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Don't freak out about 2 losses in 3 games, its not a good thing in it of itself, however the results that I think it will bring are. While it is a good thing to be blowing everyone else out when it comes to having the best record in the league, it can also lead to complacency, I would much rather deal with that now then in march or april. We are not an all time great team IMOP, we are a very good team, but quite frankly we do have weaknesses that are inherent to the team at the backup PG and C positions and we have hit a very minor injury bug (and the lack of success without rondo at full speed really highlights our need to acquire someone who can run an offense if he goes down). These losses are taking us off of record setting pace, which is bad if you think we have a realistic chance of busting 72 wins, but I for one never thought that was a real chance, this is a 65 win team probably, but the difference between that and a 70 win team is huge. I think this is a good thing because it takes some uneccasary pressure off of the team to try and win that many games when 65 will give us the best record in the league. The losses force the team to acknowledge its flaws making it more likely they get fixed, it also takes a small amount of the bullseye off of our backs. Furthermore it reminds all of us as fans to manage our expectations a little, this team is not the patriots, its not going to win them all, it is a very good team with a couple of medium sized holes, it is not a flawless team that is going to dominate the very best teams on a consistent basis, though it has a good chance to win every single night.

It is better that ray allen gets minor injuries now then in May, Its better that rondo hurts his back and gets on the road to recovery then in april. Its better then march for danny to be forcefully confronted with his lack of PG depth before the trade deadline. Its better then febuary that this team is reminded that they cant take nights off its still the NBA. There is no time better then now for this too happen, had it happend sooner the positive swagger the team develop might not have formed, if it happend later it might have occured too late to fix some of these problems.

No the loses weren't really good loses, but I really think in the long run they will be good for the team.

Well said Spin. I think the reality of it, is you are going to have stretches like this because it is such a long season. Injuries, road games, they are bound to lose a few. That certainly doesn't mean this isn't a championship team. I think we were all spoiled with the great start, so now, with a loss or two the sky might fall, but they'll be fine.

The Losses don't matter much. Its probably for the best. Maybe Danny will realize we need another big guy and backup point guard now.

Good post. And, as some posters have pointed out, we have to work on our offensive fluidity. A lot of our wins have come off pure defense.

It would have been terrible to sail through the season with no problems, then hit a stretch like this with 10 games to go. We might have just crumbled. But now we have time to regroup and come back stronger than ever.

I agree with the spirit of this thread. Specifically I agree with Rondo Fan that the C's need to work on their offensive fluidity. If I were Doc and the coaching staff I'd start practicing 60-40 offense at this point... maybe even 70-30. If the goal is a championship than it is important to focus more on improving on "weaknesses" than it is to continue to enhance the defensive performance while ignoring the offensive side of the ball.

Another thing that it really starting to tick me off with Doc is the use of James Posey at the 4. The guy is the very definition of a 3. This team has 4 PF's on the roster. It is beyond me why Glen Davis and Powe are not used more consistently at the 4 spot when Perkins goes to the bench. Also, I'm amazed that Perkins goes for such extended breaks on the bench. If Doc were to simply sub Posey for Pierce and Davis/Powe in for Perkins we wouldn't always have guys playing out of position. I understand on some nights it makes sense to play Posey at the four but I don't like it from a rebounding or offensive perspective. The C's thrive off of the scrappy play inside of Glen Davis... Powe could perform a similar role. To me that's better than having Posey out their which when coupled with House, Ray, Pierce and KG makes the team over reliant on the jumpshot, with NO chance at offensive rebounds.

Good OP. Yes, it's definitely not time to panic. Every team has lulls. It's better for it to come in the middle of the season against crappy teams than in the playoffs. It's totally amazing to me that we had won both end of the previous 8 back-to-backs, the majority on the road. The NBA is just not that easy. Other teams have talent too. We shouldn't get too stressed that on the 9th back to back, both on the road, the C's looked tired. What's amazing is that it hasn't happened before now.

As for Posey, here's the thing: our 5 best players are KG, Pierce, Allen, Posey, and either Rondo or House if he's hitting his shots. So that's who you play at the end. I'm a big believer in putting your best guys out there, and let the OTHER team try to adjust. We might give up a couple of o-rebs but their PF also has to guard Posey at the 3-line. Last night Posey was the only guy who kept us in the game. Fact is, our defensive rebounding was much worse with Baby at the PF than with Posey.

