Speculation on why we may be underachieving

[tarheelsxxiii]

We can easily chalk up a number of these losses to injury, but we've also lost winnable games and haven't played all that well in a lot of Ws.  I'm wondering why...

My best guess is that the locker room came into the season thinking they're a little better than they actually are.  Regular season success again, continued improvement as a team and individually for [dang] near everyone, Horford's signing, more national media attention, predictions of 55+ wins, 2nd in the East... all reasons to be feeling good.

It's also now well-advertised that we're major players in a trade for any star in the league for the near future.  And while it'd suck to lose any one of AB / Crowder / Smart / Brown, I bet they believe whoever remains will probably end up making major contributions to a true contender.  It's a good place to be for a good, young player that fits well with the culture of a team.

But we're a team of blue collar guys with a chip on their shoulders.  That's a great thing, especially for a fanbase.  We're lucky -- how many more truly likeable teams are there in the league? But I can see the possibility that that growth and success may have gone to their heads a bit, along with the trip to the Hamptons, the T. Brady treatment, etc. 

Just my take on the situation here, early in the year.  But we've got a good FO, disciplined and respected coach, and blue chippers that will undoubtedly turn it around again once they realize what it'll take to be really good.  Looking forward to it.  Hope it's sooner than later this year so we can get to the second round / better.   

If you also think we're underachieving, other thoughts as to why?

[alldaboston]

My best guess is that the locker room came into the season thinking they're a little better than they actually are.  Regular season success again, continued improvement as a team and individually for [dang] near everyone, Horford's signing, more national media attention, predictions of 55+ wins, 2nd in the East... all reasons to be feeling good.

This. this is a big reason why we've looked so different compared to last year. the hype has gotten to our players' heads. they feel good about themselves and think that they can coast.

they forgot how far their grit and hard work got them last season. last season was never about talent. it was about how hard that team worked and how they were on a mission to prove the doubters wrong. well now, the doubters are on our side; everyone said we would be the 2 seed in the east, with a surefire ECF matchup vs Cleveland.

the expectations got to their heads, and they have yet to realize how hard they had to work to accomplish what they did last season.

[fantankerous]

Of course, the officials have it out for us.

[Csfan1984]

They don't play good team basketball on the defensive end. And they don't have enough skill on the offensive end. Overall they are undersized and not as athletic as other teams. The bench can't be counted on nightly either. They probably need to have a starter come off the bench. Idk if that is IT, AB or Crowder. But it's clear the bench needs a go to guy.

[JOMVP]

I think it's Isaiah Thomas' supposed rise to a "transcendent" player in his own mind. I like him as a player, and I appreciate what he can do at his size, don't get me wrong. But this guy is a 6th man checker akin to Jamal Crawford that his scoring can keep you in games. He's a sieve defensively. I still think he should be coming off the bench with Bradley and Smart as your frontcourt starters. We would need a more offensive small forward with that front court. And we also need to trade for a big obviously.

Imagine if we tweaked this lineup to have a Gordon Hayward in the starting lineup with Smart and Bradley and then have Isaiah and Crowder coming off the bench.

I do think the whole idea of them thinking their more talented than they are has something to do with it. Isaiah is certainly there, Crowder as well. This team thinks they've earned something and they haven't.

I still think we'll put it together, there needs to be some obvious additions though.

[KG Living Legend]

They don't play good team basketball on the defensive end. And they don't have enough skill on the offensive end. Overall they are undersized and not as athletic as other teams. The bench can't be counted on nightly either. They probably need to have a starter come off the bench. Idk if that is IT, AB or Crowder. But it's clear the bench needs a go to guy.

 That's a Tp Bro. Good Idea, the ultimate team guy and a true professional, the man that really should do it is Avery Bradley. Put smart into the starting role start.

 Bring Avery off the bench and tell him to let the shots fly early and often. Bradley could really thrive in that role forcing him to be ultra-aggressive.

[Celtics4ever]

I think we overachieved last year and what we are seeing is the true team, which is a playoff team but little more.

Last year, teams were tanking and we were not that might be the difference between the level of play.   We play hard this year more teams are playing hard.

[Csfan1984]

They probably need to have a starter come off the bench. Idk if that is IT, AB or Crowder. But it's clear the bench needs a go to guy.

 That's a Tp Bro. Good Idea, the ultimate team guy and a true professional, the man that really should do it is Avery Bradley. Put smart into the starting role start.

 Bring Avery off the bench and tell him to let the shots fly early and often. Bradley could really thrive in that role forcing him to be ultra-aggressive.

Thanks, I tried to think about each guy and the pros and cons. Will post a poll.

[footey]

The way Detroit played last night, I think they would have beaten any other team in the NBA.

They were incredible. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat and move on.

I think Jae is right that our defensive intensity has to be more consistent, but frankly, I don't think it  would have mattered in last night's game.

[Csfan1984]

The way Detroit played last night, I think they would have beaten any other team in the NBA.

They were incredible. Sometimes you just have to tip your hat and move on.

I think Jae is right that our defensive intensity has to be more consistent, but frankly, I don't think it  would have mattered in last night's game.

Guys/teams are playing too well too often against this team though. How often do we keep tipping the cap before we say the defense is just bad?

[LarBrd33]

We always start out a little slow.  We lost some games because Horford and crowder sat.  No shame in losing to Detroit.  It happens.  We will still finish with something like 55 wins.

[Moranis]

Boston is 10-8 and the 4th seed.  Before the loss last night Boston was 10-7 which was a pace of just over 48 wins. 

I'm not sure Boston is actually underachieving.  I think most people expected the team to win in the low 50's, which when you factor in the injuries, Boston is basically playing like.

[Csfan1984]

We always start out a little slow.  We lost some games because Horford and crowder sat.  No shame in losing to Detroit.  It happens.  We will still finish with something like 55 wins.

People worry that's the attitude the C's players have. People liked this team because they busted their butts and played together almost all the time. Right now that isn't the case. They only play hard when they face a good team or after they are down which wasn't their identity last year.

[LarBrd33]

Boston is 10-8 and the 4th seed.  Before the loss last night Boston was 10-7 which was a pace of just over 48 wins. 

I'm not sure Boston is actually underachieving.  I think most people expected the team to win in the low 50's, which when you factor in the injuries, Boston is basically playing like.

i don't think they are underachieving.  They aren't world beaters   They will go on a run.  They will struggle against teams with size like Drummond.   We are fine.

[BitterJim]

We always start out a little slow.  We lost some games because Horford and crowder sat.  No shame in losing to Detroit.  It happens.  We will still finish with something like 55 wins.

Yup.  Brad likes to experiment with lineups early in the year, which sometimes leads to an added loss or two.  Missing players early on meant that this experimentation got pushed out to later, so it's still going on now (while in previous seasons he'd be finishing up by now).  It's nothing to really worry about (yet)