Taking time to process...

Trying to process and forget at the same time. I’ve been watching professional basketball for 21 years and last night had to be one of the worst displays of basketball thus far. Last night’s match up between the Indiana Pacers and Boston Celtics will be a game to remember, but a game to forget as well.

Both teams laid an egg, but the odor came from the Celtics. One of the lowest scoring 1st half’s in Celtics history was showcased to Celtics and Pacers nation throughout the world. Unfortunately the Pacers ran away with the game in the 2nd half. The circumstances of the first and second half was telling, daunting and eye opening, for Celts fans at least.

Celtics, once a dominate team 4 yrs since the acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen is clearly at this stage showing something alarming, but not enough to push the panic button. And as we know Celtics fans tend to overreact and panic.

Last night’s game was a horrific display of offense and defense. I say this for both the Pacers and Celtics. Both teams played poorly in the first-half with a resulting half-time score of 33-25. During the first half the Celtics played a good defense, but for some reason the offense wasn’t clicking as well as it should. Now I noticed poor ball movement on the perimeter and guys standing around watching each other.

It wasn't just poor ball movement there were many flaws with the Celtics. Last night's game was a game to show Celtics Nation and others if the veteran Celtics could still compete with +500. teams. Now we all know from reading post game comments from opposing teams players that think highly of the veteran Celtics. Other star players like Carmelo Anthony, Jokhim Noah, Dwayne Wade and Lebron James believe the Celtics are still a threat especially when playoff-time comes.

Good luck convincing ESPN and pessimistic Celtics fans because they're not giving an ear to such kind of rhetoric. What ESPN and pessimistic fans have to understand is that great teams having bad games is apart of sports. Sometimes dominate teams get out played by their opponents. Star players show up most nights and check out offensively on other nights.

Last night was a clear example of a great team that got out played by an up and coming Indiana Pacers team. Granted the game was winnable, but the Pacers had the Celtics number last night. We have to accept that. The Pacers didn't beat the Celtics. The Celtics beat themselves by not running back on transition defense, no rebounding, Rondo's at times reckless ball passing, KG's new 2012 disappearing act and Pierce's off night mixed in with some bad officiating.

I do believe that Celtics fans have every right to be upset it's apart of being a fan. The fans at TD Garden clearly showed their disdain for last night. What's not rational is calling for the heads of certain players, because they didn't play well. As a fan you can't love a team or player one day and throw dirt one them when they're playing bad. As I said before it's apart of sports, teams and players will have bad games.

Last night I was listening to Celtics Stuff Live Post-game and one of the host was so turned off he starting saying the Knics, Bulls, Pacers and Heat are all better than the Celtics. Clearly he was upset and had every right, but I think his statements were irrational. Look there's no question those teams are on the rise this year and years to come and veteran teams like the Celtics, Lakers, Spurs, Mavs and Suns are on the decline.

Changing of the guards - New replacing old. This happens in the NBA all the time.

I live in New York and believe me, Knicks fans and the media are not sold on the Knicks being contenders. They too are having problems especially with injuries and new players not clicking. The Pacers are much improving, but not better than the Celtics talent wise, sorry folks. The Celtics are kind of in the same situation as far as brand new players with no chemistry. But I'm sorry the Knicks and Pacers are not better. I repeat the Knicks and Pacers are not better than the Celtics!

I do believe the Heat and Bulls are the two top teams in the east and probably the entire league. So far the Heat and Bulls have been consistent with their defense and offense out-playing under .500 teams and out-competing over.500 teams. The Celtics on the other have been up and down with their play. Lack of defense, poor rebounding and playing down to the competition instead out playing. That's not Celtics basketball and that's not gonna get it done in a compressed 66 game season.

I think it's time for Doc Rivers to light a fire under this team's behind and get the ball rolling. If this is going to be the final run for the Garnett, Allen and Pierce, then we as fans got to see some light at the end of this short tunnel. It's time for Doc to start experimenting with roster and bench rotations. We'll have 4 days to process last night's circus performance until this weeks match-ups between Dallas and Chicago.

These next upcoming games against Dallas, Chicago, Indiana, OKC, Phoenix and Orlando will tell us more about the Celtics, than other teams.

Tips for now:

1. Last night's game is over let it go. Bad games occur all the time.
2. Don't overreact, at least not yet.
3. Tune out media outlets and pundits i.e. ESPN
4. Compressed 66 gm schedule teams are going struggle.
5. It's ain't over until Danny Ainge says so!
6. Not a fan of A.Bradley offensive game just my opinion.
7. 4 days off is a long time for the Celts to redeem themselves don't you think?
8. Process this bad performance and let it out your head.
9. Rondo needs stop playing as if he's at NYC's Rucker Park.
   
10. Love KG to death, but if he's not gonna give 100%, then he should hang it up.
11. Sooner or later Danny and Doc will have to address the starting center position.
12. Celtics need practice rebounding drills starting 1/8/2012-1/11/2012.