Prediction: We will lose in 4-5 games in 2nd round

[Jon]

To quote Roy's sig :

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

This is seriously getting ridiculous, it has always been a pleasure to come on CB and now I find myself disgusted by all the negative posts and "doom and gloom" threads, where you get almost attacked if you show some positivity or enthusiasm about the Celtics. Calm down, people!

Sounds like Drucci had a little too much green koolaid lately. Fans don't have to kiss their team's butt all the time.  I am very disappointed with how this team is turning out. I bought into the idea at the beginning of the season that this team would be a dominant team on the defensive end. About ten games into the season, we looked like world beaters.  Sheed and Eddie hitting tons of 3's, our second unit looked amazing. Now Eddie is gone, and Sheed might as well be.  The big three are now the fading fast 3.  Perk has regressed.  We are a poor foul shooting team, a poor rebounding team, a turnover machine. We can't finish games.

Other than that, how was the play, Drucci??

There is a line between screaming this is doomsday for this team and kissing its "butt". I'm not doing any of these things.

I just watch all the games and I'm as disappointed and frustrated as you are when they lose games after getting leads. I'm not giving them excuses anymore although Pierce was missing, Quis was sick, that's fact, and people tend to forget that because we got a 13 point lead but we still missed Paul against the best team in the East record wise.

The same way I'm not predicting a championship for the team because it beat a contender or a lot of them, I'm not predicting an early exit in the playoffs because it lost to a contender or a lot of them. That simply doesn't make sense.

The playoffs are really different from the regular season, you know that. I'm getting tired myself of waiting for the playoffs to see this team turn it around, and if they don't, I will be the first to blame them, you can be sure of that, but until then, I still hope and expect them to improve game after game, and that's what being a fan is about, if I'm not mistaken.

I'm not the biggest optimistic nor am I the biggest pessisimistic in the world, but I think I can be quite unbiased and judge if the team has the talent and the defense to go all the way. I think so.

Obviously, we will see in the playoffs who was right, the "blind optimistics" or "the predictors of doomsday". But it's disturbing to be attacked on this blog when you are showing some optimism or hope for this team, it seems to me than most of the posters now cheer for the C's to lose so they can claim they were right and had predicted the team's decline.

Drucci, I have been following the NBA for 45 years, all centered on my passion for the Celtics.  Sure, there are exceptions to what I am about to say, but basically, the reality is this: A team that is so so in the regular season is not going to win a championship. I don't think you take issue with that. I am taking it one step further by looking at the Eastern Conference, and concluding that this team has little chance of getting past the second round. Is it possible? Of course. But based on how we have played since the first month or so, we have been a below .500 team.  We just are not that good. Can we turn it around? Up to a week ago, I thought so. But now, I just don't see it.  Too many "what ifs". 

What exactly has changed in the past week?  If anything, things have looked better.  They likely would've beaten Dener with a healthy PP and they probably would've made it close had he played last night. 

I think making projections is very risky business to begin with.  However, I wouldn't even start making projections until either A) everyone is healthy or B) it is very clear that they won't (like if KG sustains an injury like last year). 

Given the various injuries throughout the year and the way KG came out of the gates, I'm not sure there's been ONE GAME this year that this team has been 100%.

[wdleehi]

Teams never beat teams that sweep them in the regular season.


Just a few seasons ago, the Cavs swept the Spurs.  Then the two teams met in the playoffs.  Lebron grabed the title, lifted it over his head and proclaimed....



Oh wait, that's right.  The Spurs won the title.



I guess being swept in the regular season doesn't mean you automatically lose to that team if you face again in the playoffs.  

Of course there is an exception to every rule. It is not just that we are manhandled by ATL and ORL, and probably will be by CLE, it's that we struggle to beat teams like the Nets.  We have become an average team (statistically below average in 2010), and average teams don't go far in the play-offs.

The Rockets were an average team the 2nd time they won a title. 

With Jordan-less Bulls, there was no other decent team in the NBA that year. Surely you are not comparing the depth of strong play-off teams in the NBA that year to this year??

They beat Shaq and Penny.  Utah and Phoenix were both strong.


Just because no one could beat the Bulls during their prime doesn't mean the rest of the NBA was just bad.

They swept Orlando.  None of those 3 teams you mentioned ever won an NBA championship. Most NBA historians would take issue with your claim the league was strong then.

Strong?  No.


Significantly weaker then the Rockets?  Heck no.  Otherwise they would have played against the Bulls before or after their two titles. 

But teams like Utah, Sea, and Phoenix were all good enough to get to the finals. 

[vinnie]

To quote Roy's sig :

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

This is seriously getting ridiculous, it has always been a pleasure to come on CB and now I find myself disgusted by all the negative posts and "doom and gloom" threads, where you get almost attacked if you show some positivity or enthusiasm about the Celtics. Calm down, people!

