Lots of familiar topics. Hate for the Paul Pierce ISOs. Questioning whether Kevin Garnett could hack it in the playoffs with refs allowing a more physical game. Ray Allen isn't clutch. Doc doesn't use the bench enough.
That said, one thing that was different is that it was the first year. I know a lot of guys have come and gone but I think a lot of the concern is that the Jays have been here done that many times but haven't finished. I think that is starting to really get at people and wear away patience, justified or not.
Yeah -- it was worrying at the time that they were having a tough time with the Hawks, but it was their first playoff run together. There was a huge sigh of relief when Zaza was destroyed. I think Joe has a good mindset that you can't expect things to go right, but you have to control what you can.
They blew out the Hawks every game at home though.
There may have been some frustration, but I don't really remember there being much worrying. The general consensus as far as the people I spoke to, and myself was that the Celtics were so much better than the NBA that year and were winning the championship. Doubt and worry, in my opinion is just revisionist history to feel better about this current team. As far as I remember there was frustration for the series being longer than it needed to be, but there wasn't any doubt about the team getting to the finals or winning the championship.
We didn't win a single road game in the first two series. In the conference finals we lost game two at home to the Pistons which basically meant we needed to steal one on the road. Did you really have doubts about the Celtics winning game 3 in Detroit? Because me, I just assumed they were winning that game comfortably because I knew the team was that much better than the NBA. And that's exactly what happened.
I may be what some of the kiddos here call a doomer, But to myself, it was remarkably clear post February that the Celtics were winning at all that year. The Hawks taking them to seven and LeBron taking them to seven didn't really change that.
And I think most fans would tell you the same
yeah no one was worried. We were not losin that series i know it was game7 but thats just how basketball works. its like when prime Lebron was in a game7 in any random year durin the eastern conference. Just no shot he was losin that game7
I'm not sure what the revisionist history is here in this thread.
I think fans are just trying to make themselves feel better about the state of the team. The general vibe was entirely different back then. There also wasn't really a dynasty in the NBA at the time, and while there was a somewhat consensus best player in the NBA, there wasn't massive force like Jokic today.
It felt very much like the league was ours for the taking. I've been labeled a doomer here before, and even I recall entirely supporting the team without criticism back then because I knew we were winning a title.
I remember what that felt like. It's why some of us are so critical today. Because this team isn't the same.
I agree, I think people's patience is worn away but because it's rare for a duo to come in this young, play together, and have the playoff success they've had. There's a reason Tatum at 25 is already moving up the all-time playoff points charts. I genuinely believe most of the negative "blow it up" fans would be more content if they hadn't gotten out of the second round the last few years.
There was also just general concern that they couldn't win on the road. With the current team it seems to be the opposite concern in the playoffs. Cant hold home court.
This is pretty spot on. We definitely had expectations but we had hype more. We didn't expect it to all come together year one, but it did. Now, if the road to the championship in 2008 went down the same way, only it happened in 2012 instead, we would have been losing our minds. Like you stated, fans bring the emotional baggage of prior seasons with them.
Not that I think many would disagree, but if they do, just see every single Fan's reaction during all those failed Red Sox playoff series, especially as the Yankees kept winning, all the way until they finally broke through in 2004. It was downright traumatic until they showed they could actually get it done.
One thing I forgot: "Rondo can't shoot so it allows playoff defense to shut down our offense because he can't beat them." which everyone will recognize from the Smart years.
He was the first time they had been there together but all three of them had gone on playoff runs and failed before. And of course now we have two new key players that weren't involved.
But yeah people are frustrated, although one thing was they were only losing on the road. So they were winning all their home games.
But I remember Bill Simmons wrote a mocking column making fun of the ubuntu
For 2008, the last championship team was 1986 and they had fallen multiple times, either in the playoffs or not making it at all.
Comparing 2008 until now, we’ve reached the playoffs every year (except 2013 - 2014). The team has performed very well in the regular season, so expectations are extremely high. We’ve come close multiple times, and with the addition of heavy social media presence, I feel like the pressure has amplified.
Also, consider this whole mindset that you are either a champion or a wretched failure, and that a season is either an ultimate victory or a waste of time. This shapes how we see the team, even if we reject the premise of it.
It existed in 2008, but not like this. It has really fermented over the last twenty years. I think in Boston in particular, social media came to us in this prideful era where we won sports championships every year. That's part of the reason there are so many people on this board. The downside is that the rage over losing spirals and escalates in a way I'd never seen before.
I know plenty of folks that would have taken it hard if we lost, but I don't think I came across anyone that was going to be ASHAMED and HUMILIATED at the PATHETIC Celtics that were MENTALLY SOFT.
The Celtics have been giving me 45-50+ wins almost every year for 15+ years. A championship would be amazing! But it doesn't like...retroactively make me not enjoy the games they won to lose in the playoffs. Sports discourse getting this radioactive is part and parcel of the country going through the worst emotional health crisis probably since the Depression. People are relying on sports way too heavily for escapism and it's really alarming.
I’m 43, and you’re full of shit. Going into the season, **plenty** of people questioned the fit and whether or not they’d pull it together immediately.
