Focus still clearing the glass
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Rebounding, rebounding, rebounding.
The Celtics cannot stop talking about that fundamental facet of the game. Given that their inconsistency on the glass often leads to losses, rebounding should be a topic of much discussion. But unfortunately for Boston, more talk does not mean more rebounds. Entering last night's contest against Golden State, Boston had been outrebounded in 15 of 26 games. Not surprisingly, the Celtics' record was 4-11 when outrebounded, 7-4 when they outperform opponents on the boards. Last night, the Celtics outrebounded the Warriors, 38-28, yet still lost.
''It's just about focusing on it," said 7-foot center Mark Blount, who was averaging 4.2 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game and finished with four rebounds last night. He has yet to record a double-figure night on the boards this season. ''We've got to make a collective group effort at it right now. You can point at individuals and all that kind of stuff, but it's still a team effort."
Boston came in averaging 39.3 rebounds per game, which ranks 26th in the league. Only Seattle, Portland, Sacramento, and Toronto are poorer rebounding teams. Yet, the Sonics managed to outrebound the Celtics twice (44-37 at the TD Banknorth Garden Nov. 16, and 49-31 Monday at KeyArena), sparking the latest round of rebound-related soul searching by coach Doc Rivers and Co.
Paul Pierce, who came in averaging eight rebounds and pulled down 12 last night, is the only player beyond reproach when it comes to productivity on the glass. Kendrick Perkins (5.1 rebounds per game) and Al Jefferson (4.9) come next. Both big men could probably get more rebounds if they could stay on the court longer, rather than find their rhythm interrupted by foul trouble and sometimes inconsistent minutes. In the backcourt, Ricky Davis came in averaging 4.5 rebounds, and fellow starter Delonte West 3.7.
''I don't think you can fix anything in one day," Rivers said. ''If you could, then every team would be good. All our positions [can rebound better], but Paul has just been phenomenal. He's been off the charts. But everyone else can do a better job. I don't think it's just the bigs. The Seattle game it was the bigs. But on most nights, it's everybody's fault."
It's better to give
When Davis started the season passing to every teammate in sight and quickly establishing himself as the Celtics' assists leader, it seemed like, well, a passing fancy for the shooting guard. But Davis has been finding teammates on a regular basis and remains atop the team with 5.5 assists per game.
Davis entered last night's game needing six assists to reach 1,500 for his career. When told that, Davis half-joked that he was aiming to reach 2,000 this season. That would be an average of about nine assists per game the rest of the season. He notched only one last night.
''People just don't think I can pass," said Davis, who finished with seven assists when the Celtics played the Warriors Dec. 19. ''People think I'm selfish. [Leading the team in assists] is just a goal I want to achieve and let everybody know I can do it. Right now, I get in the teeth of the defense and try to get my teammates shots because I can get shots any time I want. It's key to get other guys shots."
Davis is ranked in the top 25 in the league for average assists.
''He's doing a great job," Rivers said. ''He's just got to keep doing it. I think the more he passes, the more shots he actually ends up with. He's starting to learn that."
They like Ike
With the Warriors searching for a way to reverse their recent downward spiral (they had dropped eight of their past 10 before facing the Celtics), coach Mike Montgomery shook things up with a lineup change last night. Rookie Ike Diogu replaced Adonal Foyle as Golden State's starting center and finished with 12 points in 23 minutes. Diogu didn't expect the move, though he has seen his minutes increase dramatically over the past couple of games. Diogu scored a season-high 27 points (13 for 15) in 32 minutes in a loss to Detroit Friday. He came back and scored 12 points (5 for 7) in 19 minutes in a loss to Denver Monday. ''They can be physical," Rivers said. ''I think they're starting Ike Diogu for a reason, and that's to hit the glass." . . . For those on the Tony Allen watch, he was in practice gear for shootaround yesterday morning, but only tossed up shots after the rest of the team finished reviewing plays. There is no change in his status. Allen essentially remains in shutdown mode . . . Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck was in town with family to watch the game.
