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Celtics Nation, is that a “no” that I heard from some of you? Well, you should be. The Boston Celtics had the longest stretch of time off they will have all season heading into a showdown with the defending NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night. Not to mention, the Mavericks had to go into the Boston Garden in the second night of a back-to-back following a victory on Tuesday night in the Palace versus the Detroit Pistons. So, let’s recap: after a dud of a performance at home on Friday night against the up and coming Indiana Pacers, the Celtics had four days to prepare for their biggest game of this young season, which by the way was nationally televised game, and they shoot 72% from the line, turn the ball over 15 times and fail to score 90 points for the third consecutive game.
The thing we feared most about this Celtics team is proving more and more to be coming true. The Boston Celtics are a very old team. And I’m not the only one saying it either. Dallas Mavericks guard and 34 year old 6th man Jason Terry even made the comment when interviewed that besides Rajon Rondo “everyone else is a little older and they’re not running as fast”. You won’t necessarily see it in the stats, as Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are right around the averages they had last year and Paul Pierce, while the numbers are down, is still working to get back into the swing of things. And Jermaine O’Neal has been everything the Celtics could have hoped for and then some to this point. But if you watch this team, you know that logically this is the healthiest they will be all season and they do not pass the “eye” test. Whenever they need a stop at the end of the game against a good team, there is nobody on the floor that seems to have the energy to get that stop. Take, for example, the Mavericks game when Garnett was asked to shut down Dirk Nowitzki on the second to last possession of the game and Nowitzki ended up with a 3-point play. Or when the C’s need a bucket, it almost always feels like they cannot get that bucket. The “clutch” factor is not there with this team on either end of the floor and this speaks partially to the older legs that make up this Celtics team.
Then there is the problem that almost every team has had to deal with so far this season, the chemistry issue. There is too much inconsistency both offensively and defensively from this team to expect them to be a factor come playoff time. Sure, we have only gotten a small sample size, but you can already tell a lot about the way this team works together. At times, the second unit has looked sharper than the first unit. And then when the Celtics try and mix the two units, it is like starting over and trying to rebuild the chemistry on the floor. It is easy to say that things are going to get better down the road, but where is the evidence of that? The team looks almost lost during stretches of games, something that we would never have expected from the Celtics teams the last few years. And even if they do improve the chemistry, why can’t the other teams in the conference see just as much improvement in that department?
Now everything that I have mentioned to this point has been strictly opinion. It is my belief that the Celtics have looked old. It is my feeling that the chemistry has been poor at best, and will not improve enough over the season to be better than the team’s that this team needs to be better than. But now let’s talk about the cold hard facts.
FACT: The Boston Celtics are 23rd in the NBA in points per game.
Yes, at 91.9 points per game, the Celtics score the third fewest points per game out of all playoff teams from a year ago. The only teams behind them are two Western Conference teams (Memphis Grizzlies at 24th and New Orleans Hornets at 28th). And Celtics fans, you cannot blame the referees for this statistic because the team has attempted a respectable 24 free throws per game. It is nobody’s fault but theirs that they are shooting just 73% from the stripe. What may be an even more telling stat about the team is that they are 25th in the league in scoring in the 1st quarter and 27th in 4th quarter scoring. Another fact is that if you cannot start games strong AND you cannot close out games, you will not win.
FACT: The Boston Celtics turn the ball over an average of 15.9 times per game.
The near 16 turnovers per game is good for 23rd in the league. Granted, teams like the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat rank worse in this department, but they make up for it in other areas that the Celtics don’t. A good percentage of the blame for this has to fall on the shoulders of the point guards. Rondo is turning the ball over 4+ times per game and Keyon Dooling, while not a true point guard, has an assist to turnover ratio of about 1:2. We saw how valuable taking care of the ball is in the Mavericks game when the Celtics were not even able to get a final shot off after the poor inbound pass from Rondo to Allen.
FACT: The Boston Celtics are 0-4 against teams with a winning record.
This is the most telling statistic of all. The Boston Celtics have failed every test that has come their way so far. The New York Knicks gave the C’s a nasty present on Christmas Day by beating the green at the end. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and overconfident rookie Norris Cole helped the Miami Heat bury the Celtics in South Beach. A combination of good defense from the Indiana Pacers and horrible play led to a third defeat against ranked opponents for the Celtics. And then an inability to execute at the end of the game versus the Dallas Mavericks Wednesday night was failed test number four.
The Celtics wins you might be wondering? The Detroit Pistons, the Washington Wizards twice and the New Jersey Nets; teams with a combined record of 5-26!
