Wizards (24-54) at Celtics (49-29) 4/9

[RMO]

What do people think of Garnett's defense over the last couple of weeks?

I think it's dropped off pretty badly versus where it was earlier in the season.

I've been saying this as well. He was at a level of 1st team all nba defense 2 weeks ago and something happened.

It's called sustainability.  He's so far beyond the days when he can do this over the long haul.  I don't even think he can play at that level for an entire series anymore let alone several series.

[PosImpos]

Other viewing options for those of you disgusted enough to change the channel tonight:

Important game between OKC-PHO - also two of the most entertaining teams in the league to watch.
Sox-Royals.
Hawks - Raptors. Playoff implications for both teams, and for the Celtics.

I'm going with OKC-PHO I think.

Sadly none of those games are on ESPN or TNT tonight, meaning those of us without League Pass or NBA TV are stuck without any NBA basketball worth watching.

[jdpapa3]

So, if we can get this lead down to about 10 or 12 by the 4th quarter we still have a chance, right?

Yea. I think we can actually take this game if that makes sense.

Defense actually tightened up and we were getting open 3's when the effort was tossed into the mix.

The bench can't play like that, though. Ouch.

[houseonfire09]

So, if we can get this lead down to about 10 or 12 by the 4th quarter we still have a chance, right?

I wouldn't worry about it, unless you're a masochist... which I guess all of us in this corner of the internets are because we are still following this team.

[PosImpos]

What do people think of Garnett's defense over the last couple of weeks?

I think it's dropped off pretty badly versus where it was earlier in the season.

I've been saying this as well. He was at a level of 1st team all nba defense 2 weeks ago and something happened.

It's called sustainability.  He's so far beyond the days when he can do this over the long haul.  I don't even think anymore he can play at that level for an entire series let alone several series.

KG looks like his body has decided it wants to retire.  The question is how long his mind can win out.

[celticinorlando]

I hope the team is embarrassed in the locker room? How can they give this kind of effort and not be? Another night of the crowd at the Garden gets its money's worth!

highly doubtful...they have played this way at home all season. been blown out many of nights this season...these guys don't care. they have their title and their large paychecks. if they did care...they would at least show up for games.

[snively]

Shelden + BBD + Finley + Daniels + TA

That would be lineup out of the halftime. Sit the starters the rest of the game.

BBD and Finley were worse than any of the starters.  I don't think you can send a message like that when the whole team sucks.

[Who]

What do people think of Garnett's defense over the last couple of weeks?

I think it's dropped off pretty badly versus where it was earlier in the season.

I've been saying this as well. He was at a level of 1st team all nba defense 2 weeks ago and something happened.

It's called sustainability.  He's so far beyond the days when he can do this over the long haul.  I don't even think anymore he can play at that level for an entire series let alone several series.

I think Garnett is either (1) carrying an injury (2) is finished as a star player.

Hard to see this being anything else.

[PosImpos]

I hope the team is embarrassed in the locker room? How can they give this kind of effort and not be? Another night of the crowd at the Garden gets its money's worth!

highly doubtful...they have played this way at home all season. been blown out many of nights this season...these guys don't care. they have their title and their large paychecks. if they did care...they would at least show up for games.

Yeah, I'm having a hard time seeing Sheed losing sleep over it.

[jdpapa3]

What do people think of Garnett's defense over the last couple of weeks?

I think it's dropped off pretty badly versus where it was earlier in the season.

I've been saying this as well. He was at a level of 1st team all nba defense 2 weeks ago and something happened.

It's called sustainability.  He's so far beyond the days when he can do this over the long haul.  I don't even think anymore he can play at that level for an entire series let alone several series.

He did play solid defense both on a man to man level and on a team level for about 50-55 games I would say. Maybe he should've been rested again in late March?

[FallGuy]

Other viewing options for those of you disgusted enough to change the channel tonight:

Important game between OKC-PHO - also two of the most entertaining teams in the league to watch.
Sox-Royals.
Hawks - Raptors. Playoff implications for both teams, and for the Celtics.

I'm going with OKC-PHO I think.

Sadly none of those games are on ESPN or TNT tonight, meaning those of us without League Pass or NBA TV are stuck without any NBA basketball worth watching.

Before I ordered this ridiculous cable package, I would call and order certain channels for big games, and then cancel them the next day. Pay for the one night of it only.

But I feel your pain.

Maybe some online viewing is in order? I won't list the specific nefarious sites but they're out there.

[vinnie]

What do people think of Garnett's defense over the last couple of weeks?

I think it's dropped off pretty badly versus where it was earlier in the season.

I've been saying this as well. He was at a level of 1st team all nba defense 2 weeks ago and something happened.

It's called sustainability.  He's so far beyond the days when he can do this over the long haul.  I don't even think anymore he can play at that level for an entire series let alone several series.

I think Garnett is either (1) carrying an injury (2) is finished as a star player.

Hard to see this being anything else.

The scary thing is, lately Garnett has been almost invisible for long stretches on the court.

[celticinorlando]

What do people think of Garnett's defense over the last couple of weeks?

I think it's dropped off pretty badly versus where it was earlier in the season.

I've been saying this as well. He was at a level of 1st team all nba defense 2 weeks ago and something happened.

It's called sustainability.  He's so far beyond the days when he can do this over the long haul.  I don't even think anymore he can play at that level for an entire series let alone several series.

KG looks like his body has decided it wants to retire.

it would be helpful if his mind decided that also. it would clear a lot of space on the books....KG is done. finished. he has no lift and he labors throughout games. i admire him for trying...but he is never going to be what he was before he tore his knee up....and I do believe be tore something in his knee the C's hid it from the public

[Who]

Shelden + BBD + Finley + Daniels + TA

That would be lineup out of the halftime. Sit the starters the rest of the game.

BBD and Finley were worse than any of the starters.  I don't think you can send a message like that when the whole team sucks.

Yeah, there's just nobody else on that bench.

I'd like to see Boston go big on the perimeter which is why I put Finley in there instead of Nate + I don't like the matchups for Scal and don't think Sheed will bother trying with the game out of hand.

I still think it's worthwhile to make the starters sit for the entire second half and watch the rest of the game from the sidelines. Even with that lousy unit out on the floor. Just so they can spend an hour watching the scoreboard, down 20+ points to one of the worst teams in the league and knowing that they're to blame and that they won't get another chance tonight.

It's more about shame than showing the bench plays with more effort.

[nickagneta]

If at the beginning of the year I said these two starting units will be playing in a game sometime this year and the score at the half will be 52-31, please select which team has 32 points which would you have picked?

Rajon Rondo - Ray Allen - Paul Pierce - Kevin Garnett - Kendrick Perkins

Andray Blatche - Shaun Livingston - Mike Miller - Nick Young - Fabricio Oberto

Pretty sad how far this team has fallen. I mean, I'm really down on this team right now. I refuse to listen to talk of "a switch" or "boredom" or saving themselves". This team simply, since Christmas isn't a good team. Period. I don't care about the 23-5 start. I don't care about the talent of the players. I don't care about their pedigree. I don't care about any of that because a history of 4 months play, almost 64% of the season, has shown they aren't good and until the prove they are, they aren't.