Celtics=Massive Tease

What seems to be getting everyone riled up about this current team is that they show such tremendous spunk and potential during the 1st halves of games.  What's even more electrifying is that, the better the competition is, the higher the level of display is shown.

Remember back to all of the best Celtics 1st halves...against the Hawks, the Magic, the Mavs, the Lakers, and the Cavs.  This team basically put on a clinic during EACH and EVERY game, in front of their very biggest competition. 

It's clear and obvious that this Celtics team is insanely talented.  Yet THAT is what is bothering us as fans.  We all see the end result of these games, and we all react the same way.  We look back at the dwindling record, and we see that the Celtics have lost to so and so this, and so and so that....1-3 against Orlando, 0-4 against Atlanta, etc.  We think to ourselves, "can a team that loses against +.500 competition win it all?"  With these records in mind, it is hard to say so in the presence of other teams' fans.

Yet, something in the manner of these losses makes us come back for more, and teases us into another frenzied froth.  We sit there during every big game, eyes glued to the players in awe and astonishment....astonished that they have amassed a seemingly miraculous double digit lead before halftime.  This has happened in Atlanta 4 times, Orlando 3 times, LA twice (one barely a win), Dallas once, and Cleveland once last night.

THEN it vanishes.   EVERY SINGLE TIME

At the crux of it all, we all wonder this: how can a team that plays with such fury for half a game, play with such pity for the other half?

You know what's truly twisted about the current state of affairs now?  It is that, as fans, we would ALMOST rather see the Celtics lose gradually, persistently, and consistently to good teams...rather than tease us with unlimited potential, and then flush it all away. 

Of course, we would all love them to just WIN consistently.  Yet, we would also like to see them just PLAY consistently.

That is what is maddening about this!  And you know what?  Call me crazy, but I think I'm going to embrace it.  Many of you already have.  This team is like none other that I have EVER, ever, EVER watched.  Many here have commented in the same way.  How many times have I heard  this: "are the Celtics going to break a record for most double-digit blown leads in one NBA season?".

It's like we're all being lulled and swooned by a massive tease.  Who's to say this journey through the playoffs won't lead anywhere?  I refuse to quit on this team because of losses like these.  Though they are admittedly painful, and somewhat are harbingers of underlying problems inherent to this team, they are NOT wimpering losses.

No, and that's what is so strange and electrifying.  If this team were not showing flashes of brilliance at times...or if they were being subdued slowly EVERY quarter by good teams...then I would give up outright.  Sure, I would root for this team, but I would never be sitting there, watching this team with the same anticipation that many of you share. 

My take on this is simple.  You can disagree with me if you want, but I think this is fairly fool-proof and obvious.

Until this team sees a consistent lineup, we cannot expect consistent results.  This is especially important in playing against the very good teams that PREY on opponents' inconsistencies. 

With regards to the latest Celtics-Cavs game, I like many (even after the recent Western road trip successes) doubted there would be a good result.  Instead, I was delightfully surprised (yet of course still guarded) about the level of play and the 8 point lead at halftime.  Although the game ended up being a loss, nothing can take away from the fact that the lead was held for 3/4 of the game....one without a healthy Paul Pierce no less (actually not even a wholly healthy Marquis either!).  Though the loss and collapse is dissapointing, I've had to remember the overall picture here. 

So to end off, I'll again repeat...until I see consistent lineups, I won't give up.  Of course, this begs the question....will we even ever see consistent lineups by the playoffs?  That's an entirely different question, and let me just say that I'm a realist and readily acknowledge that if there is even any doubt to the answer of that question  at that point, then I will consider the chances of a raised Celtic banner #18 as slim to none.

Meanwhile, I'd like people to talk about what they see out of these Celtics that makes their hair stand on edge?  What plays from specific players makes us jump out of our seats?  What makes us slap our friends' backs and holler out in joy?  What makes us confident about this team in direct opposition to the Kobe's, the Lebron's, the Dwights and the Birdman's (haha) of the world?  Go player by player!  I know everyone has a lot to say about each one in particular, and what they do well! 

For me personally, it's gotta be Rajon.  He is simply electrifying, and he is perhaps much of the reason why this team rises and ebbs so wildly.  His style of play marks a new direction in Celtics ball.  THAT, I think is the reason why there is such inconsistency...and why this transistion for this team is SO unique.

Until then though, we carry on watching games like these.   Our Boston Celtics are like none other.  They are just a massive tease.