Championship contending teams beat good teams. They may not always beat good teams, but they certainly do not start out winless against them. What might be most alarming about the losses are the ones to the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers, two teams considered to be behind the Boston Celtics heading into the season. Now I know Paul Pierce would have meant a victory in New York on Christmas Day, but the Knicks weren’t exactly 100% themselves. And the Pacers, for the most part, completely controlled the game when the two teams met in Boston. These two teams are younger, more athletic and might be more equipped to take down the Boston Celtics in a 7-game series than once thought.
Hopefully the Boston Celtics will figure it out and this article will be forgotten. But the facts are the facts. Right now, the team is looking more like a seven or eight seed in the Eastern Conference than a top four team in the league. A team that is being called old by a 34 year old 6th man, cannot score at the beginning or end of games, does not take care of the ball, lacks chemistry, has been everything but clutch and cannot beat teams that they will meet up with come playoff time is not poised for a title run. The Boston Celtics right now are more ready for the rebuilding process than the second round of the playoffs and things might not be changing any time soon.
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I’m not so pesimistic. It’s a fact, that we are older – but except KG, they are all in very good shape for their age. Ray is more than 60% from downtown! It’s also true, that we don’t have a player, who can create his shot in 1on1 situation. That is the only problem for us. To solve this Rondo would have to be really really aggresive by attacking the paint. If he will do that, space for good shooters like Paul and Ray will be open and half of business is done
This year I don’t expect sth big from this team. Probably 2nd round of playoff. But then in summer we have to hunt some talent. There will be more than 30 millions to spend
Gallus, I appreciate the comment. Ray Allen does still look strong, minus some of the iffy turnovers he has every now and then. We really don’t have a guy that can take over a game anymore on their own. That was Paul Pierce a couple of years back but not anymore. I have actually been a huge critic of Rondo’s in the past and will say that I am very impressed with the way he has played to this point this year. I don’t know if he will draw enough attention though to free up Pierce and Allen on the outside.
If the team continues to perform at this level, I think that they would be lucky to get to the second round. They will definitely have a chance to make some changes this summer. I hope Ainge comes through.
Thanks again Gallus!
Excellent article. To answer your initial question, I was at the game last night and I went from being cautiously optimistic about the C’s chances straight to accepting they cannot contend, as is, this year. I skipped right over the worrying. They need to shake the roster up drastically to compete with Miami, Chicago, OKC, etc. There is no point in waiting for next season, either. Danny needs to do it now.
DA, appreciate the comment sir. I’m sorry you had to witness that last night. It is tough to be optimistic at this point with this team. I was worried heading into the season. They absolutely need to shake things up, preferably this year. I just dont know if there are movable contracts on this team. Should have done it in the off-season when it was more possible. Danny screwed up big time on this one
Good run at it. Jackie Mac had a similar angle at ESPNBoston. That being said I think this is premature. Team is more out of shape except for Rondo, Ray and KG. PP really needed the pre-season but now he has to use these begining games to get into game condition, as well as the rest of the team needs to gel. That’s what the pre-season is for, especially when you had the turn over in players that the Cs had. Cs got Quis Avery,and Sasha from last year on the bench and Quis and Sasha didn’t have a full year. Cs system on offense and defense is complicated. Players are still finding their spots. Yeah, KG looks 35 with mileage but 80% of KG is still better than 80% of the PF in the league. Ray is amazing-he’ll play until he is 40. Rondo has matured into the leader he needs to be. Peitrus is a steal, and Steimsma is a surprise. So lets get off the Tobin and revisit the topic after the Allstar game.
Bob, thanks for the read and comment! I understand people will feel it is premature. I disagree sort of with the out of shape argument. I think it is more about the age than the being in shape or out of shape. The only exception is Paul Pierce because he is still trying to get back from the injury. But even still, I’m not sure it gets a significant amount better for The Truth. I’m not sure Quis, Bradley and Sasha are making the difference between winning and losing those games against the better teams, however. You are right about the Cs system, it is one of the more complicated in the league and that is true about KG. But they need more out of Garnett on this team. Rondo has impressed me this year. Pietrus had an impressive night last, but Boston will see the reason why he doesn’t hang around with teams too long. He has never seen a shot he doesn’t like, but he doesn’t shoot well enough to have that mentality. And Steimsma has been a good surprise, but is not going to lead to the turnaround. I think they need to show significant improvement before becoming optimistic. Thanks again Bob!
