Kenny Smith Just said Celtics would be in the Finals

[Brickowski]

I'm sticking with my prediction that the dark horse Atlanta Hawks will win the EC. 

Jamison doesn't help Cleveland that much.  He's just another guy to stand around watching LeBron do his thing.  And Jamison makes tham worse, not better, at the defensive end.

[sk7326]

Of course Chuck had to add his two cents and say that the Cavs would make it with Jamison.

Personally I feel its going to come down to the team with homecourt unless the Cavs play the magin in the Eastern conference finals, then I think the magic have the cavs number

I think Kenny and Chuck sleep the days they aren't on TV.  Cleveland is the significant favorite.  Jamison was a perfect pickup - a guy who can score without dominating the ball.  He is a possession maximizer - shoots ok, but is an extremely low turnover guy. 

That said the Magic are a serious threat - the Hawks are a dark horse with Boston, but Orlando still provides the matchup issues that Cavs are not best with.  And with Vince Carter starting to turn the corner and figuring out what the team actually needs from him - the Magic are in a position to take off. 

[Cman]

Well if Kenny Smith says it, then it will happen!

[hpantazo]

I think the Cavs are overwhelming favourites to win the East.

Not convinced that the Celtics can beat the Cavs now that they've gotten Jamison.

I'm not either, I think they'd have to have a serious injury to LBJ/AV/Jamison.

But even though they'd be favored I'd give the C's at least a 33% chance in a series, if Pierce can get back to moving well enough to passably guard LeBron.

After watching Lebron put up 43 13 and 15...and lose last night, I realized two things:

1. The Cavs have the same predictable one-dimensional offense that gets stale in the playoffs
2. Jamison will not change things unless they drastically change their philosophy.

It was painful watching Lebron get the ball 50 feet from the bucket last night literally every trip down the court. He made some spectacular plays down the stretch but also chucked up alot of threes and missed free throws. There is no ball movement in that offense and that always cathes up to teams in the playoffs. Ive said it before. If the Cavs had a different coach, they would probably have 2 maybe 3 titles by now.

I would like to add to that, the celtics are 1-0 against the cavs this season, so anyone picking the cavs, get back to me if they actually get a winning record against the celtics

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, it's good to hear that someone on TNT or ESPN is giving us a shot. I really like Tim Legler for ESPN..the man isn't on LA's Bandwagon like most of the ESPN it seems.

Good to see Kevin Mchale pulling for us, too. That's a given though, I guess .

Now all we need is for Larry to trade us Danny Granger for a 1st round pick

[kenmaine]

I think the Cavs are overwhelming favourites to win the East.

Not convinced that the Celtics can beat the Cavs now that they've gotten Jamison.

I'm not either, I think they'd have to have a serious injury to LBJ/AV/Jamison.

But even though they'd be favored I'd give the C's at least a 33% chance in a series, if Pierce can get back to moving well enough to passably guard LeBron.

After watching Lebron put up 43 13 and 15...and lose last night, I realized two things:

1. The Cavs have the same predictable one-dimensional offense that gets stale in the playoffs
2. Jamison will not change things unless they drastically change their philosophy.

It was painful watching Lebron get the ball 50 feet from the bucket last night literally every trip down the court. He made some spectacular plays down the stretch but also chucked up alot of threes and missed free throws. There is no ball movement in that offense and that always cathes up to teams in the playoffs. Ive said it before. If the Cavs had a different coach, they would probably have 2 maybe 3 titles by now.

I would like to add to that, the celtics are 1-0 against the cavs this season, so anyone picking the cavs, get back to me if they actually get a winning record against the celtics

Oh-Oh, based on that logic, I sure hope the C's don't get matched up against the Hawks in the playoffs.
But, as far as the Cavs, it sorta depends on how much love the refs give to LeBron and how much they let him get away with, similar to when Shaq was in his prime and just bulldozing people out of his way and always getting the calls.

[Greenbean]

I think the Cavs are overwhelming favourites to win the East.

Not convinced that the Celtics can beat the Cavs now that they've gotten Jamison.

I'm not either, I think they'd have to have a serious injury to LBJ/AV/Jamison.

But even though they'd be favored I'd give the C's at least a 33% chance in a series, if Pierce can get back to moving well enough to passably guard LeBron.

After watching Lebron put up 43 13 and 15...and lose last night, I realized two things:

1. The Cavs have the same predictable one-dimensional offense that gets stale in the playoffs
2. Jamison will not change things unless they drastically change their philosophy.

It was painful watching Lebron get the ball 50 feet from the bucket last night literally every trip down the court. He made some spectacular plays down the stretch but also chucked up alot of threes and missed free throws. There is no ball movement in that offense and that always cathes up to teams in the playoffs. Ive said it before. If the Cavs had a different coach, they would probably have 2 maybe 3 titles by now.

