Quickly, I want to provide some numbers from the Celtics-Hawks series, through six games.
The Boston Celtics have been to the free-throw line 137 times, an average of 22.8 attempts per game.
The Atlanta Hawks have shot 200 free throws, an average of 33.3 per game.
That is ten more trips to the foul line per contest for the Hawks. The numbers are slightly more absurd if one looks at the three games in Atlanta, with Boston averaging 22.7 attempts per game and the Hawks 35.7. The Celtics have also been whistled for 32 more fouls during the series thus far.
In last night's Game 6, a game decided by three points, the Hawks went to the line 47 times, including 41 times in the final three quarters, to Boston's 25. I will repeat that: the Hawks went to the free throw line 47 times last night, or 22 more times than Boston.
Similar to Game 4 in Atlanta, last night Boston got out to an early double-digit lead (a 12-point edge after one quarter), only to see the Hawks, with a big push from the officials, get right back in the game.
With the exception of Game 1, when the Celtics shot four more free throws than the Hawks, Atlanta has had more free-throw attempts in each game than Boston, including plus-14 in Games 2 and 5, plus-15 in Game 4 and the plus-22 last night.
I don't remember who has officiated all of these games, but I do know Violet Palmer, maybe the worst official in the league, was the official for one game. Joey Crawford was a ref last night, the same Joey Crawford who showed the type of man he is a year ago when he gave Tim Duncan a technical while Duncan sat on the bench. How is he allowed to be an official in a playoff game? Tim Donaghy not available? Isn't there anyone better than this?
The Celtics are the far superior team. I went back and forth last night for a long time after the game with fellow Bleacher Report writer Andy Miller that, despite how terrible the officials have been against Boston in the three games in Atlanta, a team like the Celtics that has aspirations of winning a title must find a way to overcome adversity to win at least once in Atlanta. And there is some truth to that.
But after a night to sleep on it, how can they? The players and coaches share in the responsibility for the three losses, particularly last night's. Teams are not going to be perfect, but it is extremely difficult to get past your own mistakes, the other team, and a hostile crowd when those are combined with persistent poor officiating.
Boston could have played and coached better last night. The Celtics defense slipped for long stretches in the third and fourth quarter. Kevin Garnett disappeared in the fourth and at times looked nervous when he did touch the ball. Ray Allen's 3-point attempt, down by two with ten seconds to go, was rushed. I have to believe the Celtics, even without Pierce, could have come up with a better shot. When the Hawks left the door open by Bibby missing a free throw and then not fouling, the Celtics on the court all stood around watching Rajon Rondo dribble, forcing Rondo to jack up a last-second shot that had no chance.
22 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
TJ Zwarych about 1 year ago
I dont think you can totally blame the officials, the Hawks are playing like theyve never played before, and the Celtics are missing a lot of key shots.
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Stew Winkel about 1 year ago
Celtics are not playing great, I will admit that. and maybe if they should be able to overcome the terrible calls. But it is the same thing in games 4 and 6 - Boston comes out early, big lead, then the whistles start to blow. The call on Pierce last night was an absolute joke. just inexcusable. A one possession game - if Boston hits a few more shots, plays a little better defense they win. But if the refs are not completely calling the game for Atlanta, it is an easy Boston win, series over.
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Tim Coughlin about 1 year ago
Don't forget that the C's are having to foul in end-game scenarios in which they trail, while the Hawks' losses have all been by so much they haven't had to do that.
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Stew Winkel about 1 year ago
I understand that, but that doesn't even make make up for the difference - last night, the Hawks took 6 foul shots for end of the game fouls. Take those away and they still go to the line over 40 times.
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TJ Zwarych about 1 year ago
The reffing definitely has been bad, a couple of pierces fouls definitely shouldnt have been fouls.
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Lew Wright about 1 year ago
Great article Stew.
Have to agree with you that on paper, the Celts have the better club. No question. But you should also concede that Bibby is having an incredibly bad series. Last night it didn't look like he could hit the floor with his dribble, let alone make a jump shot.
