Perk admits "maybe we do get bored": this could be good or bad

[csfansince60s]

I just got this link from the RealGM board.http://greenstreet.weei.com/sports/boston/basketball/celtics/2010/02/27/perk-sometimes-maybe-we-do-get-bored/

By Mike Petraglia


Kendrick Perkins confirmed before Saturday’s game what many observers have felt about the Celtics for a while now. They are bored with the process.

“It’s different because I think guys are really anxious to get to the playoffs,” he said. “You have your veteran guys, Sheed, KG, you could tell that this regular season really don’t excite them, seriously. Even with Paul and Ray, you still have to go out here and compete, and it’s not an excuse for losing but you can just tell guys just want to get to the crunch time, get to the playoffs.”

Then Perkins made reference to fact that the Celtics were swept this season in four games by Atlanta, one of the teams they’re battling with for playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference.

“Even like the Atlanta series, when they swept us, we took it to heart but it wasn’t like a big deal like how everyone else tried to make it,” Perkins admitted. “I don’t know if that’s a bad thing but it’s just like we come into games focused and we’re not trying to lose games but you can see that sometimes maybe we do get bored with the process and we can’t do that.

“That first year we kept harping on trying to get that best record so we could have home court advantage through playoffs. I think now guys are [realize] last year we won a couple of games on the road, we won a lot more on the road this year, our road record is pretty decent and guys are comfortable and guys are really like we don’t care where we fall in the playoffs let’s just play so I don’t know if that’s a bad thing or good thing. I do hate losing, whether it’s the regular season or playoffs.”

Perkins said there was no panic in the Celtics locker room after blowing a 13-point lead to Cleveland on Thursday night and losing by 20.

“After the Cleveland game, I never got a bad vibe from the team, period,” he said. “Guys said what they had to say about why we lost but one thing about this is we’re always together. There’s never guys straying apart. Guys always stick together, whether we lose or win so that’s the good thing about our team.

“We’re always consistent on how we act we with each other. We never overreact to a loss or anything somebody may write about us. We always stick together. I guess that’s where ‘Ubuntu’ comes in."

I guess this could result in one of two things. It could mean that the Cs are bored with the process and will turn it on for the playoffs. The fact that they often play to the level of their competition somewhat backs this up. Except for the Cleveland game last week, they really haven't been blown out of many games. Or it could mean, yes they are bored with the process (regular season) but won't be able to turn it of or on at will for the playoffs. At least it confirms what many of us have thought, though being articulated by a player obviously gives it more credence and perhaps more hope for us.

I'm encouraged about what Perk says about the team being together.

[vinnie]

This "we are bored" "coasting" "going through the motions" excuse is really getting lame. It's a good line for them to use while they lose to one of the worst teams in NBA history or compile a horrendous record against the best teams in the league. Sorry, but it does not wash. What this season really says to me is that they lose games and they just don't care. Sorry, but they are not going to be able to just turn on a switch and play like world beaters in the playoffs. I guess the godd thing is, the team that wins together loses together -- Ubuntu.

[Rondo_is_better]

Mmm. This confirms my theories. Look up the "They Don't Care" thread for my post (I'm not the OP).

Pretty much what Perk is saying, though, is that they don't care.

a) seeding doesn't matter to them
b) they're confident they can win on the road
c) nobody was upset at all about blowing the cleveland game
d) they are going to try to turn it on for the playoffs
e) they are bored with the regular season

[Redz]

It's a really bad thing for the league and the fans if players do indeed to coast to this degree.

When some of these guys are getting paid $100,000 or more per game, there should be some obligation to perform to the best of their abilities.  When people who are getting paid much, much less than that are paying a decent chunk of their salary for the pleasure of seeing these guys perform, they should see an honest effort.

[vinnie]

It's a really bad thing the league and the fans if players do indeed to coast to this degree.

When some of these guys are getting paid $100,000 or more per game, there should be some obligation to perform to the best of their abilities.  When people who are getting paid much, much less than that are paying a decent chunk of their salary for the pleasure of seeing these guys perform, they should see an honest effort.

You forgot when people are paying thousands of dollars for season tickets. This sends a horrendous message to the fan base. Why bother buying season tickets if the players don't care? Honestly, it makes me sick.

[PosImpos]

Confirms my suspicions as well.

The team gets up by 10-15, decides they've proven they're "better" than the other team, and then stops caring about actually winning.

"In the playoffs we'll actually finish games."

Good luck with that guys, hope it works for ya.

[Redz]

What I've seen rarely this season, even in spurts, is that insane, smothering D that made the `08 team special.  Even when the Celts are building big leads (prior to blowing them) this season, they're doing it through dazzling Rondo-riffic offense, not killer D. 

If there is indeed an "on/off" switch, I'd like to see a little bit of the "on" switch with the D.

[Q_FBE]

Bored or bad habits???

That is the 64,000 dollar question here.

Another 64,000 dollar question is what is motivating this team to play games right now?

This team is definitely lacking focus and attention to detail so we really cannot answer the question whether they have enough talent to compete for an NBA championship.

If the team is bored, then chAinge the darned coach to wake these players up.

Geez I am getting seriously bored about writing the same thing over and over again.

Outta Here.

[housecall]

Sometimes i think a lots got to do with the money...its gauranteed.

[RMO]

Confirms my suspicions as well.

The team gets up by 10-15, decides they've proven they're "better" than the other team, and then stops caring about actually winning.

"In the playoffs we'll actually finish games."

Good luck with that guys, hope it works for ya.

What concerns me about this is that maybe they don't get up by 10-15 just because they're better.  Blowing leads has become such a trend that perhaps the other teams know that only one half of good basketball is necessary (though I don't buy this in games against teams like NJ who can't afford to get cute when trying to get a win).

[Chief]

I think this team is in denial.

[vinnie]

I think this team is in denial.

Co-sign

[celticinorlando]

I think this team is in denial.

yessir.....team gets bored? what a joke. i wonder if he will feel this way when they are bounced in round one...more excuses

i think this is more like it:

[More Banners]

I think this team is in denial.

Completely, and they're all in denial together...

The sociologists tell us that groups with high cohesion tend to not perform well (nobody wants to rock the boat).  Doc is too much of a Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline. to rock the boat, either, so this is what we get:  a completely underperforming team that knows it's underperforming and agrees to keep doing it (protecting their individual identity/belief they're great players/team) rather than try to win and risk learning that they really DON'T have "it" anymore.

This team won't play better until they dump the "cohesion" and start challenging each other to play their best...like these same players did in 08.

[BballTim]

I think this team is in denial.

Completely, and they're all in denial together...

The sociologists tell us that groups with high cohesion tend to not perform well (nobody wants to rock the boat).  Doc is too much of a **** to rock the boat, either, so this is what we get:  a completely underperforming team that knows it's underperforming and agrees to keep doing it (protecting their individual identity/belief they're great players/team) rather than try to win and risk learning that they really DON'T have "it" anymore.

This team won't play better until they dump the "cohesion" and start challenging each other to play their best...like these same players did in 08.

  Did you just say that the 08 team lacked cohesion?