When do we start worrying?

[nickagneta]

Probably not until mid February.

This team is still out of shape and will round into form within the next couple weeks. In short order we could be 4-8.

But we then have a schedule with a lot of games but against teams that should be beatable:


Toronto - WIN
Phoenix - LOSS
@ Washington - WIN
Orlando - WIN
@ Orlando - WIN
Indiana - WIN
Cleveland - LOSS
@ Cleveland - WIN
Toronto - WIN
New York - WIN
Memphis - WIN
Charlotte

That's 12 games where I could see the Celtics easily going 8-4 and possibly 10-2 as they get in better shape and their roles become more defined.

If after that stretch they are in mid February and have a .500 record or better and are playing winning basketball, I can still see a third or 4th seed from winning the Atlantic and a strong playoff push.

If after that stretch they are still struggling and are more than 2 games below .500, not only is it time to worry, its time to think about trading expiring contracts for young assets and draft picks.

So who here is still worried?

I said 8-4 to 10-2 and stick by that. I'm now leaning towards the 10-2 part as it appears KG and Pierce have gotten into shape and that we might actually have two young guards in Moore and Bradley to provide Doc some really nice and different tools off the bench.

God I love being right.

Go Nick!

One fly in the ointment:  Sixers are 18-7 and show no signs of relinquishing the division lead.

Pos playing the role of Mr Sunshine...as usual. 

[Chief]

I worry more about this stretch. I say 4-4. They have been playing .500 ball all season.

 February 9 Los Angeles Lakers 
 February 10 @ Toronto Raptors 
 February 12 Chicago Bulls   
 February 15 Detroit Pistons   
 February 16 @ Chicago Bulls 
 February 19 @ Detroit Pistons   
 February 20 @ Dallas Mavericks 
 February 22 @ Oklahoma City Thunder   

I had right to worry. 

[PosImpos]

I worry more about this stretch. I say 4-4. They have been playing .500 ball all season.

 February 9 Los Angeles Lakers 
 February 10 @ Toronto Raptors 
 February 12 Chicago Bulls   
 February 15 Detroit Pistons   
 February 16 @ Chicago Bulls 
 February 19 @ Detroit Pistons   
 February 20 @ Dallas Mavericks 
 February 22 @ Oklahoma City Thunder   

I had right to worry. 

1-5 so far, and only the Mavs and Thunder left.

Wow.  1-7 seems most likely.