Celtics 95, Bulls 91: Boston downs Derrick Rose-less Bulls
Derrick Rose missed Sunday’s Celtics-Bulls showdown due to injury, but struggling Boston still very much needed victory, and held on for a 95-91 win.
The triumph became a little tougher than it probably should have been, but it came, and it came with Rondo tallying an obscene triple-double, a depleted (yet suddenly athletic) Boston frontcourt outrebounding one of the NBA’s most physical units, another strong defensive effort (Chicago shot just 38.6 percent), and more signs that JaJuan Johnson is a capable (if certainly flawed) option off the bench.
More tomorrow, but for now: Chris Wilcox, y’all.
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Celtics Blog | Jay King | February 12, 2012
idk why people keep on saying derrick rose less- Bulls. Because it doesn’t matter whether or not Rose was playing or not boston still would have won.
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So right. And I hate Chicago fans because they’ve all said “You guys still suck because rose didn’t play”
They only beat us by like 8 point the last time we played WITH ROSS. But we didn’t have Pierce. And today we didn’t have Bass or O’neal. Either way, this was a very good win. We should win against Detroit on Wednesday, and then we’ll see them again Thursday. Should be a show.
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So who else was glad to see Boston running the floor after rebounds??? And the two back to back alley oops?? Awesome.
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Greg, indeed. Rondo showed his greatness today; I just wish he would bring that effort to every game. He even showed confidence in taking an open J. And Wilcox was great. The question that keeps coming up: Why is it always Pierce dribbling and dribbling and dribbling in the final possessions of games? More often than not, he gets a TO or takes a sloppy shot at the end of the shot clock/game clock. Today, he had two sloppy turnovers that could have cost them the game in the final two minutes. Can’t Doc draw up a play? Sometimes I wonder: do they even have a half court offense? Ray Allen should be running off of screens and taking far more shots.
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You’re right. Pierce is still our best closer, but there were not any plays, just isolation when the clock was running down. That’s not a totally bad thing, when he makes the shot or makes a smart pass. And you’re right about Ray. I saw at least 2 or 3 times where Ray came off the screen, got the pass, and didn’t take the shot. Or Rondo didn’t pass it to him. Either way, these are manageable issues.
What do you think of Wilcox starting at the 5?
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And I would go so far as to question the half court offense. It’s there. You see when JJJ was hitting mid range jumpers? or when Pierce was hitting the same thing? Those were plays. See if we played like that against LA, we would have won. I think players were concerned with making their own shot instead of letting it come to them.
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i think wilcox should be a starter he hustled more fought for every rebound worked his ass of more in the 1st period than o’neal has done all season!!
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And he did something I haven’t seen O’neal do since he’s been in Boston: He ran the floor with Rondo on a fast break after a rebound. Scored some points. Spread the floor. And most importantly, HE DIDN’T FALL TO THE FLOOR. I still think O’neal is valuable to the team, but I think he should come off the bench especially after today.
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Jermaine’s natural role right now is backup center.
Monster game by Rondo – this is the Rondo we are talking about.
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This is the Rondo we defend when we hear all the trade rumors.
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Best thing all day…Doc twice mentioning rebounding in ‘wired’ segments including in conjunction with “running”. Worst thing…blowing a 12-pt lead with RR picking up his dribble twice in the back-court, taking two ill-advised jumpers with tons of time on the clock, and PP forcing a pass to KG over a dbl team with MP and RA wide open on his left with no defender between him and them. Terrible rebounding in the first half giving up 11 offensive rebs with no blocking out. But they got it together and won the rebounding stat and therefore the game. Although PP only 1 reb in 37 mins and RA 0 in 35 mins isn’t going to cut it. Can’t expect RR to get 10 rebs every game. Bench was pretty damn good especially JJ and Wilcox, who should start and bring JO in as back-up. JJ has to rebound better (only 4 in 33 mins) but he can flat out hit a 15-footer consistently and he and Wilcox hustled like crazy and that paid major dividends especially running the break. A great win was turned into an OK win in the last 4 mins and Rose certainly would have made a difference but so would BB and JO. Key is winning again vs Bulls Thursday in Chicago. Injuries forced Doc’s hand and the rookies and bench came through so Doc please learn from this. Go Cs…
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RR picked up the dribble because Chicago used a weak halfcourt trap and no one came up to help him. That will change I’m sure of it. Yes the rebounding was exceptional this game. And JJJ gave us 100% this game and I saw at least 4 times where he went up for the rebound and was pushed but got no call. Just imagine the margin of victory if RA and PP had their usual nights. I’m really really liking Wilcox. I mean REALLY. AND Bass?? We would have blown them out. I really hope Doc puts JO on the bench. I like the guy, but I like Wilcox more.
Who else enjoyed watching AB torture Watson with his defense? I mean I know that’s pretty much a given nowadays, but dare I say he’s just as good of a defender as Tony Allen.
