ETBlogs Sports: Bring it on … Live blogging has begun
Max
· 1 year ago
What has happened to Ray Allen? He seems like he disappears for quarters at a time?
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Max Great question. Allen has averaged a paltry 11 points since the end of April. He has struggled handling the ball, too. He doesn't have to score a lot for the Celts to win but he has to get open at key times and he hasn't. He can't create a shot for himself. He needs Rondo. Let's see if Rondo goes out of his way to get him a few more 3-point attempts. With Rondo scoring more it would alleviate the amount of points they need from Allen. But I wouldn't count on 20 a game from Rondo. About 12 is more like it. Allen should be up around 16 to 18, which includes 3 to 4 long bombs.
Jerry
· 1 year ago
Bill Do you think Tony House should play more? I do. I don't like Sam Cassell and it would be a break for Ray Allen, who as you said, is struggling.
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Jerry You might be on to something. But Doc Rivers was adament at a pregame press conference for Game 5, saying House is on the bench and will play only in an emergency (foul trouble). He can get hot and might be worth taking a flier on. The thing I like about him is there is no hesitation. He's shooting. Yes, I would give him a few minutes to see if there is a spark there. If there is, ride it. If not, get him on the bench.
bocatennis
· 1 year ago
bill, why has eddie house been benched for the playoffs. doc rivers needs to explain his logic. eddie was a big part of the celtics success and to bench him for the playoffs is just plain stupid. what do you think?
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Bocatennis I just answered that. Of course, I didn't realize he wrote "Tony" House. Anyway, I don't think Doc has had a lot of confidence in House. The fact that they felt they needed to get Cassell said that. House can shoot. I've seen him hit 10 3-pointers in a row in practice as if he was shooting layups. I would give him a shot -- pun intended! -- to play in the second quarter, when the second group is out there, maybe even taking up Ray Allen's minutes. Of course, they'd have to put Cassell in a strait jacket he'd be so incensed, but it is worth giving him a short leash, a few 3's. Good question.
Kelly
· 1 year ago
Bill What do you think Tom Thibodeau's influence is on this team? My brother knows him and says he is one of the great assistants in the NBA. I don't hear him speak at all.
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Kelly Funny you should ask. I have a feature coming out on "Thibs" as he is called on Sunday in the Eagle-Tribune. How much influence? According to people in the know he's coming to C's has changed the way they play defense. He is basically the "defensive coordinator." Doc lets him run the defense. They are No. 1 in a few categories (Opp. FG% and Opp. 3-point FG%) and No. 2, barely in points allowed. A couple of guys I know in college basketball say he is one of the smartest guys they know. Former coach Jeff Van Gundy says he will be a great NBA coach. That's enough. Read the story on Sunday.
bocatennis
· 1 year ago
Hi Bill, If any golf clubs in the area need a good golf pro, I may be looking for a new job in your area. I played college golf and was an all american. Any suggestions for me. Thank You, Matt Walsh Director of Golf Kaanapali Resort
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Matt You may want to stay in the North Pacific Ocean region. Though I've heard there are openings at a miniature golf course in Nome, Alaska, a little to your northeast.
Matt
· 1 year ago
Bill Do you think Bill Belichick is a cheater?
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Enough with Matt, please.
Cheryl B
· 1 year ago
Bill Why can't any NBA team win on the road in the playoffs?
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Cheryl B That's a good question because we've been railing against the Celtics for the road woes, and really, only Detroit's win in Philadelphia has happened thus far. The problem, though, is the Celtics were great on the road during the regular season and Atlanta and Cleveland aren't exactly Detroit and San Antonio. The fact is people expect more from the Celtics. To answer your question, the fans are so close to the action and the referees give the home team the close calls most of the time. The Celtics get a lot of energy playing at the Garden. I have to say it is reminiscent of the Bird Era. We will see tonight, though, because championship teams win on the road. If San Antonio beats New Orleans in Game 7, watch out for the Spurs.
Cheryl B
· 1 year ago
One more question: Do you think Doc Rivers is doing a good job?
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Cheryl This is very easy. ABSOLUTELY. I believe Doc Rivers is perfect for this team. He has gotten them to buy into his defensive pressure and he has given every player a role. You can't blame him if Ray Allen can't get open. Sure, he can help and make adjustments, but his job is to have his team ready. This is not a coaches league. It's a players' league. I like Doc because he is honest, probably the most honest head coach of a Boston pro sports team outside of Joe Morgan. He tells the truth even when it isn't pretty. The fact that he is a nice person doesn't hurt either. But I like him because he's not afraid to criticize a player. He gets away with it because he doesn't do it "through" the media. He criticizes the player to his face first. I believe he gets credit for bringing along this franchise and helping in the development of players like Ryan Gomes, Delonte West, Rajon Rondo and Al Jefferson. He deserved recognition for Coach of the Year. He would have gotten my vote.
Steve B
· 1 year ago
Bill What is your opinion of John Tomase and his apology? I was a big fan of his when he worked at The Eagle-Tribune.
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Steve Without writing a book here (I spoke about this on the Big Show yesterday), I believe John made a big mistake and he apologized for it. I don't know exactly what happened or what process the Herald goes through when they "red flag" a story. I'm assuming, and I don't know, that an editor or two felt the wrath of the Herald publisher. John is one of the most talented sportswriters in the Boston area. We saw it firsthand when he was with us at the Eagle-Tribune. There are pressures, especially at the bigger dailies, to break stories. That is part of the fun and excitement. And, as he noted in his apology, that might have gotten the better of him. It won't be easy for him over the next few months, maybe even a little longer. But he will deal with it and learn a valuable lesson. As for the Patriots and Bill Belichick or even Patriots fans, it's up to them to accept or reject his apology. But everybody messes up. EVERYBODY. Hopefully his apology is accepted eventually by the masses and he can go back to being a great writer again.
