August 8th, 2010

Some nuggets on the back court:

• Gary Washburn updates us on Avery Bradley’s recovery from ankle surgery and his possible role on the team:

“I’m feeling good, taking it day by day,’’ he said. “I’ve really progressed a lot. It’s getting healthier. My ankle looks regular. I’m just rehabbing and I should be back soon.’’

Bradley, expected to play both guard positions as he grows into a more expanded role, has been working out at the Waltham practice facility and has kept in contact with Rivers, who expressed disappointment that Bradley wouldn’t be able to learn the defensive schemes until training camp.

Given the team’s depth, and Bradley falling behind because of injury, it is uncertain whether he will make an impact this season.

“It’s real tough, and I’ve never been hurt before, and that makes it tougher,’’ he said. “I’m not playing. I’m not used to doing what I do, and that makes it tough. I understand now that I need to let it heal. I look at it like I am going to come back stronger from this.’’