Stop me when you've heard this before. The Celtics got off to a bad start, fought all the way back, and ended up faltering in the end. The only difference this time was that we got further down than usual and couldn't even make it close at the very end. Not good times.
- From the start it seemed like Rondo was the only one who could buy a basket. There were a lot of quality looks that just missed.
- Starting Brandon Bass didn't help any. Nice try though. Don't say Doc doesn't try new things sometimes.
- The team rebounded a little better today, but still got beat 46-34.
- Paul Pierce was 3-12 with just 13 points. Is it time to start wondering if he's still in pain from that ankle?
- Kevin Garnett was 0-fer the first half.
- Hey, at least Wilcox got a couple of dunks.
- I get Rose playing like an MVP, but getting killed by Luol Deng kinda stings.
- And seeing Pierce and KG get blocked by Noah is like salt in an open wound.
- Seeing Brian Scalabrine used as the human victory cigar AGAINST us, is a really weird feeling.
Ugh. What else is there to say?
D-O-N-E. They are on their way to a 4-8 start
vinnie - January 13, 2012
I'm going to hold off on any definitive statements of doom
but yeah, things are looking pretty bleak right now
Jeff Clark - January 14, 2012
Ready for 4 in a row?
Against the Indiana Pacers? And then possibly 5 against our old friend Kendrick Perkins?
SparzWizard - January 13, 2012
FIRE Doc idot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
how due u play young with old ?? garnnett cant rebound nothing cant been rebound
P: was that a block at the end by stiemma?
EXER123 - January 13, 2012
Fire Danny as well
Let’s have a fresh start
KingCeltics - January 14, 2012 via mobile
you guys with the pitch forks are welcome to your opinion
but we could go oh-fer the rest of the season and I wouldn’t fire Doc or Danny or trade Pierce
just how it is for me
everyone else is available for an upgrade but I kinda doubt we’ll get any offers like that, but we’ll see
Jeff Clark - January 14, 2012
Agreed
We look bad, and I’m really concerned, but you don’t overturn the entire ship just to stay afloat. Considering we really don’t have any seductive trade pieces I think we are due for a rough season. What burns me up is seeing the guys really gel just enough to fall short each big game.
redbridge13 - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Pierce = 1 rebound!!!! R u serious??? 1? he shouldnt play tomm. night.. at this point Pietrus is a better option
duqe2 - January 13, 2012
+1
wayne7779311 - January 13, 2012
I'm fairly certain
That I could play a game and get two.
spinetingler - January 14, 2012
we've seen the same exact game 4 times
this sucks
mc34 - January 13, 2012
old is old
we are old.
tommyfan - January 13, 2012
...BY THE HORNS
JO out, then in, no Dooling, his knee,
And no Rip Hamilton will we see.
As a starter on Stiemsma Doc took a pass,
KG at center, no JO, instead Bass.
Q1 Cs shots were erratic and short,
Rondo the only C with energy on the court.
Each C had a chance at his favorite shot,
Mostly front-rimmed, in the hoop they were not.
The Cs looked sluggish, their heads hung low,
The calls were terrible, the Cs were just slow.
RAY ALLEN FOR THREE, RAY ALLEN FOR THREE,
First half the only bright light we did see.
Back to back hoops were made by KG,
Bass scored, JO took a charge, all in Q3.
Bass an offensive rebound and a three for Pierce.
We need this man to once again be fierce!
Cs had been down twenty, Q3 they played great,
To start Q4 they were down only 8!
Pietrus for three, plus KG and Ray,
The Cs are only one point away!
Around down 7 is where the Cs did hang,
Bulls owe a lot to Rose, Brewer and Deng.
(Not one to complain about every call,
But should Rose be allowed to palm the ball)?
Gotta hand it to the Bulls, they’ve experience and youth,
They weren’t bothered by any Cs, not even The Truth.
Bulls went 20-9 when the Cs were within one,
After that for the Cs there was no more fun.
“Scal-a-brini” brought the crowd to its feet,
While at the end of the game Thibs and Doc did meet.
Cs are now 4-6, not our best start.
At least during this game they showed they have heart.
lovemyceltics.blogspot.com
mycelts - January 13, 2012
Keep up the good work - the only ray of light after a miserable loss.
lygafe - January 13, 2012
Thanks.
mycelts - January 13, 2012
And the good news is, they play more home games in January than any other month
vinnie - January 13, 2012
we can't score.
held the Bulls to 87 points, I’d say the defense is still somewhat solid. But there is no scoring. We need to get some scoring.
Yoki Rivero - January 13, 2012
agree but my grandpa can hit those open jumper garnnet miss
im 5.9 i can rebound better than garnnet pierce JO and wilcox
EXER123 - January 13, 2012
+1
wayne7779311 - January 13, 2012
I like rondos play and pietrus' hustle
Thats about it. DENG OWNS PIERCE. I like pierce but it seemed him was forcing his offense which was killing out late run. Pietrus was looking good so pierce should have passed the ball! to me it seemed like he was playing some hero ball. Sad.
Kgwillkillyou - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Very sad.
wayne7779311 - January 13, 2012
Blow it up Danny. :(
What’s this stuff about DA being fired? That’s garbage. Its not his fault our players are getting old.
Pietrus & Cream - January 13, 2012 via mobile
i not about that we have young player that seem to get paid to watch games
we should have more push to get those young player out their!!!!!!!!!!!!
EXER123 - January 13, 2012
Ya I agree.
Its frustrating, I really want to see what Moore can do.
Pietrus & Cream - January 13, 2012 via mobile
I want to see what all of the bench can do
They cant do any worse than our starters
Kgwillkillyou - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Yeah, Moore wins the award fas the player Doc talks the most about playing--without doing so.
clover - January 13, 2012
+1
He cant do any worse than our captain has the past few games
Kgwillkillyou - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Get the starters conditioned in practice then
run the young kids during the game, for the most part, at least for a few more games. Our young guys need Gametime experience and the starters need to get in shape.
cltc5 - January 14, 2012
It is his fault that he kept the gang together too long and re-signed Pierce.
