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Opening Night overview

E-mail|Link|Comments (0) Posted by Ian Rider October 27, 2009 10:36 PM

A few bullet points after a 95-89 Celtics victory over their conference rivals, the Cleveland Cavaliers ...

I don't think we should downplay the Celtics' first victory in Cleveland since 2004. I have to believe a win like this will set the tone for what I believe will be a special season for this team. They clearly showed tonight they were a better team, top to bottom, than the Cavaliers.

I think this game can be looked at as a microcosm of what their season will come down to. Gaudy numbers for LeBron James (38 points, 8 assists, 4 blocks, 4 boards), inconsistency from Mo Williams, and Shaq missing crucial free throws down the stretch. Cleveland fans got their first taste of Hack-A-Shaq tonight. It won't be the last. That's a shame.

Up-and-down night for Kevin Garnett in my opinion. He took a tough shot from Shaq and hit the floor a few other times but bounced right up every time. Up. Got an alley-oop thrown right over his head (when was the last time you saw that happen?). Down. Picked up his first double-double of the season. Up. Clanged a pretty wide open dunk. Down. Nailed a huge bucket down the stretch. Up. Threw the ball right to LeBron on the next play. Down. You get the picture. It's clear he didn't have the repertoire offensively, nor was he 100% moving like the old KG. Most importantly, he was strutting off the court at the end of the game, not limping.

The first episode of the new season of TNT's "The Closer" starring Paul Pierce premiered. What can you say? The same play they've been closing out games with for the past two years (and less successfully for Pierce's whole career), still seems to be unstoppable. It makes me wonder why that play isn't run more often in the game. Hmm.

Shelden Williams made his regular season debut. Someone should tell him that you are allowed to use your hands. Seriously, I started laughing out loud after the third time he played hot potato with a chest pass. Did he bet Scal like two grand that he would play his first game like it was the World Cup? How long before he tried a bicycle kick?

I'd feel a lot better about this team if they stopped punching each other and their friends and family. Perk beasted Ray Allen. Big Baby karate chopped his "buddy" and will be out for two months. This won't kill them, but it will probably make my 70-win prediction look a bit...umm...hopeful. By the way, I'm guessing Big Baby's pregame ritual where he does his MMA moves dangerously close to his teammates faces will not continue upon his return. Just a hunch.

I love the bench. Even with Big Baby out for two months. Even with Shelden Williams doing his best Jim Abbott impersonation out there. Rasheed and Eddie House will punish teams on the pick-and-pop. And I'm telling you, Celtics fans, you are going to LOVE Marquis Daniels. Within two minutes of coming into the game. Daniels tipped out an offensive rebound, Rasheed hit a three and Eddie House buried a three. In my opinion, LeBron looked the least comfortable against Daniels. The bench is my only hope for this team hitting 70 wins.

Even though it was only the first game of the season, the Celtics made a statement. It was a big win on the road in the hardest gym to win a game as a visitor last season. The game was nationally televised and it was a great first impression for what I believe will be a great regular season. Next up are those feisty Cats and the home opener.