Optimistic Realism
by Jeff Clark on Mar 4, 2010 11:37 PM EST
in Boston Celtics Articles
Email
PrintI consider it my job to keep my finger on the pulse of Celtics fans everywhere. I think it is safe to say that the green blood of diehards is pumping a little bit harder these days. The stress is getting our heart rates up and not in a good way. There's a whole lot of noise on the blog these days and it stems from a growing trend of people choosing sides.
In one corner is the resolute optimist. Nothing they see or hear can dissuade them from believing in this team. They know it in their heart that when push comes to shove the C's will do the shoving and shame on you if you don't believe too.
In the other corner is the resigned realist. Nothing they see or hear can dissuade them from knowing that this team is destined for failure. They know in their heart that push came to shove months ago and the team was knocked on their butts and aren't getting back up and if you can't see that then you are blind.
Both sides are getting louder and louder as battle lines are drawn (so to speak). So far on this blog I believe there has been mostly good natured debate and not a lot of actual fighting. I hope that trend continues and I urge you once again, to respect each other at all times. With that disclaimer aside, I'd like to speak up for another group of people.
I think there's a lot of people that aren't ready to join one side or the other. They can see points on either side but don't get too worked up about it and thus perhaps get drowned out by all the excess noise.
I'll put my cards on the table. I'm in this group. I shall dub us the Optimistic Realists.
Call me blind if you like, but I can imagine a scenario where this team could be raising a banner on opening night next year. Question my faith if you must, but I can just as easily imagine a scenario where we are bounced in the first round. Just about anything could happen and I don't think I would be overly surprised by it. Excited or disappointed sure, but not surprised.
There's plenty to be optimistic about. Look at the last game. Sure the Bobcats are in a funk, but they are a legit playoff team this year and the Celtics handed them their lunch. Or to go to a macro analysis, look at the first few months of the season. This team was steamrolling opponents as well as they have in any of the last 3 years. It feels like things might be turning around and getting back to that pace.
Pierce just had one of his best games of the year. KG has looked as healthy as he has in the last year. Ray is on one of those rolls that evens out his season percentages and makes you forget that he ever was in a slump. If it wasn't for the flu bug that's been going around, we might have strung together a few games with a full roster. Can you imagine this club with a clean bill of health and locked in and focused on the playoffs? With some luck, we might just see that team again.
But luck can be fickle. I can see plenty to be pessimistic about as well. Or realistic if you wish. The taste of that Nets loss still hangs in the back of my mouth like next-morning pizza breath. The last two months have been a slow motion train wreck and I'm done listening to excuses. So what if everyone on the roster took turns wearing suits to games instead of warmups? Who cares if they are closer to assisted living than they are to making a living on assists? The team has flat out stunk for a lot longer than a Championship contender should.
We've seen far too many "statement" games where the only statement the team was making was "I don't care." I don't buy into Sheed's Kung Fu teacher theory either. A martial arts teacher might save a few tricks up his sleeve for when he or she needs it most, but they wouldn't give a half hearted effort until they were backed up against a wall. If anything, they would impart upon you that when the pressure is on, you must rely on your training. Or said another way, if you practice winning, you have a much better chance of winning.
So now what? Where do we go from here? Will this team lift our hearts or break them? Will the optimists be proven right or will the realists get bragging rights for the summer? I don't know and I don't care. I'll just sit here on the fence and enjoy the show.
I mean, if nothing else, this makes for some great drama. If I were somehow able to remove my emotional investment in the team, I would still be fascinated by the unfolding storylines. Does Pierce have one last run as the alpha-dog left in him? Will Garnett's body catch back up with his mouth? Will Rondo strike that perfect balance between exerting himself as a star and supporting the stars? Will Doc find a way to keep everyone on the same sheet of music?
This is must see TV right here but we can't see it because we're too busy making sure everyone knows where we stand so in a few months we can nod our heads and say "see, I told you so!" Well, that won't be me because I haven't the foggiest idea of what is going to happen and I wouldn't have it any other way.
142 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
you mother always said you were a peacemaker
“Is not the spider also trapped in its own web? Which is truly the prisoner? The fly, which moving freely enters unknown danger? Or the spider, which having spun its web, remains, never knowing the pleasure or the danger of the fly?” – Master Po
I chose not to be in the web of defeatism but rather the fly…….flying on the wings of maybe.
Is it Soup Yet?
by Master Po on Mar 4, 2010 11:49 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
They tried to put me in a box!
