Et Tu, Legler?

There's no doubt Tim Legler has been one of the biggest fans of the Celtics in the mainstream media.  Which makes his comments today on WEEI a little more painful.

“I think the problem ultimately for the Celtics is going to be that they don’t have home court,” Legler said. “I think they’re going to derive a lot of energy coming home. With the change in venue and the couple of days off they’re going to have right now is going to do them a world of good. I think they’re going to energize themselves. I think they’re going to get their competitive edge back up again and realize: ‘Look, we’re not going out like this.’ And when they get home, you’re going to see a much better effort.

“Having said that, they can win two games in Boston, I don’t think there’s any question about it. But then you’re turning it into a best two out of three, but two of those games being in Miami, and you see the type of energy they played with down there.”

[…] “I think it’s the first time since this [Celtics] group’s been together, since ’08, that their defense doesn’t look as quick or as suffocating as it normally is. And I think a lot of that has to do with how fast and how quickly Miami gets to their spots offensively, and how they beat you off the dribble. And they’re getting to the rim and they’re getting to places before the help defender can get there. We’re not used to seeing that against this Boston team. And I think that speaks directly to the athleticism involved with the Miami Heat and that might be eventually the undoing for the Celtics in this series. They’re just not athletic enough to deal with this.”

Ouch. 

The Heat are definitely more athletic.  But is it really too much for the C's?  Will the return of Shaq change things?  

I know some of my optimism is blind faith.  But I know there's solid basketball behind it too.  I know the Celtics can correct their mistakes and win this thing.  I know it's not just athleticism.  I know it's about the Celtics coming together and executing better.