CelticsBlog

i have to agree

its shows on his play

its true

i hate to be negative about our guys but they all look like they can care less. yea sure, it was a better effort tonight against the best team in the league right now….but still, pierce has become totally dependent on refs blowing their whistle because he flails his arms and yells. ray can shoot 3’s and THAT IS IT, kg is just too worn down and rondo is 50/50 depending on which rondo shows up to each and evey game. Pietrus is the only one that plays with emotions. he gets pumped up when he sinks a 3, he gets mad when he messes up or misses a shot. the rest look like they dont care and they are under the impression that them making the playoffs is automatically going to happen and THEN they will flip the switch.

Flipping the switch

is overrated.. unfortunately .

i agree

this team is not skilled enough anymore to flip the switch

With their age

they probably periodically forget what a switch is

AussieGreen - January 16, 2012 reply

I'll say this for the C's progress

At least they have some energy and continuity back. Hopefully they’ll be building on that. This may have been their first game I actually enjoyed watching; prior attempt have been some ugly affairs.

Ergoat - January 16, 2012 reply

Yes, this!

I’m not nearly as discouraged after this game as I have been sometimes.

34green - January 16, 2012 reply

I totally agree

Blackberry33 - January 17, 2012 reply

Sigh

Westbrook>>Rondo
Ray cannot get his shot off with quick defenders now
KG overmatched by youth and athleticism. Sad but true
We can’t finish around the rim, period.
Nice to have Durant and Westbrook to go to during crunch time. Wish we had someone (anyone) who could create their own shot.
Pierce looked much better, which was positive. He and Pietrus were about the only positives.
This is not fun to watch.

good and bad, mostly bad

no shame giving a good effort and losing to a great team, but there is shame in a 5 game losing streak – esp. when there are just 66 games

They played as hard as they could.....

They just aren’t good enough. At times I felt like OKC was toying with them, turning it on when they needed to. You know, the way the old Celts used to do it. As usual, there were spurts in the game when they looked like the old Celts, but I think that is all we are going to get this year — spurts. I liked Pietrus tonight and I would give him more minutes. Brandon Bass looks like he is coming back to earth a little bit, and KG looks like he is permanently affixed to the earth (I know, he had a double/double tonight, but he cannot jump anymore) and was 5-19 from the floor. Both KG and JO paid attention to the boards tonight and that was good, and Pierce had about 20 minutes of solid playing time. I am worried about Ray’s thumb. As for the bench — other than Pietrus and a few good minutes for Quisy, nothing. While he is nothing special, when is Dooling coming back? It appears to me that neither Bradley or Moore are capable of playing solid minutes in a real game.

So discouraging. I know people are going to come here tonight and talk about how this wasn’t an embarrassment, etc. etc., but I hope we are not reduced to being happy with a 9-point loss at home because they tried hard.

I have posted this before...

and also fear if all the C’s can do this year is play well in spurts, but not over a duration of a entire game.

I still want to give them some more time , but this is a concern indeed.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/celtics_stuff_live

+1

agree. It’s sad to me because they’re trying hard but they just don’t have enough gas left in the tank. If we weren’t all Celtic fans and were talking about any other team with 4 starters who are past their prime and at an athletic deficit almost every single game there would be a whole lot more people on this side of the fence. It’s hard to see it when you love a team as much as you have to love the Celtic’s to be on a blog posting about them.

CelticsFanNC - January 17, 2012 reply

is celtic stuff live still on after games? anyone have a link?

Red2 - January 16, 2012 reply

From the looks of things, it’s only on Sunday’s now. But I could be wrong (which is a strong possibility).

Rock bottom :(

Green Oracle - January 16, 2012 reply

Actually, the Wizards are at Rock Bottom, like they always seem to be lol, yeah but 4-8 is not much better

Hammerhead7 - January 16, 2012 reply

All is ok

Gets darkest before dawn

vgarcia890 - January 16, 2012 reply

(see 2006-2007 Boston Celtics)

bostonceltics - January 17, 2012 reply

I'm just ready for a complete game from everybody for once.

But they play hard though, it’s just father time has caught up to them, sad but true.

Hammerhead7 - January 16, 2012 reply

C's almost pulled out a victory...

But came up short and got beaten by a better Oklahoma team.

Rondo, Pierce, J.O. and Pietrius also had solid games, but turnovers and the lack of offensive bench help (except for Pietrius) probably cost the C’s this game.

