Between the Lines

The Boston Celtics are looking old, slow, and dare I say it…over. They are officially under .500 with a record of 4-5 which is the worst start since the “Big 3” has come to Boston. KG looks like father time has caught up with him, Pierce has yet to round into game shape, shooting 36 percent from the floor in his first three games back from injury (13 of 36). Ray Allen is currently the Celtics leading scoring, but he can’t do it alone. And Rajon Rondo has been a one man fast break, but still struggles from the free-throw line and hitting his jump shot on a consistent basis. The Celtics/Mavericks game last night was like watching Wednesday night full court at the YMCA.

Having said all of that the Celtics still have time to get it together but they have to do just that….get it together. KG has to be more aggressive. Instead of settling for jumpers he needs to take the ball to the hole and show the league how he got his nickname “The Big Ticket”. He has to be a scoring threat and a staple on defense because right now he looks old, slow, and non-aggressive. Paul Pierce needs to score the ball…….period. The Celtics need him to be aggressive. He needs to take a page out of the “Kobe Bryant book” and play through injury and help his team win. The Celtics need to protect the weak side boards, and run the floor.

If the Celtics don’t turn it around and turn it around soon they are going to be in a lot of trouble because the heavy hitters in the east (The Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat) aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. If the Celtics plan to make the finals this year they are going to have to dig deep and play hard. Fight for rebounds, protect the paint, and score the ball. The good news is they have a good bench, and they know how to win. Every year people count them out and every year there they are making a run for the title. But in order to keep that streak alive they [the Celtics] are going to have to turn it around and play better. Bottom line.