If this isn't enough motivation for this team, I don't know what is....

[hwangjini_1]

not sure i really disagree with the article. i dont like it, but i can see why he wrote it.

unless the celtics really can "turn it on" for the playoffs and play as they did in the start of the season, then i would be stunned to see them go past the second round...pleased, but stunned.

two years left with rasheed and garnet? if the celtics dont win it this year perhaps ainge should blow up the team sooner rather than later.

sigh.

most threads on rebuilding foresee or suggest a piecemeal process. trade allen today, hold onto pierce for 2 more years, let garnet go in a few years.

maybe the best route to rebuilding is to for ainge take a deep breath and simply start trading the big three while they still are good enough that a contender would buy them.

would portland like to have garnet next year? would garnet put them over the top? or orlando? what of san antonio with pierce?

i have not checked out all the possible realistic trades, and there cant be too many, but if ainge can get a good return in terms of picks, youth, and money he may want to simply pull the plug this off season.

if there is a team with a faustian fixation and a willingness to mortgage the future for the present (and ainge did 2 years ago) then ainge should consider dealing with them.

i am still cheering for the team this year and have high hopes...but after this playoff, things will look bleak.

[angryguy77]

This *should* be all the motivation this team needs:

Exactly.

[EJPLAYA]

This *should* be all the motivation this team needs:

Exactly.

It was for the 08 season. I think its pretty clear that the same level of drive to get it isn't there now. They already own one. Too easy for them to fall back on the injury excuse. It is a good excuse, but still an excuse.

[Fafnir]

It was for the 08 season. I think its pretty clear that the same level of drive to get it isn't there now. They already own one. Too easy for them to fall back on the injury excuse. It is a good excuse, but still an excuse.

Its a lot easier to give 100% effort when you have the most talent in the NBA, when you can physically take games over stil, and can still do all the things you've done your whole career.

Their bodies are more to blame than their effort, but its not as fun to rail on players getting older.

[wdleehi]

I hope this wakes them up.



I want to see more the just teases of what this team can do in the playoffs.



I want to see them finally play all 48 minutes.  Not 38 minutes.

[wdleehi]

Let's hope the Celtics still perform as well (if not better) as in '08 when they are the underdogs, because they are basically seen as barely making it out of the first round on every national media website.

Here are some quotes from Hollinger's chat :

Which first round match-up has the best even match-up?
John Hollinger
  (12:05 PM)


I'll say Boston-Miami in the East. That one too me was the closest I came to just throwing up my hands and hurling darts at a board. Although several come to mind -- this is the most trouble I've ever had making playoff picks. Normally you can count on getting at least two-thirds of the 15 series right; this year I wouldn't be shocked if I turned out to miss two thirds of them.

Victor (San Juan)


Love your chats! Since Arroyo was made the starting PG the Heat have gone 18-4. Is this only due to an easy schedule or is Carlos a better complement for Wade than the other PGs?
John Hollinger
  (12:16 PM)


It's largely schedule-driven, along with two other factors, 1) he's not Rafer Alston, and 2) Wade is in much better shape physically than eh was the first two months of the season. The more I think about this the more uneasy I am with my Boston pick....

Johan (Portland, OR)


Lakers road to the finals will look like this: OKC, Jazz, and Mavs. That sure is a lot easier than the Cavs: Bulls, Celtics, and Magic. Don't you agree?
John Hollinger
  (12:21 PM)


I think it looks more like OKC, Jazz and Spurs/Suns, and I think it's a lot harder for them to get out of the first two rounds than it will be for Cleveland. Not sure if you've seen Boston lately but they're a spent force; at this point Miami might scare the Cavs more than playing the Celtics does.

Can't wait to see the Celtics make them eat their words (hopefully they will but I'm not sure ).

He is also picking the Suns to make it to the finals. 

[indeedproceed]

He is also picking the Suns to make it to the finals. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8soolsiIOo

Hollinger's the staaaaattttt mannnn!

Beee ba ba ba ba doh!

[Q_FBE]

I was hoping that my Barbs and negative posts were enough to motivate this team.

I know it wasn't. Perhaps just shutting up and not posting is the answer. Or trading for The Answer is for next year.

[PosImpos]

Let's hope the Celtics still perform as well (if not better) as in '08 when they are the underdogs, because they are basically seen as barely making it out of the first round on every national media website.

Here are some quotes from Hollinger's chat :

Which first round match-up has the best even match-up?
John Hollinger
  (12:05 PM)


I'll say Boston-Miami in the East. That one too me was the closest I came to just throwing up my hands and hurling darts at a board. Although several come to mind -- this is the most trouble I've ever had making playoff picks. Normally you can count on getting at least two-thirds of the 15 series right; this year I wouldn't be shocked if I turned out to miss two thirds of them.

Victor (San Juan)


Love your chats! Since Arroyo was made the starting PG the Heat have gone 18-4. Is this only due to an easy schedule or is Carlos a better complement for Wade than the other PGs?
John Hollinger
  (12:16 PM)


It's largely schedule-driven, along with two other factors, 1) he's not Rafer Alston, and 2) Wade is in much better shape physically than eh was the first two months of the season. The more I think about this the more uneasy I am with my Boston pick....

Johan (Portland, OR)


Lakers road to the finals will look like this: OKC, Jazz, and Mavs. That sure is a lot easier than the Cavs: Bulls, Celtics, and Magic. Don't you agree?
John Hollinger
  (12:21 PM)


I think it looks more like OKC, Jazz and Spurs/Suns, and I think it's a lot harder for them to get out of the first two rounds than it will be for Cleveland. Not sure if you've seen Boston lately but they're a spent force; at this point Miami might scare the Cavs more than playing the Celtics does.

Can't wait to see the Celtics make them eat their words (hopefully they will but I'm not sure ).

He is also picking the Suns to make it to the finals. 

You forgot to link this:

Victor (San Juan)

Beasly is playing good as of late; Haslem has been double-doubling the leather off the ball, Wade is in great shape; Arroyo can give you 7 assists per game; Q-Rich, D-Wright and Chalmers can hit the 3 when open: How scary is Miami right now? And how scared should Boston be?
John Hollinger
  (12:32 PM)


Actually, you just made me feel a lot better about picking Boston. Richardson? Wright? Arroyo? Chalmers? Brrrr, I'm sure the Celtics are shivering right now just thinking about it.

[Edgar]

Do we have a eugooglizer? You know, the guy who gives the eugoogly.

If so, I know a fantastic guy.



You remember him, right? Wally Szerbiak?

Quick, someone check the nearest daiye spa.

MAgnum!

School For Kids Who Can't Read Good And Want To Do Other Things Good Too