• Home
  • About Celtics Town
  • Contact Us
  • NBA Blog Links
  • Privacy Policy

Celtics-Warriors game preview: Boston’s size vs. Golden St.’s quickness

Over the past few games, Golden St. has been starting Anthony Randolph at center and Corey Maggette at power forward. Now, if you’re playing a pickup game against a team with little structure and no viable big men, that’s okay. But against an NBA team with big, talented, physical interior players? Then, it could be a recipe for disaster.

Granted, playing Randolph at center is probably better than playing Mikki Moore, out with an injured heel. (Note: Even sitting with an injury, I still expect Mikki to get into foul trouble.)  But against the Celtics, a team that loves to go inside early and often, taking advantage of their big, skilled frontcourt, Golden St.’s so-called big men could be in for some serious trouble.

If Don Nelson expects Maggette to be able to defend KG, or Randolph to defend Perk, he’s got another thing coming to him. 

On the other end, though, the C’s could have some serious issues matching up with the Warriors’ quickness.  Maggette should be able to drive by KG just about whenever he chooses, and Randolph should be able to go around Perk more or less at will.

Really, whoever dictates the style of play should win this one.  If the Celtics slow the game down and pound the ball inside, it could become a bloodbath; if the Warriors get their athletes out in space and utilize their speed, it could be a game. 

So what wins, size or quickness?

I say size, but let’s just be happy Baron Davis isn’t on the Warriors… He has both.

*****

Three things to look for in tonight’s game:

  •  Rajon Rondo vs. Stephen Curry – Curry isn’t the NBA’s quickest player, and Rondo just might be.  If Rondo is aggressive going to the hoop, he should have his way with the athletically unimposing former Davidson star.
  • Rasheed Wallace’s shot selection – In the first half of yesterday’s game, ‘Sheed was posting up and destroying Brian Skinner on the blocks.  In the second half, he was short-arming three after three.  When ‘Sheed’s down low, he’s a force… he just doesn’t do it all the time.
  • Glen Davis – Big Baby could have a huge impact on this game.  He is strong enough to destroy Golden St. down low, yet quick enough to stay in front of the Warriors quick “big men.”  It’s weird to say someone so overweight is quick, but Big Baby is one nimble chunker.

*****

Other links:

  • The return of Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis
  • Throwing some dimes: Rajon Rondo impressing teammates with leadership
  • Stephen Curry faces another test against Rajon Rondo

Related posts:

  1. NBA Season Preview: Golden St. Warriors
  2. Running Diary: Rondo, Rondo, Rondo as Celtics overcome Warriors
  3. Celtics- Spurs game preview: Tonight’s game is must-see t.v.
  4. Celtics-Grizzlies Game Preview: Grizzlies and Celtics both riding high
  5. Stephen Curry faces another test with Rajon Rondo tonight

categories Celtics Columns | Jay King | December 28, 2009

Comments are closed.

← The Return of Glen "Big Baby" Davis
Red Claws Get Jammed →
    • Recent Posts

      • Thunder 119, Celtics 104: Thank you, All-Star break
      • Boston Celtics, reverse archaeologists?
      • Rajon Rondo reportedly named All-Star Game replacement for Joe Johnson
      • Charles Oakley calls Kevin Garnett ‘one of the weakest guys to ever play the game’
      • Kevin Garnett returning tonight against Thunder, says Doc Rivers
    • Recent Comments

      • Greg on Thunder 119, Celtics 104: Thank you, All-Star break
      • James on Thunder 119, Celtics 104: Thank you, All-Star break
      • Greg on Thunder 119, Celtics 104: Thank you, All-Star break
      • paul on Thunder 119, Celtics 104: Thank you, All-Star break
      • paul on Thunder 119, Celtics 104: Thank you, All-Star break
    • Follow us


    • Blogroll

      • Ball Don't Lie
      • Boston Celtics Tickets
      • Boston Globe Celtics Coverage
      • Boston Herald Celtics Coverage
      • Celtics Blog
      • Celtics Life
      • CLNS Radio
      • CSNNE Celtics Coverage
      • D-League Digest
      • ESPNBoston Celtics Blog
      • Posting and Toasting
      • Red's Army
      • State of the Celtics
      • TrueHoop
      • Twitter Sports – Celtics
      • WEEI's Green Street
    •   Celtics Rumors & News >

    Celtics Town | Boston Celtics blog | Celtics news is powered by WordPress

    Dansette