Winning At Home is Possible on May 19, 2023

NickEsasky

NickEsasky

Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em
SoSH Member
Jul 24, 2001
9,485
ragnarok725 said:
I'm as frustrated with this team as anyone. Hence the frustrated one-liner.

But they're not soft. We've seen them come through in game 6s and game 7s over and over. They haven't won it all but they've shown a lot of mettle. The softness narrative isn't stupid because it's negative, it's stupid because it's just so clearly detached from the reality of this team. Watching Tatum go off in the 4th quarter of game 6 in Philly to push to game 7 and then win... that's not what soft players or soft teams do. And they did the same thing last year against the defending champion Bucks. Soft teams crumble, and the Cs don't do that.

This team's problem is sloppiness and inconsistency. It always has been. For a variety of reasons none of us understand, they just can't consistently access the best version of themselves. That's not due to softness. I don't think it's due to the coach, it's now a problem that has spanned 3 coaches. I have no god damn clue why, which makes it all the more frustrating. Maybe it's just the natural variance of the game.

Anyway, obviously we're all pissed, disappointed, frustrated, and should probably be giving eachother a pass on how we express that. Sorry.
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I agree with you that the Celtics are resilient game to game. I also agree that they are sloppy and inconsistent. I guess where we vary is I think they are front runners and if they come out and are feeling good and shots are dropping they can roll. But when the opposition pushes back hard and a few shots stop falling they drop back into overthinking and terrible ISO possessions. So maybe soft isn’t the exact word, but they seem to wilt when a team punches them in the mouth and play tight and stupidly. They are ok when the opponent gets tighter like Harden and Embiid did. But Jimmy Butler ain’t that guy and whether it’s his influence or Spo’s the rest of the Heat play up when the game is on the line too.
 
RG33

RG33

Certain Class of Poster
SoSH Member
Nov 28, 2005
7,600
CA
[Re-Insert post with ages of superstars and how old they were when the first won championship, and point out JT/JB are 25/26]
 
Strike4

Strike4

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
4,188
Portland, Maine
There was a lot of discussion in the Sixers series thread about how hard it can be for teams to make that leap from perennial contender to championship level, with that path being littered with the 80s Hawks, the 90s Blazers, the 90s Jazz, the 90s Cavs, etc. I still think the Celtics have great talent but they just haven't been able to put it together at the right time. Don't think it's due to any one factor but this is not a "blow it up" situation. There are mistakes we can all point to but they keep happening, and aren't getting addressed in game. It's not a great situation when players this good are inhibited by things like turnovers and poor defensive execution.

I do wonder if Stevens getting back behind the bench might be the easiest solution...
 
Ale Xander

Ale Xander

Hamilton
SoSH Member
Oct 31, 2013
79,327
I’m so angry, still angry.
If they don’t come back and win the series, I’m going to be angry for a long time.
this is in some ways worse than the NFCE SB losses (well 2 of the 3) because that was just one game on a neutral field. Losing 2 straight at home to an 8 seed is inexcusable
Probably need to go CBD gummy (or stronger) shopping
 
jezza1918

jezza1918

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
3,351
South Dartmouth, MA
Ale Xander said:
I’m so angry, still angry.
If they don’t come back and win the series, I’m going to be angry for a long time.
this is in some ways worse than the NFCE SB losses (well 2 of the 3) because that was just one game on a neutral field. Losing 2 straight at home to an 8 seed is inexcusable
Probably need to go CBD gummy (or stronger) shopping
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It helps during the game. But it hasn’t curbed any frustration today!
 
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