C's are clearly not contenders

[rondohondo]

Can we hold off on these predictions?

Aren't the Lakers, DAL, Spurs - right around 500, too? And I'm sure we'll see those three in the playoffs.

Contenders? Right now? No - but again it's still too early to call it for me.

The difference with the Lakers and Mavs, at least, is that they both have legit superstars on their rosters still -- though I wouldn't put much money on either team going far in the playoffs.

It's all about OKC, Chicago, Miami this season, with a few second tier teams like the Sixers and Nuggets that might pull an upset but not go all the way.

we said that last season...and look what happened...the Mavericks won the championship.

at some point these young teams will take over..but theres no surefire "its this year!"

the mavs had an all defensive center who could control the paint ....

[PosImpos]

Can we hold off on these predictions?

Aren't the Lakers, DAL, Spurs - right around 500, too? And I'm sure we'll see those three in the playoffs.

Contenders? Right now? No - but again it's still too early to call it for me.

The difference with the Lakers and Mavs, at least, is that they both have legit superstars on their rosters still -- though I wouldn't put much money on either team going far in the playoffs.

It's all about OKC, Chicago, Miami this season, with a few second tier teams like the Sixers and Nuggets that might pull an upset but not go all the way.

True, but the way Paul had been playing during our win streak - he's been Player of the Week - like.

Also - CHI's dealing with injuries...OKC lost their backup PG (Maynor) for the season...DWade just came back.

Even the elite teams are susceptible to injuries.

For me, there are still wildcards in play.

Even if every single legitimate contender is inflicted with major injuries, I'm really skeptical the Celtics could beat one of the younger, deeper second-tier teams in a 7 game series (e.g. Nuggets, Sixers, Pacers).

[PosImpos]

Can we hold off on these predictions?

Aren't the Lakers, DAL, Spurs - right around 500, too? And I'm sure we'll see those three in the playoffs.

Contenders? Right now? No - but again it's still too early to call it for me.

The difference with the Lakers and Mavs, at least, is that they both have legit superstars on their rosters still -- though I wouldn't put much money on either team going far in the playoffs.

It's all about OKC, Chicago, Miami this season, with a few second tier teams like the Sixers and Nuggets that might pull an upset but not go all the way.

we said that last season...and look what happened...the Mavericks won the championship.

at some point these young teams will take over..but theres no surefire "its this year!"

the mavs had an all defensive center who could control the paint ....

that, and Dirk played better than anybody else for 4 straight series.

There's nobody on the roster right now who could score at will against any opponent in any situation the way that Dirk did last season.  Pierce and Rondo are both capable of carrying the team for a few games at a time, but neither is capable of sustaining that sort of play for two months of games.

[cman88]

Can we hold off on these predictions?

Aren't the Lakers, DAL, Spurs - right around 500, too? And I'm sure we'll see those three in the playoffs.

Contenders? Right now? No - but again it's still too early to call it for me.

The difference with the Lakers and Mavs, at least, is that they both have legit superstars on their rosters still -- though I wouldn't put much money on either team going far in the playoffs.

It's all about OKC, Chicago, Miami this season, with a few second tier teams like the Sixers and Nuggets that might pull an upset but not go all the way.

we said that last season...and look what happened...the Mavericks won the championship.

at some point these young teams will take over..but theres no surefire "its this year!"

the mavs had an all defensive center who could control the paint ....

that, and Dirk played better than anybody else for 4 straight series.

There's nobody on the roster right now who could score at will against any opponent in any situation the way that Dirk did last season.  Pierce and Rondo are both capable of carrying the team for a few games at a time, but neither is capable of sustaining that sort of play for two months of games.

Rondo did in the Cavs series back in 2010, and practically averaged a triple double in 2009 playoffs as well....he took over against the knicks last year.

you add Pierce who is back playing at an elite level and im not sure I agree with you.

but, all these debates are pointless, its why the games are played..

[GreenFaith1819]

And another thing with the contenders - as good as CHI, OKC, and MIA are - do we REALLY think they are ready for that next step?

OKC's never been in a finals...Lebron, as great a player as he is - has yet to prove he can bring it home.

