Celtics own NBA, Spurs own Celtics....

[Cry Havoc]

Odom guards Boozer, not Gasol. He did a very good job on him last game, his length and quickness help him to stay in front of Boozer and bother his shots. Fisher knows Williams inside and out since they used to be teammates, and he does an acceptable of containing him. Outside of these two there really isn't anyone else the Lakers need to worry about.

On the flipside, they really cannot stop any facet of our offense. No answer for Kobe and no answer for Gasol. They lack size in the interior and will struggle to keep us off the boards and out of the paint. We're 3-1 against them for a very good reason. In short, the Jazz don't matchup with us very well at all.

Did I mention we will have HCA and are one of the only teams to beat them on the road this season?

The taste of that regular season must be nice to you. Too bad it doesn't mean now.

Jeez, I just realized how much like a Suns fan you sound. It's kind of scary, really. Next thing I know you're going to be talking about how much ratings matter.

[DazedAndConfused]

You know you're right, the regular season is absolutely no indicator of how teams will perform against each other in the playoffs.

You know what you sound like? A complete ing idiot. Good luck getting past the 1st round.

[MaNu4Tres]

No one can predict the future. Celtics are the clear favorites to take the East. As people say they have the best defense stat wise in the NBA. But lets remember they play eastern conference teasm 3-4 times a year. Where as teams in the West play eachother 3-4 times a year. West > EAST by faaar. So that helps your statistical categories if your the Celtics. In the West on the other hand. Lakers Spurs Suns are the clear favorites. Its going to be a battle in the Spurs Suns series and it will be a battle in the WCF. Only time will tell. I will say this, whoever comes out of the west the celtics wont be head and shoulders better. It will be a dog fight.

[Cry Havoc]

You know you're right, the regular season is absolutely no indicator of how teams will perform against each other in the playoffs.

You know what you sound like? A complete ing idiot. Good luck getting past the 1st round.

You're the one unconditionally putting your team in the conference finals after ONE game into the playoffs, and yet I'm the idiot. Hilarious.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

Don't bother with this guy really. I realized I don't have to do this anymore.

[Cry Havoc]

Don't bother with this guy really. I realized I don't have to do this anymore.

I think it's humorous to point out the incredible gaps in his logic-slash-hypocrisy, is all.

[DazedAndConfused]

You're the one unconditionally putting your team in the conference finals after ONE game into the playoffs, and yet I'm the idiot. Hilarious.

I expect LAL to beat DEN in the 1st round. I don't see UTAH as much of a threat since they simply don't matchup well with us, and they won't have HCA which puts them at a further disadvantage. In short, we couldn't have asked for a better draw to get to the WCF.

[Cry Havoc]

I expect LAL to beat DEN in the 1st round. I don't see UTAH as much of a threat since they simply don't matchup well with us, and they won't have HCA which puts them at a further disadvantage. In short, we couldn't have asked for a better draw to get to the WCF.

I guess they don't have to play the games then. Thanks for saving us all the effort of watching.

[Deuces88]

There are a few points I want to address:

1. Regular season has no impact on Playoff action. Many of you have said that but it seems some of the fanboys here haven't realized it. First off, I doubt Spurs even care about being number 1 or even number 2 seed. They know even before the season starts that they will be in the playoffs. Duncan does his usual 20-10 in the season but steps it up in the Playoffs as he does every year. I actually think the Celtics try their hardest in the season and they get a nice little best record mark and home court advantage but that does not intimidate anyone. Just ask the Warriors when they were trouncing the Mavs. last year.

2. You have the match-ups a little screwed. Celtics have good team chemistry but individually, the top 3 are anything to about. Garnett had years and years to try to do something with the T-Wolves and there have been times where he has some good help, but he has not brought them far. Ray Allen is primarily a scorer and nothing much else. Being a good scorer doesn't mean much in basketball. The Nuggets are high on the list of PPG, but they are a struggling team. Pierce is the same as Allen. A scorer, who hasn't really done anything with his team until now.

Now, don't get me wrong. All three are good players, but none of them stack up to Tim Duncan. As we analyze this further, take into consideration what Duncan has done for the Spurs. Since Duncan has some in the NBA (and this is a fact), the Spurs have had the best winning percentage out of any team in ANY sport. This is no coincidence. Duncan knowledge and fantastic fundamental ball play makes the team better. Furthermore, the Spurs before Duncan did not really stand out, but after Duncan came, there has not been one season where the Spurs have won under 50 games (Lockout season doesn't count). Unlike Allen and Pierce, Duncan isn't only a scorer. He's a big man scorer, who is a great passer and a great defender. Unlike Garnett, Duncan has been VERY consistent throughout his whole career.

There is also another thing that stats won't show. Duncan has the mark that makes him stand out as one of the greatest ever. He's comparable to Jordan. Why? He is able to adjust his game. Game 1 vs the Suns proved that. We all know Duncan is now 3-point shooter but he made the 3 because he HAD to. It wasn't "Oh, I can miss and it's alright," it was "if I don't make this or if I make only a 2, we lose. Period." He realizes what he needs to do when it counts and even if it's not in his comfort zone, he'll do it. Jordan has done the same thing along with a select few other historic players. Being consistent, an overall improvement to your team, and being able to play outside your comfort zone when it counts is the sign of a top-notch player.

