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Biscuit

Sincerely speaking,

1) You never respond when I point out your constant, unwavering negativity, and negative predictions which are almost always wrong. I have listed how many times you have been wrong last season and this season about 20 times in the last few weeks. It is hard to take you seriously when you ALWAYS predict a bad outcome, absurdly predict a drop off to 0.500, give up on games in the first half, and are wrong 95% of the time.

2) Realism, however, is a very good thing. We could have a very good interchange of ideas if your posts were constructively critical when we lose, and balanced by appropriate kudos when we win - but that is never the case with you.

3) The road to number 18 (through the Cavs and the Lakers/Spurs - Orlando is not a player) will be hard even if Joe Smith and Marbs were added to the mix. There is no doubt that it will be even harder without them, i.e. if we have to play our present hand. However, you do not seem to comprehend that this is a very very very good team as is (41-11 is an awesome record and we have beaten some very solid teams along the way), and this team remains a major contender for the title. Paul, KG and Ray are highly competitive, mature super stars and future HOFers. They have the ability to carry this team to number 18 - even with a less than optimal bench. We could very easily have won the games against the Lakers and the Spurs this week - but mistakes were made. This small sample size does not at all mean these teams are clearly better than us. We are going to be contenders with or without additions to the bench.

4) And we are not going to lose 5 out of 6 on the upcoming road trip. No doubt, these will be tough games, but I see 3-3 or 4-2, which would be an outstanding achievement. Do not underestimate what KG, Ray and especially Paul are capable of; in other words, do not underestimate the heart of a champion.

5) If you are willing to post in a more balanced, realistic fashion, I would very much enjoy a dialog with you - at this forum or by instant message on AOL or Yahoo.

Peace.

Well said sir.. well said.

exculpatory wrote:Biscuit

Sincerely speaking,

1) You never respond when I point out your constant, unwavering negativity, and negative predictions which are almost always wrong. I have listed how many times you have been wrong last season and this season about 20 times in the last few weeks. It is hard to take you seriously when you ALWAYS predict a bad outcome, absurdly predict a drop off to 0.500, give up on games in the first half, and are wrong 95% of the time.

2) Realism, however, is a very good thing. We could have a very good interchange of ideas if your posts were constructively critical when we lose, and balanced by appropriate kudos when we win - but that is never the case with you.

3) The road to number 18 (through the Cavs and the Lakers/Spurs - Orlando is not a player) will be hard even if Joe Smith and Marbs were added to the mix. There is no doubt that it will be even harder without them, i.e. if we have to play our present hand. However, you do not seem to comprehend that this is a very very very good team as is (41-11 is an awesome record and we have beaten some very solid teams along the way), and this team remains a major contender for the title. Paul, KG and Ray are highly competitive, mature super stars and future HOFers. They have the ability to carry this team to number 18 - even with a less than optimal bench. We could very easily have won the games against the Lakers and the Spurs this week - but mistakes were made. This small sample size does not at all mean these teams are clearly better than us. We are going to be contenders with or without additions to the bench.

4) And we are not going to lose 5 out of 6 on the upcoming road trip. No doubt, these will be tough games, but I see 3-3 or 4-2, which would be an outstanding achievement. Do not underestimate what KG, Ray and especially Paul are capable of; in other words, do not underestimate the heart of a champion.

5) If you are willing to post in a more balanced, realistic fashion, I would very much enjoy a dialog with you - at this forum or by instant message on AOL or Yahoo.

Peace.

I doubt if that will ever happen......

Here are my objective thoughts.

1. Lakers have swept the Cavs and Celtics so they are the best team out of the 3.

2. Cavs and lakers are both deeper teams. Cavs won games without Z and continue to win games without West. Lakers won against the Cavs and Celtics on their home floor without Bynum. Lakers will only get better when he comes back in about 10 weeks.

3. Celtics bench is awful They have no player that can anchor the bench. We have no idea when a player comes off the bench how he will do. TA, Powe, and Big baby are not very good players. I do not believe they would even been in the rotation on the Cavs or Lakers. House is the celtics best bench player. Problem is he is being used as a PG and he cannot handle the ball. The weak bench is only going to hurt the celtics as the season goes on. Ainge did absolutely nothing to improve this bench in the offseason.

