Before I delve into my analysis of Antonio McDyess, I want to make it clear this was my plan before reading Mark Murphy's article in the Herald. Great minds clearly think alike. It's too bad one of us writes for a gossip-fueled, rumor driven, facts don't matter publication – sorry Mark, but it's not often Red's Army wins the Integrity Award. Back to McDyess. I'm embarrassed to admit that in my analysis of player-to-player matchups, I had Perkins vs. McDyess as even. Hell, their stats were nearly identical. But McDyess has gone off (14.5 pts on 54% FG, 9.5 reb). After watching McDyess nail open 17-footer after open 17-footer, I figured the Celtics were willing to live or die with that shot. But Doc tells Murphy, the C's can and should be challenging that shot.
“We want to get to everyone, and we especially want to get to all of their starters,” coach Doc Rivers said yesterday. “You’re never happy leaving someone open like that. A lot of McDyess’ shots we can get out to and challenge. We have the ability to do that but we haven’t in Game 1 or Game 2.”
You've got to provide help when Billups or Rip drive to the hoop, and the man covering McDyess is the most logical choice. Doc just wants the guys to be a half-step faster on the rotation. But in the end, Doc and I are both thinking the same thing: Whether or not the Celtics adjust, McDyess can't keep this up for the entire series.
Today's Links: Globe – Road to Redemption | Detroit Good Sports City Too | Praise for Stuckey | Defense Key in Game 3 | Herald – C's Must Step It Up | Rough Road Ahead | Detroit News – What Stuckey Don't Know, Won't Hurt Him |
After last night's 30-pt loss to the Lakers, the media has the Spurs dead and buried – again. You'd think after watching San Antonio come back from a 2-0 deficit in Round 2, the press would be gun shy. But that's clearly not the case.
Due to a family commitment, my availablity to watch Game 3 is in jeopardy. I am attempting to find a portable TV with antenna to solve this problem. I know you all will miss me on the forums and postgame.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
