We've tried to keep this blog fairly general in our writing in the past, and I think we will continue to do so in the future.  When I say we, I really mean I since it appears that I am going to be doing the heavy lifting for the site for the time being. 

That being said, I recently took a long hiatus from blogging because I wasn't liking it very much.  I've decided to start writing again, but I've changed my premise:  I'm going to write for my own entertainment and enjoyment's sake, and if people don't like or respond to it, so be it. 

I am an avid Boston Celtics fan and could probably blog about them most days.  I won't, because I have other opinions I want to write about, but I think I am going to start a weekly thing where I grade the Celtics players and coach on their performance for the week and season. 

Why do I feel I can do this?  I know the NBA.  I get the league pass and I watch several games from each team, even the craptastic ones, every year.  I follow all of the moves, understand the salary cap better than at least half of the GM's in the league. (I actually have read this several hundred page document about the salary cap) Also, I am a fan of the team and love them without condition.

Without further ado, here is my grading system:

A: excellent
B: good
C: average
D: poor
F:  fail
I:  incomplete

Pretty standard, I know.  I am grading these players a lot on what is expected from them.  For instance, if Ray Allen averages 16 points and Sheldon Williams averages 4, Williams can get a better grade still if he fills his role better.  Here goes, in alphabetical order:

Ray Allen: B-
Allen had a decent week shooting the ball, connecting on 45% from behind the arc.  That being said, he missed a lot of wide open shots that he normally knocks down and only grabbed 1.8 boards.  His defense was solid, but he is still only Ray Allen. 

Marquis Daniels: D
Daniels wasn't really much of a factor in any of the games this week.  It looks like he's struggling to get a rhythm on his new team.  He played pretty well against Cleveland in the opener, but was basically a non-factor in the other games, shooting just 41.2 % from the field. 

Kevin Garnett: B+
KG has clearly lost some explosiveness, as he has missed 2 or 3 easy ally-oops that he would have hammered home in the past.  Offensively, he has been efficient, aggressive, and unselfish.  He no longer overwhelms the D, but knows when to pick his spots. He made some big buckets in the Cleveland and New Orleans games.  Most of all, his defense and leadership have been tremendous. 

JR Giddens: D-
I know he only played 12 minutes, but from those 12 minutes it's pretty obvious to me that this guy is not an NBA player.  He doesn't seem to have it mentally or physically. You know when I'm actually hoping that Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine can get better so that I don't have to watch you that you suck royally. 

Eddie House: B
House had one really great game against Chicago, scoring 22 points in 22 minutes, and otherwise was only so-so.  He shot a good percentage, did a decent job running the offense, and overall filled his role nicely. 

Lester Hudson: I
Unlike Giddens, Hudson looks like he has a brain and some talent to go with it.  I want to see if he can solidify the 3rd point guard and maybe come in and play some more minutes when there are high defensive pressure point guards that House and Daniels can't handle.  I'm reserving judgement on this guy. 

Kendrick Perkins: C+
Perk has been so-so this week.  He's had a tendency on offense to settle for some fade-aways against smaller guys, but has been pretty efficient on the offensive end.  On defense, he has been solid as well, averaging 2.3 blocks per game.  The big problem has been on the boards as Perk's rebounding rate was very low for him.  Look for that to pick up as the season goes on. 

Paul Pierce: A
This may be one of the best stretches of Paul's career as far as pure shooting go.  His true shooting percentage (a stat that combines 2 pt, 3pt and free throws) is an unbelievable 76.0.  (his career rate is in the mid 50's) Paul is rebounding well, passing well, and limiting his turnovers.  He just played great this week, hitting clutch shots in the close games.  As someone who has followed his career from the get go, it is fun to watch him play such intelligent, unselfish basketball. 

Rajon Rondo: A freaking +
Rondo has been absolutely spectacular this week.  He's been everywhere on defense, averaging 2.5 steals per game.  Offensively, he's been lights out.  He is setting guys up for easy shots all game long.  I think there's a decent chance he could lead the league in steals and assists this year.  If he doesn't deserve an extension, no one does.  (I just read he's getting a 5 yr/$55 million extension.  Good for him.) He's been a blast to watch for fans of team basketball, as he is averaging less than 6 shots a game while playing unselfishly. 

Rasheed Wallace: B-
'Sheed hasn't shot the ball all that well yet at less than 40%, but what he has done is hit big shots.  He hit some 3's to keep the C's in the game against Cleveland, and hit a big 3 when New Orleans had closed the score to 81-80.  After that, the Celtics pretty much cruised to a win.  He has rebounded well, passed well, and defended well, all while keeping the bitching to a bare minimum. 

Sheldon Williams: B
The Landlord had a good, solid week, although it is a little bit of smoke and mirrors in my opinion.  Sheldon had 2 really good games in the blowouts of Charlotte and Chicago, but didn't really do anything of note against Cleveland or New Orleans. He is a big body who can rebound, and if he will just forget about the 18 foot jumper he isn't good at, he can help Boston weather the storm while Glen Davis is healing from being a mental retard, er breaking his hand. 

Doc Rivers: A
I've been surprised that Doc has been pretty consistent with his rotations so far, which can only help the players in the long run.  I have criticized Doc a lot in the past, but have to admit that he is pretty damn good at managing a veteran team with a lot of ego.  The Celtics looked great this week, and that is a credit to Doc and his staff, as well as the players.  When you go 4-0 holding to the opposition to 81.3 points per game, you gotta get an A. 

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