Marquis Daniels is not the answer. No one named Sasha is the answer either. If PP and KG get their legs under them, Bass keeps his production up, and Pietrus can be a solid backup at wing, the C’s are a piece away. I just don’t see all of those things happening.
Agreed again here DA. That is WAY too much that needs to happen for them to be successful. That’s not even taking into consideration the injuries they need to avoid.
This team will be in the ECF contending for a title. Book it.
Hope you’re right Mike. Remember, I’m a Celtics fan at the heart but I just don’t see it haha
It’s not more so worrying as it is eye opening. We knew it was going to be a tough beginning. I think the biggest question mark on the team is JO. He gives up his body for charges…but that’s all he is bringing. He’s not even the same sneaky good version as he was in the playoffs.
The whole theory of resting the starters is out the window. They need to play more (once healthy of course) so that they could find their game. The team is being conservative on offense and too aggressive on D. Once they find the balance, this team will be in a better place, Rondo having some confidence with his jump shot (and he’s been knocking them down more and more but shhhh.. it’s a secret.) Brandon Bass being a black hole (the bench needed someone like this) and despite the small sample size i LOVED what Pietrus brought to the game. I’m just going to call him French Posey. I will probably have a man crush on him by the All Star Break due to his play and infectous personality.
See…there are SOME things that are good this season.
There have been some bright spots of course, Stiemsma being that resembles a post presence on defense, Bradley sticking to opposing guards like white on rice,
Ben, thanks for the comment/read! I can see where some fans would see it as eye opening and others as worrisome. I gotta disagree with you on JO, I think they have gotten all they could ask for from the big man. Don’t expect him to keep it up though.
You are spot on about the starters resting. This team needs to play together more. It’s tough obviously where you have the older team but I think they need to get them on the court more. I hope that is the answer. Rondo has been VERY impressive for the most part. I have always been a critic of his. I love Bass as you do. Love “French Posey” hahaha.
You are right there are some positives. I would even throw Dooling in there as well. But I have to say the negatives outweigh the positives at this point in my opinion, and some of the negatives might not be fixable (ex: consistency from some of the older players)
Nice article Mike. I disagree with being so quick to worry. As you said, this is a small sample size. Pierce needs to get into season condition, Pietrus needs to find his niche. In late game situations, the C’s can defend guards decently (Rondo, Bradley), but struggle with prolific bigs. You said they can’t D up to end games. Certainly concern is normal, but we’ll see how they fare as they have more time together
Thanks a lot Alex! Yes, it is a small sample size and Pierce is not where he will be in a couple of weeks. I just wonder how much better Pierce is going to be given his age and being banged up. Pietrus played well last night, I just don’t know if I’m buying it long term. His history is that he shoots every time he touches the ball and they don’t need that. They absolutely get crushed by bigs and have been handled by some that we would consider average in the league. They do handle guards well, but they do not have that lockdown guy at this point. I hope they can turn it around because I love the team and everything the older guys have done to revive bball here in Boston, but I just don’t see it. Appreciate the comment Alex!
You got it Mike! I hope they can turn it around too. Rondo really has been dynamic, but the responsibility on him is too high. He can’t sustain what he’s doing for an entire season + playoffs.
This about outlines it all. I was pessimistic going into this season and the moves we made during Free Agency were less than thrilling. We have an issue where our 2nd unit may be decent (at best) on their own, but can’t contribute individually to our 1st when certain players need a break. We have no outstanding 6th man. Bass is good, but nowhere near as glorious an addition as everyone made him out to be.
A compressed season is tough enough on an aging, seasoned team with established chemistry. We’re aging (which in my opinion is not any team’s major downfall) AND we were stripped of chemistry over the last year. Our bench players would never be starters on another team (as opposed to some guys we’ve had over the past few seasons). We’re decent defensively but we’re not hungry enough in the paint (or anywhere for that matter).
We need to ride this season out and make some SMART moves next season. Starting with this season’s trade deadline. No more catch as catch-can deals. SMH
Thanks for the comment! I was disappointed as you were with the off-season, not so much because of the moves as much as the direction they went. The whole trying to patch things up doesn’t sit well with me. They needed to either go out and make a big splash or blow the whole thing up. You are so right about the bench, when it is just them out there, they gel. But when they mix the lineups, forget about it. That’s not how a bench should be. I agree Bass is overhyped a bit. But I do love him to this point just because I didn’t like Baby at all haha.
A compressed schedule KILLS this team. The combo you mention would lead to poor play from any team. The team does not have an identity like they have in the past. Nobody knows if they are an offensive team (no way) or a defensive team (possible, but not at this point).
