Summer forecast: How far will the Celtics advance in 2011?
Lebron is definitely just telling his mother he loves her.
ESPN rounded up a panel of Celtics bloggers to answer a few questions about the Celtics. The latest question was this:
How far will the Celtics advance in the postseason? Why?
Here’s my answer. In advance, I would like to apologize to all the Townies it offends. (ESPN)
Jay King, Celtics Town (Conference Finals)
I want to say the Celtics will win a championship, desperately. I really, really, REALLY do. I just don’t think it’s happening. I’m drinking the Miami Kool-Aid for now. The Heat will beat the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. (Banging head against the wall … Repeating head bang.) Can I swear on ESPN.com? No? Well, I guess I’ll just have to settle for an emphatic, “Rats!”
My brother Tommy answered the question too. You’ll probably like his response a little more than mine.
NBA Finals; The other “contenders” in the East seem more like pretenders to me. Orlando stood pat, despite last year’s disappointing finish, and the disappearance of Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter against the Celtics. Miami will have a great regular season, but they need to get some playoff reps before they punch through to the Finals (not to mention a big body or two, and a PG). Chicago got better with the addition of Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, and Kyle Korver, but are still a step below the Eastern Conference elite.
So what do you Townies think? Do the Celtics have enough to get by the Heat? Are they going to get revenge on the Lakers for last season? Do you simply want to beat the bejesus out of me because I predicted the C’s wouldn’t even make it to the Finals?
Related posts:
Celtics Blog | Jay King | August 25, 2010
I look at it this way, let’s say all Miami’s big 3 put up 20+ in a game, so let’s add that to 70. Who else on that team is going to do any scoring? Miller might chip in 10 points here and there, Howard a few, Anthony a few, but can you rely on those guys to be 10 ppg scorers, eh I’m not so sure. Especially what the amount of shots the 3 main guys will put up.
Now add into the fact, that Boston has at least 3 guys who could blow up for major points against them easily (No PG to stop Rondo, Wade can’t chase Ray all day, Bosh is soft on D and will be eaten alive by KG, and you could argue JO will torch Anthony as well) and far more supporting cast players who are capable of putting up 8-10 in any game (Robinson, Wafer, Daniels, Baby, Shaq) and the Celtics are a far more superior, well balanced team.
Miami will be good, but they are far from a complete team. And it remains to be seen if those main 3 can even co-exist yet. Ya it’s easy to say now, ya it’s easy when you’re winning, it’s easy in the regular season. But in a tight game, in the playoffs, against elite defenses, will one of those 3 guys be willing to give up a good shot, to get another guy a great shot?
I’m not sure, but color me unsold on the Miami bandwagon.
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BTW congrats on landing on ESPN
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Thanks a lot, man.
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this may not be realistic but in nba 2k i downloaded the 2011 rosters for all the teams than the heat were SCARY. ally oping on the fast break , impeccable transition D
lebrick > pp
wade > ray
kg= bosh
but rondo >>>> than chalbers
so i still think we have a BIG chance to help Dan Gilbert an upsetting lebrick and co.
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youre the only one on that espn site thats saying celtics will lose in the conference finals… HAVE SOME FAITH!!! the celtics never fail to suprise, like honestly who wouldve thought the celtics wouldve went to game 7 of the nba finals last season…
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I prefer not to be a homer. I’ve got faith, though — the Celtics will be a good team. I just don’t think it’s enough. Believe me, I hope I’m wrong.
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Saying the Cs will get to the Finals is not being a ‘homer’. The fact is the Cs were minutes from a ring without Perk. So you add Shaq/Jermaine/Wafer/ and have a good draft (based on draft position) and all the major players come back you can then argue the Cs are still the best Eastern ‘team’ based on their defense and being in the Finals two of the last three years. I am actually dismayed you are not getting that Miami can only play with one ball, so someone isn’t going to average what they have and likely all 3 stars will see their stats diminish, and the fact that their bench is weak and they have a very weak frontline will cause them to stumble come the playoffs. They need some pieces and time to gel. Cs have 2 years to take advantage. Go Cs…
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