- Stephon Marbury
I completly understand your article Jeff
I never mean to be so ardently optimistic, defintely not saying we have the best chance of ant to win it all, just that we still can win it all. I dont agree with the complacency on the court or on the board, but i too understand we could get ousted in the 2nd round, I just prefer not to hear/read it everywhere. It is something the fans here have a tendency towards, forgetting about supporting your team when they are down too. what if they are a plyaoff team, but not a champ, does that not mean they are not worth watching? The games they take off/eak by are by no means exciting, but all I am saying is stand by your team whether they win or lose. But hope they win
this is it
I said this before….and I say it again..Larry Bird is not walking through that door….but Larry O’Brien trophy certainly is…..I’m one of those ‘resolute optimists’.
I like that,I just can’t stand doc rivers
by reggie_35 on Mar 5, 2010 12:05 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I'm there too
In political life I immediately am skeptical of the hard right or liberal left. The same Tom Fools occupy the poles that predict where this team finishes. The people on the poles assume that the people in the middle can’t make a decision. I would offer the words of F Scott Fitzgerald that true intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas at the same time. So…do the Celts stink? Sure, I’ve seen it with my own eyes (although I have been way out of town for the last three games, including the Nets). Could the Celts still go all the way? Sure, on paper they have what a playoff run needs – great vets, plus a game-changing PG, plus a bench of vital parts, and an arena that knows how to rock em home.
True ignorance resides on the extremes. You are where you need to be.
Here is the problem we have in 2010....
Good News : We have an All-Star roster {KG, PP, Ray, Sheed, Finley}
Bad News : It is an All-Star roster from 2002!!
I guess I'm with you Jeff
After the beatdown they just put on the Bobcats, you can’t help but feel like maybe this team was just saving it for the stretch run.
Although it was only a few days ago that I was resigned to the notion that they might finish .500 after losing to the Nets.
So, I don’t know.
P2 is the man.
Wow a word like perspective from some one who calls goin 9 for 13 inflated stats,like no one that runs half court set plays gets off anything more than 13 shots ,
by reggie_35 on Mar 5, 2010 12:15 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Two things to say about this piece
(1) Error in your 3rd paragraph: “In the other corner is the resigned realist” should have read: “In the other corner is the resigned pessimist.” If you are going to label one side “optimistic” (as opposed to “realistic”), you cannot, if you are being fair and unbiased as you claim to be, label the other side “realistic”. (Because that’s identical to saying one side is thinking wishfully, the other side is looking at the facts.) That belies your “unbiased” stance. Let’s just call it a slip of the finger, rather than an indication of actual bias. Ok?
(2) I don’t think it’s “optimistic”, actually, to say that we believe the Cs are or will be ready for the playoffs, and will have as good a shot as anybody else if they stay healthy. Some of us, whom you term “optimistic”, believe that the regular season is simply not reliable as an indicator of what will happen in the playoffs, and that yesterday’s game proved that the Cs have nothing physical standing in their way… So saying they have a good shot seems more “realistic” than “optimistic”. But ok, the pessimists will argue that point, I’m sure.
But for sure, luck will play a huge role. I think it always does. Sometimes it’s a lucky hail-mary shot that happens to go in… more typically it comes down to health. A twist of an ankle can make all the difference. Gotta have some luck, for sure.
DRJ1
Did you happen to read your own post—as in, out loud a bunch of times, you know… just to hear your own voice?
Nice work Jeff
You feel the pulse of Celtic Nation.
the negativity and lack of patience here have been palpable. not to mention no one knows who finley or
nate are. Is there a blog age limit here of 14? it must have happened when i wasn’t looking. Sure Sheed sucks, Daniels isn’t much, Nate is too short, Perk and Baby can’t jump, we gaive up future superstars we draft for garbage, Finley is too old, Rondo isn’t the answer. Ok. Its time to find out. And you know what? If in the next 3.5 months you see a third period score that reads Boston 79 Dallas 48, don’t be too surprised, ok
Yep, that was very good
However, he is still a 60 percent shooter from the line. As a point guard, I would expect next year he would be up around 75 percent.
Guys can improve
Esp on the FT line, they can improve dramatically and suddenly, if they change their form, attitude, etc.
I agree 100 percent
And he has improved this year. I am just stating my belief that an elite point guard must shoot at least 75 percent from the line. I think he can do it.
rondo is shootijg. 603 from the line this year. a 4% DEcrease from last year.
What's the matter? The CIA got you pusing too many pencils?
by adubson on Mar 5, 2010 7:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
have to agree
I’ve learned to stop reading all the comments on this blog after losses, especially real bad ones. I’ve even seen some people write that theyre going to stop watching the games. That’s not supporting the team the way a true fan would. Support shouldnt ebb and flow with the Celts wins and losses, it’s disappointing to me.
Completely agree with RedsBean
The quick transition of flow between wins and losses is absurd. Fans find anything to question after every loss, and find something to rant about every win.
I am beginning to avoid reading comments on this blog after losses because I already know it will be covered with “Fire Doc,” “Paul Pierce is done,” “Rasheed is lazy!,” etc.
