She was a worthy adversary to be sure. Prior to posting, we’d discuss potential debate topics and allow each other to choose a side. It was a great exercise in writing and we received enthusiastic support from the blogosphere.
When Danny Ainge pulled off a coup by landing both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the 2007 off-season, Bluegrass and I debated whether that move guaranteed a Celtic title. While I was still (a little) skeptical, Bluegrass chose the side of the C’s. One has to figure that if you took the field against the Celtics pre-season, you’d have to like your chances. Then they tipped off.
The Celtics tore through the regular season, losing only 16 games. When the playoffs hit, they slowly picked up tempo, building up confidence, then absolutely destroyed the Lakers in a Finals that should not have made it to six games.
Looking back at my argument, I felt I had some valid points which the Celtics players, coaching staff and entire operations eventually put to rest to ensure their team hoisted the O’Brien Trophy by season's end.
Point Guard Play: After watching Rajon Rondo throughout his college career at Kentucky, I never questioned his talent. I just questioned whether he’d be able to lead a team to a title in his sophomore year in the league. Not only was Rondo impressive, but he outplayed every point guard that tried to cover him, including Mike Bibby, Delonte West, Chauncey Billups and Derek Fisher, ALL of whom have more playoff experience and years in the league. Rondo was consistently quicker than his defenders and made great decisions on BOTH sides of the ball. He came through with timely steals throughout the playoffs and his assist/turnover ratio was as good as can be expected (over 3:1). Heck, in Game Six, he even took Kobe Bryant off the dribble and drew a foul for a three point play. Of course it doesn’t hurt to have three of the most potent offensive players of this generation to play alongside. The addition of Sam Cassell was also key as Sam I Am came off the bench throughout the playoffs and provided offense, or at least shot attempts, to a sometimes sputtering Celtic offense.
Back Court Defense: While Rondo never had to face the likes of Deron Williams or Chris Paul, he still was effective against opposing point guards. His quickness and instincts forced turnovers, Celtic fast breaks and key swings in momentum. The rest of their backcourt also combined to take Kobe Bryant out of his element, holding him to 40% shooting for the Finals.
Cap Space: Credit Danny Ainge. The old Celtic earned his keep, and a GM of the Year award, by making key acquisitions in PJ Brown and Sam Cassell, veteran presences who provided quality minutes throughout the second season. In fact, the entire Boston bench outplayed the Lakers. The Celtics featured a near perfect blend of starters and subs. There were few players that didn’t make memorable contributions. Each player knew their role and accepted it for the common goal: an NBA Crown.
Age and Health: While the Celtics got more dinged up as the playoffs progressed, their communal will and determination helped them rise above. Doc played the Big Three a fair amount of minutes throughout the regular season. But it’s not like Garnett (32), Allen (32) and Pierce (30) are THAT old. They certainly didn’t play like it when it mattered. In fact, despite their injuries (and questionably staged re-entries) the Celtics’ Big Three looked as energetic and spry as their twenty-two year old point guard. In the end, they would not be denied. No bumps, bruises or nagging injuries would stand in their way.
Coaching: Okay…. here I owe a sincere apology. Remember, Doc Rivers used to coach my Orlando Magic. Before that, he was one of the finest and most articulate TNT announcers to work the mic. When Doc underachieved with the Magic, Orlando fans were bitter. But it was wrong to ever question his smarts, leadership or class. Sure, he had a roster full of talent, but he should be credited for discovering exactly what it took to lead this team to greatness. And he did it with flair. When Ray Allen struggled early, he always backed his man. Heck, most would argue he even out-coached Phil Jackson in the Finals. Case in point, early in Game Six, with the outcome of the game still in question, Doc received a technical for arguing that Kobe Bryant tossed aside Eddie House while moving through a pick. We’re talking about the ninth man off the bench against the biggest name in the league. There was no way House was going to get that call. In fact, it was a great move by Bryant to get around the pick. But for Doc to receive a tech with his season on the line and have the back of his ninth man says something about the man’s character. The Celtics have themselves a great coach and leader, and we can now add his name to a select few that have won a title. One gets the feeling this will not be his last.
