You just saw the 2009 NBA Champions

[wdleehi]

A little early to be sticking a fork into the Celtics. 

[Rondo_is_better]

I think its a little premature to declare the Cavs the champs. Its a tired excuse, but it IS January.

That being said, I think IF the Cavs get to the Finals, they will win.

Things can happen to any team. Maybe LeBron goes down, or Orlando, or even the CELTICS (crazy as it sounds considering how bad we are right now) manage to play an inspired series and beat them.

You just proved my point. Your rationale behind this being possibly not true was that "maybe Lebron goes down"... Of course if Lebron wasn't playing they wouldn't be the champs, but what you're subconsciously thinking is that this would be the only way we beat them. They are simply a better team. I wish it weren't the case, but it is what it is.

That is not what I am subconsciously thinking. I think we will get back to ALMOST the same level of play we started the season at after the All-Star break. Then, in the playoffs, if we maintain that level of play I think we have a 35-40% chance of winning a series with the Cavs.

And just to be clear...I think the Cavs are the better team. I'm not disputing that.

YOU were the one that said that. You didn't offer any other methods of us beating them. It's okay to accept the fact that this team can not beat that team in a 7 game series. We are no longer feared by the other guys. We are no longer the bullies. We are now the bullied.

We haven't been the same team as last years Champs all year long. Even in that 19 game win streak we weren't playing close to the same level as last year. We need some changes and I hope Danny sees that. If we wait until next year the window will truly have closed.

Wait what? I didn't follow most of that.

1. I was the one that said what?

2. I don't need to "accept" anything. I'm not in denial. I have faith in this team and believe they will be able to improve their play enough that they will be able to challenge the Cavs.

3. Lately we have been the bullied. I think we'll change that.

4. For the last few games of the 19 game win streak we weren't playing as well as last year. The beginning in middle? Yes we were.  

[LarBrd33]

What I don't understand right now, is how did we go on the winning streak in the first place?  I can't imagine how we won those games.  Its like its two completely different teams.  Its not just a slump anymore, its a crisis, and we need someone to step up and direct some [dang] traffic since Doc is obviously content brushing all of this off. 

Well...

Two of our losses are expected.  The Cavs and Lakers at the very least are on our level.  As currently contructed... they are better.  We took a step back (losing Posey and PJ) and they took big steps forward (Mo Williams and Andrew Bynum).  We are gonna lose to them on the road.  It's just gonna happen...  I'm not worried about those two losses.  

It's the 5 other losses that are concerning.  The Golden State loss makes sense, because it was right after the Laker loss.  The team was going to be deflated during that game regardless if they beat the Lakers.

Losing to Portland in Portland by 5 isn't the worst thing in the world.  It's a good solid team who we had disrespected.  They had an ax to grind.  Even without B-Roy, it could happen.

Losing in New York is embarrassing and it shouldn't happen.  But a Mike D team can beat anyone if it gets hot enough.

Losing in Charlotte in OT is pathetic... but we did lose to the Wizards back-to-back last year.  It happens... I guess.   That's a mark of Boston being a self-defeating team that has temporarily lost confidence.

Losing to Houston in Boston is sad... But Houston is a 23-15 team.  It could happen.

Mixed in with that mess we have a game where we blew out the Kings by 45 and blew out the Wizards by 25.  So maybe we haven't COMPLETELY lost it.

It's just that these losses have all come bunched together that makes it disturbing.   If any of those losses had happened randomly throughout the season I would have just brushed it aside and moved on.  

We'll get back on track at some point.    

[EJPLAYA]

I think its a little premature to declare the Cavs the champs. Its a tired excuse, but it IS January.

That being said, I think IF the Cavs get to the Finals, they will win.

Things can happen to any team. Maybe LeBron goes down, or Orlando, or even the CELTICS (crazy as it sounds considering how bad we are right now) manage to play an inspired series and beat them.

