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Celtics Four-Point Play (11/28)

Here’s the Celtics Four-Point Play to appear every Wednesday on Sports of Boston. This is where I will compile four (4) small and related Celtics facts and offer my own spin on a variety of Celtics news stories. The general format will be a short blurb about the story first, then my reaction tabbed underneath it.

1. Allow me first to comment on the passing of the inventor of Gatorade, Robert Cade, who died Tuesday of kidney failure at the age of 80 in Florida. Cade was a professor at the University of Florida when he was approached by then-Gators football coach Dwayne Douglas. Douglas wondered why players didn’t urinate after football games. After extensive research, Cade developed a drink solution that helped replace lost electrolytes (through sweat) faster than water. After Cade added some sugar and a lemon-lime taste, Gatorade was born.

• Gatorade is the single most-important sports supplement ever invented. The drink transcends all sports, including basketball, and in my opinion is very instrumental in the increased stamina of today’s athletes.
• By the way: remember KG’s Gatorade commercial? Garnett carries the Gatorade bottles like a milk man to Peyton Manning’s house. View the video at YouTube.

2. Gabe Pruitt was recalled from the Celtics NBADL affiliate, the Utah Flash. In just two games there, Pruitt averaged 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 37 minutes.

• Pruitt was originally sent down for a lack of playing time with the big club, but I guess he showed enough promise in just two games to prove he deserves some minutes. I’m not sure why this move was made, to be honest. I still don’t envision much room for minutes.
• The place where they need the most minute-relief is for Pierce, Garnett, or Allen, but Pruitt does not play any of those positions. He’d be at least 3rd on the depth chart behind Eddie House and starter Rajon Rondo.

3. Speaking of minutes, Kevin Garnett (38.2), Paul Pierce (39.0), and Ray Allen (40.4) have been used extensively this season in terms of minutes played. The Celtics have raced to an 11-2 record to start the season, but is the amazing record worth all those minutes logged?

• Kind of no. I think its great to get off to such a great start. I think it’s more important to start great and finish great than have a long win streak during the middle of the season. But, the Celtics have been killing most teams all season. Despite that fact, the Big Three have averaged around 40 minutes per game early this season. Allen leads the team with 40 mpg despite coming off double-ankle surgery.
• It’s not a big deal yet, but when we start hitting the grind of the season (around the all-star break and beyond), these three guys are going to start getting tired. I hate to face the fact, but they’re all in their 30′s. I’m not taking anything away from their skills except to say that their stamina has to have ebbed a bit.

4. The Celtics play the New York Knicks tomorrow night (Thursday) at the TD Banknorth Garden at 8 p.m. To my knowledge, this is the first Celtics game on TNT this season, so it will be good to get the team exposure to the pressure of the national spotlight.

• I will start by saying that me and Sports of Boston staffer Jeff will be going to Thursday’s game. It will be our first of hopefully a few this season…but that may be tougher than ever before obviously due to the ticket demand.
• As far as the actual game, I don’t see the Knicks as having a prayer against the Celtics. They are 4-9 (that’s after a two-game win streak) and have had a number of off-the-court distractions. First, there was Isiah and his ridiculous scandal. Then, Stephon Marbury just left the team because he wasn’t starting anymore and wasn’t happy. I’ll say it before and I’ll say it again. BLOW UP THE TEAM. There is nothing there and nothing will develop when all of your players are selfish. Marbury, Crawford and Richardson are all shoot-first guys. OK, rant over.
• The Knicks do have a pretty large presence in the middle with Eddy Curry and Zach Randolph, so they could give Perk and KG some trouble. Other than that, there is nothing to worry about the Knicks. I expect a 10-point win…And that’s the Four-Point Play…

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: Celtics, Four-Point Play, Gabe Pruitt, Gatorade, New York Knicks