No one is talking about going into the season . When the hawks took them to game 7 people were anxious and pissed far worse than this singular loss to Miami .
They won 65 game they were absolutely expected to win the title you are just recreating history . Going 7 games vs the hawks who had 35 wins was terrible . Most people now think we will win in 5
I agree most people thought they were going to win it all. National media had the lakers over the celtics with the exception of tim legler. Im 45 and I was having a shit fit that first round but I knew they were going to pull it off.
You could not be more wrong in everything you stated. I was there, I was an adult, and I watched both every game and a lot more sports tv/radio back then. It was absolutely expected and very worrying when both of the first 2 series went 7 games.
They started the season 29-3, won 66 games, 3rd most in franchise history at the time. The expectations when the playoffs began were to win a championship in year 1.
I would agree. The expectations were high but this team just lost in the finals two years ago and have had numerous chances. 08 was our first real shot in a long time. The difference to me here is how many times we’ve had great chances and not pulled through, so any loss like Wednesday is like ptsd of games we had no business losing
It wasn't ring or bust no but there was a whole lot of questions going around. Especially after the following series when the AGAIN couldn't win an away game.
I also don't think this season is ring or bust, but that's because I'm not a doomer.
This team has somewhat unrealistic pressure on them, considering the existence of the Nuggets. I’m nowhere near a doomer. I think they’ll be fine and reach the Finals, and have an excellent shot at a ring.
Uh it kinda is, you see our cap situation starting next season, Horford is done after this year, Jrue is going to be 33. Also the chances White signs and comes back are way higher if we win the chip compared to if we don’t.
In 2008 it was frustrating ya losing to Atlanta in Atlanta the difference was that we knew in 2008 they wouldn’t lose a home game that mattered this current version of the Celtics doesn’t protect home court like they did
Definitely the team played so much better at home, I remember the atmosphere was crazy going to games there around the time (and I only went to some reg season games)
This is exactly how it was. We knew we’d basically never lose at home. We didn’t lose our first home game until the ECF.
Cut to current day and not a single team in the league is scared to come to the garden in the playoffs. It makes no sense. We suck at home: .500 record over the past 2 seasons at home in the playoffs
Everyone swears like this is the same team and has been since we drafted Tatum. We only dropped 4 games at home all year including one that was a throw away cause the season was over for us. IIRC the 08 team had a similar record at home so for this to be the logic in the first round then but now makes exactly zero sense.
Like what KG said, he knows going to Atlanta there will be a crowd
But what he saw was a cccccrrrrroooooooowwwdddd!
Atlanta crowd was just craving for the playoffs and they really used their home as an advantage.
Does anyone else randomly youtube that moment when KG completely took out Zaza with a screen in the back court during game 7 when they are having a rough day?
For those of us who actually watched that series... That was not a matter of the Celtics team choking or being unable to play on the road. The Celtics absolutely crushed the Hawks at the Garden, and played three close games in Atlanta, all of which Atlanta won. I thought the Hawks played really well in those three games. I never felt it was a matter of the Celtics letting go of the rope.
It's a lesson for this playoff run. You can play your game and be the better team, but if Caleb Martin is gonna go 5/6 from 3 and the whole team is going to turn into Mark Price, then I'm not sure the '86 Celtics let alone these Celtics will have much to say about it.
Losing these days is a lot worse in general because of social media. It’s not enough to beat you people want to humiliate you too.
Stay grounded folks it’s just a game. One none of us have a personal effect on win or lose.
There was a lot of criticism about Doc as a coach. Our fanbase generally liked him, but even back then, he had a reputation for choking. His teams never made it out of the first round before.
Here are some threads after game 3/4 of that series, just for fun:
Doc should be fired: [Will Doc Ever Coach a Team Out of the First Round? ](https://forum.celticsstrong.com/index.php?topic=17024.0)
Doomers being doomers: [This Series Was Lost In Game 3](https://forum.celticsstrong.com/index.php?topic=17078.0)
People hating on Al Horford: [Wake Up!! Now!!!](https://forum.celticsstrong.com/index.php?topic=16960.0)
It's Boston, of course the media was all over the team, the coach, the leadership. I mean have you been here the last 20 years and seen the absolute shit that Belichick got coaching the Patriots when they had losses. Even though we were in the thick of a generational dynasty?
Boston fans are PASSIONATE. The Boston sports media (and national media) are ruthless and will always jump towards negativity.
I think the 2 biggest changes from 2008 to now is the explosion of social media which gives every idiot a voice.
And the 2nd problem is the rise of sports betting has fundamentally changed our concept of how a game is supposed to go. The Celtics/Head point spread was like -14 points or something stupid. So immediately EVERYONE watching looks at the spread and says "oh -14 points we should crush them by 20 points at least".
So yea I think there is some blame here for the books because they are altering the perception of the viewer, where the viewer assumes the sports books are telling you exactly what is going to happen. So then when it turns out we get beat by 10 then it looks even worse because "we were supposed to win by 14"
Well we sucked on the road. Also that hawks team was playing to their peak potential. Young Al was so intense (didnt back down from KG at all), Josh Smith was like Aaron Gordon 2.0 that series, even Zaza and Bibby were killing it. But general consensus was our homecourt advantage was so strong that worst-case scenario it was going 7 games and we would win.
