FINAL STANDINGS

Eastern Conference

Atlantic

1. Boston Celtics        58-24
2. Philly 76ers            54-28

3. Toronto Raptors     39-43
4. New York Knicks     27-55

5. New Jersey Nets     21-61

 

Central

 

 

1. Detroit Pistons      60-22
2. Cleveland Cavs     46-36
3. Indiana Pacers      41-41

4. Milwaukee Bucks   31-51
5. Chicago Bulls        28-54

 

Southeast

 

 

 

1. Orlando Magic       57-25
2. Atlanta Hawks       43-39

3. Washington Wiz     34-48 
4. Charlotte Bobcats  32-50

5. Miami Heat            21-61

 

 

Western Conference

 

 

Northwest

 

 

1. Utah Jazz              59-23
2. Portland Blazers      45-37

3. Denver Nuggets      43-39

4. Minnesota Wolves   25-57

5. Seattle Sonics        18-64

 

Pacific

 

 

1. L.A. Lakers           61-21

2. Phoenix Suns        51-31

3. L.A. Clippers         46-36

4. G.S. Warriors        30-52

5. Sacramento Kings  25-57

 

Southwest

 

 

 

1. N.O. Hornets        58-24

2. Houston Rockets   55-27
3. Dallas Mavericks    48-34
4. S. Antonio Spurs   46-36

5. Memphis Grizzlies   25-57

 

* Red indicates playoff team

 

PLAYOFF SEEDING

Eastern Conference

1. Detroit Pistons      60-22

2. Boston Celtics       58-24

3. Orlando Magic       57-25

4. Philly 76ers           54-28

5. Cleveland Cavs      46-36

6. Atlanta Hawks      43-39

7. Indiana Pacers      41-41

8. Toronto Raptors    39-43

 

Western Conference

1. L.A. Lakers           61-21

2. Utah Jazz             59-23

3. N.O. Hornets         58-24

4. Houston Rockets    55-27

5. Phoenix Suns         51-31

6. Dallas Mavericks     48-34

7. S.A. Spurs            46-36

8. L.A. Clippers          46-36

 

First Round

 

Pistons over Raptors  4-2

Celtics over Pacers    4-0

Magic over Hawks      4-2

76ers over Cavs        4-2

Lakers over Clippers   4-2

Jazz over Spurs        4-3

Hornets over Mavs    4-1

Suns over Rockets    4-2

 

 

Semifinals

 

Pistons over 76ers    4-2

Celtics over Magic    4-1

Suns over Lakers      4-2

Jazz over Hornets     4-3

 

 

Conference Finals

 

Pistons over Celtics 4-3

 

Jazz over Suns        4-2

 

 

Finals

 

Pistons over Jazz   4-3

 

 

AWARDS

 

Season MVP:  Dwight Howard

MVP Runners-up:  Amare Stoudemire, Deron Williams, LeBron James

 

Rookie of the Year:  O.J. Mayo

Rookie Runners-up: Greg Oden, Michael Beasley, Russell Westbrook

 

Defensive Player of the Year:  Ron Artest

Defensive Player Runners-up:  Marcus Camby, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard

 

Sixth-Man:  Rodney Stuckey

Sixth-Man Runners-up:  J.R. Smith, Luis Scola, Louis Williams

 

Most Improved Player:  Danny Granger

Most Improved Runners-up:  Rodney Stuckey, Thaddeous Young, Al Thornton

 

 

Five Big Questions (and Answers)

 

Question #1:  If Manu Ginobili misses, or isn't 100 percent, for 30 games, can the Spurs still make the playoffs?

Answer:  The Spurs wins totals the past three seasons have gone down from 63 to 58 to 56, respectively.  Now with Manu out and both the Clippers and Blazers improved, the Spurs have their work cut out for them.  Four of their starters are old (Bowen 37, Finley 35, Oberto 33 and Duncan 32) and the bench has never been thinner.  On a good note, Finley is reportedly in the best shape of his life after spending the summer working out with Tim Grover.  And the addition of Roger Mason Jr. was maybe the biggest free agent acquisition the Spurs have made in years (Corey Maggette was what they needed though).  Tony Parker needs to become an All-Star this season if this team is to make the playoffs--he can do it.  Either way, consider this season their last hurrah before the dismantling begins.

