We can try pointing the finger at Rajon Rondo's struggles and Ray Allen's cold shooting as reason for the Celtics current cold streak. But the fact of the matter is that the Celtics defense has abandoned them.
This season, the Celtics are scoring 101 points and giving up 91. It's the second best spread in the league. Over the last 10, the Celtics are scoring almost 103, but giving up almost 95. And that includes the 108-63 and 108-83 blow outs of Sacramento and Washington… so that number is actually closer than it seems. And worse, the C's are giving up an abnormally high amount of easy baskets. There's no way DJ Augestin should be that wide open for 3… or Emeka Okafor that wide open for a dunk… in overtime. Someone on the Celtics will make shots, but the C's won't win if they keep missing assignments. And Kevin Garnett says it's his fault.
“I’ll take credit for that,” he said. “I’m the one who usually is the person for that, and I haven’t done a good job at it. My overall game wasn’t there.”
Garnett is a warrior. He's playing through something right now… be it physcial or mental. I love that attidude of "if I can walk, I can play." But I'm wondering if someone needs to intervene and give KG a day off or something. I'd even be OK with him sitting out tonight. Whatever it takes to get a consistent effort from KG… something that has been lacking lately.
Coach Doc Rivers said Garnett "looked OK. He was aggressive down the stretch. We just need to see that all game. Those two post moves down the stretch, that's how we have to get that, all game. He made a concerted effort to score in the paint."
Examiner: These are the times that try teams' souls | Camerato: Are the Celtics in trouble? | Herald: Hosts mindful to take out KG's trash | Rockets scouting report | Globe: Bobcats sink Celtics in OT | PerkIsABeast: T.A. is M.I.A | Patriot Ledger: Celtics young guard on the verge of NBA stardom | ESPN: Lakers lose at home to Hornets | Melo out 3 weeks
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