Overreacting to the losses?

[EJPLAYA]

I am looking back at posts and thoughts I have had since they went through this rough patch and am starting to wonder if I am not just overreacting to what is actually happening here. Let's look at a couple things...

Realistically we should have lost to the Lakers. They are a great team as well and it was in their building on Christmas with us coming across the country. That really didn't surprise me. Golden State did indeed surprise me as I thought we would come out and crush them, but once again we were on the road and it was a back to back.

We responded to these losses by coming and out destroying a poor Kings team and the world is right again. Then we go up to Portland and play against a young hungry team that is very long and athletic that matches up against us well like the Hawks do. Was that loss on their home floor at the end of a tough road trip that surprising? It was a close game and our dead legs started to show at the end. We had some matchup issues with their size...

Then we come home and destroy the Wizards. Another great response. The Knicks did surprise me but they had a couple guys on fire and got some home cooking with the calls which allowed them to pull it out. If it wasn't for some horrible three point shooting by Ray we win this game I think. Even with as bad as we played.

Last year we had bad (unexpected) losses to Philly, Golden State, Toronto, Washington, and Charlotte. We lost 3 out of 4 in Mid January and then 3 in a row in Mid February. So we have had 2 bad losses this year. Is it possible that things aren't near as bad as they seem and this will all be a moot point come playoff time?

[cordobes]

Well, kind of..

I don't see much of a difference between what's happening now and what happened in the first 30 games, except that currently the other teams are closing out games.

People can call Hollinger dumb and a hater, but our record was better than the play. Teams generally don't win much more than half of their close games, the exception in the history of the NBA are very few. At some point during this season, we were 12-1 in that kind of games or something ridiculous like that, we were bond to come down to earth. There's a reason why statistical oddities are called like that, they don't happen often.

[Donoghus]

Oh yeah, there's plenty of overreaction.  That's just the nature of being a sports fan. 

Some fans handle the losing better than others. 

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Well, kind of..

I don't see much of a difference between what's happening now and what happened in the first 30 games, except that currently the other teams are closing out games.

People can call Hollinger dumb and a hater, but our record was better than the play. Teams generally don't win much more than half of their close games, the exception in the history of the NBA are very few. At some point during this season, we were 12-1 in that kind of games or something ridiculous like that, we were bond to come down to earth. There's a reason why statistical oddities are called like that, they don't happen often.

Exactly, this team isnt in a "slide", other teams are just starting to play better. and teams are really gonna give us there best shot the 2nd time they play us, because there sick of our trash talking and taunting, it just motivates them more

[Chris]

Well, kind of..

I don't see much of a difference between what's happening now and what happened in the first 30 games, except that currently the other teams are closing out games.

People can call Hollinger dumb and a hater, but our record was better than the play. Teams generally don't win much more than half of their close games, the exception in the history of the NBA are very few. At some point during this season, we were 12-1 in that kind of games or something ridiculous like that, we were bond to come down to earth. There's a reason why statistical oddities are called like that, they don't happen often.

Exactly, this team isnt in a "slide", other teams are just starting to play better. and teams are really gonna give us there best shot the 2nd time they play us, because there sick of our trash talking and taunting, it just motivates them more

I don't know, I think the C's are playing worse.  They are playing like they did the first week or two of the year...but without the extra gear that they were using in the second half of those games. 

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Well, kind of..

I don't see much of a difference between what's happening now and what happened in the first 30 games, except that currently the other teams are closing out games.

People can call Hollinger dumb and a hater, but our record was better than the play. Teams generally don't win much more than half of their close games, the exception in the history of the NBA are very few. At some point during this season, we were 12-1 in that kind of games or something ridiculous like that, we were bond to come down to earth. There's a reason why statistical oddities are called like that, they don't happen often.

Exactly, this team isnt in a "slide", other teams are just starting to play better. and teams are really gonna give us there best shot the 2nd time they play us, because there sick of our trash talking and taunting, it just motivates them more

I don't know, I think the C's are playing worse.  They are playing like they did the first week or two of the year...but without the extra gear that they were using in the second half of those games. 

