The Western White Wash

Maybe it was the old uniforms. The Celtics capped off their 1-4 Left Coast swing with a sour 120-110 loss to the reeling Denver Nuggets (who couldn't buy a home win in late 2005). The Celts abandoned the new-wave Black and Green unis with the bold "BOSTON" across the chest, for the old "CELTICS" Green and White. That must be it.

Or, maybe just incredibly inconsistent defense, an off night for Ricky Davis, and plain bad luck. Captain Paul Pierce netted his ho-hum 29 points, and Delonte West (READ: Star of the Future, Do Not Trade) got a career-high 20 points.

But it was just too much Kenyon Martin, Carmello Anthony, Andre Miller and the immortal Earl Boykins (gratuitous cheap shot, he's really not that bad).

Anyway, this team just can't seem to project an identity from night to night. When the offense shines, the defense folds--and vice-versa. Is this coaching? I hope not. I like everything about Doc Rivers--his attitude, the way he handles players, his smarts on and off the court. I hope he stays and this team finds a way to gel into a respectable NBA product.