Since point guard Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics had torn his ACL (believed to be partially torn now), the Celtics have gone 6-0. This win streak was highlighted last night, Thursday Feb. 7, with an emphatic 21 point win over the Los Angeles Lakers. The Celtics were left-for-dead after their all-star point guard went out with an injury, but once again, they are proving everyone wrong.
While they haven't beaten the most impressive teams during their 6 game win streak, with their better victories against both L.A. teams coming against squads missing key players, they look like a new team. All hope was lost when Rondo was deemed out for the season. However, I believe this win streak is no fluke and that they are actually playing better basketball.
With Rondo on the floor, the whole offense is run through him. His is a true facilitator. The ball always goes through him first so opposing teams know how Boston's offense will be run. But now, without Rondo, their is no true point guard. The offense is more of a free-flowing offense and teams will have to game plan for the whole team, and not Rondo and pick-and-rolls.
Paul Pierce has stepped up as of late, collecting more rebounds and dishing out more assists as he has assumed the role of facilitator. Garnett is finding more ways to get the ball and is not only getting it through Rondo. And what I am most happy about is that Jeff Green will be able to get more touches on the ball without Rondo.
Boston has always been known for their stifling defense since the arrival of the Big Three, but their offense has been stagnant at times. Green is a great dynamic scorer who can shoot from all over the floor. He is super athletic, can drive the lane and throw it down. Rondo isn't available to feed him the ball, so now Green can attack the rim with more isolation opportunities. Green is a scoring option that the Celtics need.
Speaking of isolation, the Celtics can play the opposite of that now! As I said before, Boston can play more free-flowing basketball. The offense won't stop every time Rondo gets the ball, waiting for him to make something happen. Now, the Celtics can share the ball; there will be more team ball movement.
The Celtics offense will be more versatile and difficult for other teams to handle. The team has one of it's best players out, so now they realize they have to step up as a team and play better. And that's exactly what they have done. Before Rondo's injury, they looked flat and uninspired at times. Now they have something to inspire and push them.
As for defense, the Celtics always play great defense.
GO BOSTON.
While they haven't beaten the most impressive teams during their 6 game win streak, with their better victories against both L.A. teams coming against squads missing key players, they look like a new team. All hope was lost when Rondo was deemed out for the season. However, I believe this win streak is no fluke and that they are actually playing better basketball.
With Rondo on the floor, the whole offense is run through him. His is a true facilitator. The ball always goes through him first so opposing teams know how Boston's offense will be run. But now, without Rondo, their is no true point guard. The offense is more of a free-flowing offense and teams will have to game plan for the whole team, and not Rondo and pick-and-rolls.
Paul Pierce has stepped up as of late, collecting more rebounds and dishing out more assists as he has assumed the role of facilitator. Garnett is finding more ways to get the ball and is not only getting it through Rondo. And what I am most happy about is that Jeff Green will be able to get more touches on the ball without Rondo.
Boston has always been known for their stifling defense since the arrival of the Big Three, but their offense has been stagnant at times. Green is a great dynamic scorer who can shoot from all over the floor. He is super athletic, can drive the lane and throw it down. Rondo isn't available to feed him the ball, so now Green can attack the rim with more isolation opportunities. Green is a scoring option that the Celtics need.
Speaking of isolation, the Celtics can play the opposite of that now! As I said before, Boston can play more free-flowing basketball. The offense won't stop every time Rondo gets the ball, waiting for him to make something happen. Now, the Celtics can share the ball; there will be more team ball movement.
The Celtics offense will be more versatile and difficult for other teams to handle. The team has one of it's best players out, so now they realize they have to step up as a team and play better. And that's exactly what they have done. Before Rondo's injury, they looked flat and uninspired at times. Now they have something to inspire and push them.
As for defense, the Celtics always play great defense.
GO BOSTON.
Dunk, Block, Three ... Garden Erupts.