If Celtics lose this series the window is officially closed

[Arok325]

I think it's time to face facts. If the Celtics lose this series the Big 3 Era has officially ended. We're going the way of the Spurs really quickly. Please don't tell me I'm checking out too early. I think this is more than a fair statement.

First of all, the Celtics right now are the worst team left in the postseason. I honestly think we would lose a 7 game series against every other team that is left. We are the oldest, slowest, least athletic and shortest team in the hunt. We have heart, but heart doesn't turn back father time. All of our core (besides Rondo and Green) are past their times. Pierce, Allen and Garnett are shells of their former selves. You can make the case about their statistical improvements but stats don't tell me what my eyes do. All three have tailed off significantly this season let alone in this series. Allen can't create shots for himself off of high picks. Garnett is not a dominant force in the paint and never really has been but I see his effectiveness being limited in the next couple years. Pierce probably has the most staying power but he's not an overpowering guy anymore.

I'm not sold on Rondo, like most of us these days. I think the criticisms against him are valid. He still has no jumpshot and it's foolish to think he will ever develop one anymore. I've always likened him to Jason Kidd. Superb in every sense of the word in every category except for finding his own shot. The difference is, Rondo is not nearly as consistent. He can't hit free throws and his assist totals are completely dependant on his supporting cast. It's embarrassing watching him play sometimes. The other team guards him like he's a 5th grader. It's like watching a JV player play against Varsity sometimes. Other times he dominates. His best play comes when he pushes the ball but his fast break instincts are terrible. I'm really down on him right now. I think we should pursue trading him in the offseason.

Green is another story. I think he's disappointed due to overinflated expectations. Guys overvalued Perkins so naturally we expect the most from Green. I'm still hopeful but at best he's a good third or fourth option on a good team. He's not a star player and never will be. He has a lot to learn if he's going to be an effective player for us in the future.

I can't even speak to Baby and the rest of the bench. I love West but he's really injury prone. Other than that the rest are all expendable. Actually neverming I'll go back to Baby. Probably my single least favorite player in the league. He brings all negatives in my opinion. He's short, unathletic, has an unwarranted ego and brings nothing but negatives to the game. He's a powerforward who is virtually overmatched against everyone else in the league. He's my least favorite player. Period.

Overall, I think the Heat are going to be a force for the next 10 years. Next year, a year older and no wiser, I think the Celtics will fall short again. This isn't going to be pretty. Unless we get a new young superstar I'm afraid we're going to have to have to ride this out. Sorry for the dose of reality celticsblog. Here's hoping we can rally and win it this year because the short-term future for this team is looking pretty bleak. But hey, we had a good run right?

[Marcus13]

Yeah, I really hope next season isn't just a year-long Goodbye Ceremony like when coaches announce their retirement before the season is over and it's just saying Goodbye everywhere you go.

That's pathetic

[Chris]

This is going to be the question this summer, but I don't think it can be answered until we see what they can do over the summer. 

[Edgar]

Yes, most likely. Now on this series

1) Rondo is really injuried hes one step behind himself.

2) Everything is falling for Miami

3) Being a Jumpshooting team is killing us, This guys start banging bodies attacking the rim and playing paint bkb or this is over. This is a sign of age obviously

4) Our best moments came from JO and KG dominating paint, Even BBD got a couple of calls from Joel attacking the rim, sadly he isnt a reliable FT shooter.And JO was tired after 15 minutes.

5) Delonte SHOULD play more.

[FatjohnReturns]

If you look at our roster top to bottom we 4HOF players counting Shaq, a all-star point guard, 2 servicable backup big guys in Jermaine and Baby and probably the best backup combo guard left in the playoffs Delonte and a 4 year starter from OKC Jeff Green.

The way these guys are being utilized in this 'ball movement offense' limits their effectivness. Its not about talent on the roster its about the coaching. We dont have good coaching.

Yes agree the window will be closed if we lose this series.

[Jeff]

This is going to be the question this summer, but I don't think it can be answered until we see what they can do over the summer. 

based on the Jeff Green trade, I'd be shocked if Danny didn't start the rebuild-on-the-fly plan by shopping KG and maybe even Ray around the league - but like Chris alluded to, it will have to wait till after the lockout

[Rondo2287]

This is going to be the question this summer, but I don't think it can be answered until we see what they can do over the summer. 

based on the Jeff Green trade, I'd be shocked if Danny didn't start the rebuild-on-the-fly plan by shopping KG and maybe even Ray around the league - but like Chris alluded to, it will have to wait till after the lockout

I agree Jeff, I also think this is gonna be the last year of the Doc Rivers Era.  I think KG and Ray get shopped and we start over.

