**Official Game Thread 12/21** Toronto Raptors vs Boston Celtics

[Legends66NBA7]

http://micahh2222.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/3x-toronto-raptors-vs-boston-celtics-section-109-row-10_5177963.jpg

Game starts at 7:30 Eastern time.

Online link :

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/99230/1/watch-boston-celtics-vs-toronto-raptors.html

[Wally450]

Lets go! I wanna see Bass play

[Legends66NBA7]

I want to see DeMar make more mid-range shots tonight.

[Rnbizzle]

Expect another ugly game, you know Doc isn't playing his starting for more then 25 minutes.

[Legends66NBA7]

If anyone is looking for a link, here it is:

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/99230/1/watch-boston-celtics-vs-toronto-raptors.html

[BlackWhiteGreen]

We want Moore! (E'Twaun, that is).

I hope we rest the main guys, I want to see a bit more of JJJ too.

[upside24]

If anyone is looking for a link, here it is:

http://www.firstrowsports.tv/watch/99230/1/watch-boston-celtics-vs-toronto-raptors.html
Thank you.

[Legends66NBA7]

Thank you.

No problem, link is now in the OP too.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

Mike and Tommy! :bowdown:

[Legends66NBA7]

Game time. :cheers:

[pete's montreux]

Checking in. One beer left and I forgot to put more in the fridge. I'm f*cked.

[LiLharvard]

Checking in. One beer left and I forgot to put more in the fridge. I'm f*cked.
Celts are playin, Petes still on da boards, cracking my first beer .. The NBA is here .. Life is bliss

[Legends66NBA7]

Garnett: "Get that shit outta here n!gga" on Gray :oldlol:

[bokes15]

Mike "Derozan, really looks to take everything to the basket." *Bargnani puts up a shot* "Bargnani on the other hand *pause* likes to shoot 3's."

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

I love basketball. I am so happy that it is back. I don't even care if it's preseason

[Legends66NBA7]

Raptors with garbage offense and defense. Looks like nothing has changed. :oldlol:

[bokes15]

lol funny thing about people last time saying that we didn't have time to get organized, as if that wasn't to our benefit.

[BlackWhiteGreen]

2 early jumpers for Rondo, I like it. Defense has been great as well

[Legends66NBA7]

Nice move by Bayless.

[ProfessorMurder]

For those that didn't see the Celtics pregame... Donny Marshall said there is a rumor going around that Rondo is still being shopped, the team that wants him is 'surprising', 'western conference', and 'warm weather'.

[LiLharvard]

All these critics saying the celtics are too old and we didn't make enough moves gtfo you will eat your words come playoffs. I like this team I really fkin like it.. It's better than last year and hey we didn't to damn bad last year, if we get al Thornton we are going to butt rush new York and indianna 3rd seed is ours.

[pete's montreux]

For those that didn't see the Celtics pregame... Donny Marshall said there is a rumor going around that Rondo is still being shopped, the team that wants him is 'surprising', 'western conference', and 'warm weather'.

Sounds like Houston to me.

[bokes15]

I wouldn't at all doubt that he's still being shopped. The C's were manhandled by a younger more athletic Heat team last year, and while they are still a top 4 team in the East, they are probably closer to 4 than 1.

[StroShow4]

Garnett: "Get that shit outta here n!gga" on Gray :oldlol:

How there was no foul called on that play I have no idea. Garnett and JO fouled him at the same time.

[bokes15]

always loved JO. He adds a lot of things that don't show up on the stat sheet.

[brownmamba00]

For those that didn't see the Celtics pregame... Donny Marshall said there is a rumor going around that Rondo is still being shopped, the team that wants him is 'surprising', 'western conference', and 'warm weather'.
LOL that's not happening.

[Legends66NBA7]

Bargnani needs to give that ball up when they close down the lane.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

I wouldn't at all doubt that he's still being shopped. The C's were manhandled by a younger more athletic Heat team last year, and while they are still a top 4 team in the East, they are probably closer to 4 than 1.

Manhandled? Pierce one jumper away before OT to make it 2-2. Rondo had 1 arm. These comments are stupid.

first thing I thought of when I saw Donny say that, was Phoenix Suns.

