Back To Back Big Easy Blues
by Jeff Clark on Dec 28, 2011 10:33 PM EST
in Boston Celtics Games
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So, lets go over the high points to this game.
Greg Stiemsma had 6 blocked shots!
...and that's about it for the highlights.
Old, slow, tired, jet-lagged, unmotivated, sloppy, pick your adjective and it applies. The offense was bland and un-creative. The defense was slow to rotate (except for blondie) and lacking in discipline.
Whatever momentum they had with the "moral victory" of almost coming back against the Heat was lost on the flight to New Orleans. That whole sentence just depressed me.
The Celtics are now 0-3 (and the Hornets that everyone was feeling sorry for a week ago are 2-0). I don't even know what to do with that. All we can look forward to is a favorable schedule that includes lots of home games coming up. Of course those are now looking like must-win games because of the slow start and the fact that the last half of our schedule is downright killer.
This was a trap game from the start. I don't really think this team is as bad as they looked tonight. That said, there's not a lot of evidence that we'll be able to hang with the Heat in a 7 game series. And if they don't start winning some games, they might have bigger problems than that. A healthy Paul Pierce and Mickael Pietrus would be nice, but will it be enough?
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Tell me about it
Got up at 3 AM in the night to watch.
I don’t regret it though, I like to stick it out no matter what. However, today was beyond ugly.
Think about it this: The Celtics arrived in New Orleans at 4 am. And then had to play that game.
They got into Boston this morning around 3 or 4 am. Hopefully they will do nothing but sleep until tomorrow.
At least we will finally get to play in our OWN ‘home opener’.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
I wonder what time Miami got into Charlotte?
They struggled, but still managed to pull out a win.
Still not quite the same conditions.
a) Miami was coming from home, while the C’s were continuing on the road.
b) One time zone. Not nearly as far. They probably got in about 3 more hours earlier.
c) Last I checked, all three of Wade, Lebron & Bosh were healthy.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Oh, and that was NOT Charlotte's home opener (Charlotte beat the Bucks on Monday in their home opener).
And the Heat BARELY managed to pull out that win, 96-95, on a last-second shot.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Why do you keep picking out _one_ issue?
I give you a list of many things that affect the games in comparing the Celtics situation to the Heat’s situation – which is the comparison YOU raised in wondering ‘what time Miami got into Charlotte’.
You then cherry pick one thing that might matter in say, comparing the Celtics situation to the Hornets situation – but that is irrelevant when comparing the Celtics’ and Heat situations.
Are you trolling me?
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Not trolling. Just countering your excuses with reasons why the Celtics should have won
1. The Hornets were missing their best player
2. The Hornets have 9 new players on the roster
3. Two of the four Celtics starters are certain first ballot hall of famers and three of them have played hundreds of games together.
4. The Hornets are made up of role players from other teams who are just getting to know each other
5. And so on……..
Other than (1) the rest of those 'reasons' are silly
2) is a wash since the Celts have 5 completely new players and 4 more that barely had any playing time with them last year.
3) Only two of those ‘certain first ballot hall of famers’ were even playing and while I believe they are still great players, nobody believes they are still anywhere near their peak years. So that is pretty much irrelevant.
4) That’s just contrived. The Hornet’s roster is not full of ‘stars’ but they have several very talented players. Okafor, Kamen, Jack, Belinelli, Gordon when he’s healthy – these are not just ‘role players’.
5) And … ?
LOL – I like how my points are called ‘excuses’ in your header.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Another dissapointing night....
I will only stick with the brightest note of the night.
The only good news tonight was Doc played Steimsma as I and many other urged him to do in some of the pregame threads and the kid did not dissapoint as he played well once again .
Its still early, but just maybe the C’s may have found there young future of the center in Steimsma, as he showed again as he did in the previous games he played in that he can run the floor, defend the paint, alter and block shots (6 in total) and score in the post which I am especially personally am happy to see.
I hope Docs new year resolution will be to play Steimsma more often the rest of the season, so that he can not only possibly help the C’s this season, but also let him learn and develop a bit to possibly help the C’s next year as they seek to rebuild.
+1
not only him but JJJ and Moore too. they need this 3 to grow up quick.
by kheldar52077 on Dec 28, 2011 10:50 PM EST up reply actions
Agree
I think the C’s can 2 birds with one stone, which is allow the kids like Steimsma , JJ and Moore to play, whom can I think help the C’s this year and at the same time also allow them to get some valuable playing time and experience to possibly get a jump start on grooming them into future Celtics players as the C’s seek to rebuild down the line.
I think my favorite moment of the night was on a shot that Stiemsma _didn't_ block
Kaman drove up to the hoop and, clearly fearing Stiemsma’s block, altered his shot at the last second, missing badly. Rondo then went the distance for a layup on the other end.
The point being that Stiemsma pretty quickly earned ‘presence’ in the post that will make people think twice about going inside. The more we can play him, the more that will grow.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Yes Stiemsma apperas at least so for to indeed be a presence in the post defensively ...
I think in addition to altering Kaman’s shot, he also altered a couple of other players shots as wells as well and had N.O.’s thinking twice many times when they tried to score in the paint.
For starters Stiemsma has a nice physical build to defend as he is long, has a nice wing span, has size, is athletic and has a decent vertical vertical, exactly what you want in a pro typical center .
Add that to what appears to be decent actual defensive footwork ,in the paint defensive skills and shot blocking plus altering skills and it appears at least so far that Ainge may have found the center the C’s are in need of both short and long term.
Time will tell for sure though.
let's hope so
that would be incredible to find a defensive minded backup center in the d-league that can actually contribute to a contender. fingers crossed that he can keep it going
by Benjamin Barak on Dec 29, 2011 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
Steimsma showed great energy
Steimsma really hustled out there and made some incredible blocks. He looks be offensively limited and that’s putting it mildly but maybe he can develop that part of his game over time.
Like you said regarding Norris Cole though – his impact wasn’t that powerful due to the circumstances. The only reasons he played big minutes is because JO was ineffective and it was a back to back. Defintely will need to see much more to show if this D leaguer will have any lasting positive effect.
From Doc Rivers 12/28/11 --- "I just thought we played tired," Rivers said. "We looked old tonight."
Totally agree on that last point.
As much as I like what I see in Stiemsma so far, we need to see a lot more before I join all the calls to ‘start Stiemsma over JO’.
Rookies sometimes look great in certain situations or match ups only to flop in others. Ya gotta see them in a lot of different situations to really get an idea about them.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
having PP and Pietrus might make things a little better
But I doubt it’s enough to turn things around. Ugly loss really, tired legs I guess. Stiemsma looked good out there!
Pietrus is really good some nights
but most nights he is lost and shoots nothing but threes, if his offensive game isnt going he tends to slack on the defensive end, hopefully being with the celtics veterans can change that
did you include the 3 straight games back-to-back?
by kheldar52077 on Dec 28, 2011 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
with pierce and pietrus we can turn this around
i believe that because we have a go to guy in starters and a go to guys in bench plus a finisher
If they are going to lose the 2nd game playing the same old way why not just play the bench & rest the starters ?
That way the bench is getting tons of experience with the starters resting / not getting injured.
They put up a whimper
But I absolutely refuse to call them toast yet.
They put up a whimper
But I absolutely refuse to call them toast yet.
Yea, I’m not calling them done, not after 3 games. Granted they’re playing w/no sense of urgency or care I’m not calling it quits. Too many times Celts fans overreact when this team struggles, but they start playing better people jump on the bandwagon.
STIRRING UP A HORNETS' NEST
STIRRING UP A HORNETS’ NEST
JO involved early, then RAY ALLEN FOR THREE,
Can JO handle the pressure? We’ll soon see.
Stiemsma with a block, then score, then a block,
These are words that warm the heart of Doc.
Okafor averaging double double all career,
Thought it should be noted so I mention it here.
Hornets created a “buzz,” with an 11-2 run,
Cs down 6 at the end of Q1.
Q2 huge Hornets run, Cs feeling queasy,
Homecoming for Bass, he’s from the Big Easy.
RAY ALLEN FOR THREE, then Rondo a driving two,
Offensive foul on Ray?? What are the refs trying to do?
11 free throws for the Hornets, for the Cs there are none,
Four minutes left in the half, Rondo finally gets one.
Stiemsma comes to life, with blocks so fine,
At the end of Q2, Cs are down 9.
The young official in the house is ruining the Cs night,
The way he is calling fouls just isn’t right.
RAY ALLEN FOR THREE, Belinelli from farther away,
Cs put their heads down and started to play.
Cs kept getting the lead down to nine or eight,
Seems it was—for the third time—too little too late!
Doc’s furious with the officiating, easy to see,
Cs still down 9 at the end of Q3.
Bass strong to the hoop to start Q4,
For the Cs, the appearance of Johnson and Moore.
The Hornets swarmed, they weren’t fooling,
Only bright moment, clock running down, three by Dooling!
Of the three games so far, this is the worst we’ve seen,
Three games in four nights too tough on The Green?
The Cs will pull it together, stick around for the ride,
0 and 3? Never underestimate Celtic pride.