Ben Buchanan - January 13, 2012
Pierce is gonna retire a celtic..
Pietrus & Cream - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Yup
And we’ll be paying him with $15 million and our ability to rebuild in exchange.
Ben Buchanan - January 13, 2012
Ya, not good.
Pietrus & Cream - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Pierce is going to be fine.
He had one of his most efficient years of his career last year, setting personal bests in FG% and FT%, he’s just struggling to find his rhythm right now due to an extended lock out and a lack of practice time because of his issues with the heel.
Mark my works, he’s going to string together a stretch of his trademark 24 points on 12 shots type efficient games and this will all be forgotten.
Step back from the ledge people, it’s ok.
Sizzlack - January 14, 2012
The problem with that hope
….is that he has never played as poorly as he is playing now. That combined with his age means it’s that much less likely that he’ll be able to bounce back. Same goes for KG, JO.
JR99 - January 14, 2012
He's had 3 bad games...
“He’s never played this poorly before” Oh? So have you gone through the game-by-games for every single year of his career and are certain he’s never had a 3 game stretch like this, ever?
I’m sure you must have, otherwise you wouldn’t have said it. So I guess your right.
Sizzlack - January 14, 2012
he also had a career year by his standards last year in many areas
i think its ridiculous to say he lost the ability to play in one offseason. expect regression towards the mean shortly
rm81 - January 14, 2012
Truth.
Pun intended.
Sizzlack - January 14, 2012
Gee, are all comments here based on extensive tape analyses?
Pulease.
And no, I have never seen Paul play so poorly EVER… not in 1 game, 3 games, or….. well, ever. He is often timid, scared, slow, uncertain, and can’t buy a basket. He’s had slumps, of course… but never this bad. I do not recognize this guy.
JR99 - January 14, 2012
obviously it looks bad right now
but what makes you think he cant find his game? he had one of his best years in terms of fg% and defense. i dont think he forgot how to play
rm81 - January 14, 2012
Pierce is out of shape and recovering from an injury
he will be back, but hopefully it’s not too late.
jakeshuttlesworth - January 14, 2012
Pierce is gonna retire a celtic..
Pietrus & Cream - January 13, 2012 via mobile
and he earned it....
Master Po - January 13, 2012
Certainly
But he was paid well along the way. Signing contracts out of sentimentality is a quick ticket to the lottery.
Ben Buchanan - January 13, 2012
Which, admittedly, is kind of what we needed.
But it also leads to a longer stay than we’d like.
Ben Buchanan - January 13, 2012
there is something called Celtic Pride....you play 14 years for the same team...you're the Finals MVP, and you show real leadership .....loyalty is sometimes warranted
Master Po - January 13, 2012
Loyalty with a contract that kills the team for multiple years?
After he’s already been paid a couple hundred million dollars?
He’s not some guy toiling away in a Bain Capital rustbelt factory.
clover - January 13, 2012
so you disagree? lol
Master Po - January 13, 2012
So are you okay with our giving him a $30M amnesty golden parachute for the last two years?
And a gold watch, of course.
clover - January 13, 2012
Were you ok with that 17th championship banner?
forever_green - January 13, 2012 via mobile
So I guess we should have Posey on the books for upwards of $20M into 2014 too?
clover - January 14, 2012
Pierce's contract is fine
he’s got buyout options galore in there if memory serves me right
if he really can’t keep playing as well as he’d like, he’ll retire and the team will gladly pay him not to play (as long as it doesn’t hurt their cap)
its not like we were going to lure some big free agent this year anyway
Jeff Clark - January 14, 2012
well said
Pierce knows his limits, and his time is not up because of a few games. He’s a Warrior.
forever_green - January 14, 2012 via mobile
I think he has a player in year 3, and team option in year 4.
Or something like that.
There’s also the amnesty clause to consider.
All that being said, Pierce is going to bounce back, so this isn’t even really an issue.
Sizzlack - January 14, 2012
I agree he's more likely to round into shape than KG.
I do hope he’s not dealing with that heel injury lingering however and I believe it’s a player option in year 4.
clover - January 14, 2012
I'm not talking about this year, but about the next two.
clover - January 14, 2012
using the POsey example is apples and oranges clover
Master Po - January 14, 2012
Exactly
I was pretty disappointed in the length of his extension when he signed it.
RJ87 - January 13, 2012
I’m pretty disappointed in these comments.
forever_green - January 13, 2012 via mobile
+1
Papatrichs - January 14, 2012
Me too.
IMO it should have been shorter or for shorter money.
clover - January 14, 2012
+1
PIERCE=CELTICS.
forever_green - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Yes he did!
Pierce retires a Celtic!!!
He looks hurt to me right now….
David Henderson - January 13, 2012
pierce
had a career high in field goal percentage last year. and 2nd best win shares of his career. i dont think he goes from having one of his best years to forgetting how to play. he will improve as the season goes on
rm81 - January 14, 2012
Fire Danny. Being Doc with him
KingCeltics - January 14, 2012 via mobile
i trust danny
because he built this version of the team that won a championship. as for doc… who do you suggest replaces him? you think theres someone out there thats better?
rm81 - January 14, 2012
+1
leonitus - January 14, 2012
It’s obvious this team is not championship worthy. Question is, what to do now?
jurrasicearl - January 13, 2012 via mobile
pierce sucks !!
the big 3 era is officially over.
sad.
at least we got one..hope it wont be another few decades until we get # 18
CELTICZ4LIFE - January 13, 2012
tank the rest of the season....
..and let go of kg/ray ray/ for cap space nxt year..
jess m - January 13, 2012
actually there shouldn't be a season in the first place...