3. Actual match-ups:
Bowen vs Ray Allen - This is simple. Bowen is going to give Allen a major headache throughout the whole game. Allen isn't going to get many comfortable shots as Bowen is going to pester him all day. Since Allen is primarily a scorer, if he doesn't get going early, he's not going to be of much use later on.

Parker vs Rondo - Really, Parker is going to blow past this guy all day. Parker improves each year and once he gets past his guy, he has a great ability of getting to the basket even against a zone defense. He has way more experience in this area than Rondo. So even if Rondo gets past Parker, he still has to get through a tough defensive team. Duncan isn't going to allow him any easy lay-ups.

Ginobli vs Pierce - This seems simple enough. They'll score on each other constantly. Pierce cannot stop Ginobli (I don't think anyone on Celtics can) and Ginobli probably won't be able to get a handle on Pierce

Duncan vs Garnett - Again, they will probably score on each other, but what will matter more in this series is how each of these big men affect their team. Duncan is a better defensive player (don't care if Garnett wins Defense Player of the Year) and Duncan's scoring is more reliable because of Duncan's shot selection. Also, as I said earlier, Duncan is more consistent and is able to play out of his comfort zone. 2 more edges Duncan has is experience and humility. The way experience helps is obvious, but humility is a thing we need to look at closely. You can reject Duncan or even dunk on him. Will he care? No. He continues to play his fundamental game. Why would one care if they are rejected when he and his team just outplayed you? Garnett doesn't have the humility Duncan has because Garnett is very emotional and will let that emotion affect his gameplay. That's one of the main factors that affects Garnett's consistency.

4. Popovich is 1000x better (as a coach) than Doc Rivers.

[DazedAndConfused]

There are a few points I want to address:

1. Regular season has no impact on Playoff action. Many of you have said that but it seems some of the fanboys here haven't realized it. First off, I doubt Spurs even care about being number 1 or even number 2 seed. They know even before the season starts that they will be in the playoffs. Duncan does his usual 20-10 in the season but steps it up in the Playoffs as he does every year. I actually think the Celtics try their hardest in the season and they get a nice little best record mark and home court advantage but that does not intimidate anyone. Just ask the Warriors when they were trouncing the Mavs. last year.

2. You have the match-ups a little screwed. Celtics have good team chemistry but individually, the top 3 are anything to about. Garnett had years and years to try to do something with the T-Wolves and there have been times where he has some good help, but he has not brought them far. Ray Allen is primarily a scorer and nothing much else. Being a good scorer doesn't mean much in basketball. The Nuggets are high on the list of PPG, but they are a struggling team. Pierce is the same as Allen. A scorer, who hasn't really done anything with his team until now.

Now, don't get me wrong. All three are good players, but none of them stack up to Tim Duncan. As we analyze this further, take into consideration what Duncan has done for the Spurs. Since Duncan has some in the NBA (and this is a fact), the Spurs have had the best winning percentage out of any team in ANY sport. This is no coincidence. Duncan knowledge and fantastic fundamental ball play makes the team better. Furthermore, the Spurs before Duncan did not really stand out, but after Duncan came, there has not been one season where the Spurs have won under 50 games (Lockout season doesn't count). Unlike Allen and Pierce, Duncan isn't only a scorer. He's a big man scorer, who is a great passer and a great defender. Unlike Garnett, Duncan has been VERY consistent throughout his whole career.

There is also another thing that stats won't show. Duncan has the mark that makes him stand out as one of the greatest ever. He's comparable to Jordan. Why? He is able to adjust his game. Game 1 vs the Suns proved that. We all know Duncan is now 3-point shooter but he made the 3 because he HAD to. It wasn't "Oh, I can miss and it's alright," it was "if I don't make this or if I make only a 2, we lose. Period." He realizes what he needs to do when it counts and even if it's not in his comfort zone, he'll do it. Jordan has done the same thing along with a select few other historic players. Being consistent, an overall improvement to your team, and being able to play outside your comfort zone when it counts is the sign of a top-notch player.

3. Actual match-ups:
Bowen vs Ray Allen - This is simple. Bowen is going to give Allen a major headache throughout the whole game. Allen isn't going to get many comfortable shots as Bowen is going to pester him all day. Since Allen is primarily a scorer, if he doesn't get going early, he's not going to be of much use later on.

Parker vs Rondo - Really, Parker is going to blow past this guy all day. Parker improves each year and once he gets past his guy, he has a great ability of getting to the basket even against a zone defense. He has way more experience in this area than Rondo. So even if Rondo gets past Parker, he still has to get through a tough defensive team. Duncan isn't going to allow him any easy lay-ups.

