I know it may sound absurd to many but I still like this team and feel it can win the championship this season.
The blown leads, lack of rebounding, second half collapses, etc, are still unacceptable, frustrating to death, mind-boggling, etc, but I still feel good about our current team.
I think the break will do a lot of good to the Celtics, sometimes you struggle and know what your problems are but you can't fix until you get some break, some rest. It looks to me like the Celtics were (consciously or not) waiting for the break in these past few weeks.
Not making excuses for them, of course, their recent level of play is an abomination and inexcusable.
KG's health and Pierce's health will be key to our potential success, but I really think they will get better.
There are still a lot of positive things we've seen in the last few games... well, at least the bench is starting to get back to its early season level of play and that's a good thing. Marquis' return has been a big boost and Sheed spent 95% of his time in the post in the last game, with much success.
What I am saying is that, once again, the talent and all the pieces are here and finally we have all our players healthy. Well, Kevin and Paul are clearly more about 60% than 100%, but if they get better, I don't see why we couldn't get back to our early season form.
Our biggest problem has been our offense. Turnovers and poor shots, lack of ball movement are really due to a lack of focus, not of talent or due to age. Defensive struggles would be more worrisome because it would mean we don't have the "legs" to defend anymore but that's not the case.
The problem is physical for two of our Big Three, but mostly mental and a question of focus for the whole team.
Seeing Sheed going into the post on almost every possession he got the ball last night makes it clear that the team will probably get it going and change its attitude after the break.
It may sound silly to assume the team will get back on track because Sheed got back in the post but he is the perfect "barometer" of the team in my opinion. The guy is known for doing what he wants his entire career but after disastrous performances he finally accepted to use his strength for the good of the Celtics. This tells me that we will turn it on - hopefully just after the break.
No need for a big trade, Ray must stay a Celtic. Bringing another player won't suddenly cure all our problems and change the whole mentality or sloppiness of the team.
The break and a little more focus will do wonders in my opinion. Who is with me?
Topic: Despite the struggles, who is still confident? A much needed All-Star break (Read 9678 times)