I Won't Entirely Defend IT, But His Frustration Is A Bit Understandable Too...

[Phantom255x]

I love IT, but agree that he's been acting cocky the past week. Part of that may be his competitiveness, but another part of that may be the "superstar spotlight" getting to his head.

But at the same time, IT probably saw Cleveland trade for Korver, and nab Bogut (now injured), and Deron Williams. He saw Toronto scoop up Ibaka and Tucker (for peanuts, basically). He saw Washington add Bogdanovic. What did Ainge and the Celtics do? Absolutely nothing.

And now it's showing with injuries that this team lacks scoring/rebounding depth and without Horford, the front court is A LOT worse (though even with him it was an underwhelming unit).

Then Stevens put out a really bad rotation last night that pretty much cost us the game in a game we NEEDED (LAC were down 13, went on to take an 8 point lead and kept going).

Isaiah made some boneheaded plays in the Suns game that cost us, but he did play great last night while the rest of the team shot bricks. It reminded me of the Atlanta series last April where we didn't have Bradley and no one helped IT.

IT's got to be a bit frustrated in general that we have a paper front court and Ainge STILL hasn't solved that issue in the past few years (adding Horford but losing Sully didn't entirely help and there's no great depth behind Horford either).

People can talk about moving him because his attitude is "un-celtic", but what do you want him to do? Stay silent? Just go with the flow after these losses? I'd rather have some guys on the Celtics feel frustrated and voice their concerns over some issues after a loss than just sit around feeling content with where their at with their record. I'm sure people would also complain if they heard the C's just "felt good with their effort" in losses.

Hopefully IT can put his attitude aside a bit and with Horford back, the C's can return to some smooth, team-basketball. This has been a bad stretch since the All Star Break, but this should mean we are bound to enter the last part of the season and into the playoffs red hot.

Just some of my thoughts. Hopefully I didn't trigger the IT bashers here 

[mysteryMrE]

Regardless of the moves the Celtics didn't make, they still have a roster that led them to a (3 game) lead for the 2 seed. It definitely hurts that the team can't seem to stay healthy, but they definitely have enough talent to win games like the past two nights.

It's impossible for us to know the conversations that take place behind the scenes, but it is disappointing to see Isaiah get so mouthy after consecutive games. Sure, Crowder made a terrible decision and Stevens deserves some blame, but if Isaiah wants the praise and respect that comes with being a super star, he better be the first to step up and take some heat when they team has a let down here and there. Again, I get that this team wouldn't be even close to where they are without him, but his leadership skills seem to be lacking at this point.

[Phantom255x]

Regardless of the moves the Celtics didn't make, they still have a roster that led them to a (3 game) lead for the 2 seed. It definitely hurts that the team can't seem to stay healthy, but they definitely have enough talent to win games like the past two nights.

It's impossible for us to know the conversations that take place behind the scenes, but it is disappointing to see Isaiah get so mouthy after consecutive games. Sure, Crowder made a terrible decision and Stevens deserves some blame, but if Isaiah wants the praise and respect that comes with being a super star, he better be the first to step up and take some heat when they team has a let down here and there. Again, I get that this team wouldn't be even close to where they are without him, but his leadership skills seem to be lacking at this point.

Yep, that's where I'm at too.

The way I meant it more was that we had a lead for the 2 seed. THEN Washington and Toronto made moves to try and take it away from us. Meanwhile we did nothing.

But it is what it is. Time to move on. One game at a time.

[apc]

His frustration is understandable.
Pointing the blame at others in front of media is not.
If cant help himself and have to say something use WE- as WE need to be better at X or Y...

[mysteryMrE]

Regardless of the moves the Celtics didn't make, they still have a roster that led them to a (3 game) lead for the 2 seed. It definitely hurts that the team can't seem to stay healthy, but they definitely have enough talent to win games like the past two nights.

It's impossible for us to know the conversations that take place behind the scenes, but it is disappointing to see Isaiah get so mouthy after consecutive games. Sure, Crowder made a terrible decision and Stevens deserves some blame, but if Isaiah wants the praise and respect that comes with being a super star, he better be the first to step up and take some heat when they team has a let down here and there. Again, I get that this team wouldn't be even close to where they are without him, but his leadership skills seem to be lacking at this point.

Yep, that's where I'm at too.

The way I meant it more was that we had a lead for the 2 seed. THEN Washington and Toronto made moves to try and take it away from us. Meanwhile we did nothing.

But it is what it is. Time to move on. One game at a time.

Agree completely. Frustrating as a fan, so one could only imagine how it could get as a player. A win tomorrow over the Warriors would get a lot of fans off the ledge!

[dwlefty13]

Willing to bet IT's frustration, as well as many of the other players, coaches, and fans, would seize with a win tomorrow...

[chiken Green]

IT didnt play Great.. He Scored a bunch of buckets - early and a handful after the game was decided..  In the teeth of it, when they were making that run (that seemed to last for almost 2 Quarters) He was not effective..

He had a bunch of empty points last night..  Not one of his better games in my opinion.

 

[jambr380]

I just wonder how long the honeymoon period can last. Our entire team is expected to play gritty, hard-nosed defense and be unselfish. And then there is IT who can shoot whenever he wants, is lauded as King of the 4th, and getting national attention for MVP (not undeservedly so).

At what point do guys like Crowder, Horford, Smart, AB, etc get a little over covering for IT on defense all game just so he can do his thing on offense?

I am not saying it's not working (we are still 2nd in the East!), but our players are people, too. If IT is going to start calling out players/coaches, this could get a little ugly. Hopefully we right the ship and head into the playoffs with momentum on our side.

[PhoSita]

Just tweeted by Dan Feldman:

Celtics against Clippers:

Lineups used before last night: +17

Lineups debuting last night: -31

Isaiah has every right to be annoyed.

I'm all for experimentation, but you gotta choose your spots.

[SHAQATTACK]

Just tweeted by Dan Feldman:

Celtics against Clippers:

Lineups used before last night: +17

Lineups debuting last night: -31

Isaiah has every right to be annoyed.

I'm all for experimentation, but you gotta choose your spots.

This ^. Is all IT was say n .   ......not the time of season to experiment ........IT was right .......maybe he should have been less direct with the media.   But in frustration , he needs to fight off urges to publically voice his feeling .....that say next morning he would have time to cool off and regret he spoke so openly to media.

Thomas should have clamed up and let DA or the team discuss they feelings with CBS about the lineup .  Pretty obvious it was a bit of POOR coaching .....SMH

I'm in agreement with IT .

[playdream]

I like IT but he did the wrong thing and should apologize ASAP

[86MaxwellSmart]

When things were going great--and IT was interviewed after Wins--he ALWAYS said it was his teammates and coaches who were responsible for his success. I'm okay with him now.

[furball]

It's fine that IT is frustrated.  It's not fine that he called out his coach in the media. 

[PhoSita]

When things were going great--and IT was interviewed after Wins--he ALWAYS said it was his teammates and coaches who were responsible for his success. I'm okay with him now.

Great point.

[SparzWizard]

He's probably stressed out. I would be stressed out too if I was the team's best leading scorer and have to carry them on a daily basis each night. And to make all the hard-worked efforts fall apart at the end.

DA needs to do something SOON, he's been stalling for too long. I'm not even upset about the lack of acquisition of PG13 or Butler. Him dodging Bogut sure saved himself, but why he never went after Cousins or bit for Serge Ibaka is mind-boggling to me.

And also, the incompetency of Kelly Olynyk needs to go. Like...pack his bags and leave the team to another team type of go.