Celtics: basketball and brawl

[bart]

Not sure what to make of the brawl tonight. Part of me likes seeing players stick up for their teammates. I know I would've been quick to "help" another player on my team back when I was playing. Another part of me thinks it was excessive on Rondo's part. IMO he has been losing his cool way too much going back to last season when he was constantly getting T'd up for altercations with the refs. Not quite sure he will ever be the leader they're hoping he becomes. It pains me to say that because I think Rondo would easily be the best PG in the game if he had a steady jumper( he's improved a little) and if he had a more even-keeled demeanor.

I'm also starting to question Doc, even though I still think he's a great coach. Last post-season I thought he made some bad decisions in the way he played some guys and this season he still doesn't seem to think rebounding matters, especially offensive rebounding, even after they were the worst rebounding team in the league last year. He actually said last week that offensive rebounding is the most overrated stat in the game, and the way he defended his argument made some sense. But to me, someone who grew up playing basketball and had a chance to play at a relatively high level, I think rebounding is HUGE. If anything at all, it shows EFFORT. It shows toughness. It shows heart. IMO you have to be able to rebound to be a good team.

I thought earlier in the year this team would gel at the half-way mark in the season, but I;m starting to have my doubts. Paul is really showing his age more and more each season. That move Joe Johnson put on him nearly broke his ankles, it was embarrassing. Paul is my favorite player of all time, but its hard watching him now. I'm starting to think they should start Jeff Green, just for some athleticism, and bring Paul off the bench.

My only hope is that we are so deep with both talented and experienced guys that we will make a run later in the season. But i don't think there's any way the C's come out of the East this year. I'd be shocked if they made it out of the second round, if they even make it there. But I am a die-hard C's fan so I will stick it out and hope that I am wrong.