Realistically, is the Celtics "thrill" gone?

[RockinRyA]

"The Window" officially closed on April 3rd, 2011... it's almost been a full year since we stopped being relevant.  Some people seem to enjoy watching them, though.  Kinda like a former champ boxer well past his prime fighting in some exhibition at your local fairgrounds.  A lot of us would still pay $5 bucks to watch Mike Tyson fight some young amateur ... even if Tyson ended up getting embarrassed in the process it's still cool to see.  

Or maybe it's like going to a local casino to watch some washed up band play with half the members missing.  Like you'd probably still pay a few bucks to watch the Temptations sing at a musical festival.  Even though David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks are long-since dead and other members are long-since gone, at the very least you can see Otis Williams (one of the original members) and whatever other random black men he has up there.  Sure Williams doesn't have that same voice he once did, but he's still up there... they are still singing the same songs and wearing the same outfits and have some semblance of a connection to their glory years in the 60s.  Not at all the same, but worth a couple bucks.  

Kinda reminds me of the 2012 Celtics.  KG, Ray and Pierce are all a step closer to retirement and not the same singers they once were, but at least you can tune in to see the "big 4" do "big 4 things"... even if it ignores the fact that ubuntu is long-since dead and the other 11 guys who made up our 2008 champion (James Posey, Kendrick Perkins, Eddie House, Tony Allen, Sam Cassell, Leon Powe, Glen Davis, PJ Brown, Brian Scalabrine, etc) are long-since gone... still kinda fun to squint your eyes, plug your ears and pretend you're still watching a contender on stage... even if it's just a random group of black men wearing the same uniform doing a poor imitation of the glory days.

Why do you waste your time on Celtics Blog if you aren't interested in this year's version of the team?

I feel like you are always looking to mock fans that still enjoy watching the team. It's a tired act.

Personally, I realize the potential of this team is not as a championship contender.

I enjoy watching this team because I am a fan of the Celtics. If they beat a great team, it is exciting because they are over achieving.

It's all about setting proper expectations and watching professional basketball for me. Still pretty thrilling for me. actually.

Yeah that's what i get from the posts as well.

Anyway, I will still support the team no matter what, Im more prepared for losses though (except losses where the lack of effort is apparent). Reminds me on how i cheer for our national team whenever we play even though we have been stinking in Asia for the last decade and a half.

[celtics2]

You betcha..

[LarBrd33]

"The Window" officially closed on April 3rd, 2011... it's almost been a full year since we stopped being relevant.  Some people seem to enjoy watching them, though.  Kinda like a former champ boxer well past his prime fighting in some exhibition at your local fairgrounds.  A lot of us would still pay $5 bucks to watch Mike Tyson fight some young amateur ... even if Tyson ended up getting embarrassed in the process it's still cool to see.  

Or maybe it's like going to a local casino to watch some washed up band play with half the members missing.  Like you'd probably still pay a few bucks to watch the Temptations sing at a musical festival.  Even though David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks are long-since dead and other members are long-since gone, at the very least you can see Otis Williams (one of the original members) and whatever other random black men he has up there.  Sure Williams doesn't have that same voice he once did, but he's still up there... they are still singing the same songs and wearing the same outfits and have some semblance of a connection to their glory years in the 60s.  Not at all the same, but worth a couple bucks.  

Kinda reminds me of the 2012 Celtics.  KG, Ray and Pierce are all a step closer to retirement and not the same singers they once were, but at least you can tune in to see the "big 4" do "big 4 things"... even if it ignores the fact that ubuntu is long-since dead and the other 11 guys who made up our 2008 champion (James Posey, Kendrick Perkins, Eddie House, Tony Allen, Sam Cassell, Leon Powe, Glen Davis, PJ Brown, Brian Scalabrine, etc) are long-since gone... still kinda fun to squint your eyes, plug your ears and pretend you're still watching a contender on stage... even if it's just a random group of black men wearing the same uniform doing a poor imitation of the glory days.

Why do you waste your time on Celtics Blog if you aren't interested in this year's version of the team?

I'm a Celtic fan.  This being a garbage sitting duck year doesn't change my general love of the Boston Celtics.  I'm excited for the next generation... I'm not going to just stop following this team when we're a couple months away from nuking this team and starting our next big 5+ year rebuild.  I'm here for the long haul.  Plus, I need something to do during the day instead of actual work.  Arguing with you guys fills that void.  Still can't bring myself to watch a full game, though.  I caught Avery's flukey 1st quarter on league pass broadband, but this group of 1 year temporary celtic scabs is still too boring to keep my interest for a full game.