Ray and KG had off nights on offense going 7-26 combined which did not help the C’s cause and like has been mentioned in the past, if multiple combinations of the big 4 do not play well it will be hard for the C’s to win games especially against good teams as was the case tonight.

There were some good signs tonight I think.

The C’s did I think attack the paint on offense alot more tonight both in there transition and 1/2 court offense and did get some easier higher % shots & points.
They C’s also won the battle of the boards (even on the offensive end of the court) 48- 40.

With Wilcox out I am not sure why Doc is not playing the Steamer more, if he does not play now when will he?

Even though his team beat the C’s it was still nice to see Perk back in the Garden tonight.

Stiemsma is really not an NBA player. That is just the truth.

Yes Greg...

may not be 100% NBA ready right now but that is because he has only played a handfull of minutes in the NBA and is a rookie,
I think he has already shown us he has some game and with playing time he can probably develop into a decent and serviceable NBA center.

Greg is young, athletic, is a legit center, with good size, length, has shown he has good hands, can hit free throws, finish strong around and and above the rim,he can hit a perimeter jumper,can defend in the post and can block shots.

Considering this is exactly the type of center the C’s need both short term (this year) and long term (next year as they seek to rebuild) I want to see and hope Doc plays the Steamer more often as the season progresses.

Block shots, yes, but I otherwise question his ability to defend in the post.

34green - January 16, 2012 reply

he was doing good

until they cut his minutes and lost his rhythm.

+1

Not sure what has happened for Doc to shy away from playing the Steamer.

Tonight Doc pulled him after only 1 minute of playing time which is puzzling.
Considering Wilcox is out injured Id like to see the Steamer at center rather then KG.

exactly !

im lost on why doc did that.

I actually saw...

after Greg was pulled Doc talking to him on the bench.

Maybe he was unhappy with him for some reason?

If that was the case I can understand pulling a rookie form a game after multiple mistakes and at least a few minutes of playing time on the floor, but how many mistakes could of Greg done in only 1 minute of playing time to get Doc peeved at him???

maybe

doc changed his mind ? :D
rookies makes mistakes. its better now than in the playoffs.

Exactly

Why would you do that? A rookie is playing well so instead of increasing his minutes and seeing what he’s able to do / if he’s able to improve they get reduced. Makes no sense (maybe I’ve been playing too much 2K where good play gets rewarded).

AussieGreen - January 16, 2012 reply

+1

I think...

being 6’11" and 260 lbs and having the ability to clog the paint, block and alter shots which are skills Greg appears to have already is a good way to start out when it comes to defending the post.

I agree he does need to work on his one on one defense in the paint.

But again considering Greg is a rookie, has good size, length and strength and foot work with playing time and more experience he has the potential I think to develop into a solid low post defending center.

I'm not overly concerned about the reduced minutes.

We just went through a stretch of playing 4 very, very good teams (including the two best (by record) in the NBA) and Doc contracted his rotation trying to maybe steal at least one win out of it – obviously we came up just short. Smooge got some run time mainly because of Dooling’s injury.

We are about to go through a stretch playing mostly teams of a … lesser stature.

Toronto
Phoenix
@Washington
Orlando
@Orlando
Indiana
Cleveland
@Cleveland
Toronto

I expect Doc will probably stretch his rotation more in several of those games, giving guys like Stiemsma more run, trying to see where this team is going to end up.

mmmmm - January 16, 2012 reply

I see 6-3 in these next 9 games

I see 5-4.

Lose to Orlando twice, lose to Indiana, and lose to Cleveland once. :D

SparzWizard - January 17, 2012 reply

Sweet

So we should go 8-1 against those teams and be 12-9 by the end of that period. Then we can finish strong with a record of hmm…. say… 51-15.

AussieGreen - January 16, 2012 reply

LOL

Positive thinking doesn’t hurt!

JuJuan some moore - January 17, 2012 reply

And after seeing us turn it around so well

dwight howard will sign for the veteran minimum to get some rings!!!

That’s just what we need as well. Build the confidence against the chump teams. Just do it like college football. Only, with a slightly different beginning of course.

That could of been Docs plan to shorten the rotation...

but if Docs plan was to shorten the rotation he did not I think have to bench Greg to do so because the rotation was already shorted with Wilcox out injured.

I just think playing without a backup center with Wilcox injured and by benching Greg and making KG play at center is not the ideal way for the C’s to approach games.

