Hollinger predicts Celtics go 54-28...

[Kwhit10]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp09/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=CelticsForecast0910

Predicts the Celtics to go 54-28 being 3rd in the East behind Cleveland (63-19) and Orlando (62-20) with Atlanta in 4th (44-38).

I know I'm a C's fan but still I think 54 wins it very pessimistic.  It doesn't really matter what he thinks, his prediction has no implication on how the season will play out, and I think he will definitely be proven wrong.  I'd definite;y bet the over if it was 54.

[Kwhit10]

Also for the West he has

Lakers (65w)
Blazers (55w)
Spurs (53w)
Nuggets (52w)

[Cman]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp09/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=CelticsForecast0910

Predicts the Celtics to go 54-28 being 3rd in the East behind Cleveland (63-19) and Orlando (62-20) with Atlanta in 4th (44-38).

I know I'm a C's fan but still I think 54 wins it very pessimistic.  It doesn't really matter what he thinks, his prediction has no implication on how the season will play out, and I think he will definitely be proven wrong.  I'd definite;y bet the over if it was 54.

I think that is reasonable. 
The regular season W total doesn't matter -- it is the playoffs that matter.  In order to make a run in the playoffs, we need Ray, PP, KG, KP, Sheed and Rondo to be healthy.  Of those guys, only Rondo should be averaging 36 mins a night.  The other guys should have their minutes around 34, or less.  This might mean losing some games, but I don't care.

It really annoyed me last season when Doc would play RA and PP most of the game, the Cs would be losing, then suddenly would go on a run, so Doc would keep them in more, only to lose at the very end -- in part because Ray and Paul were gassed from playing 40+ minutes night after night. 

I hope to NOT see that this year.  Take the L, preserve the star for the playoffs.

[moiso]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/trainingcamp09/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=CelticsForecast0910

Predicts the Celtics to go 54-28 being 3rd in the East behind Cleveland (63-19) and Orlando (62-20) with Atlanta in 4th (44-38).

I know I'm a C's fan but still I think 54 wins it very pessimistic.  It doesn't really matter what he thinks, his prediction has no implication on how the season will play out, and I think he will definitely be proven wrong.  I'd definite;y bet the over if it was 54.

I think that is reasonable. 
The regular season W total doesn't matter -- it is the playoffs that matter.  In order to make a run in the playoffs, we need Ray, PP, KG, KP, Sheed and Rondo to be healthy.  Of those guys, only Rondo should be averaging 36 mins a night.  The other guys should have their minutes around 34, or less.  This might mean losing some games, but I don't care.

It really annoyed me last season when Doc would play RA and PP most of the game, the Cs would be losing, then suddenly would go on a run, so Doc would keep them in more, only to lose at the very end -- in part because Ray and Paul were gassed from playing 40+ minutes night after night. 

I hope to NOT see that this year.  Take the L, preserve the star for the playoffs.

TP for that.  Plus, if someone has a lingering injury, shut him down and rest him for a while. 

[JBcat]

Even keeping the big 3's minutes down with the improved play of Perk, BBD, and especially Rondo along with the aquisitions of Wallace and Daniels I see 60 wins being reasonable. 

[Kwhit10]

Even keeping the big 3's minutes down with the improved play of Perk, BBD, and especially Rondo along with the aquisitions of Wallace and Daniels I see 60 wins being reasonable. 

As do I, I think from seeing how the team played without KG that even if their minutes are kept down this team can still win more than 54 games.

However, if we would need 63 wins to move from 3rd in the East to 2nd in the East while it would take maybe 44-45I wins to win the Atlantic and keep the 3rd seed I guess it might be in the best interest to keep everyone healthy and minutes down as opposed to pushing for HCA?

[the_Bird]

I'd take the "over" but I wouldn't put a lot of money on that.  KG will probably miss some games, and as much as I love 'Sheed - he's no KG.

I think they're more concerned now with keeping guys healthy and ready for the playoffs than winning every single possible game, so you'll see Pierce and Allen's minutes be held in check as much as possible.  Better to go into the playoffs as the #3 seed instread of #2 or #1, if it means having a healthy, rested roster instead of one that's beat up and worn down.

[slamtheking]

Well, Hollinger's an idiot IMO.  Nothing new there.  Has a love affair for Bron and Kobe and his predictions just follow that bias.

My argument to Hollinger's prediction is simply this-->pick the 28 games he thinks the C's will actually lose.  If put on the spot, I don't think he could justify that figure with specifics.

Personally, I could see the C's splitting a home and home with the top 4 teams in the West so that's 4 losses (This year I just don't see the C's not being motivated to win those home games).  Being reasonable, the C's could lose 2 road games each to Cle and Orl so that's another 4.  Now you're left with teams that are in a much lower talent level.  Toss in maybe 4 games lost on the road to inferior teams and maybe a few stinkers at home (every team has those) and that'll get you 15 losses.  I can't see how Hollinger comes up with another 13 losses.

[Celtics17]

It's just way to difficult to predict our win total. So much relies on the health of the team. I see more like 60 and if KG looks strong in the beginning, unlikely, but if he does then it's quite possible we are pusing the best record in the league. This is the same team that started out last year on fire with significant bench additions.

[lon3lytoaster]

So the Blazers are better than us? Really? Our fourth best player is almost as good as their star, Brandon Roy. I'm of talking about Rondo here. I'd probably take Roy over Rondo but it'd be a tough choice. Yeah, the Blazers are good with the addition of Andre Miller, and they could win 55 games... But they aren't better than Boston. Better teams typically win more games, at least that's what I've come to learn watching sports my whole life.

I think Tim Duncan is going to have a huge year, too.. I can't see them dropping past second. They might even have an outside shot at first in the Western Conference if they're healthy. Richard Jefferson is such a huge upgrade over Bowen or Finley that's it's a little scary.

Denver, with a full training camp with Chauncey should be better than Portland, too.

Back to Boston, though.. Glen Davis had a breakout season and he'll be on the bench but still effective with his improved conditioning, leaping ability and strength. Rondo could easily be an all-star this season and we added Sheed and Daniels. Can't forget we still have a large amount of cash in expiring contracts that will be enticing to teams later on... So we can improve even more. Scary thought.

KG's back and everyone's improved. Can't see anyone dropping off significantly. Celtics win 68 games, I'm calling it now.

[Fafnir]

I think that's a bit low, I'd put us at 58 at the moment. Winning 60 games for three year in a row would be quite a feat, I don't think it will happen.

If we're healthy the whole year and keep focused every game we'd do it. I don't know if either of those happen. Its all on if KG comes back, and comes back the same player.

[bunnywhi7e]

If healthy, I don't see why we can't win around 60, even more. And yes, winning all of the games is very important for the playoff seeds. We want to have HC advantage come playoff time, don't we ?

[BballTim]

  Last year we were close to a 60 win pace in the games without KG. I don't see where the drop is going to come from.

[Fafnir]

 Last year we were close to a 60 win pace in the games without KG. I don't see where the drop is going to come from.

Our point differential was more consistent with a 50 win team though, if we expect to win 60 we need KG.

[Brickowski]

50, 60, who cares?  I just want one win-- in the very last game they play this year.