Papatrichs - January 14, 2012
Also
Where was the KG who used to bully Joakim Noah? Seemed more like the latter destroyed him tonight…
SparzWizard - January 13, 2012
+1
DENG OWNED PIERCE TOO
Kgwillkillyou - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Ditto
wayne7779311 - January 13, 2012
deng has owned pp for 4 years. if that put anyone over the edge id suggest backing off and waiting a few games
wahz - January 14, 2012
Yes -- when they are likely 4-8 after Monday night, there will be a lot of us over the edge
vinnie - January 14, 2012
Will danny continue to be content to leave it to doc to rearrange the chairs on the deck of the titanic?
jurrasicearl - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Kg was going to bully Noah but he ran out of gas
jurrasicearl - January 13, 2012 via mobile
+1
wayne7779311 - January 13, 2012
time to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEaqbv3WuF0
spinetingler - January 13, 2012
Despite my anger with Danny over many things
I would never give up on this team in 10 games……
“Patience is the Companion to Wisdom”
Master Po - January 13, 2012
Well said, Po.
Love the quote. Can’t desert the team based on less than a quarter of the season.
IsItTheShoes - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Danny's fault
Our descent started last year after the Perk trade. After that, we’re no longer the same. The chemistry is gone.
KingCeltics - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Tho it sounds simplistic, it's hard to argue with the point
…because the underlying fact happens to be true.
JR99 - January 14, 2012
In you're opinion.
Sizzlack - January 14, 2012
*Your
Sizzlack - January 14, 2012
Consider it mine too!!
leonitus - January 14, 2012
I would simply because of the age factor
jurrasicearl - January 13, 2012 via mobile
no legs under us
the lack of any real training camp is killing us. we had lots of good looks that didn’t fall. given that we’re older, we simply don’t have our legs under us yet. it stinks, but its not like the offensive execution is bad. my guess is the team will start playing much better by the end of this month. the lockout didn’t hurt us, but the lack of any real prep time for the season is killing the team right now.
guy incognito - January 13, 2012
i mean that too.
hopefully this will change at anytime soon, like you said the lack of any real prep time is killing us.
nails488 - January 13, 2012
+1
Completely agree—the legs aren’t there and neither is the chemistry and our Captain is coming off a foot injury with no training camp so it’s not really surprising that we’re struggling right now.
I’m not happy about it either, but some of the comments that I see on here from so called fans are nauseating.
McHaleinthepost - January 14, 2012 via iPhone app
On a positive note
I thought pietrus was good on both sides of the ball and in my opinion I would have kept pierce put towards the end and went with rondo, allen, pietrus, kg and bass
Kgwillkillyou - January 13, 2012 via mobile
+1
I though Pietrius looked good also considering it was only his 2nd game back.
I think he has really upgraded the back up wing position(s) and when all is said and done he should turn out to be a nice acquisition by Ainge.
fordescort - January 13, 2012
The bottom line is you can’t be asking bill Walton to play starters role and minutes on the 86 Celtics, you know what I mean?
jurrasicearl - January 13, 2012 via mobile
What now???
Well there isn’t much else to say after this latest debacle.
After a day of rest, playing at home once again and the Celtics come out with yet another PUTRID start to the game, scoring only 13 points in the first quarter and 33 for the first half.
How can a team led by one of the best coaches in the NBA, and having 3 HALL OF FAMERS and a current all star in the starting lineup come out in such lethargic fashion night after night?
Not sure what the latest excuses will be after tonight but there isn’t much else for the team to say right now. It’s getting tiresome hearing from Doc and the players about what they need to do without any semblance of executing those things.
The Celtics have morphed into a pathetic offensive team which is hard to fathom given the talent on the roster.
And this was an easier part of the schedule during this compressed season. Playing at home with plenty of rest/practice time feeds right into the veteran make up of the Celtics. If this is the best we can expect under favorable conditions then it’s going to be a long and painful season…
warnerjohn - January 13, 2012
Respectfully Disagree
I believe the team will get it together and improve considerably over the course of the next 4-6 weeks, but the question is will it be too late?
McHaleinthepost - January 14, 2012 via iPhone app
Oh they will get it together alright and will get in a little rhythm.
Thing is age has caught up on all the vets so it’s time to give more time to the young legs. Starting Bass was a start.. Maybe Greg can start from time to time as well. Mix it up. I think if Wilcox is given more time he can contribute. Pietrius will be huge down the stretch.
leonitus - January 14, 2012
Too early
Their time will come and it will be soon in the next one or two games.
All they need is a strong start. They need to come out of the gates hard. Allen and Rondo are our best players right now.
Pierce is the most notable problem player-wise. He’s slow on D, and his shots are not falling. He can’t depend on fouls to give him some momentum because the refs aren’t giving them to him. Get back to Ubuntu and the shots will eventually fall. Either he’s still hurting or he’s out of shape or both.
Not so sure about JO either, although he has had flashes of his old self but very few and far between.
I think taking KG out at the time in the 4th was a bad decision, as his shots were finally falling.
Pietrus, Bass and Dooling can all be effective off the bench.
Our offense was strongest when our D was at its best. That 3rd quarter comeback was not a flash in the pan one time deal. If we start games like we come out in the third quarter you’ll see the elite squad we expect to see and we’ll get those wins. It starts on the defensive end.
Moore and Johnson need to play. Give them more time! As good as Bradley is defensively, Moore and Johnson can help us offensively.
Call me an optimist but the fan in me doesn’t believe it’s time to give it up this early in the season. This is training camp, summer league and preseason right now, regardless of the fact it’s the season. Things will pick up soon, I can feel it.
mnshyn - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Why is Pierce even out there? Stevie Wonder can see that he's not right...can't defend, can't score. Greatly hurting our chances to win.
wayne7779311 - January 13, 2012
Agreed.. I’m assuming one of the following:
Agreed.. I’m assuming one of the following:1. Doc feels Pierce needs to play himself back into season shape.
