I am going to come out and say it

[cwas2882]

Here's something to keep in mind:

The 1986 Celtics, perhaps the greatest team of all time, lost the overwhelming majority of their regular season games to sub .500 teams.

We're not as good, or loaded as the 86 squad but so far I don't see us as the 2005 Pistons but rather closer to the '87 Celtics (still not as good... ). Old, sometimes injured but still capable of whooping some serious ass and a definite contender.

Checked that '86 thing, that's crazy. 11 of their 15 losses were to sub .500 teams

[34_fifty]

Seriously U think SHeed is a top 5 guy if he tries?

[Captain_Caveman]

I don't mind the recent swoon, it happens.

But people are fooling themselves if they want to ignore the inconsistent intensity or the fact that an old team like this is likely to see some injuries.

People have been mentioning that we knew what we got with Sheed, but probably worth mentioning that we also knew that we got an injury-prone part-time guy with Daniels as well.

We are probably the 2nd best contender after LA. Not so bad, but here we are.

[cfan79]

It doesn't matter what their record is during the season. All that matters is that we win the Atlantic and get a top spot, which looks like its a given. I'd rather see a well rested healthy Big 3 come playoff time. Look at last year, KG got hurt and PP and Ray were out of gas by the Orlando series.

[irie]

Abandon ship! We have injuries! We lost a few games!

[PP 4 Three]

Abandon ship! We have injuries! We lost a few games!

...And are still tied for 1st.

[sully00]

The funny thing is I agree with the original post completely we do seem to be playing like those Pistons, and that is a good thing.

They won a championship and followed that with a finals loss and three more trips to the conference finals and frankly they were about the least talented NBA Champion ever, probably not one HOF outside of the coach on the roster. We didn't make it out of the second round last season after winning 60 games. The regular season don't mean ish baby. We didn't beat the Pistons two years ago because they didn't take the regular season seriously we beat them because they were old and their run was over and we were more talented and hungry.

Why not let our bench guys have expanded roles during the dog days and establish themselves and instead of depending on them to over achieve during the postseason we will have healthy and rested Pierce and Garnett and they can just fill a role? Seriously we are like two wins away from clinching a playoff spot with like 50 games to play.

[aboubata]

3 weeks ago I bookmarked this thread so I don't have to look for it later, now is a good time.

PP body language says it all, against detroit he was the only one running up on offense and back on defense. Anyone else notice in the 3rd quarter at the 2:54 mark (or around that time) before the official time out how paul was cursing and disgusted with what is going on???

[SichtingLives]

When you authored this thread I thought it was way too early to be panicking about a few losses, and it's still too early to panic. But this recent play (which has been dragging on) has definitely been cause for concern. People are going to try and rationalize this team's performance, which I understand because I've typically always been in the same boat. But while some of the rationale is an excuse and some is legit, there isn't anybody of sound mind who isn't concerned with what's going on with this team. We're all starting to see that the absence of KG and Daniels are not the only issues holding us back.

It's the effort, the energy, the desire that's lacking at the moment. It doesn't matter how depleted or tired a team is, you can always put forth the effort. If it looked like anybody on the team sans PP was really giving their all out there, I wouldn't mind these losses nearly as much. I should've given you credit for the Pistons comment aboubata, because that is what I've been seeing more recently myself and you picked it up a while ago. The C's are on cruise control right now, but somebody needs to tell them that you still have to grab the wheel and steer.

I'm not going to lie, I'm disgusted with this team right now. The game thread is a different story, but instead of unleashing streams of negativity I'm just going to leave it at this and give them another month or so until we really are healthy to see what has changed.

This is not going to get any easier with our upcoming schedule, this team is facing adversity and I would like to see some of these guys show some damn fire. Is it unreasonable to expect that?

[UGA Hayes]

Celtics will be fine. Right now they are struggling a little with depth while Pierce and Daniels are both out. Rondo and Ray playing a little too much but the alternatives won't be better (Giddens, Walker, Hudson). Once Pierce gets back they will go on another 8-10 game win streak and all will be well.

Celtics still have a few holes like all teams do but nothing that would prevent them from winning another title. I think they could use a good backup PG and an athletic backup SF but it's not mandatory. We will see what Danny Ainge does at the trade deadline.

Even if the Celtics do nothing at the deadline the Celtics still have as good a chance as anybody of winning the title.

This is how I feel. LAst year when KG was out we got good production from his position in Powe and Davis. This year we are getting really bad production at that position and its hurting us. Even worse Rondo who is practically indestructable is haveing to play an insane amount of minutes and looks tires, even if he is playing well.

[aboubata]

the thing is, I never panicked.
I pointed out that we were playing for 1 or 2 quarters per game and it is a concern. I am waiting to see what happens after march1 (more like after ASB).

We went through a tough stretch leading to last thursday game (chicago) and I kept saying, too many games for an old team that has a lot of banged up guys. Well, sitting from thursday till monday didn't help, so it isn't being tired and old.

I am looking forward to 1 of 2 things now. Things will get better or Doc will sit down his "stars" so send the team a message that you won't play unless you are giving 100%.

I was hoping PP would be screaming during that timeout and telling these guys not to get in the game if they don't want to run up and down the floor.

[campybatman]

Or the Celtics really miss Garnett and Daniels. And... Surprise, surprise... The team's tired. Their schedule wasn't kind to them this season.

[Celtics_85]

Sure this team is tired, why? Because we are old and banged up all the time. We aren't the Pistons after they won the title, we are the Spurs of the East. We can't seem to stay healthy, as KG, Ray, Pierce, and Sheed have lost a step or two. We just hope to limp into the playoffs healthy enough to make a title run as we are the best team on paper, but not the sturdious or most athletic.