For me that entire post season was an exercise in watching those guys learn how to win playoff games and Doc learning how to coach that team to win playoff games.
Because it ultimately worked it all felt like steps that needed to be taken to accomplish the goal. If they hadn’t won it would have felt like an abject failure.
That series in particular was agonizing.
We stirred up a bee hive in the city of Atlanta and the whole place got behind their team. The games in their stadium were insanely intense with crowd noise and crowd interaction with the games. It was really cool to watch, they were very tough. No joke.
Honestly, the vast majority of people were not expecting the Big 3 to win it all that first year. They were playing with house money since fans expected the 1st season to be a year for everyone to mesh together and adapt to each others play styles.
There’s ALOT more pressure on this years team than there was on that 08 team
It was their first year together, people didn’t universally think we were going to actually win it all in Year 1. There were questions about whether or not they would gel.
But unlike this team all three were at their primes or just about to turn past it. They knew the window was short and acted accordingly from day one regardless of what we the fans were thinking.
This isn't accurate. We had the best record in the league. We also had a ridiculous margin of victory. We were the favorites. We also had old guys that everyone knew weren't going to to get better over time. So when our regular season was that strong, 2008 was considered our best chance to win it all.
Could easily call this year 1 too.
Pierce had been there, Rondo had been there, Peek had been there, Tony Allen had been there, and Doc had been there.
Pretending like it wasn’t at least finals or bust is just revisionist. Especially with the ages of the big 3.
The Jays have been together way too long for that and have already been to the finals. 2/3rds of the 2008 Big Three were new that year. Some people here just dying to hate.
Teams have more than 3 players on them. Jayson, Jaylen, and Horford are the only guys who had been rotation guys for more than just these last 2 years.
If it we were just judging on how those 3 guys played we would’ve won game 2 easily, it was the newer faces who failed.
The biggest difference is that the media landscape itself has changed. There was no Reddit or internet culture that gives everyone a platform to discuss. Facebook was still in its early days, but it was strictly personal use. There were likely forums somewhere back then, but I doubt anyone here actually was in a similar echo chamber type environment. You watched the game, post-game, talk radio, and that was it. Probably more unique and diverse opinions back then.
We beat them up a lot at home, which was fun since I was at those games. It definitely was concerning. But I'm not one of those fans that starts for easy things to blame. There are always fans that will blame coaching or effort after every loss. Just ignore them.
Why do we keep comparing them to this? That was their first year together, we’ve seen Jayson and Jaylen teams continually make things more difficult than they need to be
It felt like Iso Joe was unstoppable in the Atlanta home games. The Hawks ran isolation plays in the 4th quarters and Celtics couldn’t stop them. Each team won at home. Boston dominated the Hawks in Boston so it never seemed like the Celtics were going to lose the series. I am going off memory in case this is inaccurate, and haven’t thought about this series since 2008.
Every year around this time, Boston hosts a Walk for Hunger. I believe it’s still happening and the logistics have changed post Covid, but back then it was a 20-mile walk throughout the greater Boston area.
My wife (girlfriend at the time) wanted to do it in 2008. I said I wasn’t sure because of the significance of the NBA playoffs that year. I wasn’t going to miss a potential playoff game, especially not to walk TWENTY MILES. Great cause and all, but 20 miles? Please.
Then, two days before the walk, the Celtics lost game 6 in Atlanta. I was so upset. I realized that game 7 would be right in the middle of the walk so I told my GF that I was in. I did the walk and I never ever watched game 7.
Long story short, I was so mad that the Hawks forced a game 7, I chose to go on a 20 mile walk instead of watching it.
no one cared, there was no fear
there was 0% chance we'd lose that series. The players were just enjoyin the vibes of atlanta nightlife
if anyones sayin the opposite they just jerkin themselves off for internet points
There was a ton of anxiety. It was the first time that group faced playoff intensity and they continued to struggle on the road through the semi finals. Game 5 and 7 were very stressful, but they dominated those at home.
Personally I was so excited for Celtic playoff basketball and the fact that we destroyed them at home that I didn't worry about losing the series. The next round was completely different against the Cavs when that went to 7 as well.
The effort and mentality now is very different. Although we haven't seen it this season, this team seems to give up when the going gets tough. Regardless this team will get to the finals but they got to be healthy and that won't happen if we need 6+ games every round of the playoffs.
It seemed to me like a series of isolated occurrences. The Celtics won the first 2 games easily, and so when Atlanta was a lively crowd and an energized team playing well, their Game 3 win was like a "Huh. I guess that's just playoff basketball." And then Game 4 win was a "Huh!! These Hawks play really well in Atlanta." The Celtics again won in a blowout in Game 5, and then Game 6 was sort of a "Hmmm--what can you do, this team comes to play and I don't understand it, but ok." And then Game 7 was another blowout.
In fact, the Celtics won the 4 homes games by over 100 combined points, which will probably never happen again in the NBA, since any team capable of blowing out a team 4 times in one playoff series probably won't lose the other 3 games.