Also since I think Greg can help the C’s “now” even at this young stage of his NBA career, especially since they lack a legit backup center, when Wilcox is out injured and even at times when JO is struggling in games as he has on and off this year, Id really like to see Greg get minutes.

Like I have mentioned in the past I think playing Greg can kill 2 birds with one stone, since I think he can help the C’s short term this year, but also by getting serious playing time it will allow him to grow and develop to allow the C’s to see if he can possibly be groomed into the C’s possible center of the future which they will need as they seek to rebuild next year.

Just my 2 cents though.

I'm not disagreeing - I'd like to see lots more of Stiemsma

but I also understand some of what Doc was probably trying to do in these 4 games.

Also – note that he’s been experimenting a lot with very small lineups – he’s had lineups out there for several minutes where he’s gone with one big and 4 wings – and the big man hasn’t always been KG. He’s even used Bass as the ‘5’ behind a bunch of smalls.

I haven’t had a chance to review the numbers on basketballvalue.com yet to get a sense of how effective those small lineups have been. But the net effect is that those have essentially eaten into minutes that normally an extra big man like Stiemsma would get.

lesser stature?

with the exception of the wiz, we’re looking UP at every one of those teams. even cleveland is playing .500 ball.
it is our celtics who are of lesser stature… at the moment.

i know this team is capable of more, but you are what your record is, and so far this team has earned their spot at the bottom.

just remember, when we picked up KG, everyone said our window was 2 years. we are playing with house money right now.

hooray - January 17, 2012 reply

'lesser stature' relative to Indiana, OKC, Chicago & Dallas.

Again

They almost pulled out a victory against Dallas. They almost pulled out a victory against Chicago. They almost pulled out a victory against OKC. I don’t think I need to mention New York and Miami, do I? Sigh!

What is the point? That they can't beat good teams? We already know that. :)

Heheh

You and I are pretty pessimistic in this forum! I already pushed the panic button, I don’t know about you vinnie :D

Well tonight's the last time they'll be on a losing streak for now...

When they beat the Raptors on Wednesday!

Yep -- playing three crap teams in a row should mean a 7-8 record by next week. WooHoo

lol, im not even so sure about that any more

i guess we will see

wow!

the bar has been set so low now…

jess m - January 16, 2012 reply

Its proven already...

Celtics losing to elite teams, consistent teams like Pacers. They’ve only beaten garbage teams. The Suns game on Friday…will be equivalent to the Hornets game!

im hoping a win

if we can eke out two wins. that should get their motors running.

it's also been proven....

that the c’s are capable of losing to crappy teams

jess m - January 16, 2012 reply

Is hard to see this transpire to this

bbeingphilled - January 16, 2012 via mobile reply

Oh and NBA: this needs to stop.

At about the 4:10 mark in the 4th quarter, Durant picked up his dribble just inside the three point line, took THREE HUGE steps and dunked with authority in a momentum killing play.

I’d look brilliant offensively if I could take an extra step beyond the space where my opponent looks to defend.

LeBron, Wade, Rose and Durant are key. Dirk (far less) seems to have picked it up by default, in what appears to be a “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em” attitude… and you can’t argue with last year’s results.

Ergoat - January 16, 2012 reply

They never call traveling on that play in the NBA, and they never will.

Ok...

Do you think this makes the game more entertaining, or less? Honest Q.

Ergoat - January 17, 2012 reply

I am an old school guy and wish they would call more traveling

When was the shift

When refs just swallowed their whistles?

Ergoat - January 17, 2012 reply

To be clear

I mean not calls that go against the Celtics, but lack of traveling calls league wide.

Ergoat - January 17, 2012 reply

I want to add that I love our energy compared to the other losses but sloppy play was too much

OKC nailed some great threes ..hard to beat that … I was a bit too negative in my post game review…just frustrated

Master Po - January 16, 2012 reply

you can still make updates to it

I usually do after the fact

whatever happen to ray allen

only 7 shots ? i agree he was on the D. but c’mon !!

OKC made a point of trying to deny Allen the ball

that’s been a recurring pattern in these early games. Understandable considering how hot Ray started the season shooting the ball.

In tonights’ game, there were several possessions where a defender had a clear choice between playing on-ball on one of our players or off-ball on Ray and opted to take Ray out of the play and give the shot. That’s how Pietrus got off at least 2 of his big threes in that 4th quarter.

