Buzz Kill

by thenation on Nov 21, 2010 10:52 AM EST

I refuse to sugar coat it or try and put a positive spin on it. Friday night’s loss bothered me. I looked forward to the game all day long. A few buddies came over. We all sat back, put our feet up and cracked open a few cold beverages, anticipating a good game. The absence of Kevin Durant was disappointing but we all expected that the show would go on, right? Wrong! For three plus quarters Boston let Russell Westbrook and company score at will. We were all yelling at the TV for someone – anyone to get him – stick him. It was frustrating watching one player single handedly be a team who prides itself on defense? Westbrook didn’t do anything spectacular. He had a hot hand and very weak defense in front of him.

How many times did you find yourself either thinking or saying to someone else " Celtics should have a double digit lead at this point!"

The TD Garden crowd didn’t help matters. The ESPN announcers criticized the home crowd several times. The kids are making noise and trying to get themselves on the gumbo tran. What are the adults doing, Twittering on their phones? The camera actually showed a fan yawning. Is it too much to ask to show atleast a little interest?

Second of all, just because KD takes the night off does not give the Celtics the right to do the same on the defensive end. Playing solid d takes effort, and for most of the game C’s did not give much. I don’t expect Boston to win all 41 games at home nor do I expect them to get the number one seed in the East. However, what I do expect 100% effort on both ends of the court regardless of who the opposition is – no matter what day of the week the game is on.

By the end of the game we were doing shots…

Poll

What is your opinion on my post about Friday night's loss to the Thunder?

Too harsh and critical of the Celtics

7 votes

The post was right on point.

36 votes

43 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

fans in boston

The fans are spoiled after the last few years of dominating. People like me who will probably never get to go to a celtics game would knock the roof off the place. But no most of the courtside area is filled with celebs and corporate people who are mostly there to be seen. With the exception of Mr. Walburg ha ha.

by toddred29 on Nov 21, 2010 4:50 PM EST reply actions

+1

I love your comment and agree with you 100%

by thenation on Nov 21, 2010 5:32 PM EST up reply actions

+2

by fordescort on Nov 22, 2010 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

Not entirely true.

I’ve been to quite a few, and a lot of the fans, even court side, are pretty crazy. This isn’t LA, it’s not just celebs, or rich VPs and their arm candy who just want to be seen.

I’ve seen my fair share of fans court side hooting and hollering with the best of them.

But I do agree that Boston fans are spoiled. We definitely over-react at things, it’s hard to remember that not that long ago back to back losses were no big deal, and we used to get excited about the rare back to back wins.

by Sizzlack on Nov 23, 2010 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

+1

Back to back wins were what we called a winning streak!!

by GetYourSoxOn on Nov 23, 2010 10:22 PM EST up reply actions

I do agree that Boston fans (esp Celtics fans) are spoiled for the most part.

I wrote this post, not because I was frustrated with a two game losing streak, but that I know – heck we all know – what this team is capable of doing each and every night.
Maybe I shouldn’t, but I have always expected this team to give 100% effort each and every game.

by thenation on Nov 24, 2010 12:27 PM EST up reply actions

Buzz Kill {Part 2}

I`m guessing the loss in Toronto {less than 48 hours later} did not help matters either.

by Title 18 on Nov 21, 2010 5:15 PM EST reply actions

I get that it's early, I get that its a long season, but I still hate seeing this team lose to teams that have no right losing to.

Is this “ON/OFF Switch” even plugged in yet?

by thenation on Nov 21, 2010 5:31 PM EST up reply actions

two in a row how bout 3?

Play with some urgency, Im still pissed about game 6 and 7 and now watching this pathetic play. Put in a 4 quarter effort, execute down the stretch stop blowing huge leads when you have them. Doc sit these veterans down and have a serious talk about the future. And have some hard practices. And change for the better. yes its only 2 games well 3 with the cavs but dont get back into these same loser habits!

stinky farts and distracted by big tits

by savage hooper on Nov 21, 2010 6:16 PM EST reply actions

Darn loss!

BANNER 18 in 2011

by celtics2011 on Nov 21, 2010 9:07 PM EST reply actions

another comment

I have one more thing to say. I read an article a few years ago (I couldn’t remember who wrote it even if you held a gun up to my head) but they wrote about what happens to most championship teams after they win the title. they lose the fire! I absolutely think this is partially the case. I mean come on in 2008 it was attack attack attack. They had a vicious fire that would not be put out. I only see that desire at various times. Is it age or is it that fire i dont know. All i know is if i was Doc i would sit KG, Ray and Paul down and say ok guys it starts with you show our guys the fire again and they will follow. Ok thats enough damn i think i have enough fire to go out and play myself well ok sit at the end of the bench and yell but you would hear me…well until they shut me up or kick me out.

by toddred29 on Nov 22, 2010 1:09 AM EST reply actions

Some food for thought.

http://www.sportsofboston.com/celtics-2007-2008-schedule-and-results/

The 2008 Celtics didn’t lose back to back games until Jan 12.

Yes this team is different, yes there are a lot of injuries right now, and yes KG is three years, and one major knee surgery older now. But we’ve now lost back to back games within the first two months of the season, this has not happened before, I won’t push the panic button yet, but it’s clearly a concern.

Another point to think about, those back to back losses in 2008? Both to the wizards… at least there’s some precedent for taking nights off against weaker teams even in the Championship year.

by Sizzlack on Nov 22, 2010 10:38 AM EST reply actions

Motivation is another key issue...

C’s can not just get up for big games against playoff caliber teams and not get up for games against the lower class NBA teams.

They must find motivation to give a good effort against not only the good teams they play but also the poor teams they play against also.

One way to do that is to self motivate themselves to get as many wins as possible this year and create a sense of unbeatablness and possibly try to attain the best record in the NBA.

But if they are happy about just coasting threw the regular season and stepping it up in the playoffs then all this talk of self motivation to play poor teams this year as well as good teams goes out the window.

We will have to wait and see what course the C’s choose to take this year.

by fordescort on Nov 22, 2010 5:04 PM EST reply actions

I understand where you are coming from fordescort...

If these players possess possess this blue collar work ethic that they say they do, should self motivation even be an issue?
They are very good at acknowledging what they did or did not do to win a game during their post game press conference, but then they repeat the same mistakes the next game.
I just can’t accept the notion of this team coasting through the regular season. These last two games were lost because the team was lazy. Defense takes work, it takes effort. This team is loaded with veterans, hall of famers and all stars who know very well what it takes to beat teams such as the Thunder and the Raptors. They simply chose not to do it.
The team picks and chooses when it wants to put in the effort.

by thenation on Nov 22, 2010 8:12 PM EST up reply actions

Agree good points

by fordescort on Nov 22, 2010 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

By the way, the C's are blowing out Atlanta

So why is there such a different between how they are playing in Atlanta compared to how they play against the Raptors and Thunder?

by thenation on Nov 22, 2010 8:42 PM EST up reply actions

Yea I am watching the game and the C's are putting in a great effort against Atlanta tonight..

Motivation could be at play tonight and could be the reason the C’s kicking Atlantas butt tonight.

By this I mean seeing that the C’s lost to 2 poor teams in the raptors and thunder they are probably feeling the heat a bit from the coaches, fans etc and are motivated to put a end to the losing streak so are coming out and putting in the full effort.

I see this as probably the most sensible explanation to your good question of how the C’s can have such a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde performance in the last few games.

But its just my 2 cents.

by fordescort on Nov 22, 2010 8:59 PM EST up reply actions