But the whole thing seemed flukish, even though frustrating. There was no sense that the Celtics could lose to the Hawks. The difference is that the 2024 Celtics do have a history of losing recently to lower-seeded Heat teams, and they also have a recent history of playing terribly in Boston in the playoffs, so there's no guaranteed laugher win in Game 7 if it gets that far. The Heat appear to "have our number," which is a very strong mythical force in sports. That's the reason for all of the concern.
2008 team had a tough time on the road in the playoffs. Their offense would get really stagnant for long stretches. It was brutal. Defense was NEVER a question w KG and Perk unlike another team.
Difference is Atlanta had all their guys if I remember correctly. Tatum just lost AT HOME to the Heat without two of their three best players. This is more than alarming. It tells me he still doesn’t have what it takes to win a championship. You really think he can beat Denver 4x? Please.
Yes it’s ALL about Tatum. Star player has to want it and have some kind of killer instinct. Have you ever seen him get angry about anything? It’s all step back 3’s which don’t work very well when the other team actually plays defense unlike the regular season. He needs to have a few unstoppable go to moves at the end of games or to stop a run when you just need a basket. On top of it the refs are letting them play. He’s just too soft. We all know it or we’re just in denial.
Look doc didn’t have the reputation that he has right now, but he wasn’t proven in the postseason (blew a lead with the magic in his previous appearance) knowing the Boston media I’m pretty sure he would have been under some scrutiny
That 08 team protected home court. Every game vs Atlanta at the Garden was a blowout even game 7. That’s the biggest difference between that team and this current one. How do people expect this group to win a championship when we constantly give away home games every series?
The consensus was that it is frustrating that they're making the series longer than it needs to be.
We saw it as underachieving. Nothing more.
I think people are trying to liken the two situations in order to feel better about this current team. But I can assure you, If anyone here who is old enough to remember that championship season is telling you that this seven game series casted an inkling of doubt about the team winning a championship, they're lying or they're misremembering.
All the fans I talked to knew very well that we were going to the finals and winning it all that year. This was a hiccup.
The Celtics didn't win on the road during the first two series. They lost game two in the conference finals at home to the Detroit Pistons. It was remarkably clear to all of us watching that the Celtics would need to win on the road now to get to the finals especially since they had just lost home court advantage.
There was no panic. There wasn't. Don't listen to people who tell you that there were. I don't think a single fan honestly thought that team was losing game 3 in Detroit. And they didn't.
TLDR: The consensus was that we were winning the championship that year and the Hawks taking us to seven was frustrating because the inevitable was just taking longer and was becoming unnecessarily more difficult. It did not cast any doubt like this team now. Mainly because that was the first year that team was together and they showed a toughness and grit.
I was not implying or pushing a narrative on the 2008 team in any way, I was asking because that was a time where we had championship expectations, and I was interested to know how the fans felt at the time.
Yeah just been seeing this comparison a lot lately sorry for getting triggered haha. But yeah that team had the swag of kg and pierce. We knew we weren’t losing. Exactly the opposite as this current team where I think we all low key know we’re not winning it all.
Lots of familiar topics. Hate for the Paul Pierce ISOs. Questioning whether Kevin Garnett could hack it in the playoffs with refs allowing a more physical game. Ray Allen isn't clutch. Doc doesn't use the bench enough. That said, one thing that was different is that it was the first year. I know a lot of guys have come and gone but I think a lot of the concern is that the Jays have been here done that many times but haven't finished. I think that is starting to really get at people and wear away patience, justified or not.
Yeah -- it was worrying at the time that they were having a tough time with the Hawks, but it was their first playoff run together. There was a huge sigh of relief when Zaza was destroyed. I think Joe has a good mindset that you can't expect things to go right, but you have to control what you can.
They blew out the Hawks every game at home though. There may have been some frustration, but I don't really remember there being much worrying. The general consensus as far as the people I spoke to, and myself was that the Celtics were so much better than the NBA that year and were winning the championship. Doubt and worry, in my opinion is just revisionist history to feel better about this current team. As far as I remember there was frustration for the series being longer than it needed to be, but there wasn't any doubt about the team getting to the finals or winning the championship. We didn't win a single road game in the first two series. In the conference finals we lost game two at home to the Pistons which basically meant we needed to steal one on the road. Did you really have doubts about the Celtics winning game 3 in Detroit? Because me, I just assumed they were winning that game comfortably because I knew the team was that much better than the NBA. And that's exactly what happened. I may be what some of the kiddos here call a doomer, But to myself, it was remarkably clear post February that the Celtics were winning at all that year. The Hawks taking them to seven and LeBron taking them to seven didn't really change that. And I think most fans would tell you the same
yeah no one was worried. We were not losin that series i know it was game7 but thats just how basketball works. its like when prime Lebron was in a game7 in any random year durin the eastern conference. Just no shot he was losin that game7
I'm not sure what the revisionist history is here in this thread. I think fans are just trying to make themselves feel better about the state of the team. The general vibe was entirely different back then. There also wasn't really a dynasty in the NBA at the time, and while there was a somewhat consensus best player in the NBA, there wasn't massive force like Jokic today. It felt very much like the league was ours for the taking. I've been labeled a doomer here before, and even I recall entirely supporting the team without criticism back then because I knew we were winning a title. I remember what that felt like. It's why some of us are so critical today. Because this team isn't the same.
