Are the Celtics playing as more of a team this year?

[Dirty Water]

...versus last year?

First of all... GREAT game. I was there tonight. Great atmosphere, the Scal chants/3pter and the technical was just gravy to an all around great night, thanks Cs. I mean I knew Scal was a punchline last year, but the crowd has really taken it to the next level this year. But I digress...

After the first 6 minutes after the teams shook off the jitters, this thing was not even close. Philly couldn't do anything on the offensive side of the ball. They had to lean on Elton Brand 10 ft turn around jumpers and that wasn't close to enough. Everyone else looked lost out there. Great D by Boston. They just look unbelievable. You could see Philly looking desperate by the 3rd quarter and just trying to go THRU the defense when they couldn't get around it and committing a few offensive fouls. So my question...

It seems to me that the Celtics are playing even more as a team this year and not relying on any one guy. This team is now 15-2. Maybe it's just the blowouts and the stats are deflated because the Big 3 are only playing like 30 minutes at times. Which - in itself is amazing, anytime you can have your superstars riding the pine half the game in November while cruising to wins will only help us in the playoffs.

It seems like even more so than last year, EVERYONE is getting involved. You can really see Rondo and Perk developing into highly skilled players before our eyes. Powe and TA once again SOLID contributions from the bench, as well as Eddie House hitting the open jumpers. I just can't find a weakness to this team as it is right now. I know it's a little cocky to say, but if one of the Big 3 went down for a few weeks I would not be that worried. Everyone seems to know their role and pick up the slack when needed. PP had 6 points tonight, a non factor, yet not talked abotu because Ray Ray decided he was going to carry the team in the 3rd quarter. Last year it seemed like we relied too much of PP in the playoffs, and I wonder if he will be up for the challenge when the time comes this year. He started off strong this season and has been kind of coasting, but hey can you blame him? All you got to do on this team is play lock down defense and feed it to the hot hand on offense and it has seemed to work.

This is the best team in the league. I think we will beat the Lakers by double digits when we trek into Staples Center on Christmas. Just all around great basketball the last couple weeks, Enjoy it Celtics fans.

[Dirty Water]

Improvements I've seen this year light and day from Celtics supporting cast:

Rondo
-Finding the open player
-Keeping his aggressiveness without losing the control
-Confidence to lead the team as the POINT GUARD, not a juvenile amongst superstars

Perk
-Although his offensive talent has probably peaked, he has done something that he needed to do desperate from last year: FOR GODS SAKE LEARN HOW TO FINISH. Nicely done. If he's udner the basket and he gets fed a nice pass or gets a good offensive rebound, he knows what to do with it. No bobbles, no showing the defender the ball, just CONCEAL IT, then throw it down or kiss it off the glass, with a small QUICK pump fake if needed.

Powe
-Can draw the foul. Post game is getting more polished

TA
-All about getting his legs back. Hes getting back to where he was a few years ago. See other thread.
-Team is feeding off his defense

Baby
-Expanding his game with that outside jumper. You can tell he's gaining confidence with that thing. Not the perfect 9/10th man, but he'll do.

[MaxwellSmart]

a healthier Ray Allen is a big key this year---He's running around a LOT more this year---and Doc has actually run plays for him=Much more dangerous team.

[Dirty Water]

a healthier Ray Allen is a big key this year---He's running around a LOT more this year---and Doc has actually run plays for him=Much more dangerous team.

You may be right. He is attacking the basket more, but he was even doing that in the playoffs last year. Remember when he was ice cold the first two rounds then started going to the hoop to get some easy buckets to jumpstart his offense. It helps. It also helps when you have the penatrating and dishing by Rondo. Most of those open looks for Ray wouldn't have been possible without Rondo.

[ParticleMan]

of course they are, they're far more comfortable with each other this year. now it's all just a question of effort, when they want to play they can crush just about anyone. this team could win 70 games if they wanted to, but it's probably smarter not to and keep the big 3 at around 30 mins/gm.

as for the lakers, they are playing hellified ball, to use a mossism. they are at peak form too. it won't be an easy game against them, we're not clearly better. i do think we would win a 7-game series, just because defense usually beats offense. but the lakers D is much better this year.

[Kaykoose]

Well I thought we were the epitome of team basketball last year.

Seems like I'm the only one a little bothered by Pierce's struggles. Perhaps people will start taking notice when we play against elite teams.

[Havlicek17]

Having a year under our belt is key. We are a better team because everyone is familiar with their roles, their assignments on defense, etc. All the team has to do this year is some fine tuning, instead of teaching a whole new system.

The great Celtics teams of the past were built on playing defense first. We have beaten some pretty amazing Lakers teams in the past. (We're 10 and 2 if I am not mistaken.) I don't think our odds are any different this year.

[humblebum]

Know thyself. The Celtics' players from 1-10 all perfectly understand their role as set forth from the coaching staff. It is rare, very rare, to see anyone on the Celtics trying to play outside himself, his role. Every man sticks to what their job is and does everything they can to help their teammates. Which leads to...

Ubuntu. These guys are on a string on both ends of the court. The help defense is superb at the moment. When one guy goes down the next steps up, when Pierce doesn't have it going, no problem the ball just flows to the next teammate and he makes the play.

I think that this is a very important point of discussion and truly it relates to execution. Execution has plagued the Celtics at times; high turnovers, sloppy play, shots late in the shot clock, stupid fouls on defense, etc. The team is starting to get some of these things clear up and they are able to play more fluidly throughout the game.

I feel very good about this team's chances right now. With Rondo making the leap, TA re-emerging, and Perkins playing with improved confidence the team is looking tougher and tougher. That gets the team about 6 deep, then you have to consider a little offensive firepower, House and Powe. Finally you get to Scalabrine and Davis, who though not worldbeaters, clearly understand their roles and bring plus elements to the game; Scal, shooting, ball movement, positional defense; Davis, physical presence, solid passer, tough defense.

The best part is that the team still has room to improve.

[Dirty Water]

I'm worried about once we start playing the elite teams more consistently. I know there are going to be some close games. Will Pierce be able to take over like he did at times last year? Will he be ready for that? That's my only question. This years team has yet to be challenged in meaningful close games, and those will only start coming as we head towards the bulk of the season.

[Bad-Thoma]

a healthier Ray Allen is a big key this year---He's running around a LOT more this year---and Doc has actually run plays for him=Much more dangerous team.

I'd agree, though I think Ray's ability to space the floor for others last year really helped our offense his return to form of late has been great, he's shooting like an all-star again lately.