Are you kidding me, Brian? I totally respected where you were coming from with this thread, but to bump it back up because they lost with 0.1 seconds left to Detroit? Now it just looks like you just refuse to give them any credit for anything.
I'm not refusing to give them credit. I said that they have been impressive this season, and I believe they are a great team. I just want to see them compete against top notch teams like Dallas/San Antonio/Phoenix, and there's no denying the fact that their schedule has been extremely favorable. Now the timing of this bump may be a bit suspect. I will admit first hand that yes, I am jealous of the Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett trio, because I wish that the Lakers could be having the same success, which they are not. The Celtics are a great team though, and there's no doubt in my mind that they can beat Detriot in a 7 game series. If I had to bet money right now on who would make it to the Finals from the east, I'd definetely pick the Celtics. I just dislike all the media hype they are getting. It seems like everyday I have to hear about how great the Celtics are. I wouldn't mind all this if the Celtics have actually proven they are the best team in the league (like the Patriots), but they haven't. Sorry if this post seems bitter, because it probably is somewhat bitter, but I just want to see this Celtic team in harder competition
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Thrilla @ Dec 19 2007, 10:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Are you kidding me, Brian? I totally respected where you were coming from with this thread, but to bump it back up because they lost with 0.1 seconds left to Detroit? Now it just looks like you just refuse to give them any credit for anything.</div> Thrilla, every year there are bad teams that go 20-3. The Celtics are nothing special! Oh wait...
Oh ok, thanks for explaining. Thats the media though and they always do that, they pick a team and ride them. lol I'm kind of rooting for the Lakers at times.
I do think the schedule has played a big part of the Celtic's record. Because the Celtics have played average level teams except for Denver, Orlando, Detroit, and maybe Lakers. Now usually great teams do have losses against some average teams and the Celts have beaten all those teams except Cleveland. I think if they have some more games against top teams like Utah, Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio, Denver, Detroit, and Orlando, then their record will represent how good a team they are. I think the way they are playing has been great, and that they will probably have a 58-65 win team, just not a 68-72 win team or whatever.
You have to give them a chance to play some elite teams before you can criticize them for not beating them.
You also have to recognize that not even all of the traditional elite teams (San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas, Houston, etc.) have been beating up on those easy teams. The Celtics have taken care of business and that deserves some respect. I'd still like to see them go through a tough stretch of schedule and I wonder how the Big 3 will hold up by the end of the season. But those unresolved questions don't really take away from what they've shown. They've been plain dominant at times. ... Yes, I'm a bit humbled after watching the Raps lose to them three times.
In the next 2 weeks or so, we will have a better idea of where they are at. They play Orlando, go out west for 4 games, then play Houston and go to Detroit.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Thrilla @ Dec 19 2007, 11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>In the next 2 weeks or so, we will have a better idea of where they are at. They play Orlando, go out west for 4 games, then play Houston and go to Detroit.</div> I agree that this stretch is going to be a tough one and will probably bring most fans back down to earth, but I still think it's too early to say "we know where they're at." In March, we'll know where they are at. I still don't think Danny is done tinkering the roster, either.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Thrilla @ Dec 19 2007, 11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>In the next 2 weeks or so, we will have a better idea of where they are at. They play Orlando, go out west for 4 games, then play Houston and go to Detroit.</div>Memphis is in between the game of Houston and Detroit But yea, I agree that the next 2 weeks will actually give a better idea. Next 10 games: Chicago Orlando Sacramento Seattle Utah Lakers (2nd of back to back) Houston Memphis (2nd of back to back) Detroit Charlotte The Celtics will have a chance to redeem themselves against Orlando and Detroit, and have some new tests against Utah and Houston. The Lakers game could be tough as a back to back.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CelticBalla32 @ Dec 20 2007, 01:36 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Thrilla @ Dec 19 2007, 11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>In the next 2 weeks or so, we will have a better idea of where they are at. They play Orlando, go out west for 4 games, then play Houston and go to Detroit.</div> I agree that this stretch is going to be a tough one and will probably bring most fans back down to earth, but I still think it's too early to say "we know where they're at." In March, we'll know where they are at. I still don't think Danny is done tinkering the roster, either. </div> I didn't say we'll "know", I said "have a better idea of". Anyways, they made it through the stretch we were talking about undefeated. It's almost time to start calling them the favorites for the title.
The Celtics really haven't proven anything at all. They'll definitely miss the playoffs at this rate.
The Celtics will make it out of the East, they are better than the Pistons. I think at this point, they are favorites to win it all. The only team I see that may give them difficulties are the San Antonio Spurs. I'd put them ahead of the Suns and Mavs, given how both teams have looked less than spectacular
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brian @ Jan 5 2008, 11:20 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Celtics will make it out of the East, they are better than the Pistons. I think at this point, they are favorites to win it all. The only team I see that may give them difficulties are the San Antonio Spurs. I'd put them ahead of the Suns and Mavs, given how both teams have looked less than spectacular</div> I gotta disagree with that. Come playoff time, I couldn't see them beating the Pistons...and if the Cavs get back into shape, and back to where they were last season, I have my doubts about them getting past the Cavs. Also, it depends on if another team makes a deal. We'll just have to wait and see, there.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (playaofthegame @ Jan 6 2008, 06:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>The Cavs beating Boston in a 7-game series? Is that serious?</div> I do have my doubts. Why not? It seems that as of late, they're coming together. When their defense is in good shape, and when Lebron gets hot, it's hard to stop them. I mean, is it that far-fetched? Especially with them beating Detroit last year in the ECF...?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (peg182 @ Jan 6 2008, 06:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I do have my <strike>doubts</strike> hopes</div> Fixed.
The only team I see beating out the Celtics in the East is the Pistons. They are essentially the only other team in the East that does great on both offense and defense, their only real big flaw though is that they really dont have a superstar to go berserk in the playoffs. They are balanced scoring wise but they really dont have that one player who demands a double team every time he touches the ball. Having a player like that doesnt automatically make your team good(plenty of examples of teams try to rely on one player), but I honestly think a player like that is essential for a team to have as a weapon down the stretch of a game. The Celtics have 3 players like that, the Pistons dont imo; however, the Pistons I think can still beat them if they are playing the Celtics in one of the later rounds, since the Pistons have more balance and more depth.
The Celtics record against the top 4 teams in the West? 0-0 Celtics record against the top 6 teams in the league (Pistons, Spurs, Suns, Mavericks, Hornets, Magic) 2-2
