Open Letter to the Celtics in Herald or Globe?

[SFCelticFan]

This is something I HAD TO write. There is a lot of emotion from last season welling up as I see things slipping (not slipping away) as the regular season closes. We have to re-FOCUS the team somehow...

I'm pretty serious about the idea: What do you all think about our ability to get this letter posted or a few bullet points put up on a prominent billboard in Boston? We have to find a way to communicate what we in Celtic Nation are feeling. How much money would this cost?

I welcome any comments and edits to the letter or ideas about how to get this done. (I'd post this as a FanPost rather than a forum topic entry but I don't know how to do that.)


An open letter to the 2010-2011 Celtics:

As Celtics fans we were all heartbroken last season -- not just that we came so close and came up short but also in the way that we lost Game 7 of the Finals to the Lakers.

This is the one of the MOST talented teams in Celtic history. Shaq, KG, Paul, Ray and Rondo could all end up in the hall of fame. We all realize how rare it is to have a team like this and that it would be a shame to waste this opportunity.

Here are a few reminders and some suggestions as we enter the Playoffs.

• Doc: please run, run, run! To paraphrase Mr. Heinsohn. That means use your very deep bench. Danny went and got you people who used to start to sit on the bench. Save your starters legs and use your bench to our advantage.
  
  Rebounds = Rings fellas. Have to admit that Pat Riley had this one right.  I don’t care how efficient your offense is – rebounds mean extra possessions for you and less for your opponent. Closing out games requires that you rebound much better. You were among the worst in the league at rebounding during the regular season. You can do much better.  You have the people, you have the desire, you just need the commitment to this basketball fundamental.
  
  Try to make plays not just shots. You have fallen in love with your shot. Go to the hole, make guys commit so the open guy gets a good shot, at worst get fouls, control the rhythm of game. FOCUS on solid basketball and exert your will on the game. 
  
  Get your killer instinct back. James Posey, PJ Brown and Leon Powe are not walking in that door. Those guys didn’t always take and make shots but they all made plays. A rebound here, a block (or even block out) there, Shaq, Jermaine, Baby, Troy, Nenad, Delonte we are looking to you for these things.
  

Overall, the urgency simply doesn’t seem to be there. Rondo, you are the engine for the team and you seem idle most of the time. Please play aggressive all the time and take it to the hole. Your speed is an incredible weapon! Make people react to YOU on EVERY play. Also, if you could follow up your million dollar drives with something more than a fifty cent finish – doing more than throwing it up at the hoop i.e., ensuring you at least get the foul -- that would be great.

Big Baby, we know it is a contract year for you and that you feel you should have gotten paid last time. To put it simply, put your team before your contract. If that wasn’t clear enough, you are taking shots that you shouldn’t be taking -- you have Hall of Fame players on the court.

Jeff Green, welcome to the Celtics. We need you to bring your whole game and be the mismatch nightmare we know you can be.

KG, Paul and Ray as the leaders you set the tone. Trust in each other. You all want to win but you can only do it TOGETHER. Remember Rome, remember UBUNTU!

Please know that Celtic fans all around the world support you and we are hoping you make the most of this opportunity to erase the taste that lingers from last season with a historic playoff run and raise Banner #18.

[PosImpos]

So, if they're not doing these things when they hear it from Doc Rivers, what makes you think they'll listen to a letter from the fans?

[muddy02]

because Doc talks to them everyday, and it becomes background noise.  When is the last time (if ever) a fan letter was delivered to the team?

[kw10]

Great idea OP!
I'd love to get that message across to the C's!

[ACF]

SF with the hustle! TP.

[Rondo_is_better]

I feel like this would backfire if it actually happened IRL. I love our guys but they've got some major egos on them. They wouldn't wanna hear this.

[Redz]

Until we see the Celts tank it in the post season, I'd withhold judgment.

[Green Hell]

Until we see the Celts tank it in the post season, I'd withhold judgment.

So... waiting until its too late in other words?

[BballTim]

  This thread is the culmination of a month plus of hand-wringing.

[Roy H.]

What makes you think the players read the Globe or the Herald?  Maybe you could tweet it to them, 130 (or whatever it is) characters at a time.  

The letter is well-written and has valid viewpoints, but if the Celtics can't pull things together for their coach or through their own professionalism, then I don't think a fan letter would have much of an effect.

[SFCelticFan]

OK. Woke up to read some responses to my post. Reading it again made me feel better that I got the thoughts out there. They are still really bothering me about this team right now.

I think the message would be heard. How the egos would react is unclear. But the point is to give them something to think about in the same way that Celtic Legends come back and give their thoughts. Didn't Doc invite all from the Celtic family to the practices? He knows that others can augment his voice/message. Fans in some way are part of that family.

Maybe we could simplify the message -- remind them that more than just the players have a vested interest in their 2011 playoff campaign. All of Celtic Nation went into depression after June 17th last year.

[Redz]

Until we see the Celts tank it in the post season, I'd withhold judgment.

So... waiting until its too late in other words?

Just going on past record.  Since the `08 playoffs this team has given us nothing but maximum effort come playoff time.  You can bang your head against the wall all you like, but it's not going to change the way they play.  I don't enjoy watching them scuffle through portions of the season any more than anyone else, but I don't think the players really give a rats fanny what I think about them. I'm certain they still believe in themselves and that's ultimately what's most important. 

As it said in the OP, we'll keep supporting them regardless.

[Tai]

because Doc talks to them everyday, and it becomes background noise.  When is the last time (if ever) a fan letter was delivered to the team?

 You can't be serious with the claim that you think they consider Doc, someone they should respect and should actually have an idea on how to prepare them for the playoofs "background noise" but somehow see the fans as any different. Basically, if we're not on the coaching staff, sure, they'll like our support, but I dunno how they'll take our opinions on what they can do to improve over the coaches paid to figure that out. What about the crowds home AND away that pay to see them? Now THAT'S background noise!