Here we go again!

[celtics2]

So what! It's a long season. Back to back games. Want everyone bandaged up? Get a grip, it's a long season. I hope we coast and stay healthy. Can't stand it tune in late Jan. I like the way things look so far.

[Brendan]

I don't think it will happen as often this year as last season.

I also think they'll have much more insurance against nights like this once Delonte West comes back. He adds a lot of quality and stability to that second unit (depth being the difference this year vs last).

I also don't think Paul Pierce was bored... he gets that face when he's hurting too. The back has gotta be hurting from the Lebron freight train.

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, tough one to swallow, but I knew CLE would be scrappy tonight. We certainly won't be their only victims. They are a decent team without Lebron and they will be playing with a chip on their shoulders all season.

That being said, KG rebounded REALLY well. So he has 25 rebs in two games? It took him 4-5 games to get that many last year. He looks fluid - maybe not 07-08, but he looks better than last year.

He is not shooting well, but it will come.

For as many shots as we seemed to miss tonight, we still out-shot them 44 to 47%. We just couldn't close the deal.

Can't blame Shaq - he's only good for 15-20 minutes. He is giving us all he can, IMO.

Glen seemed to play well. Some have mentioned his lack of rebounding, but I can't pin this loss on him.

Rondo shot well - and did it on a fair amount of jumpers from what I saw.

Team needs to find a way to get JO involved offensively. I cannot accept that he's offensively challenged. Man had a few 20-10 games just last year.

Refs appeared to be against us -  a few calls seemed to be intended on swinging momentum their way, but overall I don't think it was too bad.

Look at LA vs HOU - they almost LOST their ring ceremony game. HOU was scrappy, indeed.

Just a tough loss - but we'll rebound. It's 2 down, 80 to go. I don't see us coasting this year, but like a few of us have predicted in previous threads - I give us 55-60 wins, even after tonight.

I can see where Perk and DWest would've helped us tonight, as well.

 

[mmbaby]

Sorry, but this is the 'whining' OP!!
If you don't want to spend your time or money watching them, no one's forcing you, EJPlaya!
Loosen up and try to enjoy yourself. I enjoyed tonight's game immensely; just seeing my team, the players. And there was not a lack of effort. Give it a good rest, sleep on it, take an aspirin, see how you feel in the morning!
SMILE! The season has just started and we ARE going to do it this year. 2010-11 Champions of the WORLD!
GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!!

[scaryjerry]

I didnt really have a problem with the effort tonight

tough back to back game with a scrappy team playing its home and season opener to an energetic crowd, probably shouldve won but i dont think it was due to effort

[CelticSooner]

The tail end of a back to back is something this team still has a problem with. I'll going to chalk tonight up to a excited Cavs team playing their home opener against the C's. I hope that's all it was but the lack of defense until late in the game has me wondering.

[GreenFaith1819]

Plus - the way we've rebounded the last two games, LA's not beating us in a 7 game series this time. There seems to be more effort in that area this time around, and we don't even have Perk back yet.

So we've out-boarded two teams so far?

[Celtics18]

Well. We can now strap in and prepare for the roller coaster effort that we saw last year in the regular season. All you had to do was look at Pierce's face all game to know that he was bored. This blog is going to go crazy all year if they come out and fail to give the effort needed to win close games against mediocre teams. Then comes out the ref card, the turnover card, etc.

If the starters don't have the desire to come out and give that effort then they need to play a lot less minutes. Rondo went from hero to goat as usual in one game. Take it seriously out there guys or let the guys on the bench come out and play. Why did I pay for NBA League Pass again?!

When folks use the term "lack of effort" I get the impression that they think the players make a conscious decision to say "I'm going to go out there and play at half speed tonight.  It's a long season, and I really don't feel like giving it my all against a Cavs team that is without it's superstar from last year as well as it's second best player.  We just came off an emotional season opener last night that felt like a playoff game.  We won.  We're psyched.  We're drained.  Now we gotta get on a plane and fly to ... Cleveland! . . . in the middle of the night.  Yeah, let's just take the night off.  Is anyone even watching this anyway?"

Nah, it's more like you spend all day pushing those thoughts back in to your subconscious.  You don't want to admit that those thoughts are there.  You want to pretend to yourselves that you're hungry for every game.  After all, the window's closing and this might be your last chance at glory.  You're pumped!  You're ready!  Then you get out on the court and your legs tell you otherwise. 

This team will be allright.  They'll suffer through some of these this season, but they are not an emotionally fragile bunch.  They'll stay focused and know how to be ready when it matters.

[EJPLAYA]

Well. We can now strap in and prepare for the roller coaster effort that we saw last year in the regular season. All you had to do was look at Pierce's face all game to know that he was bored. This blog is going to go crazy all year if they come out and fail to give the effort needed to win close games against mediocre teams. Then comes out the ref card, the turnover card, etc.

If the starters don't have the desire to come out and give that effort then they need to play a lot less minutes. Rondo went from hero to goat as usual in one game. Take it seriously out there guys or let the guys on the bench come out and play. Why did I pay for NBA League Pass again?!