 

Question #2:  Does LeBron James have enough of a supporting cast to lead his team back to the Finals?

Answer:  The Pythagorean Win formula indicates this team should have only won 40 games last season, which means they overachieved at 45 wins.  They've added Mo Williams, who will help take some of the scoring burden off of LeBron, but that's not enough to push this team over the hump.  I expect nice things from rookie J.J. Hickson but late-round picks in modern-era drafts are rarely difference-makers.  Still, the Cavs have some guys who can really shoot and, with a key expiring contract (Wally Szczerbiak), the chips needed to make a key trade down the line for an interior player (Shawn Marion?).  Right now, I see this squad as a team in limbo.  They can make a smart move or two and become title contenders, or, they can do "not enough," again, which would only push LeBron that much closer to bolting Cleveland.  I'm banking on the latter.

 

Question #3:  After adding Ron Artest to what was already one of the toughest defensive units in the league, is this the year the Houston Rockets live up to expectations?

Answer:  I don't know if there's a more talented and deeper NBA roster on paper.  This team has everything it needs to win 60+ regular season games and reach the Finals.  The big question mark, as we all know, is whether Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady can stay healthy.  Over the past three seasons, Ming has missed an average of 29 games per; McGrady has missed 21 per (Artest 26 per--suspensions and nonsense mostly).  Yet during that span, the Rockets have averaged 47 wins per season.  Can you imagine what this team would do if it stayed healthy?  Unfortunately for them, that's a pipe dream.  If McGrady's current knee injury is any indicator, fans in Houston can bank on once again being disappointed.  Note:  Don't be surprised if McGrady or Artest are traded this season.

 

Question #4:  Many people feel the Pistons are going to take a step back this season.  However, you're picking them to win it all.  What gives?

 

Answer:  Joe Dumars has the basketball IQ, management savvy and, perhaps most importantly, a vision for what his team needs to be in order to contend for the title.  With the infusion of Rodney Stuckey, Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell, what we're seeing is Dumars realizing that if his team is going to take that next step, it can't solely rely on its starters.  So what he's doing-what the Spurs aren't doing but should be doing-is blending young talent and energy into its core group of veterans.  What this is going to do is reduce the burden on the starters of having to play near-40 minutes per night.  Also, in the case of Stuckey, the Pistons are adding an element they've sorely lacked-dynamics.  Unlike Hamilton, who needs screens, and Billups, who shoots as a last resort, and Prince, who scores only when the opportunity is there, Stuckey can take the rock and make things happen.  In four starts last season, the 6-foot-5 guard put up the following averages:  28 minutes, 14 points, 3.5 assists, 1.3 turnovers on 46% FG and 83% FT.  New coach Michael Curry has already announced Stuckey will get at least 30 minutes per this season, and Johnson will start at forward.  Curry has what it takes to rejuvenate Rasheed Wallace, who didn't seem to care for Flip Saunders.  Tayshaun Prince has invaluable Olympics experience under his belt.  Expect big things.

 

Question #5:  Can either the Lakers or Celtics return to the Finals?

 

Answer:  Yes, they both can but it's unlikely.  Only a handful of teams have appeared in back-to-back Finals in the past 20 years and they were dynasty-caliber (Jordan's Bulls, Malone's Jazz, Shaq's Lakers, Isiah's Pistons, Duncan's Spurs, etc.).  Some will argue this current Lakers squad is on the verge of becoming a dynasty, but I disagree.  The truth is that, aside from Andrew Bynum's injury, everything went right for this team last year-let us not forget how their season started (Kobe was going to be traded, etc.).  Reserves Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic and Ronnie Turiaf came out of nowhere to form the best bench in the league.  They were able to fleece Memphis and get Pau Gasol for a bag of Swedish fish.  Kobe stayed healthy for 82 games, and Lamar Odom played in 77 games after missing 26 in 2006.  They made an impressive 15-win improvement from the previous season.  While I think they'll be strong this year, I just can't see them having the same kind of luck.  Expectations are high now, there's talk about starting Odom at point, we don't know how Gasol and Bynum will play together-much can go wrong.

