Optimism

[droopdog7]

Smart will be packaged with a few of the 20 picks the Celts have for a big. Bet on it..

I can buy that unless you mean a big that can actually play.  Smart is pretty terrible an d other teams aren't as stupid as Celtic fans think.

[saltlover]

Before the series began, I said there'd be a game when the Celtics got blown out because they couldn't throw a basketball into a swimming pool.  That was this game.  I also said there'd be a game when the Celtics forced a ton of turnovers and got a lot of easy baskets in transition, blowing out Atlanta.  I still think that game will come.  I felt the rest of the series would be close, and that we'd pull it out.  I still think that's possible.

As a wise man once said: "You're never as good as you think you are, you're never as bad as you think you are, and you're never far from both of those."

Dude, for the sake of the Celtics future, I hope you are right. TP

Maybe I am mistaking you for another poster here, but you seem to get predictions and stuff right a lot. Am I correct in saying this?

Thanks.  I'd like to think I've tended to be right more often than I've been wrong.  Admittedly I thought the Celtics would win in 6, and winning four in a row will be difficult, so I'm less enthusiastic about that part of the prediction.  But the Celtics have been winning all season by forcing turnovers and getting easy points, which likewise has been a weakness for the Hawks.  I think that will show itself a few times in this series.  It did in the second half of game one, which almost was enough.  Even in this game we tied them over the final three and half quarters.

We do need to scrap the starting lineup tho.  Take out Sully, bring in Jerebko or Turner.

[86MaxwellSmart]

We will win the next game....even though we've looked like garbage lately.

[jpotter33]

Here's some optimism - the Hawks mascot took a massive fall right on his groin during the game.

http://www.bigplay.com/hawks-mascot-leaves-game-after-injuring-his-balls-falling-on-railing/

[chambers]

Before the series began, I said there'd be a game when the Celtics got blown out because they couldn't throw a basketball into a swimming pool.  That was this game.  I also said there'd be a game when the Celtics forced a ton of turnovers and got a lot of easy baskets in transition, blowing out Atlanta.  I still think that game will come.  I felt the rest of the series would be close, and that we'd pull it out.  I still think that's possible.

As a wise man once said: "You're never as good as you think you are, you're never as bad as you think you are, and you're never far from both of those."

Dude, for the sake of the Celtics future, I hope you are right. TP

Maybe I am mistaking you for another poster here, but you seem to get predictions and stuff right a lot. Am I correct in saying this?

That would be me actually.

J/K lol.

Injuries and a terrible match up vs ATL have dashed our playoff hopes this year.
Even if we somehow won this series, we'd have to play the Cavs without Bradley which would probably be a repeat of last years series with them.

The NBA draft lottery is one month away guys. Enjoy the next 2-3 games and think about what might happen over the offseason and on draft lottery night.

[Drucci]

Our defense was pretty good for 3 quarters. But it's not use if you can't score on the other end.

[crimson_stallion]

They're not going to spot Atlanta a 16 to 21 point first half lead again. They cannot possibly shoot worse. Stevens has a few days to make more adjustments. Three of the next four games are at home.

Are you so sure?

They're done exactly that in something like their last 6 games.

[LilRip]

I think we will see significant upgrades this offseason. This team has been fun but its flaws are also more obvious now. For example, we're a high volume 3pt shooting team but we rank 28th in 3Pt% or something. Sounds like that's a major point for improvement.

[Celtics4ever]

Optimism and positive thoughts are the residue of hippies, we need results on the court.

[CoachBo]

I like Smart but he's the worst offensive guard in the league

I'm having a hard time refuting this.

He makes Rubio look like a quality scoring option.

LOL. I laughed out loud.

Not because I disagree. You are quite correct.

Which is why calling Smart part of the Celtics core is absurd. He should definitely be on the table to be moved.

[LGC88]

Here is some optimism :
If we lose badly 4-0 or 5-1 with poor play, we won't have a hard time dealing with almost anybody that Danny will trade this summer.

[Evantime34]

I just did ESPN's mock lottery 10 times. The C's had a top 2 pick 5 of those 10 times (Ingram 3 times, Simmons twice).

[hwangjini_1]

Optimism and positive thoughts are the residue of hippies, we need results on the court.

but the are not mutually exclusive.

[fairweatherfan]

Optimism and positive thoughts are the residue of hippies, we need results on the court.

How do we accomplish this through forum posts?  Asking for a friend.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Everyone said it was a 7-game series.  It's still on track for that.

That's all I got.

I guess I'm not part of "everyone," because I said it would go to the Hawks in 5, though now I'm not sure the Celtics can last that long.