Competition: The Celtics may have played down to their opponents on occasion, dropping three to both the Cavaliers and Hawks, but when it mattered most, they got the job done. It is pure speculation to wonder whether they could have made it through the West unscathed, but considering how they dismantled the Lakers, as well as having dominated against the West all-season, it’s safe to assume the Celtics are without question the best team in the league.
If you weren’t moved by watching Kevin Garnett in tears as the confetti fell in the Garden, then you're not a fan of the game and simply don’t have a heart. Anything is possible.
So congratulations to Celtics fans everywhere. I'm glad to stand corrected.
Lady Bluegrass knows her hoops. Heck, she’s from Kentucky. It’s her birthright.
Let this be a lesson to us all. Before you get into a debate with a woman, rest assured you’ll end up on the losing side of the argument.
After one of the most memorable (or forgettable) collapses in recent sports history, the Los Angeles Lakers now stare at a nearly insurmountable 3-1 deficit against the far superior and eventual champion Boston Celtics. In Thursday’s Game Four, the uninspired and now downtrodden Lakers led by as many as twenty points midway through the third quarter, yet they somehow managed to grab defeat from the jaws of victory. To be sure, it was the largest comeback in Finals history in the shot clock era. It was the 2007 Mets, 2004 Yankees and 1978 Red Sox all rolled into one. And all Kobe Bryant had to say in his post-game press conference is how he wanted to go out and get drunk on… wine, beer and twenty shots, to be exact. Is this a champion’s reaction? Can we once and for all end the comparisons between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan? Michael never lost in the Finals. Kobe’s about to lose his second.
Honestly, is there anybody inside or outside that locker room that thinks the Lakers still have a chance at a title? How is this the same Lakers team that beat the defending champion San Antonio Spurs? The team that suited up last night didn’t look like they could beat an NBDL team. They scored 33 points in the second half. That's two less than they scored in the first quarter. So much for consistency.
What’s even more amazing is that the Lakers led the first quarter by the largest margin in Finals history, outscoring the Celtics 35-14. Then they got lazy. They abandoned the triangle and failed to keep their foot on the neck of their opponents by settling for jump shots. How did the Zen Master let this happen?
I can’t lay all this on the Lakers. The Celtics played a great game. In fact, they probably should have won Game Three. Technically this series should be over by now. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always been a proponent of more basketball, but not this brand. I’m not even a Lakers fan and I feel deflated after watching that massacre. I can only imagine what they’re going through. It got so bad last night, Lakers fans were cheering on the Celtics. Who does that??
At the beginning of this series, Kobe Bryant said his Finals experience has shown him that a team can want it as bad as anyone, but it all boils down to execution. Well the Celtics are doing both… wanting and winning.
I give tremendous credit and praise to Doc Rivers and his coaching staff. They were able to tap into and inspire a team of men in Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce that wanted to be remembered as champions. If you’re an NBA fan, you have to be happy for these guys.
Meanwhile, somewhere, Kobe sits in a bar drowning his sorrows. Hope he’s a good tipper.
I’m no school teacher, but I’d like to offer up some post-season grades to each NBA team that made the playoffs. Let is serve as a prequel to Nique’s exit interview questions, that is if we ever get a chance to see them.
Eastern Conference:
Atlanta Hawks: B
Let’s be real. Nobody has expected the Hawks to fare well ever since Dominique Wilkins retired. They’ve consistently been the cellar dwellers of the league. Yet it finally looks like Atlanta finally has a product they can be proud of. After taking the Boston Celtics to a seventh game, Atlanta fans should expect nothing less than playoff appearances for the next several years. They have a respectable young nucleus of players in Josh Smith, Joe Johnson and Al Horford. It will be interesting to see if they keep Mike Bibby and for how long. The next step for Atlanta will be actually winning a playoff series, but it appears they’re on the right track.