OKC also twice took away the trademark baseline curl play that we run with Ray – not surprising since Perk used to be the one setting the baseline screen for us in the past so he was ready for it.

mmmmm - January 16, 2012 reply

i have to agree to that.

but its just that , im pretty sure he got some pretty good looks on more than 7 shot opportunities. but hey give credit to them on the Defensive end.

Ultimately - there are going to be games like that

where teams can take away Ray or Paul or whomever. We need the rest of the team to pick up the slack when that happens.

We can’t continue this trend of the whole team combining to shoot under 40%. That’ killing us.

Maddening

Every time we come back to within two or tie the game after a solid run, we then proceed to commit turnovers, give up offensive boards that lead to points, or blow a breakaway and watch as the other team nails a 3 in transition for a five point swing.

This has happened in nearly every game for the past ten days. We just don’t have the ability to execute to get over the hump.

yup - that's what we used to do to teams

and that’s pretty much the difference between good and great teams (or good and bad teams as it may be)

I know

I miss those days. OKC has the swagger of youth and loads of talent.

Celtics did not lose this game...

…OKC won it. Those were some dagger 3’s by Wesbrook at the end much like what the Heat did to the Celtics last year in the playoffs. How can you defend that? The Celtics played a whole lot better than I thought they would. Hopefully they are getting their legs back under them. And it’s nice to see Doc throw Daniels and Pietrus out there at the same time.

yakyakyak - January 16, 2012 reply

the westbrook 3 was actually really well defended.......

that was a miracle shot

bostonceltics - January 17, 2012 reply

you know what

i played 2k12 last night. this happened to me. tied at 105. westbrook just 2 feet in the half court. 1 sec, put up the shot (well defended) then pooff i lost 105-108.

made me think

my 2k12 experience last night against OKC. kinda simulate what happened tonight. OKC shooting three’s !!! i did had allen on 31pts though :D

Just so sad.....

It’s the end of an era…..though a short one……and I really miss Perk

Did you see that block on JO?

Or the hard foul on Rondo? Those were the reasons teams fear us most in the past.

KingCeltics - January 17, 2012 via mobile reply

Ray and Bass have both come back down to Earth in a big way

Pietrus is looking good. We just can’t score anymore. Or play defense. At least we’ll get a couple of good picks this draft. No team has ever won a championship after losing five games in a row. Let’s play the rookies and give them some experience now.

KY Celts fan - January 16, 2012 via mobile reply

Cleveland has a better record!

Yes, that team with a rook named Kyrie and a veteran named Antawn that play like studs and lead their mediocre team to victories. We have….the aging big three, that can’t buy a win.

It just goes to show that the lottery can and will do us some good!

Tradetime - January 17, 2012 reply

and of the years to be a lottery team, this is a good one.

KY Celts fan - January 17, 2012 reply

Rocky 2

We are living the plot of Rocky 2. It’s. Not. Over.

paul7x5x - January 16, 2012 reply

im hoping for a

7-8th seed playoff position..

I'm hoping for a win

They will come.

I’d rather go through this now than May…

paul7x5x - January 16, 2012 reply

Yea..

Maybe thats the C’s game plan.

To get rid of all the losses early on in the season and save all the wins for later on when we will need them the most…lol

The Negativity here...

I thought we were Celtic’s fans? Not fans of winning. Yes, we love winning. However, a true fan looks for the postives when the team is experiencing negstives. Why? Because we are supposed to be fans of the team and support the team. Enough crying about being old and stinling (Dallas was old last year), no more calling for the team to be blown up, and asking for people to get fires
d! Support your team and think positive because this team IS NOT DONE YET!

I don't think you have the authoritative definition of a true fan

all opinions are welcome here

There should be a negative post limit.

It’s draining.

paul7x5x - January 16, 2012 reply

shall we put a positive post limit on here as well?

as long as it is backed up with substance and is done with respect, I don’t care what your opinion is

+1

Blackberry33 - January 16, 2012 reply

And thus is why I shall allow you to use your opinion as well. Not claiming to be authoritive, just being a real fan, by definition, someone who is supportive.

nope

Dictionary.com says

fan – noun – “an enthusiastic devotee, follower, or admirer of a sport, pastime, celebrity, etc.”

which sounds like a fanatic (fan for short) to me

nothing in there about always being positive all the time

not saying there’s anything wrong with being supportive, just don’t chastise others for not cheering the same way you do – pet peeve, sorry

Chastizing was never taking place? It was the expression of an opinion of what a collective group was saying.

