2011 NBA Playoffs: Celtics/Knicks Thoughts

10 Thoughts

1)     I don’t care what anyone says, Rajon Rondo is the catalyst to the Celtics’ team success. Everything begins with him. If he doesn’t initiate the offense and/or draw the opposing team’s defense by either penetrating the paint or giving the ball at the right time/spot to other players, then it’s going to be a long series. We need the Rondo that started off the season with an average of 16.7 assists in the first three games. If we get the inconsistent/slumping Rondo, I don’t know, put the damn headband back on or something! Get your mojo back somehow!

2)     Shaquille O’Neal is not going to play in Game 1. Here’s what I’m hoping: IF, and a BIG IF, the Celtics can somehow not get forced into a Game 7 and can prolong Shaquille O’Neal’s return later down the line, I’d be all for it. The Knicks’ center position does not scare me at all. If the guy is not healthy enough to play, I see no reason to play him at all.

3)     Big chance to see if the bench players will step their games up and incorporate whatever they’ve learned since the deadline. Managing minutes for the starters are going to be crucial.

4)     Honestly, I think the Celtics can sweep the Knicks in 4. Realistically, it might go 5.

5)     People might be talking more about the Pierce/Anthony and/or Garnett/Stoudemire matchups, but I’m more interested in the Rondo/Billups matchup than anything.

6)     I hope we see more moments like this in Madison Square Garden:

PRICELESS

7)     Has Troy Murphy done ANYTHING ever since he came here?

8)     Can we expect more M.V.P. type numbers from Sasha Pavlovic? (If he makes it into the playoff team, of course) (19 points, 7-10 of shooting; 4-5 from beyond the arc, 2 rebounds, 1 steal)

9)     I hate when they keep saying “Flip The Switch,” it brings me awful nightmares when the C’s once had a player of this magnitude:

But… but… the BALL DON’T LIE!

10)  If the Celtics don’t get out of the first round (BUDDHA FORBID), then it was because of the whole Kendrick Perkins trade and the destruction of the old bench. End of story.