Bruce Bowen giving his opinion on the Celtics struggles so far...

[chambers]

he says with the shortened schedule it's much harder to for the new players to get accustomed to their new system (Bass+Pietrus+Dooling+Wilcox) and says they have plenty of time to figure things out.


http://espn.go.com/boston/video/clip?id=7474178&categoryid=4410351

[ianboyextreme]

he says with the shortened schedule it's much harder to for the new players to get accustomed to their new system (Bass+Pietrus+Dooling+Wilcox) and says they have plenty of time to figure things out.


http://espn.go.com/boston/video/clip?id=7474178&categoryid=4410351

This is the sentiment of most of the player-analysts. I share it.

[GreenFaith1819]

Bruce Bowen is a smart man.

I've never bought into the hype that Boston is done - including KG.

KG is (IMO) the last cog to get his legs about him, but I am certain that, barring an unforeseen injury, the KG we have seen this season is NOT the best KG - even with his natural decline in age.

The best from this team is yet to come.

God help whoever our playoff opponents are...I'd hate to be them.

[clover]

he says with the shortened schedule it's much harder to for the new players to get accustomed to their new system (Bass+Pietrus+Dooling+Wilcox) and says they have plenty of time to figure things out.


http://espn.go.com/boston/video/clip?id=7474178&categoryid=4410351

Too bad, as Hollinger has pointed out, that it's the play of the veteran starters, not the bench that has been the primary issue.  Bowen's an old guy who undoubtedly is friendly with the old guys on the team.

[CelticG1]

he says with the shortened schedule it's much harder to for the new players to get accustomed to their new system (Bass+Pietrus+Dooling+Wilcox) and says they have plenty of time to figure things out.


http://espn.go.com/boston/video/clip?id=7474178&categoryid=4410351

Too bad, as Hollinger has pointed out, that it's the play of the veteran starters, not the bench that has been the primary issue.  Bowen's an old guy who undoubtedly is friendly with the old guys on the team.

Haha I can't tell if you are joking or not. If you are, very funny. If you aren't, again very funny. Bruce Bowen is old so obviously he is friends with the Big 3 and this isn't his real opinion?

First it was Scal and Perk lying about their opinion now Bowen must be in on it too because he used to play for the Celtics!

[kozlodoev]

I am sure it's the fault of the bench that we've failed to score 20 points in the first quarter in, what, 5 consecutive games now? 

[lepoooo]

So...

The C's turn it around, KG finds his legs, and then? They go for banner #18 being the underdogs with the 7th or 8th seed?

Start watching more Bulls or Heat bball, you might wanna reconsider.

[bfrombleacher]

So...

The C's turn it around, KG finds his legs, and then? They go for banner #18 being the underdogs with the 7th or 8th seed?

Start watching more Bulls or Heat bball, you might wanna reconsider.

The team needs Pierce. The Thunder game showed that the team is still pretty much Paul Pierce's.

We were right there with the Knicks and the Heat with pretty much Rondo, Bass and Rayray only (everyone else was stone cold). If Rondo figures it out I think the team would look completely different.

[ben_from_boston]

he says with the shortened schedule it's much harder to for the new players to get accustomed to their new system (Bass+Pietrus+Dooling+Wilcox) and says they have plenty of time to figure things out.


http://espn.go.com/boston/video/clip?id=7474178&categoryid=4410351

This is the sentiment of most of the player-analysts. I share it.

Bruce Bowen is a smart man.

I've never bought into the hype that Boston is done - including KG.

KG is (IMO) the last cog to get his legs about him, but I am certain that, barring an unforeseen injury, the KG we have seen this season is NOT the best KG - even with his natural decline in age.

The best from this team is yet to come.

God help whoever our playoff opponents are...I'd hate to be them.

Woo woo optimism! I agree with you guys.

[lepoooo]

The roster is the weakest they have had since 2007. They are gonna struggle to catch a 6th to 8th seed. But they can suddenly become the mighty Celtics again just with PP finding his rythm?

I don't buy into that. When you take in consideration all the factors (injuries, schedule, thin roster, weak rotation inside, age, top teams), it doesn't compute. They are gonna get better, but would you say this will be enough to contend?

