Celtics (48-19) at Hornets (40-30) 3/19

[Megatron]

It does feel like last year.  While this provides a little comfort, it still feels like hoping for another miracle. 

Can the C's turn it on again come playoffs when they look this bad on March 19th?   

Tommy puts on the positive spin -- the bench played well.

Celtics have been making average players look like gods for years.

Their defense is designed to make the least likely of people take the shots for their team, and if they make them they have big nights.

[KGindaHizzy]

Gone are the days when a Celtics Win makes my day..

I hope the playoffs start now..

[vinnie]

So megaton, what made them decide to start coasting so late in the year? Was it the trade?

[Megatron]

Not coasting. Playing like crap, trying to integrate two new guys, and no interior presence on defense.

The 5 new guys are playing the best baskeball on the team.

Davis is outplaying the entire starting lineup.

New guys arent the problem, its the starters blatantly coasting until the playoffs.

[Megatron]

So megaton, what made them decide to start coasting so late in the year? Was it the trade?

We'll never know the answer to that.

They coasted all last season and we tried to use "age" as an excuse until they proved us wrong in the playoffs.

As humans we always look for excuses.

There is no excuse, just that they know regular season games are meaningless and dont feel like giving their 100% right now.

[TheBigFive]

I just can't believe all you guys that are blaming the effort or lack of on Rondo and Kristic only.

Yes, Kristic's been playing crp but if you guys have been watching the games as closely as I have, it's the whole STARTING unit ESP the big 4 thats been absolutey terrible.

It was the Rockets guards last night and its the forwards tonight. Did you guys see the defense Ray/Paul played on Gallineli in the first half? And it's not just Paul, it's everyone. There is just no sense of urgency from the team. Other than witnessing some energy from kg, i'm seeing nothing from the rest. Rondo is hitting jumpers (ones he usually misses). You can't COUNT ON HIM making those esp w/ 3 sec left on the shot clock. Ray's been nonexistent cause he and the team can't get him open. There is no ball movement right now.

This team right now is flat out EXHAUSTED. Not disinterested cuz they look absolutely p---ed, but TIRED.

[vinnie]

This is totally different than last year.

[Defense]

I'm so tired of people making excuses for this team. There is no excuse for bad behavior. If you want to be a championship team, then start playing like one. Don't p--- on my leg and tell me it's raining.

[hpantazo]

So megaton, what made them decide to start coasting so late in the year? Was it the trade?

We'll never know the answer to that.

They coasted all last season and we tried to use "age" as an excuse until they proved us wrong in the playoffs.

As humans we always look for excuses.

There is no excuse, just that they know regular season games are meaningless and dont feel like giving their 100% right now.

well, we can't all be cybertronians like you

[radiohead]

The Celtics are in a major slump right now, pretty much like what happened to the Heat a few weeks back. We can blame injuries, chemistry, or what have you but i guess it's just that...they're just in a rut. The Heat have bounced back nicely since the "crying gate" issue. Even the Lakers have been pretty sharp of late after going through a rough stretch earlier. Hopefully the C's can get over this slump soon and get HCA advantage in the East. 

[LilRip]

just tuned in. looking at the boxscore, we're down again by the half thanks to an abysmal 14-pt 1st quarter. They're shooting 61% at the half?! what happened??? are they hitting lucky shots or are CP3's 10 assts no fluke?

[hpantazo]

This is totally different than last year.

how so?

[ejk3489]

This is totally different than last year.

What's so different this time around?

just tuned in. looking at the boxscore, we're down again by the half thanks to an abysmal 14-pt 1st quarter. They're shooting 61% at the half?! what happened??? are they hitting lucky shots or are CP3's 10 assts no fluke?

Some of their shots have been lucky. A couple of three pointers went in with 2-3 seconds on the shot clock. But mostly it's been bad defense.

[Defense]

This is totally different than last year.

IT'S THE EXACT SAME THING

THE EXACT SAME

[kozlodoev]

Not coasting. Playing like crap, trying to integrate two new guys, and no interior presence on defense.

I'm sorry, but the two new guys have been arguably the best and most consistent players since the trade, so I have a hard time taking this as a valid excuse.