Enjoy This Gift, Orlando

[Bahku]

I remember this all too well.

For a guy who is usually long-winded when it comes to my opening posts, this one will NOT be ... I guarantee you. Never in the history of my watching the Celtics, (which is a considerable 40-plus years), have I seen a team give a game away like this one. We had so many opportunities to win this game, and time after time, we just refused to do so.

Orlando played much better than they have been, it's true, but they are still considerably out-matched by this Celtic team. We didn't even play defense that badly, in fact, toward the end of the game, our defense was pretty tight. But trip after trip on the offensive end, we missed easy shots, made poor decisions, refused to attack the basket, made careless turnovers, and did everything we could to NOT win this one.

I'm absolutely disgusted, not because we lost, but because of HOW we lost ... we're so much better than this, and this game and series was OURS for the taking. Rondo was pretty much a non-factor, as was anyone getting out with him on the fast-break, as was getting to the paint effectively and not getting stuck in that frustrating half-court offense.

Sorry, but I just want to forget this one completely ... it was ours to take, but we didn't want it badly enough. I think this is a "one-game stinker" and that we'll come back with intensity on Wednesday, but of all the games we needed to win this year, we just plain  served this one up on a silver platter, and the Magic were more than happy to oblige. We deserved to lose this game ... plain and simple ... and the fault was everyone's!

I will now go about forgetting this atrocity, and do what I need to do to purge this poison from my system ... let's pray the Celtics do the same. We're up 3-to-1 on the defending EC Champs, with 3 chances to put this away, there's not a much better spot to be in ... but I would have felt much better about this loss if we had given our best effort on both ends of the floor, instead of gift-wrapping it and putting a big bow on it.

Ugh!



Now ...

Go Celtics!

[twinbree]

Yeah we're definitely better than this. As Doc said the execution was so poor so. But thankfully it's a problem that can be easily rectified. Defensively we were good in spurts but out of synch offensively the whole way. Hopefully this a wake-up call that reminds them to stay greedy. that nothing will come easy for them.

We can't get out-hustled and out-worked the next game.  We need to come out fired up on Wednesday and put them to bed early if we can. If not just stick with the game-plan for 4 quarters and we can be rewarded with some rest and trip to the finals. Right I'm concerned about Rajon and TA. I hope they're both good to go on Wednesday. TP and go Celtics! (and Suns!)

[Edgar]

\Never in the history of my watching the Celtics, (which is a considerable 30-plus years), have I seen a team give a game away like this one. We had so many opportunities to win this game, and time after time, we just refused to do so.

I'm absolutely disgusted, for same reasons

Sorry, but I just want to forget this one completely ... it was ours to take, but we didn't want it badly enough. I think this is a "one-game stinker" and that we'll come back with intensity on Wednesday, but of all the games we needed to win this year, we just plain  served this one up on a silver platter, and the Magic were more than happy to oblige. We deserved to lose this game ... plain and simple ... and the fault was everyone's!

I will now go about forgetting this atrocity, and do what I need to do to purge this poison from my system ... let's pray the Celtics do the same.

Double ugh


thanks for making this easier for my english B..

Edgar

[PosImpos]

The Celtics played well at the end of the game, but they just couldn't overcome the fact that they gave up 32 points in the first quarter, not when the Magic were playing as well as they were tonight.

I really hope they bounce back and take Wednesday's game.  Somehow the Celtics are a better road team, so I guess they'll play better in Orlando. 

[mmbaby]

Good post!
But, you know, we've won, what? 6 or 7 games in a row and beat the Cavs! Maybe they deserved this little break. And hey, I know this is selfish, but I am looking at the positive side..being able to watch another game btw us and Orlando.

[GreenFaith1819]

I just wish that between Glen, Perk or Sheed someone could've put a body on Dwight.........

[mmbaby]

They did, especially Baby, but Dwight's elbow cheated.

[Bahku]

Good post!
But, you know, we've won, what? 6 or 7 games in a row and beat the Cavs! Maybe they deserved this little break. And hey, I know this is selfish, but I am looking at the positive side..being able to watch another game btw us and Orlando.

