A Simple Request

[Roy H.]

I won't click or read any criticism of Udoka - that is patently stupid. Coaches should be given at least 4 years (yes, even Detroit coaches). There is very little else that can be squeezed out of this roster anyway.

I don't agree with the four year rule in all cases, but Ime is a keeper.  Even if Spoelstra coaches circles around Ime, this is about as successful a first year as you can ask for for any rookie head coach.

How many rookie head coaches have taken over a team .500 or worse and gotten them to the Conference Finals in their first year?

[Surferdad]

One of this forum’s favorite things to do is to absurdly overreact to pretty much any negative outcome. Can we all collectively agree not to do this if we lose to the Heat?

Jayson Tatum was one of the best players in the entire NBA this year, Jaylen Brown had a great second half of the season, Marcus Smart was the DPOY and Ime Udoka had a massively successful first year as a coach. The team finished as the best defensive team in the NBA this year, while showcasing a strong offense as well. We swept the Nets and beat the defending champion Bucks. If we lose to the Heat, it does not mean we should blow it up, or that the Jays can’t play with each other or this team can’t win a title. It would just mean we lost a series.

So please, I’m begging the naysayers, just chill if the Celtics don’t win a title this year.

This OP is the only thing I read in this thread, so this is a kind of blinded experiment:
I love the optimism and you speak truth, but I bet I'm not the only one to get irritated at someone (other than mods who need to remind us of the written rules) telling me what to post and what not to post. Ain't gonna happen.  In the past, I've threatened to stop watching Celtics basketball and quit the forum. So what?  It's just a reflection of my passion for this team and the high standards I hold them to.  Don't like it?  Keep scrolling dude.

[wiley]

Boston should absolutely win the title at this point.  Anything less is a bad result and it isn't an overreaction to say it.  It won't mean the sky is falling or anything, but Boston needs to win the title this year.

Not to nitpick, but aren't you swinging from one extreme to another?

For years you've said we don't have the talent, don't have the stars.

Now suddenly if we don't beat Steph/Klay Draymond........Luka.........then we are a disappointment?

Just curious when the final moment of change came for you...was it after the great run second half of the season?  After the Nets series or just now after the Buck's series...?

In any case, it seems a bit harsh to go from your usual stance to having to say that, though the sky won't fall, an ECF or finals loss is a "bad" result.

Glad your hopes are now sky high though..

[mef730]

Actually, I was thinking of writing a similar post -- not about the series, but about Game 1 specifically.

I think Game 1, given a slew of circumstances, is really a game that Miami should take.  I do hope the fandom here tempers the collective response to the loss (if it happens).

Of course -- people get to say whatever they like -- but that includes you as well. If you have a request -- you get to make it.

I have another:  Enough with endless ref bashing and "fix" claims.  I get it - people here are convinced that the refs make a lot of mistakes, or there is a conspiracy to lengthen series' or assure the Celtics lose, or all of the above.  Maybe there can be a thread just for ref-bashing.  A couple of game in the last series these sentiments were so dominant in the game thread that it stopped being fun to read and participate.  Or... make a comment or 2 and let it be.

Fair enough about Game 1. I remember how panicked I was after that game and, well, we know what happened.

If the Cs lose the series, I reserve a 48-hour mourning period for Shiva and putting green curtains over the mirrors.

Mike

[RJ87]

I 100% agree with OP, but this forum is just prone to absolute hysterics. I still can't get over the fact that a poster called our season during the 3rd quarter of game 4. People just don't believe in this team.

Sometimes, do yourself a favor and unplug from the overwhelming, board-ruining negativity and don't come to the forums for a day or two. The break will be good for you, I promise.

[JohnBoy65]

If the Celtics lose I think it matters how they lose. For example, if Miami just comes out, plays great basketball, and beats Boston by 12-18 points then whatever. If Boston loses a close game due to execution errors, missed FTs, bad substitutions, etc. I think it's beyond fair to be critical and upset.

[Moranis]

I won't click or read any criticism of Udoka - that is patently stupid. Coaches should be given at least 4 years (yes, even Detroit coaches). There is very little else that can be squeezed out of this roster anyway.