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Rondo was exhausted, James. It was a VERY smart move by Thibs. That’s why he was coach of the year. I’d like to see Doc play Rondo in shorter stretches with short breathers. Bradley is a very reliable backup. But he did a great job of not sitting Rondo too long when he did sit Rondo.
We outrebounded the best rebounding team in the league, so you called that right.
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Even if he’s “exhausted” he controlled 4 plays that almost cost the game. He can ask out too but didn’t so I don’t buy he was exhausted. Even if doubled he is quick enough to see it forming and because he’s such a great passer and has such vision he should have passed out of the dbl team box. That said, I agree no moved to help him and they all just stood and watched. And Bradley definitely deserves more time. He’s also getting a nice jumper in his arsenal. Go Cs…
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I really think the C’s showed up today ready to play NBA basketball and not just some pick-up game @ the park (toronto…). Anyone else glad to see Dooling back even though he didn’t have much of an impact??? This compresses season is really starting to show its fangs whether it be JO (of course) or now Bass out for 2 weeks!! Bass is by far the most consistent Celtic so far this season IMO (including all starters), it was good sign to see Wilcox & Johnson stepping up to the plate, but the 5 could prove to be the most daunting roster spot yet again this season…. All in all, a great win, and here’s to another one on Thursday!!!
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Yeah the effort was definitely on overload this game. Bass being out will be a blow to this team, but it will give JJJ his time to shine. The 5 will be our soft spot, but with Wilcox back there, I’m a little more confident than I was at the beginning of the season.
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Great win for the C’s. Good to see JaJuan and Wilcox giving the crowd some cheer off the Rondo alley oops. THAT’S THE BOMB G. I believe in this team that they have every chance to win a title as they are one of the deepest, well rounded in the league. Shame that it has been up and down this year but hey, you can’t win em all. Just hope that all cylinders are clicking come playoff time. Celtics proved a lot today. They can hang with the contenders. Anyone think we should trade Rondo now? 32,15,10 reasons not to.
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YES! Currently, the C’s have the best scoring bench in the Eastern conference. And I heard Jeff Van Dumby say that the bench isn’t talented?? He’s obviously biased against anybody but Chicago and Miami so it doesn’t matter. This team will start clicking at the right time and no body is going to look forward to matching up with us.
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what happened to pierce?
he didn’t bring it or he doesn’t have it anymore?
he looks the oldest of the big3
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Nothing. He just let Rondo play his game, and take over. Just watch on Thursday, Pierce is gonna have his say in how the game turns out.
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I really hope so.
what I saw yesterday was a slow, confused, over confident & overdribbling (old) player.
the problem is, we are going nowhere without our captain. I can’t stand the idea of having to see more pavlovic
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He played great D on Deng.
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yep that’s true.
deng basically racked up his point with PP on the bench. Still, if that’s the reason why he played so poorly on offense, I don’t think it’s worth the toll. and I agree with Greg: doc, please call a play every now and then.
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He just didn’t bring it and I think relies on his talent too much as opposed to giving 100% effort at all times. Like his camping at the 3-line all the time and lack of following his own shot or rebounding as he should (he never blocks out). While he is getting older I think his bad habit is coasting too much (until the playoffs) and thinking he can just show up and get 24-6-6 every night but you have to work hard for that consistency. Go Cs…
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BTW has anyone been to the site Celticsblog? Talk about a site full of haters…
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The ‘fans’ over there are disgusting, basically hating on Rondo for having a monster game. I get the feeling that they just don’t like people who are a bit different from the norm there. Rondo certainly marches to a different drummer. They were actually tearing his head off for not smiling after the game, if you can believe it.
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Yeah I’m not going there anymore. They have no faith in this team whatsoever, with some people even doubtful we’ll make it to the playoffs. That’s uncharacteristic of Celtics fans. I thought we were elite in terms of loyalty. But see the bad thing abou basing Rondo is, what if he goes to that site and reads the horribly in accurate things said about him? As a confidence-dependent player, how is bashing him for not smiling helping his confidence? That said, he looked and played like a man possessed yesterday.
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I think fans can’t be responsible for Rondo’s thin skin if he reads crap online. But I do think that fans create an atmosphere, either positive or negative, and in this case they create a negative one around Rondo.
And what’s funny is that these are the ones who pride themselves on being knowledgeable and educated.
But really they just follow the line fed to them by the media, most of whom stooge for Ainge and for the ownership.
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Are you one of those fans you speak about as you were calling for RR to be traded; ergo negativity re Rondo? Come-on paul…read your own posts before flip-flopping. And I don’t read the ‘media’ and support DA because of his moves. KG & RA never would have been Celtics and there’d be no 2008 title and no additional runs without DA in the catbird seat. He doesn’t do everything I like (SP for instance and not forcing Doc to play the rookies more) but if that means I am a ‘shill’ for DA then so be it. Go Cs…
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Who’s SP?
