After the Hornets fell behind, 9-2, coach Monty Williams likely informed his team that the Celtics of the past two years were a front-running team that eventually will wither. And such was the case when New Orleans went ahead, 30-20, early in the second quarter.
No longer can the Celtics rely on reputation or past accomplishments. They have to reprove themselves, and the question remains whether they are capable of such a thing with their aging bodies.
Wednesday night proved that even Rajon Rondo can’t carry the team for three games in four nights. He was repeatedly beaten off the dribble by Jarrett Jack, a middle-of-the-pack NBA point guard, and that allowed the middle to open, especially against the timid Jermaine O’Neal and seemingly heavy-legged Kevin Garnett.
O’Neal’s production is quickly becoming an issue. Coach Doc Rivers said he is not concerned about O’Neal’s scoring but more his defense and rebounding. In three games, O’Neal is averaging three rebounds and one blocked shot. In what perhaps was a move of desperation or forecasting, Rivers inserted rookie Greg Stiemsma in the first half against New Orleans, and he blocked six shots in 20 minutes.
And even Stiemsma picked up a technical foul for grabbing the rim trying to defend a layup attempt by Carl Landry. That isn’t likely to occur with O’Neal. The center position has been one of concern since Shaquille O’Neal retired after one year with Boston, and while Jermaine O’Neal claims to be healthy, he hasn’t been a productive starting center in two years.
It may be time for Celtics president Danny Ainge to seek a solution in the middle, but that has become increasingly difficult. Any worthy center is going to demand more than the veteran minimum the Celtics have to offer. And a player such as Erick Dampier brings NBA capabilities but also serious limitations, like O’Neal.