2. His heel isn’t healed and he’s playing through it in a show of team leadership.
Agreed.. I’m assuming one of the following:1. Doc feels Pierce needs to play himself back into season shape.
2. His heel isn’t healed and he’s playing through it in a show of team leadership.Figure that if Pierce had even slightly better nights against DAL or CHI either game would have resulted in wins. You don’t want to depend on one guy for wins, but as the captain, you’re expected to perform. Even two more baskets in either game and a bit more defense by Pierce could have given us the momentum to win.
mnshyn - January 13, 2012 via mobile
Sorry for the weird double posting? Not sure why my post came out that way
mnshyn - January 13, 2012 via mobile
I can only imagine that he's still not yet healed.
Albeit, now that we have Pietrus here, why not give PP more time to fully heal?
Playing him hurt will likely only prolong the recovery time.
The guy can’t score, can’t defend “at all” (ask Deng), can’t rebound “at all” (only 1 reb)…it’s almost like us playing them 5 vs 4, their 5 players vs our 4 players when he’s out there just going through the motions.
Lord help us against these better teams.
wayne7779311 - January 14, 2012
If it's still his heel they're really in trouble.
Because stressing it before it’s healed, as clearly he did back in training camp, could make a 3-month injury out of it.
clover - January 14, 2012
+1---I'm with you
McHaleinthepost - January 14, 2012 via iPhone app
DOC will not allow it!
Unfortunately DOC will not allow rookies to flourish under his system. So Juan Juan and Moore, will not grow as the player they could have been!
ADS1 - January 14, 2012
And that is the one maddening quality doc possess! But, this year, let's see how long
he’s gonna be able to stick with that philosophy, when you’re consistently getting beat by the young teams, i.e. Indiana, Chicago, Miami… Im not even sure if they can keep up with the Sixers right now. If he doesnt tweak his rotation, then you can have pretty good idea of the current trend continuing for the whole season.
leonitus - January 14, 2012
not getting any better
let’s see, tomorrow is the end of a back-to-back series so most likely a loss. 4-7
After that, OKC. Very good team. a loss 4-8.
After Toronto: even after beating them twice in the preseason, I’m can’t see predicting a win here. how sad is that.
slamtheking - January 13, 2012
its over ..i knew it would end this way
-Blur
stylo617617 - January 13, 2012
The Bulls played a great game and deserved the win...
The C’s are in a funk indeed and it is worrisome.
I think the C’s defense was not the problem tonight as they held the Bulls to 88 points, but the lack of scoring did them in ..which the Bulls deserve credit for since they played the C’s well defensively I think following Toms defensive game plan.
Losing the battle of the boards again 46-34 did not help the C’s cause either.
I hate to sound like a broken record but I really think the lack of scoring in the paint and over reliance of there perimeter offensive is hurting the C’s.
They need to get more in the paint scoring opportunities in transition from there wing players and athletic bigs.
They also need to get there bigs like KG, JO, Bass and Wilcox setup more in the paint on offense especially when the game is a 1/2 court game to get the C’s some more easy basket and high field goal attempts.
Considering the C’s have started the season in a funk and we have a bunch of back to back game situations coming up in the upcoming schedule , I think its time and it would noy hurt for Doc to start to playing some of the younger players like Steamer, JJ and Moore often so we can see if they help get the C’s going.
fordescort - January 13, 2012
Not a good combination to be putrid at the start of games and inept in crunch time
Hard to believe this is a team comprised of 3 future hall of famers and an additional all star with a top NBA head coach.
In a nutshell the Boston Celtics of this season are a team that can’t start games well and also fails miserably in crunch time against good opposition. They manage to play well for spurts but once the opposing team turns it on the Celtics wilt.
Tonight there was an 8 1/2 minute stretch with no baskets
-for a professional basketball team that is inexcusable. To score 25 first half points in one game and follow it up with a pitiful 33 the next game is horrific. Hard to fathom that with the offensive talent starting games for the Celtics that they are producing scoring at a level which would make one think it’s a group of D leaguers on the floor.One bad quarter, one bad game, one bad start, one bad late game failure can be explained away as a fluke. To see the same things happening night after night shows there is something much more serious at work here…
warnerjohn - January 13, 2012
Lottery
Maybe this team needs to get into the lottery rather than mediocrity.
Staubach - January 13, 2012
That's where I'm starting to lean.
clover - January 13, 2012
The lottery? how does that guarantee anything? It's called the lottery? A game of chance that many times has proven to be a bust
even at a number one pick? You’re paying a GM and coach to get you to the lottery?
Master Po - January 14, 2012
Lottery would be good
Then we get barnes from unc
vgarcia890 - January 13, 2012
I also like Thomas Robinson from Kansas a lot too, but Barnes is the best player in College
Hammerhead7 - January 13, 2012
If we are in the Lottery
And these guys are in the draft I’d take them over Barnes.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Andre Drummond
Terrence Jones
These guys are not as good offensively as Barnes is, but way ahead in defense, hustle an athleticism. We can find a shooter/scorer in free agency with the cap room that we have.
Yoki Rivero - January 14, 2012
We're not going to be in the lottery.
So relax.
Sizzlack - January 14, 2012
Kidd-Gilchrist is the real deal. He’s going to be awesome in the NBA. Great all around game.
Bird to DJ - January 14, 2012
I think
This team is a road team this year. If they can’t win on the road (two close games and one sloppy one), then it’s all over.
SparzWizard - January 13, 2012
On the other hand...
Seems like Kobe Bryant and the Lakers are playing like champions again…well this is bad news.