4. Making a trade to help this team is going to be impossible unless we give up one of the big 3. Not a single player on our bench looks appealing to any GM.

5. Getting Marbuy or Smith on this team is is a long shot. If we did get them who would be cut?

6. Celtics have played against 3 contenders and lost each game. They lost to the lakers twice, they were blow out by the cavs, then the lost to the spurs. I know the past two games were close but good teams find a way to win just like the Lakers and Spurs did. The celtics collapsed.

7. Lakers or Cavs have not had a 2-7 stretch. Celtics did ands many of those losses from sub 500 teams.

8. Celtics have a tougher schedule the rest of the month where as the lakers and Cavs have much easier schedules. This will widen the gap as between wins and losses as the celtics will end up losing more games than either team.

9. Last years team was better. Ainge made a huge mistake by believing that TA can replace Posey. We have no backup PG nor do we have a big that can come off the bench.

I am not sure what else to say. I believe that was pretty objective. As is this team cannot beat the Lakers or Cavs in a 7 game series for the reasons I mentioned above. I do not believe they have the assets to improve this team either.

Well, I basically agree with everything Joe said here. The way this team is now, I don`t see us beating LA or CLE in a 7 game series. We are worse than last year, both those teams are better.

But I do think we can make a trade or two. We don`t have many assets but TA, Powe or Davis could get us a decent player back. Nothing much but a role player that would fit here better than some of our guys.

What I am worried is that we are counting too much on signing guys who will or will not get bought out. If Smith or Marbury aren`t bought out than we are in serious, serious trouble...

Danny is playing with fire...

I know you mentioned that the big 3 can carry the team but that is not always the case. Look at the lakers and spurs games.

Lakers: KG fouled out.

PP Missed some big FT's in the 4th.

Last play regulation: PP almost got the ball stolen from him.
House did get the shot off but it did not have a chance of going in.

Allen: Missed a game winning shot because he was to concerned about drawing a foul from the ref.

Spurs:

KG missed a shot to get them up by 5.

Allen missed a lay-up to get them up by 5.

Allen, in a 2 point game hands the ball off right to Manu which ended the game.

The big 3 let us down in each of the games.

As the Birdman said the Lakers and Cavs are better teams than last year. The celtics have regressed because of Ainge's decision to not to improve the bench. It was a huge tactical error to think that TA could help this team.

I think the good Dr Smith is going to have a stroke soon.

Biscuit

1) You continue to refuse to acknowledge that the vast majority of your continually negative predictions (beginning with all of last year's playoff series) have been blatantly wrong - some of them bordering on the absurd (the drop to 0.500 by March, predictions of losses when we fall behind early in a game, etc.)

2) You indicate that last year's team was much better than this year's team, but last year you predicted losses in every single playoff series, and instead, after some difficulty with Atlanta and Cleveland, we kicked the crap out of the Pistons and the Lakers. Just luck, huh?

2) Our bench does need to be improved, and it remains to be seen if Danny can pull it off. It was very short-sighted to let Posey go. However, see comment #3.

3) You continue to underestimate what KG, Ray and especially the Truth can accomplish even with a less than adequate bench. These guys are studs, Super Stars and future HOFers. They are eminently capable of raising their level of play even further and carrying this team to the Finals - even with a shaky bench. These recent very close losses to 2 of the best teams in the NBA will motivate them even more. And there is no way on earth, that any of the big 3 will be traded or need to be traded this year. What we do about Ray next season is a topic for another day and contingent on what happens this year.

3) You are basing your most recent negative predictions on simplistic logic and putting way too much stock in a small sample size. We were not dominated. You are ignoring the fact that we very very easily could have won the hard fought, very close games to the Lakers and Spurs this week. That does not prove for an instant that either of these teams are better than we are.

4) As usual, you will be proven wrong by our record when we go out West. Paul, KG and Ray are going to bring it big time.

Once again, provide more balanced posts - praising what should be praised and constructively critiqueing what should be criticized, and you will be taken more seriously.

