Kevin Garnett had another outstanding performance Monday night against the Sixers as he shot 11-14 finishing with 26 and 12 in a 14 point win in Philly. Did I mention that in his last four games including last Saturday’s victory over Detroit KG has shot 39 of 61 from the field for an astounding 63.9%. Kobe and Lebron are both having outstanding seasons but Garnett at least deserves to again start being mentioned in MVP talks.

Maybe he and “The Truth” Paul Pierce could run on the same ticket considering this is an election year and is there a more patriotic town than Boston? Over the last four games Pierce has shot an equally as impressive 12-23 from the three point line.

The final component of the “Big Three” Ray Allen has also been shooting the ball much better as of late. His field goal percentage is almost back up to his career percentage and his three ball has been 9 of 14 over the last two games.

Other than that, K Perkins has averaged 13 boards a game over this four game stretch and Rajon continues to impress (other than his five T.O.s against Detroit something he will have to rectify if The C’s want to get past The Motown Ballers in the playoffs).

However, the best news may be the acquisition of Sam Cassell. Love him or hate him Sam has two rings, is smart with the ball and is a proven clutch performer throughout his career. He’s not intimidated by Detroit, Lebron or anybody else. This kind of attitude will be infectious in the locker room.

For this reason, The Celtics will come out of the East and raise their first championship banner in over twenty years (sorry Kobe).

I’m guilty of it I admit. In fact a few weeks back I wrote a post stating exactly what everyone else has been saying. The C’s haven’t played anyone in the Western Conference. It’s too early to be a true believer. The Celtics have no back up point and their rookie Rondo is way too inexperienced.

Well, no more.

With tonight’s 92-85 victory over what everyone has been calling the league’s best team, The Detroit Pistons, no less at The Palace, The Celtics not only claimed legitimacy as the best team in the East, but also in the entire league.

This win is also in the midst of a nine game winning streak that has included winning four games in five nights on the western swing and avenges The Celtics only home loss of the season.

However, despite all these statistics the real amazing feat is just how they got it done tonight.

The Celtic’s “Big Three” of Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen unbelievably shot a paltry 10-34 from the field (29.4 percent) Although with some stellar free throw shooting they still did combine for 43 points lead by Pierce with 19.

The real hero this evening amazingly was Glen “Big Baby” Davis who had a game high 20 points including 16 in the fourth. Not to mention, once again The Celtic defense was beyond stout holding the Pistons to 39.2 percent shooting for the game.

Another excellent sign was Tony Allen also contributing 10 off the bench conbinging for 30 in his last two games.

What is so important about this? It means The Celtic bench is better than everyone thought which means The Celtics may be as good as their 29-3 record. A scary thought.

Chauncey Billups’ two free throws with 0.1 seconds on the clock gave the Detroit Pistons an 87-85 victory over The C’s Wednesday night in Boston. As if this dagger isn’t enough Billups contributed a game high 28 including going 10-11 from the line.

Richard “Rip” Hamilton also had a great game for Detroit going 8-11 from the field including 3-4  from the three spot finishing with 21 points.

Now, although this jagged little pill is a difficult one to swallow there are many good things to be taken from this game.

To start, The Big Ticket played absolutely stellar finishing with 26 and 12 including hitting shot after shot down the stretch.

Ray Allen also had a phenomenal outing contributing 24 on 9-13 shooting including some absolutely brilliant shots in the final quarter to actually give the Celtics a chance to win.

Speaking of, why Doc went to Paul Pierce for ths last shot is anybody’s guess.

Obviously, I love “The Truth,” however, he was having an off night and I would think you would run a play for KG or Ray considering the way they were shooting with Pierce being the third option.

Oh well, everyone’s still learning. 

Finally, Rajon Rondo is continually improving shooting 7-10 and scoring ten points in the first quarter. Not to mention, more importantly, he committed only two turnovers against what is considered to be one of the NBA’s elite defensive units.

Now for the bad news.

The Pistons have a more talented starting five than The Celtics and have more big time game experience.

Think about it. I give a slight edge to The Green Machine’s “Big Three” over Rip, Sheed and Chauncey. However, McDyess and Tayshaun Prince have a decided advantage over Rondo and Kendrick Perkins.

Although awful last night, Prince can be a big time all star caliber scorer on any given night as well as a lock down defender.