Ginobli vs Pierce - This seems simple enough. They'll score on each other constantly. Pierce cannot stop Ginobli (I don't think anyone on Celtics can) and Ginobli probably won't be able to get a handle on Pierce

Duncan vs Garnett - Again, they will probably score on each other, but what will matter more in this series is how each of these big men affect their team. Duncan is a better defensive player (don't care if Garnett wins Defense Player of the Year) and Duncan's scoring is more reliable because of Duncan's shot selection. Also, as I said earlier, Duncan is more consistent and is able to play out of his comfort zone. 2 more edges Duncan has is experience and humility. The way experience helps is obvious, but humility is a thing we need to look at closely. You can reject Duncan or even dunk on him. Will he care? No. He continues to play his fundamental game. Why would one care if they are rejected when he and his team just outplayed you? Garnett doesn't have the humility Duncan has because Garnett is very emotional and will let that emotion affect his gameplay. That's one of the main factors that affects Garnett's consistency.

4. Popovich is 1000x better (as a coach) than Doc Rivers.

No, no, no, no, and no.

[Deuces88]

No, no, no, no, and no.

Typical fanboy reply.

[BonnerDynasty]

Who gives a about the Celtics.


Suns, Hornets, Lakers.

[DazedAndConfused]

^Ok idiot. Time to shut you up.

Pierce and Allen are completely different players. Ray Allen is a pure spot-up/catch-and-shoot player. He can't drive, penetrate, create his own shot, or do any of the things Pierce does well. Pierce can knock down the occasional three, but his strength lies in his ability to get to the rim and draw contact. He is also very good at creating his own shot, I think of Pierce as Kobe-lite in many ways.

Garnett has been a rock solid near 20-10 player his entire damn career. He's a lock for the HOF. He's ing consistent and now that he doesn't have to be the man in the playoffs none of his prior failures will matter one bit.

Rajon Rondo is one of the best defensive point guards in the league. Let me repeat that, one of the BEST defensive point guards in the league. He can stay in front of Parker and really make him work for his points. He ain't no Steve Nash on defense.

Garnett is a slightly better defender than Duncan. Did you not notice he just won DPOY? With Perkins manning the C spot he is free to roam the paint and effectively shutdown any penetration.

Pop is a better coach than Doc Rivers, but he is not 1000x better. And with all the collective experience on the Celtics, they can pretty much coach themselves. It won't be a factor.

[Deuces88]

^Ok idiot. Time to shut you up.

Pierce and Allen are completely different players. Ray Allen is a pure spot-up/catch-and-shoot player. He can't drive, penetrate, create his own shot, or do any of the things Pierce does well. Pierce can knock down the occasional three, but his strength lies in his ability to get to the rim and draw contact. He is also very good at creating his own shot, I think of Pierce as Kobe-lite in many ways.

You just basically repeated what I said. They are SCORERS. =\

Garnett has been a rock solid near 20-10 player his entire damn career. He's a lock for the HOF. He's ing consistent and now that he doesn't have to be the man in the playoffs none of his prior failures will matter one bit.

When talking of consistency, I was talking about game-to-game, not over the long period of the season. He's definitely not as consistent as Duncan, who has been doing 20-10 ever since he came in the NBA.

Rajon Rondo is one of the best defensive point guards in the league. Let me repeat that, one of the BEST defensive point guards in the league. He can stay in front of Parker and really make him work for his points. He ain't no Steve Nash on defense.

This just sounds so much like a fanboy-type of response.

Garnett is a slightly better defender than Duncan. Did you not notice he just won DPOY? With Perkins manning the C spot he is free to roam the paint and effectively shutdown any penetration.

Defensive Player of the Year doesn't mean anything anymore. The type of thinking there wasn't that he was THE best defender. They basically looked at Celtics, notice that they are a great defensive team with the best record, then just picked the best player on the team.

If you look at stats and take notice of Duncan's stats, he is better than Duncan in everything except assists. Furthermore, you fail to take in the fact that Duncan's post-season play is greatly increased so expect to see more and more blocks (more than Garnett is going to get) throughout the playoffs. Duncan is the better defender. The Defensive Player le means nothing.

Pop is a better coach than Doc Rivers, but he is not 1000x better. And with all the collective experience on the Celtics, they can pretty much coach themselves. It won't be a factor.

Coach themselves? Are you dumb? Do you know what it takes to be a coach? You have to recognize situations. There are times where Spurs will be up by double-digits but if there is a lapse in defense, Popovich calls a time-out. There are times where there is a last play for a quarter, Popovich makes a subs ution for a defensive line-up. Popovich employs certain strategies at certain times. THAT'S GOOD coaching. I haven't seen Doc Rivers do that and that's not the type of coaching players can do because you'd need to be watching the game from a third-party perspective.

[KidCongo]

^Ok idiot. Time to shut you up.

Pierce and Allen are completely different players. Ray Allen is a pure spot-up/catch-and-shoot player. He can't drive, penetrate, create his own shot, or do any of the things Pierce does well.

Ray can create his own shot and drive.

[21_Blessings]

This thread is sucks. Atlanta owns the Celtics.

Lakers > NBA