And, for goodness sakes, if you really are a Celtics fan, have some faith, and root for your team. Paul, KG and Ray are amongst the best of the best.

And................

just because you listed some mistakes by each of the big 3 that contributed to the Laker and Spurs losses means NOTHING. Each of these Superstars has made the clutch plays that has won us many many games in the distant and recent past. **** happens. Even Kobe, Lebron and Timmy screw up some times. Your argument is pointless. What are you going to say, when any of these guys makes the clutch shot that wins the next game - which WILL HAPPEN sooner rather than later.

1. Yes I am negative.

2. The celtics came together at the right time. The celtics beat the cavs in a game that could have gone either way. This year the games that could have gone either way are not going their way.

2a. We can agree on that.

3 There is only so much the big 3 can do without some sort of help. They are human and they get tired. The lack of bench is going to force them to play more or play from behind after the bench loses the lead. Without Poesy last this team does not make it or win the finals. He played solid defense on Kobe and Lebron. He also hit huge 3's. This team lacks that punch off the bench.

3a. They could have but they did not. They lost 3 games in a row to contenders. That does mean something.

4. I hope I am wrong because celtics need every win as the Lakes and Cavs have a easy schedule. Celtics cannot afforded to be 3 games behind the Cavs Lakers or Magic.

I will praise them when they win the finals or at least beat a contending team. Their win streaks were nice but when they lose to the Lakers twice and the spurs their win steaks means nothing. All it means is they are beating up on weak teams and cannot beat contending team.

I do root for them but I am not under the illusion that this team is better than the Cavs, lakers or Spurs after what I have seen the past few days.

Joe, I feel you. You're worried, but seriously man you always opt out for the negative point of view. Must be miserable being a fan. Usually people with similar opinions are ones that have gotten burned a lot in life. We're champs - let's put some trust in our guys. To me they have an equal chance of winning it all and losing in the ECF - nothing would be a surprise. Embrace the competition baby, otherwise, watching sports is no fun.

Joebiscuit wrote:1. Lakers have swept the Cavs and Celtics so they are the best team out of the 3.

Any of the 3 has been the "better team" over a given 2-week stretch. Many a team in NBA history has lost to a team in the regular season only to go on and beat them in a 7-game series. Many.

Joebiscuit wrote:4. Making a trade to help this team is going to be impossible unless we give up one of the big 3. Not a single player on our bench looks appealing to any GM.

Powe, Baby and Tony Allen (defense, slasher) are definitely attractive to many teams. Cash and draft picks are another option. Where there's a will there's a way.

Joebiscuit wrote:6. Celtics have played against 3 contenders and lost each game. They lost to the lakers twice, they were blow out by the cavs, then the lost to the spurs. I know the past two games were close but good teams find a way to win just like the Lakers and Spurs did. The celtics collapsed.

More to learn from. We're not even at the all-star break. A couple of made shots, a couple of made free throws, often a single possession would have easily changed the outcome. The sky is not falling.

Joebiscuit wrote:7. Lakers or Cavs have not had a 2-7 stretch. Celtics did and many of those losses from sub 500 teams.

Past champs have gone through similar losing streaks, including the mighty 72 Lakers who won 33 in a row only to go into a horrible losing stretch before winning the championship.

Joebiscuit wrote:8. Celtics have a tougher schedule the rest of the month where as the lakers and Cavs have much easier schedules. This will widen the gap as between wins and losses as the celtics will end up losing more games than either team.

Cavs have a much tougher second half of the season than the Celts.


Reality can be interpreted in many ways - a lot of it is in our heads. Lighten up baby, otherwise life's no fun.

1. Yes I am negative.

Please, Joe. Talk about understatement!!!!! You are unwaveringly (and occasionally irrationally) negative and wrong 95% of the time. You will enjoy the Celtics (and life) more if you can get past that.

2. The celtics came together at the right time. The celtics beat the cavs in a game that could have gone either way. This year the games that could have gone either way are not going their way.

