Ringer re: "Reconsidering the Celtics"

[GreenWarrior]

I thought it was an article from last yr. before I saw haywards' name mentioned.

[mctyson]

I can see limbo (given the uncertainty with Hayward), but yeah the stagnation part doesn't make sense at all.

His point is that the previous 2 years ended in clear, dominating losses to the Cavs in the playoffs.  He is indicating that their current level of play is more likely than not going to end in a similar result, whether to Cleveland or Toronto.  Given their January and February performances, I cannot really disagree.

For a franchise where 4-1 losses in the ECFs are generally meaningless, the "stagnation" description fits.

I expect a different performance in the playoffs this year though, mainly because of Kyrie and the defense.

[footey]

I think that it’s just a case of poor writing. He ends the article with:

Hayward’s return, whether it comes this season (miraculously) or next, will automatically make the Celtics a whole lot better. Factor in the development of other young players—and the potential departure of LeBron James to the Western Conference this summer—and the Celtics are in position to become East favorites for the foreseeable future. The moment feels motionless, but take a step back and you’ll see that they’re still ascending.

That's standard CYA, IMO. Bad writing indeed.

[PhoSita]

I can see limbo (given the uncertainty with Hayward), but yeah the stagnation part doesn't make sense at all.

His point is that the previous 2 years ended in clear, dominating losses to the Cavs in the playoffs.  He is indicating that their current level of play is more likely than not going to end in a similar result, whether to Cleveland or Toronto.  Given their January and February performances, I cannot really disagree.

For a franchise where 4-1 losses in the ECFs are generally meaningless, the "stagnation" description fits.

I expect a different performance in the playoffs this year though, mainly because of Kyrie and the defense.

That's only "limbo" or "stagnation" if you don't think there'd be any value in making a run to the ECF again with this group (quite different and younger than last year), and you think that the Cavs are likely to stay at their current level while the Celts, without any major roster changes, are not likely to meaningfully improve in the near future.

None of those things seems like a reasonable conclusion to me.

[johnnygreen]

I always read anything with Kevin O'Connor's by line but he really phoned it in on this piece. He offers nothing new and doesn't even mention the 3 game winning streak. This could've been written a month ago.

Do you mean the 3 game winning streak that their currently on? Unless my reading comprehension stinks, he did right the following:

"They’re 3-0 since the All-Star break, and though the wins have come against the stumbling Pistons, Knicks, and Grizzlies,..."

[liam]

I always read anything with Kevin O'Connor's by line but he really phoned it in on this piece. He offers nothing new and doesn't even mention the 3 game winning streak. This could've been written a month ago.

Do you mean the 3 game winning streak that their currently on? Unless my reading comprehension stinks, he did right the following:

"They’re 3-0 since the All-Star break, and though the wins have come against the stumbling Pistons, Knicks, and Grizzlies,..."

Oh, missed that...