As for the Celtics, the same applies.  Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen showed up, and the next thing we knew James Posey was a great player (yeah right) and Doc Rivers was a good coach (yeah right).  The Celtics not only met but exceeded all expectations last season.  Rajon Rondo was a pleasant surprise, and the Big Three managed to stay healthy enough (only 21 games missed, combined).  This year, the Celtics are going to face stiffer competition in the East with teams like Detroit, Orlando, and Philadelphia deeper and stronger.  I expect one of the Big Three to miss considerable time this year.  Someone on the bench needs to step up to fill Posey's shoes.  I think they'll be good, just not as good as last season, which is enough for another team to knock them off.

 

SLEEPERS

 

76ers:  Yeah, I know they're not that much of a sleeper pick, but I'm incredibly high on this team.  I think they can win the championship.  They have a steady and clutch point (Andre Miller), a dynamic scorer (Andrew Iguodala), an elite power forward (Brand), a defensive center (Dalembert), a wildcard talent with enormous potential (Thaddeous Young), and a bench comprised of scorers who can shoot (Louis Williams, Willie Green, Kareem Rush) and rebounders who can defend (Reggie Evans, Donyell Marshall, Theo Ratliff).  All the ingredients are here.

 

Pacers:  They were seventh in the league in scoring last year.  Toss in the following factors; the maturation of Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy (broke out big time last season); the addition of quality distributors in TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack; the drafting of talented wing Brandon Rush and 7-foot-2 defensive center Roy Hibbert (when was the last time a Georgetown big failed to become a serviceable NBAer?); the subtraction of malcontents Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Tinsley (soon).  The Pacers are primed to take another step this season.  They shoot way too well to not be competitive in most games.

 

Clippers:  Baron Davis has been to the playoffs in six of his nine seasons; Marcus Camby eight of his twelve.  Factor in the injury histories at play here, and it's pretty much safe to say that if these guys stay healthy, their team is practically a lock to make the playoffs.  Expect more progress from Chris Kaman, who was great last year, and will now have a much easier time with Camby alongside him.  Add 6-foot-10 Tim Thomas, 6-foot-9 Brian Skinner and 7-foot rookie DeAndre Jordan to the mix, and what you have is group of extremely mobile big men.  On the wings, they have good shooters in Al Thornton, Ricky Davis, Cuttino Mobley and rookie Eric Gordon.  This team will employ the run-and-gun all day.  When they're hitting their shots, they're going to be able to beat any team.

 

 

BUSTS

 

Raptors:  The people who try to sell you on Jose Calderon being John Stockton are the ones who have the fourth-year Spaniard on their fantasy teams (you'll hear all about the great assist-to-turnover ratio, I'm sure).  The truth is Calderon is somewhere between being an elite reserve and a consistently solid, but unspectacular, starter.  Now he'll have total control of a team that's coming off of a 41-win season, with the only addition being the incredibly overrated and grossly injury-prone Jermaine O'Neal.  For this team to take that next step, both O'Neal and Chris Bosh have to stay healthy (Bosh has missed an average of 14 games per season over the last three) and Calderon really needs to step up.  I wouldn't put my money on a team that needs serious contributions from at least two of the following names:  Anthony Parker, Jamario Moon, Roko Ukic, Jason Kapono, Kris Humphries or Hassan Adams.  Oh yeah, Sam Mitchell is still their coach.