It is very disappointing to see how the support of the Celtics has such a strong flow in either direction after simply one game. Lets keep in mind that there are 82 games to be played, and crying over the same topic over and over does no good and personally, I don’t want to hear it.
If there is ever a third period score like this.....
Never mind. It’s not going to happen.
its why we watch
The unknown is the greatest aspect of the game. This isn’t a movie. Its not scripted, nothing will be the same twice, and no can tell you what’s going to happen. The love of the mystery is what has every fan coming back season after season and spinning tales of possibility. Bring on the playoffs! Great piece, Jeff.
I don't think the two extremes are necessarily "optimist" and "realist"...
There are certainly abject pessimists, too, who continually see the glass as 3/4 empty.
That said, count me in with the “optimistic realists”, too.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
Correct
The terms are “optimist” and “pessimist”. But using “realist”, Jeff betrays his bias… which we know has been to the pessimistic side in recent weeks. And we can see him struggling to move toward great positivity… hence this piece. It’s a start.
I'll disagree here...
I know Jeff pretty well, and I don’t think he sees things with a jaundiced eye. He gets criticized on here for being both too positive and too negative, which probably means he’s fairly evenly balanced. I think “bias” is too strong of a word.
Rather, I think Jeff was using the word some of the pessimists label themselves with (unfairly, in my point of view).
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
by Roy_Hobbs on Mar 5, 2010 1:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I don't think you're "biased"
…just that the wording seemed biased. I think you’ve tended to the negative side, though…..
But both camps label themselves "realists"
…of course. Why choose the pessimists for that label? It lends them more credibility, which they do not deserve in an unbiased environment.
Clearly, the correct dichotomy is optimists vs. pessimists. That much is obvious. As to why… I cannot know. Jeff knows.
But don’t you think it should be fixed?
please
do not tell me what I really mean or feel, I know what I feel and I think I’m pretty straightforward
realists is just a term, a term that those with a more pessimistic bent prefer to be called – I’m both accommodating and seeing things from their perspective – something that I would ask of you as well
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
I didn't
I even said “I don’t know”, and that you would know.
I don’t like how he used the word “realist” either, even if the pessimist feel like that. I’ve been tauting from they one that the pessimist where being completely unrealistic, but someone it’s always the pessimist that are realistic while people with positive views somehow are daydreamers, even when their conclusions are based on facts while some of the pessimist views ignore important facts.
I’ve said it quite a few times in the forums, pessimism has somehow become a synonym for being realistic, which is just wrong. But don’t let people with pessimistic views here about this, they might bite your hand.
As for the column itself, I think he just using it to label… but I still feel it’s just badly used because there are a ton of people with positive views that are as realistic, but for some reason are dismissed for “drinking the koolaid”. Just look at the various posts by drza44 in the forum, particularly the ones that he uses FACTS to try and conclude where this team might be heading instead of some random babble most here seem to prefer.
But I tell you now, if he had chosen a different word than “realist”, then the column itself wouldn’t has worked as well with the culmination of forming the phrase “Positive Realist”.
by BudweiserCeltic on Mar 5, 2010 7:34 AM EST up reply actions
doubt it was intentional
You’re a great writer Jeff, and by everything I hear a great person too. Though I can see how the optimists could be offended by calling the pessimists realists.
by KG's Knee on Mar 5, 2010 7:48 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The problem that labeling the group as such is that it completely validates the pessimistic feelings some might have, while in some manner completely disregarding the ones with positive feelings. So in the end, only the ones with positive with realistic views are validated… but then I ask, where do the “unreasonable” pessimists lie?
So whether intentional or not (which I doubt it was) is meaningless at the moment. But I’ll say that Jeff has had some very pessimistic feelings quite recently, so subconsciously he wanted to validate those feelings as being justifiable, and maybe that’s why the column reads the way it reads.
by BudweiserCeltic on Mar 5, 2010 8:04 AM EST up reply actions
there's a difference
between frustration and pessimism
I’ve been growing frustrated with the team, not more pessimistic (or realistic)
but the semantical debate is growing wearisome
if I offended by using a term that you don’t agree with, please forgive me – I recognize that this is a sensitive topic and though I tried my best not to offend, I can see how some might have been
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
I’m not offended, I’m awesome lol. Anyways, yes it grows wearisome, that’s why it’s always best to call things for what they are. The problem in the column, as I mentioned, is that it somehow justifies any pessimistic feeling ANYONE might’ve had because they can always fall in to the “I’m just being a realistic” safety net. The optimistic ones don’t haven’t been afforded that safety net, so there should be some counterbalance there that’s missing, which are the pessimistic types that really aren’t that realistic at all.
