Don't Panic. We haven't peaked yet.

[chambers]

In a recent thread marcus13 stated that the Celtics always go through scoring droughts and this has occurred with the Celtics ever since Ray and KG joined us.

I thought about this and  100% agreed. I also thought back over the past few years and noted that we always seem to peak around the beginning/middle of April.

It's also about this time during a scoring drought or losing patch like we've recently seen when panic mode sets in for a lot of newer or impatient fans who think the Celtics losing a regular season game or three means we are doomed. Be it Rondos fault, Babys fault, losing Perkins, the new bench..(Krstic has copped it pretty bad on here) Anyway, there plenty of reasons to try and scapegoat it with but it takes time for people to learn I guess.

A good recent example of this was the Lakers before the All Star Break. I found it hilarious how many people had written them off and it wasn't even half way through the season. Look at them now.

The Celtics have 11 (?) more games left before the end of the regular season and then we will have to face one of a few bum teams in the 1st round of the playoffs before the real action starts.(Call me cocky but most people would agree we are huge favorites in any 1st round match up and we are not losing unless significant injury to a starter occurs between now and then).

* That's a good 30-35 days (4-5 weeks) before the real games begin and we have to be firing on all cylinders playing the Magic or the Heat.

*At least 6-7 weeks before we meet for the Conference Finals and see the Bulls/Heat.
I would also argue that the Bulls have pretty much peaked to the max, and that the Miami Heat haven't necessarily peaked yet.

*Doc and the veterans, doctors, trainers know what to do to get us there.

Time isn't slipping away from us as the recent posts and reactions from a lot of people would indicate.
Patience people..

[chambers]

I'm pretty sure that loss vs the Bobcats was our first loss to an Eastern Conference team this season. 21-1 at home vs conference teams.

[PosImpos]

Yeah, our team will peak in the 1st or 2nd round.  Maybe the ECF.

At some point, though, the team will run out of gas.  This will happen as a result of not having home court advantage, adequate (healthy) depth, or a significant amount of young talent.

[chambers]

Yeah, our team will peak in the 1st or 2nd round.  Maybe the ECF.

At some point, though, the team will run out of gas.  This will happen as a result of not having home court advantage, adequate (healthy) depth, or a significant amount of young talent.

well all we need to do is stay one game ahead of the Lakers at that point.
It's looking like the Bulls are going to take the East- their play is too good and their schedule is too easy.
If we can secure 2nd in the East and stay ahead of the Lakers that would be a positive outcome.
remember-it' 35 days till the business end of things. That's a lot of rest/recuperation time.

[PosImpos]

Yeah, our team will peak in the 1st or 2nd round.  Maybe the ECF.

At some point, though, the team will run out of gas.  This will happen as a result of not having home court advantage, adequate (healthy) depth, or a significant amount of young talent.

well all we need to do is stay one game ahead of the Lakers at that point.
It's looking like the Bulls are going to take the East- their play is too good and their schedule is too easy.
If we can secure 2nd in the East and stay ahead of the Lakers that would be a positive outcome.
remember-it' 35 days till the business end of things. That's a lot of rest/recuperation time.

I'm not confident in our ability to hold onto the #2 at this point.  I'm also not wild about our chances against Miami in the 2nd round.  Even a matchup with the Magic would scare me.

Don't get me started on facing the Sixers in the first round.  That idea gives me nightmares.

[chambers]

Yeah, our team will peak in the 1st or 2nd round.  Maybe the ECF.

At some point, though, the team will run out of gas.  This will happen as a result of not having home court advantage, adequate (healthy) depth, or a significant amount of young talent.

well all we need to do is stay one game ahead of the Lakers at that point.
It's looking like the Bulls are going to take the East- their play is too good and their schedule is too easy.
If we can secure 2nd in the East and stay ahead of the Lakers that would be a positive outcome.
remember-it' 35 days till the business end of things. That's a lot of rest/recuperation time.

I'm not confident in our ability to hold onto the #2 at this point.  I'm also not wild about our chances against Miami in the 2nd round.  Even a matchup with the Magic would scare me.

Don't get me started on facing the Sixers in the first round.  That idea gives me nightmares.

It's understandable to be worried but thinking about it realistically- It's a long time before they have to worry about the Magic or Heat. A long time for these guys to find motivation.
It's much more time for our bench guys to sync with each other.
Rondo hasn't played this stagnant for a loooong time.
When push comes to shove and the playoffs arrive, this team has the pieces and experience to beat any team in a 7 game playoff series. That New York game was a good example of their motivation when they need it.
The 76ers? 7 games with having home court? Trust me there's nothing to worry about.
Shaq and JO will both be back. Can't stress how important it is having 2 extra big guys like this helping KG on the defensive end.

[PosImpos]

Yeah, our team will peak in the 1st or 2nd round.  Maybe the ECF.

At some point, though, the team will run out of gas.  This will happen as a result of not having home court advantage, adequate (healthy) depth, or a significant amount of young talent.

well all we need to do is stay one game ahead of the Lakers at that point.
It's looking like the Bulls are going to take the East- their play is too good and their schedule is too easy.
If we can secure 2nd in the East and stay ahead of the Lakers that would be a positive outcome.
remember-it' 35 days till the business end of things. That's a lot of rest/recuperation time.

I'm not confident in our ability to hold onto the #2 at this point.  I'm also not wild about our chances against Miami in the 2nd round.  Even a matchup with the Magic would scare me.

Don't get me started on facing the Sixers in the first round.  That idea gives me nightmares.

It's understandable to be worried but thinking about it realistically- It's a long time before they have to worry about the Magic or Heat. A long time for these guys to find motivation.
It's much more time for our bench guys to sync with each other.
Rondo hasn't played this stagnant for a loooong time.
When push comes to shove and the playoffs arrive, this team has the pieces and experience to beat any team in a 7 game playoff series.
The 76ers? 7 games with having home court? Trust me there's nothing to worry about.
Shaq and JO will both be back. Can't stress how important it is having 2 extra big guys like this helping KG on the defensive end.

We have no guarantees about Shaq or JO coming back and actually being productive.  With their injury issues so far this year, who knows how long they would stay healthy even if they were to come back.

Also, my concern is with not having HCA in a potential Finals matchup against the Lakers, Mavs, or Spurs . . . especially after having fought through two grueling series on the road in the eastern conference playoffs.  It's incredibly difficult to win a title if you don't have HCA in the Finals.  You have to be substantially better than the other team, and honestly, as good as the Celtics can be when playing at their best, they aren't THAT much better than any of the other contenders.