Do the OKC Thunder remind you of another team? How about the 2005 Celtics? They are loaded with young players. And as we all know, unless some veterans are added, it's going to take 3-4 years before this team is significant.
The Celtics started slow tonight, falling behind by 8 (29-21) after the 1st quarter but this really was a cakewalk. The Celtics surged ahead in the 2nd thanks to the energetic second unit and never looked back.
Paul Pierce – 20 pts, 9 reb, 5 assts | Ray Allen – 18 pts, 9 reb
Celtics 96 OKC 83 Box Score | Recap
Other observations:
Here's a great example of how much young players have to learn…Big Baby in his attempt to get a call…let out a scream…before he was hit by the defender.
Tony Allen made a great defensive play in the 2Q…tying up Kyle Weaver in the midst of a fast break and forcing a jump ball – which he won.
Tough night for Nick Collison. In the first half, Paul Pierce tripped him up with a head/shoulder fake – crossover move. In the 3rd quarter, he fell for Rondo's patented behind-the-back ball fake. And in the 4th, he was posterized on a Ray Allen dunk.
I was more impressed with Jeff Green than Kevin Durant…at least for this game.
There were a couple of Issues with the Ford Center. One net had to be replaced during warm-ups, delaying tip-off by 5 minutes. Condensation from the ice (they play hockey in Oklahoma? I assumed it was dirt for the rodeo or monster truck pull) under the floor created slippery conditions under the baskets which kept the ball boys busy.
The crowd was very enthusiastic, almost collegiate-like. There were loud cheers after Celtics misses, over-cheering on routine baskets but if I lived in Oklahoma, I'd be starving for excitement too.
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