Perk and Rondo arent playing as well, other than that not much has changed

[Redz]

Until they've lost the 4th game of a playoff series I'll feel plenty confident with the Celts.

I'm not happy with them losing, but the sky is not falling.

[EJPLAYA]

Well, kind of..

I don't see much of a difference between what's happening now and what happened in the first 30 games, except that currently the other teams are closing out games.

People can call Hollinger dumb and a hater, but our record was better than the play. Teams generally don't win much more than half of their close games, the exception in the history of the NBA are very few. At some point during this season, we were 12-1 in that kind of games or something ridiculous like that, we were bond to come down to earth. There's a reason why statistical oddities are called like that, they don't happen often.

Exactly, this team isnt in a "slide", other teams are just starting to play better. and teams are really gonna give us there best shot the 2nd time they play us, because there sick of our trash talking and taunting, it just motivates them more

I don't know, I think the C's are playing worse.  They are playing like they did the first week or two of the year...but without the extra gear that they were using in the second half of those games. 

That is the only part that makes me question this. We were flat out blowing teams out last year for much of the season. Especially the bad ones. This year we seem to be building the 10-15 pt lead instead of the 20-25 point lead which gives teams hope. That isn't very tough to come back on. Last year our bench was also doing a better job of keeping and often extending the leads. This year if it is a wash when they come out it is surprising. I do think our bench isn't as good. We tend to look for the 1-1 play no matter who is shooting it vs team ball. I remember feeling this way though last year like things were falling apart, so hopefully we gel again. I think we either need to focus on a trade or signing of a couple guys to get better, or we need a lot more of Gabe and possibly POB (I know many don't agree on that one) to see if we can't shake that second unit up a bit. Even if it is just to teach them a lesson.

[Andy Jick]

some losses you walk away from feeling confident...you hate the loss, but you understand that it came down to a few plays / few bad breaks.

the other kind of losses are the ones you walk away from baffled and feeling defeated.

i guess we'll see how this team responds...i'm not "concerned" just yet, but if things don't show signs of improvement then i think there's a legitimate reaction to all this.

[winsomme]

i think this is simple. I think we are missing Posey right now. Or more to the point, we are missing a guy off the bench that could give the team a spark. We need it.

I'm not gonna sit here and bash the talent level of the bench. They were all essentially here last year and played well.

But what we are missing is a guy who can come in and really change a game. Posey did that. He did it by making plays and he did it with his attidude. There was an edge to his game that just isn't there on the bench right now.

Right now, the bench is simply trying to hold water when they are in there. Most of the time that's all they need to do. but are in a stretch where we need something more from the bench. We need that little bit extra that Pose gave us.

Regardless, we need an injection of something different at the moment. Many want Gabe, but to me the only way that works it to play him at backup PG and that gives less time to Eddie who IMO is one of the bench guys i don't want to see less of...

so to me, unless there is a personnel move soon to happen, i would bring up Giddens or Walker (whoever is playing better) and give him some PT....see what happens.

not ideal, but i think worth a shot just to change it up a little. The team just seems a little stale and the starters worn down by having to carry a heavier load.

[JR Giddens]

Atleast were not losing these games on our homecourt. I'm not expecting the Celtics to sweep any teams in the playoffs lol.

[nickagneta]

Of course people are over reacting!!!

After starting 27-2 after 29 games they have lost 4 of 6. But last year, after starting 29-3 after 32 games, they lost 5 of their next 10 games.

I said last year that it was the season's ebb and flow and nothing else, that teams will become tired or sick with the flu for a period and until they recover from that they can struggle. I caught hell for sticking by that statement for a few weeks, especially from one particular poster. But I was right as the team then went on another prolonged winning streak.

I don't think this is any different. They've gone west once. They've played the most games in the league. They've played a ton of back to backs already, more than most teams. So they lost a few games, so what! It's the season's ebb and flow and the Celtics will return to their winning and dominating ways soon enough.

They are just way too good of a team to think anything else would be a possibility without a major injury happening.

