The Celtics embark today on what is officially known as the 2009 NBA playoffs, but from all accounts we might as well call it “The Voyage of the Damned.”
Anything the Celts can do in the first couple of rounds is simply fattening them up for the kill, right? The Cavaliers have probably joined Celtic Nation, hoping the Green can get to the conference finals so they can drop an anvil on their defending champion heads.
“Yeah, so they beat us in seven games last year,” the Cavs will say. “We’re going to take them out in three and a half. They’ll be so embarrassed, they won’t even come out for the second half of Game 4.” Ah, but if the Celtics do, indeed, get a return match with the Clevelanders, won’t that be interesting? Sure, the Cavaliers would be a prohibitive favorite, but heavy would lie the crown of presumption on the head of King James and his merry men.
But that’s a story for another round. To reach that star, the Celtics first have to get by Chicago -- hardly a foregone conclusion. Remember, the Hawks took the C’s to seven games in the first round last season... and that was with Kevin Garnett.
So here are the factors that will go a long way to determining the winner of this duel.
1. THEY’VE GOT NO TICKET TO RIDE
The Celtics can’t use Kevin Garnett’s absence as an excuse if things start to go south. While few expect them to win without the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, the players can’t let that enter their mindset. Instead, the Celtics need to be strong-willed and try to use Garnett’s absence to propel them in a different direction. They could use this as their opportunity to prove their own mettle. The stock of every single player in the rotation would rise if the Celts go deep into the postseason without The Big Ticket.
2. WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM MY FRIENDS
Even without Garnett, the Celts should have no problem generating offense. Assuming the Bulls believe by now that KG is out (word is they still harbor doubts about the moon landing and the validity of the Zapruder film), they will undoubtedly load up on Paul Pierce [stats] and Ray Allen and try to keep Rajon Rondo [stats] from getting up a head of steam. But if the C’s simply move the rock in the halfcourt set, Glen Davis will wind up with open jumpers and Leon Powe will be dunking to his delight.
And once that starts happening, Chicago will be slower to rotate away from these guys and Kendrick Perkins [stats]. That’s when the guys with the big numbers can bring the coup de grace. The key will be the keeping the pass to dribble ratio high.
3. SALMONS RUNNING UPSTREAM
Yes, Pierce will run into trouble -- and multiple Chicago defenders -- if he tries to go off on his own, but he still needs to take advantage of the circumstances. John Salmons was a key addition at the trade deadline, a fact driven home to the Celts when he made 14-of-20 shots and dropped 38 points on them on St. Patrick’s Day. But Salmons isn’t Salmons right now.
A groin injury has limited his mobility, helping him hit just 9-of-36 shots in the last three games. Worse yet, he’ll have to deal with Pierce. So if the C’s can get their captain isolated on him, he’ll be a good bet to beat Salmons one-on-one or hit a wide-open teammate when the help comes.
4. ROOKIES ON THE LINE
Derrick Rose had a Rookie of the Year season, but this is the playoffs. There is no reason to believe he won’t continue to play his game and impress with his ability to keep the offensive pressure on opponents. But it will be interesting to see how he does against Rajon Rondo for a full series.Similarly, Vinny Del Negro will be under the gun in his first year as a head coach. Sources say he struggled early but worked better as the year went on with a staff that includes veteran top men Del Harris and Bernie Bickerstaff. It will be interesting to see how Del Negro -- the kid from the other end of the Mass. Pike -- plays chess against Doc Rivers.
5. DANCE WITH THE ONE THAT BRUNG YOU
The Celtics went 2-1 against the Bulls this season, but they were 0-1 against the post-trade Chicagoans. The C’s scored 121 points in that one and lost because they surrendered 127 on 53 percent shooting.
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