I would like to add to that, the celtics are 1-0 against the cavs this season, so anyone picking the cavs, get back to me if they actually get a winning record against the celtics

Oh-Oh, based on that logic, I sure hope the C's don't get matched up against the Hawks in the playoffs.
But, as far as the Cavs, it sorta depends on how much love the refs give to LeBron and how much they let him get away with, similar to when Shaq was in his prime and just bulldozing people out of his way and always getting the calls.

I dont want to get off topic but that Shaq comment is rediculous. Refs had to call him differently because he would get absolutely hammered and guys would still bounce off of him. Bulldozing? Come on now he was physically dominant and guys had no defense but to foul him. If refs called him like they call everyone else in the league, he wouldve attempted like 20 ft's a game. You have the Shaq and getting calls thing backwards. Sorry rant over.

[sk7326]

Key is if the Cavs hit their 3s.  They are a very good 3 point shooting team - LeBron is the best in the league at creating open shots for his teammates (ok - best outside of Steve Nash), teammates got to make em.  Their defense is excellent, good enough to keep them from getting blown out.

[RAcker]

I'm sticking with my prediction that the dark horse Atlanta Hawks will win the EC. 

Jamison doesn't help Cleveland that much.  He's just another guy to stand around watching LeBron do his thing.  And Jamison makes tham worse, not better, at the defensive end.

I agree with you assessment of Jamison in Cleveland.  This is LeBron's problem. He needs teammates that won't just defer to him at all times to get over the hump.

As for the Hawks, if the Celtics aren't in The Finals, I'll certainly be pulling for them.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think the Cavs are overwhelming favourites to win the East.

Not convinced that the Celtics can beat the Cavs now that they've gotten Jamison.

I'm not either, I think they'd have to have a serious injury to LBJ/AV/Jamison.

But even though they'd be favored I'd give the C's at least a 33% chance in a series, if Pierce can get back to moving well enough to passably guard LeBron.

After watching Lebron put up 43 13 and 15...and lose last night, I realized two things:

1. The Cavs have the same predictable one-dimensional offense that gets stale in the playoffs
2. Jamison will not change things unless they drastically change their philosophy.

It was painful watching Lebron get the ball 50 feet from the bucket last night literally every trip down the court. He made some spectacular plays down the stretch but also chucked up alot of threes and missed free throws. There is no ball movement in that offense and that always cathes up to teams in the playoffs. Ive said it before. If the Cavs had a different coach, they would probably have 2 maybe 3 titles by now.

I would like to add to that, the celtics are 1-0 against the cavs this season, so anyone picking the cavs, get back to me if they actually get a winning record against the celtics

Oh-Oh, based on that logic, I sure hope the C's don't get matched up against the Hawks in the playoffs.
But, as far as the Cavs, it sorta depends on how much love the refs give to LeBron and how much they let him get away with, similar to when Shaq was in his prime and just bulldozing people out of his way and always getting the calls.

I dont want to get off topic but that Shaq comment is rediculous. Refs had to call him differently because he would get absolutely hammered and guys would still bounce off of him. Bulldozing? Come on now he was physically dominant and guys had no defense but to foul him. If refs called him like they call everyone else in the league, he wouldve attempted like 20 ft's a game. You have the Shaq and getting calls thing backwards. Sorry rant over.

The chicken or the egg argument. Does Shaq constantly get hammered because he's bulldozing or is he bulldozing because he gets hammered? I think the truth lies in the former. Shaq gets away with a ton of crap no one else gets away with, you're left with no option put to hit him as hard as you can and hope no one calls you a foul on it, and if you get called for a foul, at least you put him on the line where he'll probably miss.

[sk7326]

Shaq always got hammered down low - that he is actually strong enough to have guys who try to foul him bounce off of him in failure does not change that.  I know it's not popular to be on Goliath's side, but he could have gotten to the line 30 times a game given how much he was hacked. 

[Edgar]

Shaq always got hammered down low - that he is actually strong enough to have guys who try to foul him bounce off of him in failure does not change that.  I know it's not popular to be on Goliath's side, but he could have gotten to the line 30 times a game given how much he was hacked. 

Nene did a outstanding job on him last night
late in the game
Perk and BBD can easily math that
Hes not that strong (age) to make you fly
when you have the toough defedig mentality
Its just a matter of dead weight

[sk7326]

Shaq always got hammered down low - that he is actually strong enough to have guys who try to foul him bounce off of him in failure does not change that.  I know it's not popular to be on Goliath's side, but he could have gotten to the line 30 times a game given how much he was hacked. 

Nene did a outstanding job on him last night
late in the game
Perk and BBD can