OT: Anyone watching Atlanta Vs Boston?

[PeeDee]

I can't believe how the Celts lost those 2 games in Atlanta. And it wasn't a case of lost interest (like the Pistons) either. They played hard... and lost... to Atlanta.

Much of the blame should go on Doc Rivers for insane match-ups (Allen guarding Johnson?!?!?!), however, I place the rest of the blame on the misuse and possible reluctance of KG.

No one on the Hawks can guard KG. No one. Why aren't they pounding the ball into him? I guarantee he'd get to the line an insane amount of times per game if they did this. He's hardly even going into the paint, he's choosing to fire up long jumpers instead.

I think that if he and the people that call plays for him can't set him up to take over a playoff series like he is fully capable of doing, then all the people that have questioned KG's star quality gain a bit of validity.

Don't get me wrong, I think KG is a great player. But if he can't dominate in the East and carry his team to the finals when they need him to, he is doing nothing but proving his cynics right.

It is quite possible, in my estimation, that Al Jefferson will have more playoff success (barring injury and front office incompetence) than KG has/will. Big Al has shown the capability, and more importantly, the willingness to put a team on his back and carry them to the finish line.

We might look back in a few years and realize what a good trade the KG trade was. Thoughts? Flames? High Fives?

[Krapinsky]

I think Boston's problem is that no one outside of KG is looking to rebound. Atl got way to many second chance opportunities down the stretch. It's also amazing that KG/Perkins couln't come up in contest/block one of Johnson's shot int he lane. That fourth quarter defied logic.

[PeeDee]

No kidding. I can't believe Rivers can't figure out how to guard Atlanta.

[deeney0]

In the 4th, Boston tried putting Allen on Johnson, which was a bad idea no matter what, but with Johnson feeling it there was no way it was going to work. Then, rather than putting Posey or Pierce on him, they decided to double. Atlanta was moving the ball very well. Other than KG, Boston was not crisp with its rotations. The ball usually ended up with Smith or back with Johnson getting a good look. They hit there shots.

I'm more concerned with why Boston wasn't able to get anything to work on offense in the 4th. They had something like 4 points in the first 8 minutes of the quarter. They were settling for crap shots. They looked tired.

That being said, I don't think Atlanta gets within 10 points after halftime the rest of this series.

[PeeDee]

Yeah, I agree. I don't think the Hawks will be able to replicate what they've done playing on the road.

[C.lupus]

I'm surprised Boston is getting caught up in all the trash talking and skirmishes. They are supposed to be the poised veteran team and they are letting Atlanta's "youthful exuberance" take them out of their game. They need to settle down at home and take care of business.

[TheFranchise21]

I can't believe how the Celts lost those 2 games in Atlanta. And it wasn't a case of lost interest (like the Pistons) either. They played hard... and lost... to Atlanta.

Much of the blame should go on Doc Rivers for insane match-ups (Allen guarding Johnson?!?!?!), however, I place the rest of the blame on the misuse and possible reluctance of KG.

No one on the Hawks can guard KG. No one. Why aren't they pounding the ball into him? I guarantee he'd get to the line an insane amount of times per game if they did this. He's hardly even going into the paint, he's choosing to fire up long jumpers instead.

I think that if he and the people that call plays for him can't set him up to take over a playoff series like he is fully capable of doing, then all the people that have questioned KG's star quality gain a bit of validity.

Don't get me wrong, I think KG is a great player. But if he can't dominate in the East and carry his team to the finals when they need him to, he is doing nothing but proving his cynics right.

It is quite possible, in my estimation, that Al Jefferson will have more playoff success (barring injury and front office incompetence) than KG has/will. Big Al has shown the capability, and more importantly, the willingness to put a team on his back and carry them to the finish line.

We might look back in a few years and realize what a good trade the KG trade was. Thoughts? Flames? High Fives?

KG could easily take over anytime he wanted to. The problem is, either he doesn't want to or is tries to defer too much.

KG needing to get to the line more has been the knock on him his whole career. At this point, its never going to happen. You have to accept him for what he is and that is an outstanding defensive player on one end, and a jump shooter on the other end who likes to defer.

[PeeDee]

Wow. I never guessed this series would go to game seven. The Celts just have not been able to play their game in a hostile environment.

That has to be it too, because they absolutely destroy the same team at home.

Good luck the rest of the playoffs if you can't win some on the road.

[shrink]

I think KG ended up with more assists than rebounds, and he threw three balls away down the stretch when I was watching. He looked like he was playing like he was scared to lose. I hope he remembers that he is light years better than any big man ATL has, and decides to try to win Game 7 himself.

[prefuse73]

the problem is ray ray. IF he is not going to hit his shots, he is worthless. he cannot guard johnson and if you put pierce on johnson then allen would have to guard marvin williams which is a severe height mis-match (6-9 vs 6-4). Unless you want to put rondo on johnson and allen on bibby, which really doesn't work either.

I think Atlanta is just plain and simply a match up problem for Boston. I think they will have an easier time with Orlando and Detroit.

[deeney0]

KG was too passive in crunch time. Shock. That is why that team was Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Don't blame KG for acting exactly how you'd expect him to act.

[kandiking]

i really hope the celtics lose so gatorade looks like idiots with that commercial. KG just doesn't have IT.

[Krapinsky]

How come Tony Allen is getting any burn in that series?

[TheFranchise21]

I'm confused as to why they went for the quick three with Ray Allen as opposed to a two pointer when they were only down two.

[Mikchek]

at least they won...they are gonna have to play better on the road if they are gonna win against clevland

[theGreatRC]

KG in round 2 lets go!

[Basti]

nice for KG