You just proved my point. Your rationale behind this being possibly not true was that "maybe Lebron goes down"... Of course if Lebron wasn't playing they wouldn't be the champs, but what you're subconsciously thinking is that this would be the only way we beat them. They are simply a better team. I wish it weren't the case, but it is what it is.

That is not what I am subconsciously thinking. I think we will get back to ALMOST the same level of play we started the season at after the All-Star break. Then, in the playoffs, if we maintain that level of play I think we have a 35-40% chance of winning a series with the Cavs.

And just to be clear...I think the Cavs are the better team. I'm not disputing that.

YOU were the one that said that. You didn't offer any other methods of us beating them. It's okay to accept the fact that this team can not beat that team in a 7 game series. We are no longer feared by the other guys. We are no longer the bullies. We are now the bullied.

We haven't been the same team as last years Champs all year long. Even in that 19 game win streak we weren't playing close to the same level as last year. We need some changes and I hope Danny sees that. If we wait until next year the window will truly have closed.

Wait what? I didn't follow most of that.

1. I was the one that said what?

2. I don't need to "accept" anything. I'm not in denial. I have faith in this team and believe they will be able to improve their play enough that they will be able to challenge the Cavs.

3. Lately we have been the bullied. I think we'll change that.

4. For the last few games of the 19 game win streak we weren't playing as well as last year. The beginning in middle? Yes we were.  

You were the one who said that the only way we beat the Cavs is if Lebron goes down.

We haven't been beating teams like we did much of last regular season. We were not just winning, we were crushing them. Our second unit would come in and extend the lead.  Rarely this year do we build huge leads in the 30 pt range.

The only 3 guys on that team that I think have the mean streak to change being bullied are KG, Perk, and Powe. Let's see if they can get everyone else on board.

[EJPLAYA]

A little early to be sticking a fork into the Celtics. 

I'm not sticking the fork in the Celtics as much as I am handing the trophy to the Cavs. We aren't a bad team. We are definitely better than our last 9 game result. We are not however as good as the Cavs. They "Out-Celtic'd" us this year.

[Rondo_is_better]

I think its a little premature to declare the Cavs the champs. Its a tired excuse, but it IS January.

That being said, I think IF the Cavs get to the Finals, they will win.

Things can happen to any team. Maybe LeBron goes down, or Orlando, or even the CELTICS (crazy as it sounds considering how bad we are right now) manage to play an inspired series and beat them.

You just proved my point. Your rationale behind this being possibly not true was that "maybe Lebron goes down"... Of course if Lebron wasn't playing they wouldn't be the champs, but what you're subconsciously thinking is that this would be the only way we beat them. They are simply a better team. I wish it weren't the case, but it is what it is.

That is not what I am subconsciously thinking. I think we will get back to ALMOST the same level of play we started the season at after the All-Star break. Then, in the playoffs, if we maintain that level of play I think we have a 35-40% chance of winning a series with the Cavs.

And just to be clear...I think the Cavs are the better team. I'm not disputing that.

YOU were the one that said that. You didn't offer any other methods of us beating them. It's okay to accept the fact that this team can not beat that team in a 7 game series. We are no longer feared by the other guys. We are no longer the bullies. We are now the bullied.

We haven't been the same team as last years Champs all year long. Even in that 19 game win streak we weren't playing close to the same level as last year. We need some changes and I hope Danny sees that. If we wait until next year the window will truly have closed.

Wait what? I didn't follow most of that.

1. I was the one that said what?

2. I don't need to "accept" anything. I'm not in denial. I have faith in this team and believe they will be able to improve their play enough that they will be able to challenge the Cavs.

3. Lately we have been the bullied. I think we'll change that.

4. For the last few games of the 19 game win streak we weren't playing as well as last year. The beginning in middle? Yes we were.  

You were the one who said that the only way we beat the Cavs is if Lebron goes down.

We haven't been beating teams like we did much of last regular season. We were not just winning, we were crushing them. Our second unit would come in and extend the lead.  Rarely this year do we build huge leads in the 30 pt range.

