Fiddlin’ and Diddlin’ on Friday

Game day against the Grizzlies who are just 8 and 25 on the year. But, since the last time we played them and lost at home, they have changed coaches and are a completely different team and are 2 and 1 under their new coach, scoring 144 points in their last outing. We will have our hands full if we expect to beat them since we still have Doc as our coach and without a doubt will be outcoached by Barone since Doc micromanages and Barone lets them run. Here are today’s links:

The Herald Notebook begins by discussing Ratliff’s impending surgery and the fact that he was lost to the team before ever being actually on it since he has only played 44 minutes the entire season. Also mentioned is that Al sat out practice with a sore hamstring and Perk is struggling with getting his timing and conditioning back after sitting out with plantar fasciitis. Wally is still trying to “work through” his ankle sprains. I admire him for trying to play through pain and help the team. I just wish he would do it without shooting so much.

The Globe Notebook also begins with the fact that Ratliff is done for the season. If you were wondering if Portland got the better of the Raef/Ratliff trade, the article reports that Raef has played just 65 minutes for the Blazers and Ratliff’s tired body is only on the books for 1 more year as Raef’s is on the Blazers’ books for 2 more years and more money. May also mentions the Grizzlies’ new outlook since switching coaches. I can’t help but think that the Celtics would have an even more dramatic change if we would switch coaches. Also mentioned is Doc’s memory of playing for a conditioning obsessed Pat Riley, who suspended Walker and Posey for too much body fat.

The Green Room muses on the fact that the Celtics are finally getting in sync without Pierce in the lineup. They mention something I noticed in the last game as well. They are running a pick and roll finally. We still have problems defending it, but if they learn to run it efficiently, they may even begin to defend it. They, as well as most Celtics fans, enjoyed having Tommy back for the Cavs game. His desire to wipe the smirk off Damon Jones’ face was priceless.

On Fox Sports, Charlie Rosen finds some diamonds in the rough among the Celtics young players. He does a good job on everyone but Perk. Perk is still trying to get his timing and conditioning back after sitting out with an injury. He has had very limited practice time and 9-11 minutes a game to try to work on it. Give the kid a break. I still love Perk and believe that he is going to be a dominant center in time. I love his work ethic, his toughness and his desire. He is definitely a keeper.

Delonte.com discusses why Pierce’s injury is a good thing. Doc tends to over play vets and not play the kids until he is forced to by injuries or trades. Because of injuries, Allen and Green have both seen more playing time and are responding because of it. Now if only Wally would sit out a few games to heal his ankles, it would be even better.

The Patriot Ledger notebook reports that Doc is going to give Pierce some coaching duties while he is sidelined with the stress reaction. This may be a good thing since Pierce has encouraged the team to get the ball to Al inside more and also has encouraged Green and other young players to be more aggressive. They also report that Doc plans to continue starting the gimpy Wally while bringing Green off the bench.

The New York Post reports that ABC has its eyes on Doc to join their analyst team. I for one would love to encourage Doc to quit this dead end job and go for it.

Dateline Alabama has a preview of the Celtics/Grizzlies match up. Reading this article got me all fired up and realizing what a difference a coach can make. Also adding to the fire was an article by JB over on CelticsStuff Live. Please, Doc, take up ABC on their offer. It will be better for everyone all around. Think of your family. Think of the Celtics. Think of my blood pressure!

Speaking of tonight’s game and the difference that a coaching change has made on the Grizzlies, I went on a rant over on Loy’s Place and liken this team that Danny has built for speed to thoroughbreds hitched to a plow. The bottom line is that Doc is the wrong coach for this team.

Finally since by most accounts, we will be in the Greg Oden sweepstakes, the Chicago Sun Times has an article that reports that Oden is weighing his options for next year. While he is enjoying college and would love to win a title in college, he also knows that it may be stupid not to enter the draft if his stock is high enough.

Tonight’s game should be interesting. If we can play good defense and pull together like we did in the Cleveland game, we have a good chance of winning it. If not, Doc will be out coached by an interim coach and we are one step closer to a new coach next year and the above mentioned Greg Oden Sweepstakes.

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