SWAGs 2007-2008

by Jeff Clark on Oct 15, 2007 5:00 AM EDT in Boston Celtics Articles

For those unfamiliar with the acronym, I loosely define this feature as Silly, Wild, "Astute" Guesses.

This will be my third year doing this, so it is always fun to look back at prior predictions (and as a result open myself up to ridicule and taunting).

SWAGs 2005 - 2006 | SWAGs 2006 - 2007

Some stuff I managed to somehow get right (like Gerald Green winning the dunk contest). In some cases I got the right result but was off slightly on timing (I thought the C’s would trade for KG in midseason instead of this offseason). In other cases, I was just dead wrong (trading Pierce, making the playoffs last year, etc.).

As a glutton for punishment, I’m back with more predictions that probably have about a 5 to 10 percent chance of happening.

1. Kevin Garnett will win the MVP. First of all, I’m not the only one thinking this. Secondly, he’s one of the top players in the game, he’s been unlocked from McHale’s dungeon, loaded up with two of the best sidekicks in the game, and given his first legit shot at a title in years. This man, who was already constantly intense, is going to give new meaning to the word. For years after this, when you look up the word "intense" there will be a picture of Kevin Garnet looking just like that famous screaming Muhammad Ali picture. Except instead of boxing gloves, he’ll be holding in his hand what is left of a shattered basketball rim and he’ll be standing over Tim Duncan curled up in the fetal position covered with glass from the backboard.

2. Doc Rivers will NOT be fired. In fact, he’s going to be coaching in the Eastern All Star Game. He will then covertly sign on to CelticsBlog.com under a username like DrGlenn25 and start a thread called "eat it all you haters! PWND!!!1" Of course then our moderators will ban him and he’ll deny ever having read this Celtics Bog thing. Years later he’ll have his own blog for TNT where he’ll talk about coaches needing to have patience with their GMs because you never know when you might hit the motherload.

3. Speaking of which, Danny Ainge will trade for a first round pick ...and offer Gerald Green for Robert Swift, purely out of habit. A lot of people will look at our roster and think "They can’t make any more moves. They are locked in now." Those people clearly don’t know Danny Ainge very well. I don’t know what his daily schedule looks like, but I’d imagine there’s a 2-3 hour window after lunch purely devoted to calling other GMs and asking "can I have him now?" (in the same tone of voice as the guy from the Verizon commercials). I’m convinced that this is why we got Garnett. McHale was just tired of Danny bugging him.

4. Defense will be the new name of the game. For all the hub-bub about the offensive weapons at the Celtics disposal, not nearly enough is being made of the defensive tools. Garnett, Perkins, Rondo, Posey, and Tony Allen will set the pace. Once the team establishes a rhythm in Tom Thibodeau’s defense, look out. I predict that the defense will get better and better as the year goes along. Which leads us to…

5. The Celtics will win their 17th Championship this year. There. I said it. Now, if I’m right, I’m golden and I can point to this moment and say "I knew it all along." If I’m wrong, well, lets just say it isn’t a stretch to call me a starry eyed fanboy ingesting Kool Aid mix straight from the pouch like Pixie Sticks (without the water added).

Besides, this team wasn’t assembled to pay their dues and work their way up to the title in a few years. The clock started ticking when the KG trade was made. KG and Ray Allen put in their dues elsewhere. Pierce and this team went through enough losing in this town. The time to win is now. Let’s worry about next year next year.

So those are my predictions and I'm sticking with them. So either I'll be right, or I'll be wrong and I can look back and laugh at myself again. Either way, you win. Enjoy.

Tweet Comment 26 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Good to see you off the fence….yes the C’s will take the banner this year and great to see more people climb on board. :D

by kefa461 on Oct 15, 2007 6:39 AM EDT reply actions

When you do things like this it represents your blogging at its finest. This was fun to read and it’s nice to see an air of positivism surrounding the team (and the blog) again.

I’m with in you in that I think Garnett will be a top contender for League MVP. Of course the critics are going to point at PP and RA (and the spectacular years they will be having) and say he’s doing so well because of them and if he were still in Minnesota he wouldn’t be doing this well . . .blah blah blah . . .

I do think Boston is better than 90% of the league at this point, and we’re all dreaming of a title. I’m just interested in how we’ll play against SA, Pheo, Det, and Chicago. We’ll probably know more about 20 games in.

One thing is for certain – this team will come to play every night, and leave it ALL out on the floor every night.

by tmcdon on Oct 15, 2007 7:30 AM EDT reply actions

yeah, I meant to expand on the KG for MVP thought a little more but got carried away in the imagry and forgot all about the arguement you are talking about – maybe I’ll expand on that thought another day

by Jeff Clark on Oct 15, 2007 7:44 AM EDT reply actions

I predict that both Kendrick Perkins and Scot Pollard will exceed their career bests in both ppg and rpg, in a definative demonstration of “the Rick Robey effect.” ;)

by Eeyore III on Oct 15, 2007 7:54 AM EDT reply actions

Rondo will be in the All Star Game….there…I said it…. ;D

by Edgar on Oct 15, 2007 8:17 AM EDT reply actions

Well Jeff, if your percentage stays about the same as it was last year (80%!!), I think we’re golden!

by bagofbeef on Oct 15, 2007 8:21 AM EDT reply actions

Your 2 and 5 contradict each other.

by Wide Load on Oct 15, 2007 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

lol

by Jeff Clark on Oct 15, 2007 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

i am optimistic but not as much as you are. i would love to predict no major injuries and if that happens so do all the rest but… how about a mid season deal for a vet point guard.

by nazzbo on Oct 15, 2007 9:34 AM EDT reply actions

I love the optimism Jeff- I hope you’re right

by tb727 on Oct 15, 2007 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

Here’s one, Perkules for the “Silas-Cornbeard grungy work on the block” prize against the other team’s most formidable front man.

