how good will Boston be?

[barbacoataco]

Not only have Shaq and Duncan won 8 of the last 9, but the 2004 Pistons had Ben Wallace who was a great defensive center. In the playoffs Duncan often plays as a center since Robert Horry is often the PF.

I think the bigger picture is that ALL the championship teams-- Bulls, Lakers, Spurs, and Rockets--- had someone who drew a double team. This opens up the floor and creates open jump shots. In the Bulls case it was Jordan, while the rest were big men. Can Garnett fill this role for the Celtics?

[Reggie Miller]

Nobody wins a championship in a team sport single handedly, but your stance that the center has become less important in recent years is ridiculous. There have been plenty of talented teams that couldn't win because they didn't have a great center. The Suns and Mavs of the last 8 years fit that bill to a tee. The center and PG are the most important players on the team, and if you have two greats at those positions then you'll be in good shape for a le run.

Actually, you can synthesize this particular thesis/an hesis.

Since there are few big men in the league today with a traditional low post game, many teams have denigrated the center position and have experimented with other offensive styles.

For that reason, the few remianing dominant big men around are able to dominate even more easily.

In other words, skilled big men are still critical to long-term success. However, there is an incorrect perception that this is no longer the case in some of the more benighted NBA outposts.

[barbacoataco]

I think there is also a myth that if you have a dominant type 7 ft. center you will ultimately win a championship. The Blazers used this theory to justify signing Oden over Durant. Even though it seems true, not always. Patrick Ewing never won a championship, and DRobinson wouldn't have if Duncan wouldn't have joined him. Right there you have two of the better centers of the last 20 years. Also, Shaq has needed a player of the Kobe/Wade caliber to get a championship. Furthermore, the Jordan Bulls never had a great center. The 2004 Pistons had a center who only played defense. So it is easy to make generalizations, but they don't always hold true.

[nkdlunch]

I think there is also a myth that if you have a dominant type 7 ft. center you will ultimately win a championship.

thank you, that was my point.

[Obstructed_View]

The only team I can think of that made major roster changes and even got to the finals was the Lakers, and they did it by adding two hall of famers to a championship-caliber core with two existing hall of famers. So with four of the best players of all time on the same team they couldn't win it all. The Celtics, sorry to say, aren't even barking at the door. Even in the diluted East they'll be lucky to make it past the conference semis.

[ChumpDumper]

After the Pistons, I like the Nets chances this season. [/kiss of death]

[urunobili]

Chicago is the class of the East in the 2007-08 season.

Book it

[Dirk Nowitzki]

No post scorer. No go to guy in the clutch. Undersized, overpaid center. No scoring off the bench other than Gordon. I think this team is way over hyped and just took a lot of people by surprise last year. I think they will fall off tremendously this year

They drafted that piece of Noah as well.

[ajh18]

The only team I can think of that made major roster changes and even got to the finals was the Lakers, and they did it by adding two hall of famers to a championship-caliber core with two existing hall of famers. So with four of the best players of all time on the same team they couldn't win it all. The Celtics, sorry to say, aren't even barking at the door. Even in the diluted East they'll be lucky to make it past the conference semis.

The 2006 Heat made some pretty big roster changes...

[Dirk Nowitzki]

In response to the thread, IF the Celts stay healthy and play team ball to their best abilities, I dont see them losing in the East. Bulls have nice decent talent but they lack inside scoring and a go to guy. No one even demands a ing double team. Their D will keep them in games but that team is nothing special. Heat havent done a god damn thing other than signing Smush Parker. The Pistons made some nice moves but they lack a superstar as well plus they lost to much lesser talented team in the Cavs last year. The Cavs have Lebron but a healthy and clicking Boston team is MUCH better. The Nets will just be in the playoffs but do nothing special. Everyone else in the east will either be battling for a playoff seed or join the lottery.