[AMISTILLILL]

For those that didn't see the Celtics pregame... Donny Marshall said there is a rumor going around that Rondo is still being shopped, the team that wants him is 'surprising', 'western conference', and 'warm weather'.

Austin Toros.

[bokes15]

Manhandled? Pierce one jumper away before OT to make it 2-2. Rondo had 1 arm. These comments are stupid.

first thing I thought of when I saw Donny say that, was Phoenix Suns.
Woulda coulda shoulda. Vince Carter was one jumpshot away from taking us to the ECF. Did it happen? No, hence why it's not talked about anymore.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

Woulda coulda shoulda. Vince Carter was one jumpshot away from taking us to the ECF. Did it happen? No, hence why it's not talked about anymore.

your original comment is false. sorry. Choose better vocabulary next time.

[Legends66NBA7]

Cool, Rondo with 3 uncontested mid range jumpers, great defense guys :oldlol:

Nice dunk by Bargnani.

[Legends66NBA7]

How there was no foul called on that play I have no idea. Garnett and JO fouled him at the same time.

I hear ya.

I guess the Celtics just get away with murder on defense. :oldlol:

[bokes15]

your original comment is false. sorry. Choose better vocabulary next time.
They were taken out 4-1, and they ran out of gas at the end of almost every game. Choose not to be an idiot next time, and stop holding on to 2008. :facepalm

[ProfessorMurder]

Rondo's got to cool it with that jumper. You don't want people to start guarding it already. Save it for a rainy day, or the playoffs.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

They were taken out 4-1, and they ran out of gas at the end of almost every game. Choose not to be an idiot next time, and stop holding on to 2008. :facepalm

I'm talking about the 2011 Playoffs.

Don't get upset. They didn't Manhandle the Celts. It's as simple as that.

Your post was fine, but the words you used to describe the series are terrible.

[bokes15]

I'm talking about the 2011 Playoffs.

Don't get upset. They didn't Manhandle the Celts. It's as simple as that.

Your post was fine, but the words you used to describe the series are terrible.
how many games did they win in the 2011 eastern conference semi-finals (which i was referring to)?

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

how many games did they win in the 2011 eastern conference finals (which i was referring to)?

The Celtics lost in the second round.

[AMISTILLILL]

how many games did they win in the 2011 eastern conference finals (which i was referring to)?

Nice edit.

[bokes15]

Nice to see Ed Davis with backdown post move. loving it.

[Qwyjibo]

Ed Davis is probably the most encouraging thing about the Raptors going into this year.

[bokes15]

Nice edit.
:oldlol: Ok, I noticed it after i said it. You caught me I said ECF instead of ECSF. It doesn't do anything to aid an argument that a 4-1 series wasn't getting manhandled.

[Hittin_Shots]

how many games did they win in the 2011 eastern conference semi-finals (which i was referring to)?

More than Phoenix in the 2011 playoffs.

[Legends66NBA7]

Bargnani with his usual points and nothing else.

DeMar has been good on the boards, but hasn't been hitting his shots.

[bokes15]

More than Phoenix in the 2011 playoffs.
It's not even hating on the Celtics to say that though. My personal opinion is that they were a frontrunner to win eastern conference before they traded Perkins.

[AMISTILLILL]

:oldlol: Ok, I noticed it after i said it. You caught me I said ECF instead of ECSF. It doesn't do anything to aid an argument that a 4-1 series wasn't getting manhandled.

Would you call a team getting swept by another team "getting manhandled" if the team swept only lost by one or two points in each game? Probably not.

The Heat won the series, we get that... but I question if you actually watched the series if you confidently surmise that Miami "manhandled" them. That's like claiming LA manhandled Boston in game 7 of the Finals a couple years, based simply on the fact that they won.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

:oldlol: Ok, I noticed it after i said it. You caught me I said ECF instead of ECSF. It doesn't do anything to aid an argument that a 4-1 series wasn't getting manhandled.

Back to the game, bro. I can't respond to any post that says Manhandled anymore after this. It's not accurate and a waste of my time. Sorry for even responding to your original post.

