I don't want to be a downer but

[celtics2]

I see at least 2 teams in the East that could beat us in a 7 game series. Miami and Orlando. Father Time is not on our side and the Celts are beginning to show too often they can only play 3 quarters. If I'm opposing Coach I run and bang us as much as possible in the 1st half and let nature take it's course in the next half.
Agreed we are depleted but that's the luck of the draw. We didn't have a center and picked up 2 that had gurneys following them around. Robinson has been a bust. Rondo is wrapped up like a Mummy. Delonte one of my favorites has missed half a season but even at that he'll play better than Robinson. The Campaign to show KG as insensitive and a blo hard may have worked diluting his effectiveness. Now we lost Daniels and it may be the last straw. Unless Ainge finds an answer for Daniels we probably don't make it to the ECF's. 30 more games left and the starters will be heavily tested without help. Miami can smell the meat. Win or lose they want to work us hard and let Father Time do it's thing. We all know what we bought into. May be time to pay the Fiddler soon.

[Roy H.]

If we have six players injured in the playoffs, I think you're right, we'll lose.  Miami, Chicago, and maybe Orlando can probably beat us when we're playing at 80% strength.

However, assuming that we have at least two healthy centers and at least one healthy rotation guard off the bench, I think we're going to be fine.  I don't think it's particularly valid to draw conclusions based upon our current level of play, when we're so depleted.  That said, I'm impressed that we were able to hang with the Lakers -- an elite team -- while having so many players out, and with several starters playing sub-par games.

[FatjohnReturns]

If all about the health of the big guys. If we can get to April with Shaq,Garnett,Perkins and Baby all healthy no one will beat us.

[wdleehi]

So 30 more games till the playoffs. 


Then of course the 1st round opponent which the Celtics will beat.


That is a lot of time for players to come back. 

[vinnie]

Orlando won't beat the Celts even if only partially healthy.  Miami, however, could beat this team if all the key guys are not back.

[Jon]

Roy's exactly right.  It's very popular in the media to generally ignore injuries, but the result against LA would've been much different if we even had half of our injured players playing.  In case people didn't notice, with the exception of a minute or so cameo by Nate and Bradley, the C's only played Von Wafer and BBD off the bench.  

It's no surprise that our starters couldn't play in the 4th when they had all played practically the whole game.  It's also no surprise that Kobe came out gunning after resting half of the 4th quarter.  

The simple reason the C's are slipping right now is because of no bench.  Assuming everyone is healthy, I don't see that happening in the playoffs.  

[Prof. Clutch]

I see at least 2 teams in the East that could beat us in a 7 game series. Miami and Orlando. Father Time is not on our side and the Celts are beginning to show too often they can only play 3 quarters. If I'm opposing Coach I run and bang us as much as possible in the 1st half and let nature take it's course in the next half.
Agreed we are depleted but that's the luck of the draw. We didn't have a center and picked up 2 that had gurneys following them around. Robinson has been a bust. Rondo is wrapped up like a Mummy. Delonte one of my favorites has missed half a season but even at that he'll play better than Robinson. The Campaign to show KG as insensitive and a blo hard may have worked diluting his effectiveness. Now we lost Daniels and it may be the last straw. Unless Ainge finds an answer for Daniels we probably don't make it to the ECF's. 30 more games left and the starters will be heavily tested without help. Miami can smell the meat. Win or lose they want to work us hard and let Father Time do it's thing. We all know what we bought into. May be time to pay the Fiddler soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jqQsDklQEM

[nba is the worst]

2nd best record in the league until last night, and 1-0 vs the best.

Back to 2nd after tomorrow.

In my view, the Celtics' glass is MORE than half full...

[ducksawce]

The Celtics are fine.  Only Chicago and Miami can beat them in the playoffs.  Both of these teams have severe limitations that don't necessarily show up in the regular season, but become obvious in the playoffs.  Chicago goes through bigger offensive droughts than even the Celtics do, and the Heat have no bigs.  The Celtics surely will take advantage of those two shortcomings in the playoffs.

Seriously though, they just need their depth back.  They're occasionally going to lose leads this year, but that's NOTHING compared to last year's regular season nightmare!  When the playoffs roll around, we'll have our centers, Shaq, JO, and Semih togetha...in addition to Nate/Delonte/Wafer.  Marquis is our x variable here...maybe a trade will be had, but I'm willing to bet it may be a halfway pleasant one at the very least...i.e. josh howard, etc.

There is a very good chance the Heat will rock it in Boston tomorrow and steal a game away, but by no means does that mean they have anything upon the Celtics...it'll just be like the Lakers game Thursday.  In other words, if those guys DON"T beat the Celtics at this point in the year (with injuries etc...), then they're realllly in trouble!

