So... are the Celtics really a "mean" team??

[Mizzy21390]

So after our win last night, I couldn't help it but show off in my friend's face. He's one of those people who hate the C's because he thinks they're "mean".. and when I ask him what he means by that, he has no response except that we're bullies ever since AFTER the championship...

He predicted us to not make it far in the playoffs.. He's a Cavs and, I continued telling him we'd win. But doubted us.. Then he predicted the magic to steam roll us, and it didn't happen... So you can imagine how happy I was to dance in his face and scream 0-95 because he kept saying they would come back from 3-0.

Anyways, he and his girlfriend and I got in a heated conversation after the win, because they claimed that the C's are a dirty team who bullies and are mean. That we play aggressive and push people around. I've never been so angry to hear that being said about the C's.. but seriously, do any of you guys see what they see? Without bias? I tried to think of how they could see the C's a bullies, as if I wasn't a fan, but even then, I didn't see it.

[Roy Hobbs]

The Celtics are a very physical team.  They foul a lot, and make contact after the whistle.  They try to push other teams around.  They're a bit dirty, although not generally in the Dwight Howard "elbow to the head" sort of way.

They also talk a lot of trash.

As such, I understand why they're hated.  That doesn't matter, though, because they're loved here by Boston fans.

[housecall]

I feel they are as "mean"(physical)as they need to be,in any given situation(game).So if thats is viewed as being a mean team i guess they are.

[Jon]

Yes, they're mean and thuggish, just like nearly ever NBA Champion, particularly the great ones and particularly the ones before the 1990s.  The only thing that bugs me is that there seems to be a perception amongst casual fans that old timers were some sort of chivalric gentlemen on the court, when in reality, they made the dirty plays of today look nice.

And I think it's a good thing.  I know some people who are turned off by how much opposing NBA players seem to be friendly with each other.   Some people forget that the Magic/Bird and Chamberlain/Russell friendships really didn't take off until the end of their careers/post-retirement. 

[Mizzy21390]

The Celtics are a very physical team.  They foul a lot, and make contact after the whistle.  They try to push other teams around.  They're a bit dirty, although not generally in the Dwight Howard "elbow to the head" sort of way.

They also talk a lot of trash.

As such, I understand why they're hated.  That doesn't matter, though, because they're loved here by Boston fans.

Roy, I gave them the elbow incidents and you know what they said? That it was an accident. They sounded like the commentators from game 5.. and I wanted to mute them. But I asked them, how could it be an accident 3-4 times in a row?

Sending two people with concussions is not accident. But yea, I gave them the example of Howard actually getting suspended last season I think, for his elbow... But they refuse to see that howard is dirty,  but that the C's are.

I just see that we carry our team with intensity and no backing down attitude, and to casual fans, like those two friends of mine are, it looks like bullying.. and it drives me crazy!!

[Rondo_is_better]

The general uneducated consensus is that the Celtics are mean/dirty/whatever. Its stupid, but when it comes to mass opinions, people can be borderline retarded.

[Roy Hobbs]

The Celtics are a very physical team.  They foul a lot, and make contact after the whistle.  They try to push other teams around.  They're a bit dirty, although not generally in the Dwight Howard "elbow to the head" sort of way.

They also talk a lot of trash.

As such, I understand why they're hated.  That doesn't matter, though, because they're loved here by Boston fans.

Roy, I gave them the elbow incidents and you know what they said? That it was an accident. They sounded like the commentators from game 5.. and I wanted to mute them. But I asked them, how could it be an accident 3-4 times in a row?

Sending two people with concussions is not accident. But yea, I gave them the example of Howard actually getting suspended last season I think, for his elbow... But they refuse to see that howard is dirty,  but that the C's are.

I just see that we carry our team with intensity and no backing down attitude, and to casual fans, like those two friends of mine are, it looks like bullying.. and it drives me crazy!!

Yeah, I've got no problem if people think we're dirty / overly physical.  What I don't understand is when those same teams defend legitimately dirty players like Howard.  

[angryguy77]

Boo freakn hoo. I want my team to mean, not dirty, but mean as hell. I don't think Boston is dirty, they're a group of men that want to dominate. Tea parties and polly pocket won't bring home a championship. If your friends want nice, then you should inform them the WNBA season will soon be here.

[bdm860]

Yes, they're mean and thuggish, just like nearly ever NBA Champion, particularly the great ones and particularly the ones before the 1990s.   

Amen!

I would agree that they're mean.

Perk has a perpetual scowl.
Sheed always yelling "ball don't lie" after arguing with refs.
KG and the "dead balls don't score" philosophy, swatting away balls after the whistle
All the technicals (lead the playoffs, led the regular season)
All the trash talk (was it 4 guys voted top 10 by the rest of the league?)

The Celtics are mean, and that's exactly what I want.

Tell your friends that they can worry about their teams making friends and being nice, while we'll worry about winning championships.  Mean is the way to play if you want win.

Just agree with them, say yes we're mean, and we're playing for the championship.  What are they playing for?

[Jon]

Though for as "dirty" a player as Howard supposedly is, he seemed awfully smiley last night as his team was getting blown out en route to a departure from the playoffs.  

Anyone else notice that?  

[barefacedmonk]

I actually like it when the oppostion plays the game in a physical manner against us....thats when we are at our best, imo....but what Lois Lane did was "dirty". He has enough strength to play a physcial game without the need to use his elbows.

A lot of people on various blogs/boards said that BBD injured Shaq on purpose....but those same people feel that those elbows were "accidental".....double standards of the highest quality

I hope we are very "mean" in the finals.

[moiso]

TP to Roy, that is exactly my take.  We are tough and mean and irritating, but we really don't have cheap shot artists like Howard.

[wdleehi]

Why not?



Mean to the opponent.




Heck of a lot better then being called "nice". 

[Frezz]

Though for as "dirty" a player as Howard supposedly is, he seemed awfully smiley last night as his team was getting blown out en route to a departure from the playoffs. 

Anyone else notice that? 

Yes, the crowd was chanting "Howard sucks" as he hit two free throws, which put them down 18, and he's clapping his hands and taunting the crowd like "Ya see those 2 free throws? Nailed it!". I'm just sitting there like dude you're down 18 points and you're trying to toy with the crowd? What a loser.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

The Celtics are mean huh, so who is the enforcer on this team...? Do you actually think bbd could hurt shaq...no one can hurt shaq....if you ever played bball, you'd know that EVERY player has multiple hand injuries......do the C's talk stuff...hahahhahaa, oh ow....you are hurting someones feelings there..."Hey ref, he called me a name!"..so sensitive..."you're no Daisy!"......As for playing, well, body D is fine, but, upper body, no free lane, no big deal, I watch off the ball, I don't see anyones hands on anyone, the rest IS basketball, if no one was in your way.....we'd be WEST Coast bball, no D, final score 165-160.....

    Now if we hired someone like Naraja, from where...Denver or a few of these pro hackers.........how many other teams were beat up...? Well...none. Howard was really the only hack on the Magic, Miller for Chicago, a few miami players, shaq is more now than he was before, because his game is gone....