Could They Be Even Better?
Everyone is assuming the team will take at least a small step backwards if only because you can't go all out year after year and the team no longer has Posey for that extra experience off the bench. But there's one school of thought that says that at least the big three might be even better this year, which might more than make up for any negative influences. See these quotes from Bulpett's article in the Herald.
“I think they all will be better,” Rivers said. “They’re so comfortable with each other. They trust each other. The players trust each other now, and they trust the system. Last year they were learning that trust and this year they start the season with that trust. They’re back again and that’s an improvement. I think that’ll be one of our biggest improvements, not just the Big Three. Our starting five is back, so we should be better than we were last year because we should know each other better than we did last year.”
As good as Pierce, Garnett and Allen were last season, there was a certain feeling-out process as each, the former singular star on his team, moved into proper alignment on a team that had one goal: to win the NBA title.
Now they know better what they’ll be facing. They also know each other more completely.
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League Pass
Sorry this is off-topic, but is anyone else being told they can’t sign up for League Pass?
FYI
tonight’s game is on TNT
not sure if that helps you or not, but I’ve never had issues with League Pass before, but I guess we’ll find out soon
also FYI: League Pass doesn’t show preseason games, so tonight will be the first games on
Yes
I have long been the minority opinion on this, but I absolutely believe they can (and will) be better this year than last year. Last year the team was trying to get on the same page, and (especially on defense) they were able to do that faster and better than anyone expected. But on offense, for much of the year they relied on individual talent to carry them. This year, when everyone knows their roles, I think that 10th place offense could move up closer to the top-5. And if that happens, while keeping the same defensive intensity, this team could be out-right scary.
Don't forget the "I" word
It all depends on injuries. If we stay as healthy as last year, we’ll be better. But in the NBA, injuries are the perpetual 500-pound gorilla in the room.
"People don't understand, if you can't live the rest of your life off one year in the NBA, you can't live off 21." -- Keon Clark
Ray Allen is going to rock the house
Ray Allen is going to rock the house. He was having ankle problems most of last year while he was trying to fit his skills into Doc’s style. He is over those ankle problems now and it took most of the year but he found a way to meld his skills into Doc’s system.
Ray’s play will be the single biggest improvement on the Celtics this year.
They can be better but the team could be worse...
Rivers said they will be better, and we can agree that by now they know each other better, and that they share the old feeling that comes from having fought together in the trenches.
However, we shouldn’t underestimate the fact that there won’t be two veterans like James Posey and P.J. Brown in the lineup, and that there’ll be Tony Allen and Patrick O’Bryant out there, two less smart players from a basketball IQ standpoint.
They will be better
The most overlooked factor in NBA team construction is how long teammates need to play together. Consistency = success. Especially with a team whose major strength is team defense. These players arent over the hill at all, despite the perception around the league. Thats just SNTS – Shiny New Toy Syndrome.
Of course, none of this guarantees playoff success – something that hinges on a few a plays and a healthy dose of luck – but they will certainly be one of the best teams in the league again, and I would be shocked if they werent the 1 seed in the East (barring a major injury).


























