2 random playoff thoughts

[ram]

FATIGUE: The playoffs are a different animal. Last year, the Celts played 24 playoff games in 60 days (1 game every 2.5 days or an average of 1.5 days off per game).
By comparison, the Celts just played their last 24 regular season games in 42 days (1 game every 1.75 days or .75 days off per game). While the games are more intense and against all good/great teams, the extra rest is very beneficial to age-challenged players.

TEAM: The difference between this year's team and last year's team is Perk, Rasheed, Nate and Tony Allen vs. Shaq, JO, Delonte and Jeff Green.

While I won't discount Perks' intangibles or Rasheed solid low post D, the 4 players gone only averaged 65 minutes, 21 points, 12 rebs per game. Baby was very good (most of the time) off the bench last year (20min/7pts/4r). Perk only played 25 minutes per game (again, don't discount rock solid D, intimidation, familiarity).

On paper, this year's team is better. On paper. On the court, we will see.

[Chris]

I agree with all of this...although, I would replace the word "health" with "fatigue".  Because I think injuries are going to happen no matter how long you have in between games, but fatigue won't be nearly as much of a factor in the playoffs as it is in the regular season.

But, you are right that on paper, this team is better than last years.  The questions are going to be health and chemistry.  I think the chemistry will come, just like it did last year, but Health, no one knows about, and they are just going to have to hope for a lot of luck.