SparzWizard - January 13, 2012
Lakers will be 9-4 after tonight
Kobe is truly amazing. They start a 90-year-old point guard and are playing scrubs like Luke Walton and they are 9-4. Lakers > Celtics, sadly, but so are most other teams so far.
vinnie - January 13, 2012
kobe makes our guys including hardly human ray look like TOTAL GARBAGE.
i despise Kobe but im sick of our stars acting like they are ok when that aren’t Kobe actually talks about his physical issues and out guys say they are ok…maybe 2012 is the end
wahz - January 14, 2012
+1
Ispts because kobe actually has a killer instinct when he plays. He feels he has something to prove every night. I hate him but for him being old, he sure has more desire than all our old guys combined. There is no reason why pierce, kg, ray, and rondo shouldnt have at least 15 points every game.
Kgwillkillyou - January 14, 2012 via mobile
they also have bynum and gasol
who by themselves are each franchise centers. he takes all the shots but he doesnt do it alone
rm81 - January 14, 2012
True but
Gasol has is flaws. He old by nba standards and he is known for being soft yet he still plays respectfully every game.
Kgwillkillyou - January 14, 2012 via mobile
ya thats true about gasol
they were also 0-3 without bynum and when he came back everything changed
rm81 - January 14, 2012
He's playing out of his mind.
3 straight 40 point games… seriously?
Sizzlack - January 14, 2012
I’m ready to jump into the Drummond/Davis sweepstakes
Jon Niednagel - January 13, 2012
Two guys playing at NBA level
Rondo and Ray. The rest = NBDL. The Celtics are starting to become the laughing stock of the league…. to the extent they laugh at old guys, anyway.
Strange thing…. I haven’t seen Garnett jump and take a rebound down with two hands yet. Every attempt is one-handed. What is that about?
Anyway, to talk about this team and “championship” in the same breath is now officially ridiculous. Sure, things might improve…. but it’s hard to see how.
JR99 - January 13, 2012
Pierce spent his time playing poker
While Ray and Rondo are hitting the gym.
KingCeltics - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Yeah. I never understand how professional athletes need to get BACK into shape. I’m a forty-two year old stock trader. I sit at a desk all day, but I run 35 miles a week, eat organic everything, and powerlift 3 to 4 times a week. Nobody pays me to do that. I’m built like Chris Evans.
Professional athletes have no respect for fitness. For them, it’s just a job.
avery_t - January 14, 2012
professional athletes need to get back into shape when they get injured.
rm81 - January 14, 2012
and im pretty sure most of them have a respect for fitness
seeing as how they play at the highest level in the world.
rm81 - January 14, 2012
Not the Celtics
Not now.
JR99 - January 14, 2012
im saying the nba is the highest level of basketball in the world
so are the celtics not in the nba? and do the celtics not “have a respect for fitness” as 42 year old chris evans says?
rm81 - January 14, 2012
I think he means
…that early and mid-30s should not be too old to play at the highest level, so the age argument, alone, should not be enough to excuse or explain their performance now.
I agree. It seems to me that anyone getting paid this kind of money should make it his business to be in Ray Allen shape…. not looking like they’ve got one foot in the retirement home, embarrassing themselves on national TV.
JR99 - January 14, 2012
i dont expect anyone to be in ray allen shape
because allens game is revolved around shooting and running of multiple screens. paul pierce doesnt have that type of game so why would he train that way? paul has been in good shape ever since he got in the league. so the one year he starts off poorly coming off an injury we get “captain america” telling him he doesnt care about his job. i think its disrespectful
rm81 - January 14, 2012
Up until about 36 or 37, I recovered quickly from my work outs. After 40, it takes more time. I can perform as well as I did at 30, but not two days in a row. Every other day. My body needs more rest. This is why the back-to-back problem makes sense to me.
However, when I was 23, I could drink all night, bike all day, play full court b-ball, dance, sleep 6 hours and do it all over again. No way now.
avery_t - January 14, 2012
You cant hit the nail more perfectly on the head. LOL +1
I bet you have Advil on your gym bag. lol
leonitus - January 14, 2012
Cool.
So send me those tapes of the workout rooms you have, since you obviously has first hand knowledge of their fitness habits and know all of this for a fact.
I’ll be real interesting to see them. Thanks man.
Sizzlack - January 14, 2012
Attacking the messengers...
…does not change the reality.
JR99 - January 14, 2012
My point is that no professional athlete should be in Big Baby shape. That’s all. There’s never any reason, aside from being pregnant (or injured) that a man should have double digit body fat. Ever.
One reads about players who show up to training camp out of shape. To me, this is inconceivable. Or ones who sign contracts not to eat fast food. I haven’t had fast food since about 1994. To me, it’s a no-brainer than you don’t eat processed food. I’m from Cambridge, mon ami. We don’t have fast food. We have quinoa flakes (we also have rib-eye steak down here in TriBeca!).
My feeling is that, in the offseason, these guys should train for the Ironman competition. I’m dead serious. No OFFseason at all. Just switch to a different work out regimen. Ever player should be in Rondo/Allen shape.
What I mean is Herschel Walker. Look at that dude.
avery_t - January 14, 2012
I'm glad you're not bitter
leonitus - January 14, 2012
You beat me to the punch
But I run 38 miles a week
bbeingphilled - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Laker fan/insomniac lurking here
Just browsing to gauge the mood here, but this post stopped me dead in my tracks, and not for “basketball reasons” as Devil Stern would say.
35 miles a week? That is pretty impressive. Can I ask – do you have kids? How the hell do you have time to do that? This makes me feel like a lazy f. I suppose I could find the time too, instead of staying up at night lurking the Celtics blog. Anyway, pat on the back for your commitment to fitness. This is not easy at any age, let alone your forties. Damn.
Gil Meriken - January 14, 2012
Most professional basketball players seem to do a lot of treadmill and stationary bike kind of stuff to get into shape..
