Celtics vs. Heat - how do we stack up?

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Well...i agree, but a version of shaq anyway...he may be to used to being the "star" and set in his ways to change and give our team what it needs....he still has plenty to offer, but lie Allen iverson. they still want to be       "The Man" instead of "The Help"....that kills chemistry..if sheed could find some sustained desire and get in REAL shape, he could still be a force, him and bbd can go to "get-in-shape-boot-camp".....and BRING it next year......BBD is a fool if he doesn't see what he has now and work on it, instead of thinking he has enough as it is....this is when greatness is formed, or missed..! Who knows, maybe Luke will be "The Force" we are looking for...or Bradley..i hope doc plays them more early......he isn't known for that......

[More Banners]

It's pretty clear that they have the best player in the league at the 2, 3, and 4 spots, and that MMiller has 6th man of the year potential, but it should drop off quickly from there.  Teams will have to beat them this year, and perhaps next, with superior depth.  After the next two seasons of adding an MLE player each year to fill out with a solid starting center and backup C/combo guard, they'll be the favorites to take all the marbles...

That's why we should be focused on going all-in for the next two seasons while A) Miami isn't up to full strength, and B) we have KG, Ray, and JO.

That means signing both Nate and TA to 2-year deals for whatever it takes, and trying to trade Sheed's deal UP for a bench scoring machine, even if it means (gulp) paying off the last 3 years of Rip's deal (with us throwing in other good, but not starter-quality pieces).  That means trying like heck to get Shaq in a backup role for the minimum (Matt Bonner is off the table).  It means getting the best talent at nearly any price, so long as that price doesn't extend beyond 2-3 years.

[Rashi]

Well...i agree, but a version of shaq anyway...he may be to used to being the "star" and set in his ways to change and give our team what it needs....he still has plenty to offer, but lie Allen iverson. they still want to be       "The Man" instead of "The Help"....that kills chemistry..if sheed could find some sustained desire and get in REAL shape, he could still be a force, him and bbd can go to "get-in-shape-boot-camp".....and BRING it next year......BBD is a fool if he doesn't see what he has now and work on it, instead of thinking he has enough as it is....this is when greatness is formed, or missed..! Who knows, maybe Luke will be "The Force" we are looking for...or Bradley..i hope doc plays them more early......he isn't known for that......

As much as I appreciate what Sheed did for the team in the post season I seriously think he is done, and if we could get 1 or 2 good players (who are young + athletic) in return for his contract, then I would rather have him retire.

Your spot on about getting Baby in shape. Him and actually Pierce as well both have to get into better shape. If we want to match up to this Heat team's athleticism and speed, then we can't afford to have Pierce walking down the court...he needs to run.

[snively]

The addition of Miller is just devastating. When Wade/Miller/James/Bosh are on the floor together, we just can't defend that team.  And they'll completely own the boards, which will in all likelihood lead to devastating transition attacks.

Just give them a hard-nosed shot-blocker at the 5 (heck they've already got Jarvis Varnado and Dexter Pittman, two excellent shotblockers at the college level) and a couple vet minimum signings (Keyon Dooling, Kurt Thomas, Theo Ratliff, Rodney Carney, Q-Rich) to fill out the bench.

The Lakers frontline gives them a nice counter.

Barring injury or calamitous chemistry issues or the sudden development of Rondo's jumpshot, I'd say we're destined to be a big speed bump.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Ya, PP has an odd body, but although he is tough, he needs to go to RAY ALLEN school, now that he is older, time to shore up your resources and defenses..PP has a bigger ego, maybe too much pride to do what Ray does...Ray is right on, you need 100% of your body's defenses...BBALL is WAR...so be ready always.....!!! As for sheed, well, if we get some good guys great...he can still be saved...some guys wake up after defeat like that...it taskes a month to sort it out...some see the light...some bury it.....! I hope KG tunes up also...leg strength, upper body and endurance....!!! He loves the battle like I do...!

[Witch-King]

The problem with the Celtics when compared to the Heat is that as each year goes by the Heat's 'Big 3' (v2.0) will still be in their prime, and likely continuing to add key role players.

As the Celtics get older they ultimately will decline in their athletic ability, however that doesn't mean that they can't advance to the Finals at least once within the next three seasons.

However, after 3 seasons from now the Celtics window of oppourtunity will have been greatly diminished, unless we had acquired someone from the Big3 v2.0's generation. I'm talking about a Carmelo Anthony/Dwight Howard/Amare Stoudamire type of player. Also, we may have to move one of the Big 3 to the bench by that point.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

They signed Mike miller and who else..?  They are really going for it...! I don't know miller....never seen him.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

i just looked at miamis roster, they don't have miller on it....

[yupitsme]

To be quite honest we can be fans all we want, but the time for this group of guys is over...We have no true star, just a bunch of hasbeens and i'm willing to bet one of the "Old 3" will be out before the playoffs probably Garnett. It sucks, but hey it is reality........and yes I know i'm kicking a dead horse here, but Rondo really needs to develop a jumpshot, I hope every team plays him like Kobe did in the Finals, so when he starts to hurt us maybe he'll realize how ridiculous it is when his man is 15 feet off him. (that is if he still can't shoot come next season)

and then we get Jermaine O'Neal? You guys saw the same Heat series I did and he is HORRIBLE. So now that he's a Celtic, it's a good pickup? Yeah right....everybody on this board will hate that scrub after a month of play. He's one of those guys that even though he's only 32, his play deteriorates fast.

Our highlight of this season will be Ray breaking Reggie's record as a Celtic and then we'll take our 1st round exit. Maybe 2nd round depending on who we play...Thank God we play in the East.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

I think you are a little too harsh on rondo there..most teams would kill their leader to get rondo.....his jumpshot is coming anyway.......then he will have a perfect game...you don't ask for much do you.....the perk injury was an  incredibly bad thing.....aside from the fact that kobe did it.....it put us in a worse spot..needing a 7 footer now, along with other help...perk was at least a great defender on the leagues big hackers in the paint....

[celtics2]

Now that Miami has it's "super" team in place, how do they stack up against our defending Eastern Conference champs?

I like the fact that most of our team is back from last year's Finals run. I think we have a clear advantage at PG with Rondo, as well as down low with our big guys (Perk, KG, Big Baby, J.Oneal) vs. Bosh and whomever else they get. Bosh is soft, and unless they get someone like Shaq, they really don't have someone to do the dirty work down low to counter our bigs. Next, they do have an advantage at the 3 spot with LBJ, but Pierce is no slouch and won't back down. Neither will Ray Ray at the 2 spot vs. D Wade. Wade and LeBron will need to play defense as well, and Wade will have to chase Ray around to make sure he is not open burying threes all day.

All in all, I think we are deeper, more battle tested, and most importantly a better TEAM. Not a collection of greedy egos like the Miami Heat. 

What do you guys think?


Go C's.

How are the Big 3 in Miami greedy?  They are taking less money than the max contract value brother.  Add up KG, Ray, and Paul's contract value in 2008 and compare to the the Miami Big 3.  I think you will be very surprised my friend.

If the C's did this you be thrilled.  You sound like a scorned lover or the guy who did not get a prom date man.


Just saying....

There is no State payroll tax in Florida. That' more incentive huh? They can afford to accept less.