I'm still fairly disgusted we didn't do anything to speed up our rebuild earlier this month during the trade deadline, but I guess I can hang on for another 5 weeks until this era officially comes to an end and we can dive into the trade rumors again.

[Greenbean]

"The Window" officially closed on April 3rd, 2011... it's almost been a full year since we stopped being relevant.  Some people seem to enjoy watching them, though.  Kinda like a former champ boxer well past his prime fighting in some exhibition at your local fairgrounds.  A lot of us would still pay $5 bucks to watch Mike Tyson fight some young amateur ... even if Tyson ended up getting embarrassed in the process it's still cool to see.  

Or maybe it's like going to a local casino to watch some washed up band play with half the members missing.  Like you'd probably still pay a few bucks to watch the Temptations sing at a musical festival.  Even though David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks are long-since dead and other members are long-since gone, at the very least you can see Otis Williams (one of the original members) and whatever other random black men he has up there.  Sure Williams doesn't have that same voice he once did, but he's still up there... they are still singing the same songs and wearing the same outfits and have some semblance of a connection to their glory years in the 60s.  Not at all the same, but worth a couple bucks.  

Kinda reminds me of the 2012 Celtics.  KG, Ray and Pierce are all a step closer to retirement and not the same singers they once were, but at least you can tune in to see the "big 4" do "big 4 things"... even if it ignores the fact that ubuntu is long-since dead and the other 11 guys who made up our 2008 champion (James Posey, Kendrick Perkins, Eddie House, Tony Allen, Sam Cassell, Leon Powe, Glen Davis, PJ Brown, Brian Scalabrine, etc) are long-since gone... still kinda fun to squint your eyes, plug your ears and pretend you're still watching a contender on stage... even if it's just a random group of black men wearing the same uniform doing a poor imitation of the glory days.

Why do you waste your time on Celtics Blog if you aren't interested in this year's version of the team?

I'm a Celtic fan.  This being a garbage sitting duck year doesn't change my general love of the Boston Celtics.  I'm excited for the next generation... I'm not going to just stop following this team when we're a couple months away from nuking this team and starting our next big 5+ year rebuild.  I'm here for the long haul.  Plus, I need something to do during the day instead of actual work.  Arguing with you guys fills that void.  Still can't bring myself to watch a full game, though.  I caught Avery's flukey 1st quarter on league pass broadband, but this group of 1 year temporary celtic scabs is still too boring to keep my interest for a full game.

I'm still fairly disgusted we didn't do anything to speed up our rebuild earlier this month during the trade deadline, but I guess I can hang on for another 5 weeks until this era officially comes to an end and we can dive into the trade rumors again.

Fair enough.

I actually regretted posting that.

To each his own.

We all treat fandom differently.

Sorry bout that!

[Celtics18]

Yes, I know it sounds like a U2 song. But, the question begs to be asked.

Celtics haven't really beaten any good teams this year(with few exceptoins). Doc always mentions "guys are tired" after every loss.

Compare the way KG and Pierce look now with how they looked back on 2008.

Which brings me to the question asked in the subject line

Surprisingly, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett both look very close to being the same caliber players that they were in 2008.  This (along with the development of Rajon Rondo into a superstar) is the main reason we have a dangerous team capable of making some noise come playoff time.

I disagree, their overall efficiencies are the same but the amount of offensive burden they can carry has changed drastically. Also KG has clearly lost a lot of lift and ability to convert looks into dunks.

If you look at the 2007-2008 finals KG in the post and Pierce on the wing were the two sets we ran our entire offense through. They don't have the stamina or physical tools to do that anymore not for more than the occasional game here or there.

In the case of Paul Pierce, sure age has taken its toll to some degree, but I continue to marvel at the ways in which he has been able to stay an elite NBA basketball player through the use of his skills, toughness, and basketball intelligence.  Honestly, his game is starting to seem more and more ageless. 

The wear shows a little more on KG who definitely relied more on his elite athleticism in his younger days.  His blown out knee in 2010, signalled the end of his days as an elite player for many pundits and fans.  I don't think he gets enough credit for his jump shooting ability (which is almost Nowitzki-like) or his passing, both of which keep him able to maintain his elite level as a player, offensively.  Of course, I have no idea how he has managed to still be one of the top two or three defensive difference makers in the league. 

More than being incredible athletes, these guys are incredible basketball players.  Watching them do what they do is one of the things that keeps me enthralled and engaged by this basketball team, and excited for the opportunity to watch them play in the playoffs. 

Every one of Lebron James' and Blake Griffin's dunks are worth two points, just as every step back, elbow jumper by Paul Pierce or every turnaround by Kevin Garnett is worth two points.

The thrill remains, and may even be stronger than ever, for this Celtics fan.