In every single Eastern Conference preview that I've read the last couple of weeks, no one knows where the Celtics will end up since no one knew if Payton was definately showing up or not. So, now that he's reported and in training camp, where do you see the Celtics finishing in the conference?
From a subjective die-hard Celtics fan's point of view, I say they end up winning the Atlantic and getting the 3rd seed in the playoffs. From a pure win/loss perspective, I would have to say somewhere around 4th or 5th in the conference. Starting line-up of Payton, PP, Davis, Raef and Blount with solid (if young) back ups at each position. That's good enough to take the pathetic Atlantic division. with JKidd out till December, Jefferson is the only player of note on the Nets, so you can count them out right away. The Knicks have too many ball hogs, egos and perrimiter players. Ths sixers are the only other team I see possibly challenging for the division, but I still think they rely too much on AI, and I'm not sure about his health. They have promising young players, to be sure, but the Celtics' young players have the chance to play from the bench, behind seasoned vets and with less pressure. This team has a real chance to be something special in 3-4 years.
I'd say that it'd be down to the wire between the Raptors and Celtics. With Carter hopefully back at full strength, Bosh improving, and the addition of Rafer Alston to solidify the point, Toronto look like they are ready to make the playoffs again. They have Jalen Rose as a good second or third scorer, Marshall off the bench to rebound and score, and Araujo the rookie center is looking like a monster on the boards from summer play. They are about the only team that can match Boston's depth.
^ Exactly. If GP gels and Raef can produce, they'll be a very dangerous team in the East, and could make a deep playoff run.
Just to throw some random action into the mix, Gugliota played better than LaFrentz on Oct. 16th in Albany, NY against the NETS. I was there live and it was one of the most boring games I've ever attended live.
They still seem a very soft team. They don't really have a hard, physical player that is going to be their enforcer.
