People tend to forget the '08 team

[TheReaLPuba]

was historic.

Teams do not generally blow teams out by 10 to 15 points from the get go and dominate the league from start to finish.

Every season after that Championship season we've also started off strong but kinda faded into .500 ball due to old legs, injuries, or trades.

I for one am not overly concerned with the "poor" start this year because it's relatively early and none of the Big 4 are hurt.

If we're still playing this way a month or two before the playoffs start then I'll start worrying.

It's not how you start it's how you finish.

[MBz]

The difference this year is we're only playing 66 games. We don't have as much time to wait to see how we are going to do.  These other teams got better and we didn't, that's a problem.

[Kane3387]

The difference this year is we're only playing 66 games. We don't have as much time to wait to see how we are going to do.  These other teams got better and we didn't, that's a problem.

Yeah but we were already a lot better then most teams. There are only a handful of teams out of thirty who can defeat us 4 out of 7 times.

[kozlodoev]

There are only a handful of teams out of thirty who can defeat us 4 out of 7 times.

You mean right now? Nah, there are only a handful of teams _we_ can beat 4 out of 7 times, it seems.

[Moranis]

3 years later, lots of age, and the stamina isn't just going to improve.  The team wore down at the end of games last year, especially in the playoffs.  I don't know what kind of magic pixie dust you think exists that is going to reverse age this team.  The Celtics are done as a contender.  Period.  End of discussion.  Time to start building the next title contender because it isn't what is out there now.

[MBunge]

The Celtics are done as a contender. 

It's far too early to say that.  What is clear is that this team can't just keep doing things the way they've been doing them.

Mike

[Greenbean]

There arent many reasons to be optimistic right now but I will say this.

I am glad we are struggling now vs. 4 months from now.

Every year with the big 3, we have shot off to great (a couple years historically great) starts.

I would love just for once, this team to be playing its best basketball going in to the playoffs.

Havent seen it since 07-08.

Who knows?

Ive said it before.

Im not counting anything out of the realm of possibility with these guys.

[Celtics18]

3 years later, lots of age, and the stamina isn't just going to improve.  The team wore down at the end of games last year, especially in the playoffs.  I don't know what kind of magic pixie dust you think exists that is going to reverse age this team.  The Celtics are done as a contender.  Period.  End of discussion.  Time to start building the next title contender because it isn't what is out there now.

Why the rush?  Let's play out the season and see if these guys have a little left come playoff time and start rebuilding with two first rounders and plenty of cap space in the off-season.

[JBone4eva]

We've been very spoiled during the Big 3 era, it's evidenced by the armageddon/blow up the team threads after every loss.

[Inside-Out]

People don't remember the 1969 team, either.

[celts55]

The difference this year is we're only playing 66 games. We don't have as much time to wait to see how we are going to do.  These other teams got better and we didn't, that's a problem.

NO the difference this year is they are old. They were getting old in 08 and now they are there. Not to mention they had a legit center in 08. Face it, they are maybe a 500 team. They will probably beat bad teams and lose to good ones. How can you compair this team to 08? Makes no sense. Sorry.

[TheTruthFot18]

The difference this year is we're only playing 66 games. We don't have as much time to wait to see how we are going to do.  These other teams got better and we didn't, that's a problem.

NO the difference this year is they are old. They were getting old in 08 and now they are there. Not to mention they had a legit center in 08. Face it, they are maybe a 500 team. They will probably beat bad teams and lose to good ones. How can you compair this team to 08? Makes no sense. Sorry.

Perk has nothing to do with this. The only real competition he faced was Hortford in the playoffs. KG, and Ray had the toughest matchups in almost each series (outside of pierce/lebron). I think the comparison comes from the big 4 still around as well as a similar or even better bench unit.