Here's a quick little write-up I put together earlier today about what I think the biggest keys in this series are. You can check out the article here. I'll be actively blogging there at CelticsNews.com again.
Nice article. You bring up a good point about Tony Allen, although I'd love to see him play on James. Tony is a pesky defender, so I'm sure he'd give LeBron some headaches. It's not like he has to shut him down, just hold him to sub 60 points and let everyone else guard the perimeter shooters. What the Cavs will miss is Gooden and Hughes and their production on the offensive end. In all the games we've played vs the Cavs, one of the two went out and dropped 20 on us. I don't think West nor Szczerbiak can do that, unless they're wide open shots (and they have the hot hand). Actually to tell you the truth, I like the Cavs match-up better than the Hawks. The Cavs are a much better team, but the Celtics can play with them, IMO. The Hawks, Wizards and Magic are the ones I really felt would give us a run for their money, two of them are down. I dunno, it'll be a fun series to watch!
I believe this will be an easier series for the Celtics and I think the wakeup call in the first round helped. if it had been a 4-0 cakewalk they may have gotten stung by the Cavs. Now they know every series is a battle and not to let up. IMO having Posey and PP guard Lebron for 3 quarters and switching KG on to him for the 4th may be something to try. With the lack of offensive capability at PF on the Cavs, I think Posey and PP can move over and box out for rebounding. KG has the lenght and quickness to bother Lebron. it'd be worth a try or at least occasionally switch him over on LeBron. I think we can win this in 6 games.
I think that some of you might be underestimating the Cavs here. They have three guards who can put in a 20pt performance when shooting well (Wally, West and Boobie) and Ilgauskas and Joe Smith show decent range on their jumpshots, with rebounding from Ben Wallace and, if Andy mysteriously regains his form, Varejao too. Combine that with the brilliance of LeBron, and there's a team capable of giving anyone a real run for their money. My guess is that KG/Perkins will double LeBron a lot of the time when Ben Wallace is on the floor since he is virtually a non-factor on offense, so LeBron will probably spend a lot of the time trying to dart around or through double teams. Obviously solid defense on LeBron is crucial, but leave the outside shooters open at your peril, for Gibson, Szczerbiak and West have enough firepower to kill off a game. I still have the Celtics in 7 though I can't see either team closing out the series on the opponent's homecourt, so I either have the Cavs in 6 or the Celts in 7, but probably the latter.
intersting fact I was just reading.. Ray Allen has led the Celtics in scoring for all 4 of the teams meetings this year. Let's hope Ray gets hot for this series!!
But you're only 2-2 in those 4 meetings. Maybe another tactic should be tried. Just another way of looking at it.
true, Lebron was missing for 1 game and KG for another, a third that the Cavs won early in the year went to OT. should be a good series.
If you wanna know what's even better, they're actually showing tonight's game on TV in England!!!!!!! Pity it's at 1am and I have school tomorrow. Sky+ it is
record it! stay away from the internet and check it out when you get home. or get up early (like I would) and watch it then
I think I'll probably watch around an hour of it before I got to school and then watch the rest after I get back. Luckily none of my friends are into basketball, so they won't know the score. Sky+ is essentially Tivo, but better
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ May 6 2008, 10:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Ray Allen has led the Celtics in scoring for all 4 of the teams meetings this year. Let's hope Ray gets hot for this series!!</div> Isn't that ironic?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (cmac44111 @ May 7 2008, 08:03 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Celtic Fan @ May 6 2008, 10:58 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Ray Allen has led the Celtics in scoring for all 4 of the teams meetings this year. Let's hope Ray gets hot for this series!!</div> Isn't that ironic? </div> LOL extremely!
They're scared. That's pretty much what it comes down to. The minute the Celtics are actually challenged they run away whimpering and then debacles like last night and Saturday night result. They have the mental toughness of a bunch of newborn kittens.