Washington Wizards: C-
The Wizards are still a team without an identity. Yes, they made the post-season, but is that enough? They’ve also done so the past few years and it seems they’re now regressing. The Wiz feature one of the league’s more dynamic players in Gilbert Arenas, but next year could be a critical one for both him and the franchise. Can he stay healthy? And if so, can he coexist with his teammates? I have a gut feeling things are going to get worse for Arenas before they get better. In this day and age, with the emergence of Deron Williams and Chris Paul, an NBA point guard cannot think shoot first and pass second and that’s not Arenas’ modus operandi. Caron Butler had a great season when on the floor, but I’m not convinced the tandem of Brendan Haywood and Antawn Jamison are the bigs that can carry a team to the next level. I predict Arenas will eventually play his way off this team and ultimately end up on a real contender. The question is who and will they want to take a gamble on The Hibachi.
Philadelphia 76ers: B-
There are contenders and there are pretenders. Nobody outside of the Philadelphia locker room gave this team much of a chance to win anything, yet this confident group of individuals gave the Detroit Pistons a run for their money. Similar to Atlanta, this team has a young nucleus of talent to build around. But they still have question marks. I’m not sure what it will take this team to get to the next level, but I think they’re still several pieces away. Andre Iguodala is a fine young player, but can he consistently be the go to guy for this franchise.
Toronto Raptors: D
In my opinion, the Raptors are at a crossroads. They have talent to build around in Chris Bosh, but the top teams in the East have set the bar high. The Celtics Big Three will be around for a few more years at least, LeBron isn’t going anywhere any time soon, the Magic have Dwight Howard and the Heat could eventually become a force with Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion and either Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. This means, in order to keep up with the joneses, Toronto will have to add some pieces. And it’s unlikely they’re going to be major players in the free agent market. This team looked flat against an Orlando team they should have competed with. Toronto has been surprisingly good over the past two seasons, but do their fans and ownership care enough to become a serious contender. I’m not so sure. Unfortunately, Sam Mitchell will ultimately take the fall for a team that nobody would be able to win with.
Cleveland Cavaliers: C
The clock ticks loudly in Cleveland. This poor city cannot sleep for rumors that King James will eventually leave this franchise for greener pastures. Until then, they’ll have to keep him happy by surrounding him with talent. While anything less than an NBA title would have been a disappointment for the Cavs, those goals were unrealistic. They were the third or fourth best team in the East, and will probably be so again next season. Both Detroit and Boston are clearly better than the Cavs. Despite LBJ’s performance in Game 7, this team was not getting by Boston. In the fire sale that was this NBA season, the Cavs added Ben Wallace (useless), Joe Smith (functioning), Delonte West (decent, but not a starter) and Wally Szczerbiak (white). The experiment of starting two centers, Z and Wallace, failed miserably. And at times, it looked like Mike Brown didn’t know who to play. Should he put in Joe Smith for offense or Anderson Varejao for rebounding? What Ben Wallace gives you defensively (which isn’t all that much these days), he takes away in offensive presence. I mean the guy was four feet away from the basket and still didn’t shoot it. I give credit to the franchise for making an effort, but those players were not what this team needed. Next time, use some logic when making acquisitions. Whatever they do in the off-season, they better do it quickly and wisely for that ticking clock is only going to get louder. Every season the Cavs come up short will make playing in Madison Square Garden all that more palatable for King James.
Orlando Magic: C+
And yet we have another Eastern Conference team at a crossroads. Perhaps Orlando should play Cleveland in a seven-game series for the Eastern Conference’s bronze medal, because neither of these two teams was going to get any closer than that. The Magic will ultimately have to find themselves a point guard to play alongside Dwight Howard. Carlos Boozer has Deron Williams. Tyson Chandler has Chris Paul. Even Bosh has TJ Ford. The jury is still out (or is it) on whether Jameer Nelson is their point guard of the future. Additionally, Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu are offensive minded, non-rebounding machines. Howard needs help on the blocks and he’s not getting it. While this team has gotten better in recent years, in order to compete with the Clevelands, Detroits, and Bostons of the world, the Magic still have to add pieces to their puzzle.
