Opportunity to beat them has come, gone

December 04, 2008|Dan Shaughnessy, Globe Columnist

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"We're learning to trust that. Offensively, we're coming around. [Rajon] Rondo is having a crazy year. He and [Kendrick Perkins] are the one and two reasons that we are defensively sound and we are flowing offensively because the small pint [Rondo] is getting it done, so I'm just trying to knock on some wood and keep this thing going."

The small pint got it done against the Pacers to the tune of 16 points, 17 assists, and 13 rebounds. Rondo's dramatic progression is one more element that makes these Celtics better than last season's Green.

"Now they know they can win it," added Rivers. "That barrier is removed. That's gone. What they don't know is if they can do it again. They also know we have to be better than last year to do it again. We won last year, plus we're winning this year. You're going to keep hearing it. The key is understand you still have to improve this year to win it again. If we stay where we're at, we're not going to win a title. I think our guys understand that. And I think that's why we're pushing so hard."

They pushed past the Pacers last night. Tomorrow night, it'll be Portland with Greg Oden. One tomato can after another.

Sure, the Cavaliers are better than they were last season. Sure, the Lakers have Andrew Bynum this time around. But the Celtics are putting the league on notice:

You had your chance last spring. No stopping us now.

Dan Shaughnessy is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at dshaughnessy@globe.com.