Gorman Points

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gorman) — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:12:00 +0000

KG

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gorman) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:51:00 +0000

It’s not about him anymore…..maybe it never was…but it certainly isn’t now…..Kevin Garnett’s streak of over 400 consecutive games in double figures came to an end last nite….it was one of those great individual achievements that could always be seen through team eyes….after all…the more points you score the better chance your team has of winning…but it was in the end an individual sta... last nite the Celtics were winning…winning by frightening numbers over the Knicks….KG was only needed for a little over 22 minutes…he managed to get 11 rebounds…block a couple of shots….make all four of his free throws… but he only attempted five shots and just two of those fell….8 pts….first time in five years or so it hadn’t been 10 or more….five years…. remarkable… but since he walked through door KG has been saying “it’s not about me…it’s about us”…he could have asked back into the game…got a put back…heck I could have gotten a put back in that game….but he didn’t…he let the minutes go to Davis and Powe and Scal….because apparently with Kevin Garnett it really is about us…..easy to say….harder to do….KG walked the walk tonite….a walk that makes you believe maybe he’s been a Celtic all along….and we just never knew.

7-0

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gorman) — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:32:00 +0000

Pretty remarkable in a league where you are not supposed to be able to turn franchises around quickly..... and maybe the best part is this team can play much better than they have.... there is ample room for improvement on the offensive end..... they still are getting used to each other - the variety of defenses they are facing - and how best to combat them....overpassing is an issue but hey - if you gotta have issues overpassing is not a bad one to have...... what has been truly remarkable is the defense....they lead the NBA in FG% defense and steals.....Posey , Garnett , Perkins, Tony Allen, and Rondo are quality defenders....Pierce and Ray Allen have raised their defensive games to levels not expected or seen in awhile...and Pollard, Scalabrine, and Davis have all contributed on that end of the floor...... Scal has played very well on both ends and is now the player he was when he made such an impression in NJ..... he's just one of those guys who knows how to play well with great players..... that may sound easy but it is not... in fact it is very hard.... Davis is going to be hard to keep on the bench... he is skilled with size...a nice combination.... barring an unforeseen stumble on Friday.... Sunday nite vs Orlando shapes up as a terrific game..... .best of the season so far.... lots of good story lines.... KG vs Howard....Ray Allen vs former teammate Rashard Lewis ..... and wouldn't a win be a nice moment for Doc in what has been a difficult personal couple of weeks.

November 6, 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gorman) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 02:21:00 +0000

When Kevin Garnett walked off the floor last Friday night, he looked up either at someone in particular or the crowd in general , raised one finger in the air, and said simply - "that's one". With that gesture the new era of Celtic's basketball officially began. My guess is that is how it will be with this team, one game at a time. Now I know teams always say stuff like that but infrequently do they actually mean it or more importantly practice it. This however is a different bunch. Both Garnett and Allen are quick to talk about the process. Quick to point out that each game is it's own individual battle ; to be prepared for, won, and then savored. These guys are in no hurry to get to April, May June, or whatever fate has in store for them. They are going to enjoy the process. It was evident on Sunday in Toronto. They played like it meant everything, not like it was just 2 of 82. This attitude, which is displayed best by the two newcomers, will make for some very satisfying nights not only in the garden but in buildings throughout the league. There are few more satisfying moments in the NBA than winning on the road. These Celtics are going to have more than their share of them.

November 1, 2007

noreply@blogger.com (Mike Gorman) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 01:48:00 +0000

What has to have been the longest preseason since Red drafted Larry is finally over. Rome-London seems like forever ago. Worcester, Mohegan, MSG, the Izod Center? (What is an Izod center anyway - a shirt factory?) Did those games really happen ? Well, yeah they did and mercifully they're done.

What did we learn ? Lots.

#1 The chemistry that so many pundits around the country are questioning is real. I can understand wondering from afar if this new combination will work, but if you have been around this team you know that KG, PP, and RA are going to get along just fine. That's because KG is going to make sure it happens. He is wise beyond his years. Fans will love his hard-nose play - the Cowens comparisons in terms of intensity are legit. But what will ultimately make this team successful is the maturity that both he and RA bring to the table. There will be no pettinesss. It just will not be tolerated. Leadership is established, acknowledged, and accepted.

#2 Rondo will be just fine. If he makes shots it's a bonus. If he doesn't it will be the only column on the stat sheet he doesn't stuff. Scoring points is not going to be a problem for this team. Depth at the point is still a little sticky. Eddie House and Tony Allen are going to see allot of end to end pressure. It's an area to keep your eye on. Rondo must stay healthy.

#3 Perkins will flourish in this environment if he can stay out of early foul trouble. His attitude and toughness are needed on the starting five. Kendrick just has to find ways to stay on the court. This is another area where depth could be an issue. Scott Pollard needs to get healthy and stay healthy. Big Baby and Leon may end up playing undersized minutes at the five. I don't think the C's want to play KG allot at that spot unless the matchup is perfect. They can't let him get beat up and he will back down from no one. Remember - there is still a vacant roster spot. Another big could ultimately fill it.

#4 What nobody is talking about- DEFENSE> The Celtics will be a much better defensive team than they have been in years, decades maybe. Once again it starts with KG. They will be able to stop people when it matters. They haven't been able to say that in quite some time.

Let's just go play - see ya Friday.