Celtic problems

Kendrick Perkins has been great against the Lakers, his defense and rebounding is key. Without Perk last night Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom kept the Lakers even with the Celtics in rebounding, something that had not been happening with Perk in the lineup. Having Perk as the defensive backstop allows Kevin Garnett more freedom to protect the weakside knowing he has someone behind him just in case, without Perk (and Garnett got into early foul trouble) the Celtics allowed both Gasol and Odom to have their way inside, and it was the difference in the game last night.

The Rondo problem is the opposite of Perkins, where Perk is too hurt to play Rondo isn't hurt enough to sit out... I hate to say it, since Rondo has been so good this season, but Rondo's performance has been pitiful in this series. When he is in the game he passes up open shots, and misses them when he shoots, and it allows his defender (who has been Kobe Bryant) to roam around and harass whoever has the ball with double teams. Even when Rondo had a wide open layup last night he passed out to Paul Pierce for a three (that he missed). In the last two games the Lakers have gone on huge runs to begin the games, and both times it has been a result of fast breaks generated by Celtc turnovers. While the turnovers may be attributed to other players, the fault lies with Rondo and his inability to make his defender play him close. The Celtics best play has been with Eddie House or Sam Cassell running the point and making the Lakers defend all the players on the floor.

As we saw last night, the Celtics are certainly able to play competitively against the Lakers even with these problems, but there need to be some changes for the Celtics to win this Championship. Not much can be done with Perkins being injured, we have to rely on Leon Powe and P.J. Brown playing solid minutes, and KG needs to stay out of foul trouble so he can remain aggressive on defense. However, Doc Rivers has to consider sitting Rondo right at the beginning, or having a very short leash so the games don't get out of hand early like they have been. The Celts can't continue to fall behind by double digit points early in the game, even if they have been successful in catching up. The only way for the Lakers to win the next two games in Boston is to continue to have big games from Gasol and Odom, and for more poor play from Rondo. Lets hope the Celts take it tomorrow!

Pau Gasol is nothing inside. Lamar Odom is choking it out. You stop Kobe and LA is 'effn mediocre, if that.

We need to take this one in 6 though because Kobe will go off in game 7. We end it tommorow!

I really hope Perk can go for game 6. I know Doc said it was "doubtful" before last night's game, but this is the Finals. If Perk can go he will.

Rondo's play has been pitiful. I hate it probably more than anybody cause I love that poor kid to death. Detroit did the same thing to him, ignore him, and he made them pay.

Rondo has been completely inable to make the Lakers pay when they ignore him. At least we saw him starting to take shots in game 5. Hopefully he can take more shots, more of them can be layups, and he can actually make them. If not Doc Rivers needs to realize this is the finals. Put the lineup on the floor that gives you the best chance to win.

I think this lineup right now is KG, Posey, Pierce, Allen, with House or Cassell, hopefully more often House.

Also I want Pierce to defend Kobe. Pierce did a great job in the second half of game 4. When Kobe went off to begin Game 5 Allen was playing good defense but Allen doesn't have the size and strength of Pierce, or the skill of Kobe.

Rondo looks lost, you can see it in his eyes. he looks like he is playing scared. I hate to say this about the guy with all he has done this year, but hey, we are 1 game away, it is not the time to be worring about feelings. When he passed up that  wide open layup last night, and kicked the ball back out, I think that was it. doc, pulled him out, and I didn't think he was going to make it back into the game. His confidence is shot. Doc, started him last night, but his leash was short. I think he will get the same treatment on Tuesday.

Perk, is