How do you like the way we are winning?

[afflatus]

Back in 2008-2009 as we tried to defend the title, we started out pretty strong at 27-2, during this time Doc mentioned that he didn't like the way we were winning these games. I'm not sure why, but I had that feeling back then as well. We were healthy at that point (before KG got injured), we were winning games by large margins, we were not grinding as much, but it still didn't feel right.

This year has been different. We are grinding out wins with a lot of injured players. The games are exciting and very close. I think it is keeping us on our toes a bit.

Whenever I follow the Heat scores, it almost looks like they destroy teams by large margins and are able to coast a lot more in their victories.

Yet, as of today, I was very surprised to see that the teams have identical point differentials.

Bottom line, As much as I am enjoying the wins the Celtics have been collecting, I am enjoying the way they are winning these games a lot more.

[pearljammer10]

I dont really care if I like how we are winning as long as we are winning.

[Snakehead]

I dont really care if I like how we are winning as long as we are winning.

Same.  But I will say, there may be potential for this season being more helpful this way.  The veteran players probably won't miss much of a step by being out or playing without their other teammates due to injury.  Because of injuries, a lot of guys are getting more time or time with the first unit that will be valuable in their development.  I speak specifically to Nate Robinson, Big Baby, Quis, Semih, and even Gody and Avery to an extent.  This is all positive, and if we have an injury similar to Perk's in the finals we now have the depth and the chemistry that will be built up over the course of this season.

The best thing about how we are winning is simply that we're winning and we have so many injuries.  The fact that this team is playing so well currently without Rondo is super impressive.  Paul Pierce putting up double digit assists two games in a row?  Ray with 6 assists last night?  We don't even need a PG.  It's beautiful basketball and I love this team.

[hpantazo]

I dont really care if I like how we are winning as long as we are winning.

Same.  But I will say, there may be potential for this season being more helpful this way.  The veteran players probably won't miss much of a step by being out or playing without their other teammates due to injury.  Because of injuries, a lot of guys are getting more time or time with the first unit that will be valuable in their development.  I speak specifically to Nate Robinson, Big Baby, Quis, Semih, and even Gody and Avery to an extent.  This is all positive, and if we have an injury similar to Perk's in the finals we now have the depth and the chemistry that will be built up over the course of this season.

The best thing about how we are winning is simply that we're winning and we have so many injuries.  The fact that this team is playing so well currently without Rondo is super impressive.  Paul Pierce putting up double digit assists two games in a row?  Ray with 6 assists last night?  We don't even need a PG.  It's beautiful basketball and I love this team.

well, I was at the game last night and it was anything but beautiful basketball. They are grinding it out however and winning, and that's what counts. I agree with the benefit of giving Shaq, Nate, Semih, Quisy and Davis more playing time now to gel with the rest of the team, but I think the injuries have taken much needed time away from Delonte and Jermaine to gel with this group. I strongly disagree that we don't need a pg, last night was an excellent example. Nate can't handle the point and Pierce and Allen trying to run the show killed the offense all night, we need Rondo. What I am most impressed with so far though is how well Shaq and KG play together, a thing of beauty, and the improvement of Davis.

[Snakehead]

I dont really care if I like how we are winning as long as we are winning.

Same.  But I will say, there may be potential for this season being more helpful this way.  The veteran players probably won't miss much of a step by being out or playing without their other teammates due to injury.  Because of injuries, a lot of guys are getting more time or time with the first unit that will be valuable in their development.  I speak specifically to Nate Robinson, Big Baby, Quis, Semih, and even Gody and Avery to an extent.  This is all positive, and if we have an injury similar to Perk's in the finals we now have the depth and the chemistry that will be built up over the course of this season.

The best thing about how we are winning is simply that we're winning and we have so many injuries.  The fact that this team is playing so well currently without Rondo is super impressive.  Paul Pierce putting up double digit assists two games in a row?  Ray with 6 assists last night?  We don't even need a PG.  It's beautiful basketball and I love this team.

well, I was at the game last night and it was anything but beautiful basketball. They are grinding it out however and winning, and that's what counts. I agree with the benefit of giving Shaq, Nate, Semih, Quisy and Davis more playing time now to gel with the rest of the team, but I think the injuries have taken much needed time away from Delonte and Jermaine to gel with this group. I strongly disagree that we don't need a pg, last night was an excellent example. Nate can't handle the point and Pierce and Allen trying to run the show killed the offense all night, we need Rondo. What I am most impressed with so far though is how well Shaq and KG play together, a thing of beauty, and the improvement of Davis.

I'm not saying we don't need a PG obviously, I'm just saying we don't need one to win games, which we have proven by winning games without our PG.  Rondo is the team's best player, of course I'd rather have him out there.

