Tuesday will mark the start of the Nathan Robinson era in Boston…allegedly. As long as he is recovered from the “flu”, he is expected to dress for his first game in green against his former team. As far as I’m concerned, I hope he gets shut out while Eddie House and Bill Walker blow up for 20 in their return to the Garden. Dammit, Ainge, why do you love that ginger so much that you would give up two young and talented guys? Is it because he wears your number? Pull Scal’s giant head and contract out of your ass and do the right thing at the end of the season.
At any rate, there is game to be played. It is the first of nice three game home stand with a break between each game. The Knicks have been horrible for a long time but the Celtics have developed a habit of playing down to their opponents.
David Lee has taken over the top spot in scoring average among centers with 20.3 PPG to go along with 11.4 RPG. He has quietly turned into a legit center among the fuss over Dwight Howard and the like. Averaging a double-double is no joke. Perkins will have his hands full on the defensive end but Lee isn’t exactly a threat to Perk’s offense since the dude is only 6’ 9”.
Tracy McGrady started out hot for the Knicks after not playing a game in a year and a half when he dropped 26 PTS in a loss to Oklahoma while shooting 10-17 from the field. If T Mac can give New York anything like that on a consistent basis he’ll make a good case for them to resign him at the end of the season while they go after a max contract player.
If I were Doc, I’d punch myself in the face. After I did that, I’d tell Pierce to rock a three piece for a couple of games to give his broke ass hand some time to heal up. 2-10 isn’t helping anyone and it’s time Doc puts his foot down and sits a guy for his own health.
Ray Allen has had the hot hand since the break and has really been the only consistent scoring threat with nice contributions from KG and sporadic bench points. They still need to get a handle on the free throws and Rondo needs to be a little more aggressive throughout the game but they shouldn’t have too much of a problem with New York.
Unless House comes back to haunt the Garden.
Lee Herman covers the NBA and Boston Celtics for North Station Sports.
Find more of his great work here.
