Will Boston break SA's record for most improved team?

[Jimcs50]

The Spurs improved 36 games from 97-98 when TD came to SA.


Given Boston's start to the season, they look poised to make a run at the record. Last year, they won only 24 games, will they win 61 games this year and break SA's record? I think they have a great chance. The competition in the East is really not that good and the West has some dog teams as well, so if Boston plays as well as they potentially can each and every game, the record is right there for the taking.

I hope they don't.

Thoughts?

[lefty]

Considering that the East sucks, I say yes

[Steve-O-Matic]

No way Boston wins 61 games, even in the East. No way.

[coopdogg3]

If Boston stays healthy, they have an outside shot at getting it done.

If they have a few injuries along the way - don't think so.

[SenorSpur]

I doubt it.

It's a long season. I want to see if they're able to sustain this level of play throughout the grind of the regular season.

I also want to see how Boston will fare against the Pistons.

[romain.star]

No way Boston wins 61 games, even in the East. No way.

if none of the BIG 3 is injured, they probably will... Wake up boy, the Cletics are back in town and i think it's great... A SA vs Boston Finals would be just great

[bigfundamental21]

They do have a shot if they continue to play the way they have started the season. Of course, the east sucks and they will pile up the wins against the weaker east. We'll see how they do against the West, but barring any injuries 61 victories could be a lock.

[MaNu4Tres]

Who gives a shit.

[FirebatMIV]

I really want them to face once of the West's better teams. Not pretenders like the Nuggets, but someone like Houston. I think we'll get a good idea of what they're really about then.

Unfortunately, they don't face one of the Phoenix-Dallas-San ANtonio-Houston group until January 2nd. I fully expect ESPN to prop them as the best team ever by that point. Heck, they don't even face Detroit till Dec. 19.

[TampaDude]

Won't matter...the Celtics won't get by the Pistons in the playoffs...Detroit's bench is way too deep.

[sa_kid20]

It's possible since they are in the east

[dbreiden83080]

Boston looks like they are going to win 60 games or so this year in a terrible EAST, fool everyone into thinking they are the real deal and then get beat down in the finals.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I really want them to face once of the West's better teams. Not pretenders like the Nuggets, but someone like Houston. I think we'll get a good idea of what they're really about then.

Unfortunately, they don't face one of the Phoenix-Dallas-San ANtonio-Houston group until January 2nd. I fully expect ESPN to prop them as the best team ever by that point. Heck, they don't even face Detroit till Dec. 19.
Hearing about Boston already annoys me. They haven't proven anything yet.
Oh well...time will tell.

I hope their core doesn't become full of themselves with all the building hype.

[Texas_Ranger]

I don't care. If you ask me, Boston can win 70 games... I just want another championships from the Spurs and thats it.

[meta2007]

So far, they only played one road game, and almost lost! They won Raptors in overtime. Tonight, they will play Nets in New Jersey. Let's see what will happen.

[jmard5]

Anything could happen. It is a long season. If they win 60+ games, then fine. If they do not, then they are exposed. Wasted opportunity.

[Obstructed_View]

There's reallly no reason they shouldn't. I haven't seen anyone say that they don't have talent, it's just that none of those players have ever been able to convert that talent into winning unless they played alongside guys in contract years. Their quick start should be good for the East because the other teams know they'd better bring their hardhats to every game.

[exstatic]

They might, but I hope they don't. That team sandbagged, BIG TIME, to try to get the Oden pick. There was way too much talent on that team, especially being in the EC, for them to win only 24 games.

[meta2007]

Their pg position is not strong. Maybe tonight we can see it more clear because of Kidd.

[Jimcs50]

Their pg position is not strong. Maybe tonight we can see it more clear because of Kidd.

Boston remains undefeated witha win in NJ...impressive start.

[TampaDude]

Boston remains undefeated witha win in NJ...impressive start.

Yeah...sickening, isn't it? :lol

[peskypesky]

I think they can do it. And I think they will be in the Finals. Book it.

