Posted September 22nd, 2009 by mvn
Tags: Basketball, Boston Celtics

Teaming Sheed with the Ticket: Could the Boston Celtics Actually Improve on Defense?

How big a deal is Rasheed Wallace?
It’s a pretty big deal, actually, because the Celtics now have four
All-Stars on their roster this season. They were stinkin’ good before
that particular signing and this just adds another pretty piece to the
championship puzzle. Is it enough to make them definitively better than Orlando or Cleveland?

LINK

Actually, my question is whether the Rasheed addition makes the Celtics defensively
better. As we think about the answer to that question, keep in mind how
good the Celtics were last year on the defensive end (below), and
that’s with Kevin Garnett in uniform for only 57 games. I might also
quibble with the statement that the Celtics now have “four all-stars,”
as I would contend that Rajon Rondo is the best point guard in the
East, whether he gets All-Star recognition for it or not. One reason
Rondo is so good is that he is so destructive on defense. Speaking of
destruction, the assists-allowed-per game is a true measure of how
disruptive a defense is, preventing an offense from doing what it wants
to do and what it’s been used to doing.

And don’t forget
Kendrick Perkins. Still only 25, here is another gentlemen who
generally works below radar when it comes to his all-defense-like
efforts in the pivot. Rondo, Perk, and KG is pretty much like having
have Gold Glovers at catcher (Johnny Bench), second and short (Joe
Morgan, Dave Concepcion), and centerfield (Caesar Geronimo). Sheed now
gives them a Gold Glover on the pitcher’s mound (Tom Seaver).

Points Per Game Allowed

Cavs     1st   91.35Celtics  3rd   93.4Purple   18th  99.26

Field Goal Percentage Allowed

Celtics  1st  .431Cavs     1st  .431Purple   6th  .447

Assists Per Game Allowed

Celtics  3rd   18.93Cavs     4th   19.12Lakers   26th  22.61

Rebound Differential

Celtics  2nd  +4.53Cavs     3rd  +3.31Purple   5th  +2.47

Written by mvn

Sound Off...

maurice sipes: the mantle 565 ft. home run card looks phony. first, the original 1961 card was a picture taken from...
WeeksAlma33: It is perfect that we are able to receive the credit loans moreover, this opens up completely new...
WOLFECathryn: Do you acknowledge that this is correct time to get the loan, which would realize your dreams.
SallyWillis: Some time ago, I needed to buy a car for my firm but I did not have enough money and couldn’t...
Matthew: If you’re interested, I have a checklist that contains every single Phillies card printed by every...

Teaming Sheed with the Ticket: Could the Boston Celtics Actually Improve on Defense?

Sound Off...

Related Articles