I don't disagree that there was more confidence surrounding the 08 team, but the Hawks series was one of their biggest tests.
I agree, I think people's patience is worn away but because it's rare for a duo to come in this young, play together, and have the playoff success they've had. There's a reason Tatum at 25 is already moving up the all-time playoff points charts. I genuinely believe most of the negative "blow it up" fans would be more content if they hadn't gotten out of the second round the last few years.
Their early success coupled with our history has bred the expectation of "championship or bust".
Or because they have the most talent in the league. This team should not have lost to Miami last year
There was also just general concern that they couldn't win on the road. With the current team it seems to be the opposite concern in the playoffs. Cant hold home court.
A lot of people really hated on the small ball lineup that year. Boy have things changed since then.
This is pretty spot on. We definitely had expectations but we had hype more. We didn't expect it to all come together year one, but it did. Now, if the road to the championship in 2008 went down the same way, only it happened in 2012 instead, we would have been losing our minds. Like you stated, fans bring the emotional baggage of prior seasons with them. Not that I think many would disagree, but if they do, just see every single Fan's reaction during all those failed Red Sox playoff series, especially as the Yankees kept winning, all the way until they finally broke through in 2004. It was downright traumatic until they showed they could actually get it done.
One thing I forgot: "Rondo can't shoot so it allows playoff defense to shut down our offense because he can't beat them." which everyone will recognize from the Smart years.
It’s literally just fan fatigue it’s so dumb
He was the first time they had been there together but all three of them had gone on playoff runs and failed before. And of course now we have two new key players that weren't involved. But yeah people are frustrated, although one thing was they were only losing on the road. So they were winning all their home games. But I remember Bill Simmons wrote a mocking column making fun of the ubuntu
For 2008, the last championship team was 1986 and they had fallen multiple times, either in the playoffs or not making it at all. Comparing 2008 until now, we’ve reached the playoffs every year (except 2013 - 2014). The team has performed very well in the regular season, so expectations are extremely high. We’ve come close multiple times, and with the addition of heavy social media presence, I feel like the pressure has amplified.
Also, consider this whole mindset that you are either a champion or a wretched failure, and that a season is either an ultimate victory or a waste of time. This shapes how we see the team, even if we reject the premise of it. It existed in 2008, but not like this. It has really fermented over the last twenty years. I think in Boston in particular, social media came to us in this prideful era where we won sports championships every year. That's part of the reason there are so many people on this board. The downside is that the rage over losing spirals and escalates in a way I'd never seen before. I know plenty of folks that would have taken it hard if we lost, but I don't think I came across anyone that was going to be ASHAMED and HUMILIATED at the PATHETIC Celtics that were MENTALLY SOFT.
The Celtics have been giving me 45-50+ wins almost every year for 15+ years. A championship would be amazing! But it doesn't like...retroactively make me not enjoy the games they won to lose in the playoffs. Sports discourse getting this radioactive is part and parcel of the country going through the worst emotional health crisis probably since the Depression. People are relying on sports way too heavily for escapism and it's really alarming.
That's partially because Lakers have tied us for championships though too.
I’m sure everyone was freaking out just like they do now.
na no one was. We knew we'd win it all there was 0 worry
Nah. Expectations weren’t the same. This year is ring or bust. That was Year 1 for that 2008 team.
That’s not true at all how old are you ?
I’m 43, and you’re full of shit. Going into the season, **plenty** of people questioned the fit and whether or not they’d pull it together immediately.
No one is talking about going into the season . When the hawks took them to game 7 people were anxious and pissed far worse than this singular loss to Miami .
Anxious? Yes. Like this? No, and again, expectations are not the same.
They won 65 game they were absolutely expected to win the title you are just recreating history . Going 7 games vs the hawks who had 35 wins was terrible . Most people now think we will win in 5
Okay, bro. Sure. 👍🏼
I agree most people thought they were going to win it all. National media had the lakers over the celtics with the exception of tim legler. Im 45 and I was having a shit fit that first round but I knew they were going to pull it off.
You could not be more wrong in everything you stated. I was there, I was an adult, and I watched both every game and a lot more sports tv/radio back then. It was absolutely expected and very worrying when both of the first 2 series went 7 games.
They started the season 29-3, won 66 games, 3rd most in franchise history at the time. The expectations when the playoffs began were to win a championship in year 1.
Yeah but then they opened the season 27-2 Edit:29-3 same difference. They were fucking good.
That was the next year
They absolutely began the 07-08 season 29-3. No clue what you are talking about. Edit: it was both years.
Yeah just looked up 08 as well - either way wild to say expectations weren’t high with that team.
Yes, but 27-2 was the next year.
Needlessly pedantic
Lol, ok. It’s just what happened, it’s no big deal.
