Most will look at the record. At 34-8, any Celtics follower would be proud to point this fact out. Some will look at #5, Mr. Garnett as the reason for the good fortunes of the Celtics (except for Sunday’s loss to Orlando….C’mon…a Hedo Turkoglu fade-away 3 at the buzzer over solid defense by Pierce….If those circumstances happen again, the world will most likely collapse instantaneously!). Others will cite 88, as the number of PPG the Celtics are allowing this season (#1 in the NBA). I will use this number; 40…the number of games to be played before the playoffs begin as the green try to accomplish what they have not been able to do since 1986. I don’t even have to say it. Everyone knows what I am talking about.

Here we go with my midway report card…

Ray Allen - Sugar Ray has played this season as expected. I think he may just now be getting his body right after some ankle issues last season. I think he will shoot better in the 2nd half of the year. He is one of the classiest guys I have ever been in contact with, regardless of the situation. He is the least talked about of the “Marquee Three” (my nickname that I try to push on whoever is listening), and he has made the most sacrifices in his game. That is worth respecting a whole lot. Original Grade: B - after second thought and remembering those 2 cold-blooded 3’s against Toronto and Charlotte…Grade: B+

Tony Allen - T.A. has been lacking the consistency I am sure he and everyone watching have hoped for this season. He has had flashes of playing well, but sometimes he looks uncomfortable with the ball in his hands. If the Celtics want to make a run this season, they will need a consistent, relentless effort that Tony can potentially provide off the bench. Grade: C

Glen Davis - Big Baby has played more minutes and better ball than I think most expected. He is a very skilled player, not only for his size, but overall. He seems very controlled out there, with strong instincts, especially down low. I think he has a chance to be a major rotation guy down the stretch of the season. If he can continue to work hard and be a sponge around guys like Garnett, Baby should have a nice career ahead of him after a strong start to his rookie season. Grade: A-

Kevin Garnett - This guy is scary. If NASA was hired to come up with some sort of chart to measure athletic intensity, I am fairly certain KG would still be off the charts. He has become a kind of revolution to the Celtics in almost every aspect. I could list numbers for days about the difference he has made for the team. The only thing keeping him from getting a Patriots like grade, is his drop in rebounding the past few months and again the fact that he is very scary. Grade: A

Eddie House - A real solid year so far. I think he is actually a better shooter than his numbers imply. In a few months, Eddie will be a very important part to this team. I think he has filled in at PG admirably. Grade: B

Kendrick Perkins - The big man Perk has played like he always does, quite solid when healthy. As we have seen of late, when he gets touches, he can score pretty well. He has maybe benefited the most on the team of the few remaining from last year’s squad with the new teammates around him. I mean, how many times has he been on the end of nice ball movement to throw down a monster dunk? I am not sure, but I am sure John Hollinger is working on it… Grade: B+

Paul Pierce - Ahh, the Truth. Listen, KG has been getting and deserves all the MVP talk, I say that Pierce should be in the conversation as well. He is not putting up gaudy LeBron-like numbers, but he is as much a factor to the success of the team as anyone…players, coaches, and management included. He has passed the ball superbly and has been able to play the defense that was not possible the last few years when he was the main cog on offense. If the Celtics are going to win a title in the next few seasons, he will be a major part and should get the credit accordingly. Grade: A

Scot Pollard - When the “Son of Poison” plays, he does what the team needs; strong defense and experience. Injuries have limited his time. If healthy, he could be a factor come May. Playing Grade: B- Celtics Now “Planet Pollard” Grade: A+

James Posey - This guy wasn’t a key member on the Heat championship team a few years back for nothing. He has played well this season, shooting the 3 as well as anytime in his career. He plays the tenacious D that the team will need especially the 6 weeks after the All-Star break, where the schedule gets real difficult. His Stuart Smalley-like effect on his teammates is fun to watch. Grade: B+

Leon Powe - I will have to share the affection that my fellow employee Tommy Heinsohn echoes; I Love Leon! When the man is in there, he gives you everything he has. With the recent playing time increase, he has produced mightily. It has been the case most of the season where he is at the end of the short rotation that Doc uses, losing time to Big Baby. Leon will have his time, especially is he keeps playing like he has been in the last few weeks. By the way, his nickname in college was “The Show” Go Leon Go! Grade: B+

Gabe Pruitt - Last season if he were on the Celtics, he would have been maybe a top rotation guy. When he has been out there, I think he has looked good. The first time he came off a pick in Summer League, I said to myself, “He looks like a more athletic Delonte West” I think Pruitt will be a good player for the Celtics. Just not this season. It is tough to grade him on only seeing 48 mins of work. Insert total cop out….now: Grade: Incomplete

Rajon Rondo - I remember last year hearing that some folks called him Johnny Rondo, it sounded like a super hero. At times that is a very appropriate label. He has played very well so far, really racking up the steals of late. He has his lapses, but as a second year player, he is still learning. Hopefully he can survive this recent bout of injuries and being tossed around the floor like he is competing on “The Pyramid” event on American Gladiators. It may not be the norm to have a young PG lead a team to success, but I think Rondo can handle every bit of it. I love those ball fakes, keep ‘em coming. Grade: A-

Brian Scalabrine - Scal plays hard and doesn’t hurt you out there. He is a good team guy who plays good D and knows what to do with the ball. Grade: C+

Doc Rivers - I am not an NBA coach. It is easy to criticize any coach in sports after the fact. This man knows what he is doing. Doc is what this team needs; a terrific motivator who has the ability to manage the personnel and mentality of this squad. Grade: A

Danny Ainge - Bravo fine sir. Just bravo. Grade: A+ (The team he has constructed has won 34 of its first 42 games. That is pretty good)

One Response to “Boston Celtics Midway Report Card”

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   February 1st, 2008 at 8:49 pm

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