2 things I would like to point out

[aboubata]

in the championship season we were able to easily get stops when we wanted to, and I think our team got into the habit of coming out and playing loose until they had to get stops and make shots.

Unfortunetly we aren't there anymore,
1. KG isn't 100%
2. still no replacement for Posey (on both ends)
3. ray allen needs a lot of help on D.

Our offense is going to keep on suffering until big baby is back. Teams are just closing the lanes, since outside of PP, no one is consistent enough to make a jump shot. Even eddie house is missing his shots. Even if I am playing these guys, I would be 2 steps away on everyone bug PP (maybe 1.5 from Eddie). This is a big ? what are the chances of these guys going back to hitting their shots consistently or should Doc look to move

[Banks2Pierce]

I have a few points: this team is statistically better defensively than the Championship squad of two years ago.

07-08: 98.9 points per 100 possessions
now: 97.6 points per 100 possessions

Also, Daniels is better on defense at guarding 2's and 3's than Posey was 2 years ago, and especially now. Marquis looks great in our team defense.

The issue is the offense. It is a weird anomaly, but everyone started off the season hot and now everyone is slumping at the same time.

I don't see Rasheed continuing this slump for much longer. The main worry about this team is Garnett. It could just be KG gaining faith in his knee and rebuilding strength, but right now he is not close to the offensive player he used to be.

[GuyClinch]

^^^Yup. It's not fun to think about but without Garnett at close to his 2007 level this team isn't winning. RA at least needs to be well above average as well. A very good - great Pierce and a good to very good Rondo does not equal a championship.

[loscy]

^^^Yup. It's not fun to think about but without Garnett at close to his 2007 level this team isn't winning. RA at least needs to be well above average as well. A very good - great Pierce and a good to very good Rondo does not equal a championship.

Agreed. I think this team can still contend for a championship with Garnett at his current level, but it will take a much improved effort from Ray Allen and the bench. Right now the only players consistently playing well are PP and Perk, and to a degree shelden and quis. Its bound to end soon, we cant shoot this poorly forever i guess.

Sheed, Ray, and House are all struggling but they dont seem to be forcing shots. Mostly it is within the flow of the offense. They simply arent falling, and thats why im not overly worried. KG is another story though. He looks old and slow, and honestly i dont know if its gonna get better. I think this might just be who he is now.

[Ed Pinkney]

I don't understand the Posey thing that pops up fairly regularly. Posey hit a tonne of clutch threes and took a lot of charges but I think his overall defence is greatly overrated. Pierce was a much better on the ball defender, as shown against the Cavs that year.

Personally I think Daniels is a much superior on the ball defender and a more versatile offensive player. Unfortunately that three point shooting was pretty vital to our playoff run.

I agree on the inability to get stops when it really matters though, the Orlando game is a prime example. They consistently scored relatively easily down the stretch when we were tyring to finally take the lead in the fourth quarter.

[PP 4 Three]

We're gonna win the championship, relax.