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Celtics-Bulls photo gallery

You know how we do it. Enjoy some pics courtesy of HoopChina from the C's visit to ChiTown on Thursday. Bonus GIFS after the jump...

Hustle and Flow... Did Rajon's shooting kill Boston's offense last night?

People (ahem, Chuck) have been getting on Rajon Rondo lately.  Some of it is warranted, some of it isn't.  The latest criticism of him came last night when he either (a) took way too many shots and disrupted the flow of the offense or (b) didn't take enough shots in the 4th quarter and disrupted the flow of the offense.  

So went back and looked at every one of his 27 shots to see how much Rondo dominated the ball, and whether it's his fault Paul Pierce and Ray Allen never could get it going. 

Shot #1: 11:22 1Q. Missed jumper in the lane

The play started with Ray running off a couple of screens, getting the ball and then giving it back up to Rondo, who then found Pierce on the right side. When Pierce had nothing, Rondo took it himself with the shot clock running down. 

Verdict: Good play

Shot #2: 6:50 1Q. Transition lay up (goaltending call)

He was all alone in transition. 

Verdict: Good play

Shot #3: 6:22 1Q. Transition lay up

After a Detroit miss, Rondo brought the ball up the left side of the floor.  With Detroit defenders backing off, he just kept on going and took an uncontested lay up.

Verdict: Good play

Shot #4: 6:03 1Q.  Lay up (and 1)

Your Morning Dump... Is JaJuan Johnson ready to start?

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

If Garnett is unable to play, the C's may very well call upon Johnson to get the starting nod. The Celtics may also consider Chris Wilcox, but Johnson appears to be a more likely starter if Garnett doesn't play.

... 

Johnson has done well with end-of-the-game, mop-up-duty minutes. But to play the way he did against a Chicago team that has been atop the Eastern Conference standings most of this season, was impressive.

"There's nothing like getting that game-day experience, and he's getting that," said Paul Pierce. "It's good to get him in there for some big games, like Chicago to where he's knocking down shots and playing well. When you do that, it creates confidence in the ball club. It also creates trust for the coaches, also."

CSNNE - C's Johnson may get first career start

The time is right to throw the kid in there. His confidence is high (following a career game vs Chicago) and the Pistons are second to last in the league in opponents FG%. 

The Celtics are about to embark on a grueling swing of road games. KG needs to nip this hip flexor issue in the bud. 

Good luck, JaJuan.

Related links: Herald - KG out of practice | ESPN Boston - KG doubtful vs Detroit | Garnett's turn to take seat | CBS - Pistons/Celtics preview

On Page 2, Mike Gorman shocked the hell out of me with this statement.

Celtics-Bulls photo gallery

Here are some nice pics (Hoop China) from the C's 95-91 win over the Bulls on Sunday afternoon.

Bonus GIFs after the jump....

Your Morning Dump... Where Ray Allen was wide open, briefly

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.

“I was wide open,” Allen said of that last regulation play. “Paul, as he started dribbling off, both of those guys stayed with him. Paul said he didn’t want to throw the ball. He was kind of in a bad position. I thought either me or Kevin had an opportunity for a good shot.”

Pierce, who rimmed out a 20-footer under pressure from Metta World Peace at the end of overtime, didn’t have the vision last night.

“One of them I didn’t make the pass, the second one I didn’t hit the shot,” he said with a shrug. “I just thought we didn’t get into our sets like we wanted to. I thought we played a little too much random pick and roll basketball. They really blocked a lot of things that we were trying to do. We weren’t able to get to the hole.”

Herald - Celtics fall short in OT loss to Lakers

After watching the replay of the final play in regulation, I agree that Ray Allen was wide open... for one second. Paul Pierce has to make that pass in a split second, or not make it at all.

Paul and Ray are about 20 feet apart. At that distance, the pass needs to be a laser because Ron Artest is lurking. 

Pierce committed a cardinal sin by picking up his dribble so deep on the perimeter. Once that happened, there was no viable Plan B.

On Page 2, Kobe suddenly has respect for Rajon Rondo.

Paul Pierce IS an All Star

Twitter / @WojYahooNBA: Paul Pierce has been chose ... via kwout

Dammit.  I wanted him to get some rest, but he has earned the honor.  

This is Paul Pierce's 10th All Star selection.  Since 2002, the only year in which he wasn't an All Star was 2007. 

I can't wait to hear Boston sports talk radio continue debating whether Pierce truly belongs as one of the All Time greats.  Idiots. 

Photo Gallery: Celtics vs Bobcats

Here are some photos via Hoop China from the Celts' 94-84 win over Charlotte last night. I was at the Garden, and it was such a fun evening. I've followed Paul Pierce since his very his 1st-game, and it's been a pleasure to watch him become one of the all-time great Celtics. Bonus "Ultimate Truth GIF" after the jump...

VIDEO: Pierce Surpasses Larry Bird on All-Time Scoring List

During last night's game there were several segments highlighting Paul Pierce before, during and after the moment he surpassed Larry Bird on the Celtics all-time scoring list.  Take a look at the video below to see a compilation of the best segments.  Also, I want to extend a huge congrats to Paul, one of the greatest Celtics of all time which is saying quite a bit for this storied franchise.  Just an amazing accomplishment but I agree with Paul: we all want to see you win one more championship!

 

 

Video: The Boston Garden celebrates Pierce's milestone

I was in the stands to witness history tonight as Paul Pierce passed Larry Bird for second on the C's all-time scoring list.  

This is how it looked during the timeout when the Celtics got to honor Pierce's achievement... including the tribute video.  The Garden was buzzing all night waiting for this to happen.  When it finally did, the place when absolutely berserk.  That ovation lasted forever.  

Congrats Truth.  

Recap: Pierce surpasses Bird in Cs win over Bobcats

On a night where Paul Pierce climbed another rung on the ladder of team history, the Celtics used a team effort to beat the Charlotte Bobcats, 94-84.

Pierce's three pointer with 10:22 remaining the 3rd quarter (video here) was the 21,792 point of his career. The Garden crowd gave Pierce a standing ovation for a couple minutes. During a post game interview with Greg Dickerson, Pierce admitted he was pressing a bit for the record. While the spotlight was on Pierce's scoring ability, he filled up the stat sheet with 9 assists and 8 rebounds.

As for the game, the Celtics let Charlotte hang around for the first half, but finally stretched the lead to double digits in the 3rd quarter. Ray Allen (17 points) scored 9 straight points midway thru the 3rd.

Kevin Garnett continues to excel offensively - 22 points (10-15 FG), 7 rebounds. Rajon Rondo (10 points, 14 assists, 0 turnovers) looked especially crisp. Charlotte's Kemba Walker had 16 points and 7 rebounds.

I would have nailed the final score in my game preview, if it weren't for two garbage buckets by the Bobcats.

Box score | Recap