Because just as you mention, there’s a group which is both realistic and optimistic, there’s also a group that’s unbearably pessimistic, and the omission of them while only focusing on the realistic side of the pessimists might rub some of those with optimistic views the wrong way.
So in that regard, I hope you see where maybe the main problem lies. It’s like giving a free-pass to everyone that had some sort of pessimistic view of things, while those daydreamer optimists aren’t afforded that.
Also, as you say, there’s a difference between frustration and pessimism… so maybe you appreciate that there’s a difference between being pessimistic and realistic, and as such might rub those of the other camp the wrong way.
But whatever, this will be the last of me on this issue.
I’m glad you’ve been recruited in the “Optimistic Realist” group. Maybe some more positive vibes on this site that has been full of negative vibes for the past weeks/months will do some good.
by BudweiserCeltic on Mar 5, 2010 9:03 AM EST up reply actions
Really not that much of a problem, I am sure you can see both sides pretty clearly
We all can, and I am pretty sure we are all frustrated.
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
I'm a Presbyterian myself
No, all seriousness aside…
I always have called myself a cautious optimist.
Other people call me other things.
Which reminds me… you just can’t find any left handed cheese anymore.
Jeff, DRJ1 tells everyone what they mean on this blog
That’s his specialty :-)
And yours is "determined pessimism"
…using the English precisely there.
But hey, if not for guys like you, what would we argue about? :)
Everybody thinks they're a realist
If they didn’t, they’d be kind of insane, don’t you think?
Ditto on both counts
While I find many of my posts lingering in positive space, it is to combat those who will abandon our team and stop watching after losses, and hold no hope. Personally I always try to bring a bit of realism in too, no sense in sugar coating. Count me in with optimistic realist, in fact I would think there are many more optimistic realists than there are straight up pure optimists (why does this feel retarded?) but there seem to be more pessimists than anything. I try to hold hope for those that lose it, I left one celtics message board already due to ngativity, just trying to keep a level plaing field. Like POwe said fluttering on the wings of hope. Lol
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 1:33 AM EST up reply actions
its not if you lose....but how you lose.
Cz losses this year have been akin to watching that insurnance commercial in the ice storm where a vehicle slowly skids out of control on an ice pathc destined to hit your car as you are powerless to stop it watching from your window—sloooow torture.
malcontents....the lot of you
Yes I know.
But still, seems like the proper thing for a fan to do is support (support and complain-great), but still hold out hope they can turn it around.
I live in MA as I assume most of u do. Other than the Celtics whom I had suffered through but still supported through a couple decades of mediocrity and worse, and many of us did (even in the 24 win season, I went to see them at the garden beat the magic in double ot, with the loudest croud I have ever heard in any area, sport or music). Other than the Celts, I don’t really follow other sports, I am fairly concious of what is happening with the Sox and Patriots, but am not invested in it. Found some pride in beating the Yankees in 2004 (last sox game I watched) or the snowbowl, which I was at (advertising) and the first bowl victory, even the ensuing championships to a quite moderate extent. I just don’t get invested as a fan. I am in the minority here as this is a Red Sox state, the Patsies picked up quite a few fans in those early superbowls. Standing from the outside looking in, the arrogance in new england fans is nausiating, a sense of entitlement. Quite akin to what most people dislike about Steeler fans, though no fan would admit it. It is one of the reasons why most fans around the nation can’t stand new England teams, it is more about the fans than the teams in most cases, in traveling around the country has confirmed that. Unfortunatly most of these abrasive fans were bandwagon jumpers, but I digress.
Now since the Celts rebuilt, it has translated here too. All these fans come swooping in loud as hell, expecting championship calibre in all sports, and have been watching teams wither since our champ push here by the C’s, the complacency in new England by the fans is palpable, and I feel shameful. Like if they are not championship calibre they are not worth watching. I understand it is a reciprocal situation, they feed us their energy and we feed it back, and I understand that this team, in fact all New England teams have been playing like poo of recent. But can you imagine how it feels to be in this winning culture of New England, with over the top screaming fans. Then to have it stripped away. So they garden is supportive when we are winning onthe first half, but goes flat in the2nd! Man what ever happened to losing your voice to support your team regardless of record, I lost mine in 2007, watching Paul Pierce, Al Jefferson, Tony Allen, Delonte West, Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green put the hurt on Dwight Howard and co and I loved it, knowing they were lottery, not playoff bound, and the Garden still rocked.
I don’t blame doc for saying those who jumped off the wagon, stay off. We need to remain true fans and support them (does not mean we can’t criticize them, and their at times half hearted play), we need to feed them our energy too, or they won’t get as far, plain and simple, as a former athelete, fan involvement and fan belief is a great tool, it is key. Support your team even through a slump or a bad or hard time.
