Deng and Rose are battling serious injuries.
Chicago is not going to be as strong as they were last year, they need both of them to have a chance.
The way I look at it is Chicago has the exact same team as last year, minus Bogans and plus Hamilton. Can Rose repeat with another MVP caliber year? Can Deng push out another very solid and consistent year? Will Boozer ever not shrink in the spotlight of the playoff? Will their other pieces improve enough this year to put them over the hump in Miami? Only time will tell but if I had to guess I'd say Roe won't have a year like last year, Deng will be the same as last year, Boozer will still disappear...and the jury is still out on Hamilton. Even with him back in the line up, is he going to be a guy that helps Rose out in crunch time to hep score that the Bulls so desperately need?
If we can formulate a strategy and team (including our great bench this year) to beat Miami, we can be successful.
I might be stating the obvious but this Celtics team is good if they're consistent...from Rondo to KG and everyone in between. Plus what you said.
If we can get the 6th seed and play the 76ers, Orlando or the Pacers in the first round- we can beat all of those teams.
If we get the Bulls in the second round (if they haven't been KO'd by one of the above) then we could surprise a lot of people- especially if our core 7-8 players are healthy.
I might be in the minority with this one but why not..play Chicago or Miami in the first round? Of course standings will dictate that but by saying we need to avoid those 2 teams in the first round isn't that kind of subconsciously agreeing to the notion of delaying the inevitable? I think it would be great to get matched up against Miami in the first round, maybe beat them then have to play the winner of the 4/5 matchup then 2/3 matchup. If the Celtics lose then they lose..and they'll be in the same position as if they beat another team in the first round then lose to them 2nd round.