McDyess is an absolute rebounding menace having snagged 35 in his last three games and shoots almost as well from the floor as Perkins is shooting from the line.

Although, I love Rondo’s development and Perkins has shown some flashes this is a no brainer.

The other bad news is yesterday it became abundantly evident The Celtics need a back up point guard. Against Detroit pressure both Ray Allen and Eddie House looked extremely uncomfortable handling the rock.

Maybe Rivers is waiting on the development of Gabe Pruitt although he was more of a scorer at USC than a ball distributor. Unfortunately, he has yet to get any kind of minutes at all this season.

I would send him to the D League to get some game experience. Then, once he’s back with the team, start slowly integrating him in the rotation.

Either that, or release him and find and sign someone from the Developmental League that is a great ball handler, defender and keeps everyone involved.

Even though last night was a tough loss overall I think it is one of the best things that could have happened to the C’s. Not only did it expose the point guard dilemma it also showed that we still have a long way to go to be a title contender.

Which, with all this talk of 70 wins, is, in my opinion, a good thing.

Besides, no matter what Jeff Van Gundy says, the NBA season is incredibly grueling and long and having the pressure to win every single home game would have taken an emotional and physical toll.

The players can now let out a sigh of relief, quit worrying about the comparisons with the phenomenal 1986 team (Bill Walton coming off the bench are you kidding me) and primarily focus on improving overall as well as securing the number one seed in the East.

Well Celtic fans if you’ve been wondering why I haven’t written for a while if you’ve been following The C’s you know it’s because I haven’t had much to write about.

I mean what am I continually to say? KG posted another double double as The Celtics blowout the hapless Wizards. Let’s face it, The Celtic schedule thus far has been soft to say the least.

That’s not to say their hasn’t been excitement. Ray Allen’s two game winners especially the one at Charlotte had to make even Larry Legend proud and the loss at Orlando against MVP leader Dwight Howard was one of the best games in the association thus far.

That being said, the real test comes in the upcoming weeks as The Leprechauns play at a revitalized Toronto on Sunday, Wednesday at home against Motown’s quintet Mr. Big Shot and the Supremes and then Friday in The Garden against the paradoxical Bulls.

Not to mention, next Sunday at home where they will try to avenge their road loss against Dwight Howard and the Magic. A player so imposing he gives new meaning to the phrase “Beast of the East.”

After this important game they begin a four game road swing starting with Sacramento and Kevin Durant’s Sonics on back to back nights. This game will be fun to watch because it will be “Killer Ray’s” homecoming and Durant is the latest great Rock Star hope to come out of the Pacific Northwest.

As if this isn’t enough punishment they get one day off before playing the always tough Jazz on the road and their dynasty nemeis LA Lakers at Staples featuring the best assassin in the league Kobe B once again back to back.

For those at home keeping score that’s four games on the road against the Western Conference in five nights.

Next, they receive a “reprieve” at home getting three days off before playing against the league’s best center Yao Ming and Houston on January 2nd.

Did I metion two nights later they get Memphis at home then travel to Motown the very next night to once again play Detroit Rock City?

Which brings me to my next point. Please will everyone quit talking about The Celtics and the 72 win plateau as accomplished by the 1995-1996 Bulls. For one, did we not learn anything from Dallas last year. Secondly, as was previously mentioned so far The Celtic schedule has been less than impressive to say the least. Finally, can we wait until The C’s win one championship before comparing them with one of the NBA’s all time great dynasties.

The one comparison I can make between this Celtic team and those great Michael Jordan teams is The Celtics have seemed to find the perfect compliment in role players with Rondo, Perkins, ASU’s own Eddie House, Posey and Glen “Big Baby” Davis.

Now, this is either a testament to Danny Ainge who it now can be said knew what he was doing all along or just dumb luck. I have yet to determine which.

In fact, last night’s win over The Bucks is a perfect example. The one extremely positive thing that was exemplified is that KG’s, Jesus Shuttlesworth’s and The Truth’s experience carrying a team will prove invaluable if one of the “Big Three” go down during the regular season.

To demonstrate, against The Bucks yesterday Pierce finished with a season high 32 as Allen was sidelined with an ankle sprain. Not that this is the ideal situation, however it is nice to know that any one of these guys can carry us on any given night.

