Why Bother Trying to Win Any Games?

[vinnie]

I read so many comments on this board that read like the following: "Why should the Celtics bother to try and win these games during the regular season? They don't matter. It's only January, etc. etc. etc."  So, my question is, why do they bother to try to win any games? This attitude bothers me, as a season ticketholder, as much as anything I read on this board, and it is why I am seriously considering giving up these tickets, as well as buying tickets for any pro sporting events. It's the "screw the fans" attitude, and I am tired of it.

[BballTim]

I read so many comments on this board that read like the following: "Why should the Celtics bother to try and win these games during the regular season? They don't matter. It's only January, etc. etc. etc."  So, my question is, why do they bother to try to win any games? This attitude bothers me, as a season ticketholder, as much as anything I read on this board, and it is why I am seriously considering giving up these tickets, as well as buying tickets for any pro sporting events. It's the "screw the fans" attitude, and I am tired of it.

   You're going to give up your tix because of comments on a message board? Go for it. You'll have no problem unloading them after KG's back and the team starts winning again.

[GreenFaith1819]

I read so many comments on this board that read like the following: "Why should the Celtics bother to try and win these games during the regular season? They don't matter. It's only January, etc. etc. etc."  So, my question is, why do they bother to try to win any games? This attitude bothers me, as a season ticketholder, as much as anything I read on this board, and it is why I am seriously considering giving up these tickets, as well as buying tickets for any pro sporting events. It's the "screw the fans" attitude, and I am tired of it.

No, Vinnie..it's not just you.

Read some of my posts from some of the threads on this morning..while I still believe that Our Celtics will win Banner 18 this June, I am voicing a little more concern about them than I have before.

I had even stated a few hours ago in a thread from this morning that maybe Sheed's mindset of not really caring until the playoffs has rubbed off on the team..I even read somewhere that Pierce stated this about the regular season.

As I (and many other Celtics Fans) recall, we absolutely tore through the league the last two yrs..and now for us to be sputtering is truly baffling to me.

And yes the injury thing has had an effect on us, but I am in agreement with you that it appears as if the Celtics are not imposing their will on teams as much as the last few seasons.

They can't blame it on lack of KG.

I had even mentioned that if someone paid me several million a year to play I certainly wouldn't mail in the regular season.

Hang in there, Vinnie. Let's take a snapshot of the next few weeks...and even then look towards March and April. Celtics still have some time to turn this around, but they need to put forth more effort.

The lack of effort I am seeing along with the rest of you will definitely bite us in the rear ends come playoffs if we are not careful.

But in the end...no Celtics Team in my memory has EVER not given the effort when it mattered the most - that's one reason why I am a Celtics Diehard. Yes every game matters, though, and I believe they'll get through this.


I've never been to a Celtics game, but I would be upset like you if I was in your position.

Even funnier is that my 11 yr old son is seeing a lot of the same stuff many of us are seeing..lack of effort, not able to close teams out.

But he is still (like dear old Dad) of the belief that Boston will get through this.

[Chris]

I think you are reading what you want to read.  While many of us are preaching patience, because it is a long season with a lot of up and downs, I have not seen anyone say that the games are not important.

As a season ticket holder myself, it kills me that they are losing all of these games, but that does not change the fact that this team is built for the postseason, and to be suggesting that they should blow things up during a rough patch in January may be a little overkill IMO.

[vinnie]

I read so many comments on this board that read like the following: "Why should the Celtics bother to try and win these games during the regular season? They don't matter. It's only January, etc. etc. etc."  So, my question is, why do they bother to try to win any games? This attitude bothers me, as a season ticketholder, as much as anything I read on this board, and it is why I am seriously considering giving up these tickets, as well as buying tickets for any pro sporting events. It's the "screw the fans" attitude, and I am tired of it.

   You're going to give up your tix because of comments on a message board? Go for it. You'll have no problem unloading them after KG's back and the team starts winning again.

No, I am considering not spending money on pro sports anymore because the players simply do not care and for the most part you get meidocre effort for most of the games. And at $90 a ticket (at least for the Celtics) it is getting close to not being worth it anymore.

[vinnie]

I think you are reading what you want to read.  While many of us are preaching patience, because it is a long season with a lot of up and downs, I have not seen anyone say that the games are not important.

As a season ticket holder myself, it kills me that they are losing all of these games, but that does not change the fact that this team is built for the postseason, and to be suggesting that they should blow things up during a rough patch in January may be a little overkill IMO.

I have read many posts urging the Celtics to rest Garnett longer, to rest Pierce, Allen and Rondo, to coast for the next few months, and on and on and on and on. It really angers me as a guy who has had half-season tickets for 10 years and who is spending almost $4,000 a year for the regular season. I would not give up my tickets because of the comments, but because I feel that pro sports are getting to the point where they are just not worth it anymore.

I am spending a lot more time taking my son to college hockey and basketball games and for somewhere between $20 - $30 total per game, we are having a much better time.

