I'll take the win, but...

[ScoobyDoo]

Great win, always good to get a win but it's not the ideal way to start out the playoffs.

The main problem I have with the win is that the team once again just came out with a completely apathetic attitude. Once they got punched in the forehead by the knicks in the first half, you could finally see a dramatic change in the effort, intensity and execution on defense and offense on both ends of the floor.

I mean, how many **** times does this team need to be punched in the nose before they wake up form their slumber. For me, "just enough" to win isn't nearly "good enough". They will find themselves in a real hole when they go up against a team that's actually good like Miami or Chicago if they constantly come with their C game.

Also, I think we really miss the Perkins / Shaq kind of presence. It's not so much that we are missing Perkins, it's that we are missing that "big goon" in the middle presence that Shaq or Perkins provide equally well. If Shaq can come back for 15-20 strong minutes a night starting with the 2nd round and through the finals, I think we're putting up #18. I like what JO is giving us, but he just doesn't bring that intimidation, space eater, enforcer presence. Not a knock on JO, he's playing great, it's just what it is. You add Shaq to Jo and KG, we will start really layign some hurt on people in the paint.

But this being said, there is no reason whatsoever that a Krstic, JO, KG, Big baby front line should not absolutely dominate the front lines of both the Knicks and the Heat. I mean JO, KG, Kirstic and Baby are four of the biggest guys in the league, period.

Instead they make Jared Jeffries look like Dennis Rodman on the glass.

Guys, please lay a **** body on someone when the ball goes up - we are such a miserable rebounding team and it's completely due to no one actually turning and laying a body on someone when the shot goes up. Basketball 101...

Very frustrating - I never knew Jeffries was such a stud on the boards.

and Big baby needs to get a **** nasty streak for god's sake - he's like a politician out there. He should take it upon himself to play enforcer and bring a physical presence.

* Bull his way to the basket
* dish out about 2-3 real hard fouls a night on guys careening down the lane - not flagrants - just meet them mid air
* and start laying his 300 lb body on people on the glass
       

[Mr October]

Aside from a few errors, the Celtics looked like the Celtics in the second half.

I agree about the start. The games only get harder from here on out. The Cs better come out crisp in game 2. That game 1 was way too close for my liking.

[Roy H.]

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[barefacedmonk]

Good post. TP.

It was a "we dodged a bullet" type of win....not how I expected our playoffs campaign to begin...especially after all the "we'll be more focused" talk that preceded the playoffs.

[hpantazo]

Aside from a few errors, the Celtics looked like the Celtics in the second half.

I agree about the start. The games only get harder from here on out. The Cs better come out crisp in game 2. That game 1 was way too close for my liking.

That's the most important thing from game 1, that they looked like the celtics for the first time since the win over the Spurs. I think they rediscovered themselves and are going to go on a tear.

[ScoobyDoo]

Just FYI, I'm glad we got the win and I think we will win the series 4-0 or 4-1, we sure as heck should.

I also think we could start turning the corner in regards to this team gelling and getting comfortable with each other.

JO / Shaq / KG / Baby / Pierce / Ray / Rondo / Green & West

That's your core, with some minutes form maybe Krstic, Murphy, etc, sprinkled in.

Shaq will be able to fit right in immediately when he comes back if he's healthy.

But I think Green and JO will start blending better with the team as the playoffs go on and they are put to the fire.

If this happens, you will see a greatly improved offense - which has been our main issue.

The second half of last night's game, in spurts, was some of the best offensive execution I've seen in a while. And it's been our offense, not our defense that has been the main issue since the trade -and it's because it takes time for these guys to "get" each other

[jdpapa3]

I think the Celtics of the last two years and then the Lakers this year showed that the switch isn't something that starts in quarter 1 of game 1 of the playoffs. It's just not possible. It turned on last year in the 3rd quarter of the first game and then this year was the same exact scenario.

Looks like the Lakers couldn't get their gas pedal pressed properly.

[ScoobyDoo]

Roy, got it...thanks.

Agreed Mr. October, I was very frustrated in the first half, I felt like we could barely make a successful pass on offense in the first half.

Then the second half comes around...

