Celts look old and tired

[patspm66]

The lineups that doc is running out there are ludicrous.  He goes big when ATL goes small and athletic.  When Smith, Johnson, and Childress, want to run they make the Celts look old and tired with docs rediculous matchups.  More Tony Allen, at least he can match athleticism with one of the above. 

Did anyone notice that when doc took out Pierce, Garnett, and Rondo at the beginning of the 4th quarter, the Hawks stormed back. 

I agree with Tommy, the officiating has been godawful, but its not the reason the Celts are losing.  I dont remember a team looking more scared in the 4th quarter, and thats including the choke job put on my detriot when Lebron single handedly made that team cry last playoffs.  Celts have to grow a set and fast.  Someone needs to "sweep a leg" as it was famously stated in Karate Kid.  Screw Stern and the front office.  We cant just win game 5, we need to break the Hawks spirit. 

[Celtic]

Any one who makes a Karate Kid reference gets a Tommy Point. Which is funny because I literally just made one about 3 minutes ago in another thread.

[Redz]

Speaking of looking old and tired...

Good night all.

Keep the chin up. Tomorrow's a new day.

GO CELTS!

[vinnie]

Imagine what this place will be like if the C's lose this series?  Better get some new servers set up!

[DingDongDel]

I'm worried that Simmons is right about the KG stuff and how he is just too intense during the regular season and by the time the post season rolls around there's just nothing left. I can see at least one reason for the offense sputtering -- Doc's new playoff rotation. But the as for our defense, our hallmark, I just don't know how can you go from a historically good defense to a team that allows the Hawks to shoot 47% for two games, other than just being tired. Thoughts?

[TheReaLPuba]

Guys I know we're all angry but the C's just didn't play well.

This series isn't over and the playoffs are far from over.

[tanner]

KG and ray played the whole 2nd half.  that's why they looked old and tired down the stretch.  i don't get why they weren't given a breather late in the 3rd to early 4th, especially ray who had a tough defensive assignment.

[Kuberski33]

But the as for our defense, our hallmark, I just don't know how can you go from a historically good defense to a team that allows the Hawks to shoot 47% for two games, other than just being tired. Thoughts?

The tired excuse is BS.  It's first round of the playoffs.  A better answer is a not quite ready for prime time team collectively chokes.  No other way to describe it.

Tonight was to me was the game that would determine how good this team really is. A legitimate contender puts away a sub .500 8 seed in Game 4.  I can see dropping a game 3 especially where 1 and 2 were so easy.  But tonight's game was the most important one of the season to date -- and ended up being their worst loss of the season. 

The players and coaching staff all collectively choked.

[Bahku]

I disagree, (respectfully), but I understand your point. They don't look old and tired to me ... not at all ... they look apathetic and uninspired. They're playing with energy, they jsut are not focusing it in the right direction. They've gone into the playoffs with the same energy they ended the year with, and they have yet to step it "UP"!

That technical foul bit was probably what we need more of, because following it, the third quarter was played like they should have played the whole game ... with heart, tough defense, and aggressive moves to the basket.

For whatever reason(s), they're not as fired up as they should be, and not relying on the tools that got them the best record in the NBA. I think the resiliency and spunk of this Hawks team has taken them completely by surprise, and if this wasn't enough of a wake-up call, then this season will be much shorter than anticipated.

Atlanta has nothing to lose, and are playing with reckless abandon ... that's exactly what the C's need, and whatever it takes to initiate it, better happen soon. Get angry, get crazy, get aggressive .... otherwise the Hawks will make that energy their own, and will be happy to use it in the next round.