10/29/2009 - 18:03
"We Need Another One"
by
Ward Lucas
The Boston Celtics' home opener against the Charlotte Bobcats last night was a chance for Cs fans to get a first look at Paul Pierce and the revamped Celts on their road to another NBA title.
Before the game, the Truth took the microphone to speak to the fans. No. 34 alluded to last season’s disappointment and promised something better in 2009-10.
“We expect great things. You see up there, there’s only 17 of them,” he said, pointing to the championship banners that hang from the TD Bank North Garden rafters. “I think we need another one.”
Under the leadership of the Truth, who posted 15 points, three rebounds and four assists in less than 25 minutes, the Celtics held the Bobcats to an all-time low, 59 points in a 93-59 victory in the Celts’ home opener.
THREE-UNITED
While posting 15 points, No. 34 also played a strong supporting role for the returning Kevin Garnett in an impressive hardwood comeback. According to the Dailynewstribune:
“Garnett looking much like his old self with 10 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes, the Celtics steamrolled the Bobcats on the second night of a season opening back-to-back.”
Much to the fans delight it was great to see the trio of KG, Ray Allen and Paul work in tandem.
KG slid right back into No. 34’s radar, too, as The Truth found Garnett for two of his four assists.
Garnett knocked down a baseline shot off a dish from Paul to give Boston a 50-31 lead three minutes into the third. Later in the third Garnett drilled another 20-footer with an assist from No. 34, which pushed the lead past 20.
CATS LOSS IS CELTS GAIN
Newcomer Rasheed Wallace was integral to shutting down the Bobcats’ offense.
Since the beginning of camp, Paul has spoken glowingly about what Rasheed has brought to the Celtics, not only with his talent, but his attitude, as quoted in the Boston Herald:
“He fits the mold of this ballclub, with his energy, with his passion, with what he’s all about, wanting to win a championship. His personality is perfect with what we have over here.”
Sheed’s defensive skills are the thing that has most impressed The Truth on the court:
“I think that’s where his value is coming the most,” Pierce said.
Oddly enough, the Boston Herald reports it was Charlotte Bobcats coach, Larry Brown, who recommended to C’s Coach Doc Rivers that the Celtics sign Wallace.
On Wednesday night, that advice came back to bite Brown as Paul and the Celtics have paid immediate dividends from Rasheed’s arrival.
A TRUE MVP CANDIDATE
With only two games under his belt, No. 34 is already being bandied about as one of the top ten contenders for league MVP.
National sports analysts have mentioned Paul’s name alongside his peers Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James as an early candidate, and the Truth’s fans are already rocking the vote on Twitter.
As Twitter user @thisisnate21 said yesterday:
“Paul Pierce for #MVP #MVP #MVP #MVP #MVP #MVP #MVP”
RUN OF A KIND
After jumping out to a huge lead to start the game, then falling back a little, Paul and the Celtics turned it up a notch as they came out of the locker room for the second half.
Scott Souza of the MetroWest Daily News described the action:
Boston broke it open with a 15-0 run to start the third quarter. Pierce hit two free throws, then Allen banked in a short jumper, Rondo finished a nifty drive and Garnett knocked down a baseline shot from Pierce for a 50-31 lead three minutes into the third.
After a defensive stop out of a Charlotte timeout, Garnett canned another 20-footer from Pierce that pushed the lead past 20. A Kendrick Perkins block forced a shot-clock violation, and Perkins took an inside dish from Rondo for a reverse jam and 54-31 led at 7:25.
The Truth capped the burst with a 3-pointer, and after Gerald Henderson scored Charlotte’s first basket of the half with 5:53 left in the quarter, No. 34 buried another trey and dunked off the break the next time down the floor to give the Celtics a 62-33 lead.
It was smooth sailing from there.
NEXT UP
The Celtics will look to hold down the home court again on Friday when they host the Chicago Bulls for the first time since their seven-game thriller in the first round of last year’s playoffs. Tip off is at 8pm with all the action being broadcast nationwide on ESPN.
RELATED STORIES
Bobcats coach urged Celtics to sign Rasheed Wallace (Boston Herald, Oct. 29, 2009)
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=...
Rasheed Wallace digs Garden party Proves he’s perfect fit for Green (Boston Herald, Oct. 29, 2009)
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=...
Celtics rout starts home slate (Boston Herald, Oct. 29, 2009)
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/20091028celti...
An MVP race you might actually care about (The Pioneer, Oct. 29, 2009)
http://whitmanpioneer.com/sports/2009/10/29/an-mvp-race-that-you-might-a...
Garnett returns to Boston in easy win over Bobcats (AP, Oct. 28, 2009)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hXNJNQGoNHO1DehYQycjrZ...
Celtics 92, Bobcats 59: Celts tame ‘Cats (MetroWest Daily News, Oct. 29, 2009)
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/pros_and_colleges/x876590500/Ce...
Davis isn’t around, but isn’t left out, either (Boston Globe, Oct. 29, 2009) http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/10/29/davi...