[BeerIsGood!]

in that division and conference they should get at least 50 to 55 wins. The question is role players. Do they have enough to be one of the elites inthe nba? How will those role players perform in the crunch?

[meta2007]

I was not impressed by that. Carter was injured. And, Boston's 4th quarter was mess. If they didn't have a big lead at the begining of the 4th quarter, they might lose. I think one big reason for that is their pg. :)


Boston remains undefeated witha win in NJ...impressive start.

[meta2007]

I also think Boston's goal should be 50+ wins. Of course, that will be enough for them to get a top 3 position in EC.

[ludda]

Of course their 5-0 or whatever winning streak looks good, but look how far that got Phx and Dallas last year with their 17 game streaks. Plus that was in the West too. I doubt Boston sustains this for long...no doubt they have major talent, but they have yet to go against a "contender" and I think once teams see more of them, it will be easier to see how to beat them.

[SRJ]

Also, every single team in the NBA hits a snag during the year. I want to see how the Celtics respond to the inevitable snag that they hit later on.

[ludda]

Also I always find that the most hyped team never wins (i.e. Phx, Dallas last year). We will continue to be behind the scenes, que all the "getting old" "never repeated" talks, but in the end, it will be spurs 07.

[Jimcs50]

Of course their 5-0 or whatever winning streak looks good, but look how far that got Phx and Dallas last year with their 17 game streaks. Plus that was in the West too. I doubt Boston sustains this for long...no doubt they have major talent, but they have yet to go against a "contender" and I think once teams see more of them, it will be easier to see how to beat them.


Umm, both teams won at least 61 games last year.

[Jimcs50]

Also I always find that the most hyped team never wins (i.e. Phx, Dallas last year). We will continue to be behind the scenes, que all the "getting old" "never repeated" talks, but in the end, it will be spurs 07.

The question is not if they will win the championship....that is absurd. The question is if they will break a record that I thought the Spurs would hold for a very long time, and I love that record and do not want it broken.

BTW, the Spurs held that record until 98 in TD's rookie year when his Spurs team broke DRob and his Spurs team's record of 35 games improved in DRob's rookie year.

[Extra Stout]

Premature ejaculation forum.

[exstatic]

Umm, both teams won over 61 games last year.
Both of those teams also have a core of players that have been together for a while, too.

I would also remind peeps that in spite of it being an easy conference, no team won even 55 games in the EC last year. You still have to play 30 games, home and home, against the West. A quick look to last year has Detroit, the 1 seed, at 36-16 in the EC but only 17-13 against the West.

[Jimcs50]

Both of those teams also have a core of players that have been together for a while, too.

I would also remind peeps that in spite of it being an easy conference, no team won even 55 games in the EC last year. You still have to play 30 games, home and home, against the West. A quick look to last year has Detroit, the 1 seed, at 36-16 in the EC but only 17-13 against the West.


Detroit was not good at all last year...bad example.

exstatic, the West is not deep this year, there are at least 8-10 teams that Boston can sweep without any problems. Boston already stomped a Denver team that some picked to win their division in preseason. Also remember Boston spit with SA last year and almost swept us, as we had to win in last minute.

I am not a Boston fan, but their offense is unstoppable. They are shooting almost 53% from the field and they defense is much improved. KG is playing like an MVP and Ray Allen is shooting the ball better than anyone in the league. I think it will be close.

[meta2007]

I don't think Boston's offense is unstoppable. They didn't play good defense teams yet. Actually, I think their offense is disorganized. Most is about individual ability.

[meta2007]

Do you guys pay attention to their play MIN? I doubt they can insist it for the whole season.

R.Allen G 48:00 7-17 4-8 9-10 +11 2 8 10 5 1 0 3 0 1 27
K.Garnett F 42:50 5-14 0-0 8-8 +10 2 12 14 6 3 3 2 1 2 18
P.Pierce F 40:08 9-19 4-7 6-8 +16 0 3 3 4 2 2 2 0 1 28

[kbyanks21]

The only reason why they look so good is because they're in a crappy conference. If they were in the west they wouldn't get into the top 3 spots, they're just not that good. And even for being in the east, they won't get 61 wins, I'll give them 58.

