Anyone else have more hope?

[Evantime34]

I was feeling terrible about the team going into the all star break. With the Nate trade and two wins in a row I am now feeling better.

Nate will bring energy that should help the second unit.

In both the Lakers game and the Kings game we did our usual 4th quarter scoring drought thing but ended up hanging on for the win. I think the effect of hanging on to win those games that they blew the lead on is mental. These two wins could lead to them not blowing leads at all.

What most impressed me, was last night vs LA. They withstood the charge and then won the game with defense. KG played a lot better than he has been recently (minus the missed shots at the end).

These two games reminded me of earlier in the season, before Christmas. The first game the 1st unit played poorly and the second unit picked them up. The second game the second unit played poorly but the first unit overcame that. I feel like this happened a lot early in the season when we were winning games.

So I'm now feeling better about the team, who's with me?

[wdleehi]

Unless Nate can fix KG, then I at the same level of hope I was before.

[fairweatherfan]

With you.  The last month or so has been pretty painful to watch, but as (I think) Doug Collins said, you get the vibe that the team is seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and is starting to gear up for the playoffs. 

If this team was ever gonna suck it was going to be midseason.  And remember even during that awful stretch we were routinely running up big leads on good teams.  We blew most of those big leads, but it's more promising to get a lead and collapse than to be outclassed for the entire game. 

I think this West Coast trip, and the Cleveland game next week, can be a turning point for the season.  Even if we don't sweep all these games, consistent effort and execution will give me more hope going forward.

[Mike-Dub]

I was feeling terrible about the team going into the all star break. With the Nate trade and two wins in a row I am now feeling better.

Nate will bring energy that should help the second unit.

In both the Lakers game and the Kings game we did our usual 4th quarter scoring drought thing but ended up hanging on for the win. I think the effect of hanging on to win those games that they blew the lead on is mental. These two wins could lead to them not blowing leads at all.

What most impressed me, was last night vs LA. They withstood the charge and then won the game with defense. KG played a lot better than he has been recently (minus the missed shots at the end).

These two games reminded me of earlier in the season, before Christmas. The first game the 1st unit played poorly and the second unit picked them up. The second game the second unit played poorly but the first unit overcame that. I feel like this happened a lot early in the season when we were winning games.

So I'm now feeling better about the team, who's with me?

Never lost it and never will!

[GreenFaith1819]

I'm with you, Evantime.

All I know is that my 11 y.o. son had that same look of enthusiasm about us getting Nate as he did back in the summer of 2007...he sees something in Nate. Boy lit up like a Christmas tree about it. He hated to see Eddie go, but he's excited about the acquisition...even moreso about the LA win.

And the LA fanboys can't cry too much...they barely beat us in Boston, without Marquis Daniels to make Kobe miss a few more shots.

Heck Yeah I have hope...always did. Now we just have to keep KG patched up, lol.


Oh - and the few who doubted Perk? The man held his own against maybe the toughest frontline in the NBA.

Do your thing, Big Fella!!!

[Birdbrain]

Sure, if you watched the game last night you had to be somewhat happy about how KG was moving.  Perkins was back from his 4 game coma.  Perkins bogart of Gasol was classic.

It was nice to see Ray have a good shooting game not too mention a dunk on Brown lol.

[Fred Roberts]

EVANTIME34 ... TP. I was just thinking the same thing as you.

KG looked a lot better last night, and Doc is actually limiting his minutes.

For the most part, we have everyone back and are healthy and ready to pick up momentum. It's all about peaking at the right time, anyways!

Baby & Marquis will heat up and round into form. Sheed has a bit more bounce in his step.

After this road trip, we have a ton of home games through March, and things could start rocking a little bit in the Garden. We are still a top 5 or top 10 team, and that hasn't been the case very often since Larry Bird has in town. This is not a bad place to be.

[Greenbean]

I always remain hopeful. KG looked spry last night. let's see how he reacts to a back to back roadie. If he is jumpind tonight like he was last night, Ill be pumped.

[makaveli]

KG looked as healthy as ever last night, and I really feel like we took care of rebounding, especially in the 1st, hope it wasn't a one night thing

[chief3233]

I was going to post the exact same type of thread. I loved the energy the Celtics brought to the Staples Center last night. It was a very encouraging game (even though Mr. 24 didn't play). I think Ray is going to play to prove the haters and all the people that wanted him gone wrong. Rondo is just on an unbelievable tear this season, and Perk showed some great poise last night (I loved that putback slam). KG and Pierce will continue to improve, but they definetily showed they killer instinct last night. If they can stay healthy, I truly do like this teams' odd.

[Birdbrain]

I always remain hopeful. KG looked spry last night. let's see how he reacts to a back to back roadie. If he is jumpind tonight like he was last night, Ill be pumped.

Yeah that will be interesting to note. 

[lon3lytoaster]

KG looked good last night, moved real well and was aggressive on offense. If he can bring that in the playoffs, I'll feel pretty good.

I still don't think Orlando can beat us when we're on our game and Cleveland is a maybe, the only thing that makes me sweat is Atlanta's athleticism.

[Mike-Dub]

KG did look healthy last night but the only concerning thing was his jumpshots at the end of the game, but I think those were just a matter of him missing them and nothing else.

[ScoobyDoo]

Good post, TP Evantime and yes, I am more hopeful. Though, I will say I remained hopeful all year, I just have mostly thought we needed to get healthy.

All the injureis we've had to key guys?
Only four games back of the Lakers?
Only 6 games back of the Cavs, with three games against them to close that gap?
KG looking like he's slowly rounding into shape?
Pierce also looking for the first time like he's getting the spring back in his legs?
Adding a real spark plug point guard for the second unit?

This team, if healthy and rolling, will beat anyone. I've always felt that.

[liam]

I am hopeful. This team needs to get healthy and get more playing time as a full team.  Baby and Wallace need to get in better shape. I like our team and think we can beat anyone. I also think Nate will fill a big hole for this team. I am very hopeful.