* guys are cutting hard
* You see some energy and hard picks
* The ball's moving

It's like "oh, hello Celtics! Where have you been for the last six weeks...?"

And this is exactly why I find it so incredibly frustrating with this team. It's up to them. If they decide they want to execute, they will beat anyone but so often they come out like sloths.

We need that urgency and execution from the tip off - otherwise you give the opponent confidence, not a good thing in the NBA.

Thanks for the TP Bareface!

[ducksawce]

This win reminded me of last year's game 1 against the Heat in which the Celtics got down by roughly 10-12 pts.  Just like last year, defense is what saved them in the 2nd half...but more importantly, they're offense turned on as well.

Every year, there are  few top seeded teams that go through 1st game jitters on the way to close wins against inferior teams.  This year, that tendency has been exaggerated to the point where top seeds are actually LOSING their game ones...so with that in mind, I'll take a game 1 Celtic win however it can be had!

As someone else mentioned, I think the C's are going to go on a tear from here on out...just...like...last..year.  The defense is there with JO and KG.  The offense, esp. with Ray and Rondo is just starting to click again.

Finally, I've got to mention that I think THIS series against the Knicks is the perfect type for which Delonte and Green can get their offense going.  Light Knick defense paired with a relatively faster pace = more consistent shot opportunities...esp. when the C's offense irons itself out gradually over the next few games.  

All in all, I think this game 1 loss was a psychological back-breaker for the Knicks.  We likely saw their best shot, up against a tepid (for 2.5 quarters) Celtic effort.  Series done in 4-5.  

[Celticsfan336]

couldnt agree more on the BBD points

[ScoobyDoo]

Yes jdpapa3...problem is, the older you get the harder it is to find the switch, let alone turn it on...

I just don't get these guys - they talk about what a blessing it is to be able to play together, how fortunate they are, etc..

News flash to Rondo, Baby, KG, Ray & Pierce - "guess what guys, these next 15-20 games? THEY MAY BE THE LAST 15-20 GAMES YOU ALL EVER PLAY TOGETHER IN AGAIN!!!!! You don't think Ainge isn't thinking about trading possibly KG and Ray in the off seson for more young pieces to go along with Rondo and Green? Baby is unrestricted...even if KG and Ray don't get traded at 35 and 36 next year, it's not going to get any easier for you!!!

Therefore, your best shot at legacy is "RIGHT NOW" and therefore maybe all you guys who was prolific about how blesses you are to being playing together and how rare it is...maybe you ought to start thinking about coming out "bare fisted" from minute one of every game like it actually mattered to you!!!

These guys should be in a fist fight with everyone from minute one. We've got the guys to give you some rest, let us know when you need a break...

I want bodies layed on people on the glass, I want guys cutting hard like we "decided to do on offense in the second half.

WE should be blowing this knicks team out by 20 every night. Miami or the Bulls, no. This knicks team...yes.

Bare fisted bar fight - if it really "means that much" to all these guys, that's what we should be seeing.      

[ScoobyDoo]

TP to Ducksawce re this loss being a back breaker for the knicks phsycologically. That is a tough way to lose.

We need to step on them in game two.

[ScoobyDoo]

Yes Celticsfan336...we don't need Big Baby to be a politician out there, making friends wherever he goes. We need someone with a mean streak making enemies. If we don't have Perkins or Shaq playing that role for us, Big baby is the next guy in line...with the muscle to do it.

Stop being so [dang] nice Big Baby! Be nice off the court - not on it.

[Jon]

I was worried too during the first half, thinking, man, if these guys can't get up for a playoff game, this is going to be a painful end to a great run. 

However, let's not romanticize the past.  Even in 2008 they went to 7 games in the first and second round (losing to the Cavs by 24 points in Game 3 of the semi-finals), before taking 6 games against Detroit (losing Game 4 by 19 points) and the Lakers in 6.  So even when we supposedly had a killer instinct in 2008, it wasn't like we were immune to loses or even getting killed in blowouts. 

So I wouldn't get too upset about a narrow loss.  Doesn't mean this team doesn't have flaws, but it also doesn't mean that they can't overcome them. 

[celticinorlando]

they do need to play better tomorrow esp in the second quarter. they can't continue to get down big points and have to battle back...a less davis shooting would be good