Coach Monty Williams is one of Doc’s closest friends,
None of that matters til the basketball game ends.
lovemyceltics.blogspot.com
by mycelts on Dec 28, 2011 10:39 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Didnt the bulls start of 0-3 last year? Just making sure
by CBleedsGreeN on Dec 28, 2011 10:39 PM EST via mobile reply actions
no you can 3 lost only give us motivation
only one way to go that up
Thank God for the Bruins
I think the adjectives you were looking for, Jeff, were sad and depressing. It may very well be that type of year for the C’s.
Had to stop watching, and switched over to the B’s. Everytime I flipped back to check the score, I just got this feeling of “boy is this going to be a long year”.
The C’s better hope for some good ole’ fashioned “home cooking” or they be the one’s who are cooked.
" Hell yeah I'm trying to gain an advantage out here. If you can't handle it, get off the court."- Kevin Garnett
"Stats are for losers."- Rahim Morris (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
by KG's Knee on Dec 28, 2011 10:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Wow Wow Wow
Just horrible. KG is a ghost of himself. Rondo was gassed. JO is done – I know, he had 6 rebounds tonight. Ray was okay tonight. Brandon Bass did a good impression of a lean Glen Davis tonight. So bad it hurts. Not sure they will reach the 38 wins I predicted. Also not sure they will get the 6-6 I predicted for the first 12 games. So depressing. Regarding Sitemsma, he was the highlight of the night with his blocked shots, but he missed a ton of defensive rotations and he has no presence on the offensive end. Still, I would start him over the moribund JO.
is not stiemsma fault Doc keepout of off
Doc doesnt run play for him when his open rondo waits for bass or allen refuse to give him a pass
+1
If the C’s do not set Greg up or involve him in the offense, he can not score.
The good news is when Greg has looked to score in the paint and out in the perimeter he has looked pretty good so far this year.
JO has been done the minute he put on the Celtic uniform a year and a half ago.
Bass and Dooling will help this team down the stretch. When PP gets back and Pietrius, that’ll give C’s more spacing. Maybe things will turn around quick.
mmmmm
Wonder if anyone still thinks Paul should sit till we need him later in the season. Because you know these games aren’t important;)
by vgarcia890 on Dec 29, 2011 7:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Paul should sit till he's healthy.
A bruised heal can turn into a long term problem if you keep aggravating it – it will just hang around and not heal. If you let it get healed, then it shouldn’t be a problem. But rest is basically the only thing that is going to heal it.
The absolute last thing we need is for Pierce to hurry back out of a false sense of urgency and end up making it worse and missing many, many more games (or playing ineffectively in them).
Doc and Pierce have both said they will listen and do as they are told by the medical staff. This is not the season for being stupid with injuries.
That said, I expect he’ll probably play tomorrow night. He apparently was really close to being cleared for last night’s game.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
My dad seriously asked
if they had some mad strategy so they would try to lose
The Miami Heat can beat ANYONE.
(Except two or more players on a team.)
Not time to panic but...
Wow the Celtics basically gave up tonight against the mediocre Hornets, what a pathetic effort that was totally unexpected from such a proud group of veterans. So it’s not time to panic I guess but it’s definitely time to be extremely concerned after the absolutely pathetic effort the Celtics put forth tonight. To see them roll over and get soundly beaten by the awful Hornets is worrisome. Another poor start and only 39 first half points is pathetic. Starting the second half the Celtics were seemingly poised to make a run. However their interior defense was horrific as KG and JO could not stop Jarret Jack or Landry from getting easy baskets inside. Doc was so desperate that he went to the zone again but it was ineffective. Add to that an inept offensive performance and the Celtics were never really in this game. Shows how bad of a state the Celtics are in and Doc doesn’t have any answers right now.
The excuses for this loss will be hard to come up with. The most likely rationale would be missing Paul Pierce, adjusting to new personnel and playing on back to back nights. Unfortunately the Celtics don’t have the luxury of throwing away games as in seasons past due to the shortened schedule and multiple back to backs.
Well the Hornets are adjusting to losing their best player in Chris Paul and were without the best player they got in return, Eric Gordon. They are also trying to integrate several new players as their lineup consists of mostly role players cast off from other teams. The Hornets are not a good team by any stretch yet dominated a Celtic team with 2 hall of famers and another all star in the starting lineup. No one could logically say that the Hornets were better off than the Celtics tonight but still they controlled the game as the outcome never was in doubt.
There is nothing positive to be gained from this debacle tonight even by the most optimistic of fans. If the Celtics can’t muster a better effort than this in back to back games against bad teams missing their best player then it’s going to be a terrible season.
An absolutely pathetic effort against a terrible team and for that there is NO EXCUSE…
They got into NO at 4 am after an exhausting game against Miami.
This was the home opener for a rested Hornets team. Meanwhile, the C’s were gassed from going all-out in two close loses.
Why is this result all that surprising? Tired legs miss shots – that’s a truism of the NBA. That’s what killed them – they shot horribly from the field. Even when they executed the offense well and got some good looks – they missed bunny after bunny. And it wasn’t just the ‘old’ guys. Everybody shot crappy.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Just a grim performance tonight, offensively and defensively. Nothing in the half-court all night. Slow, unmotivated basketball that makes me wonder if we’re not about to relive the 1977-78 season when the Cowens-Hondo Celtics just collapsed.
Hope not
But I was 9 when Red drafted Bird so don’t know about that swoon. It’s never easy watching players grow old right in front of you.
by McHaleinthepost on Dec 28, 2011 10:59 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
and playing the veterans that long AGAIN in the 4th Qtr is Absurd....you think JJJ was helped by 3 minutes of garbage time
so I blame both Danny and Doc…
Is it Soup Yet?
I don't get what Doc was trying to do playing the vets that long
This is a short, compact season. He needs to rest the vets when these games get out of hand.
We had pulled (again) to within 9-10 points
That’s three possessions.
Doc basically put the starters back in to see if they could make a run at that and get us back in the game.
They couldn’t. We just couldn’t get shots to fall and they were making sloppy rainbows.
But that doesn’t mean it was not worth trying. If we could have somehow made a run and stolen a win, that would have been a big boost for the team.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
have to disagree with you here mmmmm
he left them in too long once it was clearly over….and he has to put rookies in before 3 minutes of garbage time IMO ..they don’t learn much there
Is it Soup Yet?
Well, if we had actually won either of the first two games, maybe he might have.
And I’m not disagreeing with you here. I am just explaining what I think was Doc’s thinking and it isn’t unreasonable. If there was still a chance to claw back in and steal a win, Doc probably felt that would have been good for the team psyche and worth extending the starters for – today being an off day after all.
Yes, that ended up squeezing the time for rookies, but there will be other games for them to get time in.
Another way to look at it is, if we had been farther behind – not hanging around by 10 pts for so long, then Doc probably would have punted earlier and given the rookies more time.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
I agree (particularly in regard to Ainge)
That being said, I’m going to reserve final judgment until Pierce returns. It’s not looking good at the moment though.
" Hell yeah I'm trying to gain an advantage out here. If you can't handle it, get off the court."- Kevin Garnett
"Stats are for losers."- Rahim Morris (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
by KG's Knee on Dec 28, 2011 10:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Give NOR credit
Their defense was very good and they played a solid game. Celtics looked tired and slow.
by Jon Niednagel on Dec 28, 2011 10:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Arriving in town at 4 am after a hard fought battle the night before will do that to you.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Should be 3-3 after the next three games
They are playing two of the worst teams in the NBA in Detroit and Washington. If they don’t win all 3, you might want to start getting the white flag ready.
I hope they win the next three.
If not, I will just get ready for the rebuilding phase and farewell tour.
Blow it up, time to rebuild around Rondo already…
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 10:47 PM EST reply actions
No jumping of the gun
It’s typical for the fans, but listen. We’re in our third game of this season, we’ve hardly had a training camp or practice at all, we are missing our whole SF position. We just looked tired and old… on a third game in four nights and the tail end of a back-to-back.
All I’m saying is give it TIME.
Maybe you’re right, prolly too soon (give it 20 or so games)
Just personally would rather look at a young squad rebuilding than an old squad struggling =/
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 10:52 PM EST up reply actions
Can someone please define what 'blow it up' means?
Seriously – detail the exact moves that you would make to ‘blow it up’ – and they have to be moves that actually, really can be made (i.e. – saying ‘trade KG for Dwight’ is not going to happen).
I don’t believe you even can “blow it up” at this point. We are into the season and no major moves are going to happen until at least the trade deadline and I don’t even believe there is anything major that will happen there. The die was cast 4 years ago when DA made the deals to get us Banner 17 (and a couple more significant runs at #18). We have to play this out.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
why not it coyuld haven the way were playing atm
you never know
0-3 to start the season.
Most embarrassing loss among the 3 teams from the worst team among the 3 teams. Despite some questionable calls from the refs, the blame shouldn’t be solely put on their shoulders. Cmon now blaming the referees for the 0-3 start can only go so much. Also connecting the losses to injured players will not get it done.
So when do we start recognizing we have a problem? 0-4? 0-5? 0-6? To play better, the Cs should acknowledge where they are lacking.
