For a team that was so dominant in the regular season, you could say what happened to Boston. Game 7 against Atlanta? Game 7 against Cleveland?
However, they still have been able to pull off the victories. But, why must it come to a game seven against any of these teams, they should have swept the Hawks and at most game 6 against the Cavs. The answer lies within Ray Allen. The man has become invisible, not invincible. Averaging a measley 12.7 PPG, 2.7 APG, and 3.4 RPG. Not something that should be coming from a member of "The Big Three" or "The Boston Three Party"
But, could this be a good thing for Celtic fans, is the sucess of the Celtics without Ray Allen a sign that once he shows up they'll start winning in 5 or 6 games, or does it mean that they are still not play off ready, and Ray Allen may never show up to this years play offs.
I think it's a bad thing, when your going up against a Detroit Pistons team, that doesn't actually start playing untill the East Finals, you need to bring all you have, and with Ray Ray unable to catch a breather from this play off series blunder (scoring 0, 16, 10, 15, 11, 9, and 4 in the seven games against Cleveland) I think the Celtics are in deep trouble. The Pistons are going to steal at least game 1 or 2 from Boston and if Ray still doesn't show and the Celts fail on the road, this series will most likely end in 6.
As most of you know I am a Jazz/Deron fan and this site obviously wants you to think he is nothing compared to CP3. But this site isn't giving a glaring statistic which might make ya'll change/reconsider who you'd rather have:
"Deron Williams has scored 1,523 points, handed out 851 assists and shot .509 from the field this season. He has joined Magic Johnson (1986-87 and 1988-89) and Kevin Johnson (1988-89) as the only players in league history to score 1,500 points, hand out 800 assists and shoot 50 percent from the field in a single season."
-NBA.com
From this alone it is clear that Deron isn't the same kind of (this is my team, which means imma play me-ball) player.
Deron has shot the ball 1,098 times while CP3 had shot the ball 1,266 times. Deron has a .509% shooting while CP3 is shooting .485% Deron has 19.0 points per game while CP3 has 21.1 points per game ^^ That of course remains the same for 3-point shots (Deron has shot less and made more)
So of course CP3 will have a marginal difference in points over Deron because he shoots more and makes less.
Then of course there is the slight lead in Paul's favor for assists and rebounds which are only about +1.
And when you look at the Jazz's 3-1 record over the Hornets, and Deron's dominance over Chris Paul is all of those games one can't help but wonder:
"Why does every say CP3 should win MVP, when Deron Williams is just as good as Chris Paul?"
And to that I have no answer, if CP3 wins MVP this year it would be a sad day in the NBA. The MVP should be given to Kobe Bryant with Kevin Garnett in second place.
The Rockets will lose after they win their 21st game. They beat New Jersey for their 19th win putting them in a tie with the third best win streak of all time. Then they make a trip to Atlanta for an easy win giving them 20 wins in a row, an amazing feat in today's NBA. This will tie them with the Bucks record of 20 wins. Then they host the Charlotte Bobcats, which might beat the Rockets or lose to them. This sounds obvious but what I mean is the Bobcats have struggled and bean blown out by some of the leagues' worst teams, but on other nights they have given the Celtics a run for their money, even losing to the Celtics by a Ray Allen buzzer beater. However, most likely the bad Bobcats will show up and the Rockets will have the second best win streak of all time by themselves at 21.
Then, the road to getting 34 wins in a row gets tough.
Houston hosts Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, then The Boston Three Party, then goes on the road to play Chris Paul and the Hornets, the Warriors, and then the Suns.
Tracy McGrady has been outstanding at leading this team to a soon to be 21 game win streak, but the schedule always helps.
They were able to beat LeBron James twice, the Hornets twice, the Nuggets, and even Golden State is often a contender, but the other teams they played were:
Indiana - 2 Miami - 1 Minnesota - 1 Milwaukee - 1 Atlanta - 1 Washington - 1 Portland - 1 Sacramento - 1 Chicago - 1 Memphis - 1 New Jersey - 1 and the Dirkless Mavs - 1
That is: 8 (1 being the mavs without Dirk and the other being the 33-31 Blazers) - Winning Teams 11 - Losing Teams
And the Hawks and Bobcats upcoming would make it 13 losing teams. It's been a great effort, but when 13 of the 21 teams are losing a lot more than half of their games, maybe their run is a bit overrated.
Manu is playing 31.3 minutes out of a 48 minute game seems a bit much for a bench player... right?
Let's take the 6th man from previous years:
2003-2004: Antawn Jamison -- MPG -- 29.0 2004-2005: Ben Gordon -- MPG -- 24.4 2005-2006: Mike Miller -- MPG -- 30.6 2006-2007: Leandro Barbosa -- MPG -- 32.7
The highest being Leandro Barbosa, but that being because the Suns didn't run their starters on the court very long. The rest though, were all fairly low, Gordon's being exceptionally low.
So how is Manu's 31.3 MPG any different?
