Why do we fail at the critical junctures?

[ScoobyDoo]

This is a counter post to the scruffy headed dog post and I've posted on this topic a couple times before.

Every time I say to myself "Ok, we've got the golden opportunity before us right now to take control of or even win this series' we seem to underwhelm, sometimes historically.

Game 2 against Philly: We find out Bosh is down indefinitely and you'd think that would be the supreme motivation to go up 2-0 heading into Philly for two games. We come out and put up a real stinker game at home. I think this was the one that was the second worst playoff performance in Celtics history. Don't play bad after hearing Bosh is down - play historically bad.

Game 4 against Philly: We're up 18 in the 3rd, with a seemingly easy path to a 3-1 lead going back to Boston for game 5, which if won, would give us some much needed rest. We...collapse, give up the 18 point lead and push the series to seven games.

Game 2 against Miami: up 15 in the 3rd with a shot to go back to Boston 1-1 - give up the lead, lose.

Game 4 against Miami: give up most of a 25 point lead in the second half before hanging on.

Game 6 against Miami: At home, 3-2 lead, with your crowd behind you to help you win a game that puts you into the finals which is what you've worked your entire life and career for - and we come out with a pitiful game.

I don't get these epic failures to seize these sweetheart opportunities that we've been presented with. This team, over the years seems to have a knack for "not" taking advantage of the easy ones, the gimmes...I just can't get my head around it.   

[ScoobyDoo]

And I give them the fact that they win the most unpredictable games as well.

They are the most unpredictable team I've ever watched. 

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I've never seen a better Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde type basketball team in my life than this edition of the celtics.

[rondohondo]

No consistant scoring off the bench, no shot blocking/defense at center whe kg comes out, no legit backup PF, no backup pg to give rondo a blow

[the_Bird]

I've never seen a better Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde type basketball team in my life than this edition of the celtics.

At least in part, it's a byproduct of their jumpshooting.  The shots are either falling or they aren't.  And because so many of the key players ARE getting old (sorry, KG!), their shooting is even more inconsistent game-to-game.  

That's why I'm intrigued with the idea of using cap space to try and bring Big Al back; for all his flaws, there's something to be said for having a guy who can get go down low and put the ball in the hole.  There's a diversification to the offensive attack that's missing.  

[TheReaLPuba]

This team has to play like a team and have everyone contribute to be successful especially at the defensive end.

We don't have someone who can take over a game consistently.

Rondo can do it at times but not with his scoring.

PP and KG can do it but not every game.

[the_Bird]

No consistant scoring off the bench, no shot blocking/defense at center whe kg comes out, no legit backup PF

Disagree.  We have a legitimate backup PF; the problem is, he's starting.  Assuming KG comes back next season, the priority has to be improve the 4 spot (and leave KG at the 5). 

Bass just isn't doing it; he's not the REASON for all of our struggles, but he ain't helping.  Cripes, I've even been missing....   Big Baby Davis!...  of all people.

[blink]

I tend to agree with the jump shooting / shots falling or not falling theory.

But there may be more to explaining WHY the shots aren't falling.  I think it has something to do with energy / having their legs under them.   Or it could be that some nights shots just don't fall, and when they don't we don't have enough guys who can take it to the rim and generate fouls and free throws to overcome the bad shooting.

I've never seen a better Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde type basketball team in my life than this edition of the celtics.

At least in part, it's a byproduct of their jumpshooting.  The shots are either falling or they aren't.  And because so many of the key players ARE getting old (sorry, KG!), their shooting is even more inconsistent game-to-game.  

That's why I'm intrigued with the idea of using cap space to try and bring Big Al back; for all his flaws, there's something to be said for having a guy who can get go down low and put the ball in the hole.  There's a diversification to the offensive attack that's missing.  

[rondohondo]

No consistant scoring off the bench, no shot blocking/defense at center whe kg comes out, no legit backup PF

Disagree.  We have a legitimate backup PF; the problem is, he's starting.  Assuming KG comes

back next season, the priority has to be improve the 4 spot (and leave KG at the 5). 