This is NBA Basketball
Every team goes through bad stretches, our’s is now. And it’s going to be a tough season with all the back to backs and a short season. I know everyone is frustrating right now, but it’s still early. We have a bunch of new people and are missing 2 players the management was counting on. We’ve played 3 consecutive road season opening games and 2 were against good teams. I agree that the NO games was winnable and we should have won. We look old and tired in that game.. There will be games that we should win and lose and there will be games that we should lose and we’ll win. That’s just NBA basketball.
Hopefully, we’ll get PP back Friday, not just for his offense, but for his D as well, and start rolling with a lot of home cooking. Let’s at least wait until game 20 before we start jumping off a high bldg.
Three players.
Wilcox was also unavailable last night. That’s three top rotation players (PP, MP & CW) missing.
On a night when your players are all gassed and sleep-deprived.
Probably silly to even think we had a chance going in.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
3 games into the season and they are already "gassed"........................
Of course it is silly to think that the Celtics could beat a team like the Hornets with 9 new players and missing their best player.
I wonder what time the Heat got into Charlotte? They struggled, but still managed to win their game.
I answered that last part above.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Almost certainly.
Assuming he can get healthy, he’ll be our #2 SF behind Pierce.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
But that’s the point, you don’t know whether and to what degree he will be healthy. All you know is that Phoenix cut him in favor of… Josh Childress.
Certainly.
But although it is fair to be skeptical, the fact is that the Celtics have examined him and opted to sign him and that implies they believe he will eventually be healthy. And if healthy, he will fill that role.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
But isn't that status quo in the NBA?
Every team…every player goes through that. NO had a bunch of new players w/o arguably their best player in Eric Gordon…..it’s silly we had a chance going in? You were expecting the Cs being blown out and embarrassed by NO?
Road games following Road games - the win% is always crappy for all teams
You are right – eventually every team goes through that. And overall, it sucks for all teams.
That alone is not why I think the odds were stacked. The other factors I have mentioned have to be included. Looking back, it would have been amazing to steal a win in that situation.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Do you ever actually read and comprehend my posts?
You almost never offer any valid arguments back. Why do you only needle and snipe?
Yes, its perfectly valid to use the word ‘amazing’. I am not so cocky a fan of my team that I don’t understand how hard it is to beat any NBA team on the road on a back to back. Just consider that we were only something like 2-11 in those situations last year should give you an idea of how hard it is. And those results aren’t just because the Celtics were ‘old’. It’s like that for all teams.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
anybody good in the draft this year?
my only complaint about tonight is what took doc so long to play moore and johnson? rondo had nothing in his tank tonight and he played like it. jo put out more effort but his production didn’t reflect it. he missed at least 4 easy shots. kg continues to play like the 8th guy on a good team instead of the 3rd guy on a championship team. we’re going to struggle this season so we all might as well get used to it. we are NOT a championship team .
The evidence is piling up. Next 7 games may nail this season
….one way or the other. We’ve got 4 pretty-easy games coming up, then 3 tougher ones. If this team doesn’t COMPLETELY turn it around in that time, I’d be ready to shovel in the dirt.
The only small saving aspect of tonight was that the refs were just AWFUL, even blinder and more biased than usual. I think that affected JO most of all.
The worst aspect? A level of surrender we’ve never seen from this team. Even KG. Even Rondo. So if they don’t turn it around in the next 7 games or so…. I think the end will have arrived.
Blaming the ref’s is an excuse. Winners don’t make excuses they simply play hard enough so that the ref’s messing up doesn’t affect the outcome of the game
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 10:53 PM EST up reply actions
Pointing out that the refs sucked is not making an excuse. It's an observation of fact.
It’s not why we lost last night. But it is still a fact. And one that should be mentioned whenever it happens because it is crucial to the league’s credibility and product quality.
Pretending the ref quality isn’t crap is never going to help it get better.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
open your eyes and look at the other teams
indiana is a better team than we are as is Milwaukee. we’re not that much better than detroit or cleveland and Philly is probably better than us also.
yeah solid pickups by Danny.....and that JO guys is working out better than Shaq.....uhhh...no wait...
Is it Soup Yet?
Come on
He hardly had anything to work with.
you come on....he had nothing to work with because he spent all his money in the wrong places
Is it Soup Yet?
Now you're going overboard
Today the Celtics sucked, no excuses can make up for that. That doesn’t mean they go from longshot contender to sub .500 or lottery. Those teams are completely unproven and we are still missing Pierce. It does look Miami, Chicago, and NY are gonna end up with higher playoff seeds but you are completely overreacting.
I would think the Clippers (with Griffin + Paul) would be better than the Eric Gordonless Hornets squad, yet the old Spurs somehow clobber the better team, while Celts get destroyed by a rebuilding squad…
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 10:55 PM EST up reply actions
SAS is coming from a back to back to back?
with 1 day to rest like it matters
Defense did not look celtic like...
They stood around offensively, no ball movement. :O
The Miami Heat can beat ANYONE.
(Except two or more players on a team.)
This team DOES NOT have the pieces to the puzzle...
Not only did we not move the ball well, we could not score. The past three games, we seem to be moving the ball around, forcing passes, trying to find a player who will score on that possession. But yet, no scoring. This is what worries me the most. Yes, we are missing PP, but there are 14 other players on that team!!!!
We absolutely need to go out there and get a center or two! We are so thin at the center spot. This is making our defense crumble. We cannot protect the rim whatsoever! Just look at points in the paint for Hornets.
KG is a ghost. What is going on there? If he continues playing like that, should we blow this team up and start re-building?!
Am I correct in stating that the Hornets have 9 new players on the roster?
And, they just acquired several of these players. And, their best player did not play tonight. This was unbelievably bad tonight. How many points a game is Rondo going to have to score to win?
Miserable
No show tonight—this team was not made for a foot race — simply no way we are going to compete in these back to backs
by McHaleinthepost on Dec 28, 2011 10:55 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
ok :D but what does it have to do with basketball
The Miami Heat can beat ANYONE.
(Except two or more players on a team.)
Yeah
I think he may be back for the Pistons game though.
Long as he can make it back soon enough, hopefully he can change the laziness going on :)
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 11:00 PM EST up reply actions
The problem is
our talent has no energy. What the celtics need is a time machine that can take us back a few years. Otherwise I dont see how we solve this problem.
by jurrasicearl on Dec 28, 2011 10:57 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Ouch!
Didn’t get to watch the game but it seems pretty ugly… I did get to watch the 1st two & even if they were losses, I still liked how it turned out…. then we get murdered by the Hornets… and our most dangerous enemy for the past few seasons — the back to back!
you should be thatnkful that you didn't watch it.. it was ugly
The Miami Heat can beat ANYONE.
(Except two or more players on a team.)
It appears so...
It was gonna be shown in my neck of the woods on a delayed telecast… so, I guess I don’t need to catch that one.
It's kind of funny how Michael Pietrus is already becoming one of the saviors for this team
I am glad they picked him up, but I don’t think he is the answer.
Where did anyone say he’d be the savior? He’ll help balance our rotation, that’s for sure. Green’s injury has made him an important piece to this team.
"Can't eat sushi in Utah, brother. Landlocked."
by IsItTheShoes on Dec 29, 2011 12:11 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
By the way...
I think trading whoever for whoever is not the solution… As if it were that easy. So, stop with the ridiculous ideas & let’s just whine about how bad the game was based on sloppy performances.
Based on stats though, we have one small bright side…. The steamer blocks! ;)
Did KG and JO bounce back from poor efforts last night
In a word - NO
Really wanted to see how JO and KG responded to their poor games against Miami.
Well JO was more active but can’t finish inside. It was sad watching game in the 2nd quarter go up for what looked like a dunk attempt. Instead he double pumped and threw a brick off the glass. After getting the rebound he timidly passed the ball 2 feet to Daniels instead of going up strong. Then starting the 3rd quarter he got a nice offensive rebound but followed it up by missing a point blank layup. The effort was there it’s just that JO has no lift or quickness left to be effective offensively.
KG again showed next to nothing offensively. He showed zero effectiveness inside and was too slow in protecting the rim defensively. To watch KG attempt to score on a much shorter Landry by throwing a brick off the backboard was painful. He couldn’t even handle an inbounds pass from Rondo without stumbling and turning it over. He was completely outplayed by Carl Landry tonight my goodness. KG simply has to play better as the Celtics can’t afford to pay a guy 21 million to produce so little
Carl Landy is a defensive monster
Didn’t you know?
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 11:11 PM EST up reply actions
I was also hoping for more out of....
both J.O. and KG and it is concerning, as they still looked like they were in a funk.
Its vital if the C’s want to be competitive in games that they get more production out of both KG and J.O.
KG can still help for sure, he's just tired. JO is toast, count him out.
I was hoping Chris Wilcox will shine thru and replace JO but dude got injured….
well, since we are not going to get home court in the playoffs
might as well play for the 8th seed and play the Heat in the first round….unfortunately, doc will run our starters to the ground to get that 8th seed
Not really blaming Doc, but . . .
I’ve heard talk before about how complex and tough to learn his offensive sets can be. Tommy talked about how he felt Bradley is over-thinking everything. I think perhaps a lot of them are. They look like they don’t know what they’re doing. I’m sure it will take time, but for now I say just play!