[bokes15]

Would you call a team getting swept another team "getting manhandled" if the team swept only lost by one or two points in each game? Probably not.

The Heat won the series, we get that... but I question if you actually watched the series if you confidently surmise that Miami "manhandled" them. That's like claiming LA manhandled Boston in game 7 of the Finals a couple years, based simply on the fact that they won.
Yes I actually would. Why? Because late game execution wins ball games. When great teams play other great teams the games are more often than not going to be close, but the better team is the one which executes down the stretch. The Celtics made some bonehead plays down the stretch (which I did watch, every minute of every game) that they don't normally make.. and to me it looked a lot to do with them having old, tired legs while the Heat were young and fresh. That was the reality of the situation to any non-Celtics fan.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

Yes I actually would. Why? Because late game execution wins ball games. When great teams play other great teams the games are more often than not going to be close, but the better team is the one which executes down the stretch. The Celtics made some bonehead plays down the stretch (which I did watch, every minute of every game) that they don't normally make.. and to me it looked a lot to do with them having old, tired legs while the Heat were young and fresh. That was the reality of the situation to any non-Celtics fan.


Read the bolded. That is not manhandled.

Merry Christmas

[Zan Tabak]

Toronto fans- what channel is it on?

[AMISTILLILL]

Yes I actually would. Why? Because late game execution wins ball games. When great teams play other great teams the games are more often than not going to be close, but the better team is the one which executes down the stretch. The Celtics made some bonehead plays down the stretch (which I did watch, every minute of every game) that they don't normally make.. and to me it looked a lot to do with them having old, tired legs while the Heat were young and fresh. That was the reality of the situation to any non-Celtics fan.

So, clearly in your world, no middle ground exists between "routs and blow-outs" and "close calls and by-a-nose victories." The Celtics winning their Chicago series in 2009 by a slim, close margin in several games is the EXACT same thing as blowing LA out by 39 in game 6 of the 2008 Finals. By your logic, the term "manhandled" applies in both situations, no matter how different they are from one another.

I'm as rich and important as Bill Gates, because no middle ground exists for economic disparity in my world.

[Legends66NBA7]

Raptors can't buy a shot right now.

[bokes15]

Read the bolded. That is not manhandled.

Merry Christmas
I thought you were done responding. You weren't adding anything of value to this conversation so I wanted to continue the conversation with the intelligent C's fans on the board.

[Legends66NBA7]

Toronto fans- what channel is it on?

Don't think it's on tv.

Sportsnet has English Premier League
The Score has something else (can't recall right now)
Raptors T.V. has Miami vs Orlando
TSN and TSN 2 has Hockey

The link is in the OP though.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

I thought you were done responding. You weren't adding anything of value to this conversation so I wanted to continue the conversation with the intelligent C's fans on the board.

Read my post. I said I wouldn't respond if you said Manhandled.

Now your questioning my intelligence because you chose bad words?

[bokes15]

So, clearly in your world, no middle ground exists between "routs and blow-outs" and "close calls and by-a-nose victories." The Celtics winning their Chicago series in 2009 by a slim, close margin in several games is the EXACT same thing as blowing LA out by 39 in game 6 of the 2008 Finals. By your logic, the term "manhandled" applies in both situations, no matter how different they are from one another.

I'm as rich and important as Bill Gates, because no middle ground exists for economic disparity in my world.
I didn't say they got blown out though. Maybe you guys took "manhandled" to mean beaten by 40 points every game, but I meant it as that they got out executed down the stretch of almost every game, and were subsequently taken out in 5. Argue over the facts, not the wording.

[AMISTILLILL]

I didn't say they got blown out though. Maybe you guys took "manhandled" to mean beaten by 40 points every game, but I meant it as that they got out executed down the stretch of almost every game, and were subsequently taken out in 5. Argue over the facts, not the wording.

Your definition of "manhandled" is far from universal.

[Zan Tabak]

Don't think it's on tv.

Sportsnet has English Premier League
The Score has something else (can't recall right now)
Raptors T.V. has Miami vs Orlando
TSN and TSN 2 has Hockey

The link is in the OP though.