We have won 41 out of 52 games - some by blowouts and some on clutch last minute shots -some against bottomfeeders and many others against very good teams at home and on the road. The very close losses to the Lakers and Spurs this week prove nothing. In a seven game series played next week against either of those teams, it is a toss-up at worst.

3 There is only so much the big 3 can do without some sort of help. They are human and they get tired. The lack of bench is going to force them to play more or play from behind after the bench loses the lead. Without Posey this team does not make it or win the finals. He played solid defense on Kobe and Lebron. He also hit huge 3s. This team lacks that punch off the bench.

Best D on Kobe and Lebron was played by Paul, not Pose. However, we can agree again that we never should have let Posey get away, and that our bench needs to be improved.

3a. They could have but they did not. They lost 3 games in a row to contenders. That does mean something.

No it doesn't. Three games (2 of them lost in the last minute) proves nothing.

4. I hope I am wrong because celtics need every win as the Lakes and Cavs have a easy schedule. Celtics cannot afford to be 3 games behind the Cavs Lakers or Magic.

Magic are irrelevant at this point. Cavs and Lakers are relevant record-wise. You will be wrong yet again. Given that the vast majority of your predictions have been wrong, and that Paul Pierce, KG and Ray play for the world champion Boston Celtics and are ticked off by these frustrating last minute losses, the odds are we will do very well.

I will praise them when they win the finals. I do root for them but I am not under the illusion that this team is better than the Cavs, lakers or Spurs after what I have seen the past few days.

You should praise them after every win, and acknowledge their individual accomplishments appropriately as well. It is hard to tell from your posting history exactly who you root for. We disagree. In a 7 game series played next week, it is at worst a toss-up who would win against any of these 3 teams.

That said, I am very realistic. Our path forward is a hell of alot easier if Danny bolsters our weak bench.

I am not sure what else you want me to say about that being negative.

In my mind the true test of whether or not a team is a contender is if they can beat other teams that are contenders. The celtics have have a record of 0-4 against these type teams.. The losses mean nothing to you but to me it tells me the celtics are not on the same level as the Cavs or Lakers. Like I said before I am would not have a good feeling playing the cavs or lakers in a 7 games series.

Magic are not irrelevant. They are have one more loss record wise vs the Celtics. They are still a pretty good team.

Well I agree it will be easier if they get a better bench. I just think that is easier said than done.

It's the internet...

People watch the game then immediately log on and write dumb things like this team isn't getting past the second round or no James Posey, no championship or sign Bonzi Wells and give him all of Tony's minutes. Then the Celtics go on another 7 game win streak and the conversation turns into Rondo=perennial all-star? or from what I've seen of Bill Walker's garbage time, this guy needs to start.

Season long projections after one game are silly. Spurs start out the year 2-5. If they had a Realgm fan base I'm sure you would find threads of the same nature, our bench stinks, our coach stinks, our window's closed, we can't beat LA in a 7 game series.

I also think a sticky'd thread of "irrational season long projections by Celtics Realgm Posters after losses" would be quite hilarious to read. Like that one dude who wrote that "What exactly does Ray Allen do?" thread after our first loss to Indiana. Funny stuff!

Joebiscuit wrote:I am not sure what else you want me to say about that being negative.

In my mind the true test of whether or not a team is a contender is if they can beat other teams that are contenders. The celtics have have a record of 0-4 against these type teams.. The losses mean nothing to you but to me it tells me the celtics are not on the same level as the Cavs or Lakers. Like I said before I am would not have a good feeling playing the cavs or lakers in a 7 games series.

Magic are not irrelevant. They are have one more loss record wise vs the Celtics. They are still a pretty good team.

Well I agree it will be easier if they get a better bench. I just think that is easier said than done.

1. We have a 1-4 record so far against Cleveland/LA/San Antonio.
2. If Orlando isn't irrelevant, then we have a 3-4 record against the "contending teams". Or are they not relevant in this instance?
3. Orlando has a 5-0 record against San Antonio/Cleveland/LA and are 0-2 against us. Are they thus better then San Antonio/Cleveland/LA by your theory?

1. First off the Cavs are better now than they were the first game of the season. But a win is a win even if it was 4 months ago.

