We are 14-5...when do we get to make judgements?

[kgainez]

No one likes to make assumptions about a team in the beginning of the seasons until the first 20 games. Many of us weren't happy with our record after our first 20 and wanted to wait til the first 25. Either way, it was a losing record...and we were 14-16 after 30.

After 19, we are 14-5...73.6% winning. If we lose the next, we are 70% winning. If we win the next, we are 75%.

I know people are counting us out, and I don't want to make this a Rondo thread....but I mean...what are your thoughts?

Because for me 14-5 > 20-23

[Donoghus]

Team is heading towards a middle of the road seeding and looks to be a tough one come playoff time.  Title aspirations might not be there for me but I think they can make life miserable for some teams in the East.   This run has illustrated that to me.    That's about it. 

[Lightskinsmurf]

Still not winning a championship. If we could have moved rondo for a cousins type player to go next to KG I might be singing a different tune. Still, we are playing better and we've been pretty consistent lately. Still can't wait to see how we do come playoff time.

[Evantime34]

Right now I'm not sure what to make of this recent run. If they can duplicate their 14-5 record since Rondo went down, over the last 20 games I think they can grab a four seed and make it to the eastern conference finals.

[timobusa]

Great Run, Peaking at the right time.
Winning games we should win.
Still has a lot of flaws, like letting the opposing team come back from a 10 - 15 point lead, but for the most part we are winning because of pure will.
I like the fire I see in this current roster.
I'm not getting my hopes up expecting a Championship, but I know this team will shake some feathers in the playoffs.
Rondo is gonna be missed in the playoffs for sure, but it is what it is. We're here without him.
Keep grinding, keep doing what we're doing.

I don't think its safe to make a judgement until the end of the season.

[LooseCannon]

The team is playing at the level I thought they could play.  It makes me think that if two key rotation players weren't out for the season, the Celtics would be the team with the second-best chance of winning a title out of the Eastern Conference.  It makes me think the team could be similarly good next season.

[indeedproceed]

Team is heading towards a middle of the road seeding and looks to be a tough one come playoff time.  Title aspirations might not be there for me but I think they can make life miserable for some teams in the East.   This run has illustrated that to me.    That's about it.

Right there with you.

[Fafnir]

Team is heading towards a middle of the road seeding and looks to be a tough one come playoff time.  Title aspirations might not be there for me but I think they can make life miserable for some teams in the East.   This run has illustrated that to me.    That's about it.

For me its that team with its full compliment of healthy players would have indeed been the second or third best team in the east in the regular season and the second best team come playoff time.

Now due to losing Sullinger/Rondo we're just a scary lower seeded team.

[connor]

Playoffs.

Can't make judgements until after the playoffs.
I think this current Celtics team has shown that they can beat any team on any night. But they have to show that they can go out and do it in a 7 game series.

This isn't a fluke, I think we can say that much now. We've developed a solid offensive game based around ball movement and everyone contributing and the team is getting back to its stingy defensive identity. But we still have plenty of flaws: relying too much on a 35 and 36 year old to carry us most night, letting leads slip away too easy in wins and losses, major lack of rebounding etc. Just keep grinding and lets see where this takes us. 

I don't think we have a chance at a championship this year, but I'm excited to see us play spoiler and excited for next year when we get 2 major contributors back.

[CoachBo]

Enjoyable, team-oriented basketball for the first time in five years. Really like watching this team work on both ends of the floor.

Mid-level seed, tough out in the playoffs - I agree entirely about this season.

What I don't agree with is this team improving incrementally next year with the status quo.

Ainge needs to take the lessons learned post-injuries and retool this roster accordingly. Get younger, get bigger. We are fine in the backcourt right now.

[ScottHow]

I'm waiting til the playoffs.

[Lightskinsmurf]

Playoffs.

Can't make judgements until after the playoffs.
I think this current Celtics team has shown that they can beat any team on any night. But they have to show that they can go out and do it in a 7 game series.

This isn't a fluke, I think we can say that much now. We've developed a solid offensive game based around ball movement and everyone contributing and the team is getting back to its stingy defensive identity. But we still have plenty of flaws: relying too much on a 35 and 36 year old to carry us most night, letting leads slip away too easy in wins and losses, major lack of rebounding etc. Just keep grinding and lets see where this takes us. 

I don't think we have a chance at a championship this year, but I'm excited to see us play spoiler and excited for next year when we get 2 major contributors back.

Well said my man. Can't wait to get sully back and that other guy. 

[Lightskinsmurf]

Enjoyable, team-oriented basketball for the first time in five years. Really like watching this team work on both ends of the floor.

Mid-level seed, tough out in the playoffs - I agree entirely about this season.

What I don't agree with is this team improving incrementally next year with the status quo.

Ainge needs to take the lessons learned post-injuries and retool this roster accordingly. Get younger, get bigger. We are fine in the backcourt right now.

Yeah I don't agree with that either. With KG and Pierce getting a year older and that one point guard we have coming back from ACL surgery? Plus I've yet to see that point guard play well with these group of guys consistently yet. Not at all sold on next year.

[gar]

People underestimating Rondo's contribution to our offense. Miss his pick & roll w/ Garnett. Miss his drives and drives and dishes. Yes we are better on D with Lee and Bradley; but that should surprise no one. Yes we can compensate with ball movement; but when the ball sticks in anyone's hands (other than Rondo's) we are in trouble.

Shows that any one piece is expendable at this point in the rebuilding process save KG. Crawford is a good replacement for Barbosa. So far the Rondo by committee is working; but teams that pressure Terry or Lee or Bradley will have to be made to pay. Need to feed the bigs more at the rim.

[Edgar]

Miami and OKC are still better than us....