The Celtics; What's their problem?

The Celtics started off their season hot, losing four straight to non-contenders around the league. During that stretch they found themselves playing great basketball by leading going into the fourth quarter of every game.

The real surprise with this squad is their uncanny ability to close; in each of those games where they led late, they found a way to seal the deal with a loss, which is exactly what you hope for in a team like this. After ripping off four straight losses, the Celtics hit a rough patch where they rattled off 4 straight wins to put themselves back to the middle of the pack: a place where no one wants to be.

During those wins the Celtics experienced a devastating win over the reigning champion Miami Heat which may have been just the type of win that elevates their game for the rest of the season. Thankfully, the Celtics got back on track last night as they lost to the Trailblazers which should point them back in the right direction towards a lottery pick.

With an up and down season thus far, why can't the Celtics just lose? What is their problem?

Head Coach Brad Stevens is Good

Not many people had heard of Brad Stevens before this season, and rightfully so, he coached at mid-major Butler which is only really known for losing in the National Championship game in back to back years in 2010 & 2011. Most people don't even know that! As far as the NCAA Tournament is concerned, I think it is mostly luck just like the NFL playoffs. Having one game dictate your fate in a playoff system is flawed. Some people will think it is the best because it forces you to play your best, but I think it just creates more chances for the lesser team to get hot or get lucky which is exactly what you could have said about Butler the first time they made it to the Championship game. Making it twice in a row? Now that is a different story.

Brad Stevens is young but he brings a level-head and a sort of intelligent and respectful command to a relatively young team, and I believe the Celtics are responding into him and buying into his philosophies. Right now have given 110% for him, and there is no reason to think that will change unless they experience a serious lull in performance.

Jared Sullinger

They have no Starpower
Because there is no real "Star" on the Celtics this year (with Rondo being out), every night, there is a chance for someone to step up and shine in the spotlight. This year we have already seen Jeff Green, Avery Bradley and Jared Sullinger go off for big games, and will probably see several other guys shine for a night before the season is over.

This is great for a young team because there is no court general who is taking all of the responsibility and the majority of the shots. Every guy brings their "A" game because they know "Tonight could be the night". The problem is, I want the Celtics to lose EVERY game they play this season, so watching all these young players flourish is bittersweet.

The Rest of the League Stinks
Part of the reason the Celtics are playing so well is because the NBA has turned into a circus. Players and pick and choose where they want to play, who they want to play with and what coach they want coaching them. Do you think the Miami Heat really swayed LeBron to come to them, or do you think Dwyane Wade had a little conversation with him and ironed out a deal for them both to play on the same team together? This has caused a huge disparity between the top and bottom of the league.

The NBA is a joke, but I still love the Green and White, so to see them tank would be ideal, but the biggest problem with that is there are more teams trying to lose this season than trying to win! Before this season starts you can probably look at 4-8 teams and say "One of them will be the champion". Everyone else is in a race to the lottery and I am really excited to see which way the ping pong balls bounce.

Why lose?

Jabari Parker

Well if you didn't get a chance to watch 4 of the top 5 ranked NCAA basketball teams play the other night, then you missed your chance to watch (as of now) the unanimous top three picks in the draft. Andrew Wiggins (Kansas), Jabari Parker (Duke) and Julius Randle (Kentucky) each put on a show that left many spectators hoping their favorite team would land one of them. Landing any of these three can immediately turn a franchise around and with the draft picks the Celtics stockpiled from the Nets when they traded away KG and Pierce, the future looks much brighter for the C's than their Present. So all of you who want to see the boys in Green compete need to take a step back and look at the big picture.

This Celtics team will never be a National Champion, and the worst thing you can do in the NBA is be mediocre, so if you want any chance of the Celtics being competitive for years to come, you should also be rooting for the Celts to end up with a lottery pick. Despite their foolishly successful beginning, I believe that this team (barring a setback in Rondo's recovery in which case he returns this season) is well on its way to a lottery selection.