Yup ... every team has a "stinker" once-in-a-while, this one was just very poorly timed. I only hope that it doesn't give Orlando the shot of confidence that makes the difference in Game Five. I don't think it will ... I think they'll play HUGE on Wednesday, and blow the Magic out again on their own floor. (TP)

[Bahku]

They did, especially Baby, but Dwight's elbow cheated.

The stuff he gets away with is absolutely monumental ... you'd think he was Superman, the way the refs treat him!

[Dybdal]

Give Credit where Credit is due, the Magic played well.. if Vince Carter had bothered to show up tonight, this might just have been a blowout in the first half.

The Celtics had a chance to win this and looking at the general fatigue that was plagueing this team in the 4th and the OT it would have been a very, very good win as it would have given us the time needed to get our legs back.

But i dont agree with the consensus of most of the fans tonight, it was very clear that this team was battleing fatigue all around the board thru most of this game but our Celtics battled HARD they gave everything they had, not a single one of our Celtics didnt leave everything they had tonight out on that floor.

Tonight we just came up empty but you cannot look away from what the Magic did, it takes mental toughness to go though a game like this and come out with the win.

[Bahku]

Give Credit where Credit is due, the Magic played well.. if Vince Carter had bothered to show up tonight, this might just have been a blowout in the first half.

The Celtics had a chance to win this and looking at the general fatigue that was plagueing this team in the 4th and the OT it would have been a very, very good win as it would have given us the time needed to get our legs back.

But i dont agree with the consensus of most of the fans tonight, it was very clear that this team was battleing fatigue all around the board thru most of this game but our Celtics battled HARD they gave everything they had, not a single one of our Celtics didnt leave everything they had tonight out on that floor.

Tonight we just came up empty but you cannot look away from what the Magic did, it takes mental toughness to go though a game like this and come out with the win.

As I said. Orlando played much better than they have been, or else they wouldn't have been in a position to take the gift we offered them. But from the end of the third quarter to the end of the game, we had over 30 opportunities that we blew, either by missing easy shots or turning the ball over ... that's giving the game away, however you slice it.

It was clear Paul's legs were gone and that Rondo was just ineffective, but we still had chance after chance that we gave away. We'd play decent defense, dig in and get a stop or turnover, and then go to the other end and throw it away ... time after time after time. Many trips they didn't even start the play until there was 6 or 7 seconds left, and then were still behind the 3-point line before even beginning to run the play!

Yes, they were clearly fatigued, but they also were not playing smart at all on the offensive end. OK ... they had a bad one, it's out of their system, (we hope), now let's learn from it and go back to playing OUR type of basketball, and put this thing away for good! (Good post, Dybdal ... TP)

[Dybdal]

Give Credit where Credit is due, the Magic played well.. if Vince Carter had bothered to show up tonight, this might just have been a blowout in the first half.

The Celtics had a chance to win this and looking at the general fatigue that was plagueing this team in the 4th and the OT it would have been a very, very good win as it would have given us the time needed to get our legs back.

But i dont agree with the consensus of most of the fans tonight, it was very clear that this team was battleing fatigue all around the board thru most of this game but our Celtics battled HARD they gave everything they had, not a single one of our Celtics didnt leave everything they had tonight out on that floor.

Tonight we just came up empty but you cannot look away from what the Magic did, it takes mental toughness to go though a game like this and come out with the win.

As I said. Orlando played much better than they have been, or else they wouldn't have been in a position to take the gift we offered them. But from the end of the third quarter to the end of the game, we had over 30 opportunities that we blew, either by missing easy shots or turning the ball over ... that's giving the game away, however you slice it.

It was clear Paul's legs were gone and that Rondo was just ineffective, but we still had chance after chance that we gave away. We'd play decent defense, dig in and get a stop or turnover, and then go to the other end and throw it away ... time after time after time. Many trips they didn't even start the play until there was 6 or 7 seconds left, and then were still behind the 3-point line before even beginning to run the play!