CHI? The jury is out on them, too...they have the SAME formula, CHI does - give it to Rose, give it to Rose, lol....they need another proven scorer on that team. I thought Rip was it, but he hasn't shown it to me, at least.

He was 4-16 today. Ouch.

Additonally, CHI lost some bench toughness in Kurt Thomas. It's the little things that could come back to bite that team.

I still think by the end that BOS will be in the thick of things.

[GreenFaith1819]

Can we hold off on these predictions?

Aren't the Lakers, DAL, Spurs - right around 500, too? And I'm sure we'll see those three in the playoffs.

Contenders? Right now? No - but again it's still too early to call it for me.

The difference with the Lakers and Mavs, at least, is that they both have legit superstars on their rosters still -- though I wouldn't put much money on either team going far in the playoffs.

It's all about OKC, Chicago, Miami this season, with a few second tier teams like the Sixers and Nuggets that might pull an upset but not go all the way.

True, but the way Paul had been playing during our win streak - he's been Player of the Week - like.

Also - CHI's dealing with injuries...OKC lost their backup PG (Maynor) for the season...DWade just came back.

Even the elite teams are susceptible to injuries.

For me, there are still wildcards in play.

Even if every single legitimate contender is inflicted with major injuries, I'm really skeptical the Celtics could beat one of the younger, deeper second-tier teams in a 7 game series (e.g. Nuggets, Sixers, Pacers).

Wow man..thanks for peeing in my cornflakes, here

Didn't BOS just beat a younger WIZ team on the road? Then turn around the next game and crush ORL by 31? And THEN beat ORL in that stunning comeback two days later?

Topped it off with a revenge win vs Indy. Did all this without Rondo or Ray Ray or JO.

I'm not ready to crown Boston with Banner 18 yet, but I can't count them out, either - even after tonight's disappointment.

[rondohondo]

Can we hold off on these predictions?

Aren't the Lakers, DAL, Spurs - right around 500, too? And I'm sure we'll see those three in the playoffs.

Contenders? Right now? No - but again it's still too early to call it for me.

The difference with the Lakers and Mavs, at least, is that they both have legit superstars on their rosters still -- though I wouldn't put much money on either team going far in the playoffs.

It's all about OKC, Chicago, Miami this season, with a few second tier teams like the Sixers and Nuggets that might pull an upset but not go all the way.

True, but the way Paul had been playing during our win streak - he's been Player of the Week - like.

Also - CHI's dealing with injuries...OKC lost their backup PG (Maynor) for the season...DWade just came back.

Even the elite teams are susceptible to injuries.

For me, there are still wildcards in play.

Even if every single legitimate contender is inflicted with major injuries, I'm really skeptical the Celtics could beat one of the younger, deeper second-tier teams in a 7 game series (e.g. Nuggets, Sixers, Pacers).

Wow man..thanks for peeing in my cornflakes, here

Didn't BOS just beat a younger WIZ team on the road? Then turn around the next game and crush ORL by 31? And THEN beat ORL in that stunning comeback two days later?

Topped it off with a revenge win vs Indy. Did all this without Rondo or Ray Ray or JO.

I'm not ready to crown Boston with Banner 18 yet, but I can't count them out, either - even after tonight's disappointment.

you mean a young washington team that has won 2 games so far ?

and an orl team that clearly is in a crap situation  where they have one great player and a bunch of role players ?

[GreenFaith1819]

Can we hold off on these predictions?

Aren't the Lakers, DAL, Spurs - right around 500, too? And I'm sure we'll see those three in the playoffs.

Contenders? Right now? No - but again it's still too early to call it for me.

The difference with the Lakers and Mavs, at least, is that they both have legit superstars on their rosters still -- though I wouldn't put much money on either team going far in the playoffs.

It's all about OKC, Chicago, Miami this season, with a few second tier teams like the Sixers and Nuggets that might pull an upset but not go all the way.

True, but the way Paul had been playing during our win streak - he's been Player of the Week - like.

Also - CHI's dealing with injuries...OKC lost their backup PG (Maynor) for the season...DWade just came back.

Even the elite teams are susceptible to injuries.

For me, there are still wildcards in play.

Even if every single legitimate contender is inflicted with major injuries, I'm really skeptical the Celtics could beat one of the younger, deeper second-tier teams in a 7 game series (e.g. Nuggets, Sixers, Pacers).