Pet peeve of mine is someone policing someone elses opinion and telling them to not throw stone (chastize), then publicly do the very same thing they are against to someone for simply sharing their opinion.

"a true fan looks for the postives"

I don’t always look for positives

I guess I’m not a true fan.

In my opinion, that would be correct. Call it my life motto of breathing and thinking positivity creates results.

If you focus on the positives

…you are less likely to ever improve. Only by pointing out deficiencies…. as clearly as possible…. can you hope to address them, and improve.

JR99 - January 17, 2012 reply

yes but it's not our jobs as fans

To do that jr, that’s for the management and coaching staffs. Some of the relentlessly negative posts on here are sickening to the point where I may need to take some time away from celtics blog (which breaks my heart because I read every post, every comment, every day).

Mikey Bizzle - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

That works for some. Not so much for others.

Different folks have different ways of coping and improving.

Ultimately, as Mickey points out – our focusing on weaknesses that we perceive in the players’ or the team means absolutely squat.

I doubt seriously that Doc reads any of this! Plus I’m sure he has a ton of data that we simply never will be privy to. Things that seem ‘obvious’ to us are often as not going to be completely off the mark when viewed through the eyes of the coaching staff which has tons of hours of practice time and game film to analyze.

Enthusiastic is a form of positive is it not, still with you, but do feel certain people are always negative. -pet peeve sorry

forever_green - January 16, 2012 via mobile reply

Your name says it all. Keep the green love flowing!

of course Jeff

But Some of the fans on the negative side of fandom, in my honest opinion, truly seem to be more about kicking us more forgiving and optimistic fans while we are down rather than making a good argument for why this team has zero chance to do anything this year. Some of the more ruthless naysayers on this page are turning my stomach almost as much as though they were talking “smack” about my mother. I understand being bummed out about your team playing below their capabilities, but I don’t see what’s the point of being overly negative other than bringing the hopefuls among us down to their level of negativity. Then again, there’s the old saying that misery loves company.

Mikey Bizzle - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Still supporting ...

like i said, this team is a playoff team. maybe 7-8th seed. im not whinning. but i doubt we can do the “flip the switch” again.

I doubt that they can flick the switch to but I have a good feeling that the team will turn it around. Conditioning, new players (bass, dooling, pietrus, moore, steamet, etc.) takes time to get over.

i agree

but doc needs to understand that the bench needs constant minutes night in and out. dont expect the guy to be put in the game and pray for a hail mary. while playing just 4 minutes the last game. adrenaline dont always work.

If he gut checks and finally messes with the lineup we will do well. Would love to see both Bass abd Pietrus start.

I think Doc understands this.

When asked about his willingness to trust the young players that he had to play (in this case, Smooge, since Dooling is out) he said (words to this effect) he DID trust them and he HAD to trust them because that’s the kind of season it is.

The last few games were against some very tough opponents and he clearly shrunk his rotation. I expect he’ll loosen it back up over the next couple of weeks as we play some easier competition.

i really think he does

but i noticed that sometimes, even on weak opponents he goes back to “old” school rotation. personally, im just asking for minutes for the new guys. not garbage time.

LUCKILY, we have the RAPTORS next..

Don’t tell me we gon’ lose that one , too!

Rany - January 16, 2012 reply

Perk is a Great role player nothing more.. glad we didnt bring him back.. Not worth the cash

actually more good than great

Yep

And I thought he’d have a breakout season this season beacuse of all the weight loss. I thought he could turn himself into a 10-10 guy with good help defense but it didn’t happen.

+1

Blackberry33 - January 16, 2012 reply

oh well, some life and a pulse but at the end of the game, like jackie macmullen said, the best player making the key shot is not a celtic. if this were a young team, i would say they are learning. but it’s an old team and i am hoping they will be able to get their legs. survive the season and make some noise in the playoffs. kg looks bad- he had many opportunities to just shoot the damn ball and he looks around giving up the easy shot, and shoots as an afterthought and gets nothing. he also taps the ball way too much in rebounding instead of grabbing it. perk was nothing special tonite and he sure must be happy being on this young team with legs.no preseason has really hurt the c’s.

nazzbo - January 16, 2012 reply

KG

has lost his swagger and confidence. He’s trying, but I think 44,000 NBA minutes have caught up to him, and it looks like he knows it.

Miles probably have caught up to KG...