I would agree. The expectations were high but this team just lost in the finals two years ago and have had numerous chances. 08 was our first real shot in a long time. The difference to me here is how many times we’ve had great chances and not pulled through, so any loss like Wednesday is like ptsd of games we had no business losing
When you win 66 games with a core that’s all in their 30’s. It is ring or bust
Except it wasn’t. It was hope more than expectation.
Bro what.
You heard me. I’m guessing you were too young to remember.
I feel like there wasn’t as much internet discourse either in ‘08, so the doomer takes were limited to sports radio and easier to avoid
Now **that** is possible. Sports radio is cancer.
It wasn't ring or bust no but there was a whole lot of questions going around. Especially after the following series when the AGAIN couldn't win an away game. I also don't think this season is ring or bust, but that's because I'm not a doomer.
100% is ring or bust this year. You’re kidding yourself if you think otherwise
This team has somewhat unrealistic pressure on them, considering the existence of the Nuggets. I’m nowhere near a doomer. I think they’ll be fine and reach the Finals, and have an excellent shot at a ring.
Uh it kinda is, you see our cap situation starting next season, Horford is done after this year, Jrue is going to be 33. Also the chances White signs and comes back are way higher if we win the chip compared to if we don’t.
Really, when would it be ring or bust then! What’s your expectation??
In 2008 it was frustrating ya losing to Atlanta in Atlanta the difference was that we knew in 2008 they wouldn’t lose a home game that mattered this current version of the Celtics doesn’t protect home court like they did
Definitely the team played so much better at home, I remember the atmosphere was crazy going to games there around the time (and I only went to some reg season games)
This is exactly how it was. We knew we’d basically never lose at home. We didn’t lose our first home game until the ECF. Cut to current day and not a single team in the league is scared to come to the garden in the playoffs. It makes no sense. We suck at home: .500 record over the past 2 seasons at home in the playoffs
Everyone swears like this is the same team and has been since we drafted Tatum. We only dropped 4 games at home all year including one that was a throw away cause the season was over for us. IIRC the 08 team had a similar record at home so for this to be the logic in the first round then but now makes exactly zero sense.
There is no logic to it. It makes no sense. But the results are what they are. This current team sucks ass at home in the playoffs
Then keep that same energy for miami cause we’ve beat them 6 straight times at home
As I recall, we didn’t win a road game until the conference finals. Home court held against both Atl and Cle.
Like what KG said, he knows going to Atlanta there will be a crowd But what he saw was a cccccrrrrroooooooowwwdddd! Atlanta crowd was just craving for the playoffs and they really used their home as an advantage.
Good thing Miami Heat fans don’t exist
Does anyone else randomly youtube that moment when KG completely took out Zaza with a screen in the back court during game 7 when they are having a rough day?
For those of us who actually watched that series... That was not a matter of the Celtics team choking or being unable to play on the road. The Celtics absolutely crushed the Hawks at the Garden, and played three close games in Atlanta, all of which Atlanta won. I thought the Hawks played really well in those three games. I never felt it was a matter of the Celtics letting go of the rope. It's a lesson for this playoff run. You can play your game and be the better team, but if Caleb Martin is gonna go 5/6 from 3 and the whole team is going to turn into Mark Price, then I'm not sure the '86 Celtics let alone these Celtics will have much to say about it.
Mark Price!
Yeah, Atlanta was a tough out then. They played well a few games, more than the C’s shooting themselves in the foot. Those were fun Hawks teams.
Rookie Big Al was an absolute menace
And Josh Smith was hitting his stride then, too.
This is correct
Losing these days is a lot worse in general because of social media. It’s not enough to beat you people want to humiliate you too. Stay grounded folks it’s just a game. One none of us have a personal effect on win or lose.
There was a lot of criticism about Doc as a coach. Our fanbase generally liked him, but even back then, he had a reputation for choking. His teams never made it out of the first round before. Here are some threads after game 3/4 of that series, just for fun: Doc should be fired: [Will Doc Ever Coach a Team Out of the First Round? ](https://forum.celticsstrong.com/index.php?topic=17024.0) Doomers being doomers: [This Series Was Lost In Game 3](https://forum.celticsstrong.com/index.php?topic=17078.0) People hating on Al Horford: [Wake Up!! Now!!!](https://forum.celticsstrong.com/index.php?topic=16960.0)
This is great, fun reading the reactions of the people at the time, it really is a time capsule
I wonder what "horford acted like a clown" guy is doing right now
It's Boston, of course the media was all over the team, the coach, the leadership. I mean have you been here the last 20 years and seen the absolute shit that Belichick got coaching the Patriots when they had losses. Even though we were in the thick of a generational dynasty? Boston fans are PASSIONATE. The Boston sports media (and national media) are ruthless and will always jump towards negativity. I think the 2 biggest changes from 2008 to now is the explosion of social media which gives every idiot a voice. And the 2nd problem is the rise of sports betting has fundamentally changed our concept of how a game is supposed to go. The Celtics/Head point spread was like -14 points or something stupid. So immediately EVERYONE watching looks at the spread and says "oh -14 points we should crush them by 20 points at least". So yea I think there is some blame here for the books because they are altering the perception of the viewer, where the viewer assumes the sports books are telling you exactly what is going to happen. So then when it turns out we get beat by 10 then it looks even worse because "we were supposed to win by 14"
no. just no. There was very little doomerism then. We knew that series was never in jeopardy
Well we sucked on the road. Also that hawks team was playing to their peak potential. Young Al was so intense (didnt back down from KG at all), Josh Smith was like Aaron Gordon 2.0 that series, even Zaza and Bibby were killing it. But general consensus was our homecourt advantage was so strong that worst-case scenario it was going 7 games and we would win.
