Cherry Picking recaps yesterday's NBA playoff action.My colleague Matt Steinmetz made a compelling case over the weekend that the Lakers are at a crossroads. If this team falls short of reaching the NBA Finals, should Mitch Kupchak do everything in his power to bring back the current core? Will retaining free agents like Lamar Odom, Trevor Ariza and Shannon Brown result in a roster with a championship ceiling? It's too early to say, especially after the Lakers averted disaster with a Game 7 win over the Rockets.
But after watching the Celtics fall to the Magic in Game 7 at home, I can't help but think Boston's GM Danny Ainge now faces the same dilemma. Did the Celtics lose because they were unlucky victims of the injury bug, or did they lose because the roster is inherently flawed?
If they're simply victims of bad luck, bringing back the core pieces and hoping for the best should keep Boston in contention for at least another year.
But if this team faltered because Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are no longer up for the challenge of carrying a team for 82 regular season games followed by a lengthy playoff run, then injuries and inconsistency will be the norm for the foreseeable future.
It's unfortunate Garnett couldn't suit up for a single playoff game but not altogether surprising for a guy who's already logged more career minutes in the regular season than Larry Bird. Maybe knee surgery enables him to come back strong. Then again, maybe this year simply sets the stage for a string of 60-game seasons in the years to come. No one knows for sure.
As for Allen, his stroke suddenly alternates from automatic (i.e., his 51-point outburst in Game 6 against the Bulls) to abysmal, and you never know what you're going to get from night to night. He failed to crack double-digits in four of 14 playoff games this year, and the Celtics lost every time. This type of hot-and-cold performance isn't completely new -- he failed to crack double-digits five times in Boston's first 15 playoff games last year -- but his team no longer has the firepower to survive his off nights.
Boston Celtics Photos
Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers reacts during the Celtics 101-82 loss to the Orlando Magic in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, Sunday, May 17, 2009. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)
MCT
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) dunks during the Magic's 101-82 victory over the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, Sunday, May 17, 2009. (Gary W. Green/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)
MCT
Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard dunks against the Boston Celtics in the fourth quarter of Game 7 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference semifinal playoff series in Boston on Sunday, May 17, 2009. The Magic won 101-82 and advanced to the conference finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
AP
BOSTON - MAY 17: Brian Scalabrine #44 of the Boston Celtics fouls Rashard Lewis #9 of the Orlando Magic in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 17, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Brian Scalabrine;Rashard Lewis
Getty Images
BOSTON - MAY 17: Rajon Rondo #9 and Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics talk as the Orlando Magic shoot a free throw in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 17, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rajon Rondo;Ray Allen
Getty Images
BOSTON - MAY 17: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic grabs the rebound as J.J. Redick #7 looks on in the second half against the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 17, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwight Howard;J.J. Redick
Getty Images
BOSTON - MAY 17: Rafer Alston #1 of the Orlando Magic drives to the net as Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics defends in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 17, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rafer Alston;Rajon Rondo
Getty Images
BOSTON - MAY 17: J.J. Redick #7 of the Orlando Magic passes the ball as Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics defends in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 17, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** J.J. Redick;Ray Allen
Getty Images
BOSTON - MAY 17: Rafer Alston #1 and Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic talk during a time out against the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 17, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Orlando Magic defeated the Boston Celtics 101-82 to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Rafer Alston;Dwight Howard
Getty Images
BOSTON - MAY 17: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics attempts to shoot against Mickael Pietrus #20 of the Orlando Magic in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at TD Banknorth Garden on May 17, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Glen Davis;Mickael Pietrus
NBAE/Getty Images
Pierce had perhaps the most perplexing playoff run of Boston's Big Three: strictly looking at his game log, the numbers were there most of the time, but if you watched the games, you couldn't help but feel underwhelmed. And by the end of the series with the Magic, it was clear he was completely gassed, missing two free throws near the end of Game 6 that would have given Boston the lead and going 10, 20, 30 minutes at a time without a scoring a single point in Game 7.
Of course, not every player wearing green and white is on the downward spiral of their career. Rajon Rondo took the step from "role player" to "cornerstone" with a string of breakout performances; his emergence, in fact, is the single-biggest reason why we're dissecting Boston's future now instead of two weeks ago. And Kendrick Perkins, despite a noted lack of athleticism, proved to be more than just one of KG's henchman by averaging a solid double-double (11.9 points, 11.6 boards), nearly doubling his playoff output from a year ago (6.6 points, 6.1 boards).
What about Glen Davis and Leon Powe? They each enter the summer as free agents. Conventional wisdom suggests locking them up is key to the Celtics' future, but questions loom for each. Is Davis' emergence as a reliable scoring threat in the playoffs legit? Will his conditioning become a (larger) issue once he attains the security of a long-term deal? Will Powe contribute anything in 2009-10 following recent knee surgery?
