Now the best turnaround in NBA history

[campybatman]

I believe the Celtics after Friday's win stand at thirty-three and are now four games away from breaking the record.

Well, the Celtics aren't in a position to obliterate the current record, but they can put some distance between themselves and the current record holders by a few more games. Too many losses that shouldn't have been losses. Oh, well... Boston isn't Memphis, right?



Boston has a chance of breaking -- obliterating, in fact -- the record for biggest turnaround NBA season in history.

The top three turnarounds are:

San Antonio in Tim Duncan's rookie season (36 more wins than the year before)

San Antonio in David Robinson's rookie season (35 more wins than in the previous year)

Phoenix in year one of the Nash Era (33 more wins than in 03-04)

http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-3 ... ecord.html

[chakdaddy]

I really hate how everyone credits Tim Duncan for the turnaround. If David Robinson can turn a team around 35 wins, you have to assume that getting Tim Duncan AND David Robinson should turn the team around even more.

[P2]

We have already broken the franchise record yesterday with a 33 win improvement from one season to another! The previous record was in Bird's rookie season (79-80), when they team improved by 32 wins (from 29 to 61).

[Celtics_History_Lesson]

The previous record was in Bird's rookie season (79-80), when they team improved by 32 wins (from 29 to 61).

So what Bird did all by himself back then, to do it now took garnett, R Allen, Pollard, Posey, House and of course the Big Baby. Shows how good Bird was.

[Bad-Thoma]

-= original quote snipped =-



So what Bird did all by himself back then, to do it now took garnett, R Allen, Pollard, Posey, House and of course the Big Baby. Shows how good Bird was.

I was going to make fun of you, but I went back and checked the rosters (I was 4 at the time, and more into matchbox than basketball) and other than a new coach in Bill Fitch, Larry Bird was the only real change. Impressive, though I'd be curious to hear from someone who actually watched the whole season (and not you CHL, your a little... hmmmm... biased ).

[P2]

The Celtics have broken the franchise record of +32 wins with last night's win. We are +33 wins, and about to break San Antonio's NBA record of +36 with only one above .500 team left to play (Washington).

[dclock]

The Bird thing also happened to have a little more to it as to why the Celtics had such a bad record the year before Bird came in:

wikipedia said:

The other important story of the Celtics' 1978-79 season was the ongoing dispute between Auerbach and new owner John Y. Brown.[29] The dispute nearly led Auerbach to resign as General Manager for a position with the New York Knicks. With public support strongly behind Auerbach, Brown elected to sell the team rather than face the wrath of the city for being the man who drove Red to a hated rival. During his short ownership, Brown orchestrated a trade for Bob McAdoo that Auerbach despised, and the team unraveled.[30] The Celtics would struggle through the season, going 29-53 without Bird.[31] Newcomers Chris Ford, Rick Robey, Cedric Maxwell and Tiny Archibald failed to reverse the team's momentum.[32]

Bird would debut for the Celtics during the 1979-80 season, a year after his selection.[33] With a new owner in place, Auerbach made a number of moves that would create a whole new dynasty. Auerbach traded the unhappy McAdoo, a former NBA scoring champion, to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for guard M.L. Carr, a defensive specialist, and two first-round picks in the 1980 NBA Draft.[34] He also picked up point guard Gerald Henderson from the CBA. Carr, Archibald, Henderson and Ford would form a highly competent backcourt, with their unique skills blending in perfectly with the talented frontcourt of Cowens, Maxwell and Bird, who would go on to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors. The Celtics improved by 32 games, the best single-season turnaround in NBA history, going 61-21 and losing to the Philadelphia 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

[campybatman]

I'm referring to the overall record and not the Celtics franchise record. I thought that was obviously stated in the thread's title and accompanying link.

The Celtics haven't broken it yet. They must win four more games to have won thirty-seven more games than last season.

[campybatman]

If and when the Celtics surpass San Antonio for the record. Do most people believe that Rivers won't play Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen over twenty or twenty-five minutes for the remainder of the schedule?

I would say so. However, Boston likely still have a few "revenge games" in mind left. Namely, the game at Washington. Charlotte is somewhat another one, if for any reason that the Celtics lost against them at home. And the game at Atlanta could be a statement game to the Hawks.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Yeah, a statement of how badly the C's will crush the Hawks should they meet in the first round!

[campybatman]

The rating for this series will probably be the lowest out of all the first round match ups outside of MA.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I really hate how everyone credits Tim Duncan for the turnaround. If David Robinson can turn a team around 35 wins, you have to assume that getting Tim Duncan AND David Robinson should turn the team around even more.

Especially because the reason the Spurs stank in 1996 was that Robinson missed all but 6 games and when he was ready to come back in mid-season, the Spurs shut him down on purpose to let him "heal"...aka tanked the season to get a better chance at the top pick, what they did.

SA with a healthy Robinson was never as bad as 26 wins, so to solely credit Duncan with the better record the next year is asinine.

[sully00]

-= original quote snipped =-



So what Bird did all by himself back then, to do it now took garnett, R Allen, Pollard, Posey, House and of course the Big Baby. Shows how good Bird was.

The other 7 guys that avg in double figures including the 3 HOF's and Cedric Maxwell would beg to differ.

A poor start, injuries, and the cursed career of Bob McAdoo were what laid the groundwork for that great turnaround.

[campybatman]

The new record will be established at sixty-one wins which will likely happen on Saturday.

Interestingly, this will be the first game fans will see the team minus Pierce and on the road at that. Ray Allen will have to lead in scoring. I want to watch Pierce play but if he has a personal commitment off the court. Fine. I hope this game isn't close like last time around at Charlotte.

[campybatman]

Never mind.

I guess the record might be had before the regular season ends but it won't be tonight. I really think this could be a lost then. I dislike this. Why have a 82-games schedule if you're going to sit out starters when they're not injured. This isn't the MLB... Why not lessen the number of games from 82 to 52 or something.

I would rather the head coach just reduce their minutes and then play the reserves more so the starters are still in sync.



The Boston Herald reports:

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said this morning that because of the Celtics captain

[wigglestrue]

Never mind.

Happened anyway! I was just curious so I looked up how the team MVPs of other top turnaround teams finished in league MVP voting, the three rookies didn't even finish in the top 3, and only Nash won it:

Bird was 4th
Nash was 1st
Robinson was 6th
Duncan was 5th

I'm assuming Garnett will finish in the top 4, at the very least.

[return2glory]

Great accomplisment. I'm proud of this team, from the players, to the coaches, to Danny Ainge, and the owners. Now, we must carry this success over to the playoffs.

[campybatman]

Great accomplisment. I'm proud of this team, from the players, to the coaches, to Danny Ainge, and the owners. Now, we must carry this success over to the playoffs.

Yes.

But, I'm genuinely surprised that Boston was able to defeat a Charlotte team that tends to play tough against them and playing at home. I'd thought the Celtics would lose but I guess not. I was unaware that Wallace was out for the game and I didn't expect the Bobcats to play as they'd... They didn't show up... Wallace might have made a difference defensively at guarding Posey as I believe he's their best defender. It's like they'd thrown the game. I mean Charlotte isn't eliminated from playoffs contention yet, so there was still an incentive for them to win that game and continue to attempt to clinch the eight seed. Their chances are quite dim now.

[Pogue Mahone]

I mean Charlotte isn't eliminated from playoffs contention yet, so there was still an incentive for them to win that game and continue to attempt to clinch the eight seed.

If I am not mistaken, the loss to the Celtics eliminated them from playoff contention. Your point stands, though. I thought Charlotte came out awfully flat.

[chuckerz]

Danny Ainge=exec of the year