It has proven capable of absolutely beautiful bucketry, with the kind of passing and cutting worthy of its forefathers.

But it has shown a darker side with one-on-one forays that turn into 1-on-2 and so on. At times the Celtics have played like strangers, aloof to the fundamental reality of what gets them wins.

Doc Rivers has been left to treat this multiple-personality disorder, and he has done at least a reasonable job. But the people upon whom he should be able to rely the most have been letting him down.