Scratch that — even Garnett, the game's hardest-working, most intense big man, seems disinterested.
Take Monday night's travesty against the 33-42 Pacers. Boston was outrebounded 36-29 and allowed Indiana to shoot 55 percent from the floor.
What's worse is that the Celtics still could've won had they not folded like a lawn chair. In the final 5 minutes of the game, Boston turned it over three times, missed three of four free throws, allowed eight points in the paint (including three layups) and gave up two offensive rebounds.
"We became a great team because we were known to do it for 48 minutes," Garnett said after the game. "We seem to be missing that right now."
What about Rajon Rondo? He's shown some effort, you might respond.
In spurts, yes, like when he pulled down two consecutive offensive boards with just a minute left Monday night to help keep the C's within striking distance. That was very Rondo-esque. But as a whole, he's been a Debbie Downer ever since best buddy Kendrick Perkins left. Check out the point guard's stats over the last 10 games: 7.6 points on a horrid 35 percent shooting and 7.4 assists.
And that general malaise from the Celtics didn't just suddenly crop up Monday. It's been festering since about Feb. 24, when Boston played one heck of a stinker in Denver, losing 89-75. Since then, they're 10-7. Over their last 11, they're 5-6.
And the losses have been atrocious — the Clippers, Sixers, Nets, Rockets (in a blowout), Grizzlies, Bobcats and Pacers. Embarrassing loss after embarrassing loss.
And don't say it's old age, fatigue or complacence. Those excuses were for the 2010 regular season, when Boston went 27-27 after a 23-5 start and then still managed to erupt in the playoffs. That team was legitimately banged-up.
This team is plain indifferent. There are rocks with more life.
And Doc Rivers knows it.
"The way we're playing shocks me. Our attitude shocks me," the head coach said Friday after a terrible loss to the Bobcats. "I just think we've become very, very selfish — not just as far as trying to get our own [shots], but everything is about how we're playing individually, instead of how the team is playing."
So what's the cause? A complete lack of chemistry.
Anyone else notice when KG put his hands out after hitting a free throw Monday, and no Celtic came to slap them? They dissed him. Didn't care enough to walk the 5 feet to give their teammate some support. It seems nit-picky, I know, but it's indicative of a larger problem.
The Celtics, even if they're not doing so in postgame interviews, are pointing the finger at one another on the floor, bickering after missed shots or turnovers. They're consistently late rotating on defense, allowing guys like Darren Collison to drive right through the paint for an easy layup — you never would've seen that earlier this season, and it cost Boston the game Monday night.
"A guy struggles, he pouts, he moans," Doc continued Friday night. "Everything is me, me, me on our team right now, feeling sorry for themselves instead of giving themselves to the team and playing."
Yep, that just about summarizes it. And I hate to harp on this, but it's undoubtedly related to the loss of Perkins. Rondo looks deflated, the low-post defense is porous (I mean, Roy Hibbert dropped 26 on Boston) and Nenad Krstic and Jeff Green lack defensive intensity — who can blame them? They're only a month removed from playing in Oklahoma City, where that side of the ball is an afterthought.
Danny Ainge took a risk. He knew full well that shipping off a player like Perkins — the defensive anchor and a favorite in the locker room — could disrupt the "ubuntu" mentality that made this generation of the Celtics into champions. He also knew full well, when he signed Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal this offseason, that they might not be around much.
The risk is not paying off, and the consequences could be severe.
With the way Chicago (53-20) and Miami (51-22) are playing, Boston (51-22) is well on its way to a No. 3 seed. That'll match 'em up against the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers (who beat the C's on March 11) in the first round, and likely the Heat in the second round — with four of those games slated in South Beach.
Fortunately, the Celtics play best against tough opponents. They've got dates with San Antonio, Atlanta, Philly, Chicago, Miami and New York over their final nine. Perhaps that stretch will wake the sleeping giant. Otherwise, the C's are gonna be on vacation far sooner than expected.