Detroit Pistons: C (if they lose to Boston); A (if they beat Boston)
Another season… another Eastern Conference Finals appearance for Detroit. That wasn’t good enough for Atlanta Braves fan (fourteen division titles, one World Series championship) and it’s likely not good enough for Pistons fans either. It’s unclear whether Flip Saunders is capable of winning a title with this team and unfortunately for him, he’ll always be living in the shadow of Larry Brown, who may have only won his title by running into a dysfunctional Lakers team at the time. However, this Pistons team did not lose BECAUSE of Saunders. You can’t point to any specific coaching blunders that justify him losing his job. If anything, they’ll lose (again) in the Eastern Conference Finals because of an unhealthy Chauncey Billups, but it’s more likely that Boston is just the better team. Joe Dumars will have some questions to answer in the off-season. Does he keep this team intact and what’s needed to get this team back to where they need to be?
Boston Celtics: A- (if they beat Detroit); D (if they lose to Detroit)
Danny Ainge’s bold off-season moves paid off in more than just a GM of the Year award. Along with Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen have the Celtics one win away from the NBA Finals. The pieces of this franchise fit nicely together. Ainge didn’t just look at whoever was out there and land players that didn’t match, a la Cleveland. Boston’s bench is capable and complementary to their core unit. And Rondo has proven he’s more than capable of leading this team. The only question that remains is whether they’ll be able to beat the purple and gold. While anything less than a title will be disappointment for those in the Boston locker room, a Finals appearance should still be considered a successful season.
Charles Barkley had to pay a $40,000 finance charge for his latest gambling debt?? And to think I complain about the $1.50 convenience fee when I use an ATM that’s not my own bank.
PJ Brown was a masterful pickup for Danny Ainge.
I’m not sure who the Bulls will pick at #1, but they can’t go wrong with either Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. I’m inclined to think they’ll go with the local boy, Rose. With the emergence of Chris Paul and Deron Williams, teams will need a quality ball-handler to compete. Kirk Hinrich has been a bust and would be much better suited as a backup. Similarly, either draft pick will fit in nicely with the Heat at number two.
The Chicago Bulls head coaching position suddenly becomes a lot more coveted. Do you think Mike D’Antoni’s thinking he jumped the gun by taking that Knicks job?
As if there were any doubt, Detroit and Boston are clearly the two best TEAMS in the Eastern Conference.
I had totally forgotten that Flip Saunders used to coach KG in Minnesota. You’d think that would work at least somewhat in Detroit’s favor. Yeah, right, like anyone has an answer for the Big Ticket.
One sportscaster tonight commended these Detroit Pistons for accomplishing so much with ‘no hall-of-famers.’ Hmmmm…. are you sure about that? None of those guys in the Hall? I think it’s a little too early to definitely say that. Billups has a Finals MVP under his belt and ‘Sheed is one of the most versatile players the game has seen in recent years. If they manage to win another title, I’d beg to differ with that statement.
Why is the Fleet Center hazier than any other arena? Do they allow smoking in there like they did back in the day? That’s why all those old black and white photographs turned out looking so cool.
Playing an intense Game 7 against Cleveland two days ago does not seem to have slowed the Celtics down one bit.
Jack and Coke is a truly, delectable beverage.
Rodney Stuckey is good. Where did this kid come from?
Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breem were at Fenway for Jon Lester’s no-hitter last night. How cool is that?
In the first half, Detroit’s taken significantly more free throws, yet the Celtics have more points in the paint. Go figure.
Tayshaun Prince was an absolutely perfect fit for this Piston team. Keep in mind Tubby Smith recruited both he and Rajon Rondo (that one’s for Bluegrass).
Fifteen people exchanging a Heineken makes me think of warm beer and backwash. What exactly were they thinking with that commercial?
