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“Kevin is the most unselfish player in the NBA,” teammate Delonte West said before yesterday’s practice at the University of Miami. “It kind of goes against his game. He makes the right play at the right time. Sometimes he passes up shots for the betterment of the team, and it works for us. But moving forward, I think we’re looking for him to start knocking down some of those shots that he’s accustomed to doing.”
Coach Doc Rivers took the blame for Garnett’s lack of involvement early. The All Star forward attempted just four shots in 18 first-half minutes.
“I have to do a better job with getting Kevin involved,” Rivers said. “Kevin is one of our featured scorers, and I didn’t think we did a good job with him at all.”
Herald: Green to get in touch with KG
Nine shots just isn't enough for KG.
I think sometimes when a guy like Ray Allen gets as hot as he does, KG gets into "set a pick" mode or "Keep feeding Ray" mode. And that's great. We should want Ray to get the ball more, but not at the expense of one of our top three options on the floor.
KG's got to be more aggressive and win that matchup with Chris Bosh. That's an advantage the Celtics have. They need to win that battle or they're going to have a lot of problems in this series. At least KG knows that.
“I was stressing ball movement and what they asked us to do as a team and Doc [Rivers] tells me I got to be a lot more aggressive so I will,’’ Garnett said. “Our mind-set has to be a lot more defensive. Mine was probably a lot more offensive. [Tonight] I will be a lot more aggressive.’’
Related links: ESPN Boston: Practice: The post, man | WEEI: Doc: "I've got to do a btter job with getting Kevin involved | ProJo: Doc looks for more shots for Garnett
On Page 2: Pierce takes a jab at the refs
Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images
"I was surprised in getting kicked out," Pierce said. "I didn't think what I did warranted ejection. Sometimes players get caught in the hype of the game. Sometimes the refs do, too."
Pierce does know one thing. A repeat meltdown on his part can do nothing but hurt the Celtics' chances of winning Game 2.
And while he's likely to have some thoughts about Game 1 prior to Tuesday's Game 2 tip-off, by no means does he plan to use that as added incentive to play well.
"I don't need no motivation," Pierce said. "I don't need that to fire me up for this. I have a common goal, just like the rest of my teammates, and that's to win a championship. I'm trying to do everything I can to make that happen."
CSNNE: Pierce: I have to keep my composure
Yes Paul, you do. But Paul's right about the refs getting caught up in the emotion of the game.
My question is… what happens to Ed Malloy today? He's the guy that blew both techs. He's responsible for the Celtics star player being ejected. And what about the entire crew? What happens to them for calling a flagrant on one end and not on the other?
What happens to the crew that cost the Celtics a five points AND their best scorer in what ended up being a nine point game? Anything?
Related links: ESPN Boston: Flagrant downgraded for Jermaine O'Neal | Pierce sorry for eject, no further discipline | WEEI: Jermaine flagrant downgraded | Pierce will not be suspended | Herald: Truth: It was selfish | Globe: No punishment | Herald: Language Foul | ProJo: Pierce says he probably overreacted
The rest of the links:
CSNNE: C's prepare for second shot at Miami | Celtics and Heat ready for more rough stuff | WEEI: Heat notes: Who you calling physical? | LeBron: I didn't see us start anything | Herald: Doc sees loss in new light | It happens lickety split | Visitors shoot to stop Miami's "other guys" | Globe: Story with real legs | No clear update on possible Shaq return | More physical therapy on tap | Rivers: Plug up air
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