Is This Team Better Than The 07-08 Team?

[KCattheStripe]

I miss Planet Pollard.

[EJPLAYA]

KG of 07 was definitely better than this one, Paul and Ray are about the same, while Rondo,Perk and Baby improved a lot.

We are deeper. We have 4 guys on the banch that could score about 20 points starting for other teams. Our front line is just amazing.

We just need to go into playoffs healthy and we can show them all how good and deep this team can be. Regular season is just a preview and all we have to do is to avoid major injuries. I have the same feeling about this year just as I had about 07, and I hope the outcome would be the same.

Yeah, Baby is sure filling up the stat sheet in those 5 wins this year. I can't believe how much better he looks than last year. It's almost as if he is a different player. Interesting how he changed his number to 13 this year?! 

Wasn't last year playoffs enough to show of how he improved comparing to 07? And in this preseason he looked even more fit.

Or you are just another Baby basher?

Not a baby basher really, just think Shelden has a LOT better skill set for what we need off the bench with that second unit. BBD is better than he was 2 years back, however that isn't hard because that first year he was extremely up and down and way too fat. I do give him props for what he was able to do with his physique. Had he not he'd likely be deep on someone's pine with a minimum contract. Maybe out of the league. He just really is very limited in his contributions off the bench. He'd be a better player starting for a bad squad than filling the role we need him to. Shelden's doing exactly what we need.

[misha]

KG of 07 was definitely better than this one, Paul and Ray are about the same, while Rondo,Perk and Baby improved a lot.

We are deeper. We have 4 guys on the banch that could score about 20 points starting for other teams. Our front line is just amazing.

We just need to go into playoffs healthy and we can show them all how good and deep this team can be. Regular season is just a preview and all we have to do is to avoid major injuries. I have the same feeling about this year just as I had about 07, and I hope the outcome would be the same.

Yeah, Baby is sure filling up the stat sheet in those 5 wins this year. I can't believe how much better he looks than last year. It's almost as if he is a different player. Interesting how he changed his number to 13 this year?! 

Wasn't last year playoffs enough to show of how he improved comparing to 07? And in this preseason he looked even more fit.

Or you are just another Baby basher?

Not a baby basher really, just think Shelden has a LOT better skill set for what we need off the bench with that second unit. BBD is better than he was 2 years back, however that isn't hard because that first year he was extremely up and down and way too fat. I do give him props for what he was able to do with his physique. Had he not he'd likely be deep on someone's pine with a minimum contract. Maybe out of the league. He just really is very limited in his contributions off the bench. He'd be a better player starting for a bad squad than filling the role we need him to. Shelden's doing exactly what we need.

The question is whether Shelden can do all that in playoffs against stronger teams.

I think you are too harsh on Baby. Last season he stepped up and there is no reason why he won't continue to improve further. He definitely showed the willingness. Let's give him the opprtunity to show how he can contribute from the bench this season. 

One thing is for sure, it's great to have so many options.

[CelticG1]

KG of 07 was definitely better than this one, Paul and Ray are about the same, while Rondo,Perk and Baby improved a lot.

We are deeper. We have 4 guys on the banch that could score about 20 points starting for other teams. Our front line is just amazing.

We just need to go into playoffs healthy and we can show them all how good and deep this team can be. Regular season is just a preview and all we have to do is to avoid major injuries. I have the same feeling about this year just as I had about 07, and I hope the outcome would be the same.

Yeah, Baby is sure filling up the stat sheet in those 5 wins this year. I can't believe how much better he looks than last year. It's almost as if he is a different player. Interesting how he changed his number to 13 this year?! 

Wasn't last year playoffs enough to show of how he improved comparing to 07? And in this preseason he looked even more fit.

Or you are just another Baby basher?

Not a baby basher really, just think Shelden has a LOT better skill set for what we need off the bench with that second unit. BBD is better than he was 2 years back, however that isn't hard because that first year he was extremely up and down and way too fat. I do give him props for what he was able to do with his physique. Had he not he'd likely be deep on someone's pine with a minimum contract. Maybe out of the league. He just really is very limited in his contributions off the bench. He'd be a better player starting for a bad squad than filling the role we need him to. Shelden's doing exactly what we need.

Sheldon is doing exactly what we need him to do right now, but we've also been blowing out teams and have not really needed him to step on and take on a load of the offense. Baby is someone that we might need to rely on in important games when bigs are in foul trouble or if we really need a spark off the bench. I think Sheldon has done great with the minutes he's got so far but he has also played very little and not many important minutes. If he keeps up the good work I do see him taking some of Baby's minutes kind of like how Doc would use Baby and Leon in certain situation depending on what we needed at the time

[nickagneta]

Little early to tell. Call me in June and I'll let you know.

[Greenbean]

Potential to be better than any team ever on paper. Lots of variables play into the equation to get an answer to your question. Ill bump this thread in June.  