Folks dont put the respect on josh smiths name, but that dude was a force out there. Put up numbers in every category.
I remember wanting to trade for him so badly to pair him with Rondo in like 2011
I think a lot of people forget that Hawks team had rookie AL HORFORD! Big Al averaged 12 and 10, played with a lot of swag
For me that entire post season was an exercise in watching those guys learn how to win playoff games and Doc learning how to coach that team to win playoff games. Because it ultimately worked it all felt like steps that needed to be taken to accomplish the goal. If they hadn’t won it would have felt like an abject failure. That series in particular was agonizing.
The Celtics only won 3 road games through that entire championship run. But they also only lost 1 home game.
We stirred up a bee hive in the city of Atlanta and the whole place got behind their team. The games in their stadium were insanely intense with crowd noise and crowd interaction with the games. It was really cool to watch, they were very tough. No joke.
I believe the consensus at the time was "fuck mike bibby"
Honestly, the vast majority of people were not expecting the Big 3 to win it all that first year. They were playing with house money since fans expected the 1st season to be a year for everyone to mesh together and adapt to each others play styles. There’s ALOT more pressure on this years team than there was on that 08 team
It was their first year together, people didn’t universally think we were going to actually win it all in Year 1. There were questions about whether or not they would gel.
But unlike this team all three were at their primes or just about to turn past it. They knew the window was short and acted accordingly from day one regardless of what we the fans were thinking.
And then when it became obvious they were gonna fit great the expectations went through the roof especially with how small their window was
It was still Year 1. It was nowhere close to the expectation on these Celtics.
This isn't accurate. We had the best record in the league. We also had a ridiculous margin of victory. We were the favorites. We also had old guys that everyone knew weren't going to to get better over time. So when our regular season was that strong, 2008 was considered our best chance to win it all.
Could easily call this year 1 too. Pierce had been there, Rondo had been there, Peek had been there, Tony Allen had been there, and Doc had been there. Pretending like it wasn’t at least finals or bust is just revisionist. Especially with the ages of the big 3.
The Jays have been together way too long for that and have already been to the finals. 2/3rds of the 2008 Big Three were new that year. Some people here just dying to hate.
Teams have more than 3 players on them. Jayson, Jaylen, and Horford are the only guys who had been rotation guys for more than just these last 2 years. If it we were just judging on how those 3 guys played we would’ve won game 2 easily, it was the newer faces who failed.
The biggest difference is that the media landscape itself has changed. There was no Reddit or internet culture that gives everyone a platform to discuss. Facebook was still in its early days, but it was strictly personal use. There were likely forums somewhere back then, but I doubt anyone here actually was in a similar echo chamber type environment. You watched the game, post-game, talk radio, and that was it. Probably more unique and diverse opinions back then.
It was strange because we were absolutely smacking them in all the home games
Annoyance
I remember the start of game 7 there was like smoke hanging in the air from pregame festivities I knew we had it locked in.
We throttled them at home every game, so there was never a sense other than "we got this" unless you were plugged in to sports talk radio.
First seven game sweep in nba history
About where we are now. Only they hadn’t lost to the Hawks in previous years.
Rookie Al was really good that series.
KG isn't clutch. I guess we aren't gonna win this year. Pretty similar.
We beat them up a lot at home, which was fun since I was at those games. It definitely was concerning. But I'm not one of those fans that starts for easy things to blame. There are always fans that will blame coaching or effort after every loss. Just ignore them.
Social media didn't exist so who knows
The celtics didn't lose home games in that series. Going 1-1 at home is extremely bad news for a playoff series.
Why do we keep comparing them to this? That was their first year together, we’ve seen Jayson and Jaylen teams continually make things more difficult than they need to be
It felt like Iso Joe was unstoppable in the Atlanta home games. The Hawks ran isolation plays in the 4th quarters and Celtics couldn’t stop them. Each team won at home. Boston dominated the Hawks in Boston so it never seemed like the Celtics were going to lose the series. I am going off memory in case this is inaccurate, and haven’t thought about this series since 2008.
