FanPost

Time Is On Our Side (yes it is)

I am not at all sure that the Celtics care as much about HCA as some believe. We know last year that they did not. It's likely that at this point, HCA has faded in significance and all they care about now is health, and chemistry.

Let's remember: Rondo's current problems began in earnest on the day of the big trade. And there is NO question, at all, that team chemistry took a hit when Perk was traded. Perk was FAMILY.... no doubt about that, as they've all said it and obviously meant it. Tears were shed, all around. I can see how it would be hard to get swagger and chemistry back after an emotional hit like that. Making it even harder is the challenge of incorporating a whole bunch of new players into what once was a solid, chemically-bound core.

This also helps explain why it has been the starters who have not performed up to par lately. The COMBINATION of the trade's emotional hit, the need to gel with the new guys, the bodily insults they've all suffered, and the unending grind of the regular season -- has probably pushed the relevance of HCA down their list of priorities, and accounts for their recent apparently-indifferent play.

So what does this team need most of all now? I think it could be pretty simple: just TIME. Time to forget the emotional wounds, time to gel, time to get their swagger/mojo/confidence back, and (#4) time to finally get to the 2nd season (the only one that counts). This applies most clearly to Rondo, but nearly as well to the rest of the team.

The question is: is there enough time in the remaining regular season to get it all done (the first 3, anyway)? I think yes. And I think Shaq will be there in the playoffs, even if they have to shoot him full of whatever he needs. That's what he's said, and I completely believe him. He's a warrior. So are all the guys in the rest of this team's core.

Bottom line: There are dark clouds threatening, for sure... but I think they will soon part, and this team will step into the breach and go all the way through. I still expect to see them in the Finals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzcWwmwChVE

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