First Round Matchup? We'll Take It
by Jeff Clark on Apr 6, 2011 5:52 AM EDT
in Boston Celtics Articles
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PrintThere's a decent chance the Celtics and Sixers will meet in the first round. On one hand, I don't like the prospect of playing a young, athletic, whippersnapper team in the early rounds of the playoffs. On the other hand, based on lsat night and a few other factors - I like our chances.
Yes, it could be a fun first round, this Acela Express Series, but it's clear that, for now, these teams are on two different levels. Before the game Collins talked about the value of the postseason and the kind of teaching tool it could be for his young group. Several Sixers players said they hoped the team wouldn't take a 'just-happy-to-be-there' mentality into the postseason, but none could say for certain that wouldn't be the case. It's certainly not for Boston. It's championship or bust in Beantown. And Philadelphia may be the first stop.
One big reason why the matchup doesn't scare me as much as say a New York series is because of the injuries. Not only are the Sixers likely without their dynamic bench scorer Lou Williams (this is a big deal), it was just revealed that Elton Brand has been playing with a broken hand for a month now.
Sixers’ Brand Is Playing With Hand Fracture - NYTimes.com
"It still bothers him," Rod Thorn, Philadelphia’s president, said in a telephone call Monday night. "He’s had trouble for the last month trying to catch balls. There’s no complaints about it from him. He keeps playing. His confidence, his leadership, have been invaluable to our team."
Still, before we concede the 2 seed to the Heat, consider that the two teams play each other (a matchup the C's have owned so far this year). The Celtics do have to face the Bulls as well, and nobody is happy about the 2 remaining back-to-backs, but let me cast some bit of optimism on that situation. The 2nd game of each of those back-to-backs is vs. the Wizards. The same Washington team that just announced that 6 of their rotation guys are out for the season (including dynamic scorer Nick Young).
And finally, at some point, you just have to stop worrying about who will play who and what seed each team will slot into. I like our chances against anybody, anywhere. And that isn't just gut feel. There are even stats to back me up. John Hollinger makes the case that once the post season rotations tighten up, the C's offense (subject to much criticism lately) will improve greatly.
NBA: Race for No. 2 in the East - ESPN
Boston? Arguably, the Celtics could benefit nearly as much. Consider this chart from basketballvalue.com. What you're seeing is Boston's plus-minus with various units on the court. At the top, notice that their most common units feature their four All-Stars with any warm-bodied big man; you'll see that regardless of whether it's Glen Davis, Nenad Krstic, Jeff Green, Jermaine O'Neal, Shaquille O'Neal or Ed O'Neill, the Celtics dramatically outscore the opposition with that group. Meanwhile, some commonly used Boston regular-season units that were trampled -- like "Robinson-Wafer-Daniels-Davis-Erden", for instance -- won't be seeing daylight this postseason.
Giddyup. Who's ready for the playoffs to start?
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Can't wait for the regular season to end. Bring it on!
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot."
- Bill Russell
Me!!
I wish the regular season was over right now, and the only thing that’s keeping me interested is the match-ups with the Bulls and Heat coming up. I think those games will tell us a lot about what the Celts have left in the tank for the playoffs. I really don’t care about the 1 seed, only because the Bulls will probably get it, and I’m not scared about going into their building for a game 7 for the eastern conference finals, if they get there. But, imo the 2 seed is important because it was give us home court against Miami.
76ers
It has been quite a while since the 76ers was a threat to the Celtics in the playoffs. Remeber Andrew Tony, Dr. J, Mo Cheek and of course Mose Malone? Those days were long gone and are not about to return soon. I like the C’s chance against this group of young 76ers.
Really? A link that requires a login ID? no thanks.
SAVE THE PLANET. GO GREEN!
by CaliforniaGreen on Apr 6, 2011 9:36 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I'm not worried about either Philly or New York...
I want the #2 seed for home court against Miami.
All the negativity in this town sucks. It sucks, and it stinks, and it sucks. - Rick Pitino
While I agree the 76ers actually upsetting the C's doesn't worry me... still...
I don’t want to see them in the first round.
Here’s why, the Sixers are a young talented team who will run, they will run every time they touch the ball. Sometimes they’ll run during time outs, and I’m about 90% certain they actually jog to every game. We saw it last night, games with them at a track meet and not just a basketball game.
Will the Celtics win? Of course, but I bet they expend a lot more energy doing it than playing New York, who since the Carmelo trade are a very very predictable half court offense team. I’ll take a grind it out half court series with the Knicks over a run and gun series with the Sixers any day of the week.
"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach
04 + 07 = 11
Neither one will.
"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach
04 + 07 = 11
It was one game, and a home.
Don’t kid yourself, the sixers are a good team, who will play with even more energy with the crowd behind them. There’s a lot of talent in the NBA, sweeps aren’t as easy as you might think.
"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach
04 + 07 = 11
Sixers wont be swept
It’d be more like 4-1 or 4-2 the most…Cs!! Then on to Miami and lastly the BULLS. Both very athletic teams that can give the Cs fits.