And what about all the attacks on those who do not believe that the Celts have the horses to win? What about all the statements that you are only a real fan if you have complete faith in the Celtics, Danny, Doc, etc. Both sides are euqally bad. Everyone who is here is a real fan or they would not waste a second here. That is the bottom line.

[ducksawce]

To quote Roy's sig :

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

This is seriously getting ridiculous, it has always been a pleasure to come on CB and now I find myself disgusted by all the negative posts and "doom and gloom" threads, where you get almost attacked if you show some positivity or enthusiasm about the Celtics. Calm down, people!

Sounds like Drucci had a little too much green koolaid lately. Fans don't have to kiss their team's butt all the time.  I am very disappointed with how this team is turning out. I bought into the idea at the beginning of the season that this team would be a dominant team on the defensive end. About ten games into the season, we looked like world beaters.  Sheed and Eddie hitting tons of 3's, our second unit looked amazing. Now Eddie is gone, and Sheed might as well be.  The big three are now the fading fast 3.  Perk has regressed.  We are a poor foul shooting team, a poor rebounding team, a turnover machine. We can't finish games.

Other than that, how was the play, Drucci??

There is a line between screaming this is doomsday for this team and kissing its "butt". I'm not doing any of these things.

I just watch all the games and I'm as disappointed and frustrated as you are when they lose games after getting leads. I'm not giving them excuses anymore although Pierce was missing, Quis was sick, that's fact, and people tend to forget that because we got a 13 point lead but we still missed Paul against the best team in the East record wise.

The same way I'm not predicting a championship for the team because it beat a contender or a lot of them, I'm not predicting an early exit in the playoffs because it lost to a contender or a lot of them. That simply doesn't make sense.

The playoffs are really different from the regular season, you know that. I'm getting tired myself of waiting for the playoffs to see this team turn it around, and if they don't, I will be the first to blame them, you can be sure of that, but until then, I still hope and expect them to improve game after game, and that's what being a fan is about, if I'm not mistaken.

I'm not the biggest optimistic nor am I the biggest pessisimistic in the world, but I think I can be quite unbiased and judge if the team has the talent and the defense to go all the way. I think so.

Obviously, we will see in the playoffs who was right, the "blind optimistics" or "the predictors of doomsday". But it's disturbing to be attacked on this blog when you are showing some optimism or hope for this team, it seems to me than most of the posters now cheer for the C's to lose so they can claim they were right and had predicted the team's decline.

Drucci, I have been following the NBA for 45 years, all centered on my passion for the Celtics.  Sure, there are exceptions to what I am about to say, but basically, the reality is this: A team that is so so in the regular season is not going to win a championship. I don't think you take issue with that. I am taking it one step further by looking at the Eastern Conference, and concluding that this team has little chance of getting past the second round. Is it possible? Of course. But based on how we have played since the first month or so, we have been a below .500 team.  We just are not that good. Can we turn it around? Up to a week ago, I thought so. But now, I just don't see it.  Too many "what ifs". 

Yeah, but when was the last time time you've seen teams win and lose in the manner that the celtics do now?  Many of us have been watching the Celtics for decades.  What is intriguing about this Celtics squad is that they are amassing so many leads.  I absolutely agree that teams that do average in the regular season don't normally win championships.

 But HELLO this team is not average.  This Celtics team is on target for the mid to high 50's in terms of wins.  That is certainly in line with previous championship winners.

In addition, average teams do not consistently GET LEADS IN THE FIRST PLACE against great competition!!  They don't even have the luxury of being able to squander leads like this Celtics team does.

This team is massively talented.  Otherwise, it wouldn't be getting leads against almost every single good team. 

Seriously, doesn't everyone find it a little bit fantastically strange that againt the good teams, EVERY TIME, Boston gets big leads?  I have personally rarely if ever seen a team like this before (in decades of watching NOT ONLY the Celtics, but many other teams). 

This is why, although I'm getting mad at this team when they blow leads, I am not prognosticating and making dumb predictions.

I cannot predict any playoff scenario for this team.  I rserve expectations and hope though, because of the signs of GOOD play exhibited in first halves.  Who can honestly say they KNOW that this team won't be able to do that for whole games?  I can't. 

Meanwhile, I can say that this team is not "so, so".  I like Drucci's view.  Since this team is able to get leads in the first place, it is reasonable to hope that they might keep those leads when it matters (and when there's a consistent linuep).

[CoachCowens]

To quote Roy's sig :

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

This is seriously getting ridiculous, it has always been a pleasure to come on CB and now I find myself disgusted by all the negative posts and "doom and gloom" threads, where you get almost attacked if you show some positivity or enthusiasm about the Celtics. Calm down, people!