[EJPLAYA]

KG of 07 was definitely better than this one, Paul and Ray are about the same, while Rondo,Perk and Baby improved a lot.

We are deeper. We have 4 guys on the banch that could score about 20 points starting for other teams. Our front line is just amazing.

We just need to go into playoffs healthy and we can show them all how good and deep this team can be. Regular season is just a preview and all we have to do is to avoid major injuries. I have the same feeling about this year just as I had about 07, and I hope the outcome would be the same.

Yeah, Baby is sure filling up the stat sheet in those 5 wins this year. I can't believe how much better he looks than last year. It's almost as if he is a different player. Interesting how he changed his number to 13 this year?! 

Wasn't last year playoffs enough to show of how he improved comparing to 07? And in this preseason he looked even more fit.

Or you are just another Baby basher?

Not a baby basher really, just think Shelden has a LOT better skill set for what we need off the bench with that second unit. BBD is better than he was 2 years back, however that isn't hard because that first year he was extremely up and down and way too fat. I do give him props for what he was able to do with his physique. Had he not he'd likely be deep on someone's pine with a minimum contract. Maybe out of the league. He just really is very limited in his contributions off the bench. He'd be a better player starting for a bad squad than filling the role we need him to. Shelden's doing exactly what we need.

Sheldon is doing exactly what we need him to do right now, but we've also been blowing out teams and have not really needed him to step on and take on a load of the offense. Baby is someone that we might need to rely on in important games when bigs are in foul trouble or if we really need a spark off the bench. I think Sheldon has done great with the minutes he's got so far but he has also played very little and not many important minutes. If he keeps up the good work I do see him taking some of Baby's minutes kind of like how Doc would use Baby and Leon in certain situation depending on what we needed at the time

Why would we need him to take a load on offense. That is EXACTLY my point. That's the only plus that BBD has going for him. From what I have seen this year Shelden doesn't appear to be a worse shooter from the outside than BBD so that benefit is even debatable. With Sheed, Daniels, and House on the floor along with either Ray or PP usually, the LAST thing we need from that spot is someone trying to score. We need a hard core rebounder who plays tough D and that is at least a threat to score the ball. Shelden is all of those. BBD isn't.

As for the overall topic though, there is no QUESTION we are a better team. The question is can we stay healthy. If we can we can beat anyone out there. We are too deep.

[Bahku]

I've said it many times now ... this team is the best team we've had since the 1986 Championship team, and if we stay healthy, (a big "if", mind you), there's no team that can touch us. Let's say a prayer that we have one of those seasons that's uncommonly injury-free, and watch how close to a perfect record we can attain. This team is so deep and has so many weapons ... there's hardly any let-up in pressure at either end of the floor when the bench comes in ... I'm lovin' this!

[DerrenMatts]

Without a doubt, this team is better than our championship '07 team.  Better chemistry (most of the guys have been playing together now, going on 3 years), younger players have improved (Rajon, Perk, Baby), and a deeper bench.

But the Lakers are much improved as well.

If both teams face off in the Finals again (like I'm sure will happen), it'll truly be a clash of the titans.

[CelticG1]

KG of 07 was definitely better than this one, Paul and Ray are about the same, while Rondo,Perk and Baby improved a lot.

We are deeper. We have 4 guys on the banch that could score about 20 points starting for other teams. Our front line is just amazing.

We just need to go into playoffs healthy and we can show them all how good and deep this team can be. Regular season is just a preview and all we have to do is to avoid major injuries. I have the same feeling about this year just as I had about 07, and I hope the outcome would be the same.

Yeah, Baby is sure filling up the stat sheet in those 5 wins this year. I can't believe how much better he looks than last year. It's almost as if he is a different player. Interesting how he changed his number to 13 this year?! 

Wasn't last year playoffs enough to show of how he improved comparing to 07? And in this preseason he looked even more fit.

Or you are just another Baby basher?

Not a baby basher really, just think Shelden has a LOT better skill set for what we need off the bench with that second unit. BBD is better than he was 2 years back, however that isn't hard because that first year he was extremely up and down and way too fat. I do give him props for what he was able to do with his physique. Had he not he'd likely be deep on someone's pine with a minimum contract. Maybe out of the league. He just really is very limited in his contributions off the bench. He'd be a better player starting for a bad squad than filling the role we need him to. Shelden's doing exactly what we need.

Sheldon is doing exactly what we need him to do right now, but we've also been blowing out teams and have not really needed him to step on and take on a load of the offense. Baby is someone that we might need to rely on in important games when bigs are in foul trouble or if we really need a spark off the bench. I think Sheldon has done great with the minutes he's got so far but he has also played very little and not many important minutes. If he keeps up the good work I do see him taking some of Baby's minutes kind of like how Doc would use Baby and Leon in certain situation depending on what we needed at the time

Why would we need him to take a load on offense. That is EXACTLY my point. That's the only plus that BBD has going for him. From what I have seen this year Shelden doesn't appear to be a worse shooter from the outside than BBD so that benefit is even debatable. With Sheed, Daniels, and House on the floor along with either Ray or PP usually, the LAST thing we need from that spot is someone trying to score. We need a hard core rebounder who plays tough D and that is at least a threat to score the ball. Shelden is all of those. BBD isn't.

