Can we really beat the best teams in the league?
That seems to be the question circulating around anything Celtics right now. Celtics fans and writers are bemoaning two losses to Western Conference powers… and a split against Cleveland. But what does that mean, really? Being us, we'll over-analyze everything about those 4 losses to LA, San Antonio and Cleveland. Did we need Posey more than we thought? When will Danny make a move for a big? Do these guys look tired? Is it the flu, or is it their age?
Blah… blah… blah.
Being them… as in the Spurs… is so much different than being us. We've only won it once recently. They've won a few, and they're always in contention. And little things like regular season losses don't mean squat. Sure, everyone would love to win every game. But that only happens in video games. Look no further than last Tuesday for the real difference between being us and being them. Ray Allen had just played 43 minutes… and nailed the game winning jumper in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili were playing zero minutes despite having 4 full days off coming up… and the Spurs lost to the Nuggets.
Can you imagine the hell that would rain down on Doc Rivers if he sat the Big 3 and lost to Philly? Can you imagine how the fans and writers would react to the almost blatant sacrifice of a game?
That's the difference between being us, and being them. That's the difference between a team that has won half the titles since 2003, and the team that spent all but one of those years struggling. The pain and struggle of those years is still fresh in our minds. Yes, we're the defending champs, but sometimes we still act like that team fighting to avoid the lottery.
Yes, I wanted to see the Celtics win yesterday, but I'm not worried about it. It was a great game that ultimately doesn't mean much… not that you'd be able to tell by the way some people are acting today.
Herald: Celtics must tend to Garden | Docked pay fine by Doc | C's squander lead, fall again | Bonner's Granite-statement | Globe: Spur of the moment | Granite Stater was rockin' | Game's crucial play kind of spacy | Camerato: 12 minutes to make it count | WEEI: Let's do it again this spring | Souza: Lost in an instant | T&G: Happy homecoming for Bonner | Poll has Perkins laughing | Lakers hand Cavs first home loss | Nash dishes 21 assists in win
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