[fyatuk]

BTW, the Spurs held that record until 98 in TD's rookie year when his Spurs team broke DRob and his Spurs team's record of 35 games improved in DRob's rookie year.

Yeah, but in all honesty, DRob's is the better turnaround, considering the Spurs tanked because of Admiral only playing 6 games before TD came onto the scene. At that point getting Admiral back was worth 28-30 games in itself.

Don't the Spurs also have the record slide for that year Robinson was out?

[JamStone]

No way Boston wins 61 games, even in the East. No way.


61 wins is not out of reach at all for Boston.

[JamStone]

Do you guys pay attention to their play MIN? I doubt they can insist it for the whole season.

R.Allen G 48:00 7-17 4-8 9-10 +11 2 8 10 5 1 0 3 0 1 27
K.Garnett F 42:50 5-14 0-0 8-8 +10 2 12 14 6 3 3 2 1 2 18
P.Pierce F 40:08 9-19 4-7 6-8 +16 0 3 3 4 2 2 2 0 1 28

While Ray Allen playing the whole game is a bit over the top, I don't think minutes will be that much of a problem for any of them. The one I'd be most concerned with would be KG because he'll take the most banging on his body being the main low post guy. But, KG has always been in great condition to handle big minutes. And, all three of them are used to playing big minutes. Plus, they will have plenty of games where they blow out teams and rest their three stars for much of the fourth quarter. And, with those three stars, they aren't facing the double and triple teams that they're used to facing, and they don't need to dominate the ball offensively, so their minutes aren't as stressful. It's like a pitcher in baseball where 100 pitches with only about 15 high stress pitches for a starting pitcher isn't nearly as hard on the arm as 85 pitches with 40 high stress pitches are.

Doc should definitely start to monitor their minutes as the season gets into the grind, but I don't think it will be that much of an issue. I'm sure Doc and Ainge and the players all want to get to the best start they can. So when they rack up a few losses and also incorporate some of the younger guys more, I would expect their minutes to go down a bit.

[spurs_fan_in_exile]

Also, every single team in the NBA hits a snag during the year. I want to see how the Celtics respond to the inevitable snag that they hit later on.
ITA. This honeymoon will end at some point and that's what is going to speak volumes about whether or not this team is the real deal.

As far as the record goes, if I had to make a bet at this moment I'll say no. And I'll freely admit that it has as much to do with how little I like Ray Allen as anything else.

[YODA]

Not a chance to make it. They will start off hot, then will hit a huge snag mid season. People will figure out how to play this team and all 3 will be burned out mid season.

maybe 50-55 and thats giving way to much credit.

[easjer]

Could they? Sure. They could conceivably hit 61 games. They've got some major talent on that team. There are a lot of ifs out there, health, snags, etc. But it's absolutely in the realm of probability.

Now, the real question to me - if they break the record, is it more impressive than the Spurs turnover or not?

On one hand, there is wide-spread belief the Spurs tanked the season in order to try for Tim Duncan. And of course, regardless of Tim Duncan - getting DRob back in good health was automatically going to make them a better team.

On the other hand, it is taking the import of 2 players plus the guy who performed previously for Boston to make the same impact made by 1 new player and 1 returning player. And there are the potential arguments of conference advantage.

All I know for certain is that I am looking forward to playing the Celtics, and would not mind (in theory) a Spurs/Celtics finals.

[ducks]

everything is happy right now in boston they are winning
what happens when they go out west and lose 2 -3 straight games
does paul start demanding the ball

[howbouthemspurs]

I think it will come very close but no cigar

[Jimcs50]

Hell, I think Boston will win 70 games. They look dominant. Nobody can get within 12 pts of them, much less beat them.

[YODA]

Hell, I think Boston will win 70 games. They look dominant. Nobody can get within 12 pts of them, much less beat them.


come on now, they play in the east.

[Obstructed_View]

I thought Tim Cowlishaw's quote about Boston was funny: "The Celtics would be the fourth best team in Texas."

[Extra Stout]

The Boston Celtics are tied for the best six-game stretch in sports history.

