Really, as recently as three weeks ago, the Celtics and their fans were freaking out. Everything was going wrong. Kevin Garnett‘s legs were shot, no one was hitting jump shots, no one was crashing the boards, the bench was a mess and the C’s flat out couldn’t beat anyone good. That was the perception, at least.
The reality is that all along, we’ve been watching a top-flight team in Boston. But for some sadistic, self-loathing reason, no one wanted to admit it. Perfectionism has become awfully trendy in these parts.
On Friday, Nov. 20, the Celtics lost 83-78 at home to Orlando. Vince Carter went crazy and took 29 shots, and the Celtics couldn’t stop him from putting up a 26, 6 and 6 stat line and carrying the Magic to victory. We were all down on the C’s that night, playing the “what went wrong?” game a little too earnestly for a team that — even then — was fighting for the top spot in the East. But no one’s looked back.
Since then, the C’s have won 11 straight games. They’ve won in every way possible — at home, on the road, on back-to-backs, on three days’ rest. They’ve won some close ones (like when they needed overtime to beat the Knicks at MSG the following Sunday); they’ve won some blowouts (like the 106-80 laugher over the Bulls this past Saturday). Whatever it takes, the Celtics are finding ways to win.
So what’s changed for the C’s? How are they all of a sudden looking like the best team in the NBA?
You could answer that question one of two ways. For example, you could say that nothing has changed. Really, the Celtics have been a top-tier team all along, and you’d have to be silly to let a couple of early-season losses sway you. The past few weeks have just been the cream of the NBA naturally rising to the top. That’s valid.
But you could also dig a little deeper. In fact, there are a few nuanced truths about these Celtics that carry a little weight. What’s changed in Boston? A few little things. Namely, these five:
1. Balanced scoring. For the first few weeks, the Celtics were letting Paul Pierce take over on offense, while the rest of the team was on autopilot. The C’s are a predictable team when Pierce carries the load himself, and they’re a lot easier to defend.
Over the past 11 games, though, they’ve discovered how to win with a more balanced effort. They cranked out an 18-point win over Charlotte on Dec. 1 despite Pierce shooting just 3-of-8 and finishing with eight points. Four other guys, including Kendrick Perkins and Eddie House, scored in double figures, and the C’s cruised. Two nights later, Pierce scored just eight points again, and Boston beat the Spurs. Go figure.
2. Rebounding. A lot of stat geeks would have told you a month ago that the Celtics were struggling because they couldn’t crash the boards. No one ever wins a title finishing dead last in the league offensive rebounding, right? Wrong. Rebounds were never really a problem for the Celtics with Perkins’ size and Garnett’s instincts leading the way, and they’ve been even less of a problem the past few weeks.
They’re never going to be a team that piles up gaudy rebounding numbers for two reasons — one, they’re a slow-paced team, so they’re not really about big numbers to begin with, and two, they don’t miss enough shots to get a lot of boards. But even when the stats don’t show it, this team is getting stronger by the day on the glass. Which leads us to point No. 3.
3. KG is getting better. He’s not going to be the physically explosive athlete he was before his knees took a turn for the worse. But he’s making do with the gifts he still has: his instincts, his intelligence, his commitment to defense and his smooth jumper. He’s becoming more comfortable than ever in his new skin. He’s not an MVP candidate, but he’s a fantastic team player and he’s shooting like never before. Over the Celtics’ 11 wins, KG is shooting 78-for-118 — that’s an unbelievable 66.1 percent. And you wonder why these C’s can’t lose.
4. Rajon Rondo is getting involved like never before. The assist numbers are just insane. Seven times in double figures out of 11 games. Thirteen against the Bucks in a pivotal matchup with Brandon Jennings on Dec. 8, then 14 against the Bulls and Derrick Rose four days later. He’s rising to the occasion when the matchup demands it — and that’s not even mentioning his scoring. Rondo has come to life as a shooter and as a slash-and-score presence for the Celtics. If you think they had too many weapons before Rondo’s offensive game blossomed, you’re only going to be more impressed now.
5. Teamwork. It’s all coming together for these Celtics. Everyone’s clicking. Rasheed Wallace has begun to commit himself to the team concept in Boston. Perkins has become the perfect complement to the Celtics’ scorers. Eddie House and Shelden Williams are finding their roles on the bench. Pierce and Ray Allen are still Pierce and Ray Allen.
This is the team you want to see in June. This is a club that’s figured it out. There’s nothing left to panic about. There’s nothing left to do but hope the winning keeps up.
