Celtics (41-23) at Cavs (51-15) 3/14

[Bahku]

Not calling Cleveland great.

But all this nonsense about "belief" is really funny at the pro level. It's high school stuff.

Cleveland is on another level compared to this Celtics team. Period. We cannot compete with them, and we don't, quite frankly.

You can rationalize this away all you want, but the Cavaliers are a FAR better club than the Celtics. Younger, more athletic, better shooters, far better on the defensive end, made a significantly better move at the deadline.

It's not close. Nor will it be.

Sorry, just don't agree at all ... when this Celtics team is healthy and playing their best ball, they can compete and BEAT any team in the NBA, including this inflated Cavs team, who, without LeBron, would be average at best. As I said, don't confuse the Celtics playing poorly with Cleveland greatness.

Totally, totally disagree with you, frankly as strongly as I've ever disagreed with any single post on this board. There's a broad gulf between these two teams - in age, in athleticism, in shooting, in defense, on the bench - and it cannot be bridged. The Celtics as constructed are done as a title contende

Wow. The Celtics have played about as badly as they have played all year, going over five minutes without a score, yet they have stayed in this one most of the way. If the Cavs were so much better, this should have been a blowout. I disagree with your post as strongly as you disagree with mine. I've heard all this argument many times before, and the Cavs' quality is inflated by LeBron James, and the media. Guess we'll agree to disagree, in a BIG way ... but I'll TP you for the good discussion nonetheless.

[Rashi]

If all this team cares about is the playoffs, why did they play so well at the start of the season? They were 23-5 on Dec 27.  

TP for a very relevant question.

The answer - because this team is old, in decline and built for the first half of a long season. Not the second half. The idea they're "waiting" for anything before turning it on is a falsehood.

Have they really become so old in the 2nd half that they aren't capable of playing as well when they were 23-5?

I refuse to believe that them being old is the main reason for how we are playing, but yes I will say the injuries hit us bad and disrupted our chemistry.

[Bahku]

There's no shortage of rationalization on the board these days. One big reason to stay off.

The fact is that the Celtics are not an elite team as constructed - as I told you weeks ago. Too old, not athletic enough, no defense, etc.

It ain't happening this year, folks. Get used to it. We were going nowhere with the kids, so I have no issue with the trades and I'm thrilled with the title. But there's not going to be another with this group. Time to realize that.

There is as much negative "rationalization" here as positive ... I'll lean to the plus side, thanks. When you can't find things to feel positive about your team, time to find a new team. The Celts have played a horrible game today ... period.

TP for you, Bahku.

Back atcha.

[FallGuy]

If all this team cares about is the playoffs, why did they play so well at the start of the season? They were 23-5 on Dec 27.  

TP for a very relevant question.

The answer - because this team is old, in decline and built for the first half of a long season. Not the second half. The idea they're "waiting" for anything before turning it on is a falsehood.

Have they really become so old in the 2nd half that they aren't capable of playing as well when they were 23-5?

I refuse to believe that them being old is the main reason for how we are playing, but yes I will say the injuries hit us bad and disrupted our chemistry.

23-5 was playing above their heads. As the last four months have proven.

[Brickowski]

Any questions?  Old age isn't for sissies.

[bigtyc55]

Our Bench
Sheed: -17
Quis: -15
Baby: -14
Nate: -7

Their bench
Delonte: +17
Varejao: +6
Moon: +14
Powe: +8

That simple.  

Bench don't lie.

Haha tp man...at least I got a laugh out this game somehow

[PLamb]

I consider myself as positive as the next guy but I lowered my expectations regarding a championship after the loss to an under manned Hornets team before the break

I lowered my expectations of even getting to the ECF after the loss to the Nets

I will cheer them on til I'm blue in the face but realistically, I've known for a long time they weren't good enough to be a serious playoff team this year

Anything can happen and I'll cheer for that to happen but I'm expecting a one and done in the playoffs as they lose to Milwaukee in the first round

[vinnie]

Not calling Cleveland great.

But all this nonsense about "belief" is really funny at the pro level. It's high school stuff.

