I agree with you on the Celtics. I don't see anyone beating them in a best of 7 series. I'm more or less agreeing on the Suns too, but I'd like to see them play a couple more games with Shaq before I wholeheartedly agree.
I agree on Boston. They have great balance,play the best defense in the NBA,are well coached,and have 3 guys that are really hungry and see the opportunity in front of them. Out West,I have to go with the Spurs until they are beaten. Right behind them I have the Lakers. There is still a lot of basketball to be played. the Lakers and Suns have to implement their new players and the Lakers still need to get their core group back together. The West is really a tough call right now. I think the Lakers and Spurs wind up in the West Finals,depending on the seeding. If you want to press me for a committment...I say Celtics vs Spurs.
Last edited by alaskanballa on February 13th at 5:45 AM.
Ed,
I can see the Celtics going to the NBA finals although I am not going to predict it. I still think seven games against Detroit will be tough. AS for the West, the Suns are a joke. They'll be lucky to make it to the second round in my opinion. Spurs Lakers in the West finals is what I'm guessing at.
Guys, you can never count out Kobe or Lebron, don't be shocked to see them meet up in the Finals. The Spurs won't make it out, in fact I say they lose in the conference semifinals; they are aging, and will probably face a tougher first round matchup than they typically draw, they will be tired and ####ed up. The Cavs did beat the Pistons last year, so if people think the Pistons can beat the Celts, why not the Cavs. James Posey is a good defender, but he can't stop Lebron. Plus Cleveland is an underrated defensive squad and Larry Hughes is starting to play well.
Recall Def East. Conf. Champs Detroit Pistons beating the Heat in 7 the first year the Heat had Shaq; by no means is it a foregone conclusion that the Celts will win it all, let alone the East.
My Spurs are still an unknown quantiy. They have improved during this rodeo road trip even without Parker back. They are 5/3 during the trip with two of the losses coming early in the trip and one of the losses coming against the Celtics. Currently they have won 5 out of the last 7, all on the road.
Once Tony and barry come back and the team has time to work together for awhile, we will see if they have what it takes.
The age thing is way overblown. Tim is the same age as Garnett, Tony is still young. Manu and Fab just seem undestructable, and Bowen, though one of the oldest, still logs the most minutes with seemingly little effect. And while several of their bench is older, they are also more experienced.
It is not age that is hurting them now, it is the fact that with the injuries, the starters have not logged more than a few games together since about game 20 and those games they did play together several of them were playing hurt. Before the fist injury, they were 17 and 3. If they can regain that form, they can be a force.
Health is the issue now, but there is time to get healthy. Don't count them out just yet. Folks have made that mistake before.
Everything is so much in the air right now in the west so I'll post again once I've seen Shaq play with pheonix and Andrew Bynum come back from injury. But I'm pretty sure the Celtics will come out on top in the east.
People have counted them out every year, and have been correct every other year or so. They can't repeat, don't expect them to start now with the potential of a Lakers-Celts final...
edclinch
As good as the Celtics have been at this juncture. Once you start to see one of their triumvirate go down. You've got ot be somewhat worried. I know at this point we're but halfway into the season. But down the stretch they'll want all three to be healthy and playing their most consistent basketball. If not they could go the way of the Patriots. And who if anyone really saw that coming ?
Celtics - Lakers, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett face to face with Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Andre Bynum, hmmmm what can I say, I think the Lakers are the next champions, tough the Spurs can come up with a surprise and defend the title
We agree with ReverendRhythm .....BUT,
We know the LAKERS & CELTICS will have plenty of chance to prove that they are once again the championships RIVAL.
Go LAKERSsssssssssss.
Ed, I agree with you regarding the Celtics. They beat Detroit in seven games in the East final. The Suns will struggle to get out of the first round, only to be blown out in the second round. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if the Suns lost in the first round. Lakers defeat the Spurs in six games in the West to set up Lakers-Celtics in June. GO LAKERS!
edclinch
What do you now see happening with regard to Sampson in Indiana ? If the allegations are true then at best his position there has got to be untenable at best. Why the hell would he go out and repeat the same offenses he was caught doing in Oklahoma and lie to various officials about it ? Is he that complete of an id*iot ?
tophatal ........
Last edited by tophatal on February 15th at 10:05 AM.
I totally agree with J-Dizzle, The lakers are goin to pass up everyone, as soon as Bynum gets back they have an unstoppable low post presents in Lamar, Gasol, and Bynum. Kobe and Fisher in the back court is outstanding, esspecially with the way fisher has been playing up late. Looking forward to the 2008 nba Finals Lakers (1) vs. Pistons (2), and...Lakers will be taking home the crown
Bynum in my estimation is the most improved player this year
I have lived in a few different sports areas and I am faithful to these places and their passions, give or take. I was born and raised in Bloomington, Indiana (1970-1989). Bob Knight was a central figure. I then lived in Chile for two years, where soccer became more of a presence on my global map. After returning to the Hoosier state one year, 1992, I became more aware of college football for a five year stint in Provo, Utah (1993-1997). BYU Cougar football! I made another return to Indiana from 1997 to 1999, and then spent the last six years in southern California, minus the last six months of 2005, in southern Chile again. And I got back yesterday, UPDATE:Now in Loudoun Cty, Northern VA! I am in the South! I love sports enough to think that they matter...Some how.