[chambers]

First of all, the Celtics right now are the worst team left in the postseason. I honestly think we would lose a 7 game series against every other team that is left. We are the oldest, slowest, least athletic and shortest team in the hunt. We have heart, but heart doesn't turn back father time. All of our core (besides Rondo and Green) are past their times. Pierce, Allen and Garnett are shells of their former selves.

I'm sorry but this is completely incorrect.
There is NO team that could beat the Miami Heat team that we have faced in the last 2 games at their home court.
We were in both of these games with 7 minutes left and we failed to execute (which we did do vs New York).
I have watched almost every Miami game this season and I'm telling you they haven't 'clicked' like that all year with the bench + the 2 superstars going into ape mode.
We have run into them at their best, and it's going to take our best and every other teams best to stop them.
Their shooting from the mid range to 3 point line has been ridiculous and there really isn't anything you can do except avoid turnovers and hope they cold for 5-6 minute stretches.
If they played like they have the last 2 games for the rest of the playoffs then they will CRUSH the Bulls and the Lakers/Thunder whoever it may be- you cannot answer to those 2 shooting guards when their bench is also draining threes.

Luckily for us I seriously doubt they can play that good for 4 out of 7 games- particularly when we have the next 2 games at home.

Do people understand how well they are shooting and the degree of difficulty on the shots that Wade and Lebron are hitting?
This Heat team would CRUSH the Bulls right now, and the Lakers.
It's everyone's worst nightmare- what we pictured in a year or two from now, but it's right on the NBA's doorstep just in time for the playoffs. Unfortunately for us we are the first ones to taste it.

[angryguy77]

First of all, the Celtics right now are the worst team left in the postseason. I honestly think we would lose a 7 game series against every other team that is left. We are the oldest, slowest, least athletic and shortest team in the hunt. We have heart, but heart doesn't turn back father time. All of our core (besides Rondo and Green) are past their times. Pierce, Allen and Garnett are shells of their former selves.

I'm sorry but this is completely incorrect.
There is NO team that could beat the Miami Heat team that we have faced in the last 2 games at their home court.
We were in both of these games with 7 minutes left and we failed to execute (which we did do vs New York).
I have watched almost every Miami game this season and I'm telling you they haven't 'clicked' like that all year with the bench + the 2 superstars going into ape mode.
We have run into them at their best, and it's going to take our best and every other teams best to stop them.
Their shooting from the mid range to 3 point line has been ridiculous and there really isn't anything you can do except avoid turnovers and hope they cold for 5-6 minute stretches.
If they played like they have the last 2 games for the rest of the playoffs then they will CRUSH the Bulls and the Lakers/Thunder whoever it may be- you cannot answer to those 2 shooting guards when their bench is also draining threes.

Luckily for us I seriously doubt they can play that good for 4 out of 7 games- particularly when we have the next 2 games at home.

Do people understand how well they are shooting and the degree of difficulty on the shots that Wade and Lebron are hitting?
This Heat team would CRUSH the Bulls right now, and the Lakers.
It's everyone's worst nightmare- what we pictured in a year or two from now, but it's right on the NBA's doorstep just in time for the playoffs. Unfortunately for us we are the first ones to taste it.

They pulling these shots our of their you you know whats and it cant go on, at least I hope.
My problem is with our offense. When the heat swarm and are active, we have no answer. Doc has got to do a better job at preparing these guys. The heat haven't done anything complex, we should be able to crack their d. My faith in Doc is about gone.

[BringToughnessBack]

I think a strike shortened season could prolong the window for 1 last year. Take away 50 percent of the regular season games and our aging legs might have a little more pep come playoff time.

I am still not ready to concede this series until we lose 1 home game..until then, I am staying in the present.

[Chris]

This is going to be the question this summer, but I don't think it can be answered until we see what they can do over the summer.  

based on the Jeff Green trade, I'd be shocked if Danny didn't start the rebuild-on-the-fly plan by shopping KG and maybe even Ray around the league - but like Chris alluded to, it will have to wait till after the lockout

I think Danny will certainly look at it (I think he has looked at that each of the last couple of years), but I also think he equally be looking at options to give the team 1 more shot together.