As for the overall topic though, there is no QUESTION we are a better team. The question is can we stay healthy. If we can we can beat anyone out there. We are too deep.

Well ok i think you are taking the 5 game sample a little far. If he continues to rebound and score more than Perk than maybe he should take his spot. All I am saying is that you are blowing these 5 games WAAAY out of proportion. Things change very quickly and I think that Baby showed a lot of consistency at the end of last year and I think the only thing Sheldon might be better than him at right now is defensive rebounding. Not to mention we've seen Baby guard (guard well) people like Dhoward and Tim Duncan. If he can guard guys like that than I'm sure 2nd stringers will not be a problem for him. I love what Sheldon has brought to the table so far and if he continues this play he'll only get more minutes and when Baby comes back if he plays better (or plays the role better) than Davis than I am not opposed to letting Sheldon see the majority of those minutes. It's a little premature to say or do something like that though right now. We are 5 games into the season

And as for the OP who cares if we are 100 times better than our 07 08 team. We need to be the best team this year

[Celtics17]

Is this team better then the 07-08 team? Not until they win the title!! But, if I were comparing the two at this point I would have to say it is definitely looking they can be better. Rasheed is much better then PJ with no disrespect meant to PJ. I still loved Posey but the addition of Quisy has added new dimensions to the versatility of this team. Imagine how good we will look when KG does finally get the spring back, and he will, and when Baby comes back with a vengence, and he will.

[GreenFaith1819]

I would say both benches are nearly even----with this year's group only slightly better. Here are some points I can think of.

Sheed VS PJ Brown: Sheed brings a lot more offensively, but in my opinion PJ and Sheed are nearly identical defensively. Sheed wins this, but not by much.

Leon Powe was probably IMO our best low post offensive threat off the bench in 07-08. Most of Sheed's buckets are from the perimeter so far. He CAN score down low, but Doc hasn't exploited this yet. I'm sure he will during course of season.

Posey had more range than Marquis Daniels but I think Marquis is a better defender at this stage.

Sam Cassell came up big in quite a few games off the bench for us in 07-08.

Marquis Daniels may prove to be a better fit here because he will end up playing 3 positions.

Posey played 3 (sometimes 4) positions for the C's in 2007-2008.

Glen Davis had a few good games in 07-08, but he was still rather new.

Eddie House was big in 07-08, as well. And Tony Allen played key roles when he wasn't hurt that season.

And don't forget Scal.

So we were about 11-12 players deep in 07-08 also, with Doc platooning Glen Davis and Leon Powe to exploit different match ups.

I say all of this because I don't think the benches from 07-08 to this year are THAT much different or better. If I had to choose one, I would say this years edition is better, but only slightly.

[fairweatherfan]

I think it's a stretch to say we're already definitely better than a 66 win championship team with a 10 pt win margin and the biggest comeback and blowout in Finals history.  Way too long of a season to say that the first week of November.

But we definitely have the potential to be better, and look like an absolute juggernaut so far.  That's more than good enough for me 

[Bahku]

Without a doubt, this team is better than our championship '07 team.  Better chemistry (most of the guys have been playing together now, going on 3 years), younger players have improved (Rajon, Perk, Baby), and a deeper bench.

But the Lakers are much improved as well.

If both teams face off in the Finals again (like I'm sure will happen), it'll truly be a clash of the titans.

The Lakers don't scare me at all ... sorry, but from what I've seen of Los Angeles this year, they just are not the powerhouse team that everyone thinks they are. There are too many egos and too little team-oriented play. There are teams in the West that I think have developed far more than the Lakers and that match-up better against us. That said, if we stay healthy, there's no one that can keep up with this Celtics team. I agree completely with the first part of your post, however ... and I'll TP it!

[nickagneta]

Without a doubt, this team is better than our championship '07 team.  Better chemistry (most of the guys have been playing together now, going on 3 years), younger players have improved (Rajon, Perk, Baby), and a deeper bench.

But the Lakers are much improved as well.

If both teams face off in the Finals again (like I'm sure will happen), it'll truly be a clash of the titans.

The Lakers don't scare me at all ... sorry, but from what I've seen of Los Angeles this year, they just are not the powerhouse team that everyone thinks they are. There are too many egos and too little team-oriented play. There are teams in the West that I think have developed far more than the Lakers and that match-up better against us. That said, if we stay healthy, there's no one that can keep up with this Celtics team. I agree completely with the first part of your post, however ... and I'll TP it!

Team I'm thinking that scares me from out west is Denver. They are long, tough, deep, can get to the line, and have two great leaders in Melo and Chauncey.