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Pavlovic. Go Cs…
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Well Pavlovic is only getting time because of Green going down, which in my opinion would have made Boston way better.
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So true. I don’t think KG Allen and Pierce will let Rondo be mentally fragile though haha
While I still think keeping our current roster intact is a good idea, I heard some murmurs of a Ray Allen-for-Monta Ellis trade last year. I know Ellis isn’t a spot shooter like Ray, but what do you think of this?
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I’m not saying I’d say no, but generally I think a team should be very wary of making big trades. Basically I think that trades are like wars; going in, it may seem obvious that things will go smoothly and turn out wonderfully, but in reality, it’s a big shakeup and you can’t predict how things will shake down. Don’t do it unless the reasons are truly compelling. And DEFINITELY don’t do it if the reasons against it are compelling, as in The Trade.
Also, I think it’s very bad practice to ditch veterans who have given the team a lot. I think loyalty counts for so much more than Ainge (and many fans) recognizes. I think Larry was implicitly talking about this the other day when Simmons interviewed him.
I don’t have a personal feeling about Monta Ellis, except that it’s my understanding that he is not much of a defensive player.
Here is what I would do if I were Danny: I would commit myself that I was NOT going to trade Rondo, and that I was going to build with him and around him. Then I would consult with Rondo and Doc on any major moves. I don’t mean that he has to run to Rondo like Rondo is in charge, but I think make him part of it, since he will be playing with these guys. Take his input seriously.
Now push that too far and you end up with a team of UK guys. No one wants to go down that road again. But include him in the process. He’s got a pretty good eye for talent I think. Witness Jeremy Lin, someone I believe Rondo has some connection with (based on the Harvard charity exhibition)?
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Greg, what is your take on Ellis?
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Please get over the ‘trade’ as it was good for the Cs… Ellis doesn’t play defense but only because he’s not in a defense oriented system or has had a defensive minded coach (started with Don Nelson and run & gun system). He can score but how is he end up on the Cs other than by as a FA (after 2014 season – signed 6 yr in 2008)? GS’ owners include an ex-Celtic mgmt. member so I don’t think they’re into helping the Cs get better especially after the Cs stole Parish years ago. Ellis would only be used to get a major player and the Cs don’t have any to give or lottery picks. Go Cs…
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I like Ellis. But I’d stay with Ray. He’s rejuvenated his career in Boston the same way KG has, and Paul is right, I think that would go against the loyalty that’s been a Celtic tradition. And with ainge, he should back his best player 110 %. I mean doc is gonma be here for the next 5 years so his opinion should be valued greatly. I think he should hold a conference with not just Rondo and Doc, but KG as well. Because if KG can teach Allen to play defense, he can teach Ellis to play defense. I don’t know if I’d pull the trigger because Paul is right, you never quite know how plans will work out. We traded Perk because we though Shaq and JO would carry the load…we see how that worked. We depended on someone named…kristic? I don’t think Ainge is going to make any major moves this year. I hope he doesn’t.
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Why would GS trade a guy who is young, can score 40 any night, and not yet in his prime for RA? Never going to happen. It’s just another dumb rumor with no validity. Go Cs…
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How do you guys feel about our bench? It’s obvious that it’s way better than last year right? I mean some people can say that rebuilding has already begun with 7 new players on the team.
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Our bench is better than 2008 and that is even without Green. If Doc learned anything yesterday I hope it’s to keep playing the young guys and that includes EM who should also get minutes and for some reason did not yesterday (Dooling I guess got his mins and I’m not sold on KD’s value vs getting Moore ready for the playoffs as we need the young guys to blend with the older ones). Thankfully the injuries are not serious, but have given opportunity and again, I just hope Doc figures this out instead of having his starters play 35+ mins per night as he has for the last several years. We’re very deep and that’s a huge asset as shown in yesterday’s win. Hustle, energy and flat out effort helped spark the HOFs and RR to play better. Go Cs..
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Youre right. I’ve heard people say that it would be better if Doc went the Poppovich approach…nurse your stars to the finish line. Then get hot in the playoffs. The main beneficiaries of this approach are not even the stars but the bench players…which we all know are better than Chicago’s and maybe even Miami’s. I just wish there was an easy button on getting Rondo in attack mode every minute he’s on the floor. EM can make big shots and I think he and AB should get an equal share of the backup PG spot. KD is…eh, he can make a big 3 every now and then.