Miami vs Orlando on raptors tv, instead of the raptor game, that makes sense. :hammerhead:

[JGXEN]

I chuckled at Tommy.
"Bye Bye BAYLESS!!!"

:roll:

[bokes15]

Your definition of "manhandled" is far from universal.
and to add, in addition to the actual score, they generally got beaten and bruised in the same way the Celtics were doing to other teams in previous years. They definitely looked the more worse for the wear when that series was over. But anyways, if you guys don't want to admit to the obvious, agree to disagree and we move on.

[Legends66NBA7]

Raptors played great defense on that possession and then give up the offensive rebound and the bank shot by Allen :facepalm :banghead:

[bokes15]

Glad that Bargs is actually taking it to the basket this game. But then again, the C's are playing their 2nd and 3rd stringers on him again.

[Legends66NBA7]

These mid-range shots are just not sinking man...

[bokes15]

lol, Rondo just turned up the intensity level. we're in trouble.

[AMISTILLILL]

and to add, in addition to the actual score, they generally got beaten and bruised in the same way the Celtics were doing to other teams in previous years. They definitely looked the more worse for the wear when that series was over. But anyways, if you guys don't want to admit to the obvious, agree to disagree and we move on.

They were outplayed, they weren't "manhandled." You can't exactly expect people to focus on facts and not wording when the wording you opt to use implies something completely outlandish.

Of course they were outplayed, hence the Miami victory. No secret there. You've got an aging veteran core facing two of the top 5 greatest players in the league. Even with no real semblance of bench depth or key role players, it's no stretch to imagine the superstar team will pull out some W's.

Familiar arguments could be made that Boston was reeling from the Perkins trade and Rondo's injury later in the series didn't do them any favors, but I'm not keen on making excuses. Yes, Miami outplayed them... but it was far from a open and shut case in favor of Miami as some superior, dominating force. For all their bumps, bruises and old age, Boston still played them tight 'til the end.

You'd be hard pressed to find anyone not backing Miami who wouldn't agree.

[JGXEN]

Stiesma's lighting up the Raps!!:roll:

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

Glad that Bargs is actually taking it to the basket this game. But then again, the C's are playing their 2nd and 3rd stringers on him again.

I feel like his game would improve dramatically if he took it to the hoop more often. Everybody knows he can hit the 3. He is always a threat if he gets hot.

[Legends66NBA7]

Tom H is right though, Raptors aren't boxing out and closing out their man.

Just saw another offensive rebound by a wing player (Allen, again) and went to an open jumpshot.

[TonyD]

S'up with Avery Bradley? 0-3 last game and 0-5 so far this game.

[Qwyjibo]

- If Stiemsma makes the Celtics roster, he needs to send a thank you card to the Raptors organization for making him look competent in these 2 games.

- Someone needs to tell Bayless that he has no jump shot and should be taking it to the rim if he wants to score. Why don't more coaches treat their dumb guards like Popovich did with Tony Parker?

- I'm ok with Bargnani being beaten by Ray Allen for an offensive rebound. Let's not forget he got 8 rebounds last game and that's basically 2 games worth for him. Give the guy a break!

- The Raptors offense looks totally inept and this is what I hope to see all year. Ride the tank all the way to the top of the lottery!

[Derka]

Bass and Bargs can't seem to defend each other.

[Derka]

Ray is all over the offensive glass. Rebounding will be a team effort this year for sure.

[bokes15]

I feel like his game would improve dramatically if he took it to the hoop more often. Everybody knows he can hit the 3. He is always a threat if he gets hot.
so do I. Unfortunately, he started doing it then he seemed to just get back into his old jumpshooting groove. If he's on, he's dangerous, but if his jumper is off, he just drifts through the game and you barely even notice him on the court.

[Legends66NBA7]

Nice run by the Raptors here. Defense is kicking in.

Bargs with a nice pass, but DeMar's bucket shouldn't have counted.

[bokes15]

- I'm ok with Bargnani being beaten by Ray Allen for an offensive rebound. Let's not forget he got 8 rebounds last game and that's basically 2 games worth for him. Give the guy a break!:roll: :roll:

[Bernie Nips]

Is Stiemsma actually worth a shot or is it just cos this is against the Raptors?