Well maybe Doc needs
to think about playing his younger guys more. His strategy in regards to preserving this teams energy is aweful. Maybe he’s trying to get them into game shape. who knows
I still like this team
but KG really scares me…He looks so bad.
look at the bright side...
the celts are not that far from the defending champs mavs..who are 0-2..:)
If you wanted to you could also say the Celtics have the worst record in the entire league =P
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 11:17 PM EST up reply actions
Doc is the only reason we came as close as we did in the first 2 games. To blame Ainge is just ridiculus. He is doing the best he can with the cards he was dealt. Its just like when Bird, McHale and Parrish all got old at the same time. If your a fair weather type fan, I think your probably best rooting for miami!
Ainge dealt the cards
I like Ainge, and even though I think he probably isnt a very good GM, I will probably forgive him for every mistake he will do, simply because without him there was no championship….Doc is just doing poorly with the minutes (at least in this game) and has always been like that
Ainge "probably isn't a very good GM..."
… except for putting together that team that won the championship and then took the Lakers to game 7 two years later. Yeah, except that. LOL.
White Out
as a nickname is the only good thing about this 0-3 start.
well, I took it down
I didn’t want to be hypocritical about the rules on this site. As harmless as it is, I didn’t want to start or promote a racial nickname.
my bad, I’m sorry if I offended anyone
Faith and Sports - an essay by Jeff Clark
wish big baby was still w/ the c's...
..so we could blame everything on him =P
Was NOT expecting this!
Really thought we’d be 2-1 right now, but thought for sure we’d win tonight after 2 losses! Where is that killer instinct? Where is that “we are the Celtics” attitude? Not ready for this yet! So sad right now!
absolutely...
when all else fails, go back to rule #1..have some FAITH…when you are down, the only way is up i guess, the more we rationalize, the answers eludes us more,whatever it is i’m pretty sure the answer is still inside that locker room..lets go CELTS!
I don't panic but...
this team is in trouble right now.
not quite time for...
Danny Dos XXXX
Stay thirsty my friend
by Tom Halzack on Dec 28, 2011 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
SHCF
Self Hating Celtics Fans it seems…
It’s only the 3rd game. Chill the blank out! They don’t have Pierce and technically they’ve only had one practice. Not to mention MP isn’t here yet and it’s going to take a while to ramp up to speed for this group. (If not every team in the NBA)
I just don’t understand the incessant trade talks, hand wringing and back and forth from only 3 games!? Are some of the posters “only happy when it rains”? I’m really starting to think so.
I miss coming on to CB and reading insights about game strategy, behind the scenes info and overall general anecdotes from about the C’s and NBA.
Later CB, can’t take the negative vibes no mo…
Peace out.
And every other team is in the same boat
And no one is doing worse!
So ...
every other team started the season with three road games – each of which happened to be the home opener for the other team AND against teams that each had the day off the day before?
And every other team played their third game in 4 nights after arriving at 4 am in the morning after an exhausting battle with the Heat?
And every other team played those three games without 2-3 of their expected top rotation players, including their best scorer and one of their best defenders?
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Well said.
"Can't eat sushi in Utah, brother. Landlocked."
by IsItTheShoes on Dec 28, 2011 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
Bass seems to shoot no matter the situation. Marquis is a great story and he does have nice moves inside but seems to have no lift and can’t shoot from more than 3 feet out
Having Pierce and Pietrus return soon will obviously limit the shots Quis and Bass put up. I don’t think it’s a big concern to be honest.
"Can't eat sushi in Utah, brother. Landlocked."
by IsItTheShoes on Dec 28, 2011 11:40 PM EST up reply actions
to soft
i know people dont want to bring up sore subject but danny really killed this team with the perk trade the heat game lebron wade driving down the lane getting easy baskets soft play this defense is not the same 2 years ago perk was nasty nothing came easy down the middle this team is not going to win with a small line up JO is done bass is nice wilcox is garbage this is the most crappy bench iv seen since the big 3 era danny b oy better do something it is still early but this team has lost that unbutu spirit and just think if green does not come back with the celtics we can say we gave perk away for nothing . if we are going to start the rebuild then lets d o it now start taking offers for garnett and allen.
lohaus #54
Key scorer
I don’t understand why everyone so concerned top scorer has been out the last two games. That would be Equivalent to Kobe Bryant being out. We could win without Garnet but not without Pierce. As was shown in the playoffs when Garnett was injured.ets not jump to Conclusions just yet
by aircanada1513 on Dec 28, 2011 11:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Blame it always on Danny. Geez! It's not the end of the world. Have faith celtic fan!
by CBleedsGreeN on Dec 28, 2011 11:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions
i have faith been a fan since 85 but i just think the fire in this team is gone its time to get back to unbutu and yes we really need the truth back and yes i still blame danny cause there was no reason for the perk trade you dont trade away a 25 year old good defensive big man that can handle dwight and other centers i know its over and done with but it really hurt this team for the future
lohaus #54
the Perk Trade Again
Let’s be real here. Whether Danny makes the deal or not, Perk would not be a Celtic this year! There is no way Danny was going to pay $8M+ to Perk, not if he wants money next summer. And if Perk had waited for FA he might have gotten more. Sorry but Perk just isn’t worth $8M+!!!
Not only are we losing games
But we are running our starters/vets into the ground. Its not like we are losing some games but our starters are getting rest…no, we lose while having rr,ray, kg and jo playing a ton of minutes. Steamer BETTER have earner more playing time after the way he played. VERY disappointed with kg, quis, jo and sasha…all three seems to just be taking up space
by Kgwillkillyou on Dec 28, 2011 11:38 PM EST via mobile reply actions
doc is playing the vets into the ground because he knows the bench sucks and thats danny boys fault
lohaus #54
perkins was such a liability in last years playoffs that oklahoma couldnt even put him out on the court! What a joke all this crying about that trade is. If nothing else we still have a 1st round draft pick. The most valuable pice of that trade.
On the contrary
I feel like the bench has been somewhat of a bright spot.
The bench "sucks"?
This seems to be the best bench we’ve had in a couple of years. And “danny boy” put it together with absolutely no flexibilty.
I’d love to see some of the armchair GMs out there put together a better bench when all you have to use is a Big Baby sign-and-trade and vet minimum contracts.
We knew this year would be rocky at best. We knew the team is old.
Best case, we find some rotations that work to blend some youth onto the court and make it to the postseason.
Worst case, we have a stinky, injury-plagued season and blow it up next year.
We all knew that going in, right?
I still have faith! they just feeling rusty :P
But i guess it was good thing i left after the 1st quarter to teach my friend how to play this wonderful game coz it sounded like a disappointing game to watch.
I do think we need to play the young guys more especially against average teams.
+1
Totally agree with u…it is tough to watch though
by Kgwillkillyou on Dec 28, 2011 11:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
We usually start slumping about this time of year
Too bad it had to coincide with the start of the season in this case.
...Well, I heard Shaq's okay to play next game o_0
Shaky start but we will bounce back, people! ;) Let’s do this daymnit!
I didn't get to watch the NOH game but...
do you think it’s better to give the Steamer more mins than JO for the coming games? BAsed on his blocks tonight, I’d have to say YES.. but again, didn’t get to watch
…Well, I heard Shaq’s okay to play next game o_0
Yeah, and I heard Perkins was ready to suit up for us 0_o
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 11:43 PM EST up reply actions
Gonna be really strange next year for the Celtics
Only Rondo and Pierce remaining, crazy to think about…
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 11:44 PM EST reply actions
Yeah thats one thing I’ve gotta give Ainge credit for…
Man knows how to set up some cap space =)
by ap3604 on Dec 28, 2011 11:46 PM EST up reply actions
It would be awesome if Sugar Ray & KG still stick it out with the C's & sign for a vet min!
but that’s for next year…. this year, we just need a taste of that “W” and we’ll be back on track!
much better he needs to retire time to get some younger athletic guys.
by reb0undwins18 on Dec 29, 2011 1:51 AM EST up reply actions
A month ago, I'd agree...
I was hoping that both players would see the value of sticking around for small money, coming off the bench and providing some vet leadership.
But having watched KG so far (realizing that it’s only 3 games), I don’t see (a) him wanting to continue in the NBA or (b) the Cs wanting to bring him back.
He looks done to me. I hope he proves me wrong soon.
Haven't pushed the panic button, but my finger is right on it!
Losing close games to a hyped up Knicks in MSG opening day and then Miami in their home opener is one thing…
BUT we cannot lose to scrubs like the Hornets going forward, this loss was alarming. It brought back memories of the dark ages…
I’ll wait until we open at home and have Pierce and Pietrus before I panic though.
Plus Danny Ainge we need a big man to anchor KG, he’s plays best complimenting a big presence down low!
JD21 your right. They are rusty! Do we blame the lockout for this?
by CBleedsGreeN on Dec 28, 2011 11:46 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Bass and Quisy each took more shots than Ray, KG and Rondo
When that happens in any game, the Celts probably are not going to win
cant believe so many of you guys
expected the Cs to play better. It was obvious that we were going to lose this one. If anyone thinks we can hang with the Heat or the Bulls in a seven game series I must call you a true optimist… or a downright….
