How is this different from last year?

[Onslaught]

How is it different? Well, it's not the same team.

We don't have the same starting five. And three of the ones we had are even older. I will say that KG is probably in better shape however.

We have an almost all new bench. And many of these guys are brand new and not played with us very long.

We don't have all of the same coaching staff.  Not sure if it matters or not. But it is different.

The teams we're going to be playing in the playoffs are all different from last year.

Almost all our bigs where healthy this time last year.

We didn't do anything to brag about last year. Almost winning it all is NOTHING to be happy about. We lost. I don't want to be anything like last year. It hurt too much.

And I fear that last year gave the team and fans the idea that "turning on a switch" is a good idea. I don't think it is.

[mgent]

I am actually hoping it IS different from last year.  I mean, did we win the title last year and someone forgot to tell me?

As I have been saying, we may be able to get out of the east again (maybe), but I don't see us beating the lakers without HCA, which we have already given away.

If this team rallies and makes it to Game 7 against the Lakers in the Finals, I'm very confident that they'll win.  KG's improved play alone would be the difference maker.

It's the getting there part that I'm more worried about.

Once again, like everything, it all depends on how strong the O'Neals come back.  If we're playing Krstic significant minutes I see us getting out-rebounded twice as badly.

The Lakers, Bulls, and Magic are all teams that if they really try can outrebound us by 20 with relative ease.  That'll be our Achilles heel in the playoffs.

If the Oneals aren't back strong, I don't think we are making it anywhere near the finals anyways, so thats a moot point. 

I also don't think we would beat the Heat without Shaq playing well, since he is one of the real mismatches we have against them. 

The Heat?  Bulls, Magic, Hawks we can beat all these guys in a 7 game series.  Look how many games we've had to play this year without Shaq.  If the Big 4 are playing like they should I wouldn't pick any of those teams as favorites.  It depends a lot on what we're getting from Baby.  Doc is gonna be playing him at least 30-35 minutes a night.  And if Jeff Green is stepping up I can see Doc trying to use him like he used Posey.

Record without Shaq
Hawks: 1-0
Magic: 1-0
Bulls: 1-0
Heat: 1-0
Knicks with Melo: 1-0
(undefeated)

Record with Shaq (averages in about 20mpg)
Hawks: 1-0, (13 and 11)
Magic: 1-1, (7 and 1.5)
Bulls: 1-1 (8.5 and 4.5)
Heat: 2-0 (7 and 7, and only 36%FG)

Also he only gave us 4 and 1 in the Spurs game, and 0pts, 6reb in the LA game.

Shaq hasn't been a huge factor (and probably less than Baby but I don't feel like looking up his games) in any of the big games so far.  He's obviously been a "playoffs guy" in the past but last year in Cleveland he was worse in PPG, RPG, APG, FG%, TO, and PF in the post season.

[Green Hell]

How is it different? Well, it's not the same team.

We don't have the same starting five. And three of the ones we had are even older. I will say that KG is probably in better shape however.

We have an almost all new bench. And many of these guys are brand new and not played with us very long.

We don't have all of the same coaching staff.  Not sure if it matters or not. But it is different.

The teams we're going to be playing in the playoffs are all different from last year.

Almost all our bigs where healthy this time last year.

We didn't do anything to brag about last year. Almost winning it all is NOTHING to be happy about. We lost. I don't want to be anything like last year. It hurt too much.

And I fear that last year gave the team and fans the idea that "turning on a switch" is a good idea. I don't think it is.

TP. I'm so sick and tired of people speaking with such reverence about last year - the way some posters on here talk about it you would think they were Lakers fans. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The 2008 formula works, the 2010 formula didn't. It's the difference between setting yourself up for success and setting yourself up for a major letdown. This season started off like 08 but it's quickly becoming 2010 Part 2.

[Onslaught]

How is it different? Well, it's not the same team.

We don't have the same starting five. And three of the ones we had are even older. I will say that KG is probably in better shape however.

We have an almost all new bench. And many of these guys are brand new and not played with us very long.

We don't have all of the same coaching staff.  Not sure if it matters or not. But it is different.

The teams we're going to be playing in the playoffs are all different from last year.

Almost all our bigs where healthy this time last year.

We didn't do anything to brag about last year. Almost winning it all is NOTHING to be happy about. We lost. I don't want to be anything like last year. It hurt too much.

And I fear that last year gave the team and fans the idea that "turning on a switch" is a good idea. I don't think it is.

TP. I'm so sick and tired of people speaking with such reverence about last year - the way some posters on here talk about it you would think they were Lakers fans. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The 2008 formula works, the 2010 formula didn't. It's the difference between setting yourself up for success and setting yourself up for a major letdown. This season started off like 08 but it's quickly becoming 2010 Part 2.

Yep, you dominate all year long. You don't give other teams hope at all. We had that again this year and have lost it.

I doubt Ray would give that same speech he did right after the All Star break about how all the other teams fear the Celtics now.

In the end Boston has to believe they're the best. But it really helps for teams to fear you too. It's helped all the other great teams of the past.

[Neurotic Guy]

How is it different? Well, it's not the same team.

We don't have the same starting five. And three of the ones we had are even older. I will say that KG is probably in better shape however.

We have an almost all new bench. And many of these guys are brand new and not played with us very long.

We don't have all of the same coaching staff.  Not sure if it matters or not. But it is different.

The teams we're going to be playing in the playoffs are all different from last year.

Almost all our bigs where healthy this time last year.

We didn't do anything to brag about last year. Almost winning it all is NOTHING to be happy about. We lost. I don't want to be anything like last year. It hurt too much.

And I fear that last year gave the team and fans the idea that "turning on a switch" is a good idea. I don't think it is.

TP. I'm so sick and tired of people speaking with such reverence about last year - the way some posters on here talk about it you would think they were Lakers fans. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. The 2008 formula works, the 2010 formula didn't. It's the difference between setting yourself up for success and setting yourself up for a major letdown. This season started off like 08 but it's quickly becoming 2010 Part 2.

I disagree.  I'll be thrilled to have a chance to win another title, which last year's team did have.  It should go without saying that last year's team will not go down in C's history as a success. It should also go without saying that any team that leads in the 4th quarter of a Game 7 in the Finals has a chance to win.  At this point, we can certainly agree that a championship is the goal and nothing short of that is satisfactory, but at the same time, if this team can have a lead in the 4th quarter of Game 7 (perhaps this time with a center combo better than Sheed-Baby)  -- I'll be pretty ecstatic. 

[Roy H.]

I disagree.  I'll be thrilled to have a chance to win another title, which last year's team did have.  It should go without saying that last year's team will not go down in C's history as a success. It should also go without saying that any team that leads in the 4th quarter of a Game 7 in the Finals has a chance to win.  At this point, we can certainly agree that a championship is the goal and nothing short of that is satisfactory, but at the same time, if this team can have a lead in the 4th quarter of Game 7 (perhaps this time with a center combo better than Sheed-Baby)  -- I'll be pretty ecstatic. 

I agree.  Last year wasn't a success, but it does show that success can be achieved even when things look dire.

[Onslaught]

I'll only be thrilled if we win. Anything other then number 18 is a failure.

[Onslaught]

I disagree.  I'll be thrilled to have a chance to win another title, which last year's team did have.  It should go without saying that last year's team will not go down in C's history as a success. It should also go without saying that any team that leads in the 4th quarter of a Game 7 in the Finals has a chance to win.  At this point, we can certainly agree that a championship is the goal and nothing short of that is satisfactory, but at the same time, if this team can have a lead in the 4th quarter of Game 7 (perhaps this time with a center combo better than Sheed-Baby)  -- I'll be pretty ecstatic. 

I agree.  Last year wasn't a success, but it does show that success can be achieved even when things look dire.

Oh sure. We're not dead yet. We have as good a chance as any other team. Not as much as at the start of the year but that's the way things go.

But I fear that last year also gives people unrealistic and unhealthy ideas about how things should be. I HATE "the switch"

[Roy H.]

I disagree.  I'll be thrilled to have a chance to win another title, which last year's team did have.  It should go without saying that last year's team will not go down in C's history as a success. It should also go without saying that any team that leads in the 4th quarter of a Game 7 in the Finals has a chance to win.  At this point, we can certainly agree that a championship is the goal and nothing short of that is satisfactory, but at the same time, if this team can have a lead in the 4th quarter of Game 7 (perhaps this time with a center combo better than Sheed-Baby)  -- I'll be pretty ecstatic. 

I agree.  Last year wasn't a success, but it does show that success can be achieved even when things look dire.

Oh sure. We're not dead yet. We have as good a chance as any other team. Not as much as at the start of the year but that's the way things go.

But I fear that last year also gives people unrealistic and unhealthy ideas about how things should be. I HATE "the switch"

Yeah, I agree with all of that.

[Neurotic Guy]

I disagree.  I'll be thrilled to have a chance to win another title, which last year's team did have.  It should go without saying that last year's team will not go down in C's history as a success. It should also go without saying that any team that leads in the 4th quarter of a Game 7 in the Finals has a chance to win.  At this point, we can certainly agree that a championship is the goal and nothing short of that is satisfactory, but at the same time, if this team can have a lead in the 4th quarter of Game 7 (perhaps this time with a center combo better than Sheed-Baby)  -- I'll be pretty ecstatic. 

I agree.  Last year wasn't a success, but it does show that success can be achieved even when things look dire.