Bill Burt
· 1 year ago
Nice job everyone. If you have any more thoughts or comments, leave them here. I will check them over the weekend. Have nice weekend.
Irv Arons
· 1 year ago
Bill, nicely said about John Tomase. I fully agree with you. I hope he can gain back the trust of the public and those in the football operations.
All Comments
Great question. Allen has averaged a paltry 11 points since the end of April. He has struggled handling the ball, too. He doesn't have to score a lot for the Celts to win but he has to get open at key times and he hasn't. He can't create a shot for himself. He needs Rondo. Let's see if Rondo goes out of his way to get him a few more 3-point attempts. With Rondo scoring more it would alleviate the amount of points they need from Allen. But I wouldn't count on 20 a game from Rondo. About 12 is more like it. Allen should be up around 16 to 18, which includes 3 to 4 long bombs.
Do you think Tony House should play more? I do. I don't like Sam Cassell and it would be a break for Ray Allen, who as you said, is struggling.
You might be on to something. But Doc Rivers was adament at a pregame press conference for Game 5, saying House is on the bench and will play only in an emergency (foul trouble). He can get hot and might be worth taking a flier on. The thing I like about him is there is no hesitation. He's shooting. Yes, I would give him a few minutes to see if there is a spark there. If there is, ride it. If not, get him on the bench.
I just answered that. Of course, I didn't realize he wrote "Tony" House. Anyway, I don't think Doc has had a lot of confidence in House. The fact that they felt they needed to get Cassell said that. House can shoot. I've seen him hit 10 3-pointers in a row in practice as if he was shooting layups. I would give him a shot -- pun intended! -- to play in the second quarter, when the second group is out there, maybe even taking up Ray Allen's minutes. Of course, they'd have to put Cassell in a strait jacket he'd be so incensed, but it is worth giving him a short leash, a few 3's. Good question.
What do you think Tom Thibodeau's influence is on this team? My brother knows him and says he is one of the great assistants in the NBA. I don't hear him speak at all.
Funny you should ask. I have a feature coming out on "Thibs" as he is called on Sunday in the Eagle-Tribune. How much influence? According to people in the know he's coming to C's has changed the way they play defense. He is basically the "defensive coordinator." Doc lets him run the defense. They are No. 1 in a few categories (Opp. FG% and Opp. 3-point FG%) and No. 2, barely in points allowed. A couple of guys I know in college basketball say he is one of the smartest guys they know. Former coach Jeff Van Gundy says he will be a great NBA coach. That's enough. Read the story on Sunday.
If any golf clubs in the area need a good golf pro,
I may be looking for a new job in your area. I played college golf
and was an all american. Any suggestions for me.
Thank You,
Matt Walsh
Director of Golf
Kaanapali Resort
You may want to stay in the North Pacific Ocean region. Though I've heard there are openings at a miniature golf course in Nome, Alaska, a little to your northeast.
Do you think Bill Belichick is a cheater?
Why can't any NBA team win on the road in the playoffs?
That's a good question because we've been railing against the Celtics for the road woes, and really, only Detroit's win in Philadelphia has happened thus far. The problem, though, is the Celtics were great on the road during the regular season and Atlanta and Cleveland aren't exactly Detroit and San Antonio. The fact is people expect more from the Celtics.
To answer your question, the fans are so close to the action and the referees give the home team the close calls most of the time. The Celtics get a lot of energy playing at the Garden. I have to say it is reminiscent of the Bird Era. We will see tonight, though, because championship teams win on the road. If San Antonio beats New Orleans in Game 7, watch out for the Spurs.
Do you think Doc Rivers is doing a good job?
This is very easy. ABSOLUTELY.
I believe Doc Rivers is perfect for this team. He has gotten them to buy into his defensive pressure and he has given every player a role. You can't blame him if Ray Allen can't get open. Sure, he can help and make adjustments, but his job is to have his team ready. This is not a coaches league. It's a players' league.
I like Doc because he is honest, probably the most honest head coach of a Boston pro sports team outside of Joe Morgan. He tells the truth even when it isn't pretty.
The fact that he is a nice person doesn't hurt either. But I like him because he's not afraid to criticize a player. He gets away with it because he doesn't do it "through" the media. He criticizes the player to his face first.
I believe he gets credit for bringing along this franchise and helping in the development of players like Ryan Gomes, Delonte West, Rajon Rondo and Al Jefferson.
He deserved recognition for Coach of the Year. He would have gotten my vote.
What is your opinion of John Tomase and his apology?
I was a big fan of his when he worked at The Eagle-Tribune.
Without writing a book here (I spoke about this on the Big Show yesterday), I believe John made a big mistake and he apologized for it.
I don't know exactly what happened or what process the Herald goes through when they "red flag" a story. I'm assuming, and I don't know, that an editor or two felt the wrath of the Herald publisher.
John is one of the most talented sportswriters in the Boston area. We saw it firsthand when he was with us at the Eagle-Tribune. There are pressures, especially at the bigger dailies, to break stories. That is part of the fun and excitement. And, as he noted in his apology, that might have gotten the better of him.
It won't be easy for him over the next few months, maybe even a little longer. But he will deal with it and learn a valuable lesson.
As for the Patriots and Bill Belichick or even Patriots fans, it's up to them to accept or reject his apology. But everybody messes up. EVERYBODY. Hopefully his apology is accepted eventually by the masses and he can go back to being a great writer again.
If you have any more thoughts or comments, leave them here.
I will check them over the weekend.
Have nice weekend.