Are teams starting to figure out Boston?

Illuminati · Post #21 » by **Illuminati** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 10:57 am

Edit: Basketball-related discussion please.

Platapie · Post #22 » by **Platapie** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:07 pm

They just aren't the unbeatable juggernaut everyone thought they were because of a blazing hot start. Having said that, there's only one team that can hang against them in the East, and maybe 2-3 that can do so in the West. That puts them in good company.

Post #23 » by **Tommy Udo 6** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:14 pm

Despite their record, no one is picking Doc Rivers as coach of the year

MVP16 · Post #24 » by **MVP16** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 1:18 pm

PopAGat wrote:They have yet to eat a elite team.

Is that the excuse now?

Quiet-Storm · Post #25 » by **Quiet-Storm** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 2:09 pm

rapz**7** wrote:Yea that's what happens when you want to play your big 3 40 minutes night in night out. Sure a record of 72-10 is great but good luck in the playoffs.

Only problem with that argument is that the big 3 are used to playing 40 min a night. Pierce, Allen and KG all averaged about 39 minutes a game during for most of their career's. They have always been their teams superstar and always logged heavy minutes.

One could argue, things are easier for them in Boston. They are still playing the 40 min a game but the load is shared between them. They dont have to burn themselves out every 4th quarter with the burden of being the teams offensive go-to guy. Now they play a much more relaxed passing game.

MJ23DREAMER · Post #26 » by **MJ23DREAMER** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:12 pm

I really want to see how this team handles some adversity. What I mean by that is how they handle a bad stretch of games. The first half of the season schedule wise was amongst the second or third easiest of all teams if I am not mistaken. I can for see where PP goes off on one of his "my team" rolls and tries to take over the game.

The biggest factor you see are teams absolutely exposing Rondo. He is a horrendous defender both straight up and off the screen. On the offensive end it is not too bad because you take the decision making out of his hands.

The bottom line is this team to me isn't going to beat any of the powerhouse Western teams if they do happen to get to the dance as they are constructed presently. A HUGE test will be their first series of extended western trips in the second half of the season.

C Court · Post #27 » by **C Court** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:29 pm

Boston was playing with incredible intensity for the first 40 games and that the adrenaline honeymoon is starting to wear off. Plus, I agree with the OP - teams are starting to figure them out.

Boston is still one of thr elite teams, but I don't expect them to get out of the East. I'd say Detroit are the favorites.

Also, Boston has a way of rubbing it it in and that will come back to bite them. In his blog yesterday, Doug Smith mentioned this. Other teams don't take kindly to the trash talking and chest thumping. Pierce, House, Posey and KG never stop with the smack.

It got to the point on Wednesday, that even Parker and Calderon were having words with the Celtics (AP when he nailed his 3 ball near the Celts bench and Jose after the game winning layup).

After the Minnesota game, I just about puked when I saw KG strutting around the court holding out the CELTICS crest over his chest. That was classless. Antics like that motivate others to play harder next time.

While the Patriots are first class, the Celtics are low class.

evilRyu · Post #28 » by **evilRyu** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 4:51 pm

Centre Court wrote:Boston was playing with incredible intensity for the first 40 games and that the adrenaline honeymoon is starting to wear off. Plus, I agree with the OP - teams are starting to figure them out.

Boston is still one of thr elite teams, but I don't expect them to get out of the East. I'd say Detroit are the favorites.

Also, Boston has a way of rubbing it it in and that will come back to bite them. In his blog yesterday, Doug Smith mentioned this. Other teams don't take kindly to the trash talking and chest thumping. Pierce, House, Posey and KG never stop with the smack.

It got to the point on Wednesday, that even Parker and Calderon were having words with the Celtics (AP when he nailed his 3 ball near the Celts bench and Jose after the game winning layup).

After the Minnesota game, I just about puked when I saw KG strutting around the court holding out the CELTICS crest over his chest. That was classless. Antics like that motivate others to play harder next time.

While the Patriots are first class, the Celtics are low class.

Yeah I saw that and wasn't very impressed lol. There were some fans who criticized the Raps for their celebrations after beating the Celtics on Wednesday, and now they probably look pretty dum..

LLJ · Post #29 » by **LLJ** » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:00 pm

I've always wondered how Doc coaches a regular season. There are many coaches who are good at running the same 1-2 things with some success, but never change it up when people start to figure it out.

One thing I've genuinely been impressed with Sam by since last year is that he has survived the last 2 seasons by continually adding wrinkles to our system, so that we never get too predictable after 10 games.

I think when all is said and done Boston will still end up with over 60 wins, but likely under 65.