Perhaps the officials are beginning to tire of Garnett constantly running off at the mouth.
The Hawks are good, but not that good.
Must make Celtic fans nervous thinking about what might happen if they advance to the next round.
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Stew Winkel about 1 year ago
If the Celtics do win tomorrow, I am extremely worried going forward. First, the team has struggled now in 3 straight close games. It is much different winning a 20-pt game as compared to a close game. Boston has struggled stopping Joe Johnson as a one-man show in game 4 - what happens against Lebron? Home teams in playoffs almost always get the share of the calls - maybe it won't be as one sided next round, but the Cavs are also a better team. But I'll worry about that hopefully tomorrow night - for now, I am mostly concerned with tomorrow's game. Celtics should win - it doesn't mean they will, and if the game is close in the 3rd and the 4th quarters, the pressure on this team will be unbelievable.
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Ben Gunby about 1 year ago
I don't suppose the difference in fouls could possibly have ANYTHING to do with the Hawks being more aggressive at going to the basket, or the fact that the Hawks athletic ability enables them to beat the Celtics defenders off the trouble, and when players are tired and getting beat on defense, they tend to foul. Those factors aren't contributing at all to the discrepancy, are they?
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Stew Winkel about 1 year ago
this argument is absurd. those types of fouls account for a minority each game. there have been an inordinate, especially in game 6, number of off the ball, touch fouls. a great example - the call on pierce to foul him out of the game - was that due to the hawks being more athletic or the refs doing a terrible job?
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
While I agree that call was a bad call, why is Pierce wrapping both his arms around Zaza Pachulia's torso fighting for a rebound? Because wrapping both your arms around a player doesn't impeed his ability to make basketball-related maneuvers at all.
Boston has gotten away with grabbing and tugging on players running around screens and posting up all year long. Refs have scouted the Celtics just like the Hawks have. Those are points of emphasis in the series and those are fouls should the refs see them and wish to call them.
Atlanta has played aggressive, they've played smart, and they've executed crisply. Those are also factors that play in referees' subconscious when calling the game.
Plus, Boston has been late on rotations, they're best players are playing timid, and they're making crucial mistakes. Referees don't bail players out and if they notice a player or a team is struggling to do what they want to do, they won't look to bail them out.
Boston-Atlanta's officiating has been fine. Look to Garnett's multiple turnovers, poor decisions, and habitually soft play as the reasons why the Celtics are losing.
If you want calls, do what Dwayne Wade did and MAKE the refs give you calls by playing outstanding basketball. Boston is choking, the refs have nothing to do with it.
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Ralph isaac about 1 year ago
This article is stupid, you are just a Boston fan in denial. The problem is that the Hawks are younger and quicker than Celtics. The Celtics can't run with them so they retort to holding and pushing everytime the younger Hawks blow by them. So what do you want the refs to do? Swallow their whistles to balance things out?
Watch the game. And its Doc Rivers fault for puttin the Ray Allen on Joe Johnson instead of Tony Allen who's a better defender than Ray.
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Stew Winkel about 1 year ago
i guess it is just a coincidence that every time in atlanta when the celtics pulled ahead, suddenly the whistles against the celtics started coming at a much faster pace.
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Brad about 1 year ago
The Celtics are called for more fouls, because they commit more fouls. The idea that two different teams playing in the same game should be called for the same number of fouls is ridiculous. Teams don't have the same number of points, rebounds, or turnovers, so why the hell does anyone expect them to commit the same number of fouls. If anything, refs (in general, not necessarily in the NBA) are more often guilty of artificially balancing the number of fouls because they have been duped into thinking they should be even.
The Hawks are a younger faster team. It only makes sense that the Celtics would find themselves out of position and have to foul more often. And stats show the Celtics have 32 more fouls.
The Celtics are a more experienced team. It only makes sense that the Hawks would make inexperienced decisions resulting in more turnovers. And stats show the Hawks have 28 more turnovers.
