Is the pressure on you guys to win it all in 2008-2009?

[GWVan]

I actually think the monkey is off the collective back of the big 3, they have now proven that they are in fact not career losers. I suspect they will play with more confidence but less urgency this year. Confidence goes a long way in basketball, I thought at times all three played tight in crunch time - that should not be the case any more, it's a matter of been there, done that.

The regular season record may not be as good, but come playoff time they will be motivated to move beyond the one hit wonder and establish their legacy as a dominate team. I think they will be a BETTER team in next years playoffs, and barring health problems have an outstanding chance to repeat.

Hopefully the media will downplay their chances and give Doc ammunition.......

[PPAW4Life]

I feel that there was more pressure on an individual level last year.

Guys had to prove they could play and win on another team showing their ex-teams who really was right.

Stars had to show they could blend in with other stars and allow role-players to thrive.

The bench was questioned and seemingly weak but that was put to rest.

The young players were said they weren't "ready" but they showed their toughness and necessity all year long.

This upcoming year there will be more pressure as a collective unit because it will be a new group and people are truly expecting them to be in the Finals again to defend their title. Opposing teams are going to be jacked up 300% when they face the NBA Champions just to measure where their teams really are.

And the Big 3 are a year older and will probably play less minutes which will hurt them in the regular season....C's may not win as many games so the pressure to win on the road in the playoffs (if they do not have HC throughout) will be additional pressure.

This upcoming year is going to be harder and that is to be expected....such is the case when trying to repeat.

[shackles10]

Agreed. I think there is pressure for everyteam after winning it all. The question is not is there more pressure than last year, but is there pressure to win it all in 08-09. The answer is obviously yes. We just won it all, and everyone is going to be gunning for us even more than they did last year. Everyone always talks about how hard it is to repeat. Pressure, and not just from the fans and media, is the reason. People will point to complacency, but it's the complacency that keeps you from being able to deal with the pressure.

[tombattor]

I actually think the monkey is off the collective back of the big 3, they have now proven that they are in fact not career losers. I suspect they will play with more confidence but less urgency this year. Confidence goes a long way in basketball, I thought at times all three played tight in crunch time - that should not be the case any more, it's a matter of been there, done that.

The regular season record may not be as good, but come playoff time they will be motivated to move beyond the one hit wonder and establish their legacy as a dominate team. I think they will be a BETTER team in next years playoffs, and barring health problems have an outstanding chance to repeat.

Hopefully the media will downplay their chances and give Doc ammunition.......

I agree that the monkey is off their collective backs, but there is pressure. The Celtics don't have the longest window for championships because our Big 3 are at the end of their primes and it's only a matter of time before Lebron takes over.

Confidence goes a long way in playing better, but if they want to repeat, they better have a lot of urgency because every team is coming for us. That's why people often say, the most difficult thing is to defend a title.

[JordansBulls]

Now with Posey gone who do you go and get? Is it Quinton Ross?

[BillessuR6]

Now with Posey gone who do you go and get? Is it Quinton Ross?

Scalabrine...

[bruno sundov]

I would say next year might be more interesting than this one. Can they do it again? This past year no one expected them to do it. Besides us hardcore fan who knew all along.