RealGM

Watching the team in the playoffs this season has really been frustrating. We are not playing well, our defense is a shadow of the defense we played last season and at the start of this one, the execution is just horrendous for such an experienced roster...

Last year I had total confidence in the team. Even if we lost I wasn`t worried because I knew we would bounce back! And even in losses we played playoff basketball. Now some games have a preseason feel. We play without focus, without energy, we take the punch without hitting back...

Winning the ring last season really spoiled us in a way. In later rounds we played basketball as it was meant to be played, so watching us struggle this season has really been painful for a fan.

08 team would absolutely destroy this 09 team. Maybe it is unfair to compare the two but I just can`t help myself. The standard that was set last year was extremely high and that is a big reason I am rarely satisfied with our play in these playoffs, even in wins.

I guess it is time to stop demanding impossible from this roster, acknowledge that we are just not a great team anymore and that we should not expect 08 basketball in 09...

As a fan I will always hope for the best but the confidence, the killer instinct, the "we can not be beaten" mindset is gone...I will be there with this team to the bitter end, whenever our season ends because I know we will not go down without a fight but I will stop waiting for dominating performances, I will stop waiting for a miracle...

Go, C`s!

You do understand that if this team had Garnett and Powe (to a lesser extent) they would be better? Why can't people accept this team is depleted and enjoy the fights they are putting up. Every time they are counted out, they come back. Will they beat Orlando? Maybe, maybe not. Could they beat Cleveland? Seems like a long shot, but lets let the games be played. As for anyone in the West? I still feel whoever comes out of the East will win the title.

I haven't posted in about a year or so, but have been lurking/reading the board. Enjoyed the playoffs and championship last year and the season this year greatly. The reason I have not posted is that I, like it seems you birdman and others, am very much a perpetual perfectionist. Even during last season's run, I still felt a strong sense that the offense was not firing on all cylanders. Defense was an artform and beautiful to watch. But on offense, there were long periods of stagnation.

Turn to this season. I believe the offense took a long stride forward with more of the reigns handed to Rondo. In turn Rondo's growth has been fantastic to see. But there are still stretches where the ball simply stays along the perimeter, drops into Perkins' hands on the box with nobody moving to create passing lanes, or idles with Pierce and, more frustratingly Allen, left to their own devices to improv. Now, with Pierce, you want to make some of those opportunities, but it isn't always by design.

All this stated, I actually differ somewhat with your opinion birdman. In many ways I actually liked this team more. I am not very confident in how far they'll go in the playoffs, because KG's presense is significant in three major areas, scoring, defense and rebounding. The last two categories are extremely difficult to overcome with what is on the roster in terms of big men.

More frustrating watching this year's playoffs. The instances of inefficient offense, I concur, are fewer than they were last year, but more aggravating to me the fan because each scoring opportunity is more vital with fewer stops on defense and rebounds. At least from my perception.

This team will never be the same like the 2008er. I must admit that I didn't like the attitude at the beginning of the season 2008/2009 (esp. Garnett) and that I absolutely miss Pose and PJ. 2008 is untouchable and for me (who didn't got to follow the real Big Three live) the best sports experience of my life.

That said I will enjoy our team for the next ten years with guys like Rondo and Perkins as building blocks.

A few changes in decisions from the head office plus a few breaks injury-wise and this team would be minus Mikki Moore but plus Joe Smith, James Posey, Kevin Garnett, and Leon Powe. That's an enormous difference. And yet, even though are chances of repeating are very slim, this team could retool for 2010 and be even better than 2008.

I miss your posts darrendaye. Definitely one of the better posters on this board...


I know the reasons why this team is not as good as last year`s, those are obvious...it is just really hard to watch the basketball we are playing in these playoffs, especially on the defensive end...

Injuries sucks but we have what we have, I loved Rondo these playoffs, youngster is growing to superstar in the time it matters the most (ok, he could have kept his temper a bit better, but passion and drive for the win is what any team needs), also Ray Ray showed in several matches why he is one of the most clutch players in the NBA. Pierce and House had a great game or two, but other than that team is significantly depleted, tired and it shows. Nothing to do about that, players are doing their best and they should be respected for that.

I disagree alot. With a healthy team, the defense is the same, but our offense is WAY better this year. It's just better run. Last year we were a complete defensive team who had an offensive outbreak every 3 or 4 games, but this year our offense is pretty good.

There is a reason they only came 4 wins short of matching last year's mark with all of their injuries. The team is just better. If this year's C's had the health of last year's team, I think they would have won 68-70 games.