Ray’s out there regularly on long runs or real bicycling, and I think that makes a difference—the two approaches are not the same thing.
clover - January 14, 2012
lol
way to take your anger out with irrational comparisons to the d-league
jakeshuttlesworth - January 14, 2012
The first halves are shameful
These games have been over before halftime. Every time a guy happens to accidentally wander into a rebound it may as well be a MIRACLE and we lay enough bricks to renovate the Statehouse. This team needs to stop watching Rondo and STEP UP.
By the time the second half rolls around we have already put ourselves in such a sorry spot that we need to mount some kind of mythological comeback to even come close. FIX THE FIRST HALF, no more 25 or 30 point embarrassments.
Lastly and I know people have differing opinions but I happen to believe Chris Wilcox can be a presence around the rim and we need that desperately. He played well tonight, I say give him a few more minutes because he helped the team in our second half run.
p-peazy - January 13, 2012
Let them retire in green
Okay so we lost to the best team in the leauge right now. Playing with the bet player. And has been having thier best start in 15 years. We clawed back from a 20 pt deficit. You think if the big 3 got traded we couldve kept the game close with who? OJ Mayo and who else? Cmon have some loyalty to guys who gave you banner 17. Its not like KG still has a 10 year contract with the Cs. He and ray have about a hundred games left in thier careers and you “fans” suddenly dont want them cos thier old? Sheesh. Oh and please tell me what are we gonna get in return for the big 3 im just really puzzled if you think they are really that bad what makes you think we can get a dwight howard for them? Oh yeah if your gonna bring up Red again for not trading guys when he shouldve how many championships did he give Boston again?
The green mamba - January 14, 2012 via mobile
+1
mnshyn - January 14, 2012 via mobile
+1000000000
Blackberry33 - January 14, 2012 via mobile
I think you're right that they may not get anything for the Big Three such that a trade makes sense.
The C’s may be best off just riding it out now—but actually playing some of the young players, not just talking about playing the young players (e.g., Moore), as Doc tends to do.
clover - January 14, 2012
Yeah Doc is stubborn like that. But I think he has his reasons. I think to play in the game you gotta earn Docs trust. Maybe Doc sees something in practices that we dont see that makes him feel that they arent ready yet. And another thing he keeps the vets in of he thinks we still gotta shot of winning the game. He just has a never say die attitude thats why he overplays them at times. But im not to worried well get to where we need to be.
The green mamba - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Doc doesn't know how to coach
He keeps using old legs. Lots of young players just sitting in there.
KingCeltics - January 14, 2012 via mobile
everyone calling for docs firing
is ignoring the last 4 years of excellent coaching after only 10 games this year. more importantly… who is out there that you think is better?
rm81 - January 14, 2012
The under protective padding the players wear
Look like long johns with knee pads patched on or superhero outfits that someone forgot to take off
bbeingphilled - January 14, 2012 via mobile
I think
Doc already realized that the old legs of KG and JO are done starting Bass is the first step. He still need to figure out who will replace KG. They still have a shot at the playoffs if he got it right within 2 weeks. Pierce was awful.
elvyn - January 14, 2012
you people are freakin nuts
fire doc trade pierce blow it up blah blah look people i am fustrated just like you but christ get a grip do you realize this is stll like training camp to some teams. its plain as day that we cannot hang with the bulls and heat with this roster and there is no one to trade to get back anything good in return pierce is gonna retire a celtic and garnett will retire after this year and ray ray will sign with a contender next year and if we look to trade them we are only going to get scrubs in return or draft picks and thats not going to do anything for us now, this team is getting killed on the offensive rebounds part cause we have no center i will say it again no center can someone please tell JO that he is done he has been done for the last 3 years danny did not do anything to help us at the center position all he got was bass. this team will still make the playoffs and they might get inspired to win a round but with this roster the way it is now we are looking at a 6th or 7th seed at best let the big 3 go out together they deserve it just like red did with the bird era next year we will start the retooling not rebuilding so stop with the fire doc shit and trade pierce and all the other stupid shit it was a good ride that should have run a little longer lets all watch these hall of famers ride out into the sunset with some respect and dignity as proud champions
lohaus#54 - January 14, 2012
Why is it training camp for the Celts, but not the other teams?
This line of thinking is driving me crazy. The Celtics have 4 wins against 3 of the worst teams in the NBA. They have not beaten anyone with a pulse? Why are the Lakers minus Lamar Odom and playing scrubs like Luke Walton 9-4? Why are the Spurs winning every game without their best player? How have the Mavs won 5 or 6 in a roe despite losing several key players and playing several games without their starting point guard? I agree with much of the ret of your post.
vinnie - January 14, 2012
+1
We are not the only team with a short season or old players. It kills me watching other players just as old as our guys, playing their hearts out. Kobe anyone. How can our 3 all star old guys not give us 15 points a game at least. It kills me
Kgwillkillyou - January 14, 2012 via mobile
This is what is driving me crazy. I keep seeing this our guys are old, they need training camp, etc. etc. etc.
Yet, what about all the other teams with old guys? Yes, Dallas got off to a slow start, but they have already turned it around. And, they lost several key players. Then you have the Spurs winning without their best player. And then you have all of the young teams blowing by the Celts. Honestly, after watching the Nuggets. Warriors and Clippers, I cannot imagine the Celtics winning more than a game or two on the west coast this year. I wish someone could clearly explain why the short training camp is different for the Celtics than from any other team.
vinnie - January 14, 2012
Every team has a different set of characters that find thier roles during training camp. How many of these people on the bench were with us last year? How about the spurs? How about the lakers? Put that into consideration. Our bench is made up of almost all new players whi have played docs sets for how many years? Ok how many months? Now compare that with other teams.
The green mamba - January 14, 2012 via mobile
I remember a couple of posts before saying what are the chances Pierce will shoot poorly again....
Well this is the 2nd time. Good thing though is he is obviously trying to be aggressive and show flashes of energy.
However aside from the usual rebounding woes, it was another display of our weak inside defense. The Bulls were penetrating the paint at will!
