Big Baby's Break-Thru - Center Play is Key

[Jammer]

Before tonight's Detroit game, I was thinking about ways that the Celtics could improve, besides just playing better as a team, making shots, reducing turnovers, and obvious stuff like that.

Guards
I noticed that Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen and Eddie House
were averaging 40 ppg, 11 rpg and 10 apg.
Doc Rivers seems to play one player more than another depending on
who is playing well on a given night, and who players match up best with.

If one of the above 4 players is off, the Celtics are OK if the other 3 are good,
but if 2 of the above 4 are off offensively or defensively,
the Celtics don't have a 5th guard on the Active Roster to call upon.

I suspect that before the end of the season Gabe Pruitt may get put on the Active Roster,
with either Leon Powe or Brian Scalabrine going on the Inactive Roster.

Forwards
Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and James Posey average 48 ppg, 20 rpg and 10 apg in 96 minutes. That's awesome.

So, the Celtic guards and forwards combine for 88 ppg, 31 rpg and 20 apg.

You could say that KG actually plays about 12 minutes per game at center, at least defensively,
but I'll leave him at his preferred position of forward for this analysis.

Center

The Biggest Hole (Until Tonight).

Before tonight, Kendrick Perkins, Scot Pollard and Glen Davis
had averaged 13 ppg, 10 rpg and 1 apg. Yep, that's it.

I kept saying to myself if these guys could grab 5 more rebounds per game,
if Kendrick could make 1 more free throw per game,
if Scot Pollard could make 1 more basket per game,
things would be a lot of easier over the course of the season and playoffs.

For example, if the centers increased their numbers
from 13 ppg, 10 rpg and 1 apg to 16 ppg, 15 rpg and 2 apg;
the Celtics would be virtually assured of the Championship.

And then, just turned 22 years Glen Davis goes off and scores
20 points on 8-10 FGs, 4-5 FTs, and grabs 4 rebounds, with 0 turnovers.

And Rondo doesn't even turn 22 until February 22.

Perk, Rondo, Tony Allen and Glen Davis will get better.

Simply due to maturity, and growing up.

And as they do, the Celtics will.

But if Perk, Davis and Pollard can grab a few more rebounds, and score a few more points; the Celtics will be a very tough team come the playoffs.

I just keeping thinking that maybe Scot Pollard can start swishing some high post jump shots.

[Fencer reregistered]

Also, if other big men step up, Posey can play more on the perimeter.