Let's be reasonable here. I'm one of only 15 people outside the state of Georgia that is a Hawks fan. The 18 different refs used so far in this series aren't Hawks fans.
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Josiah Hager about 1 year ago
"The 18 different refs used so far in this series aren't Hawks fans."
No one with half a brain is saying this is a fix. Obviously everyone involved in the NBA wants the Celtics to go to the Finals for money-making puposes.
This has not been a well-reffed series. The most obvious thing that goes against the Celtics is the fact that Josh Smith gets away with body fouling guys on many of his blocks (although that's been the case all season, not just this series). Other than that it's just been bad reffing all around, not in favor of anyone.
"Watch the game. And its Doc Rivers fault for puttin the Ray Allen on Joe Johnson instead of Tony Allen who's a better defender than Ray."
You're half right, except it should be James Posey on Johnson.
If the Celtics lose (which they won't), a massive amount of blame must be placed on Doc Rivers' shoulders for all of the sudden mixing with his lineup, calling bad plays and not managing the game well. That's been far more deadly than the bad reffing.
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
Rivers isn't the one missing all of his open looks in the fourth quarter (Ray Allen). Rivers isn't the one passing up simple hooks to pass the ball into traffic, and missing easy shots near the basket (Garnett). Rivers isn't the one late helping on a Joe Johnson desperation three with a minute to go (Garnett). Rivers isn't the one who can't escape Joe Johnson and get open for a last second shot (Ray Allen). Rivers isn't the one who got caught with his hands in the cookie jar with both arms around Zaza Pachulia, and then getting called for a criticial technical foul (Paul Pierce). Rivers isn't the one making mistakes down the stretch (Garnett, Rondo).
Boston fans, this is what happens when your two best players melt down when they're faced with pressure. There are reasons why Garnett has never gotten it done in the past, and they're getting exposed now. This series is on KG, not Doc Rivers.
But since Garnett has all the hype, it's all Rivers fault for the Celtics poor performances. The Celtics stars aren't gods, stop giving them undeserved free passes.
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Gary Lloyd about 1 year ago
I think it's been an OK officiated series. I smell a small case of sour grapes right now, Stew.
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Josiah Hager about 1 year ago
"Rivers isn't the one missing all of his open looks in the fourth quarter (Ray Allen). Rivers isn't the one passing up simple hooks to pass the ball into traffic, and missing easy shots near the basket (Garnett). Rivers isn't the one late helping on a Joe Johnson desperation three with a minute to go (Garnett). Rivers isn't the one who can't escape Joe Johnson and get open for a last second shot (Ray Allen). Rivers isn't the one who got caught with his hands in the cookie jar with both arms around Zaza Pachulia, and then getting called for a criticial technical foul (Paul Pierce). Rivers isn't the one making mistakes down the stretch (Garnett, Rondo)."
I can't speak for anyone else, but I never said Rivers was the only one to blame, only that he must share a large part of it. All you said is true, but Rivers has been choking just as badly as his players, so we can't cast all of the blame off of him. The fact that he's started screwing with the lineup with no reason at this point in the year is inexcuseable.
Again, none of that is to say blame shouldn't be placed on the players, and in the NBA more than just about any major sport the players are responsible for wins and losses. I'm just making the point that Rivers has no understanding of his players, and his coaching ability is laughable.
"Boston fans, this is what happens when your two best players melt down when they're faced with pressure. There are reasons why Garnett has never gotten it done in the past, and they're getting exposed now. This series is on KG, not Doc Rivers."
Well, it has to be on more than just KG, although in every win and loss he should get the lion's share of the credit/blame. The 'meltdown' thing, however, at least in the case of KG, is a misconception. When in the past has he 'melted down'? Getting crushed by #1 seeds when he was playing for horrible Minnesota teams is not him 'melting down'. Garnett has only had one legitimate shot to get it done (as in a ring) in the past and he made an outstanding effort and got beat by a better team. Is he a fantastic clutch scorer? No, he's just not an outstanding scorer at any time. If you observe the stats he's remarkably consistent no matter the game's situation. With the game on the line his makes solid, confident moves and takes good shots, but he doesn't seem to be able have the sense of the moment the way a guy like Kobe does.