What the big issue is I think at his age is, he just is not able to have a all around consistent and balanced game on most nights like the old KG use to do.

For example tonight he had 12 rebounds, but was 5-19 from the field.
Next game he may be 8-15 from the field , but get just 2 rebounds.

Its frustrating but something the C’s will apparently have to try to work around this season.

Now the schedule gets a little easier

And if this team is to be believed that all they is a little time to “get in game shape”, “find a rhythm” “get to know the second unit” and all the other rhetoric we’ve heard then here’s their golden opportunity to do all that:

They have Toronto, Phoenix, and Washington for the next three games. After that, we’re running out of excuses, mid season is on its way and we need a playoff seed.

p-peazy - January 16, 2012 reply

Ouch for 5 straight!

At this point… I say there is no harm in changing up the starting lineup to younger legs so we don’t start slow and tire ourselves catching up only to lose energy in the end….

japsuki - January 16, 2012 reply

a little change..

on the rotation. when greg was playing during the first few games. he was great, getting rhythm. then the losing starts. he sits. lost his confidence again. sometimes i just dont understand the coaching staff. or doc for that matter.

wish we had cp3 right about now...

least he can create his own shot .. an single handedly get a W.

yngbamm - January 16, 2012 reply

Perk actually played. Nice roll tonight

7 points in the third quarter to help the Thunder build a 10-point lead.

Slightly off topic, but here is what I don't get

The Lakers are 9-5 and they are starting Matt Barnes and giving big minutes to guys like Josh McRoberts and Darius Morris. Earlier this year, Troy Muphy and Luke Walton were getting solid minutes. Yet, theyatresia 9-5. Sad to say, but right now the lakers are far better than th Celtics. At least Kobe is in shape.

I could not care less about the Laker's record.

But since you brought it up again, the best team they’ve beaten so far? Probably Denver, or maybe a Randolph-less Memphis. I find it hard to make judgments on them when a) the best team they’ve beaten is a middling playoff team and b) they’ve played 10 of 14 games at Staples. Hardly an extensive enough sample size to start labeling them better or worse than us.

IsItTheShoes - January 16, 2012 via mobile reply

Eh

Well they just beat Dallas and avenged their playoff loss. Just by a lucky 3-pointer from Fisher, though.

SparzWizard - January 17, 2012 reply

I never post here but...

…to those who say “better go through this now than never” are kidding themselves. Keep in mind our schedule for the second half of the season is probably toughest in the league. We’re gonna “go through this” now and then “go through it” then. It’s all over. This 5 game skid was the death knell. I normally am never this pessimistic about this team. But there isn’t a single playoff team we can beat right now.

J-HOBA - January 16, 2012 via mobile reply

It is just amazing watching Kobe right now

personally i cant stand watching the way kobe plays.. its not how u win..

I hate watching Kobe

HOFer and definitely has earned my respect but I despise that guy

McHaleinthepost - January 16, 2012 via iPhone app reply

The guy is a jerk, but he also might be the toughest competitor in the NBA

And I also admire the fact he came back in shape, unlike some other veterans

yes just what i want to see on celticsblog a kobe lovefest.. ugh.. we need to start winning again soon

Not a love fest. Just respect for a 16-year vet who came back in shape and leads the league in scoring

kobe now 6-19

duqe2 - January 17, 2012 reply

And the Lakers about to go 10-5 and beating the Mavs at home

Would rather be 10-5 than 4-8, but that’s just me.

But god do I hope the Mavs pull this out

I am now rooting for both the Lakers and Celtics

For one thing, if both teams do well, there is the (faint, very faint) hope that they might meet in the playoffs. (Yeah, but I won’t hold my breath.)

For another, the Lakers are our esteemed combatants from wars gone by, and therefore I would rather see them do well than any of the young, overconfident, wet-behind-the-ears teams all around us.

And besides…. Kobe is fighting the good fight for every one of us, since every one of us is also fighting Father Time. He’s doing what I had hoped the Celtics would do… and maybe, maybe, might still. Kobe is definitely not going out with a whimper.

JR99 - January 17, 2012 reply

Soon we'll hear

MVP chants for Kobe the next time Lakers come to Boston. shudder

+1

Blackberry33 - January 17, 2012 reply

Right, because it’s SO easy to get proper match fitness when you’re carrying a bum heel. I’m sure Kobe’s wrist complaint made it really hard for him to stay in shape

IsItTheShoes - January 16, 2012 via mobile reply

For what its worth...