Danny had a chance to blow this team up in the off-season and he tried to patch things up. It was a terrible move. It’s tough to think he will make the right moves this upcoming off-season just because he really did fail to rebuild before the Big Three era. But let’s hope for the best.
Thanks again!
Id agree with your a
Sorry About that. Was on my phone when writing that. I’d agree with your opinion but not for another 2-3 weeks if and that’s a major if we are still struggling to get any kind of rhythm happening offensively.
Understood Nate. I hope this article is not relevant by that time but I have my doubts. Thanks for the read!
Is this team just a shade better than the Walker/Pierce era?
Loved the Shimmy and the Truth together Moose! How could anybody not love that duo? I’d still put this group slightly ahead of the best group the Walker/Pierce era produced. But not by much!
Pierce/Walker did take the Celtics to the ECF one year.
Very true. If nothing else, that group was by far more exciting
Dude, you nailed it! Sweet summary.
I am honestly not worried, still think its too early in the season to be worried, but I can agree that KG has been looking tired, and thats the reason why Doc wanted to cut down his minutes but that obviously has’nt been much the case when everybody else seems to be struggling, I am expecting to see Bass, Dooling and Wilcox to step up show some more aggression, as the season proceed.
Thanks for the comment/read Glenda! I understand the fact that some fans still feel it is too early. At this point, it would be tough for Doc to cut down any minutes. I know it is still early in the season but they need to win ball games just to gain some sort of confidence. I have been a fan of Bass and Dooling to this point, and Wilcox has held his own. But it is all about the original Big Three and how they will hold up. If they can’t produce a bit more as a unit, it could be tough times ahead
Great article Mike! I think we in Boston are too soon to push the panic button with regards to sports teams struggling (Remember this is the same city that was calling for Claude Julien to get fired midway through last year) the Cs just need to get their legs under them and the wins will come IMO. The delayed start, shortened training camp, and condensed season as well a completely new look bench have all played a role in the slow start, come February this is a team that will be a force to be reckon with. I also see no way that the Knicks finish ahead of the Cs in the standings.
Thanks CJ! Great point about Claude Julien. I was one of those guys for sure haha. I hope you’re right about this team because the older guys have been great to watch the last few years. It would stink for them to go out with a disappointing season. Hopefully the slow start is due to the shortened camp and preseason and Garnett can figure it out. They need him to be MUCH more productive on both ends of the floor to be that force in February. I was high up on the Knicks coming into the season but maybe I overestimated them a bit. They might not ever reach their potential with D’Antoni in there as coach. Appreciate the comment CJ!
I am worried until Stiemsma finds his comfort level and ends up starting for the C’s. We’re missing a powerful big man down low. If you think of most of the successful teams this year, they all have that defensive, rebounding, powerful, explosive big man. I’m not saying Stiemsma is going to be the savior of this team but the Celtics are not going to win a Championship with J.O. The guy is good for like the first 5 minutes of a game then he’s nothing. He’s not a defensive presence anymore. He doesn’t really jump for rebounds, he relies on his positioning and if he’s not in the perfect position, he’s not battling for position or fighting for the board. If C’s don’t get a consistent, powerful defensive as well as explosive offensive big man, they are not making it past the second round of the playoffs….if that.
Hey Matt, thanks for the comment! I agree that the Celtics need more production from inside. Jermaine O’Neal would be much more serviceable at this point in his career coming off the bench. Shame on Ainge for not fixing this need in the off season. Having a group of mediocre big men does not fill the need for one solid/reliable big. I’m not sure Stiemsma is the answer though. It sounds like Doc has him and Wilcox battling for some playing time, but neither looks like they will break through to the starting lineup. Truth is, like I said, Ainge is to blame for not getting the big they really needed in the off season. It could be the downfall of this team. There is a lot the Celtics need to improve to even think about the second round of the playoffs. I’m hoping, but I’m not exactly optimistic. Thanks again Matt!
Nice article man. If I lived in Boston I would definitely be worried about what has happened thus far, but while they may be getting up there in age they still have craft and that is always good for a 3-5 seed in the East. The concern has undoubtedly began to circulate throughout the league but there are a lot of games left. But as I said, I would be a little hesitant to put all my eggs in that basket. Go Bulls.
Thanks man, appreciate the compliment! And thanks for the read! You’re right, this team still has enough for like a 5 seed in the East. But the whole idea that they are “built for the playoffs” is insane, especially this year. Your Bulls on the other hand are a team made for a season like this. If the Celtics aren’t taking down the Heat, I sure hope it’s the Bulls. Thanks again man!