It is all going to have to do with value and who is available, and that will all depend on the new CBA.

I also don't think the Jeff Green trade really says much about Danny's interest in rebuilding right away.  I still think he made that trade thinking while it was good for the future, he really did not think it would hurt them this year.

I think it would take a much larger leap for him to decide to trade away one of their true core pieces in the effort to rebuild. 

[Moranis]

First of all, the Celtics right now are the worst team left in the postseason. I honestly think we would lose a 7 game series against every other team that is left. We are the oldest, slowest, least athletic and shortest team in the hunt. We have heart, but heart doesn't turn back father time. All of our core (besides Rondo and Green) are past their times. Pierce, Allen and Garnett are shells of their former selves.

I'm sorry but this is completely incorrect.
There is NO team that could beat the Miami Heat team that we have faced in the last 2 games at their home court.
We were in both of these games with 7 minutes left and we failed to execute (which we did do vs New York).
I have watched almost every Miami game this season and I'm telling you they haven't 'clicked' like that all year with the bench + the 2 superstars going into ape mode.
We have run into them at their best, and it's going to take our best and every other teams best to stop them.
Their shooting from the mid range to 3 point line has been ridiculous and there really isn't anything you can do except avoid turnovers and hope they cold for 5-6 minute stretches.
If they played like they have the last 2 games for the rest of the playoffs then they will CRUSH the Bulls and the Lakers/Thunder whoever it may be- you cannot answer to those 2 shooting guards when their bench is also draining threes.

Luckily for us I seriously doubt they can play that good for 4 out of 7 games- particularly when we have the next 2 games at home.

Do people understand how well they are shooting and the degree of difficulty on the shots that Wade and Lebron are hitting?
This Heat team would CRUSH the Bulls right now, and the Lakers.
It's everyone's worst nightmare- what we pictured in a year or two from now, but it's right on the NBA's doorstep just in time for the playoffs. Unfortunately for us we are the first ones to taste it.

actually Miami in game 1 got off to a terrible start, we just matched their crappiness.  If we got out of the gates faster in game 1, we could have had a huge lead, which would have altered the entire series.  Boston has just played like crap for much of the series, and the reason is the same reason we played like crap down the stretch, an old injured team with a PG that doesn't fit well with the other starters.

[Jeff]

This is going to be the question this summer, but I don't think it can be answered until we see what they can do over the summer. 

based on the Jeff Green trade, I'd be shocked if Danny didn't start the rebuild-on-the-fly plan by shopping KG and maybe even Ray around the league - but like Chris alluded to, it will have to wait till after the lockout

I agree Jeff, I also think this is gonna be the last year of the Doc Rivers Era.  I think KG and Ray get shopped and we start over.

sad to say but I'm really worried about that at this point - what's Doc's motivation to come back?  our only hope is a prolonged work stoppage where he gets bored and decides he's seen enough Duke games and wants to sign on to be coach for life

[PosImpos]

^ That's to the thread title.

I read the original post and I actually think you're being reasonable and completely spot on, although I do think you undervalue Glen Davis' contributions somewhat.  He's a decent bench player, but he tries to do too much and he's given too large a role on this team.  Otherwise, I agree with you.

It's time for a clean slate, and that includes Rondo.  Rondo is obviously a player who will thrive when given the keys to an offense with a lot of top notch options, where he isn't expected to carry any kind of an offensive load (10 ppg or less).  There are a lot of teams around the league who could use a player like that, but right now, and especially once they start rebuilding, the Celtics are not one of those teams.

[MBz]

This is going to be the question this summer, but I don't think it can be answered until we see what they can do over the summer. 

based on the Jeff Green trade, I'd be shocked if Danny didn't start the rebuild-on-the-fly plan by shopping KG and maybe even Ray around the league - but like Chris alluded to, it will have to wait till after the lockout

I agree Jeff, I also think this is gonna be the last year of the Doc Rivers Era.  I think KG and Ray get shopped and we start over.

Yeah, I think you have to.  Obviously everything depends on the CBA, but I think KG needs to be the first guy you shop.  I think he has more value because of his huge expiring contract. I would keep giving Ray Allen 1 year deals with a mutual option for a second.  His salary is reasonable and  he is in such great shape that I'd be surprised to see a major decline in his game.  I also think its time to move on from Doc Rivers.