I don't agree with the four year rule in all cases, but Ime is a keeper.  Even if Spoelstra coaches circles around Ime, this is about as successful a first year as you can ask for for any rookie head coach.

How many rookie head coaches have taken over a team .500 or worse and gotten them to the Conference Finals in their first year?

not very many and it usually things like David Blatt and the Cavs where Lebron James and Kevin Love join a team in the off season before that rookie coach takes over, though Frank Vogel did just do it with the Lakers (in fact won the championship as he took over for Walton and the 37-45 Lakers).

Jim O'Brien's 1st full season as coach would count, though he did coach more than half the season the year before, so that is a strange one.

Bill Fitch did it (thank you Larry).  Jerry West did it for the Lakers when he took over for Sharman in the mid-70's as well. 

[sgrogan]

For me it's about progress.
For this team I think it means making the finals.

Making the ECF is an accomplishment given last year, but this is what 4 in 6 years?
We need to get over the hump.
I will be more disappointed if we lose to MIA than MIL.

I'm a big believer in needing the MVP player to win it all. Steph is the only MVP left and he's several years removed.
If we compete and lose to GS I won't freak. Its a stepping stone, play better next year all year and get home court.
If we compete and lose to DAL I imagine it will be some sort of referendum on Luka v. Tatum.

If we lose to MIA I will be extremely disappointed. We are relatively healthy, we have plenty of experience, and we should have the best player. If we lose in a game 7 hard fought series, I still think it's still a disappointment. At some point we need to get over the hump.


   

[Redz]

I don't mind people being upset after a loss (especially a bad one like Game 5 vs Milwaukee), or lacking confidence after a let down, but it really fries my buttcheeks when people proclaim they will never watch the team again when a series (or season) isn't completed.  That is just a horrible approach to pretty much anything.  What people tend to forget after a loss is that the opponent is, in most cases, trying to win the game too.  And in the playoffs you tend to go up against teams that are kinda good at winning themselves. 

Be disappointed and angry if you have to, but if you're going to quit on your team before they're done, then you're really not much of a fan.

[johnnygreen]

Sometimes I think the fans hold this team back, and this is a perfect example. The Boston Celtics use to be the gold standard in the NBA, and have one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. However, we haven’t seen that championship standard/demand since the 1980’s, and only briefly saw that come back during the KG era. After the 1986 season, the Celtics have won one title, compared to the Lakers 8. We, as fans, need to demand excellence from the Boston Celtics. I don’t care that this team has made various Eastern Conference Finals in the last few years. On one hand, those trips to the ECF tells me that they’re doing something right, however, it also tells me there is something wrong/missing.

This Celtics team was able to sweep the Nets, which was the team everyone was trying to avoid, mainly because of Kevin Durant. Then they beat the defending champions, who have the most dominant player in the world. But now I’m supposed to worry about Jimmy Butler and the Heat, who have a starting backcourt in game 1 that 9/10 NBA fans couldn’t name? If the Celtics lose to this Heat team then I’m pulling a Lt Colonel Frank Slade, and I’m taking a flamethrower to this site.

[Roy H.]

Sometimes I think the fans hold this team back, and this is a perfect example. The Boston Celtics use to be the gold standard in the NBA, and have one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. However, we haven’t seen that championship standard/demand since the 1980’s, and only briefly saw that come back during the KG era. After the 1986 season, the Celtics have won one title, compared to the Lakers 8. We, as fans, need to demand excellence from the Boston Celtics. I don’t care that this team has made various Eastern Conference Finals in the last few years. On one hand, those trips to the ECF tells me that they’re doing something right, however, it also tells me there is something wrong/missing.

This Celtics team was able to sweep the Nets, which was the team everyone was trying to avoid, mainly because of Kevin Durant. Then they beat the defending champions, who have the most dominant player in the world. But now I’m supposed to worry about Jimmy Butler and the Heat, who have a starting backcourt in game 1 that 9/10 NBA fans couldn’t name? If the Celtics lose to this Heat team then I’m pulling a Lt Colonel Frank Slade, and I’m taking a flamethrower to this site.

How do fans hold the team back?  And outside of refusing to go to games, watching on cable, or buying merchandise, how can we "demand excellence"?