Nice article Mike. The only thing I will say that goes against everything you’ve mentioned in this article is the Paul Pierce factor. Dude is a legend, and he’s obviously not 100% right now. I promise that if the Celtics are to go anywhere deep into the playoffs, they will do it on the back of PP34. Without him, they are nothing. He’s clearly favoring his legs at this point, and obviously he has a massive impact on the players around him. Remember that there are many C’s who haven’t played with Pierce yet, and Pierce still has much to teach him.
I think later in the season we will see a VERY different Celtics team, a much more patient and vicious Celtics team.
Thanks for the read/comment Bryan! If this team is going to go ANYWHERE, you are right, it will be all about The Truth. I hope you are right about him. Yes, he is banged up so we haven’t seen him at his best. But I am concerned that he may have lingering injuries all season or if he does get healthy will not be what he has been in the past. But I hope he proves me wrong. He is simple to play with over time compared to other NBA stars (Russell Westbrook for example). So, if he is able to ring in the new guys and get them familiar with the way he plays, this team has a shot to make some noise. Unfortunately, I don’t see any evidence at this point that that will happen. I hope you are right though. Appreciate the kind words!
after this game i have to say — celtics are in BIG trouble.
Story of their season. Get behind early and get close only to blow it again in the 4th. It is an alarming trend to say the least
it’s frustrating. they can’t keep doing that. they have no closers. i don’t think they can win with their current guys.
Time to change things up. As i said earlier to you Mikey. Our ‘engine’ needs tuning or we need new parts ASAP. We look like our Head gaskets blown at the moment.
Ya, we talked about it Nate. Might need more than tuning at this point. And I just don’t know if the help is coming this season. It’s getting to the point of being hard to watch.
If the Celtics want to go anywhere, they need to get younger if they want to compete for a championship again. Same goes for the Lakers, they need to get rid of some guys like Derick Fisher. I think Pierce and Garnett’s days are numbered, but Ray Allen still has some gas left in the tank. If they’re smart, they’ make some moves at the trade deadline.-Yuriy
I agree Yuriy. And that championship won’t come for a little while, but it will be worth it if they build the team properly (which they failed to do if you remember before the Big Three). Too many of these older teams hold on for one or two years too long. Thanks for the comment!
The brutal number of games in short periods of time was bound to affect older teams like the Celtics. Boston will be fighting all year for a playoff spot and unless they add a piece I don’t think they have enough to compete long term in the playoffs.
I thought they would be a lock for a playoff spot and never even considered that being an issue. I;m not quite ready to say that just yet, but we are getting closer to that point. The team is in shambles and the schedule hurts them more than any other team in the league. This team is not built for the regular season, the playoffs, or the 2011-2012 season for that matter. Thanks for the read/comment!
I’m pretty pessimistic, past worried at this point. The Celtics front court is too old and slow, and there’s not much that can be done to change that. Doc refuses to play any of our young front court players, Garnett’s contract isn’t tradeable, and no one wants JO. I do think the Celtics will make the playoffs this year, and I don’t think anyone will want to play them, they have a chance to make a lot of noise and cause and upset, but I still don’t see them making the EC Finals.
Honestly this year feels wasted, all there is to look forward too is Ainge hopefully blowing up the team (especially the front court) and trying to drum up something in free agency. The hardest thing about waiting is that the Celtics have never been a particularly exciting team to watch, and now they’re bad and boring. Hopefully Etwaun and JaJuan get a chance to show us how good they can be soon, I’m afraid that Ainge will trade away youth and bench pieces (and I think we have one of the best benches in the league) in an attempt at one last gasp in the playoffs and I’m afraid he might mortgage the teams future in the process.
Jordan, thanks for the comment. I agree with you. i don’t know if there is a lot that can be changed right now. The time to change/blow this team up was in the off-season. Doc has always been known to keep a short leash on the younger players, similar to what Larry Brown is known for but not nearly as bad as him. Tonight will be a good indication of where this team is going. Perk is coming back into town. The horrible trade is basically staring them right in the face tonight. This team should come out ready to play and it will be telling for what this team has left in the tank. But even so, I think they get into the playoffs and, like you said, are a dangerous team for a round, maybe two, but they do not have enough left in my opinion.
It’s tough to classify this as a wasted year, but Ainge did have an opportunity to start the blowup and he chose to give it one more run for a team that was obviously done last year. Ainge would be moronic at this point to trade any of the youth this team has unless it is something like Rondo to get 2 good young players for a great one to speed up the rebuilding. Otherwise it would be insane.
Thanks again Jordan!