I wish the Celtics would have told me...

[PosImpos]

...that they were going on vacation.

This feels just like last year around this time.

[rav123]

To be fair, they were missing both Pierce and KG (against a team that had already beaten them last year). If Rondo had made two free throws, they would have won the Clippers game. Complacency after a too-good 1st quarter did them in against the Warriors (it was still close though).

[ManUp]

I don't think this team is where it needs to be to win a championship. This is not reactionary I've been feeling this way for a while now. Our defense has been up to par, and KG hasn't been the superstar player we need him to be. In my opinion, our team has shifted focus more towards offense although we are getting the "defense first" lip service. This team reminds me of those Pistons teams from a few years back(runner ups living off their past success) and I don't like it.

[Bahku]

No Pierce, no KG ... 'nuf said.

[PosImpos]

No Pierce, no KG ... 'nuf said.

That's true; when I made this post I didn't realize KG didn't play tonight (I didn't watch the game).

Still, the rest of the team clearly didn't play with much focus or intensity, and the last couple of games were atrocious when we were only missing Pierce.  I just feel like this team has decided to take a mental vacation until January - just like they did last year.

[Bahku]

No Pierce, no KG ... 'nuf said.

That's true; when I made this post I didn't realize KG didn't play tonight (I didn't watch the game).

Still, the rest of the team clearly didn't play with much focus or intensity, and the last couple of games were atrocious when we were only missing Pierce.  I just feel like this team has decided to take a mental vacation until January - just like they did last year.

Yeah ... you're right, and I didn't mean to lessen your OP in any way, Pos. They've had a similar lapse for the last three years ... I don't know if it's a post-holiday thing or just a down period, but their heads and hearts were obviously not in it, despite missing the big guys. (TP)

[KJ33]

I don't think this team is where it needs to be to win a championship. This is not reactionary I've been feeling this way for a while now. Our defense has been up to par, and KG hasn't been the superstar player we need him to be. In my opinion, our team has shifted focus more towards offense although we are getting the "defense first" lip service. This team reminds me of those Pistons teams from a few years back(runner ups living off their past success) and I don't like it.

You're right, they're nowhere near where they need to be to win a championship.  And how would they be?  The season is not even half over.  The point is, they don't need to be near that point right now, I suspect many would be having the "peaking too soon" anxiety attack if they were.  Also, given that KG and Paul are out, the team without them will be nowhere near a championship, ever.  I personally don't think the Pistons analogy is apt at all.  You really think the way the Celtics are playing reflects them living off of past success?

[ChainSmokingLikeDino]

...that they were going on vacation.

This feels just like last year around this time.

And the sky keeps on falling...over and over...

[dark_lord]

...that they were going on vacation.

This feels just like last year around this time.

no pierce, no kg, no bbd, no marquis, and a banged up rondo


they have yet to have their entire squad healthy and playing together this season. 

[celticinorlando]

all those injuries and no real bench players...remember they lost 7 of 10 last season at this same time

[GreenFaith1819]

I don't think this team is where it needs to be to win a championship. This is not reactionary I've been feeling this way for a while now. Our defense has been up to par, and KG hasn't been the superstar player we need him to be. In my opinion, our team has shifted focus more towards offense although we are getting the "defense first" lip service. This team reminds me of those Pistons teams from a few years back(runner ups living off their past success) and I don't like it.

Well, don't forget KG won Player of the Week this season. Remember that hot stretch he had that started with the buzzer beater in NY? Guy went and torched several teams right after that in getting player of the week. Seemed like he couldn't miss. And even when he cooled off, he played sound defense - the type that may not show up in the box score.

KG's not done. Nor are the Celtics.

[Donoghus]

When you're this short-staffed, every game is going to be a struggle.  I don't think people on the team are checking out or anything.  I just really think the injury bug is killing this team right now.  Facing a team the caliber of Phoenix tends to expose this shortcoming a lot more than a Clippers or Warriors game.   

[ManUp]

I don't think this team is where it needs to be to win a championship. This is not reactionary I've been feeling this way for a while now. Our defense has been up to par, and KG hasn't been the superstar player we need him to be. In my opinion, our team has shifted focus more towards offense although we are getting the "defense first" lip service. This team reminds me of those Pistons teams from a few years back(runner ups living off their past success) and I don't like it.

You're right, they're nowhere near where they need to be to win a championship.  And how would they be?  The season is not even half over.  The point is, they don't need to be near that point right now, I suspect many would be having the "peaking too soon" anxiety attack if they were.  Also, given that KG and Paul are out, the team without them will be nowhere near a championship, ever.  I personally don't think the Pistons analogy is apt at all.  You really think the way the Celtics are playing reflects them living off of past success?

I don't expect a team without Paul and KG do be near championship caliber. Like I said in my OP it's not a reactionary post to last nights game. I've been feeling this way for a while. I'm talking about what I've seen from this team throughout the season, not based on last night. They're are similar to the Pistons in the way that they coast through games like they're going through the motions and think they can turn it on when they like. This team gives me the vibe that they're just waiting for the play-offs and that's what I don't like.

[QuinielaBox]

All teams go through stretches of bad basketball. Ours happens to be around this time of year when key players are out of the lineup and our opponents are suddenly sharp.

Perkins looked like he was tagged for 5 fouls before coming out of the visiting locker room in Phoenix the other night.

[housecall]

Even though there are players hurt and we haven't had a team full strength in awhile,i feel Danny need to make some moves to strengthen the bench before playoff time.Rasheed scares me and we still need a decent backup sf and another rebounder.