 

Nuggets:  This team came close to really becoming a contender the past few seasons but, unfortunately, something always went wrong (mainly injuries).  Now, after averaging 46+ wins per season over the course of the last five years, it appears the Nuggets are prepping themselves for a midseason selloff.  First, they traded Marcus Camby away, for peanuts, to a team in their conference they knew would be improved enough to compete with them for the final playoff spot.  Then they let free agent Eduardo Najera, a fan favorite, walk away without even making him an offer.  Allen Iverson is in a walk year, Carmelo Anthony has disappointed the city by carrying himself like a thug, and perennial stretcher-riders Kenyon Martin and Nene Hilario are slated to start with no serviceable backups behind them.  Make no mistake, this a classic scenario in which ownership puts out a product that's "good enough" to sell tickets, and bad enough where fans won't totally be pissed when the rebuilding starts halfway through the year.   The only question is, "who will go first-Iverson, Carmelo or Coach Karl?"

 

 

Writer's note:  As we all know, making accurate predictions is incredibly difficult.  Players will get hurt or traded, coaches will be fired, surprises will spring up and drama will unfold.  With that said, I'd just like to add the following acknowledgments:

 

• Dallas could be mediocre and miss the playoffs.
• New Orleans could very well reach the NBA Finals.
• Atlanta could be good enough to land a top-four seed.
• Orlando could be the best team in the East.
• New York, New Jersey, Miami, Chicago, Seattle, Memphis and Minnesota will all be awful (with certainty).

Some people are going to call me crazy here--and maybe I am--but I'm increasingly feeling the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers--or two of the three--are soon to pull off a big deal that could involve names such as Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Marcus Camby or David Lee.  Of course, I have no proof any deal is imminent, however, a look at each team's recent moves leaves a lot of head-scratching and wondering.

The Nuggets have all but publicly said they plan to dismantle their team and start over.  They traded their only good big man, Marcus Camby, to the Clippers for nothing--a future second round pick--and let quality back-up, fan favorite Eduardo Najera walk off without an offer.  Then they went out and signed wacko Chris Anderson and traded for Renaldo Balkman.  Go to any Nuggets message board online and you'll see many of their fans are pissed.

These moves leave the Nuggets with the following players under contract: Carmelo Anthony, Iverson, Chucky Atkins, Kenyon Martin, Nene, Steven Hunter, Linas Kleiza, Anderson and Anthony Carter.  Iverson, Atkins, Anderson and Carter are all free agents at year's end who are unlikely to return.  J.R. Smith is a restricted free agent and Nuggets' brass has said they will match any offer.

Why would the Nuggets send off Camby for nothing when they know Martin and Nene will visit the IR as early as their next sudden movement?  Since joining the Nuggets, Martin has only appeared in 49% of his team's games.  Nene in the past four seasons has appeared in only 41% of games.  Making matters worse is the fact these guys might hold the two most untradeable contracts in the league.  Martin is owed roughly $45 million over the next three seasons.  Nene is on the hook for four more years and $43 million.  What's going on here?  Do the Nuggets actually believe these guys are good enough to play big roles, and that they'll hold up physically?

The Clippers are also in a weird situation.  Fans were psyched about a Baron Davis-Elton Brand combo but that was before Brand left for greener pastures.  Management responded by contacting the Knicks about adding Zach Randolph--a move that would make sense for both clubs--but as rumored, the Clips' offer of a second round pick wasn't good enough to convince Knicks' GM Donnie Walsh.  The Clippers then turned their attention to Denver and traded for Camby, a move that still doesn't make a lot of sense--a Camby-Chris Kaman pairing would be odd and this team has a greater need for a dynamic two-guard.

I wrote last Friday how I felt the Clippers might have made the Camby move--Camby, by the way, wants out of L.A.--to return to the Knicks with a different offer for Randolph and possibly others.  I feel, without a doubt, the two teams are talking.

Adding to the situation now is the latest trade between the Nuggets and Knicks.   The Knicks traded Balkman for nobodies Taureen Green, Bobby Jones and a future second-rounder--it is expected both Green and Jones will be released.  Certainly, this move wasn't about money because Balkman only makes $1.3 million.  Apparently, the move was to create roster space.  Roster space for what?