Wow man..thanks for peeing in my cornflakes, here

Didn't BOS just beat a younger WIZ team on the road? Then turn around the next game and crush ORL by 31? And THEN beat ORL in that stunning comeback two days later?

Topped it off with a revenge win vs Indy. Did all this without Rondo or Ray Ray or JO.

I'm not ready to crown Boston with Banner 18 yet, but I can't count them out, either - even after tonight's disappointment.

you mean a young washington team that has won 2 games so far ?

and an orl team that clearly is in a crap situation  where they have one great player and a bunch of role players ?

smh...c'mon, Man, lol.....didn't BOS have trouble with nearly ALL younger teams last yr? So they've beaten the WIZ three times. Give our old team SOME credit.

And ORL? They WERE playing well - until they met us. They had some impressive wins (beat Indy in Indy, etc).

I guess it's Boston fault that we knocked ORL off it's axis. We do that to teams.

Personally, I think that EVERY game vs CLE will be a dogfight from here on out for BOS - after all, weren't WE the ones who really started the whole Lebron leaving episode?

I mean, TA doing THIS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnEJs309dcc

BOS showed me, over the last week or so - that this team has a LOT of fight left. That doesn't mean that they'll bring it every night, though.

[tyrone biggums]

I know we all got excited after the winning streak, but IMO the C's clearly aren't contenders . It's just a waste of a season trying to make the playoffs. The best thing the c's could do is try to trade one of the big 3 for future prospects


Maybe Ray and a 1st for Kevin Martin ?

I'm sure you all heard it before ,but please Danny make a move to put us in the lottery 

I didn't even have to read the thread to know who wrote it, there is no way in hell we'd get that much for Ray. The problem here is that our only trade chip really is Rondo, unless of course you are cool with taking on Vin Baker like contracts to get a draft pick that may or may not work out. Do I think the C's will win it all? nope...but what would be accomplished by trading expiring players and putting us in salary cap hell for the next few years? Taking on bad contracts from contenders that will be finishing between 20 + in the standings will not help us rebuild. At least if we let JO/KG/Ray expire the Celtics can attempt to bid for a good free agent (maybe Howard...who knows?)...if they don't get someone good it at least gives them cap flex to make a trade or two. Either way, taking back bad contracts is never a good idea.

[Tgro]

When we were 4-8, if you would have told me we would be 9-10 today, I'd take it. Especially since we beat Orlando twice and Indiana once and we only lost to Cleveland by 1 point.

I don't think we're a .500 team. I think we're a .600 - .650 team from here on out. Maybe I'm delusional but I haven't given up this season's ghost yet.

I do think the other elite teams are question marks at best and running on shaky ground themselves. Does anybody look overwhelmingly impressive? Sure, there are some front runners we knew were going to be there but I don't think they look as good as advertised yet.

I do believe in the end that the cream will rise to the top. I do believe we'll be in the thick of it when all is said and done. Yes, it's delusional to think we'll win it all but I think its better to feel optimistic about this season than to give up after a one point loss to a team we're clearly better than. 2nd round playoff loss sounds better to me than to blow it up moving forward. Next year is going to come whether we blow it up now or not. Next year's story will get here in due time. And next year will have its own storylines.

I think right now we're a decent center and more cohesion from the rest away from being a pretty dang good team. It's okay if you don't see it that way, but I personally want to see this thing play out. This team is not hopeless. Not yet at least. 

I don't feel like the sky is falling. No one looks like a clear cut winner to me yet. Just a lot of maybes running around.

[tyrone biggums]

When we were 4-8, if you would have told me we would be 9-10 today, I'd take it. Especially since we beat Orlando twice and Indiana once and we only lost to Cleveland by 1 point.

I don't think we're a .500 team. I think we're a .600 - .650 team from here on out. Maybe I'm delusional but I haven't given up this season's ghost yet.

I do think the other elite teams are question marks at best and running on shaky ground themselves. Does anybody look overwhelmingly impressive? Sure, there are some front runners we knew were going to be there but I don't think they look as good as advertised yet.

