2008 Woodie Awards
2007 Boston Celtics
Steve Cunha
Issue date: 3/27/07 Section: Sports
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Unlike most New England sports fan, I spent last Wednesday night laying back in a LA-Z boy recliner watching a Boston Celtics game. As I watched the Celtics coast to an easy 109-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, I could not help but wonder if anyone else even was watching the game, or if anyone else cared about it. But, then again, who could blame them.
The Celtics have the second worst record in the NBA and not a single player in the top five of any statistical category. So, clearly they will not be getting too many games played on national television.
Like most diehard New England sports fan refuse to give up on the C's. Despite their bad record and sometimes-uninspired play, there are still several reasons why their games are still worth watching.
A poll given by nba.com showed that the C's are the fourth youngest team in the league, with an average of 25 years-old, giving Celtics fans the opportunity to watch future talent develop and shine. Through the teams poor overall output this season several individual players have elevated their games to the next level.
Al Jefferson, whom the Celtics drafted in 2004 straight out of high school, has seen a dramatic increase in both his offensive and defensive production. This season "Big Al" has doubled his scoring average from his first two years from 7.3 to 15.4. He has also been developing more moves in the low post. Big Al has been one bright spot for this C's this year as he has also produced more than 30 double-doubles. A week ago, I watched Big Al single handedly take over a game against the Seattle Supersonics. In 36 minutes he scored 32 points while grabbing 18 rebounds, and having his way in the low post. Tommy Point! (The catch phrase for longtime Celtic player and color analyst Tommy Heinsohn)
Another young Celtic who has received a lot of playing time and publicity this season is Gerald Green, another player the Celtics drafted straight out of high school in 2005. Many people know Gerald Green for his gravity defying heroics in this year's annual Dunk Contest. Tommy point! Green was the first Celtic to win the award since Dee Brown in 1991. He was the lone highlight many Boston fans had at All-Star weekend. He also created some national news for the C's and himself due to his four jaw-dropping dunks. Green even has his own highlight reel from the night on youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=PrIVB5PgtGI).
The Celtics have the second worst record in the NBA and not a single player in the top five of any statistical category. So, clearly they will not be getting too many games played on national television.
Like most diehard New England sports fan refuse to give up on the C's. Despite their bad record and sometimes-uninspired play, there are still several reasons why their games are still worth watching.
A poll given by nba.com showed that the C's are the fourth youngest team in the league, with an average of 25 years-old, giving Celtics fans the opportunity to watch future talent develop and shine. Through the teams poor overall output this season several individual players have elevated their games to the next level.
Al Jefferson, whom the Celtics drafted in 2004 straight out of high school, has seen a dramatic increase in both his offensive and defensive production. This season "Big Al" has doubled his scoring average from his first two years from 7.3 to 15.4. He has also been developing more moves in the low post. Big Al has been one bright spot for this C's this year as he has also produced more than 30 double-doubles. A week ago, I watched Big Al single handedly take over a game against the Seattle Supersonics. In 36 minutes he scored 32 points while grabbing 18 rebounds, and having his way in the low post. Tommy Point! (The catch phrase for longtime Celtic player and color analyst Tommy Heinsohn)
Another young Celtic who has received a lot of playing time and publicity this season is Gerald Green, another player the Celtics drafted straight out of high school in 2005. Many people know Gerald Green for his gravity defying heroics in this year's annual Dunk Contest. Tommy point! Green was the first Celtic to win the award since Dee Brown in 1991. He was the lone highlight many Boston fans had at All-Star weekend. He also created some national news for the C's and himself due to his four jaw-dropping dunks. Green even has his own highlight reel from the night on youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=PrIVB5PgtGI).
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