Celtics are a top 5 team in the NBA presently

[j804]

The playoffs are about match-ups. We match up well with all the elite teams. Healthy in a 7 game series no one wants to see us. No one. This team might need a tweak at Center, but the core is good enough to get it done.

Boy, we really looked like we matched up greatly against the Heat. Or the Knicks for that matter. Or not... 

Without Pierce and Pietrus?

Realistically, what are the odds we're going to make it into the playoffs with everyone healthy?  It hasn't happened in three years.  Injuries stop being a valid excuse when talking about this team, because it's composed of a lot of players who are known injury risks.

What the Bird said.

Sure, having Pierce and Pietrus will help in guarding Anthony and James, but I don't think it will solve our issues with the poor interior defense, since our bigs have looked like they had a poor matchup against just about everyone this season.

Yeah Amare and Chandler killed us..   

Who are we worried about inside? Bosh, Boozer, Noah, Joel Anthony? I mean none of those guys are going to dominate a series inside anyway.

Lebron, Wade, Carmelo they kill our bigs

[Lord of Mikawa]

The Cs are a top 5 team in allowing the other team to score in the paint buckets with the ease of a pre-game layup line shot, over and over again, until Celtics fans want to smash their TVs. 

TP. I actually assaulted my TV last night. Not too proud of my actions. My TV doesn't not deserve to beaten as a result of the Celtics' poor play.

[the_Bird]

The playoffs are about match-ups. We match up well with all the elite teams. Healthy in a 7 game series no one wants to see us. No one. This team might need a tweak at Center, but the core is good enough to get it done.

Boy, we really looked like we matched up greatly against the Heat. Or the Knicks for that matter. Or not... 

Without Pierce and Pietrus?

Realistically, what are the odds we're going to make it into the playoffs with everyone healthy?  It hasn't happened in three years.  Injuries stop being a valid excuse when talking about this team, because it's composed of a lot of players who are known injury risks.

What the Bird said.

Sure, having Pierce and Pietrus will help in guarding Anthony and James, but I don't think it will solve our issues with the poor interior defense, since our bigs have looked like they had a poor matchup against just about everyone this season.

Yeah Amare and Chandler killed us..   

Who are we worried about inside? Bosh, Boozer, Noah, Joel Anthony? I mean none of those guys are going to dominate a series inside anyway.

It's the perimeter guys who are getting by our guards and getting into the paint.  They're able to get to the rim, and we don't have the guys in the middle anymore to really discourage them.  JO just doesn't have the quickness to close off the lane without fouling, and KG's not that far behind him.

[Kane3387]

The playoffs are about match-ups. We match up well with all the elite teams. Healthy in a 7 game series no one wants to see us. No one. This team might need a tweak at Center, but the core is good enough to get it done.

Boy, we really looked like we matched up greatly against the Heat. Or the Knicks for that matter. Or not... 

Without Pierce and Pietrus?

Realistically, what are the odds we're going to make it into the playoffs with everyone healthy?  It hasn't happened in three years.  Injuries stop being a valid excuse when talking about this team, because it's composed of a lot of players who are known injury risks.

What the Bird said.

Sure, having Pierce and Pietrus will help in guarding Anthony and James, but I don't think it will solve our issues with the poor interior defense, since our bigs have looked like they had a poor matchup against just about everyone this season.

Yeah Amare and Chandler killed us..   

Who are we worried about inside? Bosh, Boozer, Noah, Joel Anthony? I mean none of those guys are going to dominate a series inside anyway.

Lebron, Wade, Carmelo they kill our bigs

That has more to do with team defense and Pierce and Pietrus might very well be our best wing defenders.

[kozlodoev]

Yeah Amare and Chandler killed us..  

Who are we worried about inside? Bosh, Boozer, Noah, Joel Anthony? I mean none of those guys are going to dominate a series inside anyway.

Poor interior defense is illustrated by a layup galore, not by a big man dominating a playoff series. That's not a problem with our wings, it's a problem with the big men cutting off angles and securing rebounds.

In any case, if our interior defense issues don't get fixed pretty soon, we won't even have to worry about playoff series anyhow.

[Kane3387]

Yeah Amare and Chandler killed us..  

Who are we worried about inside? Bosh, Boozer, Noah, Joel Anthony? I mean none of those guys are going to dominate a series inside anyway.

Poor interior defense is illustrated by a layup galore, not by a big man dominating a playoff series. That's not a problem with our wings, it's a problem with the big men cutting off angles and securing rebounds.

In any case, if our interior defense issues don't get fixed pretty soon, we won't even have to worry about playoff series anyhow.

Now you're just overreacting. The only way we aren't a playoff team is if a significant injury takes place to one of our big 4. Lot's of layups were in transition. Again it's 3 games dude. Chill and see how we play when we are healthy. This team has a lot of new faces and a shortened camp didn't help them find a rhythm. This team has also played without Paul Pierce only a few times since the big 3 were put together. It's not something they were accustomed too.

