08 vs 10

[jordb2k5]

I wanted to get everyones opinion on this subject and see what the consensus is. I want to start by saying first of all we haven't won anything we aren't in the finals we have to win 2 more I realize how serious these next games are.

I wanted to look back at our 2008 championship playoff run and look at some comparisons. At the time the Atlanta series wasn't a big deal until we got into a fight with them they were playing better because of the bib by trade and they got hot. However I never really felt we were close to losing that series because of our lopsided home wins.

Maybe I was naive but I looked a little forward to Detroit but that series was a battle and really looking back on that season that was the closest we came to not winning the championship that year and it could have gone the other way thankfully it didn't.

Detroit wasn't much of a battle even though they got one on our floor so it was on to LA.

LA marched through to the finals and were picked to win and we really took it to them no doubt we wewrre better but that series never seemed close either. Banner 17

If you fast forward to this year Miami was picked by some to beat us i never thougt that I may not have any posts to prove it but I've believed we would win it all this year for awhile. We disposed of them quickly QRich probably helped with the fight but we would have won anyway.

Cleveland again well we saw how that epic series played out some might have lost faith when we went down 2-1 i always felt we were better though and our strength on the road now has been unreal what we have done. Incredible game 4,5, and 6 from this team truly special to watch but it wasn't over there.

Orlando once again most people picked them to beat us and also many felt this could be a tougher series than Cleveland for us. I felt from the beginning we would win this series but I would be lying if i said we would have a 2-0 lead. I'm wondering if this series ends quickly what to make of it are we getting better and just confident now?

This Is obviously premature but let's assume LA and us reunite in the finals. LA hasn't been tested yet and yes they will be picked to beat us if we make it. I maybe a homer but I believe in us and think we will win it all still. Could all these battles make us much better and that's the difference between us and Orlando and possibly LA? Help me out here I think we will win it all am I just crazy, I'm hoping in a few weeks to look back and say Cleveland was once again the scariest chance we had at not winning banner 18...

[TitleMaster]

In '08, those initial 7 game series were based upon our lack of experience, in playoff situations. Thus, we appeared to be the lesser of the conf teams, despite having a 66 win season.
However, in the ECF, the switch came on (or was that Ray Ray) and we never looked back. That's when we gelled, as a contender.

Realize, that game 4 comeback in the NBA finals was the greatest comeback in history. I don't recall a game like that. Even friends of mine from NYC, Houston, and other places started calling me about that particular game. It blew away basketball fans from all over.

Now, it's 2010, and unlike '08, we were periodically gelling, on and off, during the final weeks of the regular season. The first level switch came on in Miami, however, the real switch activated in game 2 in Cleveland. And really, game 3 was short term mental lapse. That's where we are today!

[fairweatherfan]

Up to this point (Game 2 ECF, or Game 13, take your pick), this run has been much better than the 08 one.  With the exception of the 4th quarter of Game 1 and all of Game 3 against Cleveland we've been pretty dominant throughout the playoffs.

Now all we have to do is beat the Lakers by 40 and we can definitely say this year's playoffs have been better 

[Roy Hobbs]

Up to this point (Game 2 ECF, or Game 13, take your pick), this run has been much better than the 08 one.  With the exception of the 4th quarter of Game 1 and all of Game 3 against Cleveland we've been pretty dominant throughout the playoffs.

Now all we have to do is beat the Lakers by 40 and we can definitely say this year's playoffs have been better 

Last year after 13 games, where were we?  Tied 3-3 with Cleveland, yet to win a road game?

Yeah, I like this year's march through the playoffs better so far.   Still, there's a long way to go.

[Mr October]

Regarding how good they are in the playoffs:

I think the 2010 Celtics are actually better than the 2008 Celtics. Yup I said it.

The 2010 Lakers are also better than the 2008 Lakers.
The 2010 Magic are better as are the Cavaliers, over their 2008 counter parts.

Mostly all of these teams are better because of how better prepared they are - confidence through experience, and defense through repetition.

The confidence oozing off of the Celtics has been awesome. And then they back it up (mostly) with terrific execution.

[BballTim]

  The Celts grew up as a team in the 08 playoffs. They'd never played together as a unit in the playoffs. I thought they ran into problems in Atlanta because of this. When Atlanta went on (even smallish) runs we'd struggle to score because we didn't really have any "goto" plays for grind-it-out playoffs games. Detroit, for example, had bread and butter plays they could go to that would stop the bleeding. We didn't. Also, people thought that the Cleveland series showed that we were evenly matched. I always maintained that if we'd played them again after the Lakers they'd have been lucky to win more than a game against us.

  Fast forward to 2010. We're calm, efficient and confident. Paul, KG and Ray aren't as good but Rondo is light years better. But it's the mindset that elevates us to (or close to) the level of that '08 team.(well, that and the cohesiveness of 3 years together) If they'd entered the playoffs with the championship experience and cohesiveness that we have now they might not have lost a single game on the way to the finals.

[Cman]

Last year after 13 games, where were we?  Tied 3-3 with Cleveland, yet to win a road game?

Yeah, I like this year's march through the playoffs better so far.   Still, there's a long way to go.

Yeah, let's not pat ourselves on the back just yet.  Still need 6 more wins to round out the season

[wdleehi]

08 accomplished it's mission.



10 has to get 6 more wins.

[LB3533]

It could be argued that this current group of guys have the benefit of the 08 experience helping them make up for the advancement in age of the Big 3.

Bench Wise:

Big Baby could prove to be the more useful player than PJ Brown ever was.

While TA will never have the 3 point shot of a James Posey, he can be just as effective (maybe more effective) than Posey was as a 1 on 1 defender. TA's ability to penetrate, handle the ball, and cut to the rim may makeup for the lack of 3 point prowess.

Sheed's interior defense is the key here & because he may be able to hit the occasional 3 pointer, I would say it is a wash between him and Powe, maybe a slight edge to Sheed since Sheed can occasionally score in the post too.

The only cause for concern is that Rondo has to play as a Starter and Backup PG minutes. Rondo's game has evolved so much so that we don't really depend on a backup PG in these playoffs.

Lastly, I even think the coaching staff have the benefit of the 08 team. They know what to look for and counter and what the team needs to do before the game actually starts.

I think this team is heck of a lot more prepared going into games than they were in 08.

[jordb2k5]

Great comments thus far i guess there's one thing I still want to feel everyone out on. Let's assume the rematch happens again I know a lonnnngggg way to go....how do you feel about our chances?

[2short]

I'm actually leaning towards this years ray allen being better than 08 ray allen

[Evantime34]

08 accomplished it's mission.



10 has to get 6 more wins.

I agree. I will wait until the playoffs are over to make a decision on this.

[Mr October]

Great comments thus far i guess there's one thing I still want to feel everyone out on. Let's assume the rematch happens again I know a lonnnngggg way to go....how do you feel about our chances?

The Lakers are bigger and a more skilled team. If this were truely a noncontact sport the Lakers would win.

However it isn't, and the Lakers haven't been hit hard in the playoffs since the finals in 2008. We'll see just how mentally tough they have become.

I honestly think the Celtics defense is good enough to make life very difficult for Gasol, Kobe and Odom. Outside of those 3, where will the offense come from? Are they going to post Bynum 15 times per game? no. How about running several pick and rolls with Fisher? no. Artest? no.

Meanwhile, the Celtics have 5-6 scoring options: Pierce, Allen, Rondo, KG, Sheed  (and the hustle combo of Davis/Tony).