Celtics don't want to win, they play to avoid getting blownout and nothing else.

[Senninsage]

They are clearly capable defenders. They clearly always get an edge of some kind against any team they play against, but then they do all sorts of sloppy nonsense that pretty much throws the game away for them or makes it much harder than it really needs to be. Now, why? Why is this happening so consistently?

Celtics, with the way this game has gone, should easily have at least a 5 point lead or better for a good stretch of this game. They are a very good team that makes it way too easy for other teams. They almost enjoy playing from behind, because they are afraid of the expectations that come with leading (They are expected to win, and they can't handle that expectation, not anymore).

And how else do I explain their sloppiness? Their consistent throwing up on themselves? This team, every last player on the team, does not actually believe they will be able to compete in the playoffs, much less win a championship. This team is playing like a team that knows they aren't good. It's their pride that forces them to fight back into games before giving up again.

Going further, you can't just say you want to win. You have to show that you want to win. These Celtics do not want to win. If they did, they wouldn't make the kinds of mistakes that they do, the silly turnovers when they have other teams in trouble. They seem to play like a team that can't stand the sight of mid-game success, and really isn't interested in working hard enough to maintain it. They squander opportunities in a fashion similar to the way the worst teams in this league do.

So, forget what the celtics player say, forget what the coach says, this team has given up. They don't want to work hard enough to be winners. They use to back up their talk of hard work with real effort. This team isn't trying. The collective whole on this team only suit up every night for one purpose and one purpose only, to not go out there and get embarrassed.

Why else would they be so amazingly consistent at dropping leads when they get behind? Why not put in that kind of effort when the game is close, or when they have a small lead? They don't care to. They are out there to avoid blowouts, not win games or win championships. This may not be true of specific individual players, but as a team it is.

[LarBrd33]

It's a deeply flawed roster without any size whatsoever.  We were royally messed over by the lockout and a worst-case-scenario offseason.  It's not about effort... it's about a lack of talent beyond the capable 3 and Rondo. 

[PosImpos]

Yeah.  I blame guys like Pierce for showing up out of shape.  I think at this point they're playing pretty close to their potential, though.  The talent on the roster just isn't there.  It's not a very well built team right now.

I think Danny did the best he could with his limited resources this off-season, though.  We know he tried his best to upgrade, but came up short.

[KG_ended_Bias]

I also fault Pierce! HE should be naturally a step slower with tge age issue but he helped speed up that process by putting on fat & coming in out of shape.

[Senninsage]

We have more than enough talent to win. We do. It's just that this team isn't playing like a team that believes they have a chance in the playoffs. They are playing to hang on and not get embarrassed out of pride, not to go out there and prove that they are the best.

Trust me, at the end of games like this, you think they are truly all collectively angry at the fact that they lost to a team they could have beat? No, quite the opposite. They may be mad. After all, who likes losing, right? However, trust me that they will see the glass as half full. Well, at least they only lost by this many points, and had some good stretches against the team with the best record in the entire league.

Here's what I see from this team. I see a team fighting more coming out of half-time, and fighting hard whenever they get behind by a decent amount, but then who are also content with the game staying close early on in the 1st or second quarters. This team use to play like every quarter mattered, like every minute and every second could decide the outcome of the game. That isn't happening anymore.

How do players consistently come from the 3 point line, or from half court, and beat guys who are already in the paint to the basket? How does that happen? Just disgusted with this team at this point. Very disgusted.

[tyrone biggums]

It's a deeply flawed roster without any size whatsoever.  We were royally messed over by the lockout and a worst-case-scenario offseason.  It's not about effort... it's about a lack of talent beyond the capable 3 and Rondo. 

Bass JJJ Bradley and Pietrus look useful...the rest I could do without. It's still a playoff team, just one that will probably be bounced in the 2nd round.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yup,....as good as Rondo is and fun to watch,  I can't help but thunk , what if CP3 had come here . .... then West comes too, and I swear I belive in my heart we'd still have 20 wins now , even with a fat PP and Worthless JO.  Oh Well

[bfrombleacher]

Yup,....as good as Rondo is and fun to watch,  I can't help but thunk , what if CP3 had come here . .... then West comes too, and I swear I belive in my heart we'd still have 20 wins now , even with a fat PP and Worthless JO.  Oh Well

Ugh. Sometimes I wish Rondo were traded.

In very personal opinion (just to make it clear to rid you guys of the responsibility of proving how wrong I am) CP3 is good but Rondo has been playing the same level as Paul has at his best. When multiple players struggle like this losses are inevitable.

[j804]

It's a combination of the lockout and just age doing in the team. They want to win they are trying but their body isnt allowing them to compete consistently at the level were used to seeing. That's why you see them looking good only in stretches. The window is closing and just about shut.

[wayupnorth]

It's a deeply flawed roster without any size whatsoever.  We were royally messed over by the lockout and a worst-case-scenario offseason.  It's not about effort... it's about a lack of talent beyond the capable 3 and Rondo. 

I don't see it quite as negatively as many here, but that is the saddest, yet incredible on point nickname for the trio. 

[ManchesterCelticsFan]

The comments from above posters are reasons why I took Pierce's comments a couple weeks back of something along the lines of "we are not happy with our record; we feel we should be the 3 or 4 seed" with a grain of salt. Well, if he really meant it, he would've showed up in better shape, at a better body-fat percentage/playing-weight, injury or not, and he would've played better the week-plus (unless he couldn't because he's old at 34) after passing Larry Bird for the C's #2 All-Time scorer.

[lightspeed5]

was pierce's body fat % from the beginning of the season ever revealed?

[LooseCannon]

was pierce's body fat % from the beginning of the season ever revealed?

Not sure, but I believe I heard it stated during a game that at the beginning of the pre-season it was twice what it is now.