Still need to play Orlando home and away, Cleveland away, and Atlanta away.

Need to play the big teams in the West.

Of course, there’s that little game on 12/25.

Long way to go until even that game.

There might only be two good teams in the NBA—us and the purple.

12/25 should be interesting. But if the C’s keep improving, and they are already playing well, 12/26 might not be a happy day for Jerry West (I know he’s not with the L’s, but he did show up at the WCF trophy ceremony, and cried, for god’s sake).

Jeff,
  Fatherhood has not effected your work here….good job…we could use PJ for the playoffs so let’s get Joe Smith instead…TA&Eddie could use some support ,so maybe a Marbury,Stackhouse type guy???…we’ve got time and options

Good article.

I think part of the slow starts can be due to the fact that Doc told the big 3 to not report early to camp this year like they did last year combined with the fact they didn’t get nearly as many minutes in the preseason as they did last preseason. So maybe the starters were taking a little bit more time to gel this year. The past 2 or 3 games the starters have gotten off to a much better start so maybe they are starting to hit their stride along with Rondo being much more aggressive it is helping the first unit tremendously at the start of the game.

Also you have to take a look at the schedule. The Celtics played a brutal 8 games in 12 days stretch and they have played the most games in the league. They have already played I think 5 back to back games! If I remember correctly I recall the schedule being much more kind to them to start the season last year.

This team is better than last year. One of my reasons? Tony Allen. If he keeps up the way he’s been playing, then he’s better than Posey. Rondo is another reason as well…. so far. Let’s see if he and Tony can keep it up.

i don’t think it’s as good as last season…IT’S BETTER !!!!!!!!!

The C’s are better.
The Big 3 are better WITH EACH OTHER.
Rondo and Perk are both better at their jobs – Perk even having his number called on offense and getting it done. Perk can’t woof and get away with it like KG
The bench has legitimate NBA inside scorers (Leon) and outside (Eddie).
Tony Allen is offsetting the loss of Posey. Posey was smarter on D but Tony’s hands are as fast as anyone’s.
The 10th guy, Scal, has played his way back into the rotation and does give us a different skill set (annoying D, 3 pt shooter, pick setter). A 10 deep team is good for the long run.
Finally, the team defense concept is deeper in each man and …
FINALLY, finally, the attitude is remarkable. Guys hustling in the 4th Qtr of blowouts. Just because its the Celtics way. Make a good play up by 20 with 1 minute to go and Garnett is watching and so everyone else is too.

I wish this article hadn’t used a photo of that objectionable pre-game, talcum powder hand-clapping routine of Garnett’s. It’s the one thing that truly bugs me about him.

I know it’s a small matter, but it’s such an insulting, low-class way to publicly treat other members of the Celtic organization. I know we hashed this out a good deal last year, but the routine totally annoys me.

I think the C’s are a better team this year. The starters are not as effective early on as they were last year, but they are now rounding into form as Rondo has started to attack on a consistent basis. The difference that makes them better is the bench. The bench as a unit is doing a better job than last year’s bench. I think other players have matured, improved their games and are playing more like pros. This has taken over for the Posey factor. Yesterday’s game showed the intensity and passion of the second unit even at the end of the game when it was already decided. Despite the lead they continued to attack and showed much more life than the Raptors. The second unit even outplayed the Raptor starters. We have seen this team outplay our Eastern Division rivals. The Cavs have played them best, but I think we are the better team. I’d like to see how we do against Western Conference contenders. Baby and Powe have been great against bigger opponents and some very good ones. I don’t see backup point as an issue any longer. My main concern is whether or not we need a big to take last year’s role of PJ Brown. McDyess would have been a nice addition, but Scals is now starting to play the way we expected him to when he came over from NJ. I think he now understands how he can help this team. He is an excellent defender both on his man and as a team defender. If he stays within himself, which he has done so far, offensively he might be that “X” factor that we need.

This year’s team is even better than our record. They seem to have an on/off switch that they didn’t have last year. It’s always on for the big games. I don’t mind this. I think they can raise the level and kick some butt when they need to. I do think that we are better than last year.

I really like the second unit. They play together with purpose.

And, they have established their own identity _ they play with a certain style. They remind me of the second unit of the old Sacramento team that battled the Lakers for the WCF.

I’m a bit nervous about the 12/25 game, though. I live in So CA and ALL my friends root for the Fakers. They all tell me that the Fakers will win it all in 2009!!!! A Celtics loss on 12/25 will just further their claims!! Uuggghhhh!

I came into this season thinking this team would be better than last year’s, and that they have a decent shot at 70 wins. 15 games in, I’m even more confident in that assessment.

The Cs have started this year the exact opposite way of last season. Last year they were like this year’s Lakers, coming into the year at 110% and trying to leave their footprint on necks around the league. By the Texas Triangle road swing the team went into conserve mode, and they seemed to have trouble ramping it back up for the playoffs.

This year, the Cs opened the season like it was training camp. Only Pierce seemed to really come out blazing, and KG almost seemed to play himself into shape as the season has gone along. They are just now starting to ramp it up, but they are doing it the right way…the starters are playing better and giving the bench leads, and the bench is holding it enough for the starters to rest.

I think the Lakers being on a mission this season is one of the best things that could have happened to this Cs team. Unlike the Heat or Pistons of recent years, I really think these Cs are historically good. And having teams like the Lakers (and to some extent the Cavs) to push them should just help them to reach their level as opposed to getting complacent.

it,s a new year-better or not- who knows-the real test will be banner 18. tony is better and baby is better and rondo might be better, and scal looks better now. the big 3 seems to be playing less so who knows thereb but there is no dropoof . same with perk.

Posey