Encouraging Signs over the last two games

[return2glory]

Yes we are 0-2 in the last two game. And most everyone is down of this team right now. But I want to focus on the encouraging signs over the last two game.

1. KG's defense. After a horrible showing against the Magic, KG has bounced back with two good defensive game. Going into the Lakers' game, I was most interested in the KG vs Gasol match up. Gasol had been hot of late and KG held him to only 11 poins in 41 minutes. KG also showed some hussle against the Hawks and played some tough defense in that one as well.

2. Tony Allen- TA has been a spark off the bench. He is aggressive on offense and defense. He is the one guy that is driving the ball to the basket when the rest of our team settles for jump shots. So props to Tony.

3. Marquis Daniels- Daniels is getting closer to coming back. Daniels is an important player that helped us get to a 15-4 start. There is no question our offense struggles without Rondo in the game. While Daniels is not a true PG, he can handle the ball, drive to the basket, and play defense. I'm excited to see Daniels and TA in the back court at the same time.

And as far as the Lakers' game, don't take it too hard. We lost by one in a game where we had it. There aren't going to be too many games where Ray goes 0-6 from 3's. We also held the Lakers to 90 points, even with the refs on their side.I don;t like to use refs as an exucse, but IMO, the refs dictated the game from the start by calling us for 2 fouls in the first 16 seconds of the game. They weren't going to allow us to be physical with the Lakers.

Keeps your heads up. We will start playing better.

[Al-Haqq]

I swear to God we could be 41-41 make the playoffs and some of you will still be saying "just as long as we get into the playoffs ... we'll pick it up"

Great that Daniels is closer to coming back.

Tony has improved but the game against LA is not routine for him.

Fact is ... we CANNOT rebound. Sheed cannot, neither can KG with his knee ... Davis is awful at rebounding and Perkins can't stay out of foul trouble long enough to control the boards.

We give up way too many 2nd chance points and we gut bullied in the 4th Q by Bynum and Co as they scored 18-0 pts in the paint.

I do think we'll start playing better but what some people are failing to realise is the elite teams are breaking away while others [here] seem to think we'll be fine when everyone is healthy and playing together.

Ray Allen is definitely a better version or should I say taller version of House.



Here is the other side of the perspective.

vs Orlando - 16pt lead gone and lost

vs Hawks - 1pt game gone and lost

vs Lakers - 11pt lead gone and lost


... maybe that'll give some insight into why half the Celtics fans are down about our chances this year.

[Zin5]

Only thing that's really keeping me optimistic for a playoff run is remembering how we were beasting to start off the year. That tells me we have the potential to be great, but that we've been plagued by injuries and conserving energy.

Now, I do have some pessimism too, but after a one point loss to the best team in the NBA, with KG (our best player) still returning to form and with Pierce and Ray both having off nights as well, some of you act like we're the Nets out there. We're still a top four team in the East and the general consensus, outside of this board, is that we're still the best team in the East, which I believe we are. Of the elite teams, we've suffered the worst injury wise, and we're still amongst the elite. That alone is worth being encouraged over.

[return2glory]

Al-Haqq ,there is plenty to bitch about. There are many threads already filled with trades and complaining about what's wrong with this team. It's easy to be positive when things are going well. Try being a little positive when things aren't so great.

In life you can bitch about things you don't have or be grateful for the things you do have. It's all a decison. No one here is saying that we are playing great ball. We all know there are things we need to improve on. Will we win a champonship this year? Who knows? Maybe and maybe not. Only one in 31 teams will win the title. Just because we don't win a title shouldn't dictate your mood. Just enjoy the ride. This team is finally playing with some passion again.

[Al-Haqq]

Al-Haqq ,there is plenty to bitch about. There are many threads already filled with trades and complaining about what's wrong with this team. It's easy to be positive when things are going well. Try being a little positive when things aren't so great.

In life you can bitch about things you don't have or be grateful for the things you do have. It's all a decison. No one here is saying that we are playing great ball. We all know there are things we need to improve on. Will we win a champonship this year? Who knows? Maybe and maybe not. Only one in 31 teams will win the title. Just because we don't win a title shouldn't dictate your mood. Just enjoy the ride. This team is finally playing with some passion again.

All the C's fans are frustrated.

And although, like I stated, we'll start playing better ... there are things we cannot ignore any more.

Some of those are rebounding, Ray Allen ... and injuries, more so KG's knee.

We lost at home to Dallas, Bulls and road loss to Detroit! Then we sneak by Clippers and Blazers, and now another 3 more losses.

It's concerning that we're giving up leads so easily ... I don't know, but regardless no championship this season is failure. This is our last year to win on.

We had a 3 yr window and we're in our 3rd year.

[return2glory]

Al-Haqq, I understand what you are saying. I've been there. Just don't let the frustration get to you. If we when the title then great and if we don't win it, oh well. Life goes on.

It's not our job to figure it out. The coaches, players, Danny Ainge, and the owners are the ones gettting paid. Let Ainge and the owners work on fixing the problem. They know this is the final year of that window. Us worrying about it doesn't make things better.

[Cyclical]

I'm definitely encouraged by KG's play. He's getting incrementally better with each game.

The team's problem in the last 3 games has been 4th quarter execution and not much else, and a lot of it falls on Doc's shoulders. I still feel they have time to get their swagger back. They've looked excellent in stretches since KG's return. They just haven't been able to string 48 minutes together. Fingers crossed.

I don't want to sound like a broken record but I feel like it's mostly about KG's health. We need him on the floor. We need to run plays through him on the left block and top of the key more often; we need him to motivate everyone, bring energy, intimidation and defense. Barring more injuries we're still very dangerous. Let's see how we do against the Lakers on the 18th.

[Ben-N1ce]

I'm definitely encouraged by KG's play. He's getting incrementally better with each game.

The team's problem in the last 3 games has been 4th quarter execution and not much else, and a lot of it falls on Doc's shoulders. I still feel they have time to get their swagger back. They've looked excellent in stretches since KG's return. They just haven't been able to string 48 minutes together. Fingers crossed.

I don't want to sound like a broken record but I feel like it's mostly about KG's health. We need him on the floor. We need to run plays through him on the left block and top of the key more often; we need him to motivate everyone, bring energy, intimidation and defense. Barring more injuries we're still very dangerous. Let's see how we do against the Lakers on the 18th.

This. Clearly they are not were they need to be. Far from it. They need to be playing their best the last 10-15 games going into the playoffs. Hopefully they can do that. They should be able to win the next 3 games but who knows right now

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Just enjoy the ride. This team is finally playing with some passion again.

Cheers bro! I feel the same way. It's easy to be down about the team, but we're not completely out of it. It's like boxing and being knocked out in the 7th round, but still being close in rounds won. We might be losing right now, but this team still has a puncher's chance.

[tombattor]

R2G, you're right. Even though the Sunday's loss was difficult and sickening to take, there were some good signs. As you've pointed out, TA's been on fire and seems like he's going to be able to take on Posey's role. Maybe not so much as an outside shooter, but in his own way. KG still looks pretty rusty on offense, but he made a few shots and played pretty good D over all.

[return2glory]

Once again, KG played well defensively. This time vs the Washington, he looked good on offensively as well. And he is moving a lot better.

Another good game for TA. I love the energy he brings to our team.

Rasheed Wallace finally gamed the entire time in the low post and looked great. This is where needs to play.