what will it take to beat LA sunday?

[celticinorlando]

i sure hope they rise to the occasion tomorrow...i they cant get up for the lakers then there is no hope

[RebusRankin]

We need a win (Celticsblog)

[angryguy77]

I'm at a loss as to what to think of this team. One side says that its only Jan and I agree with that to an extent. But they havn't played championship style ball except for a couple short periods this season. They just look slow and confused right now. If it's age then they need to blow it up, if it's just them not taking this part of the season serious enough, then we will find out come april. But the part that bothers me is that I don't think we will find out until its too late...

I still believe that they have the team to win it all. But with each loss and close win, my confidence slides more and more. I have to say this will be one of the biggest disappointments for me regarding a team that I've ever had. I had very high expections going into this season like most here. But this story is not playing out the way I thought it would have so far. I guess I'm on the fence with this one.

Beat LA and thats a step in the right direction. If they win, I predict a turn around for the team. I believe a win will flip the switch and they will get back to playing their game.
If they lose, well it's not the final nail, but I believe they will continue to struggle.


Now lets beat these title renters and send the league a message that the Celtics are BACK!

[ManUp]

we have nobody to match up with bryant...ray allen has been abused by average guards on defense this year.

then Houston we may have a problem...actually i worry about Shannon Brown almost as much but i think Doc and assistants will game plan for Kobe and team.

Our team defense owned him in the Finals. That's the thing about this team defense: it can be geared to slow down guys like Lebron or Kobe.

Yes, but we haven't seen that type of defense since opening day. Our team defense seems to have gotten a bit lazy. Our guards are allowing too much penetration and the help defender isn't always on time.

[CoachBo]

we have nobody to match up with bryant...ray allen has been abused by average guards on defense this year.

then Houston we may have a problem...actually i worry about Shannon Brown almost as much but i think Doc and assistants will game plan for Kobe and team.

Our team defense owned him in the Finals. That's the thing about this team defense: it can be geared to slow down guys like Lebron or Kobe.

Yes, but we haven't seen that type of defense since opening day. Our team defense seems to have gotten a bit lazy. Our guards are allowing too much penetration and the help defender isn't always on time.

Correct. Our guard defense is terrible.

[jdpapa3]

Our defense is still rated first in the league. It is not the area where this team is struggling, imo. And our defense is so effective because of the wall behind the guards.

[snively]

Our defense is still rated first in the league. It is not the area where this team is struggling, imo. And our defense is so effective because of the wall behind the guards.

Agreed, we've been pretty effective defensively, although certainly not to the level seen in the championship season. 

Our biggest problem will be scoring against the Lakers.  Kobe/Artest/Odom are very tough defensively, especially defending pick and rolls, and Bynum/Gasol are effective paint defenders.  I'm hoping Rondo has a good and prolific shooting night, because otherwise we'll be pulling teeth to generate good looks.

[arctic 3.0]

with a deep pain in my heart I have to say we can't beat them

Same here. I really don't see the outcome being a win for us.

Non-believers

just sprinkle a little cool aid on the parquet and our power ranking magically improves