The main downfall of posting every day about the Celtics is when things get stuck in a rut, they really get stuck in a rut. Here are the top 5 subjects I'm sick of hearing about, talking about, and writing about (but will probably go back to discussing tomorrow).
- Injuries: It could be argued that one of the most influential people on the Celtics these days is Head Trainer Ed Lacerte. Any time you have to start discussing the difference between the ACL and MCL my eyes roll back into my head. Estimated dates of return are seemingly always on the optimistic side, so in my head I always add at least a week to whatever they say. I was never good at science and never dreamed I'd need to know what plantar fasciitis is. Besides, I'm totally out of clever MASH headlines.
- Tanking: So much more is made of this than ever needs to be. Every coach, every player is going to give it his all and try to win each and every game. I wouldn't have it any other way. On the other hand, if you want to point to someone changing their gameplan, look no further than Ainge. He won't do anything to lose games. He'd never tell anyone to lose on purpose. He will, however, hold off on signing "band-aide" free agents or making trades that help in the short run at the expense of a future asset. That's not called "tanking," that's called planning wisely.
- The Draft: I'm as big a draftnik as you will find anywhere. The draft is one of my favorite days of the year. I follow draft stock closer than I do real investments. But even I have to step back and think ...its January!!! So much will change between now and June it is crazy to debate anything. Two years ago at this time, Chris Taft was still considered a top pick candidate. Stuff happens. Wake me in March.
- Doc Rivers: People make it sound like Doc is the root of all things bad on the Celtics. There hasn't been as big a scapegoat on this team since, ....well, Mark Blount. The coach can only do so much, good or bad, to make a team win or lose. He's a nice guy and he's trying his best and he's not going anywhere till at least the end of the season. After the season I'll lead the charge to make a change, but for now he's our coach. Deal with it.
- Moral Victories: I know I'm the king of "look on the bright side" and I've led the "lower your expectations" campaign. Still, the competitor in me is really tired of losing. Period. Every once in a while I'd like to see a game like we had against Memphis where everything seems to click and the Celtics blow the other team out. Or perhaps they come back to make a close game against a tough opponent and someone like Gerald hits the game winner. I'm not asking for a winning streak, just a win once in a while. I don't think that's too much to ask for.