I do believe in the end that the cream will rise to the top. I do believe we'll be in the thick of it when all is said and done. Yes, it's delusional to think we'll win it all but I think its better to feel optimistic about this season than to give up after a one point loss to a team we're clearly better than. 2nd round playoff loss sounds better to me than to blow it up moving forward. Next year is going to come whether we blow it up now or not. Next year's story will get here in due time. And next year will have its own storylines.

I think right now we're a decent center and more cohesion from the rest away from being a pretty dang good team. It's okay if you don't see it that way, but I personally want to see this thing play out. This team is not hopeless. Not yet at least. 

I don't feel like the sky is falling. No one looks like a clear cut winner to me yet. Just a lot of maybes running around.

I agree with this, I feel if the C's get Kaman if hes bought out, or make some type of trade to get a young shooter in town then they'll be in much better shape.

[raynman]

Can we hold off on these predictions?

Aren't the Lakers, DAL, Spurs - right around 500, too? And I'm sure we'll see those three in the playoffs.

Contenders? Right now? No - but again it's still too early to call it for me.

The difference with the Lakers and Mavs, at least, is that they both have legit superstars on their rosters still -- though I wouldn't put much money on either team going far in the playoffs.

It's all about OKC, Chicago, Miami this season, with a few second tier teams like the Sixers and Nuggets that might pull an upset but not go all the way.

True, but the way Paul had been playing during our win streak - he's been Player of the Week - like.

Also - CHI's dealing with injuries...OKC lost their backup PG (Maynor) for the season...DWade just came back.

Even the elite teams are susceptible to injuries.

For me, there are still wildcards in play.

Even if every single legitimate contender is inflicted with major injuries, I'm really skeptical the Celtics could beat one of the younger, deeper second-tier teams in a 7 game series (e.g. Nuggets, Sixers, Pacers).

Wow man..thanks for peeing in my cornflakes, here

Didn't BOS just beat a younger WIZ team on the road? Then turn around the next game and crush ORL by 31? And THEN beat ORL in that stunning comeback two days later?

Topped it off with a revenge win vs Indy. Did all this without Rondo or Ray Ray or JO.

I'm not ready to crown Boston with Banner 18 yet, but I can't count them out, either - even after tonight's disappointment.

you mean a young washington team that has won 2 games so far ?

and an orl team that clearly is in a crap situation  where they have one great player and a bunch of role players ?

smh...c'mon, Man, lol.....didn't BOS have trouble with nearly ALL younger teams last yr? So they've beaten the WIZ three times. Give our old team SOME credit.

And ORL? They WERE playing well - until they met us. They had some impressive wins (beat Indy in Indy, etc).

I guess it's Boston fault that we knocked ORL off it's axis. We do that to teams.

Personally, I think that EVERY game vs CLE will be a dogfight from here on out for BOS - after all, weren't WE the ones who really started the whole Lebron leaving episode?

I mean, TA doing THIS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnEJs309dcc

BOS showed me, over the last week or so - that this team has a LOT of fight left. That doesn't mean that they'll bring it every night, though.

Shaq looked really fat! LOL..

[GDAbraham]

One shouldn't judge the teams makeup game to game. In a wacky, cramped lockout season teams like our Celtics (proven vet teams) aren't going to elite the hell out of everyone. Lie in wait, build chemistry with the bench, be healthy for the playoff run more than anything. What that amounts to? Who knows? But considering their resume of overachieving the last few years I'm willing to roll the dice and let them finish this season and deal with next year when it comes. I entirely support the notion of keeping most of them on cheap deals to learn the young guns. Tossing aside greatness entirely so you can watch Martin or Gay score a bunch immediately seems not so good to me.

Watching them prove people wrong (including their own fans) is one of the best things about these guys.

[GreenFaith1819]

So at the end of the day, BOS is 3-3 vs teams with winning records, right?

NY's loss on Christmas Day was a sham. They are clearly a hot mess right now.

MIA? They beat us IN MIA by 7 - without the Captain.

OKC? CHI? They beat us, but again - Pierce was NOT in prime form.

So we've beaten ORL (twice) and Indy....and some winnable games vs MIA and NY.

BOS could easily have 3-4 more wins than they do.

[ianboyextreme]

I have no doubt that if the Celtics play like they did against Orlando and Indiana, we are title contenders.