[FirebatMIV]

The Boston Celtics are tied for the best six-game stretch in sports history.

With their biggest win coming against a 5-3 Nuggets team that was coming off of a back-to-back.

Seriously, Boston would be what, a #5 seed in the West? A 6 if Utah can keep playing like they're playing?

[TDMVPDPOY]

if that boston team fails to win at least 60 games then they fail as a team, they play against eastern teams 4 times each in a weak east conference compared to western teams who be happy just to win a game against the powerhouse teams in the west....

even if they win 60 games, i hope they get trashed in the first round and get sweep out of the playoffs

[TradeManu4Kobe]

both teams tanked games for lottery hopes....the record is bogus

[Extra Stout]

With their biggest win coming against a 5-3 Nuggets team that was coming off of a back-to-back.

Seriously, Boston would be what, a #5 seed in the West? A 6 if Utah can keep playing like they're playing?
My post went completely over your head. Ask a Mav fan.

[The_Game]

Won't matter...the Celtics won't get by the Pistons in the playoffs...Detroit's bench is way too deep.

I don't know whats worse, you saying the celtics won't get past the pistons or saying pistons have a deep bench. Pistons bench hasn't been deep since they won the title.

if pistons couldn't beat a one man poor Cavs team they will get destroyed by the celtics in a 7 game series.

[The_Game]

With their biggest win coming against a 5-3 Nuggets team that was coming off of a back-to-back.

Seriously, Boston would be what, a #5 seed in the West? A 6 if Utah can keep playing like they're playing?

Celtics are at worse the 3rd best team in the NBA. the fact they play defense makes them more dangerous.

[DR WU]

Picking the low hangin fruit was never that difficult.

[ManuTim_best of Fwiendz]

I looked at Boston's schedule to see if they had any great team's to play against.

Looks like they have a cakewalk for quite some time and won't drop a game until possibly December or January?

They've got a pretty sweet deal, if they want to go undefeated for a while.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/schedule?team=bos

[Avitus1]

Most likely. If they had to play teams like the Spurs, Suns, and Mavericks they'd probably have no chance but the east is crappy.

[ludda]

Hell, I think Boston will win 70 games. They look dominant. Nobody can get within 12 pts of them, much less beat them.

The only real "contender" theyve played so far is Toronto and that game went to OT and I think they won by only 3.

That's not a knock on the Celtics, but I'd like to see them against more powerhouse teams before I make a judgment. Though it is incredibly hard to sustain the level of play that the three of them are doing right now throughout the season and especially in the playoffs.

[Fillmoe]

No way Boston wins 61 games, even in the East. No way.


what are you basing this on? you know they are currently 7-0?

[milkyway21]

I doubt it.

It's a long season. I want to see if they're able to sustain this level of play throughout the grind of the regular season.

I also want to see how Boston will fare against the Pistons.exactly. :oops

I said during the offseason this team will improve much because of KG and Allen. But I just LOL everytime I watch their game they're up 20 even 25 but watching those 3(KG, Allen, Pierce, still on the floor). I don't know if I'm blind or mistaken about this. But that one against the Nuggets, AI was already on the bench but their "big 3" are still playing. :lmao
And the presence of Melo kind of frustrated was a sight to see bec that was how he got tangled in a brawl with NY, if I'm not mistaken :lol

I just can't believe we still have to wait until February to face these guys. I'd like a warm-up. I can't wait.

[Jimcs50]

8-0

IF they do not lose tomorrow at a very good Orlando, they will not lose this month and will more than likely totally obliterate the Spurs' record barring any injuries.

[meta2007]

Bos 102: 104 Orl

[Jimcs50]

Bos 102: 104 Orl

Well, they are on pace to be 71-11 at worst now.....so the record will fall for sure.

:depressed

[SpursWillOwn]

poor shooting and monsta game by dwight and lewis anddddd turkogluuuu

[Amare_32]

They can break that record. They will feast on the East and hold thier own against alot of West teams.

