By John McMullen, NBA Editor
(Sports Network) - When the Celtics raced out to the best 29-game start in NBA history, a number of observers were already handing title No. 18 to Doc Rivers and Company.
A 1-3 west coast swing didn't exactly knock the C's off the prohibitive favorite pedestal but it did reveal a few chinks in the team's armor, and gave hope to the other elite teams in the league like the Lakers and Cavaliers.
Boston finished its trip by squandering a double-digit lead in Portland on Tuesday against a Brandon Roy-less Trail Blazers club.
The Celtics got no help from the officials in the Pacific Northwest as the Blazers were credited with a basket despite employing six men on the floor. Rivers immediately pointed out the gaffe to the refs and Portland was given a technical foul. But, it was ruled that the basket would count since none of the officials caught it beforehand.
That said, the Celtics had plenty of opportunities down the stretch and were never able to get over the hump despite the fact Portland was missing its All- Star.
Now, the Celtics' brass might be on the verge of seriously harming the team's vaunted chemistry. Numerous media reports have circulated that guard Stephon Marbury will eventually make his comeback with Boston.
The enigmatic Marbury still needs to negotiate his release from the New York Knicks but the Celtics are reportedly excited at the prospect of signing him.
No one can question Marbury's ability but the former All-Star has been a distraction at every single one of his NBA stops and it's strange that Boston general manager Danny Ainge would want to take on such a headache, considering the continued development of Rajon Rondo at point guard.
SAME OLD SIXERS
Changing coaches from Maurice Cheeks to Tony DiLeo looked like a bit of an overreaction when Sixers GM Ed Stefanski made the move.
There's no question we all over-evaluated the talent Stefanski put together in Philadelphia and Cheeks perished for that sin.
Before dislocating his shoulder Elton Brand looked like the proverbial square peg being forced into the round hole, while Andre Iguodala should be embarrassed that his talent level translates to so little on the floor. Meanwhile, Samuel Dalembert may be the first player in the history of the NBA, whose basketball IQ shrinks every time he hits the floor, and Lou Williams looks like the stereotypical prima donna who mailed it in when he got the big contract.
Still, the Sixers did underachieve under Cheeks and they are doing the same under DiLeo. After racing out to a 3-0 start under their interim coach, the Sixers are now just 4-4. The team can't shoot the three and won't defend it.
Like Cheeks, DiLeo is understated but at least the former Sixers coach had an NBA pedigree. DiLeo is best known for starring at Cinnaminson, NJ High School and what the Sixers call his "extensive experience in international basketball," both as a player and coach.
DiLeo did have a nice run as a coach in the former West Germany but his stint in the Sixers personnel department has to be questioned since the team has always been one of the worst in scouting and unearthing talent from Europe.
Despite all his failings, Cheeks should still be on the bench in Philly. But, if Stefanski was hall-bent on getting rid of him, why not promote veteran coach Jim Lynam or bring in Eddie Jordan?
BIZARRO NETS
The road is often a torturous place for NBA teams. Whether its planes, trains or automobiles, the thought of leaving home is enough to throw off the most talented teams in the NBA. Heck, even the mighty Celtics finished an ugly 1-3 on their recent trek to the left coast.
So how do you explain the New Jersey Nets?
The Nets have lost four straight and seven of eight in North Jersey and are now a dismal 5-12 at the IZOD Center. Of course, it's not like bad teams can't have bad records at home. The Oklahoma Thunder for instance are 3-14 at the Ford Center but they are even a more miserable 1-15 as the visitor. The Nets, however, are a sterling 10-5 on the road...bizarre.
On the court for New Jersey, rookie center Brook Lopez has quickly established himself as a legitimate NBA pivot man. The former Stanford star recorded his sixth double-double of the season Wednesday when he scored 23 points and pulled down 12 rebounds against Detroit.
Meanwhile, veteran defensive stalwart Eduardo Najera seems to have supplanted another rookie, Ryan Anderson, as the backup power forward to Yi Jianlian. Anderson may have hit the rookie wall and is struggling mightily with his shot, while Najera offers more in the intangibles department.
CURRY'S A LOST CAUSE
When the New York Knicks hired coach Mike D'Antoni, you could almost guarantee that hulking center Eddy Curry wouldn't fit in with his seven-seconds-or-less offense.
No one has gotten a chance to prove that thesis since the veteran center has spent all season on the sidelines with a balky right knee, But, Curry may be close to a return. He has already received three cortisone shots in the knee and might be ready to hit the floor in about two weeks.
"I think I'm close," Curry told the New York Daily News. "I don't know. It all depends on how I feel. If I keep healing the way I am, I'm not too far away."
It remains to be seen if D'Antoni will even want Curry. The bet here, however, is that Curry gets regular minutes. The Knicks mentor, like any NBA coach, could certainly use more productive minutes from a reliable big man.
It's almost a given that Curry will not be able to keep up with D'Antoni's offense but the Knicks will need to showcase Curry for a possible trade.
On the hardwood, New York stopped a six-game slide in Charlotte on Tuesday when Chris Duhon scored 15 points -- including two clutch free throws down the stretch -- and doled out eight assists, as the Knicks edged the Bobcats and ex-coach Larry Brown, 93-89.
LAST CHANCE FOR RAPTORS?
The Raptors were supposed to be much improved this season with the addition of six-time All-Star Jermaine O'Neal to a nucleus that included fellow All-Star Chris Bosh and underrated point guard Jose Calderon.
Instead, Toronto has battled with the Sixers for the right to be called the NBA's most disappointing club.
Interim coach Jay Triano has pointed to the team's current three-game homestand as a pivotal part of the season. Since taking over for the departed Sam Mitchell, Triano, thanks to a six-game road swing, has gotten in just four full practices with his players. The residency will allow his team to get into a rhythm that includes rest, practice and hopefully winning.
Things didn't start on a great note as Denver's Nene had 21 points and seven rebounds to help lead the Nuggets to a 114-107 win over the Raptors at Air Canada Centre in George Karl's 900th win as an NBA coach.
Chris Bosh logged 24 points and 11 rebounds while Andrea Bargnani netted a game-high 26 points for Toronto, which lost for the eighth time in 10 games.
"I wish we could start over again," Bosh said of the team's struggles thus far. "It has been a struggle early on and things really haven't gone our way. We haven't played the basketball we're capable of playing."
Things aren't going to get any easier.
The Raptors will close the residency with two very talented teams, Houston and Orlando.
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