Rant: why does it feel like we are not contenders? 23-15 since xmas

[wahz]

essentially a 49 win pace and going nowhere. hideous for a team pretending to be contenders, a defending champion?? Some defense of the title. My wife asked me if we were making the playoffs this year.

Do they realize how screwed up they are? It will help if they do.

Here is hoping for a streak into the playoffs and beyond. Those cle and Orl games loom large regardless of hca

[rondofan1255]

We'll feel like contenders when the playoffs have begun.

Hopefully 

[ACF]

If the Cavs were missing LBJ, D. West
and Big Z at the same time, they'd be
in pretty bad shape, too. Same with the
Lakers, if Kobe, Odom and Fisher were out.

If we're healthy, we'll be just fine.

[Roy Hobbs]

If the Cavs were missing LBJ, D. West
and Big Z at the same time, they'd be
in pretty bad shape, too. Same with the
Lakers, if Kobe, Odom and Fisher were out.

If we're healthy, we'll be just fine.

Yeah, exactly.  Without KG, Scal, Tony, and BBD, we're *not* contenders.  If we go into the playoffs with the lineup as it stands at this moment in time, we'll lose, most likely in the second round.

The good thing, though, is that we don't have to go into the playoffs with that lineup.  KG and BBD will be back soon, and Scal and Tony should be ready to go by the playoffs.

[twinbree]

Yeah 23-15 seems mediocre but they went 27-2 before that which was record breaking. I don't know why but I have a feeling the playoffs will be a cakewalk. They've dominated in statement games (I know they lost to the Lakers twice but when you abuse a team in the finals its probably hard to take them seriously).
I don't think they've played solid basketball in even half their games yet they've stayed in the race for the best record until half the rotation got injured. They are that good. At full strength they'll be tough to beat in a series.

[greenwise]

Well, we are contenders. The problem has been that it's been difficult to remain a team with so many injuries. Let's not forget that KG was wearing that brace on his leg way before that Utah game. Then Tony, Scal...

Wait until the playoffs, we'll be in full shape

[guava_wrench]

Yeah 23-15 seems mediocre but they went 27-2 before that which was record breaking. I don't know why but I have a feeling the playoffs will be a cakewalk. They've dominated in statement games (I know they lost to the Lakers twice but when you abuse a team in the finals its probably hard to take them seriously).
I don't think they've played solid basketball in even half their games yet they've stayed in the race for the best record until half the rotation got injured. They are that good. At full strength they'll be tough to beat in a series.

The reason why you feel that way is probably because you don't want to stress yourself. There really isn't much evidence to support the view of a cakewalk, but we would all be better off thinking that way. No need to stress for 2 months.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

I couldnt care less about 23-15 since christmas, it has nothing to do with anything, except putting people in panic and shock with a completetly useless record.. the celtics are 50-17...If you asked me before the season whether or not Id be suprised if the celtics were 50-17 in march,  Id say no.
Also, they really werent playing any better when they started 27-2..they were just healthy

[Who]

That 7 of 9 stretch right after the winning streak makes the Celtics record look very poor.

If not for that spell, the C's are 21 and 8. Which is a 59/60 win pace, and that's including this rough stretch when the C's have suffered a bunch of injuries.

[Chris]

I think we absolutely still feel like contenders. 

[drza44]

Yeah 23-15 seems mediocre but they went 27-2 before that which was record breaking. I don't know why but I have a feeling the playoffs will be a cakewalk. They've dominated in statement games (I know they lost to the Lakers twice but when you abuse a team in the finals its probably hard to take them seriously).
I don't think they've played solid basketball in even half their games yet they've stayed in the race for the best record until half the rotation got injured. They are that good. At full strength they'll be tough to beat in a series.

The reason why you feel that way is probably because you don't want to stress yourself. There really isn't much evidence to support the view of a cakewalk, but we would all be better off thinking that way. No need to stress for 2 months.

Evidence, no, but it wouldn't be unprecedented.  Blasphemy aside, this Celts squad reminds me a lot in caliber of the turn-of-the-century Lakers.  The '99-00 Lakers went 67 - 15 in the regular season, but barely eaked through the playoffs to win the title.  The next season, those Lakers dealt with injury absences for both Shaq and Kobe and only won 56 regular season games.  But they absolutely steam-rolled the playoffs with a 15 - 1 record once everyone was back, healthy, and on the same page.

