Calm down everyone, well be fine

[cman88]

time to step away from the ledge guys. we are missing our #1 scorer and 2nd best SF off the bench to take on lebron..even just add pierce and we are a totally different team. Everyone expected us to lose this game on this board, and now all of a sudden its a sign we are done?

with a shortened trainign camp and pre-season, its going to take us some time to jell and get going.

Dallas/Lakers should be in the thick of it in the NBA too, and look how horrible they look...also looking at 0-2. well be fine

[Roy H.]

I'm not drawing any conclusions until Pierce is back and the team has had a chance to gel.  If we're looking bad at the 20 - 25 game mark, then I'll be discouraged.  At the moment, though, there aren't really any conclusions that can be drawn.

[Eja117]

We're actually shooting very well and on pace for 108 points and a bunch of our players have no fouls.

Realistically you gotta be at full strength to beat the Heat on their court. We're not.  They should just use their fouls, shoot 3s, play young guys, and move on.  It's a long season.

[cman88]

We're actually shooting very well and on pace for 108 points and a bunch of our players have no fouls.

Realistically you gotta be at full strength to beat the Heat on their court. We're not.  They should just use their fouls, shoot 3s, play young guys, and move on.  It's a long season.

were shooting over 50% too...its more our defense IMO than our offense against Miami. but our rotations will get better as the season goes on

[the_Bird]

time to step away from the ledge guys. we are missing our #1 scorer and 2nd best SF off the bench to take on lebron..even just add pierce and we are a totally different team. Everyone expected us to lose this game on this board, and now all of a sudden its a sign we are done?

...  I'd feel a lot better if we weren't so dependent on the good health of a lot of older guys who have been dealing with injury issues.  Pierce's heel has the potential to be something that slows him down all year.  Same with Pietrus' knees, and same with everything about JO.  KG's missed some time, and very well could do so again this year.  Love seeing Quis back, but he's made of glass.  Ray's been a warrior, but he's barely younger than Bill Russell.

That's a lot of our best players and a lot of our depth that we really need to stay healthy to make a real run this year.  I just worry that the odds say we lose a couple of these guys for an extended period this year.

Which means...  we're likely going to be playing a lot of games without Pierce, or without KG, or relying on guys like Bradley or Dooling to play extended minutes on the bench.  That's just how the team is set up right now - the odds really seem stacked against this team being able to play up to its potential.

[cman88]

we just nearly beat a Heat team missing our #1 scorer off the bench. we are a good team...especially now that we know the Zone defense is the Heats downfall.

I actually feel we could beat them if we at least have pierce and commit to playing more zone, less man against them

[LB3533]

I agree, guys....we are not full strength.

We are not a whole team yet.

I am actually encouraged we got back into these 2 games. I don't like the outcome, but still very encouraged.

[theswitch]

How do you not come away from the first two games feeling decent? We went toe to toe with two of the three best teams in the East (us not included), including the best team in the NBA and a Knicks team that can contend as well. Dooling and Bass are the two best bench players we've had in the past few years, and we don't even have our best player and his backup.

We've got the easiest 4-game stretch of the season coming up, opponent-wise. It's going to be tough to win tomorrow but we'll bounce back.

[GreenFaith1819]

I agree with this thread.

C's could've easily quit when they were down a bunch.

I'm really liking this bench, too.

[theswitch]

we just nearly beat a Heat team missing our #1 scorer off the bench. we are a good team...especially now that we know the Zone defense is the Heats downfall.

I actually feel we could beat them if we at least have pierce and commit to playing more zone, less man against them

Man, zone defense and not turning the ball over. If we had done both things from the opening tip, we win that game. The turnover part is easier said than done, of course. Turn Miami into a jump-shooting team and they look confused.

[RebusRankin]

How dare you tell me to calm down sir. I am a fan and I expect nothing but a 25 point win by the Celtics each game. It is my right!!!

[BASS_THUMPER]

we gotta be able to win with out at least one of our stars

[barefacedmonk]

Tough beat for Boston. Will be fine once Pierce, Pietrus get into the lineup. Size still an issue. JO: no points, one rebound.

Chris Mannix and I agree with the OP as well.

[vinnie]

Tough beat for Boston. Will be fine once Pierce, Pietrus get into the lineup. Size still an issue. JO: no points, one rebound.

Chris Mannix and I agree with the OP as well.

He is right, but also right about JO. This team does not have a center

[PosImpos]

Tough beat for Boston. Will be fine once Pierce, Pietrus get into the lineup. Size still an issue. JO: no points, one rebound.

Chris Mannix and I agree with the OP as well.

yeah, so far I think the only thing we can be sure of is that JO looks just about done and this team desperately lacks a true center.  otherwise, they've played two very good teams and been in it at the end despite missing their best offensive player.

the fact that JO looks like a complete non-factor is a pretty serious concern, though.  we really need to be getting production from a guy who plays 20+ minutes a night.  without JO, this team is totally lacking in size.