the Celtics are for Real

[lefty]

every team has looked like they are "for real" when they play us

Good point

I'm not impressed by Boston

I'm just afraid Stern is trying to set up a Lakers- Celtics Finals matchup

[hitmanyr2k]

They can sweep the TX triangle and no one will remember it once the playoffs begins. The Celtics are a damn good team but until they show me something in the playoffs (KG!), I am not sold on them yet.

It's nice to see someone in this thread knows parts of the regular season has no bearing on what's going to happen a month or two from now.

[Solid D]

I'm just afraid Stern is trying to set up a Lakers- Celtics Finals matchup

Oh really, what gave you that impression?

[nkdlunch]

lol at not even mentioning the Mavs. The Cavs winning it all?

I just mentioned the top 5 most likely. Ok, fine here is the rest of my list mentioning the Mavs.

Boston
Spurs
Lakers
Cavs
Detroit
Suns
Mavs
NO
Jazz
Rockets


happy?

Cavs are way up there because East is weak, and if lebron gets hot at the right time, like in a Celtic/Pistons series, they could make the finals.

Then, Cavs could beat a burnt out West finalist

[The_Game]

And Rondo? That guy has never even seen a playoff series. Yeah, he can look in a regular season game but what's going to happen in May/June when the pressure hits?

They bring in mr clutch........Sam Cassell

[ancestron]

They bring in mr clutch........Sam Cassell

The addition of Sam Cassell really put the Celtics over the top imo. Absolutley huge pick up. I forgot they had signed him until the Spurs game monday, and when I saw him I was like "oh noes"

[The_Game]

The addition of Sam Cassell really put the Celtics over the top imo. Absolutley huge pick up. I forgot they had signed him until the Spurs game monday, and when I saw him I was like "oh noes"

Now we know why they didn't go after Damon Stoudemire. They knew Cassell was going to be available if they waited a month or so...

good planning or another lucky move by Danny Ainge?

[ancestron]

Now we know why they didn't go after Damon Stoudemire. They knew Cassell was going to be available if they waited a month or so...

good planning or another lucky move by Danny Ainge?

unprovable collusion.

[LakeShow]

The addition of Sam Cassell really put the Celtics over the top imo. Absolutley huge pick up. I forgot they had signed him until the Spurs game monday, and when I saw him I was like "oh noes"

I agree. Cassell brings loads of playoff experience and clutch performances to the playoffs for the Celtics. They do look like a team that will not be stopped in the playoffs.

[michaelwcho]

The ultimate factor for the Celtics other than staying healthy is KG being able to produce in the 4th quarter of playoff games especially when the series/season is on the line. If he reverts to wanting to be a role player who doesnt want the ball, we are ed. If he isnt afraid to take big shots and plays like superstar KG, our championship hopes become that much more realistic. KG is a great sidekick as I have said for years. If it is soley on him to carry the team, he cant do it because he isnt that type of player. With the help he has now, he has no more excuses on why he doesnt want to be involved late in the game. The pressure wont solely be placed on his shoulders. Paul Pierce I know has had some good playoff moments as has Ray Allen but its going to be KG's ability to take his game up another level if this team wants to have the best shot of getting it done.

You want KG to try to do something he's never done in his career? As much a chance as relying on Shaq to hit free throws. You already have a closer on that team: His name is Sam Cassell. If he can stay healthy, he's money.

Sorry, looks like other people said the same thing. I'll add, producing when the pressure is highest is not KG's game. I think it's about strength...he's just not physically built to produce when people are hanging on him, and the refs are letting em play (like Nash, for example).

[hitmanyr2k]

You're not "for real" until you win a few playoff series. You don't suddenly become some team that can win it all because you have a good month in the regular season. As of right now the Celtics are as for real as the Dallas Mavericks last year. Any team in the NBA can hit that wall at the wrong time and the Celtics are no exception.

And Rondo? That guy has never even seen a playoff series. Yeah, he can look in a regular season game but what's going to happen in May/June when the pressure hits? Is he going to be the same guy that torched Parker in March or some flash-in-the-pan that can't hack the heat in the playoffs? Monta Ellis looked just like Rondo last year showing flashes of brilliance (and way more consistent) but in the playoffs his game went down the drain. It's a different beast when the pressure rises.

Just had to rub it in a little

Was I right on the money regarding Rondo or what? Now I expect the Celtics to win on Sunday but I thought of this thread while watching the game. And to think, this is just the first round lol. Those guys haven't even seen true pressure yet.

[Lakers_55]

Just had to rub it in a little

Was I right on the money regarding Rondo or what? Now I expect the Celtics to win on Sunday but I thought of this thread while watching the game. And to think, this is just the first round lol. Those guys haven't even seen true pressure yet.

yeah, I have been on Boston's ass several times since I recently joined. no trophy for them this year! They have a history since the Russell era of getting the NBA regular season best record (Or at least, the east) and not advancing to the finals more often than not. Now, every team will believe they can beat them, and one of them will.

[michaelwcho]

Ha, ha, I was driving home from work this night, thinking of dredging up this thread to give myself props. Thanks for doing it... I agree with your sentiment.

Think about it... The Hawks could not break .500 in the Eastern Conference, and they are giving the Celtics way more than they want. Yeah, man the Celtics are for _real_!

By the way, if the Celtics lose, can someone add a "gang sign" to the emoticons?

[m33p0]

i knew this was an old thread coz no fool would be making one up now that they're in a game 7 against an 8th seed. good bump.

[BiZNicK]

LOL

Celtics hype = FAIL

[honestfool84]

Hawks Upset Celtics to Clinch First Round Series

Hawks 101, Celtics 99 F

ATLANTA, Georgia, May 1, 2008

In what is being considered a greater upset than last year's Cinderella match, in which Golden State upset Dallas, the Atlanta Hawks just completed the second first round elimination of a team that had won at least 65 games or more in a regular season.

Al Horford willed his team on one good leg, shaking off a strained hamstring to score 28 points, Joe Johnson made a franchise playoff-record nine 3-pointers, and Atlanta became just the second No. 8 seed to capture a best-of-seven playoff series with a 101-99 victory over the NBA-best Boston Celtics in Game 6 on Thursday night.

"We made NBA history tonight and that's the best thing about it. We did it as a team,'' Horford said. "I'm so proud of my teammates and proud to be a part of this franchise.''

"I wanted to be aggressive,'' Johnson said. "Al came out and told me he wasn't feeling as good as he had in previous games, and he wanted me to carry us. I wanted to stay focused, not worry about calls, not get too emotional, just bring my energy with my play.''

...

i keep telling y'all..
but you don't listen..

[sa_kid20]

If the Celtics can't win in Atlanta how are they suppose to win in Detroit, San Antonio, or LA? And those teams are good enough to win in Boston unlike the Hawks. This series has been great and i've really enjoyed it kinda like the GS vs. DAL series last year.

[BiZNicK]

Another example why hyped up regular seasons means .