Starting Garnett at center was a new one. But no…. he can’t play center. Boston was certainly punished for even thinking KG can control the middle.
LarryBird33 - January 14, 2012
Rasheed wants a comeback
RotB_MattR - January 14, 2012 via mobile
My fault just read previous posts lol
RotB_MattR - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Pierce will be fine.
I am more worried about KG. He seems to have no confidence at all out there. He has this facial expression of doubt on the court. Could he be second-guessing his ablilities at this point?
LarryBird33 - January 14, 2012
All I see it lack of rebounding and second chance. Everything is ok! Father time is catching up but thats not good excuse.
CBleedsGreeN - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Energy = 9
I love seeing Rondo be Rondo!
west coast celtic - January 14, 2012
If the playoff starts today we will not be able to make it...
Happy Playoffs not yet started.
All I know I HATE TO SEE CELTICS LOSE
I am just curios why we aren’t running our offence on Ray…
should Ray be our first option? I think yes since Paul is not like 100% and Kevin is missing perimeter shots lately.
just an opinion I WANT CELTICS TO WIN games
celtics2011 - January 14, 2012
We just have to expect many frustrating loses in the RS
In my opinion the regular season will be a hyper-extended training camp for the Celtics before the playoffs. I am sure Doc is applying very hard practices and it is a difficult thing to make shots with muscle sores. They will play better and that’s for sure.
That said, I do not see the Celtics winning a playoffs series against the Heat or Chicago even in a great shape. The same situation with defensive rebounding. They are just too old and will not start jumping higher. Simple as that. We desperately need more toughness at the center position and I think Danny should look in this way considering making potential trades.
Sebal - January 14, 2012
painful
I had to stop watching after the first half, mostly because I could not take JVG’s endless babble, more specifically his riding on Lebron’s jockstrap. I didn’t realize Lebron was playing in this game but for reasons unknown, he seemed to be a favorite topic of the worst announcer in professional sports.
And of course painful for other reasons. It’s like Rondo is playing at fast speed and 4 other guys stand and watch. When I checked the stats at the end of the 3rd and Rondo was the leader in points, rebounds, assists and steals, I knew this wasn’t a team…YET. What’s next? Rondo has to lead in blocks too?
I liked Bass starting for no other reason than to shake up the cob webs and dust that is all over this team. But it didn’t help.
The third quarter, at least from the stats and description I read, proved we can still dominate in spurts. What was said in the locker room? Was it Rondo’s anger over the charging call and technical. Something kicked it but there wasn’t enough gas left. We had dug our hole too deep.
Is PP more hurt than we know? He was good to go the first few games. Now it’s like there are lead weights on his shoes. This is not the PP we have ever seen unless he’s hurt. He was timid (or winded) on his drives. The balls he usually slams home with authority were missed half-hearted lay ups. Maybe it is lack of conditioning but I’m a little scared at what I see.
It’s going to be a long season, Celtics fans. Hope everyone has the fridge stocked with your favorite alcoholic beverage!
CelticsFan616 - January 14, 2012
You should have watched the second half
McHaleinthepost - January 14, 2012
Not bothering me
I saw this coming. I said we were too old to be considered a contender to start the season. Losing Jeff Green was a huge blow because he was one of the few elite athletes on a roster devoid of elite athletes in a league that is owned by athletes.
This team to me is the inverse of the 2006-07, Paul Pierce and the not ready for prime time players. Now we’re Rajon Rondo and the past their prime players. I’m just don’t surprised or alarmed by this at all. It is what it is.
This is year five of a 3 year plan. What do you guys expect. Those calling for Doc and Danny’s heads are way off base to me. This was going to happen the moment we tied ourselves to the again BIg Three. It actually took a couple of years longer to happen then most thought it would when we first put them together thanks mostly to the development of Rondo.
It’s not a lack of effort. They’re busting their humps out there. They’re just too slow, so they don’t get to lose balls and their defensive rotations are a step slow. They have no lift, so they don’t get enough rebounds and cannot protect the paint. They have relied up being a jump shooting team for the past several seasons but now the jumpers aren’t falling with nearly enough consistency.
Enjoy the last couple of months of a team that has brought Celtics fans so much and restored the pride to a once proud franchise after 2 decades of futility. Some of these guys wont be here after the dead line.
It is now time for Doc and Danny to prove their worth and see if they can rebuild this thing. They have EARNED the right. It wont happen over night so fans better be patient or they are going to be miserable and have no one to blame but themselves for it.
CelticsFanNC - January 14, 2012
Miami just lost 3 games in a row - wade is hurt
They should break it up… the big 3 era is over..fire Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley….
OK everybody let’s take 5 deep breaths……
David Henderson - January 14, 2012
Miami will be in the ECF versus the Bulls
The Celts will be home after the first round
vinnie - January 14, 2012
Cheers for the insight. I’m glad one of us knows the future – maybe you can help me out when I’m punting on the greyhounds next.
IsItTheShoes - January 14, 2012 via mobile
+1
bigal_nl - January 14, 2012
+1
lol.
Mikey Bizzle - January 14, 2012 via iPhone app
Rebuild? This team is the Big Dig!
mycelt’s poetry is sweet though. The bulls were on fire at the end of the game…EVERY SHOT was made…something else. Derrick Rose is incredible even with the questionable reffing.
I guess the question is where do we go from here? Maybe the pub? This entire “season” is a long ass CBA hangover.
YeahTommyB4ZGermansGetThere - January 14, 2012
This is not on Ainge or Rivers
KG, Truth, and Ray are OLD (by NBA standards)……once you reach their age you can go into STEEP decline at ANY moment.
I doubt any team with take KG’s or Truth’s contract so we may have to cut one of them and trade Ray for good prospects or picks to a playoff contender at the deadline.