So within the past two and a half weeks, we've witnessed:

1. The Clippers make a trade offer to the Knicks for a player they covet.
2. The Clippers make a trade with the Nuggets for a player they don't need, but whom the Knicks do.
3. The Knicks make a small trade with the Nuggets just to create space.

Furthermore, when you look at the rosters of both teams and players' salaries, you can't help but notice that both Iverson and Marbury are both free-agents-to-be who will earn exactly the same dollar amount in salary--just under $21 million--next season.  Hmm...

The Knicks need a defensive center who can rebound and run.  The Clippers need a low-post scorer and a dynamic two-guard.  The Nuggets need to shed payroll and get something for Iverson before he walks for nothing--a point guard would be ideal.  Could a three-team deal be in the works?

The Nuggets could get Marbury (expiring contract and point guard--better fit with Carmelo), David Lee, Tim Thomas, a future first round pick (Knicks) and cash (from the Knicks--about $2.5 million).

The Clippers could get both Randolph (scoring forward they covet) and Jamal Crawford (dynamic two who would be entertaining alongside Davis).

The Knicks could get Camby (defensive center who rebounds and can run the floor), Iverson (expiring contract who would reinvigorate the fans in New York) and a future second round pick from the Nuggets.

The teams have been communicating and all of the details seem to indicate something of this nature is not only possible but brewing.

Celtics v. Hawks:

I'm not going to say much here except for "Congrats!" to Hawks fans whom for the first time in years can scream Hotlanta instead of Mylanta at the conclusion of the regular season. Still, the Hawks remain by and large a turnover machine that takes ill-advised shots and fails to play defense. The focused Celtics will sweep with ease; I'll be surprised if the Hawks lose one game by fewer than double digits. Celtics in four.

Cavaliers v. Wizards:

LeBron James claims he isn't 100 percent; I believe that just as much as I do that Kobe Bryant actually leaped over an Aston Martin. Look for LeBron to take over when it counts. I love me some Caron Butler-Antawn Jamison-Gilberto Arenas, but for every game in which these guys shoot over 50 percent, there are two games in which they shoot 35 percent. Mike Brown is secretly a good coach. The Cavs will come out hard-- look for a Ben Wallace awakening-- and take out the wildly-inconsistent Wizards in a borderline fun-to-watch/awful-to-watch series. Cavs in six.

Magic v. Raptors:

Two teams just a few pieces short of becoming title contenders-- sorry guys, maybe in two years. Guard play will decide this series for the Chris Bosh-Dwight Howard matchup is a wash-- who will foul out first? I like Jameer Nelson, but he's no floor general. Meanwhile, a healthy TJ Ford is secretly one of the top six or seven point guards in the league; Jose Calderon ain't no slouch either. The Magic live and die with the perimeter shot. Still, after Bosh, who's going to score for the Raptors? Magic in six.

Pistons v. Sixers:

I absolutely love Andre Miller's game, dating back to when I saw him tearing it up with the Utes. The man has tremendous poise and almost always comes through at the free throw line in clutch situations. Unfortunately for the Sixers, the Pistons got a guy just like that as well in Chauncey "I Look Like a Horse When I Smile" Billups. The other matchups favor the Pistons greatly; who the F is going to guard Rasheed Wallace? I can see something like a Thaddeous Young put-back winning one game for the Sixers in Philly. Pistons in five.

Lakers v. Nuggets:

I know I shouldn't say this, but I really, really, really want to... the Nuggets will win this series. OUCH! (Can I take it back later?). I thought the Nuggets had the personnel to win it all last year, but of course, no team goes too far when it has to play the would-be champ Spurs in the first round. This time it's a bit different. Everybody is healthy, Allen Iverson is one-year closer to retirement and just that much more hungrier, Carmelo Anthony has a monkey on his back to expel, and the 2008 Lakers ain't spit compared to the 2007 Spurs. I don't care about their regular season record; this Lakers team, especially without Andrew Bynum contributing, is very beatable. If the Nuggets can significantly slow down Kobe-- no easy task, I know-- I think Marcus Camby/Kenyon Martin/Steve Hunter/Eduardo Najera is more than enough to neutralize superwimp Pau Gasol. Nuggets in seven.

