Comparing 1987 to 2009....

MyInsatiableOne · Post #1 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 4:42 pm

I know I've brought this up before, and others have, too, but it's interesting (and sobering) to think about:

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/sport ... -for-Celts

However, McHale's foot breakage would be the equivalent of KG breaking his knee...not as serious. I think the talent in the league isn't as good as it was back then, so we should be able to at least get to the ECF relatively easily if we are all healthy going into the playoffs...

Celtsfan1980 · Post #2 » by **Celtsfan1980** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:15 pm

The bench was injury-prone in 1987 so that's the difference. They don't really have any player on the bench who is injury-prone on the current team. The problem with the bench early on was Tony Allen's turnovers, Davis' shooting, and House was also in a shooting slump. Davis has been shooting much better and I think Walker has shown he should get minutes before Allen. Marbury is also a help. I don't see the cases as being very similar. Their problem in recent times has been losing the draft lottery and incompetent management. Ainge may not be an Auerbach but he's certainly better than the previous GM's. As long as he stays, I'm much more optimistic about this team than the 1990's.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #3 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:17 pm

I think the point, at least as I've made it in my mind, is that our starters are logging some heavy minutes, we have a lot of injuries, and we are slogging through just to win games...similar to the '87 team. All the while defending a title, taking on all comers' A-game night in and night out, and the league out to get us (as usual)...

Celtsfan1980 · Post #4 » by **Celtsfan1980** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:23 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:I think the point, at least as I've made it in my mind, is that our starters are logging some heavy minutes, we have a lot of injuries, and we are slogging through just to win games...similar to the '87 team. All the while defending a title, taking on all comers' A-game night in and night out, and the league out to get us (as usual)...

You're right, but you could make other comparisons. The Lakers won I think 65 games in their first Championship with Shaq, then won 56(injuries) in their second before dominating in the playoffs. I'd like to think we'll be more similar to the Lakers team than to the 1987 Celtics. History doesn't always repeat itself so it seems like a useless comparison to me.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #5 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:25 pm

You're right, you can't compare things so different and far apart...but the parallels *are* rather striking. I like your point about that second Laker team...I'd like to think we're in the same boat!

Celtsfan1980 · Post #6 » by **Celtsfan1980** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:34 pm

MyInsatiableOne wrote:You're right, you can't compare things so different and far apart...but the parallels *are* rather striking. I like your point about that second Laker team...I'd like to think we're in the same boat!

This time we'll go 16-0 rather than 15-1. All I asked for is two Championships during the Garnett era so even if we just squeezed by I'd be very happy.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #7 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:36 pm

At the end of the day it doesn't matter *HOW* you won, as long as you won!

Red2 · Post #8 » by **Red2** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:44 pm

injuries beget injuries because when you play shorthanded guys minutes go up and they'r emore susceptible to injury. Garnett being out as long as he has has lead to injuries to rondo, powe, davis, allen, house etc. I question whether being conservative with garnett has actually backfired becuase now everyone else is injured

MyInsatiableOne · Post #9 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 5:47 pm

Red2 wrote:injuries beget injuries because when you play shorthanded guys minutes go up and they'r emore susceptible to injury. Garnett being out as long as he has has lead to injuries to rondo, powe, davis, allen, house etc. I question whether being conservative with garnett has actually backfired becuase now everyone else is injured

Good point. Perhaps the Celtics felt that since they did this last year with no ill effects that it would work again this year? :dontknow:

All I know is we need to get healthy FAST!