The past four winners had less minutes than the starters at their respective positions, however this year, let's look at Michael Finley (the Spurs' "starting" SG)
Season Team G GS MPG FG% 3p% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG
Michael Finley is worse in every stat category, and he even plays LESS than Manu.
STARTERS are supposed to play longer than BENCH players, so why is Manu an exception to that basic non-written rule.
Also, a team is supposed to put it's best players in the starting line-up. Obviously, Manu is doing better than Finley.
Remember this isn't a hate post on Manu (even though I do hate him) I'm not saying he's terrible, he's actually pretty dogone good, but he is NOT a 6th man by any stretch of the immagination.
When your "starter" is playing less and doing worse than your "bench" player, it's time to stop padding the stats and put Manu in the starting line-up.
What if Kobe started on the bench?
He'd have to win the 6th Man because he is just so amazing, and he is a "bench" player.
If your "bench" player is getting more time than your "starter" than they aren't and shouldn't be considered a "bench" player.
I think that about raps up my thoughts on this issue, what about yours'?
Place your money on the Lakers wining the NBA Finals. I was going to write this several days ago, and i've been telling my friends how Kobe's Krew would win this year.
I'm not a Lakers fan, but I can just see when something will happen. Even without Pau I believed they could do it, but now I KNOW they can do it.
Kobe will win his 4th championship and his first without Shaq come sumertime.
The addition of Pau was completley unexpected, but a smart move, they got rid of the most hated player in Lakers history, Kwame Brown. Gave up guys that were supposed to become good, and several picks.
Kobe, Pau, and Bynum are a young group of solid players and might have 2 or 3 rings by the time they finish their career.
The 1984 NBA Draft Class - Famous for Hakeem, Barkley, Stockton, and Bowie over Jordan
The 1996 NBA Draft Class - Famous for Allen Iverson, Nash, 12 guys going before Kobe Bryant, and no one drafting Ben Wallace
The 2003 NBA Draft Class - Famous for Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, and Darko going second
All three draft classes have future HOF or guys already there. All three draft classes have something that they aren't proud of, Bowie, Kobe going late, and Darko. But which draft class is better?
This argument usually turns into people divided by age. '84 being old guys, '03 being teenagers, and '96 the people in between.
Before people start saying, "2003 for sure!" or "1984 had Jordan!" I'll give the most likely rosters, also remember it's the players in their prime, (Bowie, Marbury, Walker)
1984: PG - #12 - John Stockton (picked 16th) SG - # 23 - Michael Jordan (picked 3rd) SF - # 21 - Alvin Robertson (picked 7th) PF - # 34 - Charles Barkley (picked 5th) C - # 34 - Hakeem Olajuwon (picked 1st) 6th Man - # 14 - Sam Perkins (picked 4th) Bench - Kevin Willis, Michael Cage, Otis Thorpe, Sam Bowie
1996: PG - # 13 - Steve Nash (picked 15th) SG - # 3 - Allen Iverson (picked 1st) SF - # 8/24 - Kobe Bryant (picked 13th) PF - # 3 - Ben Wallace (undrafted) C - #23 - Marcus Camby (picked 2nd) 6th Man - #34/20 Ray Allen (picked 5th) Bench - Stephon Marbury, Antoine Walker, Erick Dampier, Jermaine O'Neal, Derek Fisher, Peja Stojakovic, Zydrunas Ilgauskas
2003: PG - # 12 - Kirk Hinrich (picked 7th) SG - # 3 - Dwyane Wade (picked 5th) SF - # 23 - LeBron James (picked 1st) PF - # 15 - Carmelo Anthony (picked 3rd) C - # 4 - Chris Bosh (picked 4th) 6th Man - # 5 - Josh Howard (picked 29th) Bench - Chris Kaman, T.J. Ford, David West, Kyle Korver, Luke Walton, Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw, Jason Kapono
Looking at these rosters, 1984's depth isn't very good compared to the other two classes, but the Celtics are showing us with a good starting line-up winning comes easy.
Before breaking it down this far, I would've thought either the '84 or the '03 squad would have stolen the show, but the '96 backcourt is scary with Nash, Kobe, and The Answer. Not to mention the two best defending big men in the league.
1984: Pros - Michael Jordan, the best point guard in John Stockton, Hakeem Olajuwon was one of the most dominant big men, Charles Barkley was one of the most dominant everything man, and Sam Bowie, Sam Perkins, and Michael Cage were all solid big men. This team will score a lot, grab a lot of the boards, and play solid defense. Cons - Bench is short, they would need someone to play the PG/SG when Stockton and Jordan sit, which isn't much averaging over 31 minutes and 38 minutes a game respectiveley.
1996: Pros - Kobe Bryant, one of the best backcourts in Nash, AI, and Kobe. Dominant big men in Jermaine, Big Ben, Marcus, Dampier, and Big Z. Two fantastic back up guards in Starbury and Fisher. And two assassins from deep in Peja and Walker. This team will be fun to watch, with electrifying offense, and hard nosed defense. Cons - Bigs scoring ability is terrible with Ben Wallace and Marcus Camby averaging under 10 points a game. Bench talent could be a little bit better.