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starting the season with injuries and only 8-9 players attempting the “training camp” doc has done a brilliant job.. we’ll be okay and even much better in the games to come… im glad to see the doc madness is over with people saying doc is a “bad coach” and so on… doc’s great… and JAMES for the last discussion we all had.. you said you were introduced to the celtics back in the 60′s… in my mind you schould be down with every single play doc draws down and every decision he takes and show every player we have some love no matter what… but lets just leave it there you are a great celtic anyway
great win last night… i have one thing to say… RONDOOOOOO 
And greg once again you’re the maaan “dude” 
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Doc can draw up a great play and I’ve never disputed that, but there’s more to coaching like rebounding, boxing out, rotations, playing younger players, changing stagnant sets, not dbl-teaming and cheating all the time (RR does this too much and leaves his man on the 3-line way too much), resting the older players more, etc. At least that’s what Red, Russell, Cowens, Silas, Heinsohn, KC Jones, etc. all did that Doc struggles with. And finally yesterday in the ‘wired’ ABC segments he emphasized getting to the boards (twice) and he has only spoken about rebounding a handful of times but talks about execution a thousand times. So they win the boards after trailing by 7 total and giving up 11 first half offensive rebs and see what happens? They win the game. Obviously, I am not a major fan of Doc like you are and really wish Thibodeau was our coach instead of Doc. And I would call 15-12 a brilliant job. they should be at least 21-6 if they had played like they did yesterday. Again, Doc’s responsibility. Go Cs…
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Sorry, meant…’not’ call 15-12 etc. Go Cs…
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In all fairness though James, coach Thibs is a defensive minded coach just like Doc. He just so happens to have one of the most prolific scorers in the game in D Rose. I don’t think our record would be much better with him as our coach. You must remember that he was an assistant under Doc. But as far as the rebounding, I really think Wilcox can make a difference. I don’t think he’ll do it, but doc should seriously consider putting o’neal on the bench and in with the 2nd team. And as a side note, I had no idea Red Aurbach was the first NBA coach to play an all black starting five. Just saw that on NBA tv today. Yet another reason to love the C’s.
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i feel you… but still with the time he had and what he had (i mean 7 old guys and 7 new guys) it’s tough especially when these 7 new guys we got this year haven’t been playing the type of ball we play… plus the time they had to adapt to the team was really short.. i know they are all pros and this schould not be a problem… But doc’s tough you gotta earn playtime.. i respect you and your opinions.. but yeah i do like doc.. he will give his left arm to these guys if he had to
i read this about rondo in an article today: You don’t get rid of a Monet because it doesn’t match your furniture. You buy new furniture and look to add more Monets to compliment it. SO TRUE… Rondo is 25 he is not lebron james who took his team under his arms in a young age… i belive in rondo he can become the leader of c’s in the future and his shooting will get better.. but sure he will be playing bad sometimes and make stupid mistakes when DA & the media puts him in a trade talk all year long… he didden’t deserve this…. if a rondo trade happens for me it will be like losing a family member or close… in case i will not be able to get over it for long time…
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Yeah I guess the media needed a story so they made one up. And the people who can’t think for themselves automatically take what the media gives them. But you’re right if Ainge makes this move I think his decision making skills will come into question. I believe in Rondo and in my opinion he’s the best pure point guard in the NBA.
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Red was the best…ever!!! They said yesterday that Thibodeau is something like 82-28 or something ridiculous since he joined the Bulls. Doc’s got better talent and our record is nowhere near that. Chicago has one all-star we have 4 (until this year) and we had Shaq in the mix so our record would be better because he gets his players doing the little things that since he left Boston the Cs neglect to do or only show sporadically (like yesterday). Go Cs…
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Youre right James. Do you blame Rondo for not talking to the media after the game? Adam Jones of ESPN Boston thought that it shows that he’s a child and that he’s not elite. That’s so distorted and biased it’s ridiculous. Sooner or later you’re gonma hear people say Jeremy Lin is better than him. The media truly is a circus.
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Lin is not better than RR and I don’t believe any PG is; all facets of the game taken into account. RR is the complete package and a top defender…all when he wants to be which is how the Cs fair this season. And he’s never going to be traded. Go Cs…
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Couldn’t have said it better. I like Lin, but I feel like he’s gonna suffer when he faces a top point guard defensively. And it just so happens that we have two of the best (AB, RR). I’ll admit, I got a little nervous when I saw Lin play because they could give Boston a huge run for their money this postseason.
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Lin will have to deal with Melo controlling the ball and then getting the ball to Stoudemire so he will not be scoring 20+ per game. It’s going to be up to Melo to give up controlling the ball and if he can do that, which is not his ISO game, then the Knicks will be better and a tougher opponent. But they have no real bench. We can win it all because of our bench if Doc allows for more usage and minutes for such. Go Cs…
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True. Every time I mention bench play and how important it is in the postseason, I always get called stupid or something. It’s imperative for a championship team to utilize all of it’s talents. I think Ainge should have signed Dampier.
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Is it me or does it seem that over half of espn is against Boston?
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