Tommy Heinsohn on comcast said that Pierce looked in good shape when he saw him come to training camp but when he hurt his heel he could not participate in practice, utilize the stationary or play in preseason games thats when he lost his conditioning.

Meant to say...

“utilize the stationary bike” above.

vinnie, it's one thing,

To be consistently negative towards the celtics on a daily basis, as every fan responds to hard times for their favorite teams differently, but to come here spewing garbage about how amazing Kobe is tells me that I didn’t have you keyed wrong, but rather exactly what I thought you were, you straight up get high off of being the celticsblog villain!

Mikey Bizzle - January 17, 2012 via iPhone app reply

Thanks for the analysis. I hate the Lakers and hate Kobe, but to deny him is due makes no sense to me

Good news is

Rondo is not injured, unlike Chris Paul. I knew cp3 wouldn’t last long before injury.
Cs will come around. They just need to get their mojo back. I sure miss Perk. We never lost a playoff series with the big 5. They seem to have lost their confidence since they lost that family member. They did look better tonight. They need more time together. KG needs to be more confident on his offense.

Daveonthecape - January 16, 2012 via mobile reply

They seem to have lost their confidence since they lost that family member.

Bingo. It takes teams a long time to recover from losing an integral part like that.

they need to grow up.

cltc5 - January 17, 2012 reply

They're PROs, they're payed MILLIONS of dollars...

They need to get over it and just play! (and WIN)

Rany - January 17, 2012 reply

Oh I agree with what y’all are saying, but some guys just take a little bit longer than some. I’m sure tonight, with Perkins over there on the other bench, guys were slower out of the gate a bit. Which would explain our 1st quarter deficit.

I hope.

The fact that they made it as competitive as it was...

for as long as they did, was a good sign.

For missing so many shots and the TOs, it was a good game to watch, IMHO.

JO and KG look glued to the ground, unfortunately. Small ball was a good idea and…almost worked.

Signs of life here anyway.

Tom Halzack - January 17, 2012 reply

I’ll admit it. I couldn’t watch the game. Not because I was doing something else, but I just couldn’t bring myself to watch Perkins play against the Celtics. I was going to try, but then I read that article about Perkins missing Boston, Rondo and vice versa. Just couldn’t do it.

I got an idea

Lets reunite Perk with his mate Rondo by organising a Rondo – Westbrook trade.

I wouldn’t do that straight up, but about the only person on the Celtics I wouldn’t trade is Piece. Because, you know, he’s been the face of the franchise since roughly 1998.

Agree with that

I know there’s no room for sentiment, but it would be incredibly painful to have to watch Allen retire wearing another uniform. To me, his work ethic is about as Celtic as it gets. And I know you can’t base things on one game, but how much more Celtic does it get than Rondo finishing that game against the Heat with one arm? I just want to believe that his determination we saw that night is going to come out big this year yet.

Old West Celtics Sox Fan - January 17, 2012 via mobile reply

Yeah, Rondo is exactly the kind of player that is the definition of Celtic. Very gritty. I’d be bummed if he was traded, but if it improved the team overall, I think you have to do it. Now with saying that, he probably isn’t going anywhere anytime soon (because of his contract), so we’ll see.

As for Allen, he does give a lot of effort, more effort than I thought he give when he got here, but unless he wants to come of the bench next year, I’d let him go.

2-3 more games and theyre going to be back on shape.. mid season game shape.. theyll be alright.. PP’s got his legs back now.. Pietrus is slowly getting his legs back and is also coming into his own in our system.. oklahoma hit some unbelievable 3pt shots! specially westbrook who’s not a good 3pt shooter.. he’s been killing us for the past 2yrs though..

Rondo = Check
Pierce = Check
Allen = Check
Bass = Check
Pietrus = Check

JO = 50-50
KG = Get the fuckin’ hell out of your slump now!

Doc is also tweaking the line up with E’Twaun Moore playing over Avery Bradley.. Give this team 2-3 more games and they’ll be back in the hunt..

LETS GO CELTICS!!!

pierced - January 17, 2012 reply

I know that it has probably been discussed often on here, but it seems as though KG plays farther and farther away from the rim about every half season. I mean, he’s really starting to show his age and the wear on his legs/body.

I fear that the “slump” that he is in is going to be relatively permanent. He’s no longer explosive or quick. For the style of play that he wants to play, that’s not a good thing.

http://www.hoopdata.com/player.aspx?name=Kevin+Garnett

It may seem that way, but it's not really been true until just these last 12 games.

