No question this was a monster dunk by KG near the end of the Celtics' historic win in Houston. But looking at the still photo of it that Skeets put up for his unfortunately-timed caption contest, I was reminded of my initial reaction to it last night: why was Garnett even in the game to deliver this exclamation point in the first place?
The Rockets basically conceded the game with over four minutes left, taking out the majority of their starters trailing by 20. Their lineup consisted of Aaron Brooks, Luis Scola, Mike Harris, Steve Novak, and Luther Head. Not exactly a lineup worthy of whooping it up on, but that didn't stop Doc Rivers for leaving KG in to pad his stats and get himself inserted into the evening's highlight package, even with the Celtics up by 23 at the time.
This isn't the first time Rivers has left his starters in during a blowout. He had them all in with his team up 20 and under three minutes to play earlier this season in a win over the Lakers, which I suspect largely contributed to Odom's flagrant foul on Ray Allen. If the Rockets' had been in a worse mood instead of coming off of 22 straight wins, we might have seen a similar play last night in Houston.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-19-2008 @ 3:02PM
dibdob said...
KG played a whopping total of 32.5 minutes for the game... Maybe Doc figured he needed the minutes or something, but does it really matter? This season, none of the Celtics players have given a fig about their individual stats, so your suggestion that KG was trying to make a highlight reel or pad his numbers is simply idiotic.
If you look at the minutes the 'stars' of the team have averaged this year, you will notice that they are way down when compared to their respective career averages.
Doc is always trying to maximize the learning opportunities in every game, so maybe he was keeping KG in to see how he played with a particular line-up. Even in blow-outs, Doc will often call time-outs to run set plays before the end of a quarter. He has done this all season. Other coaches may sit back when they are in a blow-out situation, but Doc and his coaching staff don't take such luxuries. Maybe that is why this team is so good this year.
By the way, maybe the Celtics did want to rub it in towards the end, but you can't deny that they weren't provoked after Alston's jump-circle antics to start the game, his non-stop trash talking (in the 1st half only) and the flagrant foul on Tony Allen. Does the word "sore losers" spring to mind? I guess you are a Rockets fan...
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3-19-2008 @ 3:30PM
black death said...
dibdob, I think I love you.
Brett Edwards, wipe up them tears.
If watching KG break off rims in blowout wins upsets you, just be glad that you don't have to watch him do it to the Lakers again this year, because the Lakers aren't making it out of the west.
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3-19-2008 @ 4:45PM
Buvi Duvi said...
The reason that the Rockets didn't hard foul anyone is because they have class edwards. They are not like the no character, child raping, goofing looking, unintelligent, bad smelling, no leader on their team, Lakers. The Rockets have a chance of winning a series in the playoffs, because they have a leader in McGrady. Who is the leader on the Lakers? Wait, is it 'never going to be as good as MJ, or win a MVP award, even though I cry and really really want to Kobe Bryant'? You would have a better shot of winning if Billy Crystal decided to suit up for the Lakers instead of the Yankees. lol.
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3-19-2008 @ 4:45PM
AJM said...
We get it. You don't like the Celtics. Maybe a nice vacation till about mid June will help you get over that.
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3-19-2008 @ 5:09PM
texasmokem said...
the cheating celtics season will end just as the cheating patriots did it will all come tumbeling down the city is so consumed with winning they would do anything to get a championship just remember 18-1you went from the top and fell all the way to hell just as your great cheating leader led you so cheat on celtics see you in hell
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3-19-2008 @ 5:22PM
dibdob said...
To texasmokem:
Please provide some details regarding the alleged 'cheating' undertaken by the Celtics this season. Or were you simply trying to
make an intentionally provocative, yet ultimately false, claim to rile other readers? If so I can only guess that you are a Lakers fan, since that seems to be their typical approach in such 'discussions'.
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3-19-2008 @ 6:06PM
LB said...
KG shouldn't have been in the game that was bush league.
Why are we talking about the Lakers???? It isn't their story.
Buvi-
Do you really think the Rockets have a leader?? Tell me that when McGrady wins one playoff series.
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3-19-2008 @ 6:15PM
Nora said...
Celtics had KG for awhile long before that. Not the Celtics fault Houston could not catch up. KG played all of 33 min not 48.
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3-20-2008 @ 3:41AM
marc said...
Its nauseating that its apparently impossible to have any discussion without involving the Fakers! Whats the matter with you people? There are other teams in the league who are at least as good, if not better, than the frikkin' Lakers.
Concerning the subject at hand, many consider it a lack of class to pile on points when the outcome of the game was long ago decided and that may well be true. At the same time, Boston wants to be dominant, make a point and try and put fear in the hearts of the competition. Its not like they're the only ones to ever do that. BTW, Phil Jackson apparently has never had a problem with that strategy, either.
I don't think much of the Rockets' chances in the post season so I don't care if they lose. There are several other teams for Boston to consider.
Let them pile it on now but it may come back to haunt them in the Finals. Go Western Conference!
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4-30-2008 @ 4:48AM
SaulSierce said...
I think KG stayed in to jell with Cassell...those two are gonna run the pick n roll when it matters in the playoffs with Allen and Pierce on the wings. So the more time to get back up to speed from the Twolves days, the better
So I think Rivers left KG in (not only to seal the deal but also) to give him some floor time with Cassell when the pressure is off and they can try things out.
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