Hornets v. Mavericks:

Jason Kidd in his prime was one of the five best players I have ever seen touch a basketball, but those days are long gone. People question Dirk Nowitzki's heart, but he's still truly one of a handful of players in the enitire league who give opposing coaches nightmares. The Hornets have the best point guard in the league in Chris Paul-- if someone out there called him the best player, I wouldn't wince. Still, regardless of how good the Hornets played this season, they have serious depth issues, and are weak defensively. Neither team is great, but I'm picking veteran leadership and experience here.  Mavericks in six.

Spurs v. Suns:

What fun! This is why we tune-in, right? I said three years ago-- when he should have won MVP-- that Amare Stoudemire is the most offensively dominating big man in the league we've seen since Shaquille O'Neal's younger body. Now, playing along Shaq, Amare is just that much more dangerous. The Spurs frontcourt have their work cut out for them; whether or not Tim Duncan can stay out of foul trouble will ultimately decide this series. Manu Ginobili will be the best guard and most dynamic player on the floor. The Spurs are too smart, polished and focused for the Suns-- but are they too old? As far as I'm concerned, this is the NBA Championship right here. Spurs in seven.

Rockets v. Jazz:

This might be the ugliest series to watch this postseason. The Jazz play tough defensive-minded team basketball, but lack a truly dynamic player. For as good as Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer are, they're really quite easy to figure out. The same can't be said for Tracy McGrady, who can beat you in a variety of ways. The Rockets were pretty consistent from December on, even after they lost Yao Ming. The Jazz were unbeatable at home (37-4) but God-awful on the road (17-24). The Rockets have home-court advantage. Hmmm... if Rafer Alston is 100 percent, Rockets in seven. If he misses any games, the Rockets are doomed. I'm betting Jazz in six.

I received 27 test messages/phone calls/e-mails this morning regarding the reported Shawn Marion-Shaquille O'Neal swap, and all of them asked the same question:

"What the heck are the Suns thinking?"

Other comments included:

"Shaq can't even move, and the Suns play run-and-gun... what the..."?

"The guy is 36, has a busted hip and is owed $40 million... Oh my God, there's actually someone [Steve Kerr] dumber than Isiah Thomas out there."

There were others but I can't repeat them on this site. 

So far, I've heard 101 reasons why this deal makes zero sense for the Suns, but not one logical explanation as to why it does make sense.  I figured since I have to explain this to my friends, I might as well explain it to whomever out there is also confused.

It's simple.  The Suns NEED to trade Shawn Marion.  He's going to decline his player option at year's end and become a free agent.  The Suns have no interest in re-signing him (he's going to get a ridiculous Rashard Lewis-like mega-deal), and thus, they need to trade him to get something in return, rather than simply let him walk away.

The problem is Marion makes a lot of money (teams would have to return contract(s) equalling his $16+ million salary) and at this point is valued to most teams as a rental.  Therefore, no team is going to trade for him unless they feel confident they can re-sign him in the off-season and/or use the deal to unload some bad contract money.  This leaves the Suns in a tight spot.  Surely, they don't want to deal Marion for Ratliff and Friends.

So... who's the best player the Suns can get for Marion given all of the circumstances?

Shaq.

He's a center, and they need one (Amare Stoudemire can play his natural four-spot).  He's a proven champion, and they need one (who on this team has ever won anything?).  He gives them an option in the half-court, and they need one (this team is atrocious in the half-court).  He commands double-teams (Amare doesn't), out of which he is a tremendous passer (Amare isn't).  He provides toughness, and they need that (aside from Raja Bell, there's nobody on this team who can beat up my grandma).  Yes, he's a risk and all of that, but still, you know if he can stay healthy, he's someone you want on your team in the playoffs. 

So... Why not?  He's owed $20 million next season, and then $20 million in 2009-10.  If for one reason or another it doesn't work out -- he gets hurt, etc. -- it's temporary.  And on the other end in Miami, they can re-sign Marion as part of their rebuilding process.