Matt Ryan’s rich.
In the first half, Boston shot 51% from the floor. Detroit shot 39% and only trailed by a single point. One need look no further than free throw shooting discrepancy (Detroit had 11 more points from the line).
Where are my Orlando Magic exit interview questions? ‘Nique, get on the ball.
Did Jay Bilas say you can’t make a mistake with the number one pick?? Perhaps he’s never heard of Kwame Brown or Michael Olowokandi.
LeBron needs to add a post-up game to his repertoire.
This Hulk movie should be much better than the first. No truth to the rumor that I turned down the role as body double due to other obligations.
It’s nice to see professional basketball players on both teams consistently knock down 17-footers. Well, that is, everyone except Ray Allen.
With this game getting chippy in the fourth quarter, who do you think will be the first player ejected from a game in this series?
Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace have been among the top five power forwards in the league for the past decade. I could watch these guys go at it for hours.
With six assists and five steals, Rajon Rondo is slowly starting to prove me wrong. As is Doc Rivers ability to coach this team.
The Celts looked good tonight. I’m not sure they can beat the Lakers, but they look pretty darn good.
Five road games, five road losses for the Boston Celtics. This same Boston team had only ten road losses this season, the best in the NBA. In only eleven post-season games, they’ve already lost half that many.
Make no bones about it. Danny Ainge assembled this Celtic team with one intention and one intention only: to win an NBA title. We’ve heard Kevin Garnett say anything less would be a disappointment nearly as many times as we’ve seen his Gatorade commercial.
Lofty expectations for sure, and once thought to be realistic…. until we all saw the product they’ve put on the floor lately. After boasting the regular season’s best record, the C’s are now 6-5 on the road and yearn for the friendly confines of the Fleet Center after each loss.
After listening to Magic, Charles and Kenny on Monday night’s “Inside the NBA,” they all, without directly throwing Doc Rivers under the bus, claimed that this team is still searching for an identity, that they're not getting the shots they want. Magic aptly pointed out that Rajon Rondo cannot be taking more shots than both Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. And he’s right. While their presence on the floor might free Rondo up for shots, he should still be the facilitator, not the shot-taker for the “Charles told me not to call them the” Big Three. On the road, their offense is stagnant. They scored twelve points in last night’s fourth quarter. Perhaps it's time for Doc Rivers, a la Gene Hackman in "Hoosiers," to pull out his measuring tape and measure the free throw line to the basket and the height of the rim to the floor to show his team that courts away from the Fleet Center are the same size as at home.
Someone needs to be held accountable. Yes, Doc pulled Rondo off the floor after a late and ill-advised three-point attempt and told him not to take any more ‘hero shots.’ But it is ultimately the coach’s responsibility to direct this team and help them find that identity. How hard can that be? They’ve played 90+ games together and are all veterans and potential Hall-Of-Famers. Doc is a former point guard.
Personally, I think the fact that none of these three can handle the ball hurts their ability to run their offense. Kobe can bring the ball up the floor. LeBron always has the handle at the end of the game. The fact that those three can’t do that hurts their chances. Again, that’s just one man’s opinion.
Look, I’m no Celtics fan, but I do like the team they’ve assembled. That being said, they need to elevate their game. Like KG says “playoffs is playoffs!” While the Celtics may only need to hold serve throughout, I’m sure they and their fans would cherish a road victory like a newborn baby at this point. No Celtic fan in their right mind wants any part of LeBron, the Pistons or Kobe Bryant in a Game Seven no matter where they’re playing or how many clovers they have on their uniform. Anything can happen, and probably will to a Celtic team with shaken confidence.
Whatever the problem is, Doc better figure it out soon. While anything less than a title might be a disappointment, anything less than the Eastern Conference Finals might just get Doc fired.
While the other two professional sports remain mired in scandal (see Spygate, steroids, etc.), Commissioner Stern has magically managed to make the Tim Donaghy scandal become a distant memory. Nothing can detract our attention away from negativity quite like a nice blockbuster trade or three. Well, recently the NBA has seen a slew of these like never before in its history. And they should all make for a VERY interesting playoffs.