We Need To Stay Loud!
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
“it is more about the fans than the teams in most cases”
many cases not most, the all do still love to hate on the dominant team on top.
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 11:51 AM EST up reply actions
So the garden is supportive when we are winning in the first half, but goes flat in the 2nd!
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
thats right I said it
tho I guess you dont like hearing it, just an opinion fellas, dont make it true, and doesnt mean I was directing it towards any of you in particular, just speaking MY truth
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 12:28 PM EST up reply actions
Nice conversation...
…with yourself. I gotta try that more often. At least I know I won’t get an argument…. I think….
Those were all corrections bra
Except the last one in which I was receding to equating New England/Boston fans to Steeler fans, and was both justifying and apologizing to anyone who had a problem with it preemptively. Just getting it out of the way.
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 5:37 PM EST up reply actions
Dam iphone always changing my words
Refering to not receding to
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 6:09 PM EST up reply actions
by the way
I had no individuals in mind while writing this piece – please believe that and don’t take too much offense
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
eyeball realist optimist
From day one concerned with PP’s explosion, celtic bailout offense<including ray and rasheed forcing three’s>, and too much pressure on the D when the offense has no flow or killer instinct……<notice how KG’s health is no where in there.> With this years version of the celtics the offensive efficiency IMOP will tranlate into plus’ on the defensive end. Hot nate says I can keep ray /rondo more fresh/less pressured, push the ball , DICTATE matchups, and take the bench to the next level< sheed off the three line—forced closer to the rim>. Add a performing mike finley, and the optimist in me says with good health your forcing doc into making smarter line up rotations——my master plan all long: stack the bench, the wins will come. ….Now if I could just pick up a PJ clone on waivers somewhere.
malcontents....the lot of you
If we're healthy we win #18 and it appears that we're turning that corner. If we're not healthy enough, we won't
That I believe is realistic and I’m tired of all the whining and hand-wringing and resignation and finger pointing and prophets of doom.
Vintage Jeff Clark work here
That was fantastic.
Nice job, Chief.
-sw
Growing up in the Weinman household, you learn two rules very quickly if you aspire to reach double-digits in the years-of-age category: Hate thy Knick, hate thy Yankee.
Go Celtics, Go Dodgers. -sw
Excellent analysis!
I belong in the first category, but I really can’t wait for the playoffs because we are close to them and this is when we will finally see for sure what this team is made of. No more excuses or laziness, this is the real season and the only one that matters.
it aint over till
someone beats us 4 times in a week , we will see what this team is made of come playoff time ,i just cannot wait!! ,its gonna be a LOOOOOOOOOONGG march and april and may,dare i say JUNE?…just did
Fantastic piece of work
But I agree with some here that the realist in the term “resigned realist” seems odd. Not because it is the antonym and a more appropriate term opposite optimist, but there is something odd there. It seems that you are a little biased towards the failure of this team because you saw the ‘destined failure’, is somehow connected to being a realist.
On the other hand, I think I am one of the Optimistic realist. I still have banner 18 dream for this team this year, yet careful enough not to hope too much.
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." - Bill Russell
Yes, intimidation is the key to domination.
great piece!
sign me up as a member of the Optimistic Realists. a very hopeful one..
love your work, Jeff
The best part of this season is its entertainment value. It certainly takes me away from the reality which is our nation right now. We become bored with always winning or always losing. We have lived through seasons like this before, and wondered whether Walton would ever walk again, or if Russell would still get up to block that Chamberlain rainbow hook. We don’’t know how it will end. The last 5 minutes are not the only time to watch the game. The Celtics are beatable. The Celtics are unbeatable.
I still believe the playoffs are a different series requiring a different mindset and a different approach to the game. I’ve watched younger teams choke under pressure. I’ve also seen older teams wilt under pressure. I like the chances of this team to make for a very entertaining post season and summer, and that is what I want. Even thought the Al Jefferson teams were bad, I enjoyed watching the kids grow and learn. I think Danny knows what he is doing. I’d rather have Doc than Bill Fitch or KC Jones right now.
If nothing else, let’s enjoy the ride together. Throwing some popcorn and screaming at each other is OK. Just no spilling beers on each others head.
Well said, Jeff
The only thing I disagree with is calling a below .500 team with an 8-23 road record a “legit playoff team”
They appear to almost certainly be out of the playoffs IMO…
by nba is the worst on Mar 5, 2010 7:17 AM EST reply actions
The optimist in me
sees the success Charlotte had as well as the C’s against the Lebron’s as well as how the deep the team is and so I look forward to seeing them altogether as the season winds down and playoffs commence.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
The realist in me
simply notes that the BobCats have one of the best defenses in the league (tied with ours in ppg) and we posted 105 pts on them at the same time as holding them to some 14 points below their scoring average.