The deal makes sense.  Disagree?  Think I'm crazy -- or really -- Steve Kerr is crazy?  Then ask yourself this: "Who could the Suns have gotten that's better than Shaq?"

Jermaine O'Neal?  His contract is worse than Shaq's, and he's even more of an injury risk (he's also a thug, and you know how Suns fans don't go for that mess). 

Eddy Curry?  Um... no.

Who?  Find me a center or power forward the Suns could have gotten for Marion.  He's not out there.  Either the player has an awful long-term deal, or the team receiving Marion can't re-sign him, or the player is a guard -- something the Suns don't need.

Shaq was the best the Suns could get for Marion.

It could have been MUCH worse.

 

Note* This deal was announced today so that in the event Shaq fails his physical, the Suns still have two weeks prior to the deadline to move Marion.

We're 20 or so games into the regular season and people are starting to ask, "Are the Boston Celtics really this good?"  Well, if you simply look at their league-best 18-2 record the obvious answer is clear.  Yes.

But before you find yourself lost somewhere in their hot start, between the in-your-face marketing campaign that sells us Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett like a Bell Biv Devoe reunion, and the nightly Sportscenter highlights, take a closer look at exactly what this team did to get here thus far.

Below I walk you through their first 20 games of the season, in order, with the results, as well as the record of their opponents entering the match-ups.

1.  Beat Wizards (0-1) in Boston by 20 points:  Washington was playing awful at the start of the season - they started off 0-5 and were leading the league in turnovers - with a hobbled Gilbert Arenas leading this team into the sewer (without Arenas, the Wiz have gone 8-5).  This game was a gimme.

2.  Beat Raptors (2-0) in Toronto by 3 points:  Good win here on the road against a sound division opponent.  Ray Allen hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to pull it out.

3.  Beat Nuggets (2-2) in Boston by 26 points:  Another good win, although we know teams struggle on their cross-country trips (this was Denver's fourth game in six nights; they lost the night before in New York against the Knicks).  The Celtics couldn't miss - they shot a mind-blowing 65% from the field.

4.  Beat Hawks (2-2) in Boston by 23 points:  This was clearly as easy win against a weaker team that went on to win only two of its first seven road games.  Again, the Celtics couldn't miss - they shot 61%.

5.  Beat Nets (4-1) in New Jersey by 11 points:  Good win on the road against a talented but inconsistent Nets team that wasn't falling apart then like the way it is now.

6.  Beat Pacers (3-3) in Indiana by 15 points:  Another good win on the road against a "live by the three, die by the three" Pacers squad.  Jim O'Brien's boys shot only 35 percent overall, and 8-for-25 from downtown.  They also killed themselves by coughing up the ball 22 times.  And yet, Pacers were down only seven points with four minutes left to play.

7.  Beat Nets (4-3) in Boston by 22 points:  Nets were without Vince Carter.  This game was a walk.

8.  Beat Heat (1-7) in Boston by 1 point:  The Celtics blew a 15-point fourth-quarter lead and almost lost.  Dwyane Wade, who was rusty in his second game back since undergoing knee surgery, missed a game-winning shot attempt at the end.  He said afterwards, "There was a lot of stuff going through my head: Being out six months, my second game back I had an opportunity to win the game against the best team in the league, record-wise, in the Boston Garden."

9.  Lost to Magic (8-2) in Orlando by 2 points:  The Celtics looked as if they were going to win this one, but Pierce blew several scoring attempts in the final minute.

10. Beat Warriors (3-6) in Boston by 23 points:  (see Nuggets above - fourth game in six days; lost to Knicks in New York the night before).  Warriors were also without Al Harrington, Matt Barnes and Troy Hudson.

11. Beat Lakers (7-4) in Boston by 13 points:  (see Nuggets and Warriors above - fourth game in six days; lost to Milwaukee Bucks two nights before).

12. Beat Bobcats (6-6) in Charlotte by 1 point:  The Cats had the game won, up two with about four seconds left.  All they had to do was inbound the ball.  Jason Richardson made a moronic inbounds pass, which was recovered by Pierce who then passed to Allen for a three at the buzzer.   They got lucky.

