The Celtics stand today at 61-20 with tonight's finale leaving them at 61-21 or 62-20. How does 61 wins stack up compared to prior C's championship teams?
Since the 1974 champions:
1973-4 56-26
1975-6 54-28
1980-1 62-20
1983-4 62-20
1985-6 67-15
2007-8 66-16
The 2008-9 Celtics played their final 24 of their final 28 games without arguably their most influential player (the 4 KG played in that time span were 15 minute per game outings). The Celtics played 12 of their last 14 games without the services of 3 of their 6 big men (during this span, they were 10-2). Despite injuries and a slight 'sophmore slump' in level of intensity, the Celtics will finish no worse than 5 games behind their intensity-infused win total of last year. In the process of compiling 60+ wins, the team saw significant improvement (over last year) in the play of their starting center, starting point guard and starting 2-guard. They saw surpring growth over the last part of the season in their 2 young bigs (BBD and Powe) and found a better fitting role for their remarkable 3-point shooting master, Eddie House who may be well-poised to replace the clutch 3's that Posey hit in last year's run. On the way, they added a high energy 7-footer who can give the C's 5 minutes and can hit a 15-footer, and added a back-up point guard who has recently made most of us forget that many worried deeply about going into last year's playoffs with a substantial hole at the back-up 1 -- especially when we saw a slow Sam Cassell who was not hitting shots and an Eddie House who was unreliable running an offense and bringing up the ball (and not in his comfort position). At full strength, we are missing only a defensive stopper at the 2/3 a la Posey, Bowen. Nonetheless, the team defense this team is capable of is superior.
I think 61 (or 62) wins is incredibly impressive coming out of this regular season. Anyone who thinks that this team is not a powerhouse going into the playoffs is only paying attention to 1 'what if' scenario. That 'what if' of course, is 'what if KG is not 100%'.
The 'what if' I prefer, is 'what if KG IS 100%' (or close). If he is, then I think the Cavs and that other nameless team in the West should start worrying. We'll know soon. Go Celtics!
Topic: How impressive is 61 wins? (Read 4096 times)