Bass just isn't doing it; he's not the REASON for all of our struggles, but he ain't helping.  Cripes, I've even been missing....   Big Baby Davis!...  of all people.

i agree would love to have illyasova starting pf next year with bass off the bench

[2short]

Take into account our 6th man of year candidate jeff green out for season.  Our starting   center JO didn't give us anything and out for 1/2 year or so.  Our 2nd string pf is now a starter, warts and all.  Our third string center/big Chris Wilcox, out for year.  Our next big on the list Greg is playing injured...he would be 4th string center if all were healthy believe that??  Our starting sf is injured, our starting sg, ray allen injured.  Yes he was regulated to bench but new starter Avery Bradley...yes injured out for season.  Bench guys, mp and md are injured or coming off major surgery.
I think this TEAM has done amazing job of playing through all this and still being a game away from nba championship series.  I don't see them failing at critical junctures, I see them overachieving to get to the critical junctures.

[the_Bird]

I tend to agree with the jump shooting / shots falling or not falling theory.

But there may be more to explaining WHY the shots aren't falling.  I think it has something to do with energy / having their legs under them.   Or it could be that some nights shots just don't fall, and when they don't we don't have enough guys who can take it to the rim and generate fouls and free throws to overcome the bad shooting.

I've never seen a better Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde type basketball team in my life than this edition of the celtics.

At least in part, it's a byproduct of their jumpshooting.  The shots are either falling or they aren't.  And because so many of the key players ARE getting old (sorry, KG!), their shooting is even more inconsistent game-to-game.  

That's why I'm intrigued with the idea of using cap space to try and bring Big Al back; for all his flaws, there's something to be said for having a guy who can get go down low and put the ball in the hole.  There's a diversification to the offensive attack that's missing.  

We used to see the same thing with the old O'bie "chuck up a 3 and play D" teams.  One night, we'd be putting up 125 points, the next...  75.  

And when Ray missed that technical free throw, I got a real bad feeling in my stomach.  He was saying the other day how his ankles were keeping him from extending on his free throw attempts; when he's missing the freebies, it's a pretty good indication that he's hurting.  And when they aren't TRYING to get to the basket, it's hard to tell sometimes whether that's just the D or just that they really just can't do it anymore, the legs just aren't there.

That's the thing with old teams; some nights, they make you think it's 2008 all over again.  Adrenaline, rest, who knows why, but some nights they just have enough left in the tank to look like they did in their prime.  Happens just enough times to frustrate you like crazy on nights like last night.

It's kind of like when you're golfing, and you're playing like crap, and getting frustrated, and just scuffling along...  feeling like quitting...  and then you hit that one beautiful shot that makes you think you can actually be pretty decent.  But, you just can't do it at every hole.

[BC1996]

Some of it is a lack of urgency, although last nights game was unlike any of these other closeout games.  The other major part is the fact that we have such a small room for error.  This team needs to work so hard for everything.  That's also part of what makes them so lovable.  Considering the injuries we have endured, in addition to our lack of pure athleticism, it's just amazing to see this team squeeze every ounce of potential out of themselves.

[guava_wrench]

Because the other team won't lay down for us.

We are not one of those dominant teams that can impose their will. Considering our making it this far, I think talking about us failing is inappropriate. We have exceeded expectations.

[pearljammer10]

its simple, we have to play kg 48 minutes.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I've never seen a better Dr Jekyll, Mr Hyde type basketball team in my life than this edition of the celtics.

At least in part, it's a byproduct of their jumpshooting.  The shots are either falling or they aren't.  And because so many of the key players ARE getting old (sorry, KG!), their shooting is even more inconsistent game-to-game.  

That's why I'm intrigued with the idea of using cap space to try and bring Big Al back; for all his flaws, there's something to be said for having a guy who can get go down low and put the ball in the hole.  There's a diversification to the offensive attack that's missing.  

yep. we need a dominant inside game we can go to which would in turn open up alot of outside shots( if we hit them). How about a good starting center and some other big guy we currently have can back him up, KG starting at PF and bass back him up,. Green back up Pierce. We know what we have in bradley and Rondo. some good bench guards who can hit 3's. We really need a dominant center.