As the clock wound down on Boston’s latest win, “If you’re happy and you know it” played over the TD Garden PA system. You know, the song that goes, “If you’re happy and you know it, and you really want to show it, if you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.” The song normally just annoys me, partly because it’s a very annoying song but mostly because it’s a very annoying song that gets stuck in my head quite easily. As I type these words, the song’s racing through my head (damn it). If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.

I’m happy. The Celtics just held the Philadelphia 76ers to 32 second half points while getting contributions from everybody who played minutes (except maybe Glen Davis). Every player in Doc Rivers’ nine-man rotation finished with a positive plus/minus, the Celtics shot 52.6% from the field, and the bench started showing some signs of meshing. Nenad Krstic returned from injury, just a few days after I suspected he had played his final game as a Celtic. Rajon Rondo ran the offense like Rajon Rondo normally runs an offense. Paul Pierce continued his recent hot shooting, Jeff Green finally decided “Hmm, I’m 6’9—maybe I should grab a few rebounds!”, and Philadelphia founds easy looks as tough to come by as a rainbow in the desert. . . at least in the second half. And the best part of all? The Celtics look like they’re finally snapping out of their malaise. Excepting a short drought in the third quarter when Boston looked woefully disinterested, the Celtics’ offense looked alive.

And I know it. Jermaine O’Neal did some good things. Actually, he’s been quietly doing some good things since rejoining the Celtics, only I’ve been afraid to mention it too forcefully because I don’t want to jinx anything. I feel like the first time I praise Jermaine, his body will start falling apart, like when you pull one too many wooden blocks out of a Jenga game. But tonight was the final straw. I no longer have a choice. (Crosses fingers, knocks on wood.) Jermaine O’Neal has been good.

And I really want to show it. Nothing Jermaine did was spectacular. He finished a bunch of layups, contested a few shots, hedged a few ball screens, drew a foul on Spencer Hawes while shooting a fadeaway jumper, yada yada yada. But the point is: he’s learning how to play with his star teammates. He got those layups because he moved without the ball to find open spaces. He contested a few shots no other Boston centers would. He can extend to the perimeter to limit point guards coming off screens, or he can bang down low with the big men. I know, I know. It was only Spencer Hawes. Still, he made Hawes’ life miserable. Best of all, in the words of my little brother, “He looks like he’s in way better shape than he was at the beginning of the year.” The next trick he needs to learn? How to play more than 12:32, although I understand his minutes were limited in part because the game evolved into a blowout.

Clap my hands. With Jermaine starting and Krstic coming off the bench, Boston’s big man rotation looked (almost) whole for the first time in, what, months? Krstic’s offense fit well with the second unit, and Jermaine’s defense and suddenly-opportunistic offense aided the first unit. Having two healthy (or at least healthy-ish) centers allowed Glen Davis to play mostly his natural power forward position. Even though he didn’t play well, that change should help him succeed in the future, at least once he stops bricking jumpers and starts committing himself on the glass. I’m sorry. I really didn’t even mean to take a shot at Davis there; how could I degrade his play after the alley oop he threw to Jeff Green?

So much went well tonight, and so little went wrong. I’d still like the Celtics to find Ray Allen some more shots. I’d still like a better rebounding effort. I’d still like to see Evan Turner stopped every once in a while. I’m picking nits, I know, but I’d also like a few less turnovers. Still, today was a good day for the Celtics, especially against a Philadelphia team that has been playing good ball and could be a playoff opponent.

Now, I just need to get this damned song out of my head.

The Morning Walkthrough is a set of links to Boston Celtics articles throughout the internet, designed to get your day started the right way.

Steve Bulpett, Boston Herald – “Generally speaking, a win over the now 7-15 Philadelphia 76ers is no great cause for exultation. But mix in a game-winning Rajon Rondo-Kevin Garnett hookup with 1.4 seconds left and the fact the battered Bostonians were playing on the second night of a back-to-back without their first three centers and — voila — you have a bunch of coaches and aging veterans jumping around as if they’d just won the state high school championship. ‘Truthfully I think this is one of our biggest wins of the year,’ said Paul Pierce after the Celtics’ ninth straight victory, a thrilling 102-101 decision. ‘With the injuries, with the mental and physical fatigue, we were just wondering how we were going to get through.’” Read more »

For a long time, I thought tonight’s game was irredeemable. There was no way the Celtics could make me sit through THAT much vomit-inducing play, and still leave me smiling by the end of the night. What I didn’t count on was a game-winning alley-oop from Rajon Rondo to Kevin Garnett. Doc Rivers, would you please take a bow?

As scintillating as the alley-oop was (and, really, the final two or three minutes were terrific television), tonight went pretty much as badly as a win possibly could have. I entered the night with two hopes: 1) Win an easy blowout, and 2) afford Rajon Rondo plenty of rest. So, naturally, the Celtics played a nail biter (at least they won) and Rondo played more than 47 minutes (at least he dominated). Minutes after the game, I’m still trying to figure out how the Sixers left Ray Allen wide open in the final minute. He’s only a month or so from becoming the most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history, guys.

It’s a testament to the Celtics’ talent and depth that we expect more (we expect a blowout, against Philly) even when the Celtics’ top three centers all sit out. In the middle, the Celtics were down to fourth-stringer Semih Erden and undersized power forward Glen Davis. When both got into early foul trouble, Marquis Daniels and Paul Pierce were forced into power forward duty. Still, even if Nate Robinson was playing center and my 12-year old brother were playing power forward, the C’s should have outrebounded Spencer Hawes and co. I’m coaching high school JV basketball this season, and I’m 100% positive my team would have outrebounded the Sixers. And our starting center can’t even jump and touch the rim.

Speaking of my JV squad, I spent today’s practice being mighty frustrated. We were practicing our defensive principles, the same way we have each day for the two weeks since practice began. Except today, the players decided to play like they hadn’t listened to a single thing we’ve taught them. “Basket line? What’s that?”, one player honestly asked me. To which I responded, “Umm, the same thing I’ve been teaching you about for two weeks, you stupid little shit.”

Okay, so I didn’t actually call one of my players a stupid little shit. I just wish I had. I really pulled him aside and explained, quite nicely and patiently, what basket line was. But inside I was heated. My players knew what they were supposed to be doing. They’ve been improving defensively every day since the start of tryouts. They simply chose today to throw a stinkbomb of epic proportions, and to pretend like they didn’t remember a God damn thing. What’s basket line? Seriously? Are you shitting me? I got home from practice today and spent twenty minutes complaining about my players’ defense. And nobody but me was even home. I was just sitting in my kitchen, mumbling to my dogs about this missed rotation, and that lack of hustle. I was a wreck.

THAT was kind of how I felt throughout most of tonight’s game. The Celtics forget what basket line was. They lost their defensive scruples. They pissed me off. But unlike my guys, who kept right on screwing up all practice, the Celtics left a good taste in my mouth at the end of the night.

In other news, did you see Kevin Garnett stick with Andre Iguodala in an isolation? Because I did. I also saw Glen Davis play inspired basketball; Paul Pierce get crossed over in crunch time; Nate Robinson heat up for a little while;  Von Wafer play some pretty decent minutes; and the Celtics shoot 56% on a bad night. Oh yeah, and Jodie Meeks did his thang. Do not give that man space.

The win streak now stands at nine, and somehow, someway, I actually came away from that mess in a happy mood.

*****

P.S. — For all you Luuuuuuukkkkkeeee fans, if Harangody couldn’t play meaningful minutes tonight (with three centers injured and Marquis Daniels playing the four), he never will. At the very least, not for a long, long time.

Okay, so the landing wasn’t exactly a perfect ten. But if you think Pierce had the springs to dunk like that last postseason, there’s something wrong with you. His body was run down by the end of last year, and it showed in the playoffs. Those legs now have all their lift back, and Pierce looks thin and poised for a big season. Now, if Pierce can only bottle those fresh legs and use them in May and June.

Click the jump for Jrue Holiday’s left-handed surprise. Read more »

The season is approaching (but not quickly enough), so that means it’s NBA preview time. Starting with the league’s worst team and working our way to the top, we’ll preview one team per day.

I understand your pain, Iggy.

Philadelphia 76ers

Last year’s record: 27-55
Head Coach: Doug Collins
Projected Starters: Jrue Holiday, Lou Williams, Andre Iguodala, Elton Brand, Spencer Hawes

Outlook:

The 76ers’ best player is a third- or fourth-banana on a title contender. Their best big man is well past his prime and may steal Greg “The Fossilman” Raymer’s nickname if his play continues to deteriorate. Their top draft pick, Evan Turner, the number two pick in the entire draft, looked like he didn’t even belong during summer league. And their best center is like the feel of Hawaiian sand underneath your toes: incredibly soft. Add to that an utter lack of perimeter shooting or a true point guard, and Doug Collins should be considered a god if he can coax 35 wins out of this group.

X-Factor:

I thought last year would be Thaddeus Young’s breakout year. Only 20 years old in 2008-09, Young averaged 15 points and 5 rebounds, looking like a young star in the process. And then, just when I expected another leap… he regressed? Still just 22, Young hasn’t lost any of his star potential. There’s no reason why he should have already plateaued. Then again, there’s also no reason why I should still be waiting for his breakout year.

Biggest Question Mark:

The frontcourt. But I’m not so sure it’s a question mark. It’s more like a frowny face emoticon. Because a frontcourt of Elton Brand, Spencer Hawes, Mareese Speights and Tony Battie couldn’t hold their own in my summer league, never mind the NBA. Speights, though, could evolve into a beast at some point.

Most important newcomer:

Evan Turner. Look, I try not to put much stock into summer league. I really do. But shouldn’t a number two pick play well against other rookies and vagabonds, even if he’s out of shape, even if he hadn’t played five-on-five basketball in awhile, even if he wasn’t really trying? Matt Janning and Jeremy Lin were both more impressive than Turner this summer. No matter how little you trust summer league statistics, that’s unsettling. Before the summer, I expected that Turner would have a Brandon Roy-like career. Now, I wonder.

Key loss:

I never thought I’d say this, but the Sixers will really miss Samuel Dalembert. It’s not that his contributions were irreplaceable. They weren’t. It’s just that the duo of Spencer Hawes and Tony Battie can’t replace them. Philadelphia will especially miss Dalembert’s 1.8 blocks in only 25.9 minutes per game. By the way, folks? Any time a team will really miss Samuel Dalembert, its frontcourt inevitably invokes visions of a bodily function people normally flush down the toilet.

Most compelling storyline:

I want to see if Doug Collins still has it. I realize his players will most likely want to choke him out within three years, but Collins knows how to inspire young players and demand the best out of them. For an NBA team looking to rebuild, Collins fits perfectly. As a player, Collins told NBC Sports, “I know I gave everything to Philadelphia, including both my hips and my left knee.” As a coach, if Collins succeeds in his rebuilding project, he’ll have to be just as dedicated.

Player to watch:

Andre Iguodala. Anyone who watched Iguodala play in the World Championships knows he has been poorly casted in Philly. Iggy wasn’t put on this earth to be a premier scoring threat. He was meant to stop people, to lock opponent’s down, to score points without plays being run for him. When Iggy was in Turkey, I watched him put shackles on every player he defended. He was incredible. But defensive aptitude isn’t what most impresses me about ”the other AI.” So what is? He’s in a shitty situation in Philadelphia, on a team with no hopes that doesn’t — or can’t — utilize him correctly, yet Iggy punches in every night and never complains. I’m telling you, the man deserves better. But you’ll never hear that from him.

Descriptive movie quote:

“You take a look at her. Cause once you step on that bus you aint got your mama no more. You got your brothers on the team and you got your daddy. You know who your daddy is, doncha? Gary, if you want to play on this football team, you answer me when I ask you who is your daddy? Who’s your daddy, Gary? Who’s your daddy?” – Coach Boone, Remember the Titans

Philadelphia 76ers, Doug Collins is your daddy. Do everything he asks and you might have a fighter’s chance of being halfway decent. (*Looking back at roster, sees Spencer Hawes penciled in as starting center.*) Then again, maybe not.

Projected Record: 25-57. At some point in the next few years, I would love to see Andre Iguodala help out a contender. But it probably won’t happen in Philadelphia.

Well that’s kind of embarrassing. Want to know what else is embarrassing? That I’m so late posting this video. This happened two days ago. Clearly, I’ve got to step my blogging up a notch or two or three.

Anyway, Iggy is keeping a diary for the Philadelphia Daily news and had this to say about the game against Brazil: “I had a job, which was to make it tough on [Leandro] Barbosa to score and he had to pull out his best moves to score in the second half.” I’m sure that was your job, Iggy. But on the play above, you didn’t exactly fulfill your duties.