And what about all the attacks on those who do not believe that the Celts have the horses to win? What about all the statements that you are only a real fan if you have complete faith in the Celtics, Danny, Doc, etc. Both sides are euqally bad. Everyone who is here is a real fan or they would not waste a second here. That is the bottom line.

Because the doom and gloom side is negative and a lot of the time it comes off as anti celtic. Why do they predict the Celtics will lose? Will it make the outcome any more easy for them to deal with if they are correct?

[Mr October]

I am pretty confident in this prediction. It pains me to make it. But the reality is: We will probably win in the first round, because the teams 5-8 are pretty weak, and get blown out in the second, because the other teams in top 4 (CLE, ATL and ORL) have our number.  We can no longer talk about getting healthy, or building team chemistry, or getting our mojo back. We are incapable of dominating just about any team, including the Nets. The good teams toy with us for a couple of quarters and then hand us our lunch. It is sad to say, but our run is over.  I'd like to say it was fun while it lasted, but I expected more than one championship out of this.  Call me greedy.  In retrospect, it appears that last season was our only other real chance to win anotehr with this squad.  The KG injury obviously killed that hope.

As much as Ray has fully redeemed himself, and is one of the few bright spots we have had of late, I really wish Danny could have gotten some young talent back in a trade of his contract.  He gambled that once healthy, we could compete for a championship. That was a miscalculation on his part.

So does this mean you're going to stop watching the games? Whats the point in declaring a prediction like this with 2 months to go in the season?

Take a break from the games and the blog if you need to. Come back in a month or so.

And from all the rumors I read the Celtics didn't have any good trade suitors for Allen. We gotta ride this out and get the payroll down.

[barefacedmonk]

I don't know if our team will be knocked out in the second round or not..but if the past two months are an indicator then I have to believe they will not win this year. Still, I love this team and will root for them until the season ends for them.

Chris Mannix from SI put it aptly:
C's just can't seem to figure out athletic bigs. Hawks lay out the blueprint, Cavs just following it.

[ThaPreacher]

You're basing this prediction on a gut feeling after a tough loss...I think it would be better to get through the first round, and see who we face before we declare us lost in the second.

Why is it that we base our feelings on how the Celtics will do in the future on one game.  Seriously!!???
Had the Celtics won last night without Paul Pierce, the same
people would be talking championship. The fact of the matter is, that when Ray Allen stole the pass with 48 some odd seconds on the clock, Boston could have conceivably scored and gone into the half with a 13 point lead.  Instead, up by 10, they squandered a possession on a questionable, foul called on the double pick.  Cleveland scored, Boston didn't
and Cleveland went into the half down by 8.  Total momentum change. 

Clearly, the Celtics have the talent to win. I think the growing frustration is that the outcome is not matching the talent nor the expectation.  Let's look at it differently.

 

The positives:  *Boston beat Cleveland in 3 quarters of play.
                * Cleveland had no answer to Rajon Rondo.
                * Marquis did a great job on Lebron.
                * Ray Allen scored on a series of drives, and
                  did not settle for only outside shots.
                *  Cleveland was dominated for a half without
                 Boston's best offensive player.
                *  Tony Allen and BBD, did decent work off
                the bench.
                * Boston's defense of the lane was good
                * Boston's defense was better than Cleveland's
                offense.


The negatives:   *  Mike Brown out-coached Doc
                 *  Rasheed was soft on the boards
                 * Nate who we got for Eddie and Co. is not
                 being used or trusted.
                 *  Cleveland's PF are more active than ours.
                 *  Boston QUIT in the 4th Quarter!!!!
                 *  The Defensive breakdowns were on the
                 perimeter coverage.
                 * Boston has no mental toughness.
                 * The home crowd was weak.
                 * Big Baby cannot finish around the hoop.
                 * Shot distribution was off.
                 * Not enough looks for low post players.


While I was distraught about the outcome.  The fact is, small things determine games.  This game could have been won, even without PP.  However, I do not think you can accurately theorize that any one game determines the future.  It's kind of foolish. But what else do we have in between games to do....
                                                    

  

[Mr October]

I don't know if our team will be knocked out in the second round or not..but if the past two months are an indicator then I have to believe they will not win this year. Still, I love this team and will root for them until the season ends for them.

Chris Mannix from SI put it aptly:
C's just can't seem to figure out athletic bigs. Hawks lay out the blueprint, Cavs just following it.

Yup that is the new direction to take, when the C's either have the cap space or the lottery picks. Two way athletic bigs like Horford would look great running with Rondo.

KG was an athletic big... this was the deal setup when he arrived. Now the C's need to pay. In the meantime, if they get healthy this team can make some noise in the spring.

[Roy Hobbs]

To quote Roy's sig :

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

This is seriously getting ridiculous, it has always been a pleasure to come on CB and now I find myself disgusted by all the negative posts and "doom and gloom" threads, where you get almost attacked if you show some positivity or enthusiasm about the Celtics. Calm down, people!

