Most times, losing in the playoffs brings a measure of frustration and regret, and fear that the momentum of the series may have shifted.
But sometimes, losing can be a good thing.
That’s how I feel after the C’s took one on the jaw from the Hawks in Game 3 on Saturday night. No disrespect to the Hawks, but there is approximately a 0.0067 percent chance of Atlanta actually putting together three more games like that fast-breaking and alley-ooping clinic they just put on, and even less of a chance that the Celts duplicate their overall listless effort in another game in this series. But I’m fine with the loss, for three reasons:
First, despite Atlanta’s insane and unsustainable three-point shooting (10 for 18, 56 percent), the main reason for the outcome had less to do with the Hawks' play than with a pretty lackluster effort on the C's part in the first and third quarters. In short, it looked like the C’s assumed they could bring it down a notch and still win handily. You could see it on their faces and in their body language.
This wasn’t the same pumped-up team that came charging out of the tunnel in Game 1. And even though they’re playing the worst playoff team in the field, that attitude doesn’t fly in the playoffs. It’s better to learn that now than against a Cleveland, Orlando, or Detroit (or ... Philly, if you believe they can take down Detroit in a best-of-three). As Doc Rivers pointed out after the loss, this team hasn’t won anything yet as a team. Saturday night’s loss to Atlanta (which, by the way, was the C’s first loss to a sub-.500 team since a Jan. 9 loss to Charlotte) provided a good reminder of that.
Second, the C’s haven’t played their starters regular minutes against a quality team since a loss to Washington almost three weeks ago. (The Hawks played so poorly in the first two games of this series that those games don’t qualify as being against a “quality opponent.”) They played out the string of the regular season just hoping not to get hurt, and the first two games of the playoffs were so one-sided it was hard to think they were actually growing much as a team this series. Basically, the Celts have been stagnating for almost a month. Now they have not only increased motivation to get better (and extra motivation for Pierce ... thanks Al Horford!), but a much improved opponent to cut their teeth on before the later rounds of the playoffs. If they had easily breezed through this season in four games without any resistance from the Hawks, it wouldn’t necessarily prepare them for what they’ll face in round 2.
Third, if the C’s swept the Hawks in four, then they would have had to endure around a week of time off before the next round. I don’t ever think those kind of long layoffs are good (As an aside, is there anything more painful than the unnecessary drawing out of playoff series? We can’t have three games in four days? The NBA playoff schedule needs to be fixed) Now, at least the C’s will be playing an actual NBA team into the middle of next week, instead of having a week of intra-squad scrimmages.
Although I hate to see the C’s lose any game, let alone a playoff game, I didn’t lose any sleep over it. If there’s anything they have shown this year, it’s that if the lose, they come out the next day with a renewed focus. They rarely lose the same way twice. If teams learn more after a loss than a win, especially teams that haven’t won anything, then Saturday was a great learning experience and a necessary growth step if they hope to cut down the nets in June.
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Cut down the nets, makes a coach cringe. Atlanta has a very good young and not so young talented team, taking them lightly will end of with another loss. The teams in the NBA are talented and each must be attacked with vigor. The Celts should return to team ball and good defense and rebounding in order to have their best chance to win.
Too many outside shots, no one driving to the basket the way they should, passing lackluster, just settling for whatever and trying to just get it done but not working hard.
Tonight's game will be different. The Celts will keep their mouths shut before game time, Atlanta will not. The game will start and Pierce and Garnett will play great basketball to just shut them up. Maybe losing was a good thing, every now and then a good team needs a slap to get them riled up. Not only that, they can win it at home in front of a crowd that has supported them all year.
I do think the celtics will wake up in game 4 and come out with season opener like intensity, (look for paul to be agressive early taking it strong to the hoop). But i dont look at it like "a good thing" or well benefit by losing in the long run. The worst thing is to give a young stupid team hope, the hawks now think they can win because they have. Before game 3 win, atlanta was 0-5 this year vs the cs. They had no evidence to think they could hang with the cs let alone actually beat them. You must have a killer instinct, if cs win game 3 its over atlanta gives up and we sweep, now atlanta is 1 win from being even. Im not worried about atlanta they are simply overmatched, but when the cs play the better teams later in the round that killer instinct must be there. And if u cant put away the weaker teams itll be harder to put away the better ones.
How many wake up calls does this team need???? Another lackluster performance by the C's. Outplayed, outhustled, outshot by a very athletic team. Joe Johnson?! Garnett was a no show for Minn. in their playoffs. Same thing here.
What do you all have to say now? LOLOLOLOLOL!
Yes. Most of you were right.. Boston came out with the "I am pissed" attitude.. They were up 16-3.. What happened? The Hawks did not crumble.. Amazing, even to me ( a long time Hawks fan).. I really thought to myself, "Man we pissed them off in Game 3.. They are gonna blow up.." But, the Hawks took the best the Celtics could give... I don't know.. I keep feeling a sort of "Destiny" here.. No offense, but I can now see the Hawks winning this series..
kregar
HAHAHHAHA BOSTON U WILL BE HURT LIKE U WERE WAITNG ON THE PATRIOTS TO GO UNDEFEATED GO HAWKS!!!!! THE HAWKS WILL BEAT THE CELTIC IN 6 THE CELTICS HAVE MESSED UP BY TAKING THE HAWKS LIGHTLY
Be afraid... be very afraid! We took your best punch and your best 3 point shooting and still got the win.
Um, Celtics fans, exactly what has your team or any of its stars ever done in the playoffs? Tonight was hilarious.
bwahahahahahahah, bwoston, the city of heartbreaking chokers.
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