Three Pointers - 4/10

by Jeff Clark on Apr 10, 2008 8:12 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

Oh, so that's what a loss feels like. I had forgotten.

It was inevitable that a thread like this was going to be started minutes after the loss last night. Call it reflex, human nature, or just overthinking, but some people lost sleep last night thinking about the loss. Not me. I just looked at the team's record and fell soundly asleep. If Grande's numbers are right (and I have no reason to believe otherwise) then the Celtics are still on pace to break the record for fewest double digit losses in a season (last night was just the 3rd time this year). Need I say more?
Of course I need say more. I have two more pointers to go. So sure, I'll admit that this team, like any team, has chinks in the armor here and there. The reserves are not All Stars, ...that's why they're reserves. So while they will show occasional stretches of greatness, they will also sometimes fade into the background or even have a downright bad game. If a lot of them have bad games at the same time, it could cost us a game or at least put extra pressure on the stars. It happens. More often than not, however, I think they'll help us win some games. I just wish Sam Cassell could get some more time to get used to the system.
On the bright side, I tend to think that this team will use this loss to motivate them to finish the rest of the season strong. They've had their mini-break. They won a game they didn't try winning (Bobcats) and lost a game they tried to win (Wizards). Now it is time to get geared up for the playoffs. Doc still has to walk the tightrope of rest vs. rhythm, but I think a few games at full speed are good practice for when the games "count" again.

P.S. Go vote for Danny to get Exec. of the Year.

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Comments

I didn’t lose sleep but in my not so humble opinion the Wizards are a better team. I know all the reasons why many of you think that is silly wrong….but they have our number. Just my opinion. They can lose to teams we can easily beat…… but when it comes to these two team (Wizards vs. Celtics) we would probably lose in a series unless we change something drastic in our approach.

For the record ….one more time….
………….From the Celtic Command Center:
“Houston we have a Problem”
The Problem?

Doc susbtitutes like I type …..lots of mistakes and pretty soon everthing loses meaning. The only pattern to his substitution is that there isn’t one!

by Master Po on Apr 10, 2008 9:24 AM EDT reply actions

no doubt there are some teams that match up better against the Celtics than other teams – but I’m very confident that this team will rise above that in the playoffs

by Jeff Clark on Apr 10, 2008 9:41 AM EDT reply actions

It’s a good loss.
I’d rather they lose a few down the stretch, than go into the playoffs winning 11 straight.

I think in a 7-game series, the Wizards would be beaten by the Celtics.

by mcpu40 on Apr 10, 2008 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

This was the kind of loss that happens when the game means alot to one team and nothing to the other, and the team that views the game as meaningless is playing the second night of a back-to-back on the road. Powe didn’t play in the second half, BBD went out with a minor injury and they simply had no energy at the end.

Having said that, why does Brendan Haywood completely outplay Perkins every time? The Wizards aren’t a big team, but they controlled the paint most of the night. That is a cause for concern, albeit a minor concern.

by Brickowski on Apr 10, 2008 10:31 AM EDT reply actions

no rhythm in these games hurt the c’s.
they have been trying to get tony off his mental subset with so so results. let’s get into playoff shape. doc has been cautious and i can’t blame him. rebounding rebounding and rebounding is what they need to do. when he was screwing around i would have liked to see doc make a no 3 point shot rule, to get his guys going to the basket. no assists for eddie tells a story. i like him tho- he has heart and is a pro and will help come playoff time.

by nazzbo on Apr 10, 2008 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

This team could have gone 72-10 and there would still be someone screaming “The sky is falling, the sky is falling.”

Washington is a dangerous team, imo. If Haywood were more consistent and Arenas completely healthy they would be a cause for concern. Butler, Jameson, and Arenas are formidable, and if Haywood comes out hustleing then they are tough.

I’m 50/50 with Po in that I believe that Washington does seem to have the C’s number this season, but I don’t believe they could win a 7 game series.

It seems strange, but I’m less concerned with whoever comes out of the west (maybe with the exception of Utah), and more concerned with getting out of the East. In my mind Detroit and Cleveland are going to tougher outs for the team than San Antonio, Pheonix, or even LA.

by tmcdon on Apr 10, 2008 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

you know, it’s funny. last season everyone was so shocked that Dallas got beat in the first round by Golden State because no one took into account that G.S. beat then all three times they played in the regular season. Me, I wasn’t shocked. for some reason G.S. just matched up really well with Dallas and just like in the regular season, they beat them in the play-offs.

I’m not saying the C’s are going to lose to Wash in the play-offs. I just won’t be shocked if they do.

by furball2323 on Apr 10, 2008 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

I like the Wiz team & their core of Butler, Arenas & Jamison in particular, but in a series the Celtics are a better team.

The Wiz can’t/won’t play D night after night and they loooove the 3 ball. Last night the Wiz’s jumpers were falling & the Celts coughed up the ball too many times. That equals a loss against decent teams.

As far as Exec of the Year goes, I can’t see how Kupchak gets it. Gasol was practically GIFT BOXED and sent to them by Chris Wallace.

Ainge shipped half his squad (literally) to get KG. Combine that trade with with the Allen deal, picking up Baby in the 2nd round, then signing Posey, House, Cassell & Brown?

It shouldn’t even be close.

by LuckyNumber07 on Apr 10, 2008 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

why does Brendan Haywood completely outplay Perkins every time?

Probably because he is flat out better. Haywood is very, very underrated. He’s having a great year.

by cmoney on Apr 10, 2008 12:52 PM EDT reply actions

The Wiz won’t have three days off before a playoff game while the Cs have zero. I just hope they remember Jamison screaming out there and Stevenson sniffing his fingertips, if they get matched up later on.

by Berkcelt on Apr 10, 2008 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Now that I think of it, given the first round opponents, the Celtics have a good chance of having some time off before a would-be second round game.

by Berkcelt on Apr 10, 2008 1:06 PM EDT reply actions

This is the risk when you go into a rest mode. The team loses its rhythm and clearly, the Celtics have lost some. I think they should play all out for the remaining games and try to win every game convincingly. Don’t **** around or they will be flat in the 1st round.

[please don’t curse]

by Vermont Green on Apr 10, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

How can Kupchak be leading this voting. Gasol is fine, but he’s not Garnett, Allen, and Posey. Not to mention Cassell, P.J. Brown, and even Eddie House.

by kozlodoev on Apr 10, 2008 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

Not only does Brenda Haywood outplay Perk every time, so does Zaza Pachulia. :P

by Eeyore III on Apr 10, 2008 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

This is a great motivating loss. There may be one more before the second season, but now they know what they have to do. I feel sorry for the Bucks. Doc will level both barrels at them to prove we’re not soft. The next practice is going to be brutal. These guys are vets. Rajon was out the second half. He is the big X factor.

by johnnymost on Apr 10, 2008 6:11 PM EDT reply actions