Celtics Title Town

Despite Pierce going off for 40 points. Pierce gave the game ball to Collins. It was a great gesture. After Jason stepped into the starting lineup. The Celtics have been missing a guy like Collins, but Doc was hell bent on not trying Collins. With Bass being useless so far this season. I hate to put it that way, but it's the truth. The Celtics have been in search of something, and Collins provides the big guy that the C's lack inside. The Celtics needed a big body, and he's been here the entire time. 

“Well Jason really fills up the lane and he’s not afraid to take charges," said Pierce. "Another big body to come out on people who likes fouls, he takes charges. He throws his weight around. That’s something that we need sometimes. Guys who go out there, put in that type of grit, that defense that we need. He was able to do that. He was able to show exactly, by example, what we need out there at different times. That’s exactly what we needed tonight, some toughness."

 Garnett added: "[Collins is] a gutsy veteran that knows coverages, very professional. JC's what we call a solid guy. He's not going to make too many mistakes. He knows his role. Doc's looking for different lineups and he came in and did his job tonight. He got the game ball. It's good to see him get an opportunity and take advantage of the opportunity, so I was happy for him."

"JC's guarded so many premiere post guys since he's been in the league -- he and his brother -- he knows how to guard," Garnett said. "He plays with an oomph, if that's even a word. What I mean by that, he plays power basketball, he's firm, and I think sometimes we lack that. I think he came in and was very firm, not only with his fouls, but with his shows, and we communicate really well. So, it was good. It was good to work with him."

"I felt fine," Collins said. "I've been really working hard with the strength coaches and they do a great job of making sure I'm ready and, cardio-wise, I felt good."

"His preparation’s good," Rivers said. "So, still not the game minutes; we worry about his wind, but I wouldn’t worry about his play. He’s very attuned; you can hear him on the bench telling guys what they should’ve done when they’ve come out of games all year. So we knew he knew what to do; I didn’t know if he could sustain as far as minutes.”

"If I'm not scoring, I better do something on the offensive end," Collins said. "I pride myself on setting tough picks and going out there and being physical. And on the defensive end, players drive the lane, I'm either going to try to take a charge on you or foul you pretty hard."

"That's always my focus. That's what gets me going," Collins said of adhering to his style of play. "Every now and then you get a bone thrown your way, but I don't need that. I pride myself on defense and how the team does."

It's hard to say if Collins is the answer. But it's a good step, and I think Doc should continue to use him. The Celtics need a big to do the dirty work. I wouldn't mind seeing him more, and to see him in the starting lineup. The impact showed after one start, and I say continue the progress.