Cleveland is on another level compared to this Celtics team. Period. We cannot compete with them, and we don't, quite frankly.

You can rationalize this away all you want, but the Cavaliers are a FAR better club than the Celtics. Younger, more athletic, better shooters, far better on the defensive end, made a significantly better move at the deadline.

It's not close. Nor will it be.

Sorry, just don't agree at all ... when this Celtics team is healthy and playing their best ball, they can compete and BEAT any team in the NBA, including this inflated Cavs team, who, without LeBron, would be average at best. As I said, don't confuse the Celtics playing poorly with Cleveland greatness.

Totally, totally disagree with you, frankly as strongly as I've ever disagreed with any single post on this board. There's a broad gulf between these two teams - in age, in athleticism, in shooting, in defense, on the bench - and it cannot be bridged. The Celtics as constructed are done as a title contende

Wow. The Celtics have played about as badly as they have played all year, going over five minutes without a score, yet they have stayed in this one most of the way. If the Cavs were so much better, this should have been a blowout. I disagree with your post as strongly as you disagree with mine. I've heard all this argument many times before, and the Cavs' quality is inflated by LeBron James, and the media. Guess we'll agree to disagree, in a BIG way ... but I'll TP you for the good discussion nonetheless.

Wow -- you are delusional, but I guess that is okay. This is how the Celts have played since Christmas. This is the Celts.

[Drucci]

Well, now we will have to get on a long winning streak to catch up the 3rd see to the Hawks... I don't feel good about this one and if we finish 4th we are in trouble. As in, in more trouble than we are right now.

[evrock]

i forgot Finley: -8

[vinnie]

Over the lat two weeks, Marquis Daniels has become as big a drag on thiis team as Rasheed Wallace. I just don't get it.

[GroverTheClover]

So long as this team plays disinterested, I remain disinterested in them.

[RMO]

I hated that lineup to start the 4th.  With Lebron on the bench why not let Ray or Pierce play with the second unit?  I'm so sick of resting the starters all at the same time.  One thing I remember about the Jordan Bulls is that either Jordan or Pippen were ALWAYS on the court (except in blow outs).  We've got three superstars and a meaningful minute should not pass where at least one of them is not on the floor.

[Dirk]

Our Bench
Sheed: -17
Quis: -15
Baby: -14
Nate: -7

Their bench
Delonte: +17
Varejao: +6
Moon: +14
Powe: +8

That simple.  

Noticed the same thing, wow. And hoy about those 33 PF for the celtics, resulting in 48 FT attempts for the cavs, must be a record or something. Celts were lucky they only hit 31 of 48. 17 off reb for the cavs?? Tough to win like that.

Oh my. Gotta keep the faith, but it's getting harder by the day.

[LB3533]

Not calling Cleveland great.

But all this nonsense about "belief" is really funny at the pro level. It's high school stuff.

Cleveland is on another level compared to this Celtics team. Period. We cannot compete with them, and we don't, quite frankly.

You can rationalize this away all you want, but the Cavaliers are a FAR better club than the Celtics. Younger, more athletic, better shooters, far better on the defensive end, made a significantly better move at the deadline.

It's not close. Nor will it be.

Sorry, just don't agree at all ... when this Celtics team is healthy and playing their best ball, they can compete and BEAT any team in the NBA, including this inflated Cavs team, who, without LeBron, would be average at best. As I said, don't confuse the Celtics playing poorly with Cleveland greatness.

Totally, totally disagree with you, frankly as strongly as I've ever disagreed with any single post on this board. There's a broad gulf between these two teams - in age, in athleticism, in shooting, in defense, on the bench - and it cannot be bridged. The Celtics as constructed are done as a title contende

Wow. The Celtics have played about as badly as they have played all year, going over five minutes without a score, yet they have stayed in this one most of the way. If the Cavs were so much better, this should have been a blowout. I disagree with your post as strongly as you disagree with mine. I've heard all this argument many times before, and the Cavs' quality is inflated by LeBron James, and the media. Guess we'll agree to disagree, in a BIG way ... but I'll TP you for the good discussion nonetheless.

If you thought the Cavs played well, you are mistaken.