And considering our injuries, our PG-less offense has been beautiful at times.  Last night was not one of those times, you're right, but I think KG and Pierce had their worst offensive games of the year and the refs got them out of it, so I'll take it as an anomaly.


As for West and Jermaine, they are both almost healthy.  Plenty of time for them to get comfortable still.

[Bahku]

The depth of this team is amazing, and the way they keep finding ways to dig down deep and get wins, even when they're playing poorly, or when the officials are working them, or despite all the injuries, is not only awe-inspiring, but is the definition and embodiment of Celtic Pride and Ubuntu. I like the way they're winning very much ... because they're doing it with grit, determination, and character.

[PaulPierce34G]

Can't blow out every team every game.  Is this Celtics team capable of blowing out a good amount of teams?  Yes, of course.  However, doesn't mean it will happen all the time.  NBA players are professionals...Even 9th, 10th, 11th string, etc, players are better than most people in the world. 

It can drive us as fans nuts to see the team play below what they are capable of, especially against the Charlottes, Phillys, Minnesotas of the league, but it is bound to happen here and there.  What matters is, I definitely feel that the team is trying this year, more so than last.  They are not going in many of these games playing with the foot off the gas.  Last night was just one of those games where they just didn't have it for the bulk of the game, but they scrapped, pulled together at the end and did what they had to do.  A win is a win.

[guava_wrench]

Anything Doc said back then is irrelevant now because our main guy have been playing together in the same system for over 3 years.

I would also expect that there is a bit of coach-talk in his dissatisfaction back then.

[LooseCannon]

The first year that Pierce, Allen, and Garnett played together, the season unfolded like it was a team of destiny.  Even when the team was pushed to all those game sevens, I had faith that it was meant to be.

I get the same feeling this season, that we are watching a truly historic season.

[GreenEnvy]

Back in 2008-2009 as we tried to defend the title, we started out pretty strong at 27-2, during this time Doc mentioned that he didn't like the way we were winning these games. I'm not sure why, but I had that feeling back then as well. We were healthy at that point (before KG got injured), we were winning games by large margins, we were not grinding as much, but it still didn't feel right.

This year has been different. We are grinding out wins with a lot of injured players. The games are exciting and very close. I think it is keeping us on our toes a bit.

Whenever I follow the Heat scores, it almost looks like they destroy teams by large margins and are able to coast a lot more in their victories.

Yet, as of today, I was very surprised to see that the teams have identical point differentials.

Bottom line, As much as I am enjoying the wins the Celtics have been collecting, I am enjoying the way they are winning these games a lot more.

Pretty strong? Best start in NBA history.

As for the point differential, the Heat can beat a bad team by 20, then lose to a good team by 10. If the Celtics win back-to-back games by 5 points, they have the same differential.

I wouldn't care if we had a +2.0 if we won 75 games. Winning is winning. More times than not, you will have hard-fought, battle-of-execution, grind-it-out games in the playoffs. I prefer a team that wins a ton of those games and has experience from the regular season than a team that blows out bad teams and loses those types of games to good teams.

This, IMO, has already been more impressive than the 2008-09 streak because of the guys we are doing it with. Starting a fourth-string rookie center and needing minutes from AB, 'Gody, and Wafer.

[Redz]

The first year that Pierce, Allen, and Garnett played together, the season unfolded like it was a team of destiny.  Even when the team was pushed to all those game sevens, I had faith that it was meant to be.

I get the same feeling this season, that we are watching a truly historic season.

Indeed.  That year was based so much on non-stop ferocious energy.  I see lot more smoothness to this year. They don't have quite so much to prove, but they have a definite mission and a confidence in each other that goes beyond what any other team in the league can match (maybe the Spurs).

[Roy H.]

Well, I'd prefer a nice, healthy team that wins every game by 15+, and has plenty of garbage time to develop our lesser players.

That's not going to happen, though, so as a fan, I love seeing the team take the regular season seriously.  These close wins boost morale and develop chemistry.

I have a slight concern that some of these games might be taking a lot out of the vets, but I'll defer to Doc's and Danny's judgment.

[mgent]

The last two years we started strong because we were healthy and then got unhealthy.  This year we're injured but we're winning anyway.  Hopefully we got smarter and are gonna start out injured but finish the second half healthy!

[Q_FBE]

I take these one game at a time and hope the Celtics have more points than their opponents by the end of the day.

Well, I think their defensive energy and continued commitment to unselfishness is serving them well. Miami is getting contributions from their role players (Chalmers, Arroyo come to mind) and that his helping them beat these lesser teams on their plate.

[makaveli]

I LOVE THE WAY WE ARE WINNING...
we are not winning games like the start of the last season or the on before, with talent, we are winning by playing together and playing great D.
Every shot is being contested once again. This is a great topic, you could really see the difference in "typical" wins we got from last 4 seasons(this included) and I only like them in the 1st and last and I hope that both will end up being championship winning seasons. TP