Deja Vu 1987?

by Jeff Clark on Mar 18, 2009 10:08 AM EDT in News/Links Comment 10 comments

Not the first time this has been brought up, but this is a well written comparison by Mike Fine in the MetroWest Daily News. Here's his summary of 1987:

Toward the end of the season, the Celtics were still a force, still a viable championship defender. They won their 50th game, going 50-18 on March 22, but now Bird's back was hurting, too. And there was the matter of Kevin McHale fracturing his foot during a March 22 game at Chicago. Few realized how serious it would be.

Bottom line: a year after missing only 26 games due to injuries, the Celtics' top eight players were up to 61 games missed, and if you throw in Walton, who never could crack the top eight, that would be 133 games. The Celtics went on to sweep the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs, struggling for 4-3 series wins over the Bucks and Pistons before falling to the Lakers, 4-2, in the Finals.

They wouldn't get a sniff of the Finals for the next 21 years.

Here's his take on this year's squad:

Heading into Chicago last night, the Celtics' top 10 had missed 83 games because of illness and injury.

Toward the end of the season, the Celtics are still a force, still a viable championship defender. They won their 50th game last Friday, but without Garnett in particular, it's been a struggle. Heading into Chicago they were only 9-8 since their 12-game winning streak was snapped by the Lakers at the Garden on Feb. 5.

Does history repeat itself? Let's just hope that it won't be another 21 years before they get another sniff of the Finals.

The 21 years part seems a little over-gloomy, but the injury comparisons are very valid. This team is still a force and they might use their sheer willpower to get back to the Finals. Hopefully they can write a different script and win it all again (and again).

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If I Remember Correctly

In 1987, going into the finals, I think Rick Carlisle was the healthiest guy on the team and he was on the injured list.

"I don't come to play, I come to WIN"--Larry Bird

by TrueGreen on Mar 18, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Different Era, Different Players

As nice as it is to read, you just can’t say that because the parties involved are totally different. Back then we were dealing with Celtic players aging and minutes on the floor creeping up to them. Maybe you can say that Paul, Ray and Garnett are putting in Minutes as well, but I think all these injuries are just freaky by nature; bumps and bruises.

My concern is how healthy will this team be come playoff time and if they are capable of putting it together come playoffs. There intensity level and their focus is missing to some degree.

Trying to get new players aclamated now to the system is taking it’s toll

by Ancient Red on Mar 18, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

subject for debate?

are the injuries to KG something to worry about for the back end of his career?

great players usually don’t just stop being great because they get old, they often get stopped by nagging injuries – we know they can still play, if only they were healthy

this is what worries me about “the window” that people talk about — sure, “if healthy” the guys can be great for another 2-3 years – but that “if” is a gamble after 30

"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V

by Jeff Clark on Mar 18, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

A great point Jeff

If the injuries to our older players are the result of old age? What’s to become of them during future seasons? The injuries due to old age will decrease? A scary possibility could be that this 3 year ‘window’ that the Celtics organization/fans hoped this era would bring may be a lot shorter than expected. Obviously this is all speculation, but the health of our players down the road should now, especially after this season, be a huge concern.

And I hope to the Lord above that we don’t have to wait another 21 years to ‘sniff’ the finals. Is it a possibility that we’re a one and done team? I don’t know.

by BOSPORTS on Mar 18, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The injuries only matter if they continue on into the playoffs. Nearly all of these injuries are short term, so the comparison doesn’t mean anything at this stage.

The only guy to worry about currently is Tony Allen

by Who on Mar 18, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Of course there are parallels. Both were older teams that wore down physically. We can only hope that KG’s knee problems are not chronic, like Bird’s back.

The other difference is that I do not think this year’s team will get to the NBA finals, and in fact I would expect them to lose to Orlando in the second round if Orlando has home court.

The Celtics simply are not playing well, and Marbury and Moore have solved nothing. Frankly I would feel more comfortable going into the playoffs with Gabe Pruitt and Patrick O’Bryant.

by Brickowski on Mar 18, 2009 10:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually posted awhile back that this team looked to me more like the 1988 team. Which was pretty much the starting 5, Jim Paxson and Darren Daye. The comparisons were due to the bench. At this point, I think we are in better shape compared to 1987 and 1988. Guys who had to step up like Davis and Powe are actually young guys that improved themselves. We have an emerging start in Rajon Rondo. Back then the guys who would have had to step up would’ve been old vets like Bill Walton, Rick Carlisle, and Scott Wedman, guys towards the end of their careers. Assuming we are healthy come playoff time, I like our chances. #1, We are sort of out of the radar and that bulls eye target on their backs are bit faded. #2, Our bench has really gotten deeper. People now see Davis, Powe and Eddie House as minor threats and no longer afterthoughts.

Teams are more likely to take us lightly now. And the Celtics are less likely to do so.

by afflatus on Mar 18, 2009 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

calm down guys...

only one of our “old players” is injured, kg. the other injuries all are young guys, so I wouldn’t close our window just yet

by hpantazo on Mar 18, 2009 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What place were they in?

McHale got injured so late in the season, so I don’t think it’s a fair comparison.

Where teams who won the championship over the past 10 years finished in their conference/league

08: Celtics (1/1)
07: Spurs (3/3)
06: Heat (2/4)
05: Spurs (2/2T)
04: Pistons (3,7)!!
03: Spurs (1,1)
02: Lakers (3,3)
01: Lakers (2,2T)
00: Lakers (1,1)
99: Spurs (1,1) (strike year)

I think we have the most in common with the second two Lakers teams and the 05, 07 Spurs teams – they were injured throughout the year, but in the end came together to win the title. It should be noted, also, that only 4 out of ten of the teams from the last ten years had the league’s best record when they won the championship. It’s not who finishes first, it’s who finishes last.

by chunnamark on Mar 18, 2009 4:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

its over

as im watching the game now, i can t but wonder how are we gonna do in the playoffs? im sorry but i dont see a repeat….i believe in steph but it looks like its alil too late in the season for him to “find his legs”….apparently a year off can do some physical/mental damage..mikki more is completely useless, foul prone, cant catch a pass, can barely set a pick, or cant block a shot for nothing! i hope the best for them! i hope KG is right ANYTHING IS POSSIBLEEEE

by kelly811 on Mar 18, 2009 8:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs