How about some positive spin?

[LarBrd33]

I'm one of the most negative posters on this forum, but I'm not feeling this flurry of crybaby nonsense.   Everyone is wha-whaing about the starters... or they are wha-whaing about the new players... or they are wha-whaing about how Perk was a 1 man juggernaught... Wha-whaing about how Jermaine O'Neal is a corpse and Shaq is a in a boot.  It's one big pity party here.  Get it all out kiddies... lets all just stomp around in a big sobby circle and poo-poo about it.  You're all just mad we lost home court.  I get it.  But get over it.  None of you want to be right.  What good does that do if you're right?  You are desperately trying to fight an argument that the season is lost.  Pat yourself on the back if you're correct... good for you, slugger... You correctly solved the mystery of why the team you love is going to get blown out in the first round.  Cheers!

Meanwhile... I'll sit here and continue to look at things with a positive spin. 

#1 - We aren't the Thunder.  The Thunder had a dysfunctional roster without a legit big man.  They were forcing a SF to play PF and a PF to play C.   Perk's an easy fit there.  Go grab some rebounds and intimidate people, bull-dog.  Ibaka moves to his natural PF... James Harden gets a boost in minutes.  Easy fit... they have beat some teams.  Who cares.  That team's offense is built around 2 players.  Adding Perk doesn't disrupt anything.  Easy-mode. 

#2 - We have an intricate system that has been notoriously hard to pick up for newcomers.  We have 5 new players who we are scrambling to get up to speed for the playoffs.  Meanwhile, we've heard reports that practice-time has been limited... and what little practice-time we have had has been with the newcomers only (the vets have had days off).  It seems logical to me that it would take time for everything to click and for everyone to be on the same page.  The priority has been a crash-course for the newbies... and as far as I know, this afternoon is only the second practice where Doc has forced all the starters to participate.  I guesstimated it would take about a month.  It's been a month.  I expect things to start turning around.

#3 -  We were 29-7 with Shaq in the lineup.  13-1 with Shaq playing at least 22 minutes.  8-4 with Perk.   Sure it stinks we don't have Perk, but it stinks more we don't have Shaq.  Our offense was incredible with him.  KG commented it was "heaven" with Shaq.  And our defense was the top of the league.  I have yet to hear anyone suggest that Shaq will not come back. Even when Shaq was in his prime, he was known to take half the year off and coast until the playoffs.  Seems to me that if I'm running the Celtics, I wouldn't want to risk injuring our 39 year old center until maybe the last 5-10 games of the regular season.  So you can all flip out about a boot (which they have said is not a set-back), but I'm sticking with what I've expected all season... he'll be back when he needs to be back.  Sounds like he's on pace.  It's silly to say he will not make an impact.  He's a monster.  He commands a double-team, sets wall-sized picks for our guards and can clog the middle on defense.  Come on... get real.  Rondo didn't just suddenly average 17 assists because of some new shoes.  Stop poo-pooing facts.

#4 - Jermaine O'Neal is a wildcard.  I don't expect much from him... but I'm not going to be shocked if he makes a major impact on our team.  All signs point to him coming back on MOnday.  All signs point to him being healthy.  A healthy JO averages 14, 7 and 2 his last couple years.  He plays solid defense and I believe he's an improvement over Krstic and Glen Davis.   

#5 - You can crap on the O'Neals and pretend like they don't solve anything, but I'm not buying it.  They are our two best big men.  Do I think the psyche of the Celtics is rattled right now?  Yes.  But if you believe losing Perk was able to cause that much damage to their confidence... then you have to believe that getting Shaq and JO back will replenish that confidence.  You can't have it both ways, folks.  If you're banking your argument on the idea that these guys  are so mentally weak that losing their "brother" has caused them to sleep-walk through games like soulless zombies... then you gotta buy into that idea that they are just sitting around saying to themselves "we just need the oneal brothers back and then we can start gearing up for the playoffs". The big fella will provide an emotional boost for this emotionally fragile squad, right?   
 
We'll be fine.  Over the last 10 games of the regular season things will start to fall into line.  At that point, it'll become clear that we have the best starting lineup in the league and our depth will be crazy dangerous.  Deep down you all are hoping for this to happen.  I'm expecting it.

[GreenFaith1819]

LarBrd33 - thanks for the attempt at a positive spin. A lot of us are certainly concerned, and rightfully so.

I, too - believe we'll be fine.

[LarBrd33]

Another call out thread by a homer with green glasses, how original.

Nah.  I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time.  Granted, we've seen late additions completely fail at picking it up (Nate Robinson last year for example... never really figured it out).   I think the difference is that the negative folks see how bad we are playing and assume it will continue... whereas I fully expected a stretch of bad play, but expect it will turn around.

I've also seen the starters struggle over the years with lack of practice time.  I've been reading about how the starters haven't even been participating in practice... the team rightfully acknowledged that the priority should be to get the 5 newbies up to speed.  TOday (as far as I know) was only the second practice where both the regulars and the new guys participated in practice.

And lastly... you can't deny how well this team played with Shaq.  We have vastly improved our bench... even if you're not expecting the obvious from Shaq's return, his return locks in our rotation and our bench will shine as a result.

[LarBrd33]

At the start of the season when we were playing so well I also said that when Perk eventually came back... it would throw off our chemistry and we would hit a rough patch.  I wasn't sure how his return would alter things.  If Shaq, Jo and Perk were all getting minutes... what did that mean for Glen Davis?  What would that mean for a guy like Erden who had been getting playing time.  It would take time to adjust.

This team is now waiting for JO and Shaq to come back.  I think it will provide us a major boost, but I also think that it will take a couple weeks for everyone to adjust once they return.

My point is... I wouldn't expect insta-chemistry from this team bringing in 5 new players... and I'm not really all that concerned that we haven't built that chemistry yet... because we'll have to start from scratch as soon as our bigs return anyways.  I think that's gotta be in the back of everyone's mind.  Why flip the "playoff switch" until our "playoff team" is in uniform?  Those guys will return... and a couple weeks after that we will be playing like champions.

When we initially started struggling, a lot of posters said they weren't worried.  What's happened since then that would suddenly make you worried?  Its the same thing... the team is still adjusting, we are still waiting for our bigs and the final playoff push hasn't started.  We lost to the Clippers on the 9th and I still feel the same way about the team after our loss to the Grizzlies on the 23rd or the Bobcats on the 25th.  It's all part of the process of adjustment.

[vinnie]

Another call out thread by a homer with green glasses, how original.

Nah.  I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time.  Granted, we've seen late additions completely fail at picking it up (Nate Robinson last year for example... never really figured it out).   I think the difference is that the negative folks see how bad we are playing and assume it will continue... whereas I fully expected a stretch of bad play, but expect it will turn around.

I've also seen the starters struggle over the years with lack of practice time.  I've been reading about how the starters haven't even been participating in practice... the team rightfully acknowledged that the priority should be to get the 5 newbies up to speed.  TOday (as far as I know) was only the second practice where both the regulars and the new guys participated in practice.

And lastly... you can't deny how well this team played with Shaq.  We have vastly improved our bench... even if you're not expecting the obvious from Shaq's return, his return locks in our rotation and our bench will shine as a result.

Thank you. By saying this at the beginning of your post, "I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time." You identify why it is highly unlikely the Celtics will win the championship this year. Don't pull the trigger on trades like this with less than 30 games to go in the season.

[alley oop]

Good post, TP for OP.

[Neurotic Guy]

Thank you. By saying this at the beginning of your post, "I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time." You identify why it is highly unlikely the Celtics will win the championship this year. Don't pull the trigger on trades like this with less than 30 games to go in the season.

It's always unlikely to win a championship.  But an encouraging perspective on readiness for a run is possible to have -- if you allow yourself the luxury.  Here's my take:  When Shaq and/or JO return, they will have a rotation of the Big 4 Shaq/JO/Nenad, Baby, Green and DWest. They'll be experienced and will have depth. They'll have one playoff series against a mediocre opponent to use for regaining a playoff rhythm. Remember, the first series always has ample rest time and practice time. They'll have the time, in the midst of playoff intensity, to get it together. The shortened rotation is an experienced group who can catch lightening in a bottle.

[vinnie]

Thank you. By saying this at the beginning of your post, "I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time." You identify why it is highly unlikely the Celtics will win the championship this year. Don't pull the trigger on trades like this with less than 30 games to go in the season.

It's always unlikely to win a championship.  But an encouraging perspective on readiness for a run is possible to have -- if you allow yourself the luxury.  Here's my take:  When Shaq and/or JO return, they will have a rotation of the Big 4 Shaq/JO/Nenad, Baby, Green and DWest. They'll be experienced and will have depth. They'll have one playoff series against a mediocre opponent to use for regaining a playoff rhythm. Remember, the first series always has ample rest time and practice time. They'll have the time, in the midst of playoff intensity, to get it together. The shortened rotation is an experienced group who can catch lightening in a bottle.

Given the reports on Delonte's ankle, I am not so sure he is going to be a member of the regular rotation.

[BballTim]

Another call out thread by a homer with green glasses, how original.

Nah.  I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time.  Granted, we've seen late additions completely fail at picking it up (Nate Robinson last year for example... never really figured it out).   I think the difference is that the negative folks see how bad we are playing and assume it will continue... whereas I fully expected a stretch of bad play, but expect it will turn around.

I've also seen the starters struggle over the years with lack of practice time.  I've been reading about how the starters haven't even been participating in practice... the team rightfully acknowledged that the priority should be to get the 5 newbies up to speed.  TOday (as far as I know) was only the second practice where both the regulars and the new guys participated in practice.

And lastly... you can't deny how well this team played with Shaq.  We have vastly improved our bench... even if you're not expecting the obvious from Shaq's return, his return locks in our rotation and our bench will shine as a result.

Thank you. By saying this at the beginning of your post, "I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time." You identify why it is highly unlikely the Celtics will win the championship this year. Don't pull the trigger on trades like this with less than 30 games to go in the season.

  You realize that only 1-2 of those five will be part of the playoff rotation, right?

[birdwatcher]

Thank you. By saying this at the beginning of your post, "I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time." You identify why it is highly unlikely the Celtics will win the championship this year. Don't pull the trigger on trades like this with less than 30 games to go in the season.

It's always unlikely to win a championship.  But an encouraging perspective on readiness for a run is possible to have -- if you allow yourself the luxury.  Here's my take:  When Shaq and/or JO return, they will have a rotation of the Big 4 Shaq/JO/Nenad, Baby, Green and DWest. They'll be experienced and will have depth. They'll have one playoff series against a mediocre opponent to use for regaining a playoff rhythm. Remember, the first series always has ample rest time and practice time. They'll have the time, in the midst of playoff intensity, to get it together. The shortened rotation is an experienced group who can catch lightening in a bottle.

Given the reports on Delonte's ankle, I am not so sure he is going to be a member of the regular rotation.

Why would you say this? He's playing now, but they won't play him in the playoffs?

??

Sorry, it's puzzling to me. The only report I heard was that it won't be 100% by or even during the playoffs--but the kid is playing and playing hard.

[birdwatcher]

TP for the OP.

It's nice to see someone articulate what I didn't have the patience to post myself.

[vinnie]

Thank you. By saying this at the beginning of your post, "I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time." You identify why it is highly unlikely the Celtics will win the championship this year. Don't pull the trigger on trades like this with less than 30 games to go in the season.

It's always unlikely to win a championship.  But an encouraging perspective on readiness for a run is possible to have -- if you allow yourself the luxury.  Here's my take:  When Shaq and/or JO return, they will have a rotation of the Big 4 Shaq/JO/Nenad, Baby, Green and DWest. They'll be experienced and will have depth. They'll have one playoff series against a mediocre opponent to use for regaining a playoff rhythm. Remember, the first series always has ample rest time and practice time. They'll have the time, in the midst of playoff intensity, to get it together. The shortened rotation is an experienced group who can catch lightening in a bottle.

Given the reports on Delonte's ankle, I am not so sure he is going to be a member of the regular rotation.

Why would you say this? He's playing now, but they won't play him in the playoffs?

??

Sorry, it's puzzling to me. The only report I heard was that it won't be 100% by or even during the playoffs--but the kid is playing and playing hard.

He has reinjured the ankle, is doubtful for tomorrow's game, and he said it is really bothering him. I also read an article that mentioned something about offseason surgery.

Just found this article. He wants to play, but sounds like he is really being hampered by the ankle. Hope he can go and be able to contribute: http://www.nesn.com/2011/03/delonte-west-still-hobbled-by-sprained-ankle-but-hopes-to-play-sunday-in-minnesota.html

[birdwatcher]

Thank you. By saying this at the beginning of your post, "I just think it's stupid to expect the Celtics to get 5 new players and for them to instantly play like Celtics the second the get here.  This stuff takes time." You identify why it is highly unlikely the Celtics will win the championship this year. Don't pull the trigger on trades like this with less than 30 games to go in the season.

It's always unlikely to win a championship.  But an encouraging perspective on readiness for a run is possible to have -- if you allow yourself the luxury.  Here's my take:  When Shaq and/or JO return, they will have a rotation of the Big 4 Shaq/JO/Nenad, Baby, Green and DWest. They'll be experienced and will have depth. They'll have one playoff series against a mediocre opponent to use for regaining a playoff rhythm. Remember, the first series always has ample rest time and practice time. They'll have the time, in the midst of playoff intensity, to get it together. The shortened rotation is an experienced group who can catch lightening in a bottle.

Given the reports on Delonte's ankle, I am not so sure he is going to be a member of the regular rotation.

Why would you say this? He's playing now, but they won't play him in the playoffs?

??

Sorry, it's puzzling to me. The only report I heard was that it won't be 100% by or even during the playoffs--but the kid is playing and playing hard.

He has reinjured the ankle, is doubtful for tomorrow's game, and he said it is really bothering him. I also read an article that mentioned something about offseason surgery.

Just found this article. He wants to play, but sounds like he is really being hampered by the ankle. Hope he can go and be able to contribute: http://www.nesn.com/2011/03/delonte-west-still-hobbled-by-sprained-ankle-but-hopes-to-play-sunday-in-minnesota.html

I apologize Vinnie, I hadn't seen this article yet. Guess Shaq isn't the only one getting a cortizone shot...

[Prof. Clutch]

TP to the OP for this thread.

I was thinking about taking a screen shot of the "Latest Forum Topics" the other night because it was one of the most comically over reactionary and negative grouping of thread titles I had ever seen here (and that's saying something.)

I usually don't even bother coming to Celticsblog the night of a loss since logic seems to go right out the window and so many are unwavering in their belief that the sky is falling.  

Yes the Celtics are struggling, but they also have the second best record in the Eastern Conference and track record of turning it on when it really matters the most (a.k.a. the playoffs.)

[vinnie]

TP to the OP for this thread.

I was thinking about taking a screen shot of the "Latest Forum Topics" the other night because it was one of the most comically over reactionary and negative grouping of thread titles I had ever seen here (and that's saying something.)

I usually don't even bother coming to Celticsblog the night of a loss since logic seems to go right out the window and so many are unwavering in their belief that the sky is falling.  

Yes the Celtics are struggling, but they also have the second best record in the Eastern Conference and track record of turning it on when it really matters the most (a.k.a. the playoffs.)

They turned it on last year. One year does not make a track record.