2003: Pros - LeBron James, solid scorers in Wade, Melo, Howard, and Bosh. Great depth at the guard spot with Wade, LeBron, Hinrich, Ford, Barbosa, and Diaw. Good big men in Bosh, Kaman, and West. Snipers in Korver, Kapono, and Walton. Cons - Not a lot of assists happening here, a lot of "me ball" and stat guys. Everyone is capable of scoring 40, but who'd be the one passing? Not enough bigs, with only 2 real PFs and only 1 C. Either Melo or Lebron would need to sit to make room, or they would have to surrender the PF spot to a scorer.
The Game:
1984 v 1996 - Having Kobe and Jordan going at it would be the most amazing thing the NBA has ever seen. Along with Nash mimicing Stockton pass for pass. The '96 squad will light up the score with AI, Kobe, and Nash. However, Stockton, Barkley, and Jordan would match it. The play from the bigs like Bowie, Perkins, and Cage will be stopped by the bigs from '96, but the 7'0" 255lb monster in Hakeem Olajuwon will be barely slowed down from the undersized bigs in 6'9" Wallace and 235 lb Marcus Camby. 1984 Wins.
2003 v 1996 - Kobe and LeBron have gone at it numerous times, usually with LeBron coming out on top. But Wallace and Camby will do as they please against the big man deprived 2003 team. Nash will run the court, due to the fact that the '03 squad doesn't have a solid PG. And LeBron, Wade, and Melo will try to score as much as they can. The lack of PGs and Bigs will lead to the downfall of the 03 squad in this game. 1996 Wins.
1984 v 2003 - LeBron and Jordan going at it! How about that. However, again the lack of solid guards in the '03 squad get hurt badly by Stockton, and because the '03 squad has no solid Bigs, Hakeem and Charles start having some fun. In the short time that Hakeem, Stockton, and Jordan take a breather the '03 squad starts to come back. But once the '84 squad puts in their starters, the '03 squad can't stop them. 1984 Wins.
Standings: 1984 2-0 1996 1-1 2003 0-2
This meaning that the 1984 NBA Draft class is still the best draft the NBA has ever seen. And suprisingly the 2003 squad isn't better than the 1996 squad.
Say what you want about 'Bron 'Bron, but Kevin Garnett will win the MVP this year.
Why? Because the Celtics will climb the ranks, make the play-offs and he'll finally win a play-off series. Kevin Garnett has played amazing in Minnesota, and his excuse of, "the rest of my team is terrible" is reasonable. However, here in Boston he's got good players like The Truth and Ray Ray
Big Ticket will improve the weaker/un-proven players also, Rondo, Perkins, Big Baby and Posey when they come off the bench.
He will also improve the stats of Ray Ray and Pierce because of his playing style.
He backs down and makes defenders double him, then he kicks out to 3 point shooters, something the Celtics have in Pierce, Ray, and Posey
All are amazing 3 point shooters
His presence down low will also free up the other "big" men like Big Baby and Perkins. If Kevin Garnett gets it down low, you better double cover him. However, KG throws it like Nash and he will find the open man.
Kevin Garnett will average a triple double for points, bounds, and assists. His blocking will also be pretty darn good.
After the end of the season there will be no one near him in contention for the MVP, not even Bron or Kobe
PG Positions: 1-Jason Kidd- he's been number one, and he'll remain number one.
2-Steve Nash- he leads his team, and everytime he's out they start to crumble.
3-Derron Williams- to those who say he's not number three, then it's because he's on the Jazz the most underated team of all-time, Derron will most likely be number 1/2 by the end of the season even if Jason Kidd doesn't retire
4-Barron Davis- B-Diddy has is the best point guard, stat wise, for he is 5th on the list for assists and 11 on the list for scoring. No other point guard is higher than 5th on the scoring list. So why isn't he number one? He just doesn't get the W, something 1-3 can do, once they start winning he'll be alot higher
5-Chris Paul- he's here because in case you're not too keen on stats, these 5 guys are the top 5 in assists, which is what the PG is supposed to do.
The assists order goes: 1- Nash 2- Derron 3- Kidd 4- CP3 5- Baron
So i wasn't too far off
6- T.J. Ford- who??? oooo the only good player in Toronto who manages 7.9 assists per game playing with freshman highschoolers
7-Allen Iverson- he may have drifted of in Philly, but he rebounded in Denver retaining his elite status
8- Gilbert Arenas- woa!!! agent 0 at 8? Yea because he doesn't dish the ball, so he might as well play the 2 spot, but he does score, and that he does well.
9- Tony Parker- as good as he was in the post season he wasn't so hot in the regular season, but i do know what is hot......
10- Kirk Hinrich- Capt. Kirk may have not been the best captain of the starship Enterpri.... wait, i mean Capt. Kirk may not be the best stat wise but he does lead his team and is arguably the best defender at the postition.
Just missed the list: Cauncey Billups, Raymond Felton, and Andre Miller