Garnett's biggest flaws are not related to him choking in the clutch, they are the same flaws he has at any point in the game:
-Post scoring -- Obviously he's never been a big guy, he weighs more now than he ever has and is still small. He's not going to be a dominant post scorer because his basketball style has never suited that. Perhaps something different should have happened ten years ago, but who knows what bulking up would have done to his other abilities? Regardless, his inability to be consistent in the post has hurt all the teams he's been on.
-Unselfishness -- Way too often he looks to pass first, and ends up not taking the easiest shot he could have taken. This is especially true when he gets offensive boards near the basket. Also, while in their offensive sets, he makes the extra past when he shouldn't. This again isn't something that's restricted to late in the game. There's no evidence that he's afraid to take shots at the end of the game, but his personality doesn't often shift into 'yeah, my teammates can be helpful, but it's time for me to turn it on and get it done and win this game on my own."
-Loss of Emotional Control -- This is the closest to 'melting down' that he gets. Again, it's not a matter of fear or lack of confidence, but it's not getting it done either way. Most of the time he uses it to motivate himself well, but as a KG fan it rattles me a bit when he gets into it with guys like Zaza or some other meaningless player. Quite often when he's going wild he'll actually get hot offensively, but there are definatly times that he starts to be long on his jumpers, early on jumping for rebounds, etc.
So again, I can't speak for anyone else, but I'm not an ignorant KG fan (just an unabashed one). In my opinion his fault are his faults, and the situation doens't seem to swing it too far one way or the other.
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
The championship level players of the last 10 years have never shared those traits. Michael Jordan always had the ego to take the last shot (or pass if he was extremely well-guarded) and was a tremendous finisher in the paint. And they never got rattled.
Ditto for Tim Duncan
Ginobli
Parker
Kobe
Shaq
Billups
Wallace (for one season)
Wade
All of those players were elite first or second options because they have the strengths that Garnett doesn't have. You basically listed the three reasons why Garnett is an inferior player.
When you can't convert baby hooks over Mike Bibby in the 4th quarter of a must-win game...when you rotate on time but look to draw a charge on Josh Childress instead of trying to block his shot...when you pass up an open 10-foot hook to pass the ball to a well-contested Paul Pierce and end up giving Josh Smith a steal...I'm sorry but winning players don't make those plays.
Garnett certainly could have gotten past an infighting Laker team in 03-04 when the Wolves had homecourt and the #1 seed. They could have beaten the Lakers the year before in 2003 when Minnesota was the #4 seed, and they certainly should have beaten an inexperienced Mavs team in 01-02 when Minny was a #5 seed.
Only when KG has had Cassell and Spreewell to do the dirty work has he had any taste of success.
About the article, what do you want Rivers to do with the free throw discrepancy? Throw a temper tantrum and let his team know that they're panicking? Please! When was the last time you saw Phil Jackson have a hissy fit on the sidelines!
Rivers' play calls have led to nothing but open look after open look on offense. That's good coaching right there. Rivers has implored his defenders to crowd Johnson and let him drive. When Ray Allen or James Posey sag off and let Johnson shoot over the top, that's poor execution of a gameplan by the players, not bad game planning by Rivers.
Rivers has taken advantage of Atlanta's switching defense time and again throughout the series, and he's forced Garnett to pressure Smith and deny him the ball throughout the series, leading to some bad decisions by Smith. That's good adjusting.
No matter who Rivers has put on Johnson, the help (mainly Garnett, sometimes Perkins, Posey, and Powe) has not been there even though they're in the right position to help. That's not Rivers' fault. If you're a coach and you have the perfect scheme and the players are veterans that have executed in the regular season but aren't executing in the playoffs, that isn't the coaches fault.
The Celtics aren't getting outcoached, they're getting outplayed.