[bokes15]

Just a legit question for you. How would you describe the Knicks-Celtics series?

[JGXEN]

Bass blocking Bargs!!! I love Bass so much more than Glen Davis!!!!

[jamal99]

so do I. Unfortunately, he started doing it then he seemed to just get back into his old jumpshooting groove. If he's on, he's dangerous, but if his jumper is off, he just drifts through the game and you barely even notice him on the court.
I totally play like him, even our rebounding is same :lol

[Legends66NBA7]

So excluding the bail out shots, the Raptors shooting:

1st quarter: 6-19 31.6%
2nd quarter: 6-21 28.6%

1-10 from 3 10%

:facepalm

[pete's montreux]

Rondo's clearly going to look for his offense more this season.

[bokes15]

To me it's like when people get all hot and bothered over someone saying Dirk is putting on a dominating performance. And they say that "dominating" means backing people down and dunking over them ala Dwight Howard. But to me it's like, what do you call it when all the games are close but it's clear that one team is better than the other at the end of every game... just like the Celtics-Knicks series. It's not just a tough hard nosed series, one team is BETTER that's why the wins-losses are lopsided anyway you slice it.

[Bernie Nips]

To me it's like when people get all hot and bothered over someone saying Dirk is putting on a dominating performance. And they say that "dominating" means backing people down and dunking over them ala Dwight Howard. But to me it's like, what do you call it when all the games are close but it's clear that one team is better than the other at the end of every game... just like the Celtics-Knicks series. It's not just a tough hard nosed series, one team is BETTER that's why the wins-losses are lopsided anyway you slice it.

Have you got nothing better to do?

[JGXEN]

To me it's like when people get all hot and bothered over someone saying Dirk is putting on a dominating performance. And they say that "dominating" means backing people down and dunking over them ala Dwight Howard. But to me it's like, what do you call it when all the games are close but it's clear that one team is better than the other at the end of every game... just like the Celtics-Knicks series. It's not just a tough hard nosed series, one team is BETTER that's why the wins-losses are lopsided anyway you slice it.
Just STFU and watch the game.

[bokes15]

in the game i'm watching it's halftime. how about yours?

[Bernie Nips]

in the game i'm watching it's halftime. how about yours?

In mine, the third quarter just started.

[PowerGlove]

You guys are so hard on Euro Jordan.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

Good game so far. Bargnani plays terrible defense, to me.

[JGXEN]

Tough day for Bayless. Getting his layups blocked, and bricking his jumpers

[Legends66NBA7]

Ray Allen is getting all these offensive boards.

[PowerGlove]

BARGS:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

Ray Allen is getting all these offensive boards.

Ray Allen suprises me year in and year out with his rebounding. Not bad for an old man haha

[Qwyjibo]

I wonder if the Raptors starters will be able to beat the Celtics soon-to-be roster cuts this time.

[Legends66NBA7]

Defense has really picked up for the Raptors.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

I wonder if the Raptors starters will be able to beat the Celtics soon-to-be roster cuts this time.

:oldlol: I know what you mean haha

[Derka]

Whistle happy on both sides here tonight. Sloppy.

[Legends66NBA7]

Really sloppy basketball.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

I love how Tommy has to get his point in that the Celts are using bench players while Toronto has starters in, just because Toronto scores.

Well, he is clearly accurate in this statement, but I love how he gets that urge to point out shit like that.

[Derka]

Longest 3rd quarter ever. Swallow the bloody whistles would you?

[Derka]

Nice ball movement for our first 3 of the game.

[JGXEN]

Why isn't JaJuan Johnson playing?

[Legends66NBA7]

Way too sloppy right now.

[Derka]

Nice little step back.

Our second rounder certainly isn't shy about taking his shots when they're there. I like it.

[b1imtf]

Very nice Moore, very nice :applause:

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

Nice little step back.

Our second rounder certainly isn't shy about taking his shots when they're there. I like it.

I like it too. Confidence right out of the gate is important for the C's bench players, especially with Green's absence.

[Derka]

That three feels like its out of Avery's range. Is it just me?

