if we have Thomas instead of Rondo to start the season. are we above .500?

[wayupnorth]

Especially if you ignore the fact that "I haven't played defense in 2 years" was a self-depreciating way of praising Bradley's defense.

The team was underachieving at the start of the year, started to play better once the trade deadline passed, and has the benefit of the Eastern Conference as well as being (mostly) healthy. The fact that Stevens seems to have a better time coaching comparatively bad players is nice, though.

[/b]

What a ridiculous statement.

wow.

[xPOORx]

The fact that Stevens seems to have a better time coaching comparatively bad players is nice, though.

Not comparatively bad players, the change is that these players have the desire to listen and learn from Stevens.

[D.o.s.]

Especially if you ignore the fact that "I haven't played defense in 2 years" was a self-depreciating way of praising Bradley's defense.

The team was underachieving at the start of the year, started to play better once the trade deadline passed, and has the benefit of the Eastern Conference as well as being (mostly) healthy. The fact that Stevens seems to have a better time coaching comparatively bad players is nice, though.

[/b]

What a ridiculous statement.

wow.

You don't think our roster is less talented than the one we started the season with? This seems fairly uncontroversial to me.

The fact that Stevens seems to have a better time coaching comparatively bad players is nice, though.

Not comparatively bad players, the change is that these players have the desire to listen and learn from Stevens.

Where I come from, we call that projection and speculation.

[Rosco917]

IMO the attitude of the team improved dramatically when Rondo was traded. The ball began moving around on offense, everyone started looking for the open man. The ball pounding ended.

The defense was vastly improved, because the team decided to hang their hat on defending. Why not? They had nothing else yet. The team was able to create a small identity, with the Bradley, Smart, Crowder crew.

Enter IT!... exactly what the C's needed at the right time. The Celtics prior to Thomas coming to the team, went through minutes where they would have trouble scoring the ball. (lack of a talented consistent scorer) They needed exactly what Thomas brought to the table. If IT went to another team that didn't care about defending... and with players similar to himself, he would not see the success he see's with the Celtics.

Pure talent is nice, but in Professional Basketball Chemistry is King.

[Vox_Populi]

It's worth pointing out, and was at the time, that the Celtics schedule to begin the season was very difficult. If I recall correctly, it was top 10 in the league in both opposition win% and away games. If I just had to choose answer, I'd say the Celtics would have a better record, I'm not sure they'd be over .500.

[BDeCosta26]

We have a very realistic chance to finish 40-42, when we lost Sullinger who was playing great and started this turnaround and didn't get IT till 2/3 of the season was over.

Considering that, even with the tougher schedule we would be at least a few games over .500. There was so many close games that we blew in the 4th at the start of the season, one game in particular where we gave Rondo the ball for the final shot as he dribbled around and didn't even get a shot off makes me think we coulda won a lot of those games with IT. This team has played SO much better after Rondo/Green left and they've just kept surprising us, is 50 wins or close to it really that unrealistic?

[manl_lui]

IMO the attitude of the team improved dramatically when Rondo was traded. The ball began moving around on offense, everyone started looking for the open man. The ball pounding ended.

The defense was vastly improved, because the team decided to hang their hat on defending. Why not? They had nothing else yet. The team was able to create a small identity, with the Bradley, Smart, Crowder crew.

Enter IT!... exactly what the C's needed at the right time. The Celtics prior to Thomas coming to the team, went through minutes where they would have trouble scoring the ball. (lack of a talented consistent scorer) They needed exactly what Thomas brought to the table. If IT went to another team that didn't care about defending... and with players similar to himself, he would not see the success he see's with the Celtics.

Pure talent is nice, but in Professional Basketball Chemistry is King.

as much as I love Rondo, and as much as I opposed the trade at the time, I had to say I agree with you and everyone else now. Not a stab on Rondo, Rondo is still a great pg, but he is a ball dominant guard. He doesn't fit in with this team anymore. With that said, the ball movement are very nice and I am very very impressed with Brad Stevens and his way of managing the team. However, even with IT on the team earlier in the season instead of Rondo, I would still think we would have the same record. Maybe a win or two more. Mainly because I thought that earlier in the season, with new players in Turner, Smart, Zeller and others, Stevens was still deciding on a lineup he is comfortable with.

[Moranis]

schedule has been much easier after the trade deadline, so no I don't think so.