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Josiah Hager about 1 year ago
"All of those players were elite first or second options because they have the strengths that Garnett doesn't have. You basically listed the three reasons why Garnett is an inferior player. "
Umm...exactly? Just because KG's my favorite player doens't mean I think he's the greatest ever. I wasn't trying to do anything other than list the biggest reasons why KG isn't the #1 scoring option like the greatest players. I was not trying to act like those are not major drawbacks.
I think you're reaching a bit with some of those guys (Parker, Billups and Wallace are just plain inferior players) but the true stars (Duncan, Kobe, Shaq) are able to get it done consistently AND step it up in big moments. Being able to do both is what makes them among the all-time greats.
"When you can't convert baby hooks over Mike Bibby in the 4th quarter of a must-win game...when you rotate on time but look to draw a charge on Josh Childress instead of trying to block his shot...when you pass up an open 10-foot hook to pass the ball to a well-contested Paul Pierce and end up giving Josh Smith a steal...I'm sorry but winning players don't make those plays. "
You can't pick and choose little moments. I could point out dozens of times KG has made the opposite decision late in games. And the charging thing is a little silly...if it works, is it still a loser play? Is everyone who draws a charge not a winner? Of course not. I'm not saying you are wrong in everything you're saying here, but pointing out a few random moments doesn't prove the case.
"About the article, what do you want Rivers to do with the free throw discrepancy? Throw a temper tantrum and let his team know that they're panicking?'
Well, as I wrote on my first post, I don't think there's a dispropotionate discrepency, I think the difference is for obvious reasons. I don't expect Doc to do anything about that, and he shouldn't. However...I know you are a knowledgeable NBA guy, so you have to know that Doc is a terrible coach. It's just the way it is. Has there been breakdowns in defense (as you pointed out)? Absolutely. But KG has been much more responsible for their elite defense than Doc has (and should therefore shoulder the blame for the breakdown). My only point with Doc is pointlessly screwing with the rotation.
"The Celtics aren't getting outcoached, they're getting outplayed."
That is true: they are getting outplayed more than they are getting outcoached. But they are beating themselves most of all. In the Boston games they've done exactly what we thought they'd do. In the ATL games they SHOULD HAVE WON each one. Not just in the sense that they are the better team, but in the context of how each game was actually played out, they should have won. Missed shots, poor defensive rotations, Pierce foolishly fouling out...stupid stuff that they just haven't done all year in big games. The exception is the game when Johnson went off in the 4th, perhaps even with good rotations the Hawks would have pulled it off. So at worst this should be a five game series.
Who knows what happens from here? If they somehow lose tomorrow, KG (fairly or unfairly) goes down as a loser. If they win, we'll have to see if the trials of this series serve as motivation and learning or is the beginning of the end. On the one hand I could see them not losing a home game until they reach the Finals (where at this point it's hard to imagine them beating whomever represents the West). On the other hand I can see them going down in six games to the Cavs.
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Erick Blasco about 1 year ago
"(Parker, Billups and Wallace are just plain inferior players)"
Inferior to who? What hasn't Tony Parker done in the last four postseasons besides make plays? Rasheed Wallace won a championship for the Pistons and Billups has been a premier postseason performer.
They've been integral pieces of championship teams. That goes against my definition of inferior.
"You can't pick and choose little moments. I could point out dozens of times KG has made the opposite decision late in games. And the charging thing is a little silly...if it works, is it still a loser play? Is everyone who draws a charge not a winner? Of course not. I'm not saying you are wrong in everything you're saying here, but pointing out a few random moments doesn't prove the case."
I don't give a damn what Garnett's done in the regular season. Those "little moments" all came in the fourth quarter against the Hawks in Game 6. EVERY moment in the postseason is a critical one. If you make repetitive mistakes, you will get burned time and time gain. Those mistakes cost the Celtics points they couldn't recover from.
