With the Boston Celtics on a 3-game losing streak, there is panic in the seats - those seats being the ones occupied by fans at TD Garden, private homes and drinking establishments. Hey, no one said this 2019-20 version of The Green is perfect. The players are relatively young, and many lack the seasoning and fortitude to withstand the rigors of an 82-game season, not including playoffs.
The clincher was Boston's 109-98 loss to the Joel Embiid-less, Al Horford-led 76'ers on Thursday night. Al took control of the center position in Embiid's absence and throttled his former teammates. Boston's 3-game losing streak is bad enough, but being win-less (0-3) this season versus the Sixers is worrisome. The Guys in Green can't seem to beat Philly either with or without 76'ers' star big man, Joel Embiid.
The season is approaching the mid-point, and Boston is in the midst of a tough schedule this month. But we can't assume the dominant play Boston fans saw early in the season his dissolved. The team is relatively healthy, and this losing streak looks simply like a temporary slump.
Facing a tough opponent (Philadelphia) on the second night of a back-to-back away from home and in the hostile environment of the Wells Fargo Center was apparently too much for The Green. And throw in the frustrating home loss to the Spurs the previous evening, with Kemba Walker getting tossed for the first time ever after picking up two quick technical fouls.
We might expect a temporary adjustment in the starting lineup or a minor trade prior to the February deadline, but I see no major moves in the offing. There is no need for one. There are calls for coach Brad Stevens to become more vocal with his troops, but that is not his way. And there is no reason to believe that would move things in a positive direction.
The NBA Trade Deadline is February 7, 2020 at 3:00 PM ET. Be assured that Danny Ainge is looking closely at the status of the Grizzlies Andre Iguodala. If Memphis fails to find a trade partner willing to make a deal for Andre, a buyout could be the result. The former NBA Champion and Finals MVP would be a near-perfect fit for most Title contenders - including the Boston Celtics. But right now, Boston fans need to chill out. What we are witnessing is simply a mid-season funk. The winning ways should return quite soon.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel, @CausewayStreet and Facebook
The clincher was Boston's 109-98 loss to the Joel Embiid-less, Al Horford-led 76'ers on Thursday night. Al took control of the center position in Embiid's absence and throttled his former teammates. Boston's 3-game losing streak is bad enough, but being win-less (0-3) this season versus the Sixers is worrisome. The Guys in Green can't seem to beat Philly either with or without 76'ers' star big man, Joel Embiid.
The season is approaching the mid-point, and Boston is in the midst of a tough schedule this month. But we can't assume the dominant play Boston fans saw early in the season his dissolved. The team is relatively healthy, and this losing streak looks simply like a temporary slump.
Facing a tough opponent (Philadelphia) on the second night of a back-to-back away from home and in the hostile environment of the Wells Fargo Center was apparently too much for The Green. And throw in the frustrating home loss to the Spurs the previous evening, with Kemba Walker getting tossed for the first time ever after picking up two quick technical fouls.
Danny Ainge to the Globe: “I don’t think I’m looking at any short-term urgency to trade away all my young assets to get some veteran player,” he said. “But we’re looking. We’ll have conversations before trade deadline like we do every year." #Celtics
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) January 11, 2020
We might expect a temporary adjustment in the starting lineup or a minor trade prior to the February deadline, but I see no major moves in the offing. There is no need for one. There are calls for coach Brad Stevens to become more vocal with his troops, but that is not his way. And there is no reason to believe that would move things in a positive direction.
The NBA Trade Deadline is February 7, 2020 at 3:00 PM ET. Be assured that Danny Ainge is looking closely at the status of the Grizzlies Andre Iguodala. If Memphis fails to find a trade partner willing to make a deal for Andre, a buyout could be the result. The former NBA Champion and Finals MVP would be a near-perfect fit for most Title contenders - including the Boston Celtics. But right now, Boston fans need to chill out. What we are witnessing is simply a mid-season funk. The winning ways should return quite soon.
Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel, @CausewayStreet and Facebook
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