[Chris]

I read so many comments on this board that read like the following: "Why should the Celtics bother to try and win these games during the regular season? They don't matter. It's only January, etc. etc. etc."  So, my question is, why do they bother to try to win any games? This attitude bothers me, as a season ticketholder, as much as anything I read on this board, and it is why I am seriously considering giving up these tickets, as well as buying tickets for any pro sporting events. It's the "screw the fans" attitude, and I am tired of it.

   You're going to give up your tix because of comments on a message board? Go for it. You'll have no problem unloading them after KG's back and the team starts winning again.

No, I am considering not spending money on pro sports anymore because the players simply do not care and for the most part you get meidocre effort for most of the games. And at $90 a ticket (at least for the Celtics) it is getting close to not being worth it anymore.

Well, that is your choice.  Personally, I think Boston fans are spoiled as hell right now, and it showing.  Our team has the third best record in the league, despite having one of their best players miss a ton of games.  But we are panicking, and ready to blow it up over a bad stretch in the middle of January?  Come on now.  

If you really think that the spoiled pro athletes (now that's something new) are reason to give up your seats, then fine, maybe it will let me move up a few rows.  Yeah, perhaps it will be frustrating at times, but I still enjoy the games, even if my team is not winning.  

[Chris]

I am spending a lot more time taking my son to college hockey and basketball games and for somewhere between $20 - $30 total per game, we are having a much better time.

Well, I can completely understand that.  Personally, I can't stand college sports, because I like to see elite skills, but I can certainly understand the draw of players really putting themselves out there, and the energy that college sports has. 

Its a personal thing, and I would never try to argue with you about which is better.  I think both have their positives and negatives, and it just depends on what you care about more. 

I have read many posts urging the Celtics to rest Garnett longer, to rest Pierce, Allen and Rondo, to coast for the next few months, and on and on and on and on.

OK, I can understand this frustration.  It drives me nuts when people post about playing the kids more, just because they are there.  Doc is trying to win games, as he should.  But really, I think there are productive ways to argue against these kind of statements, rather than just making broad statements about people not caring about the games.

[vinnie]

I am spending a lot more time taking my son to college hockey and basketball games and for somewhere between $20 - $30 total per game, we are having a much better time.

Well, I can completely understand that.  Personally, I can't stand college sports, because I like to see elite skills, but I can certainly understand the draw of players really putting themselves out there, and the energy that college sports has. 

Its a personal thing, and I would never try to argue with you about which is better.  I think both have their positives and negatives, and it just depends on what you care about more. 

In college sports, the players care and actually want to win every game they play. They don't have big paychecks and endorsements. College hockey, especially, is so much better than the pro game that it cannot even be measured.

[Fafnir]

I am spending a lot more time taking my son to college hockey and basketball games and for somewhere between $20 - $30 total per game, we are having a much better time.

Well, I can completely understand that.  Personally, I can't stand college sports, because I like to see elite skills, but I can certainly understand the draw of players really putting themselves out there, and the energy that college sports has. 

Its a personal thing, and I would never try to argue with you about which is better.  I think both have their positives and negatives, and it just depends on what you care about more. 

In college sports, the players care and actually want to win every game they play. They don't have big paychecks and endorsements. College hockey, especially, is so much better than the pro game that it cannot even be measured.

You haven't been watching USC football much then...

I think motivation is overplayed.

[BballTim]

I think you are reading what you want to read.  While many of us are preaching patience, because it is a long season with a lot of up and downs, I have not seen anyone say that the games are not important.

As a season ticket holder myself, it kills me that they are losing all of these games, but that does not change the fact that this team is built for the postseason, and to be suggesting that they should blow things up during a rough patch in January may be a little overkill IMO.

I have read many posts urging the Celtics to rest Garnett longer, to rest Pierce, Allen and Rondo, to coast for the next few months, and on and on and on and on. It really angers me as a guy who has had half-season tickets for 10 years and who is spending almost $4,000 a year for the regular season. I would not give up my tickets because of the comments, but because I feel that pro sports are getting to the point where they are just not worth it anymore.

I am spending a lot more time taking my son to college hockey and basketball games and for somewhere between $20 - $30 total per game, we are having a much better time.

  I take my kids to see the Revolution at Gillette. Tix are under $20, parking is free, no huge traffic headaches and it's about 15 minutes from my house. Great time, unfortunately I'm running low on kids that want to go to the games.

[Chris]

I am spending a lot more time taking my son to college hockey and basketball games and for somewhere between $20 - $30 total per game, we are having a much better time.

Well, I can completely understand that.  Personally, I can't stand college sports, because I like to see elite skills, but I can certainly understand the draw of players really putting themselves out there, and the energy that college sports has. 

Its a personal thing, and I would never try to argue with you about which is better.  I think both have their positives and negatives, and it just depends on what you care about more. 

In college sports, the players care and actually want to win every game they play. They don't have big paychecks and endorsements. College hockey, especially, is so much better than the pro game that it cannot even be measured.

In your opinion.

In my opinion, I would much rather watch a group of the most talented and skilled players in the world give 90% effort, then a bunch of kids who are going to be pumping gas in 2 years give 110%.  But to each his own.  I completely understand that appeal of college sports, but for whatever reason it bores the hell out of me.