[Down 2-0, Do You Believe?] Updated: Down 3-1...How 'bout now?

[Surferdad]

I no longer believe 

They could win Game 5 but Miami should have this series in the bag.

This.  C'mon we need brutal honest objectivity to answer this question.

[GreenFaith1819]

Nope.

Taking off my Green-Tinted glasses. It's time to smell the coffee.

Us losing to MIA at this point is a Mercy Killing.

[Spilling Green Dye]

No.  Smart is the only one on the court locked in and executing to win on each play.

And Stevens is just too passive

[Green-18]

Difficult to answer this one.  A focused and urgent Celtics team is capable of making a comeback.  Unfotunately, I can't dismiss the reality that Miami is likely to have a key run of clutch shot making at some point.  It's all they've done the entire post-season. 

I guess you can count me as a non-believer.  It would take an implosion from Miami to lose 3 in a row and there's nothing to lead me believe this could happen.
 

[Androslav]

I still think we have a good enough team to beat Miami.
We'll take it 1 by 1 by 1 game, and hope we finish at the top.

[RMO]

They've lost two games in the playoffs so far.  I just don't see them losing three in a row.

[Donoghus]

I mean, I said I still believed when they were down 0-2, so why the heck not at this point?

If they play their game, they should win. I just don't know if they can do it three straight games in a row now.  They really dug themselves a hole.

[celts55]

No.  Smart is the only one on the court locked in and executing to win on each play.

And Stevens is just too passive

Smart killed them last night. He was awful. Horrible shot selection, terrible turnovers.

He's certainly not the only reason they lost, but I can not understand how you could have watched that game and think he executed anything well. It was quite possibly the worst game I ever saw him play.

[nyceltsfan]

The Heat are just on a different level in terms of focus and execution.

The Celtics need a couple more veteran guys. Guys who have been there before. Celts are a year or two too young and a couple guys short.

It's tough to watch but also feels like they're losing to a team the deserves to beat them.


I don't exactly understand why the Celts are so bad at executing in the fourth quarter or why the Heat are so much better, but I don't feel like a team that I trust so little in the fourth quarter deserves to make the finals.

I think we keep telling ourselves the bolded part to make us feel better, but we got schooled by a 20 year old rookie last night.  Why wasn't he too young?  Literally no one else on the Heat was a difference maker last night.  21 points for Butler?  Adebayo had a good game and Dragic was steady, but nothing out of the ordinary.

This entire series has come down to focus and execution.  The Celtics have been the better team when they have been locked in and not making ridiculously stupid, careless turnovers.  They are referred to as the best defensive team in the bubble but literally could not get a stop in the second half last night.  The only reason the Celtics got back into the game was that they got hot from 3 and traded 3 for 2 every time down the court.  The defensive energy and focus was not there - too many switches into mismatches and no discipline rotating to the roller or the open shooter.  AND, for crying out loud, please secure a defensive rebound on the one or two plays that you actually stop the first shot!

I truly feel like the Heat have done nothing to beat us and that we have beaten ourselves.  I have a feeling that the mood and demeanor in that locker room is somber and ready to go home.

As I have said in an earlier post, let's not look forward to future years - the East is only going to get tougher.  This was the Celtics best chance to get to the finals with this core and they blew it.  I am not sure what Danny can do from here to shake it up, but it may be time for a drastic change going into next season.

[KGs Knee]

Yes, I still believe the Celtics are the more talented team.

Unfortunately, when you have an amateur coach who is in over his head this is the result.

It is what is and I've accepted it. If a miracle happens and they somehow overcome this obstacle, I'll be thrilled. I just don't expect it.

[Green-18]

The Heat are just on a different level in terms of focus and execution.

The Celtics need a couple more veteran guys. Guys who have been there before. Celts are a year or two too young and a couple guys short.

It's tough to watch but also feels like they're losing to a team the deserves to beat them.


I don't exactly understand why the Celts are so bad at executing in the fourth quarter or why the Heat are so much better, but I don't feel like a team that I trust so little in the fourth quarter deserves to make the finals.

I think we keep telling ourselves the bolded part to make us feel better, but we got schooled by a 20 year old rookie last night.  Why wasn't he too young?  Literally no one else on the Heat was a difference maker last night.  21 points for Butler?  Adebayo had a good game and Dragic was steady, but nothing out of the ordinary.

This entire series has come down to focus and execution.  The Celtics have been the better team when they have been locked in and not making ridiculously stupid, careless turnovers.  They are referred to as the best defensive team in the bubble but literally could not get a stop in the second half last night.  The only reason the Celtics got back into the game was that they got hot from 3 and traded 3 for 2 every time down the court.  The defensive energy and focus was not there - too many switches into mismatches and no discipline rotating to the roller or the open shooter.  AND, for crying out loud, please secure a defensive rebound on the one or two plays that you actually stop the first shot!

I truly feel like the Heat have done nothing to beat us and that we have beaten ourselves.  I have a feeling that the mood and demeanor in that locker room is somber and ready to go home.

As I have said in an earlier post, let's not look forward to future years - the East is only going to get tougher.  This was the Celtics best chance to get to the finals with this core and they blew it.  I am not sure what Danny can do from here to shake it up, but it may be time for a drastic change going into next season.

I'm certainly not telling myself that just to feel better.  If anything, it's the reality of the situation. Herro had an amazing night but it's not like the Heat rely on him to be one of their best players every single night.  He's in a perfect role.

Historically, it's VERY rare to see a team get to the Finals by relying on a 22 and 23 year old to be the best players throughout the duration of a playoff run.  The 2011 Thunder was the last group to make it under those circumastances.  Prior to that, you had the Cavs in 2006 and the Magic in 1995. 

In order for the Celtics to be a true contender, they need/ed Kemba or Hayward to provide more.  It would be interesting to see where this team would be if Gordon hadn't gotten hurt.  Maybe I'm not being critical enough, but I had long accepted that the Celtics would need to channel the 2004 Pistons in order to be a true contender.  Tatum and Brown aren't quite ready to carry the load each and every night.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I just want to see them respond in game 5. One game at a time. Show some pride and come out with physicality from the start.

[footey]

Advice to Brad (which he won't heed):

Shake things up. Start RW3.  Bring Theis off the bench. Come out with intense defensive pressure.  Let it all hang out, baby.

Theis was minus 14 in plus/minus.

Rob was plus 10.

Your team is 1-3 vs Heat, Brad.   Time for a fundamental adjustment, dude.

[RPGenerate]

Advice to Brad (which he won't heed):

Shake things up. Start RW3.  Bring Theis off the bench. Come out with intense defensive pressure.  Let it all hang out, baby.

Might as well. Nothing to lose at this point.

[footey]

Advice to Brad (which he won't heed):

Shake things up. Start RW3.  Bring Theis off the bench. Come out with intense defensive pressure.  Let it all hang out, baby.

Might as well. Nothing to lose at this point.

Theis minus 14.

Rob plus 10. 
 
No brainer.