I don't think "taking a flamethrower to this site" has much of an effect on the franchise.  On a few thousand Celtics fans, perhaps, but not on the players, management, or ownership.

[nickagneta]

I won't click or read any criticism of Udoka - that is patently stupid. Coaches should be given at least 4 years (yes, even Detroit coaches). There is very little else that can be squeezed out of this roster anyway.

I don't agree with the four year rule in all cases, but Ime is a keeper.  Even if Spoelstra coaches circles around Ime, this is about as successful a first year as you can ask for for any rookie head coach.

How many rookie head coaches have taken over a team .500 or worse and gotten them to the Conference Finals in their first year?

not very many and it usually things like David Blatt and the Cavs where Lebron James and Kevin Love join a team in the off season before that rookie coach takes over, though Frank Vogel did just do it with the Lakers (in fact won the championship as he took over for Walton and the 37-45 Lakers).

Jim O'Brien's 1st full season as coach would count, though he did coach more than half the season the year before, so that is a strange one.

Bill Fitch did it (thank you Larry).  Jerry West did it for the Lakers when he took over for Sharman in the mid-70's as well.

Neither Vogel or Fitch were rookie coaches

[Moranis]

I won't click or read any criticism of Udoka - that is patently stupid. Coaches should be given at least 4 years (yes, even Detroit coaches). There is very little else that can be squeezed out of this roster anyway.

I don't agree with the four year rule in all cases, but Ime is a keeper.  Even if Spoelstra coaches circles around Ime, this is about as successful a first year as you can ask for for any rookie head coach.

How many rookie head coaches have taken over a team .500 or worse and gotten them to the Conference Finals in their first year?

not very many and it usually things like David Blatt and the Cavs where Lebron James and Kevin Love join a team in the off season before that rookie coach takes over, though Frank Vogel did just do it with the Lakers (in fact won the championship as he took over for Walton and the 37-45 Lakers).

Jim O'Brien's 1st full season as coach would count, though he did coach more than half the season the year before, so that is a strange one.

Bill Fitch did it (thank you Larry).  Jerry West did it for the Lakers when he took over for Sharman in the mid-70's as well.

Neither Vogel or Fitch were rookie coaches

well that is true, I guess I was looking at first year with their team.  Blatt coached overseas so he probably wasn't technically a rookie head coach either, though he never had coached in the NBA.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

Boston should absolutely win the title at this point.  Anything less is a bad result and it isn't an overreaction to say it.  It won't mean the sky is falling or anything, but Boston needs to win the title this year.

Nah. They don't need to do anything. You want them to win. Let's not get the two confused.

[MarcusSmartFanClub]

One of this forum’s favorite things to do is to absurdly overreact to pretty much any negative outcome. Can we all collectively agree not to do this if we lose to the Heat?

Jayson Tatum was one of the best players in the entire NBA this year, Jaylen Brown had a great second half of the season, Marcus Smart was the DPOY and Ime Udoka had a massively successful first year as a coach. The team finished as the best defensive team in the NBA this year, while showcasing a strong offense as well. We swept the Nets and beat the defending champion Bucks. If we lose to the Heat, it does not mean we should blow it up, or that the Jays can’t play with each other or this team can’t win a title. It would just mean we lost a series.

So please, I’m begging the naysayers, just chill if the Celtics don’t win a title this year.

   One thing you can always count on as much as naysayers is people trying to paint themselves as more calm and rationale than other people who are just expressing their feelings in the moment. It’s an insecurity thing.

Nah, it's a maturity thing. Keeping one's cool during challenging times is learned behavior over the course of a lifetime.

I used to play golf with a guy that would go absolutely nuts when he made a mistake. Unfortunately, he wasn't scratch and made a couple mistakes a round, which would result in hysterics. We tolerated it for a bit, then finally started chirping/laughing at him when he wouldn't stop. His behavior did improve (then he moved away haha). His lack of awareness was not really "just expressing his feelings". There was more to it. He was actually influencing the experience of others.

I think Celticsblog forums are a great place to engage with other Celtics fans. I think feedback is the best way to learn about how one's actions are perceived. I think there is clear feedback that many Celtics fans were demonstrating petulant behavior during the first two series.