Bottom line: we need to get younger and Ainge knows that. He is one of the best GM’s in the league. Don’t panic; some people expected this.
florida dodger - January 14, 2012
Perhaps....
Garnett and Pierce should have spent a little less time grandstanding for photo ops with that idiot Billy Hunter and a little more time in the gym.
They look completely flat and slow.
Finkelskyhook - January 14, 2012
Pierce is coming off an injury add old into the mix its gonna be awhile. KG hasnt played the same since people got on his case in NY he lost the fire for some reason. I dont think its all the photo ops were just used to seeing a celtic team thats had a full training camp. And we all know when your old it takes awhile for you to be able to warm up at least let alone play basketball at the highest level. Please be patient with the Celtics they have the same core of guys that weve had when we last won the championship. Slower maybe but we all know who won the race between the tortoise and the hare.The only thing we really need is a servicable big guy.
The green mamba - January 14, 2012 via mobile
I agree with the patience part.
I can picture another similar season to the year after we won the championship….As Garnett and Pierce…and maybe even O’Neal….If he feels like it…play their way into shape.
But when we see the way vets like Ray, Kobe, Tim Duncan, Dirk, etc are performing…It’s clear that conditioning wasn’t on the top of Garnett and Pierce’s priority list.
Finkelskyhook - January 14, 2012
It is outrageous how out of shape Pirce looks
vinnie - January 14, 2012
Really?
It’s “outrageous”? Have you ever had a foot injury? Ever had serious heel pain? I have—and even though I tried to stay in shape, I couldn’t run up and down the court twice without being winded, much less play at an NBA level. You make it sound like he’s got a big fat gut from swilling champagne and beer poolside at his home in LV. Pierce is busting his arse to get back into the flow of the game. I’m sure he tried to stay in shape, but riding a stationary bike and going up against Noah and Deng are quite different. You are harsh, vinnie.
McHaleinthepost - January 14, 2012
He clearly did not stay in shape while the lockout negotiations were going on
Do you think he all of a sudden got out of shape when he hurt his foot the first day of training camp?
vinnie - January 14, 2012
do you even know what staying in shape means...
For an NBA player? Like the other guy said, there’s a big difference between the stationary bike and playing against elite NBA athletes. Pierce had a good first game back against a bad team and now is struggling …he’ll get it back.
Regarding firing Doc, who do you guys think is calling these plays getting us wide open shots? The team is just not knocking em down. Maybe too old or maybe the lockout is taking its toll.
schmalzilla - January 14, 2012 via mobile
All I know is Pierce isn't in shape
vinnie - January 14, 2012
Stupid lockout threw everyone off!! It's not like Miami is playing well lately too though
and they are young studs… 3 straight losses. Big 3 shouldn’t all start no more… Sounds crazy as it seems, Pierce might be better coming off the bench. Spark the bench, be the 6th man… But you know Doc might be to scared to pull that trigger. lol
leonitus - January 14, 2012
This might sound crazy, but I want them off the spotlight
CBleedsGreeN - January 14, 2012 via mobile
Off the spotlight 4 C's
All espn talks about is, Kobe with his 40 points and Miami with there problems. Right now it’s tuff, they gotta get through this short season. Everything will be fine! I’m piss also like u guys. The pressure is on Miami Chicago and Fakers. Relax! I still believe….,,
CBleedsGreeN - January 14, 2012 via mobile
It's on Doc
I thought Avery Bradley made D Rose work harder than he had to against Rondo. Should have given him more mins alongside Rondo and/or w Ray. Wilcox came in and in about 5 mins upped the activity level in front court a lot. Never saw him again. Deng does kill Pierce. Has for a few years. Would have been nice to have Jeff Green. If Pierce is hurt/old then Danny getting Pietrus will pan out. too early to tell. J O’Neal was atrocious most of the game and active in the frenzied comeback. But, still, I’d grade him a D. KG just isn’t in synch. I believe he will find it and I support Doc staying the course there. But, clearly, neither Pierce or KG are up to 30 min nights.
Doc – old player that he is – believes that if my starters are doing this, my bench will do worse. That is so NBA coach conventional. But, he needs to create a 2nd team of high energy wanna-be’s – as Bradley is showing and Stiemsma showed – and PLAY THEM into a unit. That is where I don’t think Doc has the chops. But, he’s earned the chance to fail.
Wildblu1 - January 14, 2012
Good point
about Bradley and Wilcox—both brought some solid energy last night and I particularly liked Bradley’s D on Rose. Wilcox’s willingness to run was rewarded quickly—imagine if we had Green on the other wing running with Rondo?
Another bright spot was Pietrus—I can’t believe how well he’s playing in just his third game back. He’s a big upgrade over Quis and Pavlovic.
McHaleinthepost - January 14, 2012
Celtics woes aside...
We got beat by probably the NBA champions last night. They are good at each position, especially if Brewer is that solid. And D. Rose is fantastic. Many don’t like Noah but he has good hands and high energy. I’d take him any day.
Wildblu1 - January 14, 2012
Bulls D
Don’t forget about the fact that they’ve been molded at the defensive end by none other than Thibs, who crafted our suffocating style from 2007 – 2010.
McHaleinthepost - January 14, 2012
Could it be chemistry?
Just wondering, if they are able to “turn it on” in spurts in nearly every game so far, coming back from large deficits, if there is a chemistry/lack of ubuntu/trust issue? Yes, everyone’s older and there is no man in the middle defending the rim but it seems like there’s something else brewing. Also, I thought I heard one of the announcers during the Mavs game say something about Pierce having Achilles issue? I know achilles and heel are tied together but having a bruised heel is way different from having achilles problems—see o’neal, shaq. If Pierce is injured as opposed to being out of shape, he needs to sit. Would like to see JJJ get 10 minutes a game to see what he can do. Easy to coach and play GM from 5k miles away.
bigislandbob - January 14, 2012
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of CelticsBlog to post a comment.