Ok, so things aren't exactly going the way we want them to. Some people, like John Hollinger, seem all to happy to focus on the negative… like the Celtics 22-14 record since Christmas.
But I'm a positive person. The Celtics are only 2.5 games behind Cleveland, and they've hung around despite injuries to key players and the addition of two new guys. And since we're being positive today, here's the positive spin on a few more things involving the Celtics right now:
- Stephon Marbury
When Sam Cassell came in, he was just gunning like mad. Stephon could have done the same thing, but he's actually trying to fit in. And isn't that what we were worried about? Don't look at the short term results. I'm ok with negative results in the early stages of a positive thing. It's like a little kid learning to shoot correctly with one hand after spending their whole childhood shooting that 2-handed push thing. If they miss shots but used proper form, I'm happy.
The point is, if Stephon is missing shots because he's trying to run our offense and do the right things, I'm happy. It's not about him making shots today. It's about him making shots a month from now. He'll get comfortable soon enough. And once he does, things will start falling.
- Injuries
KG's injury wasn't a case of any structural damage to his knee. So this is basically an extended vacation that will benefit KG in the playoffs.
Brian Scalabrine is going to come back from what really could have been a career ending situation. Really, what's more positive than that?
Rondo and Davis are only missing a week with minor ankle sprains. We're going to go into April with a full squad, and hopefully some rest.
- Home Court
This isn't last year. I hear blowhards yapping all over the place about how we should look at last year.
When has last year ever had a bearing on this year? And even if we look at last year, wasn't part of the story line by the end of the playoffs how the Celtics finally figured things out on the road? The Celtics won games in Detroit and in LA… closing out both series in 6 games. I thought that answered the questions.
But apparently not. People want to focus on whatever makes their argument. Forget that the experience gained from that will only make the team better. Forget that they sorted out their roles late in the playoffs and actually won on the road. Forget all that. You want to be all doom-and-gloom. You shouldn't be.
- Kendrick Perkins
The fouls are still a problem, but people aren't talking about how he's broken his habit of bringing the ball down. And did you know he's scored double digits in every game this month?
Yes, progress has been a bit slow with Perkins, but he's making progress. He's become more of a threat offensively and a pretty good post defender. He's still got things to work on, but his hard work to correct some big things should be recognized.
So smile, Celtics fans. Sure, it would be great to catch Cleveland, but it's not the end of the world. The Celtics are fine, and they're only going to get better. The rest of the league, and some people around Boston, might be in a hurry to start counting us out… but that's a big mistake.
Herald: Bill Walker gives support to Celtics | Grizzlies-Celtics scouting report | Globe: Free and easy | Grizzlies thumbnails | Milford Daily News: Busy stretch ahead for C's | Lakers beat Spurs | Cavs win | Daily Dimes: Flaws with the top contenders
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