Boston Celtics @ Phoenix Suns [Game 55]

[Black Jesus 1]

So much for missing Shawn's rebounding

Sooooooooo much better without him

[b-ball forever]

Awesome game, KG vs Amare was easily the best bigman matchup I've seen this season so far, complete with the shoving/trash talk and all...
Hope we meet up with these guys in the finals

The wing defense was frikin impressive, first time we played good perimeter D since Marion left (Hope that nothin 2 do with Barbs bein injured)

I actually liked what Shaq brought this game beta then what he brought vs the Lakers.

Unlike last game this time he was a lil lost on offense, but had a more important impact on the game w/ his massive effort on the boards (14 rebs in 26 mins is pretty dam impressive) and strong defense.
It's not just his own D that he steped up on, there were also a few times when he was placing Amare defensively (unlike with Raja, when it's Shaq that tells Amare 2 get in place STAT does it).

That's exactly what we need him doin every game if we're gonna go all the way and beat all the best teams in the league.
We're already by far good enuf on offense without him, it's post defense and rebounding that we need from him

[NapoleonII]

Rebounding? Defense?

This all feels so new to me.

[rsavaj]

Rebounding? Defense?

This all feels so new to me.

I know....I'm still a little confused

[Arles]

On the bright side, Amare playing 40+ minutes means..... he is no longer sitting in the bench after first 3 minutes of playing in the first quarter because of foul trouble.

Bingo. Plus, I like the comment by the Suns coaches that they no longer cringe on missed free throws.

I think it will be interesting to see how the opp shooting % goes down as guys like Shaq, Hill and Diaw get used to their new roles on defense. I would bet that a good 5-7% was related to offensive rebounds, layups and post points that the Suns always gave up as part of small ball. Now, teams are going to need to score a lot more on jumpers.

Hopely Diaw gets back to his career highlight in 2005-2006 season sooner or before the playoff.

I've been pretty rough on Boris, but he played real well in the 4th last night. I think having him guard bigger guys on defense and moving him to the top of the key was a nice move by Mike D. instead of having him being "Mr. Jumper" on the baseline, he was able to slash into the open space from the top and get some layups as teams were focused on Amare/Shaq.

If we play the lakers again, I'd love to see this lineup at times:

Nash - Fisher
Hill - Kobe
Amare - Odom
Diaw - Gasol
Shaq - Bynum

I think it would work real well defensively and we could work in the post to free up Boris as a slasher and Hill/Nash as shooters from 18-20 feet. Not many 3s here, but I think we would get a lot of high % looks and be nails on defense.

[toucansma]

I love how ESPN and the Celtics fans proclaim that they did a great job on holding the Suns to a low score, yet they lost because their players had an off shooting night. Their defense was good, but what about the Suns? So the Suns played no defense and it was an accident they scored their season low? I love it.

On another night, was anyone else enthusaed watching Hill bring up the ball and setup the offense (minus Barbosa being hurt obviously). They should keep with Hill or Diaw bringing up the ball and Barbosa at the 2.

Also why not occasionally put Diaw at center when Shaq comes out, so Amare stays at the 4. Diaw can play solid post defense, and had his best year at center, with the Suns.

[mkot]

So much for missing Shawn's rebounding

Sooooooooo much better replacing him with Shaq

Fixed.

Size matters. For all the boards the Matrix picked up, we always got out-rebounded during his era. Just Shaq standing there taking up space makes a huge difference. This domination on the boards is just what we wanted. How many times prior to Shaq coming did we play great D on the opposing team's initial shot, only to give up 2nd chance points? That demoralized night in, night out.

And don't forget Hill, he's filling Shawn's perimeter defense and rebounding nicely. I think everyone in the organization had confidence in Hill that makes it that much easier to trade Shawn. For everything Shawn did on the break, Hill is doing plus he can handle the ball. He's just one of the many bright spots now, if not the biggest. Great, great pick up. God I wish he's 30!

However, our spacing is awful when Shaq is in. Obviously we missed LB's shooting but they have to figure out how to run their offense when Shaq is in the game. There will be some growing pains, but for an offensive genius Mike is, there's no reason to think he can't figure it out.

[Black Jesus 1]

^Meh, that's what I meant. Didn't try to make it sound like Marion was nothin.

[MiamiHeatFan2004]

[quote="mkot"][/quote]

Shaq has not rebounded too well this season. Last night was probably his best rebounding game of the year.

If he keeps that up it will really help you guys out. But on nights where he is not rebounding or scoring(happened way too much in Miami), you will miss Marion.

[dantian]

-= original quote snipped =-



Shaq has not rebounded too well this season. Last night was probably his best rebounding game of the year.

If he keeps that up it will really help you guys out. But on nights where he is not rebounding or scoring(happened way too much in Miami), you will miss Marion.

Rebounding for Shaq is only an issue of willingness. With his self-declared new role definition, he is willing to be the main defensive force for the Suns and he will get the rebounds with that desire. With the Heats, he was probably fed up with the situation and unwilling to bring much effort.