Kevin Garnett has been awesome all year for us… and he’s been great all series too. But when he’s got no energy out on the floor… then the Celtics don’t have any energy. He’s that important. One play typifies what KG gave us last night.
8:18 in the 2nd quarter… Sam Cassell shoots a 3 from the right wing. KG is on the opposite side… and is defended by Rasheed Wallace.
Notice the open space. As the ball is in mid-air… everyone turns and looks toward the rim. Notice… a lack of boxing out… and still… plenty of open space for KG to walk right into the middle of the lane.
So the shot comes off the front of the rim… the middle of the lane is STILL open… and everyone is standing there and looking at the ball. Still… no boxing out to speak of. Maybe KG can take a couple of big strides and sneak in for the offensive board.
Nope… KG has barely moved. And guess where the ball went.
KG had plenty of time to get to the EXACT spot that the ball ended up. Instead… one of the best rebounders of our generation stayed 18 feet from the hoop… let Detroit grab the board… and turn it into a Jason Maxiell jumper… and a 33-19 lead. A rebound and dunk might have energized this team. It would have cut the lead to 10… and who knows what happens after that.
KG wasn’t alone in bringing no energy to this game… but as we all know… he’s our “energy guy.” Its obvious that when he doesn’t have it… very few others have it. The only guy I saw out there with any sort of fire was Kendrick Perkins… and he’s the 5th offensive option… so that doesn’t help us much.
So here we are again… tied at 2 after 4 games of a playoff series. We’re officially in a “playing with fire” situation. Lose game 5… and now we’ve got to win 2 in a row. Luckily, there’s no way Detroit brings it for 3 straight games… so I’ll bet the family jewels that this one is going to 7…. again. Let’s hope San Antonio and LA beat the hell out of each other.
Herald: Celtics make Big mistake | Pistons tie series | Detroit win no shock | Celtics have point of concern | KG: Defense disappoints | Bad boys in stands too | McDyess driven by ring | Big 3 fail to make big impact | McDyessswitches roles with Billups | KG: man on a mission | Globe: All tied up | Pistons keep churning | Big disappointment for Big 3 | McDyess got ball rolling | Pistons put it on the line | Billups has come a long way | Motown’s been Hunter’s town | Veterans can deal with kid stuff | T&G: Cassell struggling as a sub | Detroit Free Press: Billups must play better | Pistons hate ‘comeback’ role | CBS: Celtics lack killer instinct | ESPN Daily Dime: Mr. Big Shot delivers | SI: McDyess is a man on a mission
I think you hit the nail on the head with that question? And also where was DOC? I think its both KG and Docs fault, Everytime KG get on the block , good things happen….score or foul on them, either way its good for us. So why in the hell is KG settling for 18/20 footers?? If you watch him (ALOT) he stands way away from the basket…doesnt even try to post up most of the time…it kills me! I mean he can hit those jumpers but him in the post puts so much pressure on them and it draws fouls ….which hurts them big time….I mean who would you rather have in the game? Rasheed or Theo Ratliff?? Which is who they put on KG so Rasheed and Maxiel wouldnt get anymore fouls….so come on DOC!! Tell KG to put his butt on the block and go at them!! put them pressure on them!! plus we got all the calls last night!! we gotta take advantage of that……Im just so dissapointed in them and in Doc…we could be going back Home up 3/1 …..and sombody please tell them McDice can hit open jumpers!! guard him and box him out!! We blew a good chance….oh well…ok …. im done……Love the Celts …but Doc better get in there ass and get them fired up for Wednesday.
Great breakdown of KG’s mental breakdown. After Sat night’s effort, I’m willing to cut him a break. Unfortunately all the dolts in the local media aren’t. Did they really think the Celtics would take 2 straight in Detroit? KG can’t live on the block like BaMa wants. He’s very effective playing pick-n-roll with Pierce…
I agree he is good at the pick and roll with Pierce…but you gotta play smart and if you can draw some fouls and make it difficult on the other team by doind so …you gotta do that….its statagy….as soon as Rasheed returned…PJ get the ball passed to him…he went at Rasheed..FOUL…back to the bench….why you think guys like him stay in the league so long…..they are smart….plus with the way the refs seemed to be givin us calls …why not go at them and draw even more fouls ..thats all im sayin….id rather have maxiel and ratliff on the floor than McDice and Sheed……Doc should have said…get it to KG or hell even Perk down low to put pressure on Dice/Sheed …either score or foul…either way its win/win.
[...] tied 2-2 Hoopsworld McDyess dominates game 4 Billups will be great in game 4 Red’s Army Where was KG? Worcester Telegram Cassell struggling as a sub Mowed down CBS Sports Celtics still lack killer [...]
I think BaMa hit it on the head exactly. I love KG – he’s my man and there’s nothing I want more than for him and Celts to get a ring. But yesterday was disgraceful. KG didn’t offensive rebound at all. He jogged back on D the whole game and you’re right about the jumpers – I know he’s been hitting that shot all year and even more in the playoffs but as it said – WHERE WAS THE EFFORT?
It’s not brain surgery Doc – they’re all in foul trouble get KG in the block!!!!
u said it Al, FOUL TROUBLE because thats what they were in…and with them not out there..meaning Dice/Sheed are chances of winning go up big time……hopefully when they look at film and see KG not in the paint enough…they can correct it and take it to them next game…..like in game 3 for example….KG got off in the paint early and often. Good offensive players in the post just help in every aspect….more spacing when the double comes…and it will come on KG…..just like when TIm Duncan stays on the block and dominates , KG can do the same thing and when they double , PP and Ray make them pay from the outside….it has worked for the spurs for years, its no different…but when he settles for 20 footers…it makes it easy on the D….makes him Rondo’s size…why be so long and athletic if you dont use it to your advantage. GO KG!! & GO CELTS!!
Does anyone miss big al and his play…he rarely goes out of the box and that is what KG should be doin..If KG wants his ring so badly, why on earth does he dissappear in crucial games is my wild guess…maybe Stern told Ray to brick it, KG to mail it and Paul to miss open threes…that way we go get to see another 7 game epic.
I don’t buy the fact KG goes missing – check out what he’s done this post season game by game – he’s turned up pretty much every time except yesterday which I can’t explain – mental exhaustion?? The guy works himself into a lather!!!
One thing is for sure – KG will be ready for Game 5 and I still think Boston can win Game 6 in Detroit. No way KG and Pierce are as quiet as they were in Game 5. Or Rondo for that matter.
Having said all that, Detroit will no doubt believe they can win in Boston…..
KG was up your ass redsarmy