When folks use the term "lack of effort" I get the impression that they think the players make a conscious decision to say "I'm going to go out there and play at half speed tonight.  It's a long season, and I really don't feel like giving it my all against a Cavs team that is without it's superstar from last year as well as it's second best player.  We just came off an emotional season opener last night that felt like a playoff game.  We won.  We're psyched.  We're drained.  Now we gotta get on a plane and fly to ... Cleveland! . . . in the middle of the night.  Yeah, let's just take the night off.  Is anyone even watching this anyway?"

Nah, it's more like you spend all day pushing those thoughts back in to your subconscious.  You don't want to admit that those thoughts are there.  You want to pretend to yourselves that you're hungry for every game.  After all, the window's closing and this might be your last chance at glory.  You're pumped!  You're ready!  Then you get out on the court and your legs tell you otherwise. 

This team will be allright.  They'll suffer through some of these this season, but they are not an emotionally fragile bunch.  They'll stay focused and know how to be ready when it matters.

Blaming a game on back to back tired legs the second game of the season is a little odd. If their legs are too tired to give effort on night two, then they might as well book their vacation plans for finals week. Last season showed us very clear that other than maybe KG and Perk, this team has no problem coming out and giving partial effort. That's why we did what we did last season in the regular season. In hindsight it probably payed off, but that doesn't mean that it will this year or that we have to be happy about it.

We also came out in the second half of the Heat game and played half effort as well until the last few minutes of the game. That's not going to get it done if the goal is #18.

[EJPLAYA]

Sorry, but this is the 'whining' OP!!
If you don't want to spend your time or money watching them, no one's forcing you, EJPlaya!
Loosen up and try to enjoy yourself. I enjoyed tonight's game immensely; just seeing my team, the players. And there was not a lack of effort. Give it a good rest, sleep on it, take an aspirin, see how you feel in the morning!
SMILE! The season has just started and we ARE going to do it this year. 2010-11 Champions of the WORLD!
GO CELTICS!!!!!!!!!!

This coming from the guy who swears BBD gives his offseason conditioning program 100%...

BTW, I feel just as ticked that I wasted my time and money this morning as I did last night. YOU may be content with them not giving effort. I am not. If you want to be the Champions then you have to play like it. We did in 08, we didn't last year or this year so far.

[Celtics18]

Well. We can now strap in and prepare for the roller coaster effort that we saw last year in the regular season. All you had to do was look at Pierce's face all game to know that he was bored. This blog is going to go crazy all year if they come out and fail to give the effort needed to win close games against mediocre teams. Then comes out the ref card, the turnover card, etc.

If the starters don't have the desire to come out and give that effort then they need to play a lot less minutes. Rondo went from hero to goat as usual in one game. Take it seriously out there guys or let the guys on the bench come out and play. Why did I pay for NBA League Pass again?!

When folks use the term "lack of effort" I get the impression that they think the players make a conscious decision to say "I'm going to go out there and play at half speed tonight.  It's a long season, and I really don't feel like giving it my all against a Cavs team that is without it's superstar from last year as well as it's second best player.  We just came off an emotional season opener last night that felt like a playoff game.  We won.  We're psyched.  We're drained.  Now we gotta get on a plane and fly to ... Cleveland! . . . in the middle of the night.  Yeah, let's just take the night off.  Is anyone even watching this anyway?"

Nah, it's more like you spend all day pushing those thoughts back in to your subconscious.  You don't want to admit that those thoughts are there.  You want to pretend to yourselves that you're hungry for every game.  After all, the window's closing and this might be your last chance at glory.  You're pumped!  You're ready!  Then you get out on the court and your legs tell you otherwise.  

This team will be allright.  They'll suffer through some of these this season, but they are not an emotionally fragile bunch.  They'll stay focused and know how to be ready when it matters.

Blaming a game on back to back tired legs the second game of the season is a little odd. If their legs are too tired to give effort on night two, then they might as well book their vacation plans for finals week. Last season showed us very clear that other than maybe KG and Perk, this team has no problem coming out and giving partial effort. That's why we did what we did last season in the regular season. In hindsight it probably payed off, but that doesn't mean that it will this year or that we have to be happy about it.

We also came out in the second half of the Heat game and played half effort as well until the last few minutes of the game. That's not going to get it done if the goal is #18.

I think you're mistaken if you think that any NBA team is capable of playing at their best for every single game of an 82 game season.  Even the best teams are unable to "bring it" on a nightly basis.  You may be underestimating the physical and emotional strain that these guys go through to do what they do day game after game, season after season.  You certainly need the talent to be a contender, but the reason veteran teams win championships is because you need to have a team that knows how to get through the grind, with it's ups and downs, in tact, staying together and strong, mentally and physically.  The Boston Celtics have such a team.  An early season loss to the Cavs won't change that.


Hey, they undermanned Cavs were jacked up on opening night in an emotional game in front of their home fans against the defending Eastern Conference Champs.  They were in a good position to pull off the feel-good upset of the year.  And, they managed to get it done.  Good for them, I say.


