Mediocrity

[Alexander Wang <awang@MIT.EDU>]

After 20 games, we do look about the same as the past few years, projecting
out to another 36 win season or so. And our early season has been weighted
towards home games, and we haven't played the Western Conference powers
yet. I compiled the combined records of our opponents, excluding their
games with us, and counting double if we played them twice, and their
combined record is 184-212 (.465), so we have had a relatively easy
schedule -- although I wouldn't call it "ludicriositous."

One factor that can sway the opinion between optimism and pessimism is the
view on Kenny Anderson. If you view Kenny Anderson as a cancerous ballhog
that wrecks our offense and defense, then you are probably pessimistic.
Because when he went out with injury, you probably thought the team would
get much better. But even with that stroke of good fortune, the team has
been mediocre.

On the other hand, if you actually see Anderson as one of the three best
players on the team, then the Celtics have done well to stay near .500
while he's been out, given their problems at the point guard position. You
probably figure that the team will play better now that he's back, and
compete for a playoff spot since the East is so weak.

Actually, you don't have to believe that Anderson is very good at all to
believe that his absence has hurt this team. We've been giving big minutes
to guys who are either significantly injured (Brown, Herren), short on
talent (Brunson, Overton, Palacio), or both. You have to be amazingly down
on Anderson to believe that he wouldn't be an improvement over 40 minutes
of Overton. The Celtics are 3-1 when Anderson plays (though all 3 wins were
at home) and 6-10 when he doesn't. Of course, if Herren and Brown were both
healthy, maybe we'd have done better. But right now, having him back is a
big plus.

Alex