Wow! Michael Gee Lays Into O'Brien & Celtics Style

[wayray@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]

The hard hitting Herald reporter had some meaty things
to say in his pay column today about the Celtics style and
O'Brien:

- "This can't go on."  Celtics style is driving fans away and the Celtics fan base will
be eliminated before the team is eliminated from the playoffs.

- People aren't going to pay NBA-priced tickets "to watch heady zone defense 
and turnovers ~ especially if the home team can't do anything else but force 
the other side to miss shots."

- Celtics are already losing their fan base, last night's game saw the Fleet
Center filled to a little more than 2/3rds capacity.
 
- O'Brien's excuse that the Hornets were too big for the Celtics "doesn't wash".
Celtics outworked a bigger Sacramento team 10 days ago.

- "The Celtics must create ugly games to win. It's their only shot. But fans 
only accept defensive basketball teams if they're big winners."

- "Sheer torture"

- While defense keeps games close, it doesn't make for entertainment.
"Close and entertaining are not synonyms."

- "Play was a disgrace ~ a boring disgrace at that."

Well you get the not so pretty picture.  Questions spring to mind:

1. Is Ainge giving Jimbo enough rope to hang himself?
2. Where's the fast break basketball Ainge promised the fans?
3. Do Wyc and Steve in the front office have a clue as to how de-enternaining
the team is?
4. Will Ainge force Jimbo's hand into playing Perkins and Hunter by dealing Battie?
5. Is Ainge smoldering? 
6. Is Ainge aware of the general dislike for the team's style?
7. Could Ainge name himself coach of the Celtics if a long losing streak occurs?
Ray