Time to get ready for New York on friday.  The players learn not to get too emotionally high or low based on every great win or disappointing loss.  

Heck, an 82 game season is grueling enough from my couch.  I've learned to stay a little more even-keeled myself for the mental and physical grind that is an NBA season.  

I wish you luck this season, EJ.  I hope you can stay focused and composed for the long haul.  

[wdleehi]

They come off a big game and a big win.


The next night they play a Cleveland team that has lost Lebron James.  (as well as other key role players like Shaq, Big Z and West)


Their "best" player is out with an injury.




In the NFL, they call it a trap game.




The Celtics were doing the same thing I did while I was watching the game.  The fell asleep. 


It is a lose they shouldn't have. 




To me, it tells me they are not worried about the number 1 seed, again.  They will be a top 4 seed, again. 

[EJPLAYA]

Well. We can now strap in and prepare for the roller coaster effort that we saw last year in the regular season. All you had to do was look at Pierce's face all game to know that he was bored. This blog is going to go crazy all year if they come out and fail to give the effort needed to win close games against mediocre teams. Then comes out the ref card, the turnover card, etc.

If the starters don't have the desire to come out and give that effort then they need to play a lot less minutes. Rondo went from hero to goat as usual in one game. Take it seriously out there guys or let the guys on the bench come out and play. Why did I pay for NBA League Pass again?!

When folks use the term "lack of effort" I get the impression that they think the players make a conscious decision to say "I'm going to go out there and play at half speed tonight.  It's a long season, and I really don't feel like giving it my all against a Cavs team that is without it's superstar from last year as well as it's second best player.  We just came off an emotional season opener last night that felt like a playoff game.  We won.  We're psyched.  We're drained.  Now we gotta get on a plane and fly to ... Cleveland! . . . in the middle of the night.  Yeah, let's just take the night off.  Is anyone even watching this anyway?"

Nah, it's more like you spend all day pushing those thoughts back in to your subconscious.  You don't want to admit that those thoughts are there.  You want to pretend to yourselves that you're hungry for every game.  After all, the window's closing and this might be your last chance at glory.  You're pumped!  You're ready!  Then you get out on the court and your legs tell you otherwise.  

This team will be allright.  They'll suffer through some of these this season, but they are not an emotionally fragile bunch.  They'll stay focused and know how to be ready when it matters.

Blaming a game on back to back tired legs the second game of the season is a little odd. If their legs are too tired to give effort on night two, then they might as well book their vacation plans for finals week. Last season showed us very clear that other than maybe KG and Perk, this team has no problem coming out and giving partial effort. That's why we did what we did last season in the regular season. In hindsight it probably payed off, but that doesn't mean that it will this year or that we have to be happy about it.

We also came out in the second half of the Heat game and played half effort as well until the last few minutes of the game. That's not going to get it done if the goal is #18.

I think you're mistaken if you think that any NBA team is capable of playing at their best for every single game of an 82 game season.  Even the best teams are unable to "bring it" on a nightly basis.  You may be underestimating the physical and emotional strain that these guys go through to do what they do day game after game, season after season.  You certainly need the talent to be a contender, but the reason veteran teams win championships is because you need to have a team that knows how to get through the grind, with it's ups and downs, in tact, staying together and strong, mentally and physically.  The Boston Celtics have such a team.  An early season loss to the Cavs won't change that.


Hey, they undermanned Cavs were jacked up on opening night in an emotional game in front of their home fans against the defending Eastern Conference Champs.  They were in a good position to pull off the feel-good upset of the year.  And, they managed to get it done.  Good for them, I say.


Time to get ready for New York on friday.  The players learn not to get too emotionally high or low based on every great win or disappointing loss.  

Heck, an 82 game season is grueling enough from my couch.  I've learned to stay a little more even-keeled myself for the mental and physical grind that is an NBA season.  

I wish you luck this season, EJ.  I hope you can stay focused and composed for the long haul.  

I think you are mistaking "bringing it" every night and being at their best. Of course a player isn't going to perform at his best every night. He can however give complete effort every night. Look at KG. Do you really expect me to believe that the guy has ever stepped on the floor and not give it his all?! He goes crazy even in pre-season games. That is something that each guy can do if they choose to. Even when they are tired, even when they are bored.

[Vermont Green]

I don't mind admitting that I am worried after watching the game last night (I actually only saw the 4th QTR).  I am worried because I believe that home court is important in the playoffs and I am worried that we are too old to play consistently the way we need to for a season.  Experience will pay off in the playoffs in other ways but we are an old team.

We will be better when West is back and I think JO'Neal will come around but overall, that is two games in row where we faded dangerously in the 4th quarter.  Against Miami, Ray hit the big shot we needed.  In Cle, no one did.  The point is we are going to lose too many games if we let it come down to that.  We slow it down in the 4th and we are too easy to defend especially when we have a PG who can't shoot and isn't being covered.

[mmbaby]

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to call you out, EJPlaya. TP to you for caring about this team with passion.