0-3 on trip -- does it mean anything?

[jfs1000d]

This was a trip where the Celtics were going to find out about themselves. I think we found so far the Celts can play at this level, but I think there are some major problems that have been exposed in the three games.

What I like so far is the effort. Even against the Suns, the intensity and effort was top notch.

I know we are concerned about the defense, but they will be fine there. Very good defensively tonight I thought. They contested shots and made life difficult and turned the game physical. Denver and Golden State are two no defense all offensive teams.It's easy to get caught up in that. Good Remedyjob against the Suns.

The effort is absolutely incredible. Bad game by Allen and Pierce today, you just got to shrug your shoulder.

Here is what concerns me most:

PG spot:

I like Rondo at PG, but this team needs a veteran like Sam Cassell yesterday. I don't think Rondo was very good against the Suns. His stats aren't bad, and his defense is good, but when Pierce and Allen are struggling offensively, and nothing looks comfortable, a Cassell type could go on the floor and settle the team down and organize and space.

Rondo isn't capable yet of providing that. He has just got his feet under him and is just now comfortable scoring and being aggressive. I thought Rondo had little presence out there. He was a -21 today. Ouch.

It isn't about points, assists or even shooting percentage. It's about command of the team. Rondo needs to be able to settle his team down.That is what is hurting the Celtics right now. He is talented and has ability and is productive. I am still left wanting more.

Remedy: Cassell, or another legit point that can score


Offensive rebounding

Unless it is Powe, we don't hit the offensive glass. When the Celts shoot a high percentage, it doesn't matter, but KG isn't a great offensive rebounder (because he No. 1 is a primary offensive option, and NO. 2 he plays in the high post). Perk has underwhelmed IMO. They don't have an answer for this unless they get lucky on the waiver wire.

Remedy: Lucky on the wavier wire


More KG In the post.

Yes, I know he is a jump shooting big man, but those 20 footers aren't great shots. I like him in the post and passing out of the double. That's how the Celts got back in it. They should go to him in the post on every possession when it counts.

[Tricky Ricky]

Its just bad timing for the west coast trip. Im not worried its not every game where Allen and Pierce will shoot awful and KG is just getting back. We will be fine

[BobbySura]

we lost three close games on the road with a few major players coming off injuries. tonight we lost a close game against one of the better teams in the league by a few points despite two of our leading scorers going a combined what, 4-26? i don't think it's much to worry about.

if we're still struggling next week then you can start worrying.

[hickfromfrenchlick]

Yeah, it does. We look awful, just awful.

Honestly, this may have been the worst offensive game I have ever watched the Celtics play. Missed bunnies, errant passes, repeated blown fastbreaks, stupid stupid stupid play.

Sloppy and brainless.

Yeah, we held Phoenix defensively. But that's after we gave up 120 points two games in a row.

If it's not one thing, it's another.

We should be moving forward and we're moving backward.

I'm not a Chicken Little type. I am usually the type to brush off losses. But this game absolutely sickened me. I can forgive Ray Allen for shooting poorly, but there is no excuse for having Paul on the wing open for a pass and just plowing into the defender. Then, going 1-on-3 and throwing the ball into the defender's feet.

What team is this? I don't recognize it.

As Lombardi said, "What the h3ll is going on?"

Edit: I am aware this is an overreaction. But I needed to vent.

[sully00]

I think it means something to the team. I think they were kind of riding high on not just their record but also getting it done without KG. Well they got knocoked off their stool.

I hope it also opens either Danny or Doc or boths eyes that they might be able to use somebody who could play at the end of the roster.

But really folks this is this the NBA dog days. I want to win every game but going 16-0 against the west was only setting the table for this.

[Datruth345]

i think everyone who watched the game tonight feels the same

it sucks, i don't remember a game last year as bad as tonights game

let's just sleep it off, and forget about it, bad losses happen to everyone

[sully00]

i think everyone who watched the game tonight feels the same

it sucks, i don't remember a game last year as bad as tonights game

let's just sleep it off, and forget about it, bad losses happen to everyone

**** there were damn near 50 of them who are you kidding.

[mr_sunshine]

i think everyone who watched the game tonight feels the same

it sucks, i don't remember a game last year as bad as tonights game

let's just sleep it off, and forget about it, bad losses happen to everyone

I agree. I mean hell the Pistons got waxed by the Knicks a couple weeks ago. It's one loss, just move on to the next game.