The only 3 guys on that team that I think have the mean streak to change being bullied are KG, Perk, and Powe. Let's see if they can get everyone else on board.

Just to clarify one last thing, I don't think LeBron has to go down for us to win. If LeBron goes down, I think the Cavs go nowhere at all.

With Lebron playing, I think we have a 35-40% chance of winning a 7 game playoff series if we can raise our level of play to or near the level it was at the beginning the year.

[dark_lord]

difference between us and the cavs, the offseason.  the cavs improved their roster and lbj got better (especially defensively).

the celts lost key pieces to the bench and did not make any moves to improve them from last year.

[EJPLAYA]

I think its a little premature to declare the Cavs the champs. Its a tired excuse, but it IS January.

That being said, I think IF the Cavs get to the Finals, they will win.

Things can happen to any team. Maybe LeBron goes down, or Orlando, or even the CELTICS (crazy as it sounds considering how bad we are right now) manage to play an inspired series and beat them.

You just proved my point. Your rationale behind this being possibly not true was that "maybe Lebron goes down"... Of course if Lebron wasn't playing they wouldn't be the champs, but what you're subconsciously thinking is that this would be the only way we beat them. They are simply a better team. I wish it weren't the case, but it is what it is.

That is not what I am subconsciously thinking. I think we will get back to ALMOST the same level of play we started the season at after the All-Star break. Then, in the playoffs, if we maintain that level of play I think we have a 35-40% chance of winning a series with the Cavs.

And just to be clear...I think the Cavs are the better team. I'm not disputing that.

YOU were the one that said that. You didn't offer any other methods of us beating them. It's okay to accept the fact that this team can not beat that team in a 7 game series. We are no longer feared by the other guys. We are no longer the bullies. We are now the bullied.

We haven't been the same team as last years Champs all year long. Even in that 19 game win streak we weren't playing close to the same level as last year. We need some changes and I hope Danny sees that. If we wait until next year the window will truly have closed.

Wait what? I didn't follow most of that.

1. I was the one that said what?

2. I don't need to "accept" anything. I'm not in denial. I have faith in this team and believe they will be able to improve their play enough that they will be able to challenge the Cavs.

3. Lately we have been the bullied. I think we'll change that.

4. For the last few games of the 19 game win streak we weren't playing as well as last year. The beginning in middle? Yes we were.  

You were the one who said that the only way we beat the Cavs is if Lebron goes down.

We haven't been beating teams like we did much of last regular season. We were not just winning, we were crushing them. Our second unit would come in and extend the lead.  Rarely this year do we build huge leads in the 30 pt range.

The only 3 guys on that team that I think have the mean streak to change being bullied are KG, Perk, and Powe. Let's see if they can get everyone else on board.

Just to clarify one last thing, I don't think LeBron has to go down for us to win. If LeBron goes down, I think the Cavs go nowhere at all.

With Lebron playing, I think we have a 35-40% chance of winning a 7 game playoff series if we can raise our level of play to or near the level it was at the beginning the year.

So what you are saying basically then is I'm right. You are looking at the 2009 NBA Champs. I wouldn't put money down with your odds on us. I think you are probably about right if not a bit high.

[housecall]

Its still early yet.They haven't finished the first half of the season yet.I don't think i would "overreact" just yet and hand the trophy to the Cavs this soon.

[Rondo_is_better]

I think its a little premature to declare the Cavs the champs. Its a tired excuse, but it IS January.

That being said, I think IF the Cavs get to the Finals, they will win.

Things can happen to any team. Maybe LeBron goes down, or Orlando, or even the CELTICS (crazy as it sounds considering how bad we are right now) manage to play an inspired series and beat them.

You just proved my point. Your rationale behind this being possibly not true was that "maybe Lebron goes down"... Of course if Lebron wasn't playing they wouldn't be the champs, but what you're subconsciously thinking is that this would be the only way we beat them. They are simply a better team. I wish it weren't the case, but it is what it is.