Oh sure. We're not dead yet. We have as good a chance as any other team. Not as much as at the start of the year but that's the way things go.

But I fear that last year also gives people unrealistic and unhealthy ideas about how things should be. I HATE "the switch"

I agree that it's terrible policy to rely on 'the switch'.  But frankly, right now I am praying for the switch.

[mzepol]

Last year, Doc and Danny admitted to "coasting". This year, both of them claim that the team is not coasting. They're just losing game after game after game.

[looseball]

I disagree.  I'll be thrilled to have a chance to win another title, which last year's team did have.  It should go without saying that last year's team will not go down in C's history as a success. It should also go without saying that any team that leads in the 4th quarter of a Game 7 in the Finals has a chance to win.  At this point, we can certainly agree that a championship is the goal and nothing short of that is satisfactory, but at the same time, if this team can have a lead in the 4th quarter of Game 7 (perhaps this time with a center combo better than Sheed-Baby)  -- I'll be pretty ecstatic. 

I agree.  Last year wasn't a success, but it does show that success can be achieved even when things look dire.

Oh sure. We're not dead yet. We have as good a chance as any other team. Not as much as at the start of the year but that's the way things go.

But I fear that last year also gives people unrealistic and unhealthy ideas about how things should be. I HATE "the switch"

I agree that it's terrible policy to rely on 'the switch'.  But frankly, right now I am praying for the switch.

How about a community prayer for the switch!

[jgod213]

I disagree.  I'll be thrilled to have a chance to win another title, which last year's team did have.  It should go without saying that last year's team will not go down in C's history as a success. It should also go without saying that any team that leads in the 4th quarter of a Game 7 in the Finals has a chance to win.  At this point, we can certainly agree that a championship is the goal and nothing short of that is satisfactory, but at the same time, if this team can have a lead in the 4th quarter of Game 7 (perhaps this time with a center combo better than Sheed-Baby)  -- I'll be pretty ecstatic. 

I agree.  Last year wasn't a success, but it does show that success can be achieved even when things look dire.

Oh sure. We're not dead yet. We have as good a chance as any other team. Not as much as at the start of the year but that's the way things go.

But I fear that last year also gives people unrealistic and unhealthy ideas about how things should be. I HATE "the switch"

Hate it all you want but let's be honest, this team HAS a switch and they know they have it.  It's one of the most unique things i've seen in sports but bottom line is this group of guys (the core) along with Doc, have the ability to take it to the highest level once things start to matter.

The only things i want now is to find out which bench guys have the stones to contribute in the second season, for the O'Neals to get some run, and for Rondo/Ray/Paul/KG to get healthy and rested.

As Chris mentioned in the opening post, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE, it worked in getting us to game 7 of the NBA finals.  Until i see "the switch" fail in getting us to the NBA finals i'm going to clentch my jaw and look the other way while they lose to the Pacers and Bobcats in the stretch run.

[Assassin70]

I disagree.  I'll be thrilled to have a chance to win another title, which last year's team did have.  It should go without saying that last year's team will not go down in C's history as a success. It should also go without saying that any team that leads in the 4th quarter of a Game 7 in the Finals has a chance to win.  At this point, we can certainly agree that a championship is the goal and nothing short of that is satisfactory, but at the same time, if this team can have a lead in the 4th quarter of Game 7 (perhaps this time with a center combo better than Sheed-Baby)  -- I'll be pretty ecstatic. 

I agree.  Last year wasn't a success, but it does show that success can be achieved even when things look dire.

Oh sure. We're not dead yet. We have as good a chance as any other team. Not as much as at the start of the year but that's the way things go.

But I fear that last year also gives people unrealistic and unhealthy ideas about how things should be. I HATE "the switch"

Hate it all you want but let's be honest, this team HAS a switch and they know they have it.  It's one of the most unique things i've seen in sports but bottom line is this group of guys (the core) along with Doc, have the ability to take it to the highest level once things start to matter.

The only things i want now is to find out which bench guys have the stones to contribute in the second season, for the O'Neals to get some run, and for Rondo/Ray/Paul/KG to get healthy and rested.

As Chris mentioned in the opening post, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THIS BEFORE, it worked in getting us to game 7 of the NBA finals.  Until i see "the switch" fail in getting us to the NBA finals i'm going to clentch my jaw and look the other way while they lose to the Pacers and Bobcats in the stretch run.

I want for you to be right...

[scottwedman]

Last year, Doc and Danny admitted to "coasting". This year, both of them claim that the team is not coasting. They're just losing game after game after game.

"The Switch" is a Celtics invention, going all the way back to 1968-69, when Russell took an aging, injury riddled team to a Game 7 win/championship by letting them coast/conserve energy through the regular season, came into the playoffs as a 4th seed, and then wrecked shop.