[EvadedHavoc]

This kinda thread wouldve been appropriate if we just got mauled by the Knicks or if the C's lost 10 in a row. But losing three in a row because the teams rusty and trying to get a recently injured KG back into Beast
Mode? Oh Please.....

[canman1971]

One more time, the offense was in a funk last night. The 2 games before it was the defense, and Doc said they practiced only defense leading up to the Suns game and it showed. They played good defense, but couldn't hit an open shot. That is not going to continue to happen. The difference in this game was the lack of production from Ray and PP. That is it. End of story. Yes, I wish they would've been more aggressive attacking the rim, because that is what you should do when struggling offensively, but other than than, just a bad shooting night. It is not like they were taking awful shots. Lets keep things in perspective, shall we.

[I love heinsohn]

Well, your first fix seems entirely possible. If Danny doesn't get Cassell at this point I will be disappointed. Probably can't happen before the Clippers game, but hopefully KG is talking to Sam that whole time and once Sam offers Donald Sterling the chance to save another $1 million, he'll jump at it.

The second problem is a bit more troubling for the playoffs. THe issue last night was partly that BOTH Perk and KG are working their way back from injuries, but also that Doc still has this love of small ball. Something to keep an eye on the rest of the season...

[RoyHobbs]

Historically, it doesn't mean a whole lot. See here.

We'll see how the team reacts, chemistry wise, but I'm not all that worried.

[Gant]

The starters were understandably out of sync.

These three games are not a problem. The Celtics just need to get everybody on the same page again.

Oddly, the team has not adjusted as quickly to Garnett coming back as they did to him being out. When he went out, others stepped up. Now that he's back Rondo is deferring too much. They lapsed on D in Denver and San Francisco; and Pierce and Ray Allen had a very bad shooting night in Phoenix.

There's nothing to worry about. Everything's fine. It will all come back together very soon. Move along people. Nothing to see here.

[EdSkae]

Is it meaningful that the Celtics have lost 3 games in a row for the first time all season after the All star break? Yes, it means they are one of the best teams in the league.

[Red2]

my concern is that Ray is on the decline. I know he's coming off surgery but based on what he's done so far he's not the player I thought he was and we gave up a lot for him. I know we don't get garnett without him so I can still justify the trade on that basis but the lack of shooting, the turnovers and the inability to convert on fast breaks has me down. I know it' s not all on Ray ( pierce was no where to be found last night) but I am discouraged y his play

[jopaullo]

IMO we have nothing to worry about at all. If we loose the entire trip here, I still would not worry about it much. Last night, it was just a night where we could not shoot. The other games we were trying to get Garnett back in the rotation. We need to lose games in order for us to get better. Rondo is great at the point. Any of you in your jobs go through stretches where you suck. (Anyone in sales can relate better to that) The Celts will bounce back, and we'll go through a stretch when we blow out 4 teams in a row, and every post will be about how were gonna win a championship. Just MO, but were fine.

[leper-con]

Teams are starting to expose our weaknesses

[Celts17Pride]

Teams are starting to expose our weaknesses

People need to relax a bit. Boston got whatever they wanted last night on offense, they just missed shots. They lost on a last second shot to Golden State and despite 50 free throws they almost beat Denver. Three good hard fought games that happened to go the other way.

These three games mean nothing. A few shots made or a few bounces go differently the Celtics could be 3-0. Relax people lets not over react.

[cfan79]

I don't know why Pierce and Ray went 5 for 25. Grant Hill isn't that good of a defender. We would have won if just 1 of those guys played decent.

[Datruth345]

-= original quote snipped =-



**** there were damn near 50 of them who are you kidding.

i probably should have elaborated

i think it has to do with expectations, I'm sure there were games last year we played this bad, i'm positive there were, but it wasn't so frustrating or painful to watch because we weren't 41-11...we expected game slike that last year with the players on the rosater

thats all