Predictions, Anyone?

A lot of good questions to ponder here Scott. Out of all these I think the easiest question to answer is the Final Four teams. I know a lot of people like to pick the underdogs or go out on a limb, but I mean to me the final four teams will be the best two teams in each conference. Although I think the Magic will give either the Celtics or the Cavs a tough series in the semifinals I do not think they will be able to make it to the conference Finals. Which obvious leaves the Celtics and Cavs in the finals. In the west, its the same story, is anyone really going to challenge the Lakers and Spurs? Other than maybe the Rockets or Hornets who else will stop that from being the Western Conference Finals matchup.

Dealing with the other questions, the historical significance of this season mostly rides on the top two teams in the league. The Celtics and the Lakers meeting in the Finals would obviously be something you could look back at 10-15 years from now and talk about, also the fact that Phil Jackson has the chance to pass Red on the all times championships list. Certain Finals matchups are historical and of course Lakers/ Celtics will always be one. I mean, how many people do you think really talk about the Rockets/Magic Finals of the mid 90s or even the Spurs/ vs anyone matchups more recently? Other than that dealing with the historical aspective, you would probably have to look at a team like the Bobcats, who if there were to make the playoffs, would be making them for the first time in team history.

The MVP question is in my mind comes down to (yawn) Kobe or Lebron, and Im thinking that this is the year that Lebron takes it. With the way that team is playing, and if they only lose 1 or 2 games at home, how can he not get it. As much as the guy complains and gets favorable calls, without him Cleveland would be fighting for the 8th spot.

The Pierce question is the hardest one to answer. Anyone who has lived in this area the last decade knows how good this guy is. The moment he dropped to us in the draft we knew we had a steal for years to come. Without question if you were to make an all time celtics team Pierce would be coming off the bench if not starting (another debatable topic). But does that make him a top 50 player? I don’t know thats pretty tough, back when they made the original top 50 list, there weremt many questionable names on it, (Scottie Pippen comes to mind as one), so who would you remove. I dont call myself the greatest basketball historian, but looking through the list there are some great names that I don’t think Pierce would replace even if he does win another ring. But deep down, are you telling me Pierce couldnt have been Jordans’ Robin like Pippen was?

I hate the best coach ever question. It just never seems like there isnt a right or wrong answer. Phil Jackson is a great coach, but I mean, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille Oneal? Easily those 4 are in the top 75 if not 50 in league history and you dont have to coach like a maniac to get the best out of those guys. I think Phil took a little step back last year when he got outcoached by Doc Rivers. A guy who in the past basically got his tail handed to him by Rick Carlisle.

On to Doc, if he wins another championship, yes I think you have to look at him as one of the better coaches all time, but again, thats just based on the hardware he has to show. We all know the early years of Doc Rivers in Boston, we questioned him night in and night out. The guy used to play 12 people on a consitent basis? But again the years he has had some legit players he has won, even going back to the 04-05, they had some veterans on that team that didnt require Doc to play such a deep bench, and they won the Atlantic, but then got schooled by Carlisle.

So many things to think about……….I need a rest, till tomorrow -—-good topic

OK, the Celtics are fighting to defend their championship and hopefully widen the flag lead on the Lakers and keep Jackson from winning his 10th ring as coach.

We have Orlando and Cleveland as our rivals in the East. Hopefully, these two teams will square off in round 2 so we do not have to play both teams in a seven game series and worse yet, open off on the road. Playoff road wins are hard to get. Getting top seed in the East is a major priority. I think 65 wins will do the trick and that is obtainable for the Boston Celtics.

League MVP – Lebron will get it, but cases can be made for Dwight Howard, Kobe, Yao, Pierce, Garnett, and others.

If we can keep the title away from the Lakers two more years, than Portland will take over in the West as the Texas teams, Lakers, Phoenix, Utah all fade away. The East will be a much stronger conference.

Best coach ever is Red Auerbach – don’t get me started on that subject.

Pierce is not in the top 50 in all time NBA players and it may be tough for him to crack the list. But I think he projects to be in the 50-75 range when all is said and done. A couple of more titles with the Celtics would look very good on his resume.