What a difference a game makes - 48 little hours

What’s amazing to me was not the fact that the celtics lost this last game to the Wizards, which I felt was coming. After watching into the 4th quarter, and then shutting the game down, it was obvious that the team was running on fumes- the gas was gone after the first half, and it was a toss up if they could hold on for a win – this time, they couldn’t.
 
 No, the amazing part is the stream of comments, almost entirely negative, coming from a fan base that expects the Cs to win every game, and woe be to anyone who tries to inject a few facts into the scenario.

 This is not a young team, and its been pointed out time and again, and not just by yours truly, that the 2nd game of a back to back, particularly when any travel is involved, as was the case here, that the players legs will not rebound as quickly.

 All the energy was expended in the 1st half, and they sleep-walked through the 2nd. half. Yes, Washington also had a back to back, but they’re a younger team, and had nothing to lose by going all out, and even then, almost snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

 We’re playing a rookie center, who’s supposed to be the 4th string, but owing to injuries, is playing starters minutes. Our starting, 2nd and 3rd string centers are all out with injuries.

 The back up point guard, N. Robinson, isn’t a point guard, as has been pointed out all season, and until D.West comes back, we’ll have to work with what we have. Once West returns, Robinson can resume his role as a shooting guard, and provide some impetus from the bench, and Rondo can get some much needed rest on a back to back.

 We’ve been playing with numerous key injuries all season, and still have the 2nd best record in the entire NBA, and best in the Eastern conference.

 Instead of being proud of what the team has managed to accomplish, in spite of all the hurdles that have had to be overcome, every loss brings a chorus of a couple of hundred nay sayers.

 One would think, after reading the comments and postings after a loss, that the team was from Cleveland, or Washington, or Sacramento, whose fan base does have a lot to cry and whine about.

 There will be losses during the season, that’s for sure, and to some of the worst teams as well at times. No team can get up for every game in an 82 game season, particularly when all the lineups are constantly being re-worked because of injuries.

 What counts are the PLAYOFFS. Nothing else really matters for the Celtics. A close loss here or there means squat. Has there been a 40 point blowout against the team, as happened with Atlanta a couple of nights ago? No.

 Enough is enough. Be proud of the Celtics, win or even with the occasional loss. Keep your eye on the prize- Banner no.18. That’s all that matters.

Lygafe.

Lionel Gaffen / Fotomix.