Eddie House,James Posey, and possibly Glen Davis could be decent bench guys for them. If the ing Cavs can make it to the Finals, why is it that Boston has a lesser chance? They have 3 of the top 20-25 players in the NBA. Their role players may not be sexy or special but they dont need to be. Guys like House and Posey just need to knock down shots.

[Walter Craparita]

Spurs v. Boston finals would be a dream come true.

Duncan KG
Bowen Allen

damn


Like Dirk said...if the friken' cavs can make it to the finals LOL

[Obstructed_View]

The 2006 Heat made some pretty big roster changes...

Yeah, Jason Williams for Damon Jones was a blockbuster.

[RuffnReadyOzStyle]

If they stay healthy, they will be very good. I don't think they can win a championship with Rondo initiating their offense or passing to the post. Rondo can defend well but offensively, the Celts need better floor leadership to keep the balance with all those scorers.

On the money as usual, Solid D.

If Doc had a clue he might do something interesting like make PP the point guard... Pierce could average 8+ assists passing to KG and Ray. However, Doc is an idiot, so probably not.

Also, no way I'd play the 3 stars together much until the 4th quarter, much like we do - I'd have a lot of Rondo/House getting it to KG in the post with Ray Ray waiting on the weak-side to hit open 3s, and a lot of PP driving and dishing to Ray, and some KG out there surrounded by 3 pt shooters. It'll be interesting to see how they use their guys, but their glaring weaknesses are obviously starting PG, and the bench.

[hater]

The only team I can think of that made major roster changes and even got to the finals was the Lakers, and they did it by adding two hall of famers to a championship-caliber core with two existing hall of famers. So with four of the best players of all time on the same team they couldn't win it all. The Celtics, sorry to say, aren't even barking at the door. Even in the diluted East they'll be lucky to make it past the conference semis.

you cannot compare the Western conference at that time with this sorry ass East.

The cavs made the finals, comeon. The Bulls have not proven anything in the last few years and they are the favorites? that's because the East sucks. So Boston has a good chance.

[JamStone]

Why does the second choice in the poll assume the Spurs will be in the Finals next year?

[hater]

Why does the second choice in the poll assume the Spurs will be in the Finals next year?

because that's the way we roll

[Scola Trade]

If the 3 bigs stay healthy through playoffs, they'll win the Easter Conf. Book it!!

[barbacoataco]

To mix this gumbo the right way, the celtics would need a good cook (coach.) A little garnett here, a little Pierce here, Ray Allen waiting around to pounce. Like someone else posted, waiting till the 4th quarter to put them on the court at the same time. But egos get in the way.

[ChumpDumper]

Well, Doc has them shouting "Ubuntu!" when team huddles break up, so they have to be considered contenders. If they start doing Maori dances they will be favorites to win the whole thing.

[Indazone]

Glen Davis could make some noise up there. What an incredible opportunity for this guy.

[ajh18]

Yeah, Jason Williams for Damon Jones was a blockbuster.

The Heat got williams, walker, posey, payton, and kapono. I'd sy that qualifies as a fairly big roster overhaul. In fact, it was one that many people said wouldn't work.

[braeden0613]

average team...probably 5-8 seed

[Deimosfobos]

Second round of the playoffs...

[jman3000]

i havent read the thread so sorry if this is a repeat.

i think they'll win between 50-54 games... they have the talent for at least that.

but if one of those stars goes down for any length of time at all... i'd expect the wins to be upper 40's.

people marking them as the shizznit arent taking into account several factors that make good teams.

[Obstructed_View]

The Heat got williams, walker, posey, payton, and kapono. I'd sy that qualifies as a fairly big roster overhaul. In fact, it was one that many people said wouldn't work.

For games started, it was certainly a big overhaul, as they shuffled lineups throughout the season. They are certainly the most unlikely NBA champ I've ever seen, and if we count them in the argument, then they are the only one that's ever done it. I still maintain that the difference between what Miami added to a 60 win team and what Boston has added to a 25 win team is significant.