Yes, they were clearly fatigued, but they also were not playing smart at all on the offensive end. OK ... they had a bad one, it's out of their system, (we hope), now let's learn from it and go back to playing OUR type of basketball, and put this thing away for good! (Good post, Dybdal ... TP)

I agree with everything you have to say Bahku, my post wasnt meant to really call you on anything (i dont hope you took it that way) its more the general feeling of "the sky is falling" that comes after a tough loss like this.

We all are so invested in this team, so its hard to accept the reality of what just happend, we should have won this game no doubt.

But one thing i simply cannot stand, is the few implying that there was a lack of effort tonight.. that was not the case, everyone wanted it but we were not playing together tonight when it mattered (hello doc rivers, im in your house stealing your one liners)

[Bahku]

Give Credit where Credit is due, the Magic played well.. if Vince Carter had bothered to show up tonight, this might just have been a blowout in the first half.

The Celtics had a chance to win this and looking at the general fatigue that was plagueing this team in the 4th and the OT it would have been a very, very good win as it would have given us the time needed to get our legs back.

But i dont agree with the consensus of most of the fans tonight, it was very clear that this team was battleing fatigue all around the board thru most of this game but our Celtics battled HARD they gave everything they had, not a single one of our Celtics didnt leave everything they had tonight out on that floor.

Tonight we just came up empty but you cannot look away from what the Magic did, it takes mental toughness to go though a game like this and come out with the win.

As I said. Orlando played much better than they have been, or else they wouldn't have been in a position to take the gift we offered them. But from the end of the third quarter to the end of the game, we had over 30 opportunities that we blew, either by missing easy shots or turning the ball over ... that's giving the game away, however you slice it.

It was clear Paul's legs were gone and that Rondo was just ineffective, but we still had chance after chance that we gave away. We'd play decent defense, dig in and get a stop or turnover, and then go to the other end and throw it away ... time after time after time. Many trips they didn't even start the play until there was 6 or 7 seconds left, and then were still behind the 3-point line before even beginning to run the play!

Yes, they were clearly fatigued, but they also were not playing smart at all on the offensive end. OK ... they had a bad one, it's out of their system, (we hope), now let's learn from it and go back to playing OUR type of basketball, and put this thing away for good! (Good post, Dybdal ... TP)

I agree with everything you have to say Bahku, my post wasnt meant to really call you on anything (i dont hope you took it that way) its more the general feeling of "the sky is falling" that comes after a tough loss like this.

We all are so invested in this team, so its hard to accept the reality of what just happend, we should have won this game no doubt.

But one thing i simply cannot stand, is the few implying that there was a lack of effort tonight.. that was not the case, everyone wanted it but we were not playing together tonight when it mattered (hello doc rivers, im in your house stealing your one liners)

No, didn't take it that way at all, Buddy ... agreed with your post as well, just didn't phrase it as well as i could have, (still shaking from this loss). I didn't mean to intimate that they didn't give effort, either ... I think they worked their butts off on defense in the second half especially, that's why it was so frustrating to see them work so hard to force a turnover or block, and then come down to the offensive end and waste it.

I think they were just plain exhausted from playing so much intense defense over the last few games, that they had little left in the tank to run a smooth offense. And fatigue effects the mind, too ... they just seemed a bit out of sorts when it came to running clean offense. I don't think people realize how difficult it is to play defense as intensely as they do, and game-after-game, sooner or later it catches up with them ... I think that's what happened tonight.

In the second half especially they really turned the "D" on, and as a result, they just didn't have the extra shot-in-the-arm on the offensive end ... just not enough left in the tank.

[LB3533]

Instead of Pierce ISO's late in the game, should have ran some Pierce pick and rolls with KG or Big Baby.

It was too easy to defend with just straight up Pierce ISO...tired Pierce to boot.

[Bahku]

Instead of Pierce ISO's late in the game, should have ran some Pierce pick and rolls with KG or Big Baby.

It was too easy to defend with just straight up Pierce ISO...tired Pierce to boot.

Yeah, I agree ... and Ray was hot in the fourth ... they should've been running more high P&R's for Ray, and getting more going to the hoop. Rondo is such a HUGE key to this team winning ... when he's inactive and not attacking, this team really suffers.