Schedule for the rest of January?

Washington, Portland and Philly at home. Then @NYK, home to Toronto and Minny, on the road @Orl and @Mia. Finally they close out January with a big test on national TV against Dirk and the Mavs in Boston.

Nine games. Zero back to backs. No travel out of the eastern time zone.

When the C's hit February 1, they'll have four full days off and then the schedule ramps up a little bit both before and after the All Star break. The C's cannot afford to let up now record-wise. Hopefully, the depth looks better the rest of this month and that a bit more rest will help the team moving towards the All Star game...

im sure this has already been brought up, but imo the losses we have had are really from having zero practice... We beat the Pistons on had a few days off and we really weren't prepared for charlotte. Doc has been doing a lot of "practicing"in shoot arounds of late vs having a flat out practice in an effort to conserve energy. I am fine with that but like anything in life when u trade one thing for another u lose out on something. This team just needs to hit the gym for a few consecutive days, and that wont tommorow but it will happen.

cfan79 wrote:The Losses don't matter much.

..Says the guy who wants Tony Allen's head and Perk's job because of losses..

But yes, I agree with Spin. It's also almost like a wake up call to everyone that it's not perfect, but it's not broken.

RedSoxFan729 wrote:
..Says the guy who wants Tony Allen's head and Perk's job because of losses..

But yes, I agree with Spin. It's also almost like a wake up call to everyone that it's not perfect, but it's not broken.

I am just pointing out our glaring weaknesses. We won't win a title if we don't get another big with a brain.

cfan79 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



I am just pointing out our glaring weaknesses. We won't win a title if we don't get another big with a brain.

After reading a couple years of your trade ideas I find it suspect that you think you can judge what a brain is... O.K., just kidding, and the trade ideas went away, but easy on Perk man, he might not be an all-star but he is part of why this team is so good defensively, and shooting 59% in the NBA ain't bad no matter who is dishing you the ball. Don't **** with Perk, or he'll rip your arms off and beat you with them.

As for the OP, I couldn't agree more. It's a long season, there's going to be a few stretches that are going to be lackluster. I for one thank the basketball god's every night that we have this after last season. Frankly, I think Red is now one of the basketball gods, and he's looking out for us.

Bad-Thoma wrote:
After reading a couple years of your trade ideas I find it suspect that you think you can judge what a brain is... O.K., just kidding, and the trade ideas went away, but easy on Perk man, he might not be an all-star but he is part of why this team is so good defensively, and shooting 59% in the NBA ain't bad no matter who is dishing you the ball. Don't **** with Perk, or he'll rip your arms off and beat you with them.

Perk has his strength's (defense and size), but his weaknesses (offense and offensive rebounding) are hurting the team. Add in a player like CWebb or start Baby and at least we will get some offense. We should never score in the 70's or 80's.

cfan79 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-





Perk has his strength's (defense and size), but his weaknesses (offense and offensive rebounding) is hurting the team. Add in a player like CWebb or start Baby and at least we will get some offense. We should never score in the 70's or 80's.

Problem with that is you take away offense from an already lacking second unit. Perkins is not in there to score. With the PGA, you shouldn't need additional scoring in the starting lineup.

canman1971 wrote:
Problem with that is you take away offense from an already lacking second unit. Perkins is not in there to score. With the PGA, you shouldn't need additional scoring in the starting lineup.

The more options under the boards on offense the less outside shots will be taken. I cringe everytime Perk gets the ball under the hoop.

cfan79 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



The more options under the boards on offense the less outside shots will be taken. I cringe everytime Perk gets the ball under the hoop.

I understand your point, but how do you think he'd look when Tony Allen, Scal, Posey, House, and whoever else is jacking up shots. You just might have a seizure.

i fully co-sign the op

it's essentially my thoughts and feelings as well

well said

Totally agree. And, as much as I love the guy, I think Paul needs a little humble pie every now and then to keep him focused and commited to following the coaching schemes.

The championship teams gel late and roll into the playoffs.. Now is a good time to struggle.