Sounds like Drucci had a little too much green koolaid lately. Fans don't have to kiss their team's butt all the time.  I am very disappointed with how this team is turning out. I bought into the idea at the beginning of the season that this team would be a dominant team on the defensive end. About ten games into the season, we looked like world beaters.  Sheed and Eddie hitting tons of 3's, our second unit looked amazing. Now Eddie is gone, and Sheed might as well be.  The big three are now the fading fast 3.  Perk has regressed.  We are a poor foul shooting team, a poor rebounding team, a turnover machine. We can't finish games.

Other than that, how was the play, Drucci??

There's no reason to go after another poster for expressing their opinion.  You're entitled to your opinion, but there's no need to attack another poster (koolaid drinker), or call them out by name.

[twinbree]

Who knows maybe we might not even make it through the 1st round. Or maybe aliens who hate athletic bigs will abduct our problems away and allow us to waltz to the championship. Or maybe the world will end before the season does. Really it's too early for me to speculate about the 2nd round.

And if we lose early in the 2nd round so be it. Our season so far hasn't predicted a deep playoff run so it won't be a shocking turn of events for me. I'll just lose interest in basketball and focus on the French Open and World Cup instead.

[celticinorlando]

meh..that could happen..if it does i will watch every minute of the games and be thankful for the celtics

[footey]

To quote Roy's sig :

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

This is seriously getting ridiculous, it has always been a pleasure to come on CB and now I find myself disgusted by all the negative posts and "doom and gloom" threads, where you get almost attacked if you show some positivity or enthusiasm about the Celtics. Calm down, people!

Sounds like Drucci had a little too much green koolaid lately. Fans don't have to kiss their team's butt all the time.  I am very disappointed with how this team is turning out. I bought into the idea at the beginning of the season that this team would be a dominant team on the defensive end. About ten games into the season, we looked like world beaters.  Sheed and Eddie hitting tons of 3's, our second unit looked amazing. Now Eddie is gone, and Sheed might as well be.  The big three are now the fading fast 3.  Perk has regressed.  We are a poor foul shooting team, a poor rebounding team, a turnover machine. We can't finish games.

Other than that, how was the play, Drucci??

There's no reason to go after another poster for expressing their opinion.  You're entitled to your opinion, but there's no need to attack another poster (koolaid drinker), or call them out by name.

I think you are over reacting to what I said, Roy Hobbs. I had no intention of "going after" the poster, and I was never told I could not mention another poster's name on this forum. I have done it often, to make the post come across as more personal, in a friendly way.  Other posters do it as well without incident. If the poster took offense, I certainly apologize, but I can't imagine he did. My approach to other posters, including Drucci, is to treat them like friends.  Are you saying that suggesting he was a "kool-aid drinker" is offensive?

[Donoghus]

To quote Roy's sig :

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

This is seriously getting ridiculous, it has always been a pleasure to come on CB and now I find myself disgusted by all the negative posts and "doom and gloom" threads, where you get almost attacked if you show some positivity or enthusiasm about the Celtics. Calm down, people!

Sounds like Drucci had a little too much green koolaid lately. Fans don't have to kiss their team's butt all the time.  I am very disappointed with how this team is turning out. I bought into the idea at the beginning of the season that this team would be a dominant team on the defensive end. About ten games into the season, we looked like world beaters.  Sheed and Eddie hitting tons of 3's, our second unit looked amazing. Now Eddie is gone, and Sheed might as well be.  The big three are now the fading fast 3.  Perk has regressed.  We are a poor foul shooting team, a poor rebounding team, a turnover machine. We can't finish games.

Other than that, how was the play, Drucci??

There's no reason to go after another poster for expressing their opinion.  You're entitled to your opinion, but there's no need to attack another poster (koolaid drinker), or call them out by name.

I think you are over reacting to what I said, Roy Hobbs. I had no intention of "going after" the poster, and I was never told I could not mention another poster's name on this forum. I have done it often, to make the post come across as more personal, in a friendly way.  Other posters do it as well without incident. If the poster took offense, I certainly apologize, but I can't imagine he did. My approach to other posters, including Drucci, is to treat them like friends.  Are you saying that suggesting he was a "kool-aid drinker" is offensive?

He's not over-reacting.  It's actually in the posting rules.

Do not label fellow posters in a way that is likely to provoke a negative response.  Dependent upon context, examples include, but are not limited to, "fake fan", "bandwagon fan", "not a real fan", "hater", "homer", "koolaid drinker", etc.

[dark_lord]

To quote Roy's sig :

All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino

This is seriously getting ridiculous, it has always been a pleasure to come on CB and now I find myself disgusted by all the negative posts and "doom and gloom" threads, where you get almost attacked if you show some positivity or enthusiasm about the Celtics. Calm down, people!

exactly...TP!