If this isn't enough motivation for this team, I don't know what is....

[prov1ml34]

If I were Doc, this would be bulletin board material.

From JA Adande at ESPN:

MOST READY TO BE EUTHANIZED AND EULOGIZED: Boston Celtics

The only case for extending their season into the second round of the playoffs is to see them go against the Cavaliers, based on all the vitriol that emanated from their last meeting. Otherwise, they've passed their expiration date.

The Celtics took the right approach. In 2007, they threw a group of accomplished but unsatisfied veterans together and hoped they could win a championship. Last summer, they tried to extend the window by bringing in another veteran with championship experience, Rasheed Wallace. They went 1-1.

The surprise is how meekly they've gone down. They lost 16 home games this season, four more than the previous two seasons combined. They've lost nine games by double digits, matching their total from 2007-2009.

As disappointing as this season has been, it hasn't been so bad they're going to take down the 2008 banner. The strategy was worth it. I wish more teams would go all-in for a shot at a championship.

But they need to get this over with as quickly as possible because there won't be any gallant last stand. They don't have the same ferocious defense or unmistakable camaraderie. Now there are reports that coach Doc Rivers is ready to leave. Rivers called it "old news." He called it "a nonissue, for me, right now." He didn't call it "untrue."

He should move on. Everyone who can should. Call in the crew that handled the old Boston Garden demolition and let them take this roster apart. The painful part is that Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace still have two years remaining on their contracts, worth almost half the salary cap between them. This won't be enjoyable to watch. Hopefully, there's as little programming as possible.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2010/columns/story?columnist=adande_ja&page=playoffoutlook-100415

[Donoghus]

Adande should stick to worrying about his Lakers.

[celts55]

As sad as it is to say. It seems fairly accurate.

[Bahku]

No bias in this piece ... right! Though I'm not surprised, considering the source, (Adande). 

[prov1ml34]

Adande should stick to worrying about his Lakers.

Such a reject...

[Mr October]

Adande should stick to worrying about his Lakers.

True. He must snuggle with one of those Kobe puppets every night.

Bring on the Celtics hate and doubt!! I hope more comes! These guys have a history of playing their best when they are the underdog.

[hpantazo]

If he was smart, he would try overhyping teams like the celtics so that the cavs and lakers look even better when they beat them, instead of making it look like they ran over some old crappy teams on their way to the finals.

[PosImpos]

Adande is far less annoying than Mark Jackson, who slobbers all over Kobe and LeBron ever chance he can get

[Roy Hobbs]

This *should* be all the motivation this team needs:

[the_Bird]

Sorry, there's nothing in there that I disagree with.  Celtics are  clearly not the same team that won the title (and could have won last year, save a few injuries).  KG and Sheed seem done.  No chance of ownership significantly improving the team over the summer, as they won't take on salary beyond 2012 (for good reason, IMHO).  Danny's been striking out pretty much on all fronts for two seasons running.  

The Doc story coming out right now, right as all the emphasis should be placed on the playoffs, is just the final coffin nail.  Looks like our window for being a legit title contender was more like two-and-a-half years, not three.

[hpantazo]

Adande is far less annoying than Mark Jackson, who slobbers all over Kobe and LeBron ever chance he can get

I can't stand Mark Jackson, I hope Doc replaces him when he quits as our coach.

[indeedproceed]

Do we have a eugooglizer? You know, the guy who gives the eugoogly.

If so, I know a fantastic guy.



You remember him, right? Wally Szerbiak?

[PosImpos]

Danny's been striking out pretty much on all fronts for two seasons running.  

Probably true, but I'm not sure that's really his fault.

[Lucky17]

Do we have a eugooglizer? You know, the guy who gives the eugoogly.

If so, I know a fantastic guy.



You remember him, right? Wally Szerbiak?

Quick, someone check the nearest daiye spa.

[Drucci]

Let's hope the Celtics still perform as well (if not better) as in '08 when they are the underdogs, because they are basically seen as barely making it out of the first round on every national media website.

Here are some quotes from Hollinger's chat :

Which first round match-up has the best even match-up?
John Hollinger
  (12:05 PM)


I'll say Boston-Miami in the East. That one too me was the closest I came to just throwing up my hands and hurling darts at a board. Although several come to mind -- this is the most trouble I've ever had making playoff picks. Normally you can count on getting at least two-thirds of the 15 series right; this year I wouldn't be shocked if I turned out to miss two thirds of them.

Victor (San Juan)


Love your chats! Since Arroyo was made the starting PG the Heat have gone 18-4. Is this only due to an easy schedule or is Carlos a better complement for Wade than the other PGs?
John Hollinger
  (12:16 PM)


It's largely schedule-driven, along with two other factors, 1) he's not Rafer Alston, and 2) Wade is in much better shape physically than eh was the first two months of the season. The more I think about this the more uneasy I am with my Boston pick....

Johan (Portland, OR)


Lakers road to the finals will look like this: OKC, Jazz, and Mavs. That sure is a lot easier than the Cavs: Bulls, Celtics, and Magic. Don't you agree?
John Hollinger
  (12:21 PM)


I think it looks more like OKC, Jazz and Spurs/Suns, and I think it's a lot harder for them to get out of the first two rounds than it will be for Cleveland. Not sure if you've seen Boston lately but they're a spent force; at this point Miami might scare the Cavs more than playing the Celtics does.

Can't wait to see the Celtics make them eat their words (hopefully they will but I'm not sure ).