I cant wait til PP and Pietrus to play! Should provide some desperately needed scoring or should I say creating offense on own.
"I’m going to probably fade to black,’’ he said. "To be honest, I’m not a showman guy. I’m going to fade to black. I don’t know what I will do. I’m an idealist. I have a high drive and I’m very determined. Fade to black, man, like evaporate.’’
by TheBigFive on Dec 28, 2011 11:50 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Expecting them to hang with the Heat or Bulls?
Perhaps not. Expecting them to play better tonight – absolutely! That’s not asking much at all!
Shall we just rename this blog the Chicken Little Blog? You’d think we were 10-25 by the way certain people carry on. At least wait until we’ve seen our full team in action before making a judgment on how good we are.
"Can't eat sushi in Utah, brother. Landlocked."
by IsItTheShoes on Dec 29, 2011 12:19 AM EST via mobile reply actions
The most revealing thing about this loss...
is that the compressed schedule is going to be hard on this team.
There are too many games left to be played to determine much of anything outside of this. We haven’t even seen the Celtics team that would hypothetically be facing the Heat or Bulls in the postseason.
That team would include Pierce, Pietrus, and Wilcox, the first and second units would be more cohesive and players would have a clearer understanding of their role than is currently the case. We can only speculate as to how well that Celtics team will do since we’ve yet to actually see them on the floor this year.
The biggest thing I take away from this loss is that Doc needs a plan for back to back games so that starters are playing limited minutes and aren’t depended on the same way they were tonight. Otherwise we can just expect a .400 – .500 record for the second night of back to backs and that may very well be deciding factor as far as what this team is capable of this season.
My thoughts are more radical:
He may need to bring JO and KG off the bench for every game.
My only concern...
would be that you’d be putting a lot of pressure on “The Eraser” to be starting at this point.
But I don’t disagree with that. Both look like they would benefit from a significantly reduced role.
GSW crushed the Knicks....
..after beating the Bulls a few nights ago !! So, are the Warriors better than the Celtics??
i wount be surprise if the celtics wount make it to the playoffs.
time to press the panic button and rebuild.
well its been tough but id encourage everyone to get away from the ledge for awhile......
perhaps give it 20 games and re-eavaluate then.
TO ALL U DOUBTERS
pierce a good shooter (remember last year), his field goal % n his 3point % last year. people been saying is pierce enough to make us winning n i say to them don’t doubt this team. the only two guys in our starters that can create a shot, he n rondo. Nicks game would’ve gotten better ending (remember last year). so was the heat game, if he was on the floor they wouldn’t have to rush things when you can give it to pierce, they could have given the ball to pierce when it was only three points diff. Last but not least i’ve seen Lebron struggle a lot against him, i also have seen lebron struggle against Pietrus. so wait tell there is time to practice and get some rest then i bet you are going to c a different CELTICS TEAM. i predict an at least 5 or “more” win streak to come soon (i hope that too).
I AM A CELTIC!!
I was saying its hard to stay optimistic
But…we are still missing our number 1 scorer. At the same time there was no excuse for us to lose that game. I dunno ever since that NYK game KG lost his intensity on Defense they gotta find that mojo fast.
by The green mamba on Dec 29, 2011 2:49 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Yes, take a chill
This team will be where they need to be come playoff time. And that’s what matters.
This TEAM will be inconsistent all year...
to be honest, we will probably have to settle for this rollercoaster ride of the season.
expect a gutsy win against the Fakers or Heat then be blown off by the Clevelands and Minnesota….sigh!
I still believe , apparently D Wade does to -
" I’ll believe the Celtics are dead when I see it . I don’t know why the outside is always counting them out , They’ve been counting them out for about three years . They’re a very good team . When you have the history that they have , when you have the confidence that they have , and you have the championship DNA and you have the coach that they have , you give yourself a chance every year . As long as Boston’s together whether this is their last year together or whether they’ve got three more , you never know with those guys they’re going to be someone you have to worry about . " Wade said .
No matter what situation as long as this team makes the playoffs they still have a chance in my eyes , 9 out of the next 11 games at home so that should help alot .
by fRANKZILa 2 1 on Dec 29, 2011 5:13 AM EST via mobile reply actions
0-3.....
Are you happy for this???
Without Pierce is not the same thing..but this year will be a difficult season!!!
by AleMenardi on Dec 29, 2011 5:18 AM EST via mobile reply actions
SUCK IT UP
i love the celtics as much as anyone on here , but i think we all know they have no chance in hell of winning the championship this year ,(unless wade or lebron , and rose go down with injury’s) so they have to start thinking about next year , if rondo keep’s having the great year he’s having ,maybe that will intice dwight to play for doc and the celtics next year or if we can trade for him this year , …i will not give up on dwight howard coming to the celtics untill he signs an extension with orlando or gets traded somewhere else …
the sky is falling
The shortened season and ridiculous schedule are hurting the team presently.
Things will turn around. Prediction: Celtics win next 3 games.
We may not win a championship but mark my words: this team will compete
with any team, including Miami, come playoff time.
Ray can still shoot but...
has anyone noticed that all the other parts of his game have really suffered this year, especially his passing. I know we have him for shooting and he’s still incredible, but I thought he had a great year passing last year. Obviously not as big an issue as KG and JO not producing.
3 games in
I love the sky is falling types.
3 games in and ray can’t pass the ball anymore. It’s early in the season. TO’s are going to happen.
has anyone noticed that all the other parts of his game have really suffered this year, especially his passing.
This year? You mean the first 3 games. At the end of the season feel free to make these statements about Ray KG and JO if there still true.
-Sammyg
So what do you think after the 1st 3 games? I mean c'mon
It is possible to love this team and still be critical. Ray is great. The Cs will be fine. But just looking at what we’ve seen so far I think its fair to say that while Ray is still an elite shooter (maybe the best) the other parts of his game seem to be lagging way behind. Reason I brought it up is because his numbers look really good and they are, but our issues thus far don’t simply end with our problems in the middle.
"It is possible to love this team and still be critical"
Sure, but criticism is not necessarily valid if you don’t consider context.
These are just 3 games. Worse, they were a very special set of three games.
a) They were the first 3 games of the season – after no pre-season. So essentially they are still IN the preseason. Sloppy is to be expected.
b) They were all on the road.
c) They were all in the home opener of the opposing team. One of them was Christmas.
d) The opposing team had rest the day before in all three while the C’s did not in the last one (they arrived in NO at 4 am).
e) We were missing Pierce, Pietrus from all three and Wilcox from 1 1/2 of them. That’s THREE guys who are all expected to be top-rotation players who were missing for all or half of the three games. Especially Pierce.
Now, a couple of those conditions may also apply to a few of the games the rest of the season. But no three games the rest of the season will ever have this perfect storm of conditions.
So any ‘criticism’ needs to be tempered. It is not logical to try to extrapolate the whole season based on these three games.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Watching the Hornets game reminded me very clearly of the Phoenix match last year – red eye flight, road game, well rested opposition. If I recall correctly, the result was pretty much the same in terms of how poorly we executed offensively.
I think it’s the ‘zero’ part of our record which is freaking people out right now, not the fact that we’ve lost three straight.
"Can't eat sushi in Utah, brother. Landlocked."
by IsItTheShoes on Dec 29, 2011 3:37 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And can anyone seriously answer me why JO should start over Stiemsma?
Feel like the starters, especially KG could use an energy boost and some young legs out there. Only thing I can think of is that they would be worried about losing JO pyschologically. Outside of the occassional block, JO simply doesn’t bring enough right now.
clearly a major reason but it doesn't seem like JO is bringing much D either.
Obviously Stiemsma isn’t our answer, but I’m quite certain it isn’t JO either. JO coming off the bench Im fine with, but I think the combination of starting him with KG puts much to much defensive pressure on KG which I think has directly led to his struggles offensively. Just an opinion. Not sure what the answer is.
I want both JO and KG coming off the bench.
It’s the only way Doc will be able to implement his own wish to limit their minutes anyway.
Because it is simply way too early to even think about that kind of move.
I liked everything I saw from Stiemsma. But Doc will need to see a lot more of all his players before he would make a move like that (starting him over JO). Give it 10-20 games and see how things look then.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
1. KG is done. 2. this team no longer defends...just horrible 3. 6-7 seed at best in the playoffs.don't seem them winning a series
by celticinorlando on Dec 29, 2011 8:38 AM EST reply actions
BLOW IT UP
I’M BEGGING!! We have assets people want! Expiring big contracts!
Reality check
This is what we signed up for. When Ainge put together the Big Three it instantly made us title contenders but it also had an expiration date. The roster was going to be filled out with lower draft picks, MLE signings and veterans minimum cast offs because the Big Three was going to take up a great deal of our cap space. Rondo kept the window open a little while longer then most thought because he turned out to be one heck of a lot better player then anyone imagined when he was drafted #21 or even when AInge refused to trade him to either Minnesota or Seattle. When the window closed most knowledgeable fans knew it wasn’t going to be pretty due to the age of the BIg Three and their imminent decline.
It wasn’t going to last forever. 4 great years is more then anyone expected when the KG and Allen deals got done. The title contender window effectively closed when we lost to Miami last season.