The biggest downside to losing the 1 seed.
Is having to play Miami in round 2.
Orlando scares no one… although they’ve actually played the Bulls pretty well this year, so who knows.
It should be interesting.
"Phil is obviously a good coach. You don't win that many games without being a damn good coach, ... Remember one thing: He's been very fortunate. He picks his spots. That's all I can say." - Red Auerbach
04 + 07 = 11
What are we talking about here - Only one Matchup Matters!
We’re one game behind LA for HCA in the finals.
Chicago get’s exposed this week. Rosey gets to watch Rondo own him again. And Noah you are right KG is not a nice person and I bet he’s even going to be meaner this time with 2 legs.
We already know Miami can’t beat over 500 teams..
Philly are we talking Philly…. please
Celtic Chat Handle: Bird
by David Henderson on Apr 6, 2011 10:11 AM EDT reply actions
Wow...forget Rasheed
We can sign Ed O’Neill?
Who is going to stop Al Bundy in the paint!
If we end up with the #2 seed...
It’s still a big chance that we do meet the Sixers in the 1st round since NYK is trying to snatch that 6th spot from them.
Since our last game is against the Knicks, it would be interesting if that game would determine the Knicks’ standing and may also determine our opponent in the 1st round ;)
Rajon Rondo said:
“Tonight was a good test for us. That might be a first-round opponent, and we did a good job of making a little statement, as far as them knowing it’s going to be tough to beat us in a seven-game series.”
http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-110406/daily-dime
Chicago scares me. Thibs scares me.
Don’t think Thibs doesn’t know how to defend us?
That being said, God willing, first and foremost we have to get healthy. I don’t know if Shaq needs to play by this weekend as much as he does just to practice and get his body right. Judging from the highlights and all, he looked good before he came up lame. I’m more concerned about Shaq’s body than his play. I think he wants this bad to shut Kobe up. If his body gets right, he’ll be good to go.
I don’t know what to think of Miami. On the one hand, a trio of young talented players scare me to death. That’s emotion. On the other hand, logic says don’t fear them because they are not balanced. If you look at the NBA since I started following it (1981), each championship team has had exceptional to great point guard play, and a guy who could get you points in the post. Miami has neither. Wade is not a point guard. Bibby can’t play D. LeFraud has no post game (the only time I remember him posting up against us this year was when Rondo was on him). Bosh is OK, but I don’t know how well he bangs with people who really like contact. And I’ll take Doc over Spoelstra. Just be healthy and see what happens.
As far as Philly goes, a nice statement game last night.
the Celts are taking the East again
The only team that scares me is L.A. Miami, Chicago and Orlando can all give Boston
a tough go at it, but in a seven game series – none of these teams will take the Eastern
Conference from the defending champs. The Lakers, with their length however, will
be tough to beat. Kobe has Ray’s number, so hopefully Garnett and Pierce are better
offensively than last year. If Shaq is healthy and motivated by beating Kobe in the title
game, then even the Lakers may go down (praying).
Its the same mantra as it has always been since Ray & KG got here:
If healthy, this team should not lose a series to anybody.
More specifically, if our Big 4 are healthy and we have at least 2 healthy 7 footers (preferably 3) who can play Center, then we’re good.
"We will take it easy, and walk on down our road at our pace with our focus ahead, and your focus on us." - Warrior Spirit, on what Celtics' Ubuntu is.
plus let us not exclude Jeff Green
who I still believe can come up big in playoffs and at the same time give PP quality rest; Delonte W and a properly placed Baby (not at center) should provide great firepower.
I love that pic of Rondo & DWest
West: “Dude, you gotta get some ink! I know some guys…” Rondo: “Get the -- outta here!”
The Lakers just lost. We now are tied in the loss column.
Please let the C’s win tomorrow. Please.
Please stop with "LA length"
May be maths have changed a little latelly but i dont see that “LA length” advantage over us.
Bynum-Gasol-Odom vs Shaq-KG-Green… similar length (or in our favor) and similar physical talent.
Bynum vs Shaq bynum more agil and Shaq much stronger.
Gasol vs HEALTHY KG… enough said
Odom vs Green similar length, speed and agility or in favor of Green. Talent is in favor of Odom
If we replace Shaq with JO versus Bynum then they are quite similar in strengh and agility.
Behind Bynum-Gasol-Odom, how many seven footer LA have?. We have JO, Krstic, Murphy…. (not counting BBD as we talk about length)
So i dont see the “LA length” advantage…
I believe in The Switch
remember last year
If Shaq is not healthy we will be at a slight size disadvantage. Odom is 6’10, Gasol and
Bynum are both 7’0. That is front line we cannot match up size wise without Shaq. That
is why Ainge signed Shaq. Don’t compare Green with Odom. They are not even close
in the same class. Ideally, with Shaq helping out Garnett with quality minutes, we shut
down their height advantage no problem. Green is a backup to Pierce remember?
Hopefully Green is only guarding Artest or Barnes. J.O. may have a problem stopping Bynum
like Perkins did at times. Shaq is the key to taking pressure off KG on defense and winning
the title.
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