I hope the players are well aware of what they're doing

[Drucci]

I know we can (and probably will) win on the road in the playoffs and the players obviously believe they can too because they are now "tanking" till the playoffs start. But contrary to last year, where "tanking" was a necessity because of injuries, this year, the Celtics have no excuses.

Yes, the O'Neal brothers are missing and it's weakening our interior D a lot but the problem is mostly on offense right now because the team is bored and not playing even at 70% of its capacity.  The team has no excuse this season. They were still the #1 seed in the East a week ago and didn't suffer any big injuries since then. To me this mentality of pacing themselves while there are still a lot of things at stake is just pathetic.

I just hope the players are well aware of the risk they're taking in the playoffs simply because they are bored and want the playoffs to start right now instead of playing like they should every night, and like they did in the first half of the season.

Again, I'm confident about our road success in the playoffs. But it just bugs me to consciously choose the hard path (potentially Philly/Miami/Chicago/L.A instead of Indiana or Charlotte/Orlando/Chicago/L.A) because of boredom and desire to pace themselves when you are 80% healthy and still in the race for the best seed. And if we fail in the playoffs, we all know where (or when) fingers will have to be pointed first.

[Las Vegas Asian]

I've been watching the C's since the early 80's and I can't ever remember a Bird led team play with such complacency with HCA on the line like this team has the past few weeks. Larry would have ripped these guys long time ago or there would have been a fight in the parking lot to straighten out some of these attitudes. Not only that but he would have willed them to victory even if it meant telling the others to give him the ball and just get the hell out of the way. Right now I just don't see that same fire or pride in Pierce/Ray/KG and that's definitely concerning at this time of the season.

[Change]

This is the Detroit pistons all over again. Celtics had  instant success in 08 similar to the one Detriot Pistons Team 04. Complacency sets in losing sight of the ultimate goal by developing an on/off switch. Like that Detroit squad, Celtics have reached a comfortable level of success.

This is gut check time for the players. This opportunity is on its last legs. Do they want to follow in the Pistons footstep remembered as one hit wonder, or they shake off the complacency for once. Its in the players hands. How do they want to be remembered?

[vinnie]

Great post. TP!

[nba is the worst]

The contrast to the lakers (only 1 ref-assisted loss since the allstar break) is obvious...

[Marcus13]

The contrast to the lakers (only 1 ref-assisted loss since the allstar break) is obvious...

Exactly.  One team is gearing up for a championship run...one team is gearing up to watch the series at home with their families.

[jpd985]

When they are playing with no fire I don't even want to watch them.

[PosImpos]

We are not going to win a title if we don't have HCA in the Finals.

Take that to the bank.

First round, second round, Eastern Conference Finals . . . this team is more than capable of beating any Eastern Conference team in a 7 game series.  I think it may very well happen, despite the team's significant flaws.

Against the Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, Thunder or whoever, though, I don't have confidence in this team - or any team, really - to win without HCA in a 2-3-2 format.  It happens occasionally, but only when one team is clearly better than the other, or one superstar player takes over.  Neither of those things is likely to happen with this team vs. a probable Finals opponent.

[Green Hell]

We are not going to win a title if we don't have HCA in the Finals.

Take that to the bank.

First round, second round, Eastern Conference Finals . . . this team is more than capable of beating any Eastern Conference team in a 7 game series.  I think it may very well happen, despite the team's significant flaws.

Against the Lakers, Spurs, Mavs, Thunder or whoever, though, I don't have confidence in this team - or any team, really - to win without HCA in a 2-3-2 format.  It happens occasionally, but only when one team is clearly better than the other, or one superstar player takes over.  Neither of those things is likely to happen with this team vs. a probable Finals opponent.

TP. Agree though I think we can beat The Mavs or Thunder on the road -- not sure about the Bulls. The undeniable fact is that we will not beat LA on the road and if we give up HCA to them, kiss Green 18 goodbye.

[celtics2]

Ooohh, a harder road would be one of the 7 needed for the playoffs to come up lame. Another Banner is a long shot playing the Eastern Wing of  Boston Celtics Mercy  but it can be done.  The War is near. Big order for dispensary, tape, pain killer and rubbing whatever.