That is not what I am subconsciously thinking. I think we will get back to ALMOST the same level of play we started the season at after the All-Star break. Then, in the playoffs, if we maintain that level of play I think we have a 35-40% chance of winning a series with the Cavs.

And just to be clear...I think the Cavs are the better team. I'm not disputing that.

YOU were the one that said that. You didn't offer any other methods of us beating them. It's okay to accept the fact that this team can not beat that team in a 7 game series. We are no longer feared by the other guys. We are no longer the bullies. We are now the bullied.

We haven't been the same team as last years Champs all year long. Even in that 19 game win streak we weren't playing close to the same level as last year. We need some changes and I hope Danny sees that. If we wait until next year the window will truly have closed.

Wait what? I didn't follow most of that.

1. I was the one that said what?

2. I don't need to "accept" anything. I'm not in denial. I have faith in this team and believe they will be able to improve their play enough that they will be able to challenge the Cavs.

3. Lately we have been the bullied. I think we'll change that.

4. For the last few games of the 19 game win streak we weren't playing as well as last year. The beginning in middle? Yes we were.  

You were the one who said that the only way we beat the Cavs is if Lebron goes down.

We haven't been beating teams like we did much of last regular season. We were not just winning, we were crushing them. Our second unit would come in and extend the lead.  Rarely this year do we build huge leads in the 30 pt range.

The only 3 guys on that team that I think have the mean streak to change being bullied are KG, Perk, and Powe. Let's see if they can get everyone else on board.

Just to clarify one last thing, I don't think LeBron has to go down for us to win. If LeBron goes down, I think the Cavs go nowhere at all.

With Lebron playing, I think we have a 35-40% chance of winning a 7 game playoff series if we can raise our level of play to or near the level it was at the beginning the year.

So what you are saying basically then is I'm right. You are looking at the 2009 NBA Champs. I wouldn't put money down with your odds on us. I think you are probably about right if not a bit high.

No, I don't think I'm really agreeing with you. You are declaring them the undisputed champions. I am calling them the favorite to win it. There is a 40% difference between the % chance you give then to win it (100%) and the % chance I give them to win it (60%).

I think the Cavs are the best team, but you really can't declare someone the champ in January. There's too much that could happen, either in the playoffs with an upset or with an injury.

We have similar ideas, but my position is much more moderate.

[celticinorlando]

long way to go but right now nobody would beat them in a 7 game series...the lakers would have ZERO answers for james

[EJPLAYA]

So what you are saying basically then is I'm right. You are looking at the 2009 NBA Champs. I wouldn't put money down with your odds on us. I think you are probably about right if not a bit high.
[/quote]

No, I don't think I'm really agreeing with you. You are declaring them the undisputed champions. I am calling them the favorite to win it. There is a 40% difference between the % chance you give then to win it (100%) and the % chance I give them to win it (60%).

I think the Cavs are the best team, but you really can't declare someone the champ in January. There's too much that could happen, either in the playoffs with an upset or with an injury.

We have similar ideas, but my position is much more moderate.
[/quote]


Sorry. Now you are just changing your figures. You said they had a 35-40% chance of beating them ONLY if we returned to the level of play that they were earlier in the year, not a 60% chance.

You know exactly what I am saying, and that is that the team we just played is better than anyone else in the league right now and should be the NBA champs. If the entire team was injured in a bus crash then yes I would be wrong. You giving them a 1/3rd chance only if we stop playing like a bunch of pansies and return to our dominant self is saying the same thing.

[housecall]

A little early to be sticking a fork into the Celtics. 

agreed...tp

[celticinorlando]

well boston sure is going to be playing the underdog role now...they are not the hunted anymore

[Andy Jick]

well boston sure is going to be playing the underdog role now...they are not the hunted anymore

i respectfully disagree...not only are they the hunted, but the league now sees them as beatable.  we're still defending champions and that puts a big fat bullseye on our back.