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

I am an avery Bradley fan. always have been. Not just saying that because he plays hard against bad teams. I genuinely think he plays his heart out and can up tempo the game when Rondo needs rest.

he needs more minutes this year.

[Derka]

lol, oh Tommy...that's not a flagrant anything.

I like to see this lineup running the floor in transition like that.

[Legends66NBA7]

Hard foul, but wasn't a flagrant.

[Qwyjibo]

Derozan doing a decent job of getting to the line. If he can't improve his jumper much then he better be getting to the line 7+ times per game.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

lol, oh Tommy...that's not a flagrant anything.

I like to see this lineup running the floor in transition like that.

I love how Bradley stole it and took off. Love the Up tempo.

[Qwyjibo]

Ed Davis might be my favourite player on the Raptors right now. That's kinda sad.

[Legends66NBA7]

Ed Davis is a beast inside ! :rockon:

[b1imtf]

Ahahah gotta love Tommy

[Legends66NBA7]

Wow, a Mike Sweetney sighting :eek:

[pete's montreux]

Well It's good to know DeRozan rises up in the face of adversity.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

wow Gilbert Brown.

its like a full body dry heave watching him play right now

[Legends66NBA7]

Wow guys... we just gave up a layup to Mike Sweetney :facepalm

[b1imtf]

He almost almost jumped :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Qwyjibo]

I remember Sweetney being a beast at Georgetown. Now he's a Scalabrine-level joke player.

[Legends66NBA7]

Well It's good to know DeRozan rises up in the face of adversity.

:oldlol:

[Kevin_Garnett_5]

I'm not watching the game but I checked the boxscore and E'Twaun has some pretty nice numbers. How is he looking out there? I know Doc has been very impressed with him since training camp. Pretty solid pick at number 55 in the draft.

[HB40TheNextStar]

Free Ed Davis

[Kujo]

Michael Sweetney sightng! Man, the dude is fat as Oliver Miller was. Sad that he basically eat his way out of the league. :(

Good to see him again. I thought he was going to be a solid pro. I liked his game in college.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

I'm not watching the game but I checked the boxscore and E'Twaun has some pretty nice numbers. How is he looking out there? I know Doc has been very impressed with him since training camp. Pretty solid pick at number 55 in the draft.

him and Johnson are good. The 2 of them mixed with Avery Bradley is a nice combo off the bench, for sure.

[b1imtf]

I'm not watching the game but I checked the boxscore and E'Twaun has some pretty nice numbers. How is he looking out there? I know Doc has been very impressed with him since training camp. Pretty solid pick at number 55 in the draft.
Pretty good, I'm satisfied with his play

[pete's montreux]

Moore has a great feel for his offense and is an exceptional shooter. I see him getting some minutes off the bench this season.

[Profound]

Wooooowwww Sweetney is actually playing :roll:.

[pete's montreux]

Tommy loves Avery Bradley for some reason. I'm not seeing it.

[ProfessorMurder]

Sweetney would make a team if he just wasn't fat... Sucks for him.

[ProfessorMurder]

Tommy loves Avery Bradley for some reason. I'm not seeing it.

I really like Bradley, I think he can be a Tony Allen type defender with a better offensive game. He's noticeably improved since last year.

[Legends66NBA7]

Too little, too late for the Raptors.

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

I really like Bradley, I think he can be a Tony Allen type defender with a better offensive game. He's noticeably improved since last year.

exactly. He will provide hustle and up tempo play, steals, and will be a big part of the bench.

[JohnnySic]

Bradley, Moore, and Johnson all can play. :cheers:

[IBLEEDGREEN20]

Bradley, Moore, and Johnson all can play. :cheers:

BINGO, bro. I love it.

[tazb]

If Brown finished that, ... > Deandre's over lakers

haha

[TonyD]

Well, Bradley disappointed me, thought he going to make an effort to step it up after not doing much in the last game. 1-10 shooting isn't going to get it done.

[ballup]

I get the feeling that the bench man rotation would look like this:
Bass
Wilcox
Marquis
Dooling
Stiemsma
Pavlovic
Moore(Should be higher)

If Marquis goes down, and Pav frustrates Doc, then Moore will see more time. He seems to get the NBA game already. At least more than JJ and Bradley.