ALTHAM - Sometimes it takes two straight losses to get a team's attention, or at least the reluctant recognition from Antoine Walker of a problem with the Celtics' play.

The power forward, who has weathered his share of negativity, generally prefers not to play the critic. He bristles when anyone suggests a problem with shot selection or the overall progress of the team. It's too early to pass judgment on the Celtics, Walker will say.

But dropping consecutive games to the Hawks has made it impossible for Walker to deny the obvious.