Wether the Bobcats are a good team is debatable. That the C’s played a great game is not.
Time will tell if the Charlotte being presages things to come. A rebounding (health-wise) KG & Pierce, the energizer Nate-bunny, and another wily (hope not relic) vet are all pluses. .
What remains in doubt (imho) is the frontcourt. Perk needs to come around, the Kung Fu fighter needs to step up and Uno-Babs…. I worry about Uno-Babs.
+1 Finley
Up front I wasnt thrilled at first, but he gives us some size on the wing, which should help facing up with Cleveland and LA, who have a lot of muscle and length at SG/SF.
Wow, couldn't agree more Jeff
Although, I too, think labeling the pessimists as realists is unfair to the optimists. Oh well , I’m on the fence anyways, so no biggie for me personally.
by KG's Knee on Mar 5, 2010 7:43 AM EST via mobile reply actions
labeling the pessimists as realists is unfair to the optimists
- – - exactly
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
I thought it was sarcasm
The optimists also think their perspective is the right, and thus, realistic one.
Oh well, welcome to Boston, where sports fans like to philosophy about the deep, fundamental questions of life.
for me
This is the best piece I have read on this blog. You really do have your finger on the pulse around here. I have always wondered why people get so high after a win and so low after a loss. Maybe it’s because fan is short for "fan"atical.
Count me in as a cautious “fanatical”!
by KG's Knee on Mar 5, 2010 7:58 AM EST via mobile reply actions
For those that like to be Realistic Optimistics: Its good. For those that think that because of age and injuries we will ultimately fall short of our ultimate goal, like it already happened last year: its good also. Chose your Poison.
To my beloved amigo and confidant: That was apiece of art you wrote in here; though I believe Ma….e was the brain behind the idea. Truly excellent. Im still smiling.
To Jeff; Excellent article, amigo. This site is what it is because of you. Dont ever leave it.
In the other corner is the resigned realist.
Nothing they see or hear can dissuade them from knowing that this team is destined for failure.
=
It should say “In the other corner is the resigned alarmist”
Don't fake the funk on a nasty dunk
Optomistic Realism
The Nets debacle actually knocked me out of going to tonight’s game in Philly although I intend to watch it on TV. This from a fan who used to attend EVERY Atlantic Division road game back in the day.
Now that I’m old I’m still enthusiastic but I can sleep after a loss, even a terrible one. In 1987 when Mychal Thompson pushed McHale in the back and they gave the ball to the Fakers; when Magic hit that shot and Brid just missed his, I was up all night.
That said, I do think that there is a small but realistic chance that the team can shift into a higher gear come playoff time.
I blame Doc quite a bit(though less than 50%) for the “underperforming.” For one thing, he should control the players. Why does Rondo insist on ending every quarter with “fiddling and diddling” followed by chucking up an unmakeable shot or letting the buzzer go off?
Danny has done his part
With the signing of Finley, Danny has completed his part of the playoff mission. Finley adds injury insurance. Remember last year when Powe went down early, we had Perk and BB. That’s all!. This year we also have an very good PG backup, good backups in Quis and (hopefully no bonehead plays from) TA. We have KG back. We have Sheed. If they all stay healthy we have as good a chance as anyone of winning the whole thing.
I'm one of those "in the middle"
And I find it rushed to make a final decision on this team at this point. How can you?
I don’t see any other team playing at such a level that they can’t be beat in a 7 game series. Throwing out all boredom and regular season frustrations, the fact remains we don’t know which Celtic team we will see in the playoffs. Until that point, I’m just along for the ride, and hoping each piece shows enough flashes for me to hope it all comes together in perfect harmony.
I don't know any optimist here
- well, not any reasonable one anyway – who has made a “final decision” on the playoffs. Far as I can tell, the “optimists” (who are actually the realists, btw) feel that the Cs will have as good a chance of winning a ring as anybody else in the league, in the playoffs. That as of 2 nights ago, it seems nothing stands in their way. It’ll be a matter of luck (i.e., maintaining health), and attitude (i.e., fire/passion/hunger/desire/etc.)
I’d say that makes you one of the “optimists”. But wouldn’t you agree that we “optimists” are just being realistic?
15-16 ....
… since x-mas day. Optimists have as much reason to be optimistic as Bobcat fans. Place me squarely in the “window has closed” camp. I love this group and I’m very thankful for the title, just not counting on any more in the next 4-5 years.
