Green With Envy

Boston made the big acquisitions and I thought the superstar names blinded everyone to over hype a flawed team. The Celts start 4-0, but I say three wins came at home against struggling teams, and they only nipped Toronto. Now the Nets, rolling again after the aberration against Toronto, would show everyone the Celts are just another good team. After last night, all I can say…Believe the Hype!

When a struggling offense shoots over 70% from the field, and plays what most deem a very good defensive first quarter, but only holds a 27-26 lead, it’s not a good sign. Jersey came out firing, led again by Richard Jefferson (13 1st Qtr. Points), including some authoritative drives to the bucket. They kept Garnett in check, the Celts seemed out of sync offensively, but somehow you look up and they still score 26 points in the quarter.

While the Nets stayed in the game through halftime, Boston kept the pressure on offensively, and then came the second half. The Nets hot shooting turned cold, real cold, as in 0-9 to start the half cold, while Boston kept knocking down 3’s, exploiting a Net defense that was a touch late on rotations after doubling down on the post, a 16-3 led to a 28-14 3rd Quarter Boston advantage, and a blowout.

With three dominant weapons, and the right mix of role players, Boston is relentless on offense. Teams cannot afford to take off even one possession or someone will burn you. Each time the Nets tried to double KG, or provided help defense, the Celts swung the ball around to an open Ray Allen, who torched the Nets for 27 points. When it was not Allen, Paul Pierce man-handled Antoine Wright in isolation situations much of the third quarter, and buried 4-7 from beyond the arc himself, finishing with 28 points. Oh yeah, leave KG in single coverage and he burns you for 18 points.

As much life as the Nets showed in the 4th Qtr, after the game was out of reach, they lacked energy when the offense went south in the 3rd, which led to sloppy turnovers, bad shots, and uninspired defense. Give this Boston team an inch, and you are done. The one spot where New Jersey should have a decided advantage, bench play, Boston dominated. Boki Nochbar and Jamal Magloire played terrible, while Malik Allen barely saw the floor. With Kristic still a non-factor, the Nets are doomed against better teams unless someone steps up. Meanwhile, Eddie House torched his former team from the outside, and rookie Glen “Big Baby” Davis dominated the paint for 17 minutes, snatching 8 boards. When House and Davis impact the game, along with the Big Three, and a steady Rajon Rondo, opponents had better bring their “A” game just to stay within shouting distance, never mind the Celts were shorthanded without Brian Scalabrine and James Posey.

The Nets have now failed their two big early season tests miserably. The next exam comes Wednesday in Boston. It’s still early, but right now, until they prove otherwise, the prognosticators who buried the Nets as a 7th or 8th seed are right, and I am wrong.

* VC left the game in agony after landing awkwardly on his ankle following a one-handed dunk in the third. X-rays were negative, but ankles can be tricky. Doctors will reevaluate him, but do not be surprised to get a look at his collection of fine suits on Monday night. Ironically, the injury came one year to the day that RJ twisted his ankle, leading to months of agony, something the Nets cannot afford with VC finally showing signs of coming to life. Carter shot 8-13 before the injury, his best shooting of the young season.