I guess the Bulls are too old as well

[BballTim]

Nah, they miss Perk. 

  Their offense went cold late in games because their point guard is such a liability on offense.

[paulcowens]

Nah, they miss Perk. 

Well said.  It's very important never to blame Ainge for anything.

[paulcowens]

That must be it right? That's why they lost 4-1 to the Heat like we did? In all seriousness, for people who say the big 3 are too old and we should blow up the team, I don't think so. These guys have at least 1 more run for the title left in them, and could have beaten the Heat if Rondo and JO were fully healthy, and/or if Lebron had missed most of those clutch long jumpers like he used too do. I give credit to the Heat, they are playing very well, but I also give credit to the celtics and what they did despite injuries, and believe they still have another title left in them.

I'm with you until you talk about how we would have done had JO not been injured.  As you very well know, JO was injured when we got him.  He's been injured for years.  Injured is his permanent condition. 

It might have helped to have an actual starting center against the Heat, but a lot of folks would much rather defend Danny than admit that.

[paulcowens]

Just not as good as everyone thought they were.

Well said.  The Trade had nothing to do with it.  They fooled us all season long by leading the league and stuff.

[DKClassic]

Scal didn't get nearly enough playing time.

[BASS_THUMPER]

Scal didn't get nearly enough playing time.

he didnt get floor time just like here..

kinda sad most yall never gave scal props when kev went down few years back..he did well

in jersey he was that dude..

[Cman]

... I guess that would explain why the Bulls swept the Heat in the regular season, only to lose to them in the playoffs.  Their old legs just gave out from under them...
 

In all seriousness:
(a) I agree that, while the window is almost shut, there's still a year left, and

(b) Not enough credit has been given to the Heat for turning around their season.  They didn't look that great early on, losing lots of games early in the season to teams like Boston and Chicago.  But they improved over the course of the season, and were able to kick into high gear in the playoffs.

[Jon]

The Bulls could say the same thing, shoulda coulda woulda, but the Celtics truly blew game 4, had it in hand and then got scorched in ot. A hairbreadth of better play and its 2-2 into the next game. This with two starters very injured one playing with a break and the other with a reset dislocation! It doesn't really matter in the end but I feel that we were once again very, very close.

Just like last year, we need to solidify and strengthen what we have in a big way. One more chance for these guys.

The Bulls didn't have their All Star point guard playing with a dislocated arm. 

I don't see why people have a problem with using that as an excuse.  If we lost Games 4 and 5 by 20, I wouldn't be saying this.  However, we lost Game 4 in overtime and blew Game 5 in the waning minutes of the game.  If Rondo had been healthy, there never would have been an overtime in Game 4 and the Heat would've never come back in Game 5. 

[BASS_THUMPER]

all i hope is doc this time round not be afraid to bench the starters when they are not makin money*

*buckets*

[Papatrichs]

If they had activated Scal and... prayed, they would have had a chance against the Heat.

[Eja117]

That's like comparing the US and Rwanda or apples and motor oil.   But good point

[Kiorrik]

No offense.

None taken 

Reported to moderator for twisting my words.

Hey, I'm European, I'm soft, what can I do? 

TP's to the comic duo for making me grin loud enough for my girlfriend to notice and have me explain why.

:]

[Who]

Boston were the only team in the East capable of beating Miami in a seven game series.

[bfrombleacher]

The referees also screwed up the momentum in the first few games. It made a comeback really hard.

[CelticsFanNC]

  Honestly, they probably are too old to compete for a title with the Big Three as the main focus of the team.  I know nobody wants to think that way....either do I.  That doesn't make it any less true.

   I used to try to convince myself that the Celtic's of the late 80's could still compete for a title "if only" they could stay healthy.  The problem is they couldn't stay healthy for a long season and a long playoff run.  From 1987-1991, when Bird and McHale were feeling good and had their legs they were still capable of beating anyone anywhere on any given night but they couldn't sustain it.  Our current Big Three is older now the Bird, Parish and McHale were then.

  As I have gotten older I am less of an optimist and more of a realist.  If Ainge cannot add a significant piece or two this off season then are done as title contenders IMO.  I'm not talking about adding aging veterans on their last legs like J.O. or Shaq either.