And how about assistant coach Tom Thibodeau? Largely credited for orchestrating Boston's defensive turnaround last year, the fact that he was coaching well into June prevented him from being considered for a handful of jobs last year simply due to logistics. Since that's no longer the case now, might he jump ship to seek a promotion? Can the Celtics entice him to stay and work his magic one more year? And if he leaves, did the rest of the coaching staff absorb enough of his gameplans to survive his absence?
Answering those questions correctly -- and perhaps most importantly, figuring out how to ease the burden off the Big Three -- will largely determine how well Ainge can position the Celtics for continued success. If he doesn't do something bold, there's no guarantee the Celtics will get out of the first round next year, especially if they win fewer games in the regular season and slide closer to the No. 3 or No. 4 seed.
Doing Lines
How surprising is it that the Lakers enjoyed one of their most dominating performances of the postseason while getting just 14 points (4-of-12 shooting) out of Kobe Bryant? Part of the reason was because Pau Gasol suddenly dominated like an All-Star seven-footer should against an opposing lineup lacking a single player over 6-foot-9. Gasol racked up 21 points (10-19 shooting), 18 boards and three blocks. [Box Score]
Watching Film
Would you be interested in an NBA-sponsored reality TV? Well, you're in luck, because David Stern has just the show for you ... assuming you live in China. Set your DVR now for Mengniu NBA Basketball Disciple!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-18-2009 @ 10:55AM
Nora said...
Um, Not having KG kinda makes it tougher to win don't ya think. This is not rocket science.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 11:02AM
lopjackie21 said...
Um.....yea....I agree with ya....totally!
And it all started when the Lakers beat yo
Celtics on Christmas day...LOL!
5-18-2009 @ 11:17AM
Mike Ingraham said...
Everyone is saying the celtics sre over. that's a bunch of crap. You should be happy that they performed as well as they did. you take away kobe or lebron from their teams like we lost garnett and they are nothing. The celtics are the best team in basketball because they went as far as they could without their best player. cleveland and los angeles couldn't do anything without their star players. To me I think people should wake up and see that.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 5:23PM
Albert S. said...
We did not have our true center last year. As for the smeltics being the best team in the nba . You need to stop smoking them green clovers.
5-18-2009 @ 12:07PM
RACENDIRT said...
I agree with Mike. What worse time to lose a cylinder but for the playoffs. It would be difficult to find a player who could outplay any one of the big three if not impossible. This series with Magic was hardly a sweep. Show me any one of the players who can play 100% all the time. To suggest these players are done is a very stupid statement. Injuries happen to the youngest.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 2:59PM
CHUCK TRIAGA said...
celtics gave it all they had. in the end they simply ran out of gas. with k garnett this series would have been ended in 5 games with the celtics winning. i like orlando but i think they are still a year or so away.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 3:02PM
zeroryu said...
That's what you get for trading your whole roster for one championship. Say the Celtics go next year with 60 something wins. Come playoff time one of the three is bound to be injured.
Say what you want about going far and what not, but at the end of the day if you don't win a championship you don't matter.
Freaking Celtic thugs deserve it.
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 3:29PM
lopjackie21 said...
The Celtics should have never gotten Marbury!!!
That dude is a JINX....!
Reply
5-18-2009 @ 5:10PM
Geezer said...
You know, people like to talk shit about the Celtics for leaning on KG too much as a crutch, but at the same time, everybody's applauding the Cavs despite the fact that LeBron is the only consistent player on the team. And what about the Magic? They're nothing without Dwight Howard. The Nuggets need K-Mart to succeed and the Lakers - while having a few talented players on the roster - would wobble on their axis without Kobe.
Almost every team has one star player to use as a crutch, and it's about time the Celtics stop being criticised for it.
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5-18-2009 @ 5:55PM
Alfred said...
Not buying that Geezer. The Rockets took the Lakers to seven in spite of losing their 'two' top players all while refusing to taste the Celtic whine of how much they lost with McGrady and Yao Ming out.
The Celtics days are numbered as the best in the East even with KG.
The Truth is the starters are aged and floppers while supported by a weak bench. They need to retool and fast.
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5-18-2009 @ 11:22PM
grover said...
The NBA, now sponsored by sub-standard Mongolian milk: "Hey, at least there's no poison in it!"
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 12:16PM
Eduardo said...
Many of the comments regarding the Celtics getting older and looking very tired at the end of the Magic series are correct. But to lose KG and Powe was as huge as it gets because the Celtic front line back ups are average or below average. Powe's injury was more critical to the Celtic's than KG's injury. Powe was and is instant offense and with him playing Scalabrine and Moore never would have gotton of the bench. Bottom line the Celtics when healthy are much better than Orlando.
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