2. Fine we are 3-4 against contending teams. However since Nelson is out they may not be contenders any longer. With that said I would not call them irrelevant. They could still make some noise in the play-offs.

3. The magic going 5-0 against those teams tells me they would have had a pretty good shot in a series against those teams.

Beside the magic game the celtics have been beating up on weaker teams and losing to contenders at home. This makes the celtics a good team. not a great one.

Why not, instead of head to head, mix it up a little and compare wins versus other teams, you know, for fun.

(Small sample, teams chosen at random)

Cavs vs Kings @ home, 7 pt win
Celtics vs Kings @ home, 19 pt win
Celtics @ Kings, 45 pt win
Lakers @ Kings, 12 pt LOSS
Lakers vs Kings @ home, 9 pt win
Celts average win: 32 pts
Lakers average win: -1.5 pts
Cavs average (one game) 7 pts .. I think we win there.

Celts @ Washington, 36 pt win
Celts vs Washington @ home, 25 pt win
Lakers @ Washington, 2 pt win
Lakers vs Washington @ home, 20 pt win
Cavs vs Washington @ home, 4 pt win
Cavs @ Washington, 3 pt LOSS
Celtics average win: 30.5 pts
Lakers average win: 11 pts
Cavs average win: .5 pts .. Yes, we win there too

Celtics vs Milwaukee @ home, 12 pt win
Celtics @ Milwaukee, 5 pt win
Lakers vs Milwaukee @ home, 13 pt win
Cavs vs Milwaukee @ home, 6 pt win
Cavs @ Milwaukee, 12 pt win
Celtics average win: 8.5 pts
Lakers average win (one game) : 13 pts
Cavs average win: 9 pts .. Pretty even, but Lakers got that

Finally
Celtics vs Magic, 19 pt win
Celtics @ Magic, 10 pt win
Lakers vs Magic, 6 pt loss
Lakers @ Magic, 3 pt loss
Cavs vs Magic, 11 pt loss
Celtics average win: 14.5 pts
Lakers average win: -4.5 pts
Cavs average win (one game): -11 pts .. Considering we're the only ones that have actually beaten them, I'd say we got that.

So when you go away from head to head and look at objective games played, it may not be 1a. Lakers 1b. Cavs 2. Celtics.. just sayin...

Also on the point about our schedule being so tough for the rest of the month...it's not as tough as it looks. Here's who we play in February...

New Orleans: will be without Chandler and maybe even Chris Paul. We already beat them by 12 this year.
Dallas: will be without Terry who's their 2nd most important player after Dirk. We already beat them by 24.
>>>>>1 week break which will be huge given that the slippage in defense is mostly attributable to us being tired, especially the big 3<<<<
Utah: might be without Boozer and Kirilenko. We beat them by 9.
Phoenix: they haven't been good at all this year and might have traded Stoudemire by then. We beat them by 27.
Denver: they beat us earlier in the year and will probably be a tough game.
Clippers: they are awful.
Indiana: we should beat them at home.

So I could definitely see us potentially winning out. That will be tough to do though so I expect 5-2 at worst.

MVP16 wrote:Also on the point about our schedule being so tough for the rest of the month...it's not as tough as it looks. Here's who we play in February...

New Orleans: will be without Chandler and maybe even Chris Paul. We already beat them by 12 this year.
Dallas: will be without Terry who's their 2nd most important player after Dirk. We already beat them by 24.
>>>>>1 week break which will be huge given that the slippage in defense is mostly attributable to us being tired, especially the big 3<<<<
Utah: might be without Boozer and Kirilenko. We beat them by 9.
Phoenix: they haven't been good at all this year and might have traded Stoudemire by then. We beat them by 27.
Denver: they beat us earlier in the year and will probably be a tough game.
Clippers: they are awful.
Indiana: we should beat them at home.

So I could definitely see us potentially winning out. That will be tough to do though so I expect 5-2 at worst.

Those wins do not mean a thing beside the celtics can beat up on weaker and injured teams but cannot beat the contenders. The celtics needed to beat the lakers an/ or spurs to show me they are contenders as well. The have not shown me that.