This is undoubtedly the first year in recent memory where any one of nearly a dozen teams has a legitimate shot to win the title. The NBA has really taken on more of a college feel in that respect. Traditionally entering the NBA season, the league often lacks a touch of unpredictability as the usual suspects, i.e., Spurs, Pistons, etc. eventually find their way to hoisting the O’Brien Trophy come season’s end. But with the rich getting richer and several teams now boasting veritable all-star line-ups of their own, this year’s champion is anyone’s guess.
Let’s take a brief look at the contenders, shall we?
Boston Celtics (+275): All of New England was on Cloud Nine up until the New York Giants brought them back to reality with that Patriots smack-down. With the Red Sox World Series and an undefeated Patriots regular season, many thought the Big Three of Garnett, Pierce and Allen would continue that streak and keep Boston in Titletown mode. They still may. Despite a nagging abdominal injury to Kevin Garnett, which may cost him an MVP trophy depending on how many more games he misses, the Celtics are still poised to be the top seed in the East. They’re 23-4 at home and have still only lost nine games this season. Rajon Rondo is slowly answering his critics and Big Baby Davis has become a pleasant surprise in the post. The C’s have the best point differential in the NBA (double-digits) and, with a healthy Kevin Garnett, have a legitimate shot to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals. Who’s not geared up to see what this team can do in the playoffs?
Detroit Pistons (+315): Once again, the Pistons are competing and are the most, well-rounded team in the Eastern Conference. The same old cast of Billups, Hamilton, Prince and ‘Sheed continues to be a beacon of consistency. They are still among the league’s best defensive teams, all without Ben Wallace. And their bench remains solid. Most expect to see a Pistons-Celtics Eastern Conference Finals. They have so far split their season series with one more regular season game left to play at Boston on March 5.
Orlando Magic (+2200): Is it likely that the Magic win an NBA title? No. But the Magic consistently compete with the best teams in the league and hold their own. After all, they have already beaten the Celtics twice and they are leading their division. We have recently seen what an inspired Dwight Howard can do (see 24 rebounds against Denver). Hedo Turkoglu is playing the best basketball of his career and Rashard Lewis is averaging 18 and 5. If the Magic can get steady play from their point guard tandem, they could mess things up for the favorites in the East.
Cleveland Cavaliers (+3000): All signs point to a Celtics-Pistons Eastern Conference Finals, BUT… LeBron James had something to say about that last year. He just might again. Whether the Chosen One plays inspired come June remains to be seen after his franchise failed to make a big trade to match every other team in the league. But after watching what LeBron did to Detroit last year to win the Eastern Conference, can anyone really count this team out?
New Orleans (+1100): Do I honestly think New Orleans has a shot at the crown? No. BUT… they currently boast the best record in the West. They’re leading the Southwest Division. By the way, Dallas and San Antonio reside in that division. Chris Paul is averaging a double-double and is a strong MVP candidate, particularly if the Hornets end up with the number one seed in the west. Tyson Chandler is finally living up to his potential and David West remains the best player in the league nobody’s ever heard of. Landing the number one seed could potentially throw a wrench into the entire Western Conference.
Phoenix (+415): Most pundits initially criticized Steve Kerr’s move to land Shaquille O’Neal. And after his first practice with the team, the only reports I heard were how winded he was afterwards. Well, duh. The Suns practice with a :07 second shot clock. Even Lance Armstrong would be winded after a few minutes of that. The bottom line is this… Shawn Marion was disgruntled and the Suns weren’t going anywhere with that roster, especially with some of the other big moves in the West. Phoenix had consistently been labeled ‘soft.’ Well, the Big Aristotle should change all that. I have faith that D’Antoni will effectively work Diesel into the line-up and adjust their style of play accordingly. As an opposing guard, I ask you… would you really want to drive the lane only to find Shaq and Amare in the middle waiting for you? If Shaq can somehow lead the Suns to an NBA Finals, he’ll be the only player in league history to reach that milestone with four different teams. Think he’s not looking forward to a seven-game series against Kobe and the Lakers?