That’s all I have to say for now.
Thank you and good night.
The Leprechaun has left the building.

For the second time this season Ray Allen hits a game winning three propelling the Celts to sweet victory. Trailing 95-93 at Charlotte Saturday night Eddie House deflected J Rich’s sideline inbounds pass to Paul Pierce who made a spectacular pass to Ray Ray who proceeded to swish it through from just to the left of the top of the key with no time remaining.

This is the second game winner for the NBA’s prettiest shooter who also hit one against the Raptors early in the season.

Allen had shot a horrific 3-14 from the field including 0-5 from three prior to this shot.

KG finished with his typical 23 and 11 equaled by Pierce who also had 23.

James Posey gave a solid contribution off the bench with 14 although he corralled just a single rebound.

Celtics beat Nets after back to backs for the second time in a week Thursday. Garnett lead the way with 16 and 8 but it was the supporting cast that once again surprised. Rajon ran the team superbly finishing with 5 assists and only 2 turnovers in 30 minutes and K Perkins had a nice 10 and 8.

Celtics are the only undefeated team in the association and that trend should continue tomorrow night against Miami at the Garden even with D-Wade back in uniform.

The real test comes Sunday against the 7-2 Magic in Orlando…

Celtics took a 21 point lead into the fourth quarter at the Izod Center Saturday night in New Jersey as the C’s emphatically demonstrated they should easily be the class of the Atlantic if not the entire East this season.

Ray Allen’s basketball IQ was highlighted once again as he finished with 27 points 10 rebounds and 5 assists. KG was also stellar on the boards with 14 and “The Truth” Paul Pierce finished with a game high 28 on 9 for 19 shooting.

Other key contributors included Eddie House with 13 off the bench and the continued solid play of Rajon Rondo who had 11 points but most importantly contributed just a single turnover.

The one bright spot for the Nets was Richard Jefferson. “RJ” had 28 points including a monstrous dunk down the lane in the second quarter.

The only thing hotter than the Celtics dancers on Wednesday night in Boston were the Celtics themselves who shot a scorching 64.5% from the field for the game in a 119-93 drubbing of the Nuggets.

Ray Allen conducted another clinic on the fundamentals of shooting with an 8-12 performance finishing with 22 points. In fact, Allen is a combined 10-18 from the three ball line and an overall 19-28 over the last two Celtic wins.

Kevin Garnett had another ho-hum triple double with 23 and 13. He also had a game high 7 assists.

“The Truth” Paul Pierce rebounded from an awful game against the Raptors on Sunday with 26 on 10-15 shooting. Rajon Rondo also shot the ball excellently finishing with 14 on 7-11 from the field.

The only negative appeared to be Kendrick Perkins who shot a miserable 1-6 from the charity stripe and only had 3 rebounds in 29 plus minutes.

For the Nuggets Iverson had 22 and “Melo” finished with 11 after shooting poorly the entire night (3-13).

Ray Allen helped withstand a ferocious Raptor rally of 23-11 in the 4th to preserve an overtime win in Toronto. Not only did the former UConn star hit the game winning three pointer in the extra period he also only shot 7-11 from three finishing with an otherworldly 33.

KG finished with 23 and 13 helping to offset the miserable 4 of 17 offering from Paul Pierce. However, Pierce is forgiven considering his 28 on opening night.

This was a good win for the C’s considering the Raptors won the Atlantic last year and it was on the road.

The “Big Three” are impressive in Celtics home opener shooting a combined 24 of 46 as they blowout the Wizards 103-83 Friday at the Garden. As well as 22 points Kevin Garnett finished with a lofty 20 rebounds and 5 assists and “Ray Ray” Allen and “the Truth” Paul Pierce finished 5 of 11 from beyond the arc.

As was demonstrated throughout the pre-season what is most concerting for C fans was the ball movement and unselfish play which should only get even more efficient as the season progresses.

Not to mention, just how impressive Paul Pierce looked offensively which forces teams into the quandry of either double teaming KG or leaving Pierce isolation opportunities. A very nice luxury to have. Pierce will probably finally receive the true recognition he so deserves after all these years.

Another thing to be optimistic about is Rajon Rondo who ran the offense efficently while contributing 15 points on 7 of 10 shooting.

Maybe Danny Ainge actually does know what he was talking about. Finally…