[Amare_32]

poor shooting and monsta game by dwight and lewis anddddd turkogluuuu


Boston shot 53% and were a Pierce jumpshot from going to overtime. Ray Allen had a bad game by his standards.

[Jimcs50]

The record looks like it is in serious jeopardy. Boston just will not lose, there are too mant dog teams in the NBA this year. Even the West sucks.


:depressed

[BacktoBasics]

Maybe I'm missing something but the Spurs had a 35 game turnaround when David came aboard in 89. Thats a lot more than when TD came on.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

The Spurs improved 36 games from 97-98 when TD came to SA.


Given Boston's start to the season, they look poised to make a run at the record. Last year, they won only 24 games, will they win 61 games this year and break SA's record? I think they have a great chance. The competition in the East is really not that good and the West has some dog teams as well, so if Boston plays as well as they potentially can each and every game, the record is right there for the taking.

I hope they don't.

Thoughts?


Damnit, Jim! Your reverse mojo hexes only work on the Spurs...didn't you know that?!!

[BacktoBasics]

The Spurs improved 36 games from 97-98 when TD came to SA.

I stand corrected I thought the original post said 24 games. I'm quiting the internet for the rest of the day.

[Thomas]

I really don't care

[Jimcs50]

I really don't care


That is because it is nor YOUR record.....It is TD's record, but then again, he probably does not even know that he has it.

:lol

[Jimcs50]

Looks like then the record is going to fall....Damn the Celtics, they threw games last year to get this record....Spurs should have beaten Boston both times this year to protect their record that these cheating dogs are ging to steal....the bastards.

Remaining schedule, that they need to win only 5 of.

Fri, Mar 28 New Orleans 7:30 PM Tickets | Travel
Sun, Mar 30 Miami 6:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Tue, Apr 1 @ Chicago 8:30 PM Tickets | Travel
Wed, Apr 2 Indiana 7:00 PM
Sat, Apr 5 @ Charlotte 7:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Tue, Apr 8 @ Milwaukee 8:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Wed, Apr 9 @ Washington 7:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Fri, Apr 11 Milwaukee 7:30 PM Tickets | Travel
Sat, Apr 12 @ Atlanta 7:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Mon, Apr 14 @ NY Knicks 7:30 PM Tickets | Travel
Wed, Apr 16 New Jersey 7:30 PM Tickets | T

[spursfaninla]

Boston's schedule is a cake walk.

But the east is pitiful. There will be more teams under 500 in the EC playoffs than above. They get an asterisk on this improvement record...

Plus, the improvement record was done bringing in 2 guys, unlike the Spurs record.

Who cares really. Boston can have it if we get the ring.

[smeagol]

Fri, Mar 28 New Orleans 7:30 PM Tickets | Travel
Sun, Mar 30 Miami 6:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Tue, Apr 1 @ Chicago 8:30 PM Tickets | Travel
Wed, Apr 2 Indiana 7:00 PM
Sat, Apr 5 @ Charlotte 7:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Tue, Apr 8 @ Milwaukee 8:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Wed, Apr 9 @ Washington 7:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Fri, Apr 11 Milwaukee 7:30 PM Tickets | Travel
Sat, Apr 12 @ Atlanta 7:00 PM Tickets | Travel
Mon, Apr 14 @ NY Knicks 7:30 PM Tickets | Travel
Wed, Apr 16 New Jersey 7:30 PM Tickets | T

The East is a fucking joke . . .

[Manudona]

It will be a short lived record any ways. Miami will need like 30 wins next year to break it :smokin :lol

[JamStone]

The East is a fucking joke . . .

Of course except for the fact that the Celtics are 23-5 against Western Conference teams.

[T Park]

I repeat what others have said.

Who cares.

[JamStone]

Boston's schedule is a cake walk.

But the east is pitiful. There will be more teams under 500 in the EC playoffs than above. They get an asterisk on this improvement record...

Plus, the improvement record was done bringing in 2 guys, unlike the Spurs record.

Who cares really. Boston can have it if we get the ring.

Actually, the Spurs brought in two guys as well, Duncan and Robinson. Robinson was injured the year before.

[gmanrulz]

does it really count as most improved team when its a whole different team.