Dallas (+475): If the Jason Kidd deal ever goes through, add the Dallas Mavericks to the list of Western Conference teams that have reacted to the Pau Gasol deal. Last year’s meltdown against Golden State should be enough motivation to light a spark underneath Dirk’s britches, particularly if he now has Kidd leading the break. The Mavs still may have some problems at center, but this team will rise and fall with the mismatches Nowitzki creates. And with Jason Kidd at the helm, you just cannot count this team out.
Utah (+925): The Jazz continue to impress. Last year’s Western Conference runners-up have been playing solid and consistent basketball all season long. Deron Williams has become one of the league’s premier young point guards and his numbers rival Chris Paul’s. Carlos Boozer, is as always, a beast. And young Ronnie Brewer has stepped up nicely. Deep down inside, tell me you’re not rooting for Coach Jerry Sloan to finally win a title.
Lakers (+700): Many have claimed the Lakers have already won the title on paper. Their steal of Pau Gasol began a chain of events that made this year’s NBA contenders look like an NBA All-Star roster. The Lakers now start Derek Fisher, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom and Gasol who is playing unbelievably well right now. He’s already adapted into the triangle offense and is throwing down on people with regularlity. When Andrew Bynum returns, the team has as good a shot as anyone to win the title.
San Antonio (+505): Will anyone really be surprised to see Timmy and the Spurs playing in the NBA Finals….. again?
Denver (+2000): Sure, this may be a stretch as they’re currently a bubble team. Technically, the rush to field all-star talent might be traced back to the Nuggets landing Allen Iverson last year. With ‘Melo by his side, a healthy Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby who’s second in the league in rebounding, would anyone be surprised if Denver snuck in as an 8 seed and then knocked off the top seeded Hornets? I didn’t think so.
So there you have it… a quick and nasty breakdown of this season’s 2008 playoffs. Be sure to watch as this year may very well take on a college feel, as a bunch of players who have never won a title, might just dig deep down inside to raise the trophy for the first time. Who will that be? Well, that’s anybody’s guess.
Mr. Roarke uttered these memorable words weekly as he and his miniature sidekick, Tattoo, would welcome visitors off of their hydroplane and onto Fantasy Island. Similarly, Celtics fans nationwide are currently pinching themselves, awaiting their complimentary leis and shamrock beverages, as Boston ushers in a new and promising era. By landing both Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett this off-season, Danny Ainge may have already locked up G.M. of the Year.
However, let us all not drink the green Kool-Aid just yet. While the Fleet Center‘s future is certainly more promising than in seasons past, the Celtics are still far away from locking up the Eastern Conference, never mind an NBA title. Championships are not won on paper; several factors still stand in the way of the Celtics raising the O’Brien Trophy. The lack of a quality point guard both offensively and defensively, limited cap space, lack of a quality defensive presence on the interior, a strengthened Eastern conference and very possibly their head coach could all deter the Celtics from hoisting their 17th championship banner.
Who’s Bringing up the Ball?: Recent rumors have pointed toward the signing of veteran point guard, Brevin Knight. But can Ainge get him to sign for peanuts, knowing he’ll still have to land another big man? And are Knight and Rajon Rondo, a second year point guard who averaged four assists and two turnovers last year, enough to be the Celtics floor generals and dictate the tempo of the ballgame? And if not Knight, who? They won’t need much scoring out of this position, but they will need quality decision-making, limited turnovers and solid defense.
