Foil in the Oven: All Tied Up

I just want to state for the record that I'm still supremely confident that the Celtics will win this series. It may go 7 games, but that really shouldn't be surprising. Let's not forget that these are the defending Eastern Conference champs that we're playing against. Let's not forget that this guy who plays for them could very well end up being the greatest player of all time (if you take issue with that, let's also not forget that last season at age 22 he put that team on his back and dragged them to the Conference finals). Let's not forget that the Lakers and Hornets are also at 2-2 in their series right now. Detroit very well could be if not for Orlando choking away that game on Saturday (something I don't expect a LeBron James team to do). Really, this series is right where it should be. We're all so used to having the outcome already in hand with this team. That's not the way things work when we get down to the conference semis.

That being said, there is something different about the way this Celtics team is playing. I hate to point fingers, but I think that it really boils down to the role that Sam Cassell has been given. When Sam first arrived, he was adamant about accepting a lesser role and playing the Celtics' style of basketball. I believed him, and I still think that he meant that. But, I don't think hes wired that way. Watching him throughout these playoffs, it's clear that he's imposed his will on this coaching staff and this team. He's playing more minutes than I ever envisioned. At times during this post-season, it has seemed less like Cassell was being used to spell Rondo and more like these guys were splitting time. Rondo is the key to this offense running smoothly.

We got to this point playing a certain style that involves a lot of ball movement, Rondo driving and dishing, and working the ball inside. We need Rondo on the floor as often as possible. Cassell has simply refused to play the Celtics' style of basketball. Even if he's not saying that publicly, he shows it on the floor. He rarely tries to move the ball, he often takes ill-advised shots, and he gives very little effort on defense. The way that Daniel Gibson abused him at the start of the fourth quarter last night drove me crazy.

Meanwhile, the two players that didn't see time last night (Tony Allen and Eddie House) are the two guys that Roomofzen has been calling for since the Atlanta series. Both were integral parts to this team's success this season. Tony is a great defender and Eddie looked awesome in his limited time in game 3.
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There is perhaps no greater testament to Chris Paul's greatness than the adjustments that Greg Popovich made for games 3 and 4 in San Antonio. Popovich took a look at the tapes and realized that the success of Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic were almost completely due to the fact that his team was focusing on Chris Paul, who was able to get these guys perfect looks despite the tremendous defensive pressure he was facing. Popovich took Bruce Bowen, the team's best defender off of Paul and put him on Stojakovic. In doing so, he essentially conceded that Paul is unstoppable and his team would be better served by focusing on stopping everyone else, something that is more realistic.

Think about it. How many points do you remember Chandler scoring that didn't look like this:



or this:



or this:


or this:



They all look like that. Two-handed dunks that Chris Paul giftwraps for him. Sometimes he may have to give one dribble or two. But, usually he just has to jump up, raise his two hands, put the ball in, hang there for a while, swing his legs, do a few pull-ups, scream, let go, and get back on defense.

Popvich essentially conceded that the Spurs, one of the best defensive teams in the league, were incapable of stopping Paul from scoring and killing them with his dishing abilities. The Spurs won games 3 and 4 easily despite Paul's impressive stats. Paul had 35 points (and, for the record, still had 9 assists) in game 3, and the Spurs were happy with that. This guy is a special player.
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I can't make heads or tails of Mike D'Antoni's signing with the New York Knicks. First of all, I'd be terrified of joining that organization. As Babcock and Ted have pointed out, there's definitely something shady happening there. There's no other way to explain Isaiah Thomas still having a job(especially one that prevents him from doing anything). Did D'Antoni need to have his fingerprints erased? Did he have to sign some sort of document promising to protect and serve the New York Knicks for the rest of his life? Did he have to bend over and place his hands on hot coals while getting his ass paddled by a large man wearing an executioner's costume? Of course, we'll never know any of this stuff, which is probably a good thing.

D'Antoni comes to New York with a specific coaching identity. His Phoenix teams were known league-wide for their incredibly fast-paced style of basketball. It worked well with the personnel that he had, and it was fun to watch. However, it cannot work with this Knicks team. Eddy Curry? Zach Randolph? These guys are going to run and play up-tempo? I don't think so. Stephon Marbury? I might be incorrect here, but I'm pretty sure he was the first guy to leave Phoenix after D'Antoni arrived. So, one of two things is going to happen. Either, D'Antoni is going to adjust his coaching style to meet the profile of this roster (fat, slow, uninspired, uncoachable, etc.) or he's going to stand by and grit his teeth for the next two seasons while the Knicks put themselves in a position to rebuild. Once they can clear away some of that dead weight, they may be able to put together a team that D'Antoni can use. Let's also once again use this as an opportunity to point out that the Jazz have the Knicks 2010 first round pick. Just in case you had any doubt, the effects of Isaiah will still be felt two years from now.

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The NFL power rankings came out yesterday, and I'm a little upset. The Patriots are number one. Now, I have some serious questions about their secondary. But, given their accomplishments of last season, their offensive firepower, and their easy division schedule, I don't have a problem with putting them on top.


I DO however have an issue with the World Champion New York Giants being listed as number 6. Let's take a look at what this team has done lately. They have won 7 of their last 9. One of those two losses, a close home loss to New England, was avenged in the biggest game of the season. They've beaten Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Dallas, and Green Bay on the road and beaten New England at a neutral site. I understand them not being one. The Patriots, Colts, and Chargers are all better than them. But, Dallas ahead of them? How the hell is Dallas ahead of them? If you read them on ESPN it says next to Dallas "Felix Jones should help the running game immediately." Really? We're putting them at number 4 because of Felix Jones? Felix Jones, the same guy that wasn't even the best running back on his college team and is yet to plan an NFL game? What about Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, and Ahmad Bradshaw? All I'm saying is, winning the Super Bowl should buy you a spot in the top 5.

One final Giants note: Kenny Phillips will be wearing number 21. Hopefully he can provide Big Blue with more toughness, leadership, and less ego than the last man who wore it.