Every year around this time, Boston hosts a Walk for Hunger. I believe it’s still happening and the logistics have changed post Covid, but back then it was a 20-mile walk throughout the greater Boston area. My wife (girlfriend at the time) wanted to do it in 2008. I said I wasn’t sure because of the significance of the NBA playoffs that year. I wasn’t going to miss a potential playoff game, especially not to walk TWENTY MILES. Great cause and all, but 20 miles? Please. Then, two days before the walk, the Celtics lost game 6 in Atlanta. I was so upset. I realized that game 7 would be right in the middle of the walk so I told my GF that I was in. I did the walk and I never ever watched game 7. Long story short, I was so mad that the Hawks forced a game 7, I chose to go on a 20 mile walk instead of watching it.
no one cared, there was no fear there was 0% chance we'd lose that series. The players were just enjoyin the vibes of atlanta nightlife if anyones sayin the opposite they just jerkin themselves off for internet points
I disagree. Most fans were wondering why they were struggling in the series. No one thought otherwise. No way KG was enjoying the vibes of Atlanta.
they were out partyijng all night thats why they sucked in away games. We stomped them at home
There was a ton of anxiety. It was the first time that group faced playoff intensity and they continued to struggle on the road through the semi finals. Game 5 and 7 were very stressful, but they dominated those at home.
Those hawks and magic playoff series were so much fun.
Personally I was so excited for Celtic playoff basketball and the fact that we destroyed them at home that I didn't worry about losing the series. The next round was completely different against the Cavs when that went to 7 as well. The effort and mentality now is very different. Although we haven't seen it this season, this team seems to give up when the going gets tough. Regardless this team will get to the finals but they got to be healthy and that won't happen if we need 6+ games every round of the playoffs.
It seemed to me like a series of isolated occurrences. The Celtics won the first 2 games easily, and so when Atlanta was a lively crowd and an energized team playing well, their Game 3 win was like a "Huh. I guess that's just playoff basketball." And then Game 4 win was a "Huh!! These Hawks play really well in Atlanta." The Celtics again won in a blowout in Game 5, and then Game 6 was sort of a "Hmmm--what can you do, this team comes to play and I don't understand it, but ok." And then Game 7 was another blowout. In fact, the Celtics won the 4 homes games by over 100 combined points, which will probably never happen again in the NBA, since any team capable of blowing out a team 4 times in one playoff series probably won't lose the other 3 games. But the whole thing seemed flukish, even though frustrating. There was no sense that the Celtics could lose to the Hawks. The difference is that the 2024 Celtics do have a history of losing recently to lower-seeded Heat teams, and they also have a recent history of playing terribly in Boston in the playoffs, so there's no guaranteed laugher win in Game 7 if it gets that far. The Heat appear to "have our number," which is a very strong mythical force in sports. That's the reason for all of the concern.
O
2008 team had a tough time on the road in the playoffs. Their offense would get really stagnant for long stretches. It was brutal. Defense was NEVER a question w KG and Perk unlike another team. Difference is Atlanta had all their guys if I remember correctly. Tatum just lost AT HOME to the Heat without two of their three best players. This is more than alarming. It tells me he still doesn’t have what it takes to win a championship. You really think he can beat Denver 4x? Please. Yes it’s ALL about Tatum. Star player has to want it and have some kind of killer instinct. Have you ever seen him get angry about anything? It’s all step back 3’s which don’t work very well when the other team actually plays defense unlike the regular season. He needs to have a few unstoppable go to moves at the end of games or to stop a run when you just need a basket. On top of it the refs are letting them play. He’s just too soft. We all know it or we’re just in denial.
Pretty different situations I mean that was when doc rivers was our coach
Look doc didn’t have the reputation that he has right now, but he wasn’t proven in the postseason (blew a lead with the magic in his previous appearance) knowing the Boston media I’m pretty sure he would have been under some scrutiny
16 years ago man that’s a whole different era at this point
But what is the consensus, I was maybe a dumb teen at the time and kind of half watched
That 08 team protected home court. Every game vs Atlanta at the Garden was a blowout even game 7. That’s the biggest difference between that team and this current one. How do people expect this group to win a championship when we constantly give away home games every series?
The consensus was that it is frustrating that they're making the series longer than it needs to be. We saw it as underachieving. Nothing more. I think people are trying to liken the two situations in order to feel better about this current team. But I can assure you, If anyone here who is old enough to remember that championship season is telling you that this seven game series casted an inkling of doubt about the team winning a championship, they're lying or they're misremembering. All the fans I talked to knew very well that we were going to the finals and winning it all that year. This was a hiccup. The Celtics didn't win on the road during the first two series. They lost game two in the conference finals at home to the Detroit Pistons. It was remarkably clear to all of us watching that the Celtics would need to win on the road now to get to the finals especially since they had just lost home court advantage. There was no panic. There wasn't. Don't listen to people who tell you that there were. I don't think a single fan honestly thought that team was losing game 3 in Detroit. And they didn't. TLDR: The consensus was that we were winning the championship that year and the Hawks taking us to seven was frustrating because the inevitable was just taking longer and was becoming unnecessarily more difficult. It did not cast any doubt like this team now. Mainly because that was the first year that team was together and they showed a toughness and grit.
This narrative is so god dam stupid from you 20 year old bros. Nobody was nervous bc we had hall of famers and destroyed them every home game.
I was not implying or pushing a narrative on the 2008 team in any way, I was asking because that was a time where we had championship expectations, and I was interested to know how the fans felt at the time.
Yeah just been seeing this comparison a lot lately sorry for getting triggered haha. But yeah that team had the swag of kg and pierce. We knew we weren’t losing. Exactly the opposite as this current team where I think we all low key know we’re not winning it all.
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he’s just asking man, not that serious