Enjoy this group that has brought all of us so much for a little while longer. Some of them wont be here after the trading dead line IMO.
No one is to blame really. Not Danny. Not Doc. EVERYBODY GETS OLD….well except for maybe Ray Allen.
These men have given us so much and they can again but it is going to take patience We have great basketball people running this organization. I hope Wyc and company have more then many of the members of their fan base.
In order to turn things around,
… DA needs to acquire a legitimate center. This team lacks and desperately needs depth at the center position. A defensive-minded player is needed in order to protect the lane and force outside shots. This is an absolute must-pull-off move as evidenced by the Hornets points in the paint.
… PP needs to come back, healthy and ready to contribute right away. The same goes for MP.
… Doc needs to start shifting things around when it comes to his lineup. KG has been a ghost. Maybe at this point in time he should be coming off the bench? This will keep him fresh and limit his minutes.
… Dooling and Bass must score. Bass needs to play like he did against NY, and Dooling, the heat. I know Pav is not playing well, but that’s no excuse. Doc needs to get on his case. He must get him to be a scorer. I think he is so caught up on being a scorer, it is taking a toll on his offense. Tommy H. said it best, “he is capable of getting double figures in a hurry.”. As for Marquis, I think the best thing he can do is drive to the hoop. His shooting has not been very impressive but if he can turn that around, he’ll be okay.
… That leaves out Wilcox and the rookies. At this point, what do we have to loose? Doc, play the rookies. Give them minutes. If they are consistent, include them in your offense. If not, it was worth a shot. At one point, you have to test what you have. For now and the future.
There are a lot of unknowns with this team; a lot of uncertainty. But I think it all must start with DA. He needs to get out there and get us one or two more pieces to the puzzle. We need one or two centers who can play solid defense.
by Danyck on Dec 29, 2011 9:04 AM EST via mobile reply actions
I watched @ 15 minutes of the game.
It looked like KG was in slow motion in one of those circular doors at Filene’s Basement.
That Irish guy was still on the rack inside(a really tall rack) trying to get off of the hangar. In sloooo motion.
one of those skeeter bugs was running down the court and the other bugs weren’t watching him.
And when the best team in the league had the ball, they just kept on shooting, looked like layups.
I can’t watch. Maybe the next nationally televised game – maybe the playoffs.
I don’t know. I just don’t know
Don't jump off the roof guys....
Have we all forgotten that the Bruins and the Red Sox got off to horrible starts as well, and they both came on hot and the Sox came out with a pretty good record, and the Bruins have one of the best records in NHL? Seriously, do you guys think that as one of the oldest teams in the league, they are going to get off the rust as fast as the younger teams? They literally started playing basketball again like 2-3 weeks ago, it takes time to take off the rust.
I guarantee that in a month from now, the Celtics will be one of the hottest teams. Just let them get into their rhythm instead of jumping off the roof after just 3 games.
by greenlemonade102 on Dec 29, 2011 9:26 AM EST reply actions
Calling "The Truth"
Please report for duty…..
Celtic Chat Handle: Bird
by David Henderson on Dec 29, 2011 9:32 AM EST reply actions
Clipps, Knicks, Heat
Clippers lost, Knicks lost, Dwanyne Wade hit the game winner against the Bobcats…THE BOBCATS!(lol). Come on people, it’s a long season. Teams are basically practicing on the fly. With some rest and some home cookin, we’ll be fine. The positive is that the bunch is agressive and this team has talent. Should be a fun ride soon.
It's the third game of the season and we already are hearing tired legs, etc. etc. etc.
Three games in. This schedule and tired, old legs is going to kill this team. I will stick with my 4th – 6th seed and a first or second round exit prediction.
They're just lazy...
That’s what I’ve seen so far. It’s like the Celtics have no interest in playing defense. They don’t get back fast enough in transition or picking their opponents. KG and JO have not protected the paint these past 3 games. Ray Allen is careless with turnovers.
I know people like to use their age an excuse, but I’m not buying that completely. Sure age plays a role, because KG, RA and JO aren’t as mobile as they were in their 20’s. But if they can’t get up to play against the Knicks, Heat or Hornets, then retire or sit the bench.
I think when everybody is healthy and playing, Doc will figure rotations and player’s roles. And most likely things will look uphill. The next games are Pistons, Wiz2x, Nets, Pacers, Dallas and Chicago. The Celtics can win 7 straight, then they’ll be 7-3, but that’s up to the C’s if they want it.
It's only 3 games but they remind of the Spurs of the last couple years
when they stopped playing defense and started relying on more offense to bail them out. Obviously this may have to do with no Pierce and training camp for our new additions, but probably mostly because of NO inside presence.
Jeezus - so now they are "just lazy"? So it's a problem of personal character?
Sheesh – they got into their hotel in the wee dark hours of the morning after an exhausting battle with the Heat the night before. Do you think it’s just possible that maybe they were tired and sleep deprived?
Oh no – it must be because they have a character flaw!
For the record I don’t think it had anything to do with age and I, too wish folks would stop bringing up age. The whole team shot poorly from the field – and that is a symptom of tired legs in the NBA that applies to both young and old.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
KG and Ray are LAZY??????????
I just left what little hair I have in gobs on the floor. You have to be joking. Put down the Pipe MAN!! PLEASE!!
-Sammyg
not throwing the towel yet, but...
It pains me to see how they’ve played these 3 games so far. I’ve seen non-aggression, lack of intensity, horrific defense and no chemistry. Now granted they played against NYK and MIAH, but yesterday was inexcusable.
No reason why they should of got played by NO. Again, the defense was nonexistent, slow in transition and slow to pick up opponents. I love KG more than any player in the league, but I don’t know what’s with him lately and it’s starting to concern me. The starters looked tired and uninterested in dealing with NO’s offense.
In the New York and Miami they should effort in the 2nd halfs of those games, but last night they looked like the back-to-back Celtics from last season, interested, slow and tired. NO’s guards and big men did what they wanted especially in the paint.
Danny Ainge will have to come to some sort of decision about Jermaine O’Neal. He just doesn’t have it anymore, though there were bad whistles against JO, he doesn’t have it to be a force on defense or the paint. There’s no way the C’s are better off with JO starting the next 63 games.
On the other hand it’s only 3 games, 2 close games and 1 blowout. There’s going to be a lot of sloppy and inconsistent basketball in this compressed regular season. Some teams will start out smoothly and others will start out rough. Unfortunately the Celtics are one of those teams that are going through a rough patch.
The upcoming schedule is favorable for them, but they’re 0-3 now the next 6 games are must wins. Hopefully there will be light at the end of this tunnel, hopefully!
Upcoming games are.....
Detroit, Washington(2x), New Jersey and Indiana. These are considered automatic wins for the Celtics before. But if I recall correctly, Boston has lost to all those teams last season under the dubious distinction and head-scratching………“games the Celtics should have won”.
So they might not even be able to raise their record above .500!
KG aint done.
Like all things old he just needs alittle time to warm up. This is a guy who gave you banner 17. Gave you the mindset that any team would kill for and you guys quickly throw in the towel for 3 measley games? SMH. Its times like these that I question the meaning of the words “celtic fan”.
by The green mamba on Dec 29, 2011 10:39 AM EST via mobile reply actions
"This is a guy who gave you banner 17"
I don’t think anyone is bashing him for what he’s done in the past. Nor are they questioning his heart.
But the KG in the first 3 games is not the KG of even 2 years ago. He looks like he’s lost a lot. You’d have to be blind not to see this.
Do we all ignore that and not mention it, because he won a championship 4 years ago?
Can't there be a middle area?
Can you be a die-hard and still be critical? I think you can. I understand that some may be throwing in the towel, but others are simply trying to figure out whats wrong with the team. I think that’s most of these ‘celtics fans’.
We need to talk about Kevin...
My reading of the first 3 performances:
Game 1 – Played well in patches (3rd and 4th quarters) but Antony destroyed us without PP: 6/10
Game 2 – Seldom in it but Ray pulled out some crazy 3s and Docs switch to zone d keept it interesting, a decent effort against the most talented team in the league (by some margin, imo): 5/10
Game 3 – Typical C’s back to back game of recent years, lethargic and lacking any spark: 1/10
The overall performances are not that different from last season.
What is VERY different is KG’s performances, in each game (including the first after a LONG off season) he has looked dead on his feet. Bar his mid range jumper he looks completely off even on defence.
You could put this down to poor form (a temporary issue) but at his age (and years in the NBA, since he came straight from high school) you have to wonder if there is just nothing left.
If KG plays at this level for the rest of the season, the first round of the playoffs is the best we can hope for.
too early to panic
but if this team doesn’t look any better after 25 games or so (assuming the return of PP and addition of Pietrus), it may be time to start unloading the high-priced talent that’s underperforming so far.
maybe cut more minutes from KG when a back to back happens
JJJ and Bass should get more time when its back to back .. let KG have 20-25 minutes play. Not only KG but even Allen and pierce. we want them as healthy as possible when it comes to the playoffs. THANK GOD THERE ARE NO BACK-TO-BACKS n the playoffs
I AM A CELTIC!!
Yea, I’m not calling them done, not after 3 games. Granted they’re playing w/no sense of urgency or care, but I’m not calling it quits. Too many times Celts fans overreact when this team struggles, but they start playing better people jump on the bandwagon.
