Observing Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, & Paul Pierce As Boston Celtics Play Toronto Raptors in Italian Exhibition OpenerOctober 06 07 It has been a long wait. Sixty-seven days to exact. On July 31st, the Boston Celtics acquired Kevin Garnett and instantly became the talk of the NBA. Ever since that summer day, fans have waited for Ray Allen, Garnett, and Paul Pierce to play together.
Today, the much talked about Big Three took to the court in an exhibition game on foreign soil. The Celtics and Raptors squared-off in Rome as part of the NBA’s exhibition series in Europe. Here are my quick observations:
The Celtics: - The Big Three looked good-real good. Forget that nonsense about Allen, Garnett, and Pierce struggling to mesh. They are already clicking. On the opening tip, Garnett tapped the ball to Pierce, who drove the lane and got a foul call. Good players, provided they are unselfish, can always play together. And this is a perfect description of the Celts trio.
- I think Boston has more around their stars then people think. Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins are competent starters at point guard and center. Eddie House and James Posey will provide a spark off the bench. And I’m intrigued by rookie Gabe Pruitt. Keep in mind all these players will get open looks because of the big three, too.
- The Celtics could still use another bench piece. Allen, Garnett, and Pierce may have to personally recruit outside talent. Anyone got Allan Houston’s digits? How about hitting P.J. Brown with a text?
The Raptors: - The game was in Rome, so Toronto started Italian Andrea Bargnani at power forward. Fair enough. However, I appreciate Jorge Garbajosa’s blue-collar game. I’m not sure if the Raptors are better with Bargnani or Garbajosa at the four-spot.
- Jason Kapono, Toronto’s big free agent signing, started at small-forward. His range will spread the floor and keep defenses from doubling Chris Bosh in the post.
- T.J. Ford or Jose Calderon? This question comes up each time I watch the Raptors. And I debated it again this afternoon. I like Ford’s pace. But I really like Calderon’s feel for the game. Eventually, the club will have to make a decision on who starts long-term at the one-spot.
What re your thoughts on the Celtics and Raptors? Get at us in the comment box below with your thoughts.
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Posted by
dan1lo
on 10.9.2007 | and imean that bosh is neither tall nor strong enough to play at five. i’m 100% percent sure he’s gonna start at the power forward position. . | Posted by
on 10.8.2007 | Dan 1lo: I think the author means that the Raps have been using Bosh at five. And the other spot comes down to Bargnani or garbajosa. I like Garbo, too! . | Posted by
dan1lo
on 10.8.2007 | what do you mean with: I’m not sure if the Raptors are better with Bargnani or Garbajosa at the four-spot.that’s boshs spot. he’s not strong enough for the center position and neither of them could take his starting spot.instead of signing p.j. brown the celtics could give batista a chance. he did so great on the americas cup and i really looked forward to see him against the raptors but they didn’t even give him any play time. i don’t understand it he could really help the celtics. . | Posted by
Stevie
on 10.7.2007 | I hate boston but the celtics are gonna be a powerhouse. Their big 3 you could tell are still learning each other but are already amazing. Also I agree with you that they have more around their big 3 than people think, Rondo and Perkins are solid starters at the 1 and 5, plus they have a good bench with Tony Allen and Posey and House and Scalabrine and others as well. Theyre gonna be great this year, and should be a special team around those core 3 superstars for the next 3 or 4 years.Also TJ Ford for the starting pg, he is a VERY GOOD young Pointguard especially if he can shoot as he showed yesterday, and will be good for the franchise for a long time. . | Posted by
on 10.7.2007 | The Raptors look great. They are destined for big things ... . | Posted by
on 10.7.2007 | TJ is the starter. I love him! He has the Contract extension, Being Starter PG was what he was traded for. He is Raps PG. END OF STORY,I thought the game was great it was nice to see Toronto and Boston play a close game and the fact that Toronto’s Second Unit played better then Boston starters in Second Quarter, that was nice to see. Toronto Barely Played their Starters while Boston used up their’s. I think that’s going to kill them, but other then that it was a good game felt like a Regular Season Game. I guess the Atlantic Division is going to be tough this year, with some great games. LET THE RIVALRY BEGIN!! . |
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Oly Sandor | Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More |
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