[chambers]

The roster is the weakest they have had since 2007. They are gonna struggle to catch a 6th to 8th seed. But they can suddenly become the mighty Celtics again just with PP finding his rythm?

I don't buy into that. When you take in consideration all the factors (injuries, schedule, thin roster, weak rotation inside, age, top teams), it doesn't compute. They are gonna get better, but would you say this will be enough to contend?

I'd actually argue it's one of the stronger rosters we've had.
Just because they aren't playing well after 12 games doesn't mean they are weak.
I'd much rather this bench over Big Baby and Nate Robinson.
Shaq would be great but once Wilcox gets back in there we have a decent big man rotation of KG, Bass, JO and Wilcox. Steimsma as an extra body if JO goes down doesn't hurt either.

Not sure if it's enough to make us serious contenders but if they can get to the playoffs healthy and firing, they are possibly capable of beating the Easts top teams.

[lepoooo]

I'd actually argue it's one of the stronger rosters we've had.

WOW.

I'm trying to find something else to say but really, I can't find anything. I don't want to write a whole page about it so I respect your opinion, you are very optimistic, it's good for you.

IMO, I think you are lying to yourself. They are not beating the top east teams. We'll have to wait & see I guess, but I'm glad you are not DA (no offence).

[kozlodoev]

The roster is the weakest they have had since 2007. They are gonna struggle to catch a 6th to 8th seed. But they can suddenly become the mighty Celtics again just with PP finding his rythm?

I don't buy into that. When you take in consideration all the factors (injuries, schedule, thin roster, weak rotation inside, age, top teams), it doesn't compute. They are gonna get better, but would you say this will be enough to contend?

I'd actually argue it's one of the stronger rosters we've had.
Just because they aren't playing well after 12 games doesn't mean they are weak.

Just because we still have Pierce, Allen, and Garnett doesn't mean that they're anything close to the Pierce, Allen and Garnett of 2008.

[chambers]

The roster is the weakest they have had since 2007. They are gonna struggle to catch a 6th to 8th seed. But they can suddenly become the mighty Celtics again just with PP finding his rythm?

I don't buy into that. When you take in consideration all the factors (injuries, schedule, thin roster, weak rotation inside, age, top teams), it doesn't compute. They are gonna get better, but would you say this will be enough to contend?

I'd actually argue it's one of the stronger rosters we've had.
Just because they aren't playing well after 12 games doesn't mean they are weak.

Just because we still have Pierce, Allen, and Garnett doesn't mean that they're anything close to the Pierce, Allen and Garnett of 2008.

They have to be as good as they were last year- which I think they are capable of being.
Our bench is much stronger than last years bench. If our starters can find form similar to last years then we will be fine and will be a scary team for the Bulls and Heat to play.
Not saying we are going to win it all but it is certainly one of the strongest rosters we've had in the big 3 era.
The competition has gotten a lot tougher relative to our strong roster- something I think would probably be including in your arguments.

People are claiming the roster is so weak but it's been 12 games and I think we've had 3 full games with our playoff rotation in those 12 games.

Over the next 10 games we should see the core first/second units for the season, with Pierce and KG both returning to their form (top 25 NBA player status) quite soon.

Can you imagine if we'd had Bass, Pietrus, Wilcox and Marquis off the bench in 2010 instead of Baby, Nate, Wafer and Marquis as a core?
Problem is now we have to deal with the Knicks, Heat, Bulls, Sixers, Pacers instead of the Cavs and the Pistons/Magic.
Much tougher crowd.

lol at the guy 'wowing' at my strong roster statement.
Each to their own.

[GreenFaith1819]

So...

The C's turn it around, KG finds his legs, and then? They go for banner #18 being the underdogs with the 7th or 8th seed?

Start watching more Bulls or Heat bball, you might wanna reconsider.

But see - that's the thing. Celtics teams of the past - as long as they were playing THEIR BEST basketball - have NEVER worried about opposing teams, no matter how intimidating they look on paper.

Do you think that Bill was intimidated by Wilt? He, Cooz, Hondo, Tommy and Co gathered themselves up as a TEAM and went out there and beat the "supposedly" better talent.

This team we have now? Once conditioned and gelled together, can and will make some noise.

If our beloved Kendrick Perkins can see this, then I'm certainly onboard with it.