There’s going to be a lot of sloppy and careless basketball with teams around the league and not just Celtics. It’s unfortunate the Celtics are one of those teams that’s playing sloppy. Now there will be fans and media piling on the Celts, but that’s part of the process when you’re a veteran team and struggling.
People are looking for reasons to criticize or critique a championship contending team that’s aging and struggling. I’ve seen this story before and it’s played. There’s a changing of the guard happening.
Veteran championship teams such as the C’s, Mavs, Lakers and Spurs are getting older and teams like the Heat, Bulls, Thunder, Clippers, Knicks, Wolves, Warriors, Pacers, Sixers and Grizzles are upcoming. Though the Celtics are aging they need to understand their successful reputation holds weight around the league. Teams like the Heat and Knicks or Hornets will want to slug it out on the court and Celts have to prepared.
They’re not playing playing so good at the moment, but I’m not ready to close the curtains on the Big 3 era regardless the amount of games loss. The show ends when Danny Ainge closes the curtains. We can’t call it quits or the media, only Ainge does that.
JJJ
If we need him this bad and he still isn’t getting mins he must be learning reeealy slooooowly
Faith and Sports - an essay by Jeff Clark
by Jeff Clark on Dec 29, 2011 1:29 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions
???
He’s 3 games into his rookie season. I think it’s pretty early to be making any determination.
There’s also something to be said for not throwing a n00b into the deep end of the pool before he learns to swim. Putting an NBA rookie into the first game (nationally televised) or the 2nd game (also nationally televised) vs. the Heat = deep end of the pool.
Last Rites After 3 Games?
With the holiday craziness, this is my first post since the season started. It is amazing the panic around this forum. We have played 1/22 of the season. Still 63 games left. Just like injuries can happen to us, it can happen to the Heat, Bulls, etc.. It is still a long season and there are no guarantees who will be standing come the playoffs.
I loved the Heat game. We took it to them in their building without PP and MP. We came back from a large deficit with only a rookie to save the Heat at the end. Hardly any training camp and a bunch of new guys. The loss last night? No surprise. Unlike others, I am not ready to concede that we are going to lose all the back to backs. When you take out the starting 4 less Rondo, we have a young, athletic team. As the season progresses, these guys will learn the system and be solid. I think our bench, with MP, will be one of the top 3 in the league. And Rondo has the fire in his belly. Our beloved C’s will be fine.
Happy New Year everyone.
They got blown out by a Hornets' team last night with 9 new players
And, the Hornets were missing their best player.
And the Hornets got to sleep in their own beds the night before.
And probably got into them at a decent hour.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
So it doesn't matter that they have nine new players who have played together for like two weeks? Amazing
Maybe the Celts players can bring their pillows from home on the road with them :)
Did I say that it doesn't matter? Of course that matters.
But exhaustion and sleep deprivation usually trump that.
Besides that part is basically a wash – the C’s also had a ton of new faces: Bass, Stiemsma, Dooling, Moore, Johnson are all brand new, Daniels has been out of basketball for half a year and even though each was nominally ‘around’ for parts of last year, its not like JO, Pavs & Bradley have gotten years of playing time with our core.
Only KG, Ray & Rondo were long time core Celtics of the 12 who played in green last night.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
The problem GM's have is that "as fans" it is hard to admit
that our boys are beyond the point where they can sustain high levels of performance consistently. How do you give up on the guys who delivered number 17? On the other hand, if Danny does not do something the organization will be in bad shape. So, at what point does Danny alter his plans? Its a fine line because you want to stretch it out as long as possible, but at some point it becomes a business decision (weighing the future vs the present). The longer you wait the more your assets depreciate in value. Reminds of of the early 90’s.
trade deadline
the deadline will be the tell all fate for this team. If we’re in the thick of things it stays togehter, if not, Danny blows it up.
agree
And Danny said “we’ll see in a month or so” or something like that
Faith and Sports - an essay by Jeff Clark
by Jeff Clark on Dec 29, 2011 2:21 PM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
I just dont' really see how he's going to 'blow it up', even at the trade deadline.
Who is going to take those big contracts and what, exactly would you be getting back?
I just don’t really see anything out there that looks like a realistic possibility.
If we suck, I think we just eat the expiring contracts ourselves and hope for a high draft pick.
But I don’t believe we will suck that bad. I think things will look a lot different 7-10 games from now.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
I Agree w/Jeff and mmmmm
It’s way too early to panic. We need to see where we are in a month or so. If we continue to play like we are then Danny will “blow it up”. However, I expect us to play better as we iron out our mistakes, get PP and MP into the lineup. I think. this is just a blip in the road.
And if the time comes to “blow it up” Danny will have no reservations about that either. That’s why I like him as the GM, he will make the hard decisions and some decision won’t work out, so what. He’ll use that piece in another deal and another until it does work out. Of course, for every bad deal many people on this site will be yelling and screaming that he’s an idiot. But then again, I’ve seen some of the deal proposed by people on this site and so many are insanely rediculous. Just because a trade works on Trade Checker doesn’t mean another organization is stupid enough to agree to it. There’s no more Ted Stepien in the NBA.
BTW, I do believe we will be in the Playoffs with this team, but probably can’t win a banner with this team.
Just because you build a weak house ...you can't blow it up in a storm (season) ...because you have to have someplace to live
Blowing it up right now …on Game 3 makes no sense to me
Is it Soup Yet?
Really
How much traveling have you done as an athlete. I have, an it takes a toll out of you. Just because you are on a charter flight, and staying in the best hotels doesn’t reduce the strain and the drain of travel. This is not really an excuse, just a fact. I agree with everyone who says they should have played better, but stuff happens.
Watching the Warrior's last night v. the Knicks....
they played small ball most of the time with David Lee as the 5, Dominic McGuire the 4. Dorrell Wright at 3, Brandon Rush 2 and Ellis at the point. The Celtics version will be, depending on their health, KG, Bass, Pierce, Pietrus or Allen and Rondo.
"I've got a theory that if you give 100% all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end."
--- Larry Bird
by Army_of_One_Nation(Celtic's Nation) on Dec 29, 2011 2:36 PM EST reply actions
Typical Celtics fans overreacting...
Whenever things don’t go right with this team people panic and wave the white flag. I’m not sure if people on here understand sports, but teams and athletes struggle. Even great teams like the Celts struggle.
Why is anyone surprised? We’ve seen the Celts struggle before, but not this early in the season. It’s broken record on this with talk of ‘blow it up’ or ‘trade’. It amazes me how quick Celts fans turn.
I always hear rumors about Celts fans quiting when things go bad, but now the rumors are believable. People need to resist pushing the panic button until the next 14 games.
by C'sFanfrmNy on Dec 29, 2011 2:40 PM EST via mobile reply actions
So three games into the season, we are already blaming tired legs and a 4 a.m. arrival into New Orleans
What are things going to be like 30 games in? I still see the Celtics improving and beating up on the bad and mediocre teams. I also see them playing some great games and beating some of the leagues best teams. All on their way to a 38-28 season and a 4th – 6th seed.
No need to panic at all.
Step back for a second.
This was a three game road trip. Under peculiar circumstances.
Three games in 4 days. All in the ‘home opener’ of the opposing team. One on Christmas (with all that hype). All without Pierce & otherwise shorthanded. With lots of new faces and no real training camp. Sloppy play. Sloppy officiating. Lack of sleep.
If we had come back from such a trip having won 2 and lost 1, we would be pretty ecstatic.
Well, we ALMOST won two of them.
It’s a legitimate possibility that if we had had Pierce, we might have managed to finish the come-backs and win against both NY and MIA. And we would all be happy.
We came up just short in each. So maybe we should be “just short” of happy.
Definitely not time to panic.
We have 4 home games and 1 road over the next 8 days.
And then we get 4 days off. Sweet Jesus!
THAT will seem more like the end to the ‘pre-season’. We should have all our players back by then. Things should look a lot less grim.
Then we get to face the Mavs and the Bulls at home followed by an immediate trip to the Pacers. I think THAT will be the first true test of what this team is.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
No need to panic but have to be realistic
There are always going to be peculiar circumstances with this team and many other teams have to deal with them also. No team had a real training camp, plenty of teams have new faces, injuries are part of the game also. It seems like with the Celtics there are always ‘reasons’ for their terrible play but they don’t seem to apply to other teams.
The Hornets were playing their home opener for a crowd that just lost their hero Chris Paul and knows they now have an average team at best. They were trying to integrate plenty of new players and the best player they have in Eric Gordon was unavailable. Their team is largely made up of role players from other teams who have had marginal success at best.
One of the strengths of the Celtics is their core group. Even without Pierce there were 2 hall of famers and an all star starting that have played more games together than any combination the Hornets threw out there. Injuries are part of the game and unfortunately with this veteran group it’s highly likely we won’t see a sustained stretch where every player is at full strength without missing games.
