The Words "Celtics" and "Rebounds" Don't Go Together.. YET

Written by Greenbanner18 from www.hardwoodhoudini.com

This year we have heard about the Celtics rebounding woes. Without question they do not rebound with the authority we expected them to. Analysts like to claim that they are the worst rebounding team in the league. Well, not quite, but they are right down near the bottom.

In rebounding differential thus far in this season, the Celtics rank 20th with a -0.59 difference per game. The C's are not small, though. The starting lineup contains Kendrick Perkins who is 6 foot 10, and Kevin Garnett who is 6 foot 11 (although alot of teams have players 7 feet tall, KG and Perk have never had issues moving bodies to get the rebound) Neither of those are short players by any stretch. Then the backups come in at 6 foot 11 in Rasheed Wallace, and 6 foot 9 Glen Davis. Obviously Glen Davis is not a giant so he gives up a little to other power forwards.

Big Baby off the bench was set up to be a wrecking force. He was going to be able to score, and use his scrapiness to grab rebounds. He missed the first 2 months of the season with a hand injury. Since coming back he has been very tentative with his thumb, and does not get down low and use his body as much as he used to. The past few games he has been getting more comfortable, though, and is starting to get those tough boards we are so used to. That will help greatly to set up second chance points for the bench.

Also remember, Kevin Garnett has missed 11 games so far this season. That meant that during that time, our bench was a combination of players 6 foot 9 and under. Now since coming back, he is still a little shaky on his knee and not going up for the rebounds. As the season progresses, that also will shake itself out.

In the long run is not rebounding a huge deal? You thought I was going to say no, but it is a HUGE deal. Playoff games on the road are based around momentum, and what swings momentum more than a second chance basket? Now that it appears the Celtics will not get the best record in the league, more than likely they will have to play at least 1 series where the opposition holds the home court. Put 2 and 2 together and the Celtics are going to have to rebound. For the second half of the season I would be very surprised if Boston does not move up from 20th in rebounding differential. As the complete team gets healthy, and starts to make a run, expect them to finish possessions, instead of letting them slip.