Over the last 5+ years, KG has averaged just over 4 shots ‘at rim’ per 40 minutes and it has hardly varied until just THIS year: Here are his FGA per 40 min at the rim each season since 2007:

2007 MIN 4.0
2008 BOS 4.3
2009 BOS 4.2
2010 BOS 4.1
2011 BOS 4.3
2012 BOS 3.2

The last number is a bit disturbing, but it obviously is based on very tiny sample size compared to the others. If you look at the rest of his data, you see that the ‘missing shot’ that he’s no longer taking at the rim is being taken from 3-9 feet, where he’s taking slightly more shots than prior years, (about 0.9 more shots per 40 than last year).

KG is taking just slightly fewer shots from outside than he historically has in the past. His ‘sweet spot’ distance is 16-23 feet and he’s taken between 6.3 – 6.7 shots per 40 minutes in prior years. This year that’s actually down slightly to 6.1 shots per 40.

Hmmm, yeah, that is somewhat surprising. Thanks!

This team is in quick sand. The harder they fight (attempt to stage a comeback), the quicker they sink. Soon enough the C’s will reach the point of no return. Unless Danny Ainge inserts a few pieces in or shuffles this roster, hope is lost. There is no point in making the playoffs when we cannot beat good or proven teams. We will only exit the playoffs early and loose out on a high draft pick.

Danyck - January 17, 2012 via mobile reply

Don’t we have an extra 1st round pick this year? Though it probably won’t be very high. Unless the Thunder tank … which doesn’t look probable at all.

actually is a clippers draft pick

EXER123 - January 17, 2012 reply

Oh okay. So hopefully, it will be a little better then.

Looks like about #22 right now.

’Long way to go, though.

Moses Freeman Jr. - January 17, 2012 reply

I cant get down about this game

Doc played more of the rooks, and mixed some things up. at least he’s tryin. We played better just dont have that finishing attitude yet. Im still holding out hope they can right this ship before the trade deadline.

cltc5 - January 17, 2012 reply

we showed more trust in the game with means team chemestry is growing no were to go put up

EXER123 - January 17, 2012 reply

the window has closed

we will have to Retool for next year to start on the path toward Banner #18. The window is now closed. these guys gave us all they have for the past few years but now they do not have enough lefet to compete with younger and well constructed teams such as OKC MIami, New york et al. However i will support this team until the end. no mater how bitter the pill. Go Celtics.

new york been getting whopped so is miami OKC will go on slump soon and chica losssed lets not forget their just human :)

EXER123 - January 17, 2012 reply

Celtics reduced to moral victories now

Strange to hear talk about moral victories and trying to rationalize yet another home loss by saying the Celtics ’didn’t look too bad’. It just shows how far this team has fallen.

For a team with 3 hall of famers and a current all star in the starting lineup it seems there are some awfully low expectations. It’s sad that the Celtics aren’t expected to win games against good teams anymore even when playing at home.

This was the part of the schedule that the Celtics were supposed to right the ship. Things are only going to get tougher in the weeks to come.

But hey at least the Celtics broke the 80 point barrier what a great accomplishment…

warnerjohn - January 17, 2012 via mobile reply

Don't know what all the doom and gloom posts are about, this was a good game for us.

We could have won this game against arguably the best team in the NBA.
Turnovers were our demise, but these are things that can be fixed.
I was happy with this game, and given our current form I think the Celtics displayed heart and defensive tenacity.
They forced the Thunder to shoot some extremely tough jumpshots.
Westbrook draining threes (attempting threes) is exactly what we wanted- a la Lebron and Wade in the playoffs. Sometimes even average shooters get hot and there’s nothing you can do.

Pietrus was great in the final spell with the main unit and Pierce is getting better each game.

And to the guy that said Westbrook>Rondo, LOL.
Watch 75% of Westbrooks other games where he shoots the Thunder out of the game or blows them a 10 point lead with pull up jumper after pull up jumper with 20 seconds left on the clock.

Our team is going to go on a run very soon, probably when Pierce and Dooling are both at their best.
I’m confident this will be a very tough/strong playoff team- much stronger than our squad last year.

Chambers - January 17, 2012 reply

Given that the Thunder are 12-2, he certainly hasn't shot them out of many games this year

If we are depending on a healthy Dooling to help this team go on a run……….