BANNER 18 -THE STEALTH CHAMPIONSHIP
JEFF, once again, has elucidated our common plight, with uncommon perspicacity…
… his precription for sanity is just exactly what the ‘Doc’ ordered… let us all enjoy the show…
The underdog role is quite a motivator, and usually receives much fan support
I for 1 do not mind the C’s being the underdogs
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 11:20 AM EST up reply actions
it’s all odds. this year, with the age and injury and sheed factor, the odds are less than the first year of the big 3. our big problem in some way is not the c’s. the hawks and cavaliers and the magic are much better than in our banner 17 year. so are the fakers, denver and dallas. it’s a much bigger mountain to climb. much bigger- therefore the negative factors on the c’s weigh more than before, and our odds of winning get higher. the good news is that we still have a chance, not a great one,but we do have players that know how to win. the player i worry the most about now tho he is not our most important player is perk. he has been off his game for a while and seems the most effected by the erratic play of the team as a whole.
Optimistic Realism is an Oxymoron
They’ve got three patsies coming up, then Memphis, then Cleveland. Let’s see how they do against Cleveland before letting our optimism bubble over.
As for the Finley signing, it says more about the woeful state of the Spurs— another once proud but aging team that has no chance— than it does about the Celtics.
i was waiting for this....
they can’t do that to our pledges….. only WE can do that to our pledges.
who you callin' an ox-moron?
(this is a quote from an obscure movie that has always stuck in my head)
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" Henry V
Heck - I'm waiting to see how they do against the two "playoff patsies"
Never mind the Cavs – the Bucks and Griz are trying to make the playoffs !
by nba is the worst on Mar 5, 2010 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
not sure how anyone could conclude that the Lakers blow
Kobe has won 6 games by himself this year with last second shots including one against us. He almost did it again last night against Miami. The Lakers are for real as is Cleveland. As for FInley I think it was a good signing. He fills a need which is lack of outside shooting. Don’t let the last game fool you; we lack shooters coming off the bench. tony and marquis are slashers and Nate, as hot as he’s been, can also go 1 for 15.
I'm sure he was joking...
…and enjoying a relatively rare Lakers loss.
Interesting how many games the Lakers have lost at the ft line
Including last night, and the C’s win, AND the 2nd Cavs loss.
Lakers’ focus issue is their weakness
by nba is the worst on Mar 5, 2010 1:33 PM EST up reply actions
Agree on Finley
With House gone we lost a catch and shoot guy off the bench. Neither Tony Allen nor Quis can be counted on to shoot, and Robinson isn’t exactly a sniper. We do have to very good shooters in Pierce and Ray, but obviously they’ll be starting.
It will be interesting to see how (and if) Doc uses the extra talents on the bench for the rest of the season to keep Pierce and Ray fresh, but also how he shortens things up in the playoffs to maximize the talent on the floor. I’ve never been a fan of Doc’s in this area, so by interesting I mean: I doubt he does it well. (I expect to see Pierce and Allen play too much for the rest of the season, but nothing change in the playoffs, i.e. same amount of Tony Allen and BBD as in regular season. In other words, the worst of both worlds.)
History dictates...
…that we have a very small chance to win it this year but that doesn’t mean most of us will stop watching and hoping for the low probability outcome. Of course, there are always unexpected events that could change that probability. During the Pacers / Lakers finals, Bird told his players anything could happen, including a season ending injury to Shaq.
I actually appreciate the extremes. Good vibes after a win and satisfying emotional outpour after a loss. It’s like group therapy.
As always, great article, Jeff.
In the other corner is the resigned realist. Nothing they see or hear can dissuade them from knowing that this team is destined for failure.
I think very few people are so invested in their opinion and need to be right that they’d ignore any new evidence to change their view. Most people, hell, probably all people, would love the Cs to win the championship. People formed their views on how the season would play out based on what they saw over a prolonged period. And frankly, what they saw indicated that the team was not a legit contender. Premature in writing epitaphs? Maybe, but that what the Cs have shown so far.
Still, I bet very few are so rigid in their views that they would not change if the evidence presented showed that the team really is a contender. And that has nothing to do with being a fair weather fan, either. It has to do with evaluating the facts as you see them at a given time.
Makes for a nice premise for an article though.
no it does not necessarily have to do with being a fair weather fan, but I am sure that there are more than a few bandwagoners lost here or panicing in dismay
I am not proud of the way they have played in 2010, and I dont think they are either, and though I dont think they have the best chance to win it all, I 100% still believe they are capable of winning it all
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 12:20 PM EST up reply actions
That evidence might not arrive until the playoffs
Or it might. For me, it doesn’t matter. All I care about is that they by PHYSICALLY prepared for the fight. The mental part will come automatically, I believe, by virtue of the arrival of the playoffs. Until then, negative “conclusions”… looking specifically at the meaning of that word… are absolutely premature. As in invalid.
Who are you quoting when you say "conclusions" in quotes?
I used the word “view”, as in, “in my view”. There’s nothing “invalid” about anybody’s opinion about the shape the team is in. They are opinions. Nothing more, nothing less. Some people are so attached to their opinions that they just have to label everyone else’s “invalid”. Infantile reasoning.