In other words, the one who neutralizes the likes of a Stoudemaire, forcing him to take 18 footers instead of easy 5-10 ft shots. Also, the man (in conjunction with KG) who completely stops any opponent from grabbing boards which eliminates the possibility of a quick pass to Nash for a 4-on-2 fast break (ala Magic of the 80s).

by TitleMaster on Oct 15, 2007 10:03 AM EDT reply actions

I’m glad you mentioned the defense. But, has anyone noticed that with the almighty defensive mind of Tom Thibodeau, the dfensive strategy HASN’T CHANGED. They still play bump-and-recover on pick and rolls. They still shade perimeter people to the baseline. They still trap and rotate on low-block post ups. The only difference is that now you have Kevin Garnett executing this instead of Al Jefferson, and Perk is moving around like someone just took his feet out of cement blocks and put them into some sneakers. But, the strategy hasn’t changed a bit. Doc’s strategy wasn’t the problem; it was player technique. Perhaps Doc is not very good at teaching defensive technique. Maybe Thibodeau is better at that. But, from what I’m seeing, the two apparently do not differ as to strategy.

by migit on Oct 15, 2007 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Gulp gulp…I hope you are right…gulp gulp. Aaahhh! Kool-aid.

by RAcker on Oct 15, 2007 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

I have been telling everyone who will listen (well maybe they listen but dont really pay attention) that KG will be the MVP and the C’s will make the finals. If they dont make the finals, well then FIRE DOC! If they can’t beat the Spurs or the Suns in the finals… well i guess i’ll give them a pass…. this year.

KG MVP KG MVP KG MVP (anyone else want to hear that chant in the Garden this year??)

by green18going82-0 on Oct 15, 2007 10:53 AM EDT reply actions

Nice job Jeff. Excellent thoughts. I sure hope you’re right! I think that we are about a 25% chance of winning the whole thing. I sure don’t mind those odds… It will all depend on their defense which I think is more a matter of players and desire than the system in many cases. I think their offense will be dependable all year without injuries.

Couldn’t get through without a few Doc haters though…

by EJPLAYA on Oct 15, 2007 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

82 Game Team Chemistry, 82 Game Player Cumulative Injuries, and 82 Game Coaching. At least 2 of the 3 are 100% unpredictable. Right now I see plenty of blue sky, green fields full of Shamrocks and a bowl full of me Lucky Charms.

by Master Po on Oct 15, 2007 11:19 AM EDT reply actions

I believe swag is also the last remaining bits of one’ cannabis stash. But I digress…….Kobe needs a new home!!! Isn’t that a shame?!?!?

by The Real Large James on Oct 15, 2007 12:14 PM EDT reply actions

I was reminded by my wife that “swag” is also what they call the free gifts that they give to the celebrities at award ceremonies (as if they needed more stuff)

by Jeff Clark on Oct 15, 2007 12:24 PM EDT reply actions

My prediction is that we beat the Lakers, the Spurs and the Suns at home and I’ll be at all three. I’m also predicting that Brandon Wallace breaks into the rotation before Davis, Pruitt, Batista. I’m predicting all the Scal-haters are rendered mute by Jan. because KG, Allena dn Pierce are singing his praises.

by Wildblu1 on Oct 15, 2007 1:14 PM EDT reply actions

KG, Duncan, Dirk, Nash all have a chance for MVP but I think it will be a surprise player this year. RA or PP?

Doc sings happy days are here again and stays.

DA does not trade anymore.

C’s play D and win #17 peace and happiness is back
at the Garden

by CelticsWin on Oct 15, 2007 1:59 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t think it’s a stretch at all to say that KG will be the MVP. He’s gonna do whatever he has to do to get this team to the Finals. He knows he’s only got a few good years left. The thought of having three 20 scorers this season makes me excited like a 6 year-old on Christmas morning!!!

I’m not sure if there was ever a decision on what to call out new “Big Three” but how about the “Dymanic Trio”??? It’s kinda corny but short and sweet.

by gizmo010101 on Oct 15, 2007 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

I got your back Jeff. Pass the dry Kool Aid.

by Freeease1 on Oct 15, 2007 3:21 PM EDT reply actions

I agree on the Celtics winning it all. Nobody in the East makes me tremble.

Shaq is hurt again this preseason. His season is looking more and more like Theo’s last year.

Detroit is supposed to be the team to beat if not the Ceattles. I saw Lebron single handily shred Detroit, and when he wasn’t some unknown rookie guard was torching them from deep.

Raptors/Bulls up and comers but we have too much for them. Cavs overachieved last year and I don’t think they have the goods to repeat.

NBA Finals: whoever survives of the West probable three (Mavs, Spurs, Suns) probably has to go through the other 2 teams and a tough first round opponent to boot.

Banner #17 is achievable!

by docextension on Oct 15, 2007 10:38 PM EDT reply actions

Did someone mention swag? Knock, knock, knock- it is Kevin McHale at the door.

by docextension on Oct 15, 2007 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

Gosh, NBA All Star coach, MVP, Banner 17- if we only could find someone to help defend the Celtic half time dunk contest we would sweep the awards this year.

by docextension on Oct 15, 2007 10:42 PM EDT reply actions