Celtics Title Town

"IN RONDO WE TRUST"

Celtics Beat Post New Entry

Deja Vu

Posted by GeeZeeCeltics on December 28, 2012 at 8:35 AM


We've been here before.


This loss to the Clippers feels like a boiling point. It's hard to say what's going to happen in the immediate future, but it feels mighty similar to last year's "good" loss against OKC right before the All-Star break. After that one, the Celtics went on their inspiring run that was cut short in the seventh game of the Eastern Conference Finals.


Just like last year, there's a lot of people very disappointed with the goings on of the team. Many are requesting a trade for a big man, most notably DeMarcus Cousins. And, just like last year, I don't exactly know what to think. On one hand, I see that this team keeps heavily underachieving. On the other hand, I want to give them the chance to atone for their weak start.


Of course, that 2011-12 team proved every doubter wrong by honoring Ainge's trust in them. There were a lot of rumors last year at the trade deadline, and Ray was even supposedly traded, but, at the end of the day, Danny decided to stay put. It paid back in spades, and has had an impact that stretches beyond just the playoff run. Because of that season, Garnett is still playing and Ainge opted not to blow the team up this summer.


And yet we're back to square one. The team looks old, Rondo and Pierce still can't really find a way to efficiently run the offense and all of them are just disinterested. The vaunted defense is nowhere to be seen. However, we've seen them show glimpses of greatness, times when the team shows us what they're capable of -- very much like the 2011-12 squad did -- but is it enough?


It is a question that we will only be able to answer in retrospect. But I think this team will remain largely as it is, and there's a rational reason behind it all. At the beginning of the season, a lot of fans praised Ainge for putting the Celtics in a position where they had a puncher's chance at a title while also not sacrificing their future. Indeed - down the road we have a locked core of Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger and Courtney Lee (and Bass). Coincidentally, exactly these names (well, sans Rondo) are the ones most often mentioned in trade talks among fans. I don't really thing Ainge would be ready to just throw away his version of the C's future for someone like DeMarcus Cousins, who is a huge risk and could lose it the minute Garnett retires, or even never become mature and just be a toxic influence in the locker room. 


One must keep in mind that this team is not built solely for this year. That is why I think Ainge will stick with this team, probably escorted by angry posts on message boards by Celtics fans around the globe. And yet I find myself agreeing with him, much like last year. The bigger question, though - will the Celtics rise from the dead once more to prove Danny right? Or will they remain a .500 team this time around, prompting great change in the offseason? To be fair, it's impossible to answer that right now. We know they have it in them. We also know they haven't been able to consistently prove it so far.


So what options do we really have? I don't know about the rest of you, but I can't bring myself to count out a team with Kevin Garnett on it. And I won't, because last year it worked out just fine. There's nothing that says it will once more. And yet I believe, because the core of this team has been in those battles and knows what it takes.


And so I continue to blindly believe. I've been called delusional and whatnot for it, but it has worked out for me so far. Very well, even. As they say, if it ain't broken, don't fix it.


The larger question, though - if the Celtics are broken, do they need fixing in the form of a trade? Do we change our course now? Or do we repeat last years leap of faith?


There is only one man who will get to answer that question. Good luck, Danny Ainge.

Categories: None

Post a Comment

Oops!

Oops, you forgot something.

Oops!

The words you entered did not match the given text. Please try again.

Already a member? Sign In

5 Comments

Reply Morena
09:57 AM on December 28, 2012 
I'm with you. I still believe.
As you said, those guys have been in battles like this before. Last year it took Rondo untiile the all star break to figure out what the team needed.
A lot of changes were made during the summer and everyone had great expectations for this team, but we knew that they had to learn how to play with eachother. It looks life this is "learning time".
I blindly trust Rondo's intelligence. I'm not talking about his talent here, but about his basketball IQ. I may be naive or stupid, but I won't lose my faith in him.
I just hope it won't take him too long to put everything together.
Reply Franklin
01:26 PM on December 28, 2012 
I believe, but I also think this team needs a minor update. I think Bass is the odd man out. Bass has sucked for a lack of better words. Green has taken his spot. Bass can't guard,or rebound. The Celtics need a guy in the middle.
Reply Greg
03:22 PM on December 28, 2012 
Franklin says...
I believe, but I also think this team needs a minor update. I think Bass is the odd man out. Bass has sucked for a lack of better words. Green has taken his spot. Bass can't guard,or rebound. The Celtics need a guy in the middle.


Its obvious that the Celtics can't play small ball. But that doesn't mean they can't run the ball. As for Bass, I agree with you. His role has changed so many times this season. I'm sure its hard for him to adapt.
Reply paul
05:14 PM on December 28, 2012 
I despise this team right now. That was such a disgusting loss, and the way Rondo played was so disgusting. Makes me sick to think of myself as being a fan of this team right now.
Reply Morena
05:32 PM on December 28, 2012 
paul says...
I despise this team right now. That was such a disgusting loss, and the way Rondo played was so disgusting. Makes me sick to think of myself as being a fan of this team right now.

You have all the reasons to be angry at this team right now, but please, don't give up on them!!

Celtics News


NBA NEWS


NBA STANDINGS


NBA SCOREBOARD


Playoffs Gear


Twitter

Recent Videos

206 views - 0 comments
220 views - 0 comments
228 views - 0 comments
311 views - 0 comments

Celtics Gear




Twitter Follow Button

Shout Box

 


 


 

Google Translator

Share on Facebook

Share on Facebook

Upcoming Events

Friday, Dec 28 at 6:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday, Dec 29 at 6:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday, Dec 30 at 6:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday, Dec 31 at 6:00 AM - 11:59 PM

 

 

 

 



 

 


Bruins gear

NBA shirts



BallHyped.com - Best Sports Blogs, Sports Blogger Rankings

new TWTR.Widget({

  version: 2,

  type: 'search',

  search: 'Basketball',

  interval: 30000,

  title: 'Celtics',

  subject: 'NBA Basketball',

  width: 250,

  height: 300,

  theme: {

    shell: {

      background: '#8fd998',

      color: '#ffffff'

    },

    tweets: {

      background: '#ffffff',

      color: '#444444',

      links: '#1985b5'

    }

  },

  features: {

    scrollbar: false,

    loop: true,

    live: true,

    hashtags: true,

    timestamp: true,

    avatars: true,

    toptweets: true,

    behavior: 'default'

  }

}).render().start();


Other Boston Sports