When you rotate in time and you see that the offensive player isn't out of control, you then assume that he has control of himself and will try to make a move to circumnavigate you. How is standing still with your arms up going to prevent the penetrator from trying to get a shot off. Being in proper position to draw a charge is only step one of the defensive process.
Notice how when Tim Duncan (a defender who draws multiple charges) stands in front of a penetrator and the guy goes around Duncan, TD doesn't stand there unresponsive with his hands over his head. Or is Garnett scared of contact from Childress?
Childress weighs 116 lbs! The refs will let you get away with contact. Childress had four of his eight attempts in Game 5 blocked. Challenge him! You don't give Josh Childress unimpeded layups in a Game Six you desperately need to win! He's Josh Childress for God's sakes!
I can't believe how Doc Rivers has been discredited for all that he's done for the Celtics. Coaches point out the defensive rotations that Boston has followed flawlessly throughout the regular season and in Games 1, 2, and 5. Rivers and his staff have facilitated the growth of Rajon Rondo, came up with gameplans feeding on Boston's strengths, and inspiring his players to play with maximum effort on every possession.
He's gambled on some things in the series (such as funneling Joe Johnson's screens back to Marvin Williams on the opposite elbow, daring him to make them which he has) but credit Atlanta's players for stepping up when they've needed to. Also, Rivers has adjusted.
Garnett has pressured Smith much more later in the series, Pierce has been chosen as Boston's feature player, and the help on Joe Johnson has been stronger.
Your rotation point is valid as I wouldn't give Allen minutes and would give P.J. Brown's minutes to Glen Davis. Posey can defend but he's struggling against Atlanta's athleticism when they're closing out on his jumpers. You can get away with lesser players defending Joe Johnson because Atlanta's offense isn't incredibly complex, and I think Rivers is looking for players who won't play scared like some of his players are playing.
I can chalk up Game 4 as Johnson going berserk and I can chalk up Game 3 to overconfidence. Game 6 though was very troubling.
Even if Boston does win (which I expect them to do), their inability to win on the road is very troubling, and even if they have a strong regular season next year, they'll have a lot of Dallas Mavericks in them. This Game 7 tomorrow will be epic for our perceptions of Garnett, the Celtics, teams put together in only one season, Atlanta, Pierce, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, and the Eastern Conference's Status Quo.
I can't wait for Game 7! Enjoy the moment!
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Ben Gunby about 1 year ago
No Stew, the majority of fouls called in the NBA are blocking fouls, exactly the type I was referring to.
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Josiah Hager about 1 year ago
"Inferior to who? What hasn't Tony Parker done in the last four postseasons besides make plays? Rasheed Wallace won a championship for the Pistons and Billups has been a premier postseason performer.
They've been integral pieces of championship teams. That goes against my definition of inferior."
Sorry, I should have been clearer: They are obviously great players, but inferior to KG (including Wallace, I definatly don't buy Barkley's argument with him). Better clutch performers? Undoubtably. But they don't sniff big playoff games without the great players aroung them.
"Notice how when Tim Duncan (a defender who draws multiple charges) stands in front of a penetrator and the guy goes around Duncan, TD doesn't stand there unresponsive with his hands over his head. Or is Garnett scared of contact from Childress?
Childress weighs 116 lbs! The refs will let you get away with contact. Childress had four of his eight attempts in Game 5 blocked. Challenge him! You don't give Josh Childress unimpeded layups in a Game Six you desperately need to win! He's Josh Childress for God's sakes!"
Ha ha. Sad to say, you are right: KG is afraid of contact. He's just not a physical guy at all. For whatever reason that has been more evident in this series than it typically is.
"This Game 7 tomorrow will be epic for our perceptions of Garnett, the Celtics, teams put together in only one season, Atlanta, Pierce, Joe Johnson and Josh Smith, and the Eastern Conference's Status Quo."
Indeed. Obviously Johnson and Smith have just by going this far proven some
of their ability and no matter what happens can grow through this. If the Celtics, lose, well, than none of the big risky trades of teh the Celts, Heat or Mavs paid off and we go back to the No Balls League.
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