[BballTim]

Well, kind of..

I don't see much of a difference between what's happening now and what happened in the first 30 games, except that currently the other teams are closing out games.

People can call Hollinger dumb and a hater, but our record was better than the play. Teams generally don't win much more than half of their close games, the exception in the history of the NBA are very few. At some point during this season, we were 12-1 in that kind of games or something ridiculous like that, we were bond to come down to earth. There's a reason why statistical oddities are called like that, they don't happen often.

Exactly, this team isnt in a "slide", other teams are just starting to play better. and teams are really gonna give us there best shot the 2nd time they play us, because there sick of our trash talking and taunting, it just motivates them more

I don't know, I think the C's are playing worse.  They are playing like they did the first week or two of the year...but without the extra gear that they were using in the second half of those games. 

That is the only part that makes me question this. We were flat out blowing teams out last year for much of the season. Especially the bad ones. This year we seem to be building the 10-15 pt lead instead of the 20-25 point lead which gives teams hope. That isn't very tough to come back on. Last year our bench was also doing a better job of keeping and often extending the leads. This year if it is a wash when they come out it is surprising. I do think our bench isn't as good. We tend to look for the 1-1 play no matter who is shooting it vs team ball. I remember feeling this way though last year like things were falling apart, so hopefully we gel again. I think we either need to focus on a trade or signing of a couple guys to get better, or we need a lot more of Gabe and possibly POB (I know many don't agree on that one) to see if we can't shake that second unit up a bit. Even if it is just to teach them a lesson.

  I wonder if everyone's just spoiled. We're 29-6. Last year at this time we were 30-5. Our point differential is the same as it was. The big 3 are playing the same minutes they were playing last year. Our defense is about as good as it was.

[Chris]

Well, kind of..

I don't see much of a difference between what's happening now and what happened in the first 30 games, except that currently the other teams are closing out games.

People can call Hollinger dumb and a hater, but our record was better than the play. Teams generally don't win much more than half of their close games, the exception in the history of the NBA are very few. At some point during this season, we were 12-1 in that kind of games or something ridiculous like that, we were bond to come down to earth. There's a reason why statistical oddities are called like that, they don't happen often.

Exactly, this team isnt in a "slide", other teams are just starting to play better. and teams are really gonna give us there best shot the 2nd time they play us, because there sick of our trash talking and taunting, it just motivates them more

I don't know, I think the C's are playing worse.  They are playing like they did the first week or two of the year...but without the extra gear that they were using in the second half of those games. 

That is the only part that makes me question this. We were flat out blowing teams out last year for much of the season. Especially the bad ones. This year we seem to be building the 10-15 pt lead instead of the 20-25 point lead which gives teams hope. That isn't very tough to come back on. Last year our bench was also doing a better job of keeping and often extending the leads. This year if it is a wash when they come out it is surprising. I do think our bench isn't as good. We tend to look for the 1-1 play no matter who is shooting it vs team ball. I remember feeling this way though last year like things were falling apart, so hopefully we gel again. I think we either need to focus on a trade or signing of a couple guys to get better, or we need a lot more of Gabe and possibly POB (I know many don't agree on that one) to see if we can't shake that second unit up a bit. Even if it is just to teach them a lesson.

  I wonder if everyone's just spoiled. We're 29-6. Last year at this time we were 30-5. Our point differential is the same as it was. The big 3 are playing the same minutes they were playing last year. Our defense is about as good as it was.

The same reactions happened last year when they went on their slide in January.  I am sure being spoiled is part of it, but really it is just being a sportsfan in general.  Anytime your team (or a player on it) goes into a noticable slump compared to their norm, it is going to lead to overreactions.

[ManUp]

Some people are and some recognize it as we still have a lot ot improve on. There are obviously some problems with the team right now. This team is too good, to drop 4 out of 6 to mediocre teams. We have a lot of things we can improve, and we can't just dismiss these losses. Some of are losses we gave away with poor effort, and some of them the other team went out and took. We are not invincible as some fans would have you think, and the losses do deserve some type of reaction.