I see a lot of similarities.  Last year's Cs steamrolled the regular season but had to struggle over the playoff hump to the title.  But I've long said that I expected this year's team to be dramatically stronger come playoff time (caveat injuries) because all of the guns have been through the war before and now can just go out and play.  If everyone is at full speed, I expect this team has an easier time in the playoffs this year than they had last year.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I hate losing games, but I'm quite enjoying the underdog angle some are putting on the Celtics. It makes winning games in the playoffs that much satisfying.

[nickagneta]

I'm not worried. Let's not forget that after last season ended the Celtics were only 16-10, a less than fabulous .640 winning percentage. Yet, it was still good enough to win a title. The Celtics will probably have a winning percentage of .750 or above for the year. 10 of the Celtics 17 NBA championship teams won the championship while having a winning percentage less than .750. Here are those years:

1957 44-28 .611 Best record in NBA
1959 50-22 .722 Best record in NBA
1961 57-22 .722 Best record in NBA
1963 58-22 .725 Best record in NBA
1964 59-21 .738 Best record in NBA
1966 54-26 .675 2nd best record in NBA
1968 54-28 .659 3rd best record in NBA
1969 48-34 .585 Tied 5th best record in NBA
1974 56-26 .683 2nd best record in NBA
1976 54-28 .659 2nd best record in NBA

As can be seen from the Celtics history, a winning percentage below .750 doesn't necessarliy mean they can't win the title. Not having the best record in the league necessarily means they won't win the title. They've done it before and this team has as much pride, grit and heart as those championship teams between 1966-1976. 5 times in 11 seasons the Celtics won a championship without owning the leagues best record or home court advantage. This is not an uncommon phenomenom. Have faith and don't worry about their record. They will be back and healthy soon and on their way to another title.

[PaulPierce34G]

The 2-7 9 game stretch after Xmas is what really blemishes the record.  I think we can all agree upon the fact that you can probably take back at least 3 or 4 of these losses had the roster been at 100%.  There are 15 games left, if they can put together an 11-4 or 12-3 mark, it will give a boost entering the playoffs.  Once KG, Davis, Scal & TA return and things start to work back in order after a few games, this will be the same team from the 27-2 run, in my opinion.

Outside of injuries, I def think some of the hunger isn't there as it was last yr.  Last year they were on a real mission, and typically, its human nature to not desire something as much once you obtain it.  I'm not saying they have 0 hunger, but last year certainly had a different feel to it. I think last year, for me, was more fun, it was the debut season of the Big 3, they were focused on getting number 17, and they were just the team to beat...they had a juggernaut.  This season, I believe provides for a more suspenseful playoff atmosphere.  Last playoffs was all about road woes.  I think this year will be deeper than that.  There are 4 legitimate title contenders (5 if you count Orlando, but I don't think they are over that hump just yet)...anyone can really take it this year. The Celtics/Lakers rematch, I think will be a more difficult challenge...not just because Bynum will probably be back in action, but because the Lakers are a better team this year, they are playing good basketball, & they have that confidence from the 2 meetings this season that they can play with the Celtics. I can definitely see a 7 game series. Let's hope for some good basketball.  The C's will work everything out, they will use whatever gasa they have left to make that playoff run.

[Carhole]

essentially a 49 win pace and going nowhere. hideous for a team pretending to be contenders, a defending champion?? Some defense of the title. My wife asked me if we were making the playoffs this year.

Do they realize how screwed up they are? It will help if they do.

Here is hoping for a streak into the playoffs and beyond. Those cle and Orl games loom large regardless of hca

It is called regression to the mean + injuries. That is it. If you have watched us play orlando, LA and Cleveland and do not believe we are "contenders" well, that is just the ultimate in pessimism.

We played the lakers to the final minute (plus an overtime) in our two games, we are 2 and 1 against the Cavs with both teams having a 10+ victory and Orlando is a joke agains us. We will destroy Orlando in a playoff series if we are healthy no matter who has the HCA.

My feeling is, it sure is frustrating to watch them struggle through this but if we are healthy either the Cavs find a way to knock us out in 7 or we are bringing home 18.

Health + 13 or less turnovers a game and The C's are the most likely team to win the title.