Don't worry!  The C's are golden.  They'll run off a big slew of wins after the all star break.

[Mike-Dub]

The Celtics are fine.  Only Chicago and Miami can beat them in the playoffs.  Both of these teams have severe limitations that don't necessarily show up in the regular season, but become obvious in the playoffs.  Chicago goes through bigger offensive droughts than even the Celtics do, and the Heat have no bigs.  The Celtics surely will take advantage of those two shortcomings in the playoffs.

Seriously though, they just need their depth back.  They're occasionally going to lose leads this year, but that's NOTHING compared to last year's regular season nightmare!  When the playoffs roll around, we'll have our centers, Shaq, JO, and Semih togetha...in addition to Nate/Delonte/Wafer.  Marquis is our x variable here...maybe a trade will be had, but I'm willing to bet it may be a halfway pleasant one at the very least...i.e. josh howard, etc.

There is a very good chance the Heat will rock it in Boston tomorrow and steal a game away, but by no means does that mean they have anything upon the Celtics...it'll just be like the Lakers game Thursday.  In other words, if those guys DON"T beat the Celtics at this point in the year (with injuries etc...), then they're realllly in trouble!

Don't worry!  The C's are golden.  They'll run off a big slew of wins after the all star break.

Chicago can't!  And I don't think Miami can either. 

IMHO no one can beat us in the playoffs, especially in the East.

[Larry for 3]

Here's the issue, buy the time we get our depth back we might drop below Miami, therefore, having to play game 7 in Miami istead of here.  Which of coarse, brings the officials back into play like game 7 vs LA.  The road team probally aint gettting the benifit of the doubt in game 7, and that in itself is my issue, espically if it's Joey Crawford of Steve Javie.  I could see Pierce and Allen in foul trouble, and Leborn & Wade living at the line.  I've seen it too many times--  that's why Sunday's game and finishing ahead of the Heat is so important.  At home we get the close calls,  away  --   we'll see, didn't get them last year.

[BballTim]

I see at least 2 teams in the East that could beat us in a 7 game series. Miami and Orlando. Father Time is not on our side and the Celts are beginning to show too often they can only play 3 quarters. If I'm opposing Coach I run and bang us as much as possible in the 1st half and let nature take it's course in the next half.
Agreed we are depleted but that's the luck of the draw. We didn't have a center and picked up 2 that had gurneys following them around. Robinson has been a bust. Rondo is wrapped up like a Mummy. Delonte one of my favorites has missed half a season but even at that he'll play better than Robinson. The Campaign to show KG as insensitive and a blo hard may have worked diluting his effectiveness. Now we lost Daniels and it may be the last straw. Unless Ainge finds an answer for Daniels we probably don't make it to the ECF's. 30 more games left and the starters will be heavily tested without help. Miami can smell the meat. Win or lose they want to work us hard and let Father Time do it's thing. We all know what we bought into. May be time to pay the Fiddler soon.

  I see about 29 teams that we could beat in a 7 game series.

[housecall]

#1 whats new about expecting at least 2-3 teams competeing for the top of the east.We all knew that Miami,Orlando would be right there trying to win the east.#2.Injuries have plagued this team from the start but we have maintained a decent record all season.#3.10days separated a lakers beatdown to us losing to the lakers by a narrow margin with a undermaned team of 8 1/2players.#4.i think you are overracting to one lousy offensively played game by KG who grabbed 11 boards aganist the lakers and making a mountain out of a moldhill.#5.I wouldn't worry or panic unless it was playoff time and some of these things were happening.

[pearljammer10]

Not worried, sorry Mr. Downer, there was nothing there to persuade me to think so.

[Surferdad]

I see at least 2 teams in the East that could beat us in a 7 game series. Miami and Orlando. Father Time is not on our side and the Celts are beginning to show too often they can only play 3 quarters. If I'm opposing Coach I run and bang us as much as possible in the 1st half and let nature take it's course in the next half.
Agreed we are depleted but that's the luck of the draw. We didn't have a center and picked up 2 that had gurneys following them around. Robinson has been a bust. Rondo is wrapped up like a Mummy. Delonte one of my favorites has missed half a season but even at that he'll play better than Robinson. The Campaign to show KG as insensitive and a blo hard may have worked diluting his effectiveness. Now we lost Daniels and it may be the last straw. Unless Ainge finds an answer for Daniels we probably don't make it to the ECF's. 30 more games left and the starters will be heavily tested without help. Miami can smell the meat. Win or lose they want to work us hard and let Father Time do it's thing. We all know what we bought into. May be time to pay the Fiddler soon.

  I see about 29 teams that we could beat in a 7 game series.

Agreed.  Nobody is beating this team except themselves.