Check out the video below. It's too soon to panic.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:7399796&startTime=00:01

[Celtics18]

Yeah Amare and Chandler killed us..  

Who are we worried about inside? Bosh, Boozer, Noah, Joel Anthony? I mean none of those guys are going to dominate a series inside anyway.

Poor interior defense is illustrated by a layup galore, not by a big man dominating a playoff series. That's not a problem with our wings, it's a problem with the big men cutting off angles and securing rebounds.

In any case, if our interior defense issues don't get fixed pretty soon, we won't even have to worry about playoff series anyhow.

I don't entirely agree.  I think that improved wing defense will help our interior defense.  If guys are getting into the lane less easily, it gives the bigs a better chance to do their jobs.

In addition, Paul Pierce is a better interior help defender than he's given credit for.  He makes a lot of plays along the baseline, helping out getting his hands on balls and making plays.  This also makes it easier for the bigs.

Defense takes five guys to play it well.  We haven't been good thus far, but based on my experience with this team, I expect us to turn the defense around, and I absolutely think Pierce and Pietrus will help. 

[Swoopz]

For all the people saying we need Pierce to come back...if only Pierce were here...we'll be fine when Pierce is back


New Orleans played without its best player tonight. They were missing Eric Gordon.

So unless the Hornets are a top 4 team in the NBA I just can't agree with the thread here.

I guess you can go find me in the blow it up threads.

Since Charlotte nearly beat Miami, I guess we can expect them in the ECF.

[Kane3387]

For all the people saying we need Pierce to come back...if only Pierce were here...we'll be fine when Pierce is back


New Orleans played without its best player tonight. They were missing Eric Gordon.

So unless the Hornets are a top 4 team in the NBA I just can't agree with the thread here.

I guess you can go find me in the blow it up threads.

Since Charlotte nearly beat Miami, I guess we can expect them in the ECF.

Since the refs beat Charlotte.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlCxXkiWBEk&feature=player_embedded

[LarBrd33]

we are 0-3... "presently" we are frontrunners to win the lotto. 

[Redz]

we are 0-3... "presently" we are frontrunners to win the lotto. 

Don't knock the Lottery, you never know who the next Greg Oden could be  (or Jeff Green even...)

[Celtics18]

we are 0-3... "presently" we are frontrunners to win the lotto. 

I doubt that. 

[youcanthandlethetruth113]

Top 5 disappointments for sure.

[vinnie]

The playoffs are about match-ups. We match up well with all the elite teams. Healthy in a 7 game series no one wants to see us. No one. This team might need a tweak at Center, but the core is good enough to get it done.

Boy, we really looked like we matched up greatly against the Heat. Or the Knicks for that matter. Or not... 

Without Pierce and Pietrus?

Realistically, what are the odds we're going to make it into the playoffs with everyone healthy?  It hasn't happened in three years.  Injuries stop being a valid excuse when talking about this team, because it's composed of a lot of players who are known injury risks.

What the Bird said.

Sure, having Pierce and Pietrus will help in guarding Anthony and James, but I don't think it will solve our issues with the poor interior defense, since our bigs have looked like they had a poor matchup against just about everyone this season.

Yeah Amare and Chandler killed us..   

Who are we worried about inside? Bosh, Boozer, Noah, Joel Anthony? I mean none of those guys are going to dominate a series inside anyway.

Lebron, Wade, Carmelo they kill our bigs

That has more to do with team defense and Pierce and Pietrus might very well be our best wing defenders.

Can we wait at least until Pietrus plays a game before declaring him possibly one of the best wing defenders?

[OttawaCeltic]

The playoffs are about match-ups. We match up well with all the elite teams. Healthy in a 7 game series no one wants to see us. No one. This team might need a tweak at Center, but the core is good enough to get it done.

Boy, we really looked like we matched up greatly against the Heat. Or the Knicks for that matter. Or not... 

Without Pierce and Pietrus?

Realistically, what are the odds we're going to make it into the playoffs with everyone healthy?  It hasn't happened in three years.  Injuries stop being a valid excuse when talking about this team, because it's composed of a lot of players who are known injury risks.

What the Bird said.

Sure, having Pierce and Pietrus will help in guarding Anthony and James, but I don't think it will solve our issues with the poor interior defense, since our bigs have looked like they had a poor matchup against just about everyone this season.

Yeah Amare and Chandler killed us..   

Who are we worried about inside? Bosh, Boozer, Noah, Joel Anthony? I mean none of those guys are going to dominate a series inside anyway.

Lebron, Wade, Carmelo they kill our bigs

That has more to do with team defense and Pierce and Pietrus might very well be our best wing defenders.

Can we wait at least until Pietrus plays a game before declaring him possibly one of the best wing defenders?

No. IMO and MOO(haha moo, many others opinions) Mike Pete is looking more and more overrated. Yes, he was amazing vs Lebron and Kobe in  the Orlando 2010 Finals Run but we can't just say he'll change the team completely. It more looks like he'll be a Troy Murph Replica than a Mike Pete Replica.