13. Lost to Cavaliers (8-6) in Cleveland by 5 points (OT):  This was maybe the first real "test" the Celtics faced thus far.  The returning conference champs were coming off a three-game win streak during which LeBron James stirred up Michael Jordan comparisons by scoring 112 points (37.3 per game average).   James put the Cavs on his back and carried them past the Celtics with a 38-point, 13-assist effort.

14. Beat Knicks (4-9) in Boston by 45 points:  It's the Knicks!!!

15. Beat Heat (4-10) in Miami by 10 points:  By now it's safe to say the Heat aren't very good.  This game was a blowout (Heat made it close in the end by beating up the Celtic reserves).  Wade, who shot 2-11 and scored 10 points, said afterwards, "I just played a bad game... simple."

16. Beat Cavaliers (9-8) in Boston by 10 points:  The Cavs were without LeBron James, and lost what was an extremely ugly game that featured two teams that shot below 40% and combined for 32 turnovers.

17. Beat Sixers (5-12) in Boston by 10 points:  Philly gave the Celtics a run for their money by shooting an incredible 56% from the field.  Eddie House and James Posey hit decisive threes down the stretch.

18. Beat Raptors (10-9) in Boston by 28 points:  The Raps were without star Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani.  This was a "gimme."

19. Beat Bulls (6-11) in Chicago by 11 points:  Nice win on the road, however, this was another ugly game by both teams.  The Bulls had played the night before in Detroit and were exhausted (36% FG, 3-16 on threes).  The Celtics turned the ball over 17 times (Pierce had six of them; he also shot 1-8).

20. Beat Kings (8-12) in Boston by 12 points:  The Kings were rested but without Kevin Martin.  This was another ugly game.  The Celtics shot 39% overall and 6-22 from downtown.

So, they're 18-2.  But I ask this... who the hell have they played?  Aside from the first match against the Raptors, the Magic game in Orlando, and the Cavs game in Cleveland, has this Celtics team played anyone good?  Not really.  These teams currently combine for a 162-181 (.472) record.

They pummeled lesser opponents early on as they shot close to 60% during their first six games or so, but then they started to level out some (the shooting percentages had to drop eventually).  They beat decent opponents by smaller margins, and then lost or barely won the "tough" games.  As the season wore on, they then began to tire some, as evident in their failure to have put away several lesser teams.

But all of this doesn't necessarily answer what we want to know -- "Is this Celtics team really THAT good?"  I don't think so.  They're good.  Can win the Atlantic easily good?  Yes.  Can kill the majority of teams in the conference good?  Yes.

But is that the kind of good we're wondering whether or not this Celtics team can be?  No.  We know they're good.  We want to know if they're THAT good.

We want to know if they can beat the Pistons, Cavaliers or even Magic in a seven-game series.  Can they?  Yes.  Will they?  We don't know yet.  They simply haven't played enough teams of this caliber to show us much of anything.  Can they beat the big teams out in the West?  We'll find out when they make a long trip out there (December 26-30: against Sacramento, Seattle, Utah and Lakers; February 19-25: against Denver, Golden State, Phoenix, Portland and Clippers).

The Houston Rockets are 12-11, which is a far cry from 18-2.  Someone might say, "The Rockets aren't very good; the Celtics would crush them."  Well, hold on a second.  For starters, 11 of the Celtics 20 games were at home, and only nine of the Rockets' 23 games were in Houston.  Secondly, the Rockets played Dallas, San Antonio and Phoenix each twice (home and away).  They also played at Utah, at the Lakers, and at Golden State where the Warriors are a completely different animal.  The current combined record of their opponents is 200-190 (.513).  My point here is it's what you do against the good teams that show what you're really about.  Some could argue this Rockets team, despite its record, is every bit as strong as the Celtics.

It's too early to say who's for real and who's not.  But one thing is for sure -- the Celtics aren't going to continue winning at a 90% clip.

They're not THAT good.