Why is ESPN so Anti-Celtics?

[Rondo9dunx]

To me, saying a team is gonna beat the celtics in 3 is saying that the celtics aren't even to show up and will get blown out.

Doesn't sound like something a fan would say imo.

[indeedproceed]

To me, saying a team is gonna beat the celtics in 3 is saying that the celtics aren't even to show up and will get blown out.

Doesn't sound like something a fan would say imo.

Well, I think you're really missing the joke than. Rondo#### has been around here forever, and he's as passionate a fan as you'll find.

He was being hyperbolic.

[18isGREATERthan72]

To me, saying a team is gonna beat the celtics in 3 is saying that the celtics aren't even to show up and will get blown out.

Doesn't sound like something a fan would say imo.

It's a joke.  He said he also predicted the Knicks in 3, with the results of the Celtics sweeping the Knicks.  Obviously it would be a surprise if we swept the Heat, but I think his comment was supposed to be more of a jinx than anything...

[Onslaught]

You do realize that article is one man's opinion right?

There is no Mr. ESPN. These reporters are allowed to say/believe whatever they want.

You obviously don't watch or read ESPN, we get no love and haven't since we've gotten the Big Three.

That's not true. They wen't nuts over us the first year of the big three. Just not vs the Lakers in the Finals.

[ejk3489]

So we're the only team in the 2nd round as of this moment (Chicago looks like they'll close out the Pacers). However ESPN states, "With the only sweep of the first round, Boston made a statement against New York, but this season's Celtics still seem poorly equipped to make a deep playoff run. Beyond lacking a strong center and playing slowly, as we discussed previously, the Celtics had the lowest offensive rebounding rate in the league this year. Historically, that would mark them as possible playoff underperformers."

Lacking a strong center? Did they even watch the series? Jermaine O'Neal has OVER performed and has proven that when healthy he can be a great shot blocker and post defender. Also, we don't play slow we run half court sets and occasionally push the break with Rondo. As far as the rebounding KG has been handling that (Averaging about 10 a game), although when we were playing on help D we gave up a few more rebounds then we should of. But the Big Shamrock is coming back next round and should help with this a LOT!

My question to ESPN is why all the hate aimed at my team? The Lakers are currently tied with a Hornet's squad that is missing its 2nd Option (aka David West) and the Grizzlies are on the brink of eliminating the Spurs...oh and without their best player (Rudy Gay). ESPN you guys are a bunch of haters. Boston stand up!!!!!!!

As for rebounding...we have sucked. Period. To say otherwise is ridiculous. The whole reason the first 2 games versus NY were anywhere near as close as they were, is because we were getting severely out rebounded (and hustled).  One player having moderate success does not constitute solid team rebounding.

We only got out-rebounded (badly) in game 2.

        Celtics/Knicks
game 1: 44/34
game 2: 37/53
game 3: 43/33
game 4: 53/42

Other than that game we've been pretty solid. In games 3 and 4 the Celtics posted a defensive rebounding rate of 71 and 77.2.