Can it get any worse for the Boston Celtics?

By David
Kaye

The Boston Celtics used to be one of the premier and storied franchises in the NBA, but now they are competing with the woeful Memphis Grizzlies for the worst record in basketball. The Celtics are 12-29, have lost nine straight games, are 4-16 at home and sport the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Yes, even the Hawks and Bobcats have better records than the team who has won 16 NBA titles.

Can someone please explain to me what went wrong in Boston? There comes a time when you have to stop blaming the Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge for their lack of success and start holding the players accountable. I understand that they are without their best player Paul Pierce who is out with a stress reaction in his left foot, but there is no excuse for not winning a home game since December 15th. Since going on a five game win streak in early December, the Celtics have lost 16 out of their last 18 games.

Now, at some point the young players on the team need to wake up and play productive basketball. After surrendering a mere 29 points to the Hawks in the first half last night, they permitted them to score 53 in the second half. For a young energetic group of players, falling apart in the last two quarters to the Hawks of all teams and shooting 31.6% from the field is unacceptable.

I really feel bad for all the die hard Celtics fans who have stayed loyal to their team throughout this dismal season. Living in New York and having to watch the Knicks play is bad, but at least they have shown signs of improvement this season.

At some point, Al Jefferson, Delonte West and Ryan Gomes need to demonstrate that their actually alive on the court. Individually, these players possess exceptional talent, but when you throw them all out on the same court they flounder. Since the beginning of last season the C's
have compiled a 45-78 record, and based on their recent play that record is only going to get increasingly worse.

Maybe it's time to fire Doc Rivers, or maybe Danny Ainge needs to make another trade to bring along a few proven players. Still, it's unfortunate to make Doc Rivers the scape goat, but in a league that is predicated on winning now,being 17 games under .500 will not aid your chances of keeping your job.

Whatever Danny Ainge decides to do, I hope it's in the best interest of the team because during his tenure with the Celtics he has made several idiotic trades. The only positive thing going for Boston is that their only eight games back in the division, but at the current time all their hoping for is a win.