http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/H...008- le-team
Now that the Celtics have performed the ultimate feat of prestidigitation by making the Magic disappear, they have returned to the Finals for the second time in three years. It’s only natural, then, to compare this team with Boston’s 2008 championship squad.
POINT GUARD: Rajon Rondo’s game has made quantum leaps in two years. He’s now both more controlled and more aggressive, and his jumper is vastly improved. Also, Rondo no longer forces nearly as many drives, shots or passes as he used to. Back then, Rondo was a wildly talented, and somewhat uncoachable, force of nature who only wanted to run, run, and keep on running. These days, he can pick his spots, and has the maturity and the know-how to masterfully orchestrate the Celtics' half-court offense.
Eddie House was the primary backup in 2008, and he was a one-trick pony. He couldn’t pass, handle, defend or run the offense but, man, could he shoot! Not only that, but House specialized in hitting clutch shots.
Before Nate Robinson’s emergence in Game 6, Ray Allen handled most of the backup duties. Allen’s decision-making and shot-making are excellent, but he lacks the requisite quickness, defensive prowess, and ability to finish in a crowd.
Robinson certainly has the skills to excel at every aspect that the position requires, plus his athleticism and explosive scoring potential are off the charts. It’s also quite interesting that Robinson has learned more about how to be a true point guard in a few months under Doc Rivers than he did while playing one season under Larry Brown, two seasons for Isiah Thomas, and one season-plus for Mike D’Antoni.
Because of Rondo’s development, the current Celtics are much better at the point. If Robinson’s performance in Game 6 is a harbinger of what he will do in the Finals, then the advantage is even greater.
SHOOTING GUARD: Ray Allen no longer has the quickness to get to the rim as he once had. He’s still smart and plays extremely well without the ball, but he was a more electric player at age 33 than he is at 35.
Behind Ray Allen two years ago were Sam Cassell, who had nothing left, and Eddie House. Nowadays, Ray is backed primarily by Tony Allen, who was still recovering from a serious knee injury back then and was a half-step slow. Today, T. Allen is hobbled by a sore ankle, but if his defense is a bit more pestiferous, his jumper remains inadequate.
The edge at this spot goes to the 2008 champions.
SMALL FORWARD: Paul Pierce used to be significantly quicker and stronger. These days he has difficulty getting good looks against powerhouse defenders (like LeBron) whom he would have destroyed back then. But he still has the stuff to abuse lightweight defenders (like Vince Carter).
T. Allen usually subs for Pierce, but he can’t hold a candle to James Posey, who was a clutch shooter and a lock-down defender. In fact, except for Rondo’s improvement, Posey’s absence is the most important difference in the two rosters.
Posey gives the 2008 Celtics a huge advantage here.
POWER FORWARD: Whatever the reason, aching wheels or the natural attrition of age, today’s Kevin Garnett is barely a shadow of what he was only two years ago. The current KG is strictly a jump-shooter, who lacks the quickness, agility and defensive presence of his younger self. No contest here.
Glen Davis still has trouble finishing in a crowd and remains foul-prone, but has a more efficient jumper than he once had. This alone makes him better now than then. However, in Leon Powe, the Celtics of yesteryear had a powerful and hard-working post-up scorer, something that the present team sorely lacks.
Again, the 2008 team has it over the 2010 team at this slot.
CENTER: Kendrick Perkins has refined and accepted his role. He no longer complains when he doesn’t get sufficient touches in the low post, and is now content to set screens, rebound and play bullish defense.
At the ripe old age of 39, P. J. Brown’s defense was highly overrated when he joined the Celtics in 2008. Yet he could still nail mid-range jumpers and navigate his way to the offensive glass. Rasheed Wallace is a huge upgrade, with his long-range shooting capable of stretching defenses, his tricky moves in the pivot, and his quick hands on defense.
In the middle, the modern-day version gets the nod.
Strictly in the realm of fantasy, should these two editions of the Boston Celtics face each other in a seven-game series, the comparatively young legs of the Big Three and the critical presence of Powe and especially Posey, would enable the 2008 squad to win in five games.
You already started a "celtics-lakers" thread, ignore list got. stop spamming.
It's ok. He's just trying to convince himself.
Charley Rosen will do whatever it takes to make it look like his ass buddy Phil has a chance.
and@ namlook for leaving Rosen's name off the OP. He knows as soon as anyone sees Rosen in the link that it'll be some Laker knobslob article.
Instead of acting like dip s why don't you point out the specific areas where you think he is wrong? Oh wait, you need a brain to do that.
We'll do that as soon as you merge this thread with the one you already made. Oh wait, you won't do that because mogro already all over that one.
Two different topics numbnuts. I forgot you are the one with the black hole between your ears. That explains it.
Are you trying to show us all you can link to a post? Congratulations.
Check out the time stamps Ignore. Instead of responding to his post, you create a new thread. Can't say I blame you since he effectively took a huge dump on your entire premise in the other one.
lol Ignore
I've seen a lot of posters get sand in their vaginas here but this namlook guy takes the cake
Two different articles with different topics = two different threads. Now go back to practicing your linking skills because reading comprehension for you is a lost cause.
Why not disclose to all of us what your friends call you: "She-Male"I've seen a lot of posters get sand in their vaginas here but this namlook guy takes the cake
Oh come on Sandy. Two "different" articles posted by the same guy. The first thread is led "Lakers Celtics analysis". I believe comparing this year's team with a team from the past could count as "analysis" don't you Sandy? You could've posted the OP from this thread under the umbrella of the other. But you didn't. And I totally understand. Mogro took the other one completely apart and even pre-empted this article in the other thread. Must suck to post that gets deconstructed so thoroughly huh Sandy?
Last edited by Shastafarian; 05-30-2010 at 10:44 PM.
What?Why not disclose to all of us what your friends call you: "She-Male"
I think Sandy has me confused with his favorite type of hooker.
Watch out, a comment like that might mean he'll have to own you by putting you on his ignore list!
Look she-male, I know you didn't want it to go public that you are hooking to pay for your internet connection and the rest of your surgery. But the thing is, we don't care, so don't get your bra and jockstrap in a bunch.
Oh no!!!! I wouldn't wanna get more sand in Sandy's vagina.
lol Trying to call me a name after I already come up with one for you ain't gonna work Sandy.You really suck at this. You gotta at least come up with something relevant to use. One of the favorites to use is my avatar. Hope that helpsI know you didn't want it to go public that you are hooking to pay for your internet connection and the rest of your surgery. But the thing is, we don't care, so don't get your bra and jockstrap in a bunch.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/in...7111036AANe41w
Dude, you even used your name! You gotta at least come up with an alias next time.
I prefer to not expose my sexual fantasies in my avatar like you do.You really suck at this. You gotta at least come up with something relevant to use. One of the favorites to use is my avatar. Hope that helps
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