that the biggest issue with the C's is their lack of rebounding? almost every night now they are out rebounded and tonight they were out rebounded by 19!!! you can't win in the playoffs if you can't rebound the ball. I understand that KG is not recovering from his injury and all, but what's perkins excuse this year? Getting Nate was not the type of help the team needed IMO. They needed someone who could board. I thought Sheldon Williams would at least be able to help in that regard, but he's not seeing any court time and probably for a good reason. right now the C's appear to be a 2nd round exit team. I really wish Ainge had made a move with Allen's expiring contract.
I think a bigger issue is a lack of heart. Even with the C's shortcoming on the boards, there is no reason why they should get blown out by mediocre teams like Memphis and lose to bad teams like the Nets. If they regain that passion they had in 2008 and 2009 rebounding won't be as big an issue. Everyone seems complacent. 50 wins and a second round exit seems to be fine with them.
The reality: Since Jan. 1, the Celtics are 17-15. Essentially, they've played .500 ball. For a team with title aspirations, this has been a disappointment. As such, coach Doc Rivers might do a little moving and shaking. "We've been reluctant to make many changes with our rotations and stuff like that," he told the Boston Herald after last night's 111-91 loss to Memphis. "Maybe we have to think about that. Maybe not, but we have to think about it, because right now we're just sketchy. We're not playing consistent." Rivers usually isn't a guy to switch up his lineups much. He likes consistency. As he told the paper later: "I'm not a big believer in change for change." So this might be nothing more than some talking-out-loud frustration. But if the C's continue on this trajectory, they may end up with the No. 4 seed in the East. (At 40-23, they're currently tied for third with the Hawks.) And as ESPN's John Hollinger wrote in his chat today, the Bucks in the fifth seed could give the Celtics a run for their money.
not sure if it's a lack of heart or old legs on the big 3. KG appears to be 2 seasons away from the glue factory. His NBA odometer is too high and he just can't bounce back from a serious knee injury. That said, maybe a summer of rest and good rehab will get some bounce back in his step, but I'm a skeptic at heart.
