Are the Celtics capable of winning 72 or more games?

[Jon]

I know Rasheed said it about a week ago, but I'm curious to what you guys think: can the C's win 72 or more?  And I've purposely phrased it the way I have; I'm well aware that injuries could derail any effort to win 72+.  But assuming they stay healthy, is 72+ a possibility. ?

Personally, I'm saying yes.  They won 66 games with Rondo and Perk half the players they are today, with less chemistry, and without Rasheed, who is the best bench player they've had in over 20 years.  Moreover, Marquis Daniels may be good enough to replace most of what James Posey took with him when he left.  If they got within 6 of 72 two years ago, there's no reason they can't win 6 or 7 more with all the talent they've added since then.   

And for those who think the East has gotten so much better, has it really?  Two years ago Detroit was still a force to be reckoned with, not so anymore.  And while Orlando made the Finals this past year, let's face it, if KG was healthy the C's would've knocked them out of the second round in 4 or 5 games and no one would think anything of them now.  Same with Chicago.  They were made to look good because KG was out.  Had he been there, the C's would've swept their butts out of the first round and everyone would think they're garbage.  And besides that, who other than Cleveland is more than a 40-45 win team? 

So I'm interested, is this team capable of winning 72 games? 

[BudweiserCeltic]

They've been capable of it for the last two years. This year isn't any different.

[Big_Matt34]

Are they capable of it? Yes.

Will they? I highly doubt it.

[Eja117]

Someday I'll see a nearly undefeated season in the NBA. Someday.  Like 6 losses. I really think the Bulls were capable of it. The stars would have to align juuuussst right, but I think it could happen

[Donoghus]

Are the capable of it? Yes

Will they? I highly doubt it

My thoughts as well.

[Redz]

Are the capable of it? Yes

Will they? I highly doubt it

My thoughts as well.

yerp

[celticsclay]

No I think they will have some amazing stretches, but will probably be sitting guys or have injuries that will lead to at least one rough stretch. The one thing that makes this more possible is if cleveland is having an amazing season and pushing us for the best record.

[wdleehi]

Should they care?


Most definitely not!!!


Title or bust!

[bdm860]

They've been capable of it for the last two years. This year isn't any different.

I think this year is different.  They're better.  They definitely can.

I hear a lot of experts and players say the season is too long to get 72.  They say the Bulls were the only ones who could achieve that win total because they had MJ who never took a game off and never let anyone else take a game off.  Sound like anybody on our team?

But ya I think they can.  Will they is a whole other story though.

[bdm860]

The 72 wins reminds me of 1990's baseball, every year it was like "can someone get to 61?"  McGuire, Griffey, Brady Anderson, Albert Belle, Matt Williams, Greg Vaughn, etc.  you know they all flirted with it, but every year they fell short or couldn't keep up the pace or there was a strike or whatever.  58 homeruns, 56 homeruns, so close.  Then came 1998.

It seems like the same thing with basketball, every year it seems like can someone get to 72 wins (and before that 69 wins).  Dallas, Detroit, Boston, Lakers, Cleveland.  67, 66 wins, so close.  The baseball homerun mark is like the basketball wins mark.

[GKC]

I don't think we'd want to go hard for 72 unless we're winning easily. Because you don't want to peak too fast, and end up like the 07 Pats.

[Roy Hobbs]

Are the capable of it? Yes

Will they? I highly doubt it

My thoughts as well.

yerp

One more ditto.  I think the team will keep the starters' minutes down too much to make 72 wins feasible.  I'm saying 64.

[lon3lytoaster]

I don't know how many they'll win overall, but I think they'll win 16 

[GKC]

Winning 18 is more important than winning 72.

[Bahku]

Of course they're capable, I just think the odds are greater in this present league that they probably won't. Teams are much more evenly matched today, and this league is highly competitive ... that said, let's hope they do.