Washington Wizards star guard Gilbert Arenas says the Boston Celtics' new Big Three are OLD. His game plan, should he face them, is to run them into the ground, so that by the fourth quarter all-stars Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen run out of gas.
There are some things, however, that Arenas fails to consider. One, this group is a motivated bunch; individually, they've had distinguished NBA careers, but none has a championship ring. Two, all three are used to carrying their teams, and, consequently, are used to logging heavy minutes. Knowing this, Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are all well-conditioned, disciplined players who can play 35-40 minutes if need be. Three, having these three stars has invigorated the Celtics' other players; they KNOW they have a chance to do something special. So, following the three stars' example, they're going to play their hearts out because they know they have a crack at the championship.
Gilbert Arenas has his own assessment of the Celtics, and he's entitled to it; he also has the right to make bold predictions, and to say that his team is going to Boston to whip the Celtics.
But the Big Three also have rights; and one of those is to prove Arenas wrong.
And so they did.
The Boston Celtics took their home opener against the Washington Wizards, beating them 103-83 in a blowout win that has sent an strong message to the rest of the NBA: we're for real.
The Celtics did it, of course, by riding their three superstars; but they also did it by playing excellent team defense and by sharing the basketball, finding and making the open jumpers resulting from the attention given to KG et al. Second year point guard Rajon Rondo was steady, hitting his outside shots as well as using his speed to get into the lane to shoot uncontested layups; Brian Scalabrine was nailed threes when they counted; even center Kendrick Perkins had a decent game.
Garnett, as usual, was a beast; he scored 20 points, pulled down 20 boards, and was everywhere on defense. He was deflecting passes, bothering shots, and blocking them as well––one of them off a Gilbert Arenas layup, one which he sent back to Arenas with emphasis. Pierce scored the most of the Big Three, burning the Wizrds' defense even when he was the only Celtics superstar left on the floor. And Ray Allen had a quiet 17 points, most on smooth jumpers and silky drives to the basket.
It's just one game into the season, but if the Celtics play every game like this one, they're a lock to go to the Finals.
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Winslow Townson
There are some things, however, that Arenas fails to consider. One, this group is a motivated bunch; individually, they've had distinguished NBA careers, but none has a championship ring. Two, all three are used to carrying their teams, and, consequently, are used to logging heavy minutes. Knowing this, Garnett, Pierce, and Allen are all well-conditioned, disciplined players who can play 35-40 minutes if need be. Three, having these three stars has invigorated the Celtics' other players; they KNOW they have a chance to do something special. So, following the three stars' example, they're going to play their hearts out because they know they have a crack at the championship.
Gilbert Arenas has his own assessment of the Celtics, and he's entitled to it; he also has the right to make bold predictions, and to say that his team is going to Boston to whip the Celtics.
But the Big Three also have rights; and one of those is to prove Arenas wrong.
And so they did.
The Boston Celtics took their home opener against the Washington Wizards, beating them 103-83 in a blowout win that has sent an strong message to the rest of the NBA: we're for real.
The Celtics did it, of course, by riding their three superstars; but they also did it by playing excellent team defense and by sharing the basketball, finding and making the open jumpers resulting from the attention given to KG et al. Second year point guard Rajon Rondo was steady, hitting his outside shots as well as using his speed to get into the lane to shoot uncontested layups; Brian Scalabrine was nailed threes when they counted; even center Kendrick Perkins had a decent game.
Garnett, as usual, was a beast; he scored 20 points, pulled down 20 boards, and was everywhere on defense. He was deflecting passes, bothering shots, and blocking them as well––one of them off a Gilbert Arenas layup, one which he sent back to Arenas with emphasis. Pierce scored the most of the Big Three, burning the Wizrds' defense even when he was the only Celtics superstar left on the floor. And Ray Allen had a quiet 17 points, most on smooth jumpers and silky drives to the basket.
It's just one game into the season, but if the Celtics play every game like this one, they're a lock to go to the Finals.
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Winslow Townson
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