[Jack Sommersset]

I swear I was going back to work and then I saw this one. I hate to be the one to say but....... That record of the Spurs should be erased. What a joke. They win 60 games,lose almost 60 the next year then win 60. Hmmmmmm what happened to make "such an improvement" I really do have work to do. I won't even bother.

[Jimcs50]

NBA Basketball



April 3, 2008, 1:52AM
AROUND THE NBA
Celtics equal best turnaround ever
Bucks spoil Arenas' comeback, knock off Wizards with buzzer beater


Chronicle News Services

BOSTON — Kevin Garnett had 20 points and 11 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics tied the NBA record for the best single-season turnaround with a 92-77 win over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

With the league's best record at 60-15, the Celtics have 36 more wins than last season when they finished 24-58, the NBA's second-worst mark. The only other team to improve by that much was the San Antonio Spurs, who went from 20-62 in 1996-97 to 56-26 the next season, Tim Duncan's first.

:depressed

[spursfan09]

Oh well records were made to be broken. Spurs just have to win another this year and nobody will care what the celts did.

[fyatuk]

I swear I was going back to work and then I saw this one. I hate to be the one to say but....... That record of the Spurs should be erased. What a joke. They win 60 games,lose almost 60 the next year then win 60. Hmmmmmm what happened to make "such an improvement" I really do have work to do. I won't even bother.

Then forget the Tim Duncan record and go by the DRob one (1 game less).
I always thought that was the better one anyway, since it was a true turnaround, instead of a "record turnaround" following a record falloff due to Admiral being sidelined pretty much the entire year.

It'd already be broken by the Celtics, instead of them just tying it though.

[Viva Las Espuelas]

Oh well records were made to be broken. Spurs just have to win another this year and nobody will care what the celts did.a la the other team that failed in the boston area.

[T Park]

So what?

Why does it bother everyone so much that this stupid record was broken?

[Mister Sinister]

WGAF. The only record I care about is the one in the postseason, and ultimately, there are only two numbers in the postseason that matter. 16, 5.

[Jimcs50]

So what?

Why does it bother everyone so much that this stupid record was broken?

It must matter, because there would be no such a thing as records, if records did not mean anything, yes?

How many teams have won a championship in the NBA, 13? Well, only one team had this record until now, and tomorrow, Boston will have it exclusively....that does matter...to me and to some other true Spurs' fans who like their team to have records that we can look back on with pride some day...but I must be wrong, huh TPark?

:rolleyes

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I say give Boston that record. Not a big deal.








At least we can claim the record for the most championships. Boston won't be taking that one away from us anytime soon!

[T Park]

It must matter, because there would be no such a thing as records, if records did not mean anything, yes?

How many teams have won a championship in the NBA, 13? Well, only one team had this record until now, and tomorrow, Boston will have it exclusively....that does matter...to me and to some other true Spurs' fans who like their team to have records that we can look back on with pride some day...but I must be wrong, huh TPark?

:rolleyes

Wow yeah that

"biggest turnaround"

is a huge record to hang your hat on.


But hey, as you said last year "All this team has left is awards"

[Jimcs50]

Wow yeah that

"biggest turnaround"

is a huge record to hang your hat on.


But hey, as you said last year "All this team has left is awards"

Man, you do not get it do you? Do you still think I was serious last year when I said that????? How dense can one be?


:lol

[Jimcs50]

At least we can claim the record for the most championships. Boston won't be taking that one away from us anytime soon!


:lol


Most championships from 99-08 is more like it.

[T Park]

Man, you do not get it do you? Do you still think I was serious last year when I said that????? How dense can one be?


:lol

As serious as I was when I did my thing and you didn't believe me at the time.

[ancestron]

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c322/Jet-Bah/3.jpg

[ClingingMars]

lol @ this thread

-Mars

[manufor3]

the words of the day are- WHO CARES!!!

[Ronaldo McDonald]

Did we really improve that year?

I always have thought that the record we set is a little misleading considering our main guys were injured the previous year.

The C's have really, really improved. They are a whole new team.