And the mentioning of lack of sleep, the arrival time, injuries all those things are going to be even more prevelant in a shortened season. Saying the Celtics really had no reasonable chance to win last night, is that saying that in the numerous back to back and 2 back to back to back sets that the Celtics can’t possibly be expected to win any of those? The way these excuses are presented makes it seem like a miracle if this team can possibly beat bad teams like the Hornets unless every single circumstance favors the Celtics. If that is the case then they had better win nearly every home game and any game not on a back to back as they have almost no margin for error. To praise this team as leaders, warriors and those who can achieve incredible success as they have all done but then act like it would have taken a miraculous, superhuman effort to play well enough to beat the Hornets last night just doesn’t add up.
Will Pietrus and Wilcox help? Who knows their long term impact. Will a healthy Paul Pierce help? Of course based on his stellar career. But let’s not forget Paul Pierced played 80 games last season and the Celtics still were at the top of the NBA in blowing double digit leads, still struggled to close out games, still were terrible in many back to back situations and still lost early in the playoffs.
The Celtics will start to play better and get things figured out. Remember though there were so many who kept saying last season’s struggles were like 2010 and to ‘just wait for the playoffs’ We all know how that turned out and can’t expect a much different result unless many things fall into place…
From Doc Rivers 12/28/11 --- "I just thought we played tired," Rivers said. "We looked old tonight."
by warnerjohn on Dec 29, 2011 5:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Wait ... what? What exactly are you disagreeing with me about?
What exactly is not ‘realistic’ in my comment?
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
I don't think any of us really disagree
I think everyone would agree that (a) there is reason for concern about this team, and (b) we need to go through several more games (7-8, I think) before any real conclusions can be drawn.
Unless, of course, something dramatic happens in the next 3-4 games, which will be mostly at home against bad teams. If they blow THOSE games too…. well, the handwriting on the wall might appear a little sooner than expected.
In any case, we should have a pretty good idea of what the future holds sometime quite soon (within ~2 weeks).
At least the Lakers beat a bad team on the third night of a back-to-back-to-back
I love “almost” wins
off topic
TWO of the Techs from the home opener against the knicks were rescinded by the league. The Ray and Toney Douglas double T was the only one that held
yeah
at most jobs crawford’s performance would get him fired. but then, he’s really just doing the will of the league. that’s why these clowns are able to do this perennially.
and another thing about the officiating.
the c’s have had the misfortune of playing THREE home openers on the road so far this season. and the refs definitely give the home team a major extra boost on those home openers. the c’s were essentially a sacrificial lamb those first 3 games. the c’s will be in much better shape if they can get some fair officiating once things settle down.
c's shot near 50% FG last year
..and were the best team in teh league for most of the season.
step back form the ledge, people, they didn’t drop off THAT much. and if anything, o0ur bench should be better this year than last.
doc needs to play the young guys more. if they can become contributors and if we can save our older players’ legs for the playoffs then we have a shot. it is ESSENTIAL that we get contributions from the young guys.
hopefully doc recognizes that.
doesn’t matter if we’re only the 8-seed, we just have to get in.
they can't contribute
without playing time. getting the rookies PT is an investment. it will pay off eventually, there’s a reason they were drafted. and they have young legs – energy – and that is what we need to complement our veterans.
Dallas Mavericks...
…started the 06-07 season 0-4.
Eventually finishing the season 67-15, securing the top seed in the west.
Embarrasingly, they got humiliated by the Warriors in the 1st round :)
No arguing over this one - this was "Vinnie-time"
It’s pretty funny to read these in an evolving string. Time heals most but not Vinnie. That was the stinko that Vinnie expects them to deliver every night. Boy, I hope he’s not right too many more nights.
Vinnie, I’m not knocking you, you make good basketball comments from a pessimist’s view.
It seems to me the biggest holes are at the 4, and the 3. KG being only average is maybe the way it IS going to be and that would be very bad indeed. Pavlovic in for Paul is way too much of a drop off in offensive options. JO completely stinks, but it would have been gravy if he were good. So, we’re playing without gravy there.
Master Po, Danny isn’t all that bad. I think keeping the Big 3 together was the right move but it has consequences on the cap. Keeping Rondo, I like. The scraps he picked up off the scrap heap, I like. The new guys, I like.
Instead of Danny, this year will show really if Doc can coach. Belichek is getting pretty far with a woeful defense. Doc is so likeable that I think any player would count him a plus. but can he really X&O? He’s been good with inbounds play. But now we’ll see since player rotation is the need this year.
If I expected them to deliver a stinker every night, why would I have season tickets?
I am posting my honest beliefs. I hate reading excuses like the Celtics were tired because they got in so late while the Hornets were sleeping in their own beds. Or statements like it would have been “amazing” if the Celtics had stolen a win last night against New Orleans. Really? Amazing to steal a win from a bunch of guys who hardly know each other? So, I react to that. I simply don’t agree with that kind of thinking. If they are already tired in the third game of the season, then that to me says we are going to see a lot of these nights this year. I want them to win, and I think they will win 38 or so games this year. Nothing wrong with that. They simply are not a real contender in my opinion. Now, if Pietrus is healthy and all of a sudden becomes a better than average player, KG all of a sudden becomes 75-80 percent of the player we have come to expect, JO returns from the land of the corpse, and Ray and Rondo keep playing well, and Pierce comes back as the same player he was last year or better, they become a more serious contender, but still not a favorite. As I have posted numerous times, a fan can still love his team, but believe that it does not have the goods to win the championship. That is where I stand. If I am wrong, I will be ecstatic, as I was in 2010 when they got jobbed in the finals. I did not think they had a chance to get to the finals that year. I also did not believe they had a chance last year or in 2009. If I am right, so be it. I will still be at the games in my regular seats and watching all of the other games. It’s the most I can do.
I should add that I fully expected the Red Sox to win the world series last year
Where did that get me? A lot of heartache and disappointment. :(
I actually like this post....I never give with only 3 games played but nothing wrong with being a realist
I think we could win it all but the odds not in our favor….one day, one game at a time
Is it Soup Yet?
Season ticket holder also
Well, a quarter share actually. That’s enough for me. You aren’t the guy two rows behind me who talks to Joe Crawford,telling him he’s the NBA’s best, are you? If so I’m going to wallop you one day. Only a pessimist could like that guy.
0-3 isn’t good but the Bruins got off to a lousy start too. The Red Sox have bad Aprils.
Master Po, I always think we can win it all too, but realistically, not if this is the KG we’re going to get. Pierce back, Pietrus whatever he gives, Wilcox back, O’Neal improves…all for naught if KG is just average.
And I stick to my belief that Danny did his job. Let’s see if Doc can do his.
Intelligent post from a logical perspective
Right back at you Vinnie, great post! Some people seem to believe that being a ‘true fan’ means never criticizing the team or expecting them to do well. Taking a step back and looking at things from a realistic point of view even if it can be negative in no way diminishes supporting the team.
This team as currently put together is in no way a contender to win an NBA title which is the stated goal of Danny, Doc and the players. There is a long way to go this season however and the team may stay injury free, get major contributions from the new additions and see a resurgence from KG and JO. If that happens then the outlook may change but for now it’s realistic to expect a middling regular season and another early playoff exit…
From Doc Rivers 12/28/11 --- "I just thought we played tired," Rivers said. "We looked old tonight."
I'm certainly not optimistic either
But I don’t want to draw any conclusions until we see what happens in the next 7-8 games. Barring a total meltdown by the Cs, I think it will take that long to really see what the future holds. Meanwhile…. crossing fingers, toes, and all my other appendages.
"I hate reading excuses"
I just don’t understand this. You label any discussion about “why we lost” as “excuses”. Not reasons. “Excuses.” So why did we lose? Oh – because we “suck”? Is that all we get to say?
If you don’t want to read a discussion about what went on – why read it? No one forces you to read any of this. No one forces you to post your cryptic little negative predictions and snide derisions.
I don’t question for a second your love of the Celtics, vinnie. I do wonder why you post some of the things you post.
I commend you for in this one post providing more basis for your opinions than in a zillion other posts you have made. But ultimately it just sounds like fear.
People who consistently post the ‘pessimistic’ side of things are no more ‘realistic’ than people who post nothing but positive cheerleading. Consistent pessimism is usually just emotional cover for fear of disappointment. If one consistently predicts the negative and that’s what the outcome is, then great – you get to say “I told you so!”. If instead the positive outcome happens, then you can revel in that and say, “I’m glad I was wrong!” Or conveniently forget. Whichever works. It’s a very safe way to go.
Sigh. I’ll probably get a warning from the mods for even commenting on this.
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
Where's the defense?
That’s why I would like know?
The starters or reserves don’t play any defense?
Where’s the transition defense?
Why aren’t the wings clogging or closing the paint?
Where’s the trap defense?
Why aren’t KG and JO stop guards from penetrating inside the paint?
So far I haven’t seen any of these defensive tactics yet. I don’t know what Garnett’s deal is, but he seems to be in lockout mode. The JO from last season’s playoff series disappeared, but I think it’s time to cut ties w/JO or sit him on the bench. I bet Danny Ainge is trying to figure out a way to upgrade the center spot or the entire roster.
Right now Ainge must fix the starting center as soon as possible.
'fixing the starting center'
People keep saying that. What, exactly are you proposing that Ainge do?
NBA Officiating - Corrupt? Incompetent? Which is worse? Does it matter? It sucks.
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