Who’s Defending the Point?: The last five NBA champions have all had one thing in common: a quality ball-handler in the clutch. Tony Parker won last year’s Finals MVP Award and has run the point for San Antonio’s last three titles. Dwayne Wade handled most of the crunch time point guard duties during Miami’s championship run. And Chauncey Billups won the Finals MVP for the Pistons in 2004. Whoever runs the floor for Boston will have to contend with tough point guard play. In a recent article, Bill Simmons compared the signing of these three superstars to the Rockets’ Barkley-Drexler-Olajuwon experiment. He appropriately pointed out that their point guard, Matt Maloney, was routinely broken down in the playoffs by John Stockton, leading to the Rockets being ousted prior to the Finals. The modern NBA has seen the emergence of Deron Williams, Chris Paul and T.J. Ford. In the Atlantic Division, the Celtics will regularly have to defend Ford, Jason Kidd, and Garnett’s former teammate, Stephon Marbury. If Boston is fortunate enough to get to the Finals, they’ll likely have to defend against Parker or two-time MVP, Steve Nash, both of whom are perfectly capable of breaking down a quality defender, never mind a mediocre one. If Danny Ainge fails to land a somewhat competent point guard who can mesh with this team and play on both ends of the floor, this experiment may all be for naught.
Cap Space: With Garnett, Allen and Pierce, the Celtics have all but expended their available salary. Management will have to be very creative under the cap. Anyone they acquire, and there are still key roster spots to fill, will have to put their egos aside and sign for close to the league minimum. I foresee Ray, Paul and KG picking up many dinner tabs in their immediate futures.
Age and Health: Adrenaline, drive and determination are essential to winning an NBA title. Unfortunately, so are minutes from the big guns. Both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce missed major playing time last year due to injury. Pierce played in 47 games and Allen suited up for 55. Tony Allen, who may also split time at 1- and 2-guard position, only played 33 games last season. The Big Three will all have to stay healthy for the Celtics to achieve their dream of a title. The coaching staff must effectively manage their minutes to ensure they’re all 100% come playoff time.
Coaching: Doc Rivers currently holds a 102-144 coaching record with the Celtics. While he has been saddled with mediocre teams in both Boston and Orlando, he is still under .500 for his career. The last 17 NBA championships have been commandeered by the coaching elite. During this period, only five men have led their teams to titles: Gregg Popovich, Pat Riley, Larry Brown, Phil Jackson and Rudy Tomjanovich. Can you really see Doc Rivers' name in this category? Ainge did the right thing by signing Rivers to a long-term extension to avoid any questions about his future with the team. However, expectations are extremely high. And if Doc cannot get the job done with these players, Celtic ownership can and will find someone who can. By that time, though, will it be too late?
The Diesel: While the center position in the league is not what it once was, the Miami Heat still boast a certain big man named Shaquille O’Neal. While Shaq is on the waning end of his career and will most likely not play a full season, he is still an undeniable presence. In a four-game series, who will cover an inspired Shaquille O’Neal looking for one last shot at a title? Kendrick Perkins? Glenn Davis? The tallest guy on the Celtics roster is free agent Michael Olowokandi. Need I say more? The Celtics must add a body, like PJ Brown or Kevin Willis, someone to absorb some fouls when they have to… and they’ll have to.
Eastern Rebirth: Compared to the Western Conference, the East, commonly referred to as the ‘junior varsity,’ has been the laughing stock of the league in recent years. That will not be the case this year. Chicago’s roster is stout. Detroit will be looking to make another run. Toronto will ensure they’re not a one-hit wonder. The Nets return their big three. Orlando has re-tooled. The Knicks may contend. And Cleveland still has a player named LeBron James who’s already tasted the NBA Finals and assuredly wants a return trip. To paraphrase Dikembe Mutombo, the Celtics will not have “a walk in the cake.”
The Celtics were the second worst team in the league last year. They have clearly made dramatic improvements and generated enough of a buzz to remove Tim Donaghy from the NBA headlines. The acquisition of both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen undoubtedly makes Boston instant contenders. But those three by themselves do not a championship make. Unless Danny Ainge and Celtics ownership face the remaining issues at hand, Boston may just fall short of its goal.
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season, The Red Zone Report
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