There’s nothing premature about holding an opinion about the team’s chances. We’re nearly 3/4s of a way into the season. Hardly too early to form an opinion.
Mencius, that "conclusions" quote was not from you
Wasn’t intended to be “from” anybody. Was just a general point, put in quotes for emphasis.
In fact, I understand your POV and mostly agree with it. I was tweaking/adding-to your post, by saying that the way I see it, their regular season performance is only modestly relevant… their health and readiness for the playoffs are all that matter, to me.
Yeah, I agree with you about the health and readiness too.
Sorry about the way I characterized the reasoning. :/
N/p
Figured we agreed.
I was addressing those (relatively few) pessimists on this board who have CONCLUDED that the Cs are dead in the water, based on what they’ve seen in this regular season. While it’s certainly not too early to form opinions, it’s ABSOLUTELY too early to draw conclusions from what we’ve seen – even before the last 3 games, even right after the Nets game. Because the playoffs are a whole different animal, and there is always the possibility (a strong probability, in my opinion) that the Cs are saving their best for that time.
Optimistic Realists
That is what I am.
Like I have always said (and 100 other folks have said the same thing) if healthy…
this applies to any team
Jamison and Shaq out for the finals, they still take it?
Gasol or Bynum or Kobe or Lebron or whoever… if a team has injuries it is going to affect them, the great teams can overcome this (much the way the C’s valiantly fought to the end last year with half a roster) But for crying out loud guys, dudes come off injuries and you expect them to jump right back in to where they were before the injury. I for one am glad to see at this stage in his career KG slowly ramp it up. Let the team get healthy and support them while they go through it. I dont condone sliding by games, but I dont blame them for taking it easy for a short bit while people get back from injury and work back into form. It has been a liitle too long since we have seen that killer instinct and we must develop that back in, and I have seen us trending in that direction since the allstar break, ok so we had 2 bogus losses in a row, no we learn from it and pick our selves back up, retie our laces and go for it. You goota support your team while they go through this stuff so they dont remain bored. If that garden would stay rockin, and the support on the radio, in the papers, and in the blogs were here, I bet we would see more intensity. Injuries happen, and I hoe our string of them is done, but dont expect the guys to be superstars again right out of the gate. Though I think it is safe to say an expectation of this team ramping up its collective energy, real soon (hopefully now) is a good thing to expect and hope for. And whether or not they make it past the 2nd round of the playoffs doesnt mean its not worth watching.
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
Actually, yeah
If Shaq and Jamison are out, they can still take it. Their key guy (obviously) is James, not any of the others.
Btw, Shaq going out would INCREASE their chances, in my opinion. But Brown doesn’t care what I think… thankfully.
Yes it is possible but not likely
Bringing them back to their 2008 squad, not enough then, IMO not enough now. Just proving a point, glad you focused on the rest.
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
No comment on the rest
…because I agree with everything else. I suppose you’re right tho, I should say that if I’m commenting at all. Peace! :)
Nah, I'm just in a funky mood
Comment on what you want to. Just annoyed with well everything I already said
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
But obviously, if LBJ was hurt
or even just ~70% …. the Cavs would have serious trouble getting through a 7 game series.
Everybody else on that team is a little more expendable – they have decent depth (especially when Z goes back to CLE).
Their dependence on James is a weakness
… a fault line in the Cavs structure. Cs are not SO dependent on any one guy. Although (I’m sorry to say) our team would not go very far without either Rondo or KG. So I guess we’re all in that boat, to some extent.
But the Cavs have it worse than we do. Because if we can STOP LBJ, we can generally stop that whole team. Not so easy for anybody do that to the Cs.
Don't sugar coat it...
There’s eternal optimists and the pessimists… those in between are the realists.
I consider my self to be a realist leaning toward the pessimistic side regarding this team.
Rondo doesn't believe in easy buckets...
this is technically true
a misnomer for anyone far left or far right of center
by Warrior Spirit on Mar 5, 2010 1:39 PM EST up reply actions
Who wants it more
This is Celtic team too Complacent?? Is this team going through the motions until the playoffs?? Is this team lacking that killer instinct it once had when they were going after a title?? Where is the love for this team???
I know!!!!!! it’s out to Lunch !!!!!!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- LeBron James hints that he’d like to be welcomed back as a Cleveland Cavalier
- The Phoenix Suns refuse to dismantle their team because of … we can’t tell
- Video: Matt Barnes is legitimately upset with former coach Mo Cheeks
- Yao Ming discusses Jeremy Lin as eloquently as you’d expect
- Paul George (and Jeremy Lin, essentially) will highlight this year’s Dunk Contest
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
