TheRifleman

except when he is playing hurt. BUT - he can take so much pain( remember, this is the same guy who survived being stabbed 10/11 times??? ), and that is why he plays hurt. Also, the other team has to guard him - even if he's not shooting great - because left unguarded - he will score!

The Celts are a stronger unit than the Magic, but sometimes TMac's teammates step up to the plate and then they win - which is what happened last night. Nobody in green(Walta) could stop Gooden from scoring his career high.

The Celts would STINK without Paul. I hope he doesn't get traded - unless it is to the Mavericks.

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aquaitious

I was going to suggest that...and Dick Harter so at least I don't see the Lakers win another one...how many do they have? 15?

BackwoodsBum

The comment about Pierce not being MJ got me to thinking about the similarities between their careers. MJ's first few years in Chicago he put up great numbers (like Pierce), was considered one of the best players in the game at that time (like Pierce), kept a mediocre team in playoff contention (like Pierce), and didn't win a damn thing until he became a team player. He won a ring with guys like Steve Kerr, Luc Longley, B.J. Armstrong, etc. Pippen was the only star quality player on the team IMHO other than MJ yet they won it all. True, they had a rebounding machine in Rodman, but Mihm's rebounds per minute played is pretty good and who knows what Hunter or Perkins could do given the chance. When Jordan began to trust his teamates and not try to win every game himself the Bulls becam a force in the league. If Pierce would learn to trust his teamates and not try to win every game by himself then is it not possible for the Celtics to do the same?

If you look at the talent the C's have right now it's not that bad, yet there are times they look truly pathetic. The game against Orlando was a perfect example. The second half it looked as if Pierce was trying to match McGrady rather than help his team win the game. Yes, he is hurt and I give him credit for that, but like others have pointed out, Welsch has played hurt all year and when Eric Williams was here he was playing on knees a 60 year old would be ashamed of yet those guys are busting their tails to help the team. If Pierce's hand was hurt so badly that he couldn't shoot straight then the simple solution is DON'T SHOOT! He would have been a perfect decoy because the Magic defenders would have to have respected him, then he could have set up his teamates who were shooting the lights out. Instead he was jacking up airballs with nobody in rebounding position, dribbling the ball while teamates were wide open, and in general poisoning the offense. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I want Pierce to sit out and I definitely don't think he should be traded (unless Shaq, Garnett, Duncan, etc. suddenly becomes available!). I just hate to see someone so talented wasting that talent

As for the coach....well let's just say I'm not a Jim O'Brien fan at all. Last year he was blessed to have two players, either one of which ocassionally could win games on sheer talent alone. On other nights Dick Harter's defense could hold the other team down enough for us to win. I give Obie very little credit for doing anything other than keeping his start players happy. If we had a coach willing to push the ball at every opportunity, and get the players to move without the ball in the half court offense, just think what this team could do! I can easily think of several people that are availble right now who could do a better job with this team. Although I personally think that Ainge could do a great job coaching this team I don't think he will, but keeping it in the C's family what about DJ? I always though the was underrated as a player and having had the opportunity to meet the guy I think he is a class act. I think he could relate to the players and he knows what it takes to hang a banner. Another former C that I think would be great for the job is Dave Cowens. And that's just for starters. There are several other coaches out there who could take the team we have now and do much better than we are right now and develop the young guys at the same time.

Sorry to rant on so long, but I've been a Celtic fan for so long that it drives me crazy to watch a game like most of the games this year. It's especially hard when I know there's no reason that they have to play that way. Here's hoping that better days are coming!

TheRifleman

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Another former C that I think would be great for the job is Dave Cowens. And that's just for starters. There are several other coaches out there who could take the team we have now and do much better than we are right now and develop the young guys at the same time.

DJ or Cowens would be great. Too bad the Celtics brass have such short memories ( they must think the Celtics start & end with the Bird years) or they might have snagged Silas as well as tried for DJ or Cowens.

Ainge isn't too bad, as I watched him coach the Suns, but I think the team needs a coach who isn't so "guard oriented". DJ understands defense, being a great defender in his day - he also is not so guard oriented, so I would greet him with enthusiasm.

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theBirdman

Well, comparing Pierce and MJ is a bit off! MJ was much better and the biggest difference- he was a winner and a leader! Something Pierce isnt!
And he had one of the best coaches of all time in Phill Jackson. I am pretty sure Bulls wouldnt win the championships under Jim Obrien!

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BackwoodsBum

I didn't mean to imply that Pierce is as good as MJ was, I just wanted to point out the similarities in their careers and wonder how good the Celtics could be if Pierce matured the way MJ did.

You're right about the Bulls not winning under Obie. I hope the C's realize that they won't either and that someone is brought in who can utilize the talent this team has.

ZWW

People in other threads have expressed their disappointments with Pierce's play and some have implied trading him, some even saying it.

O'Brien is playing guys like Pierce and McCarty and not the young guys because he's more impatient then Ainge, he clearly wants to win rather then mope around for2-3 years.

Chris Wallace made horrible deals. The last few drafts we've traded away each 1st rounder for some guy that hasn't produced much or left in free agency or via trade. The Baker deal was the nail in the coffin but Vin isn't that bad when he actually wants to try.

This is a rebuilding year. Take a look at their mediocre record in a mediocre division. They would probably lose in the 1st round and if they did make it, say goodbye to a lotto pick. I rather have them suck, get a chance at a top 5 player, and come back with more talent, more chemistry, improved players and show teams their style rather then go the playoffs where I still don't think they can beat New Jersey, or even Indiana or Detroit, and lose out on a good draft pick.

I've been through the ML Carr-Sherman Douglas/Dee Brown backcourt-Pervis Ellison-15 win season days, I'm ok waiting a couple years for a great contender.

aquaitious

Oh you're talking about the other threads...yeah, everyone wants him traded because he plays stupid. He plays with no mind and only sees in front of him, not the side or back.

According to Ainge and OB this is not a rebuilding year. How do you rebuild with McCarty playing major minutes? Ainge stated we aren't rebuilding, and OB is playing the vets.

Believe me, everyone would be more then happy to see the young guns, heck we would have a much better attendance, and next year with a top 5 pick...whooooooo

lastlaugh

No it isn't and it shouldn't be. We had out rebuilding years and now we should be competing but we won't if Danny keeps trading for these guys who don't shoot the ball because it is Pierce's team.
Last time I checked this team was called the Boston Celtics. Not pass the ball to Paul when everyone else is shooting over 50% and he is shooting 7 for 26.

ZWW

Remember, some very bad deals were made before Ainge came here.