The Scoop from Perk

As fans we're all guessing why, despite having a fairly decent start, the team hasn't looked like what we expected.

From The Globe; The state of the Celts according to Perkins.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/11/18/perkins_says_sloppy_practice_isnt_helping/

After reading it my only thought was 'well there's the answer'.

Those descriptions of the practices seem right in keeping with my impressions of the recent games. A malaise is the way it has appeared to me.

The good news is that, so many times, the difference between practices and the next game is like the difference between a starting pitcher who has nothing warming up and winds up pitching a three-hitter shutout. Sometimes something just "clicks." Or there could be a catalytic event during the game.

The one nagging concern I have is that, two years ago, KG would usually have found some way to effect a dramatic attitude change. I don't see the practices or listen to the huddles, but I sense that's not happening as much this season.

Ah the heck with it. Come on Celts. Get with the program tonight.

Sam

NYCelt wrote:As fans we're all guessing why, despite having a fairly decent start, the team hasn't looked like what we expected.

From The Globe; The state of the Celts according to Perkins.

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/11/18/perkins_says_sloppy_practice_isnt_helping/

After reading it my only thought was 'well there's the answer'.

Excellent article and makes me appreciate Perk all the more. This guy really seems to be growing.

Maybe they just need to be slapped down really, really hard and that'll get them to wake up. They seem to think that they can just turn it on at any time, and that kind of attitude will kill you in the end.

I agree with the notion of a team wide malaise after getting off to the dominant start. I don't see the emotional intensity out there on any of the big three, especially on KG who is the heart and soul of the team. Something is missing because the team looks awfully good on paper... and yet doesn't play at the level we would expect.

We are missing a compelling rallying cry which causes the team to play way, way over their heads night in and night out in order to climb to the mountain top, to be willing to pay the price, to play championship ball.

The only guy playing over his head is Shelden who has a lot to prove to the world and is quietly doing so, putting to rest his own demons. Maybe BBD will when he returns with a chip on his shoulder. Who else has a chip?

Since KG and RA joined there have been a # of compelling causes that the coaches have utilized to motivate.

In year one, it was overcoming the 22 YEAR DROUGHT, THE UNDERDOG and BRINGING PRIDE BACK to Boston.

In year two it was a combination of REPEAT and ESTABLISH DYNASTY which, after injuries, morphed into THE UNDERDOG and WIN ONE FOR KG AND LEON. That took us further than I thought we would go considering that we were severely short handed... but we were doomed the very moment that KG came up lame. Slogans can only take you so far.

This year, with the loaded roster, the compelling cause is what?

TWO OUT OF THREE???!!!

WE'RE HUNGRY AGAIN???!!!

LETS GET BACK TO THE TOP?!!!

UNDERDOGS NO MORE?!!!

WE'RE SHORT HANDED?!!!

What's the compelling rallying cry needed to bring the players together with a real commitment to win?

GC

'Please, sir, I want some more.'

Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens

Thank you sir, may I have another?

'Bet you can't have just one.'

We need a tad more mustard on the tube steak, fellas.

Those themes could well land us in the playoffs... but what happens after that?

GC

gacracker wrote:We need a tad more mustard on the tube steak, fellas.

Those themes could well land us in the playoffs... but what happens after that?

GC

GC,

I was making a small joke. That really was the first thing that came to my mind, but I'm like that.



May I suggest that slogans are best left to the marketing team working on the post-championship video?

Right now I'll stick with "One game at a time".

gyso

I've been guilty of a small joke or two myself. No problemo.

My sense is that the guys are lacking a compelling theme unless..... "One paycheck at a time" or maybe "T minus 21 and counting" suffices.

The motivational level does not compare with 2 years ago IMHO.

GC

GC,

I do think you're right, and that motivation is among the potential roadblocks this year. I would go as far as to say it's way bigger than the age factor we keep reading so much speculation on.

Regards

Nyc

Same buncha old guys have also KILLED some teams. Just depends which team shows up.

It's still so early. Hopefully we poleaxe Orlando.