PRE-Game 5 talk

A couple of things to note:

1. LeBron James just had his best game of the series, and it wasn't even all that great. I think that spells trouble for the Celtics, because that guy is due to go off, and when he does...
2. Where are the big 3? (notice how I used lowercase to spell big?) Paul Pierce has been not only shut down, but he's not driving to the hoop at all, and I always felt that is when he's at his best. Ray Allen also had his best game last night, and that was also subpar. Allen is making Wally Szcerbiak look like defensive player of the year; no way Wally should be outplaying Ray this badly. Kevin Garnett has been good for stretches, but he disappeared in the 2nd half last night when his team needed him most. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STEP UP.
3. It isn't just the stars that are struggling on the road, our bench has been fantastic at home and terrible on the road, we need some kind of shakeup.

Lastly, and most importantly, Pierce and Allen need to start driving to the basket, I'm tired of seeing those two settle for contested jump shots that just aren't falling for them right now. Take it to the freakin' hole guys!! We need to be more aggressive!

They need to stop cowering when they get to the paint, they need to perform proper screens to free up the shooters, they need to look for some contact to get to the line, they need to take high percentage shots. (Rondo's assists are down, but who is getting into good poditions for him??)

Why were half the subs in the game for the first 5 minutes of the 4th when nobody was in foul trouble?

Just very frustrating to watch them go against all the good stuff they do at home.  I give credit to Cleveland's defense, but we need to really get assertive on the road.

I hate their rotation so far in the playoffs!  They need to get back to what they did all season on the road.  They destroyed teams by driving to the hoop and putting all the pressure on their defense. 

I agree that Cassell has been playing too much.  Doc needs to lean on Rondo if they are going to win it all. Rondo's defense is much more important than Cassell's offence.  I mean Cassell has missed what 14 shots in a row!  Can someone tell me what else he can do? 

I am not saying that Cassell is not important to have to spell Rondo, but that is it, he is just susposed to spell him.

All very good points.  I think part of the reason that Pierce and Allen have struggled so much on the road is that the C's aren't running their offense through the post.  If they start their offense by entering it to KG, he can create double teams which forces teams to have to run at Pierce and Allen and they then can go to the hoop.  Instead, it seems we start the offense by throwing it to the wing to Paul or Ray who immediately try to take their man when the defense is set.  The Cavs aren't even guarding Rondo or Perkins off the ball so everything in the lane is clogged.  There is no where for these guys to go and they end up taking contested shots.  The only way to  clear out the lane for driving opportunites is to start the ball in the post with KG OR knock down the outside shot consistently.  And I'm not talking about Rondo shooting jumpers.  Rondo needs to penetrate and kick. Cleveland is playing really smart defense by having some much help side availabe for Wally and Lebron.  They have gotten away with playing KG straight up in the post because A.) The C's don't go there nearly enough and B.) KG isn't looking to back down and score at the rim instead settling for fade aways.

That is my analysis of their offensive problems.  Too much dribbling to start the offense by Rondo, Pierce and Allen vs. entering it to the post.  Obviously, they have to be able to hit some jumpers which they just have not done with any level of consistency.  That is why I'd like to see Eddie House get some time in the first quarter.  If they want to double off him or leave him alone off the ball he can make them pay.  He is a jump shooter.  Cassell needs to dribble before he shoots. 

Big game tonight. 

Dito! 

Go Cavs!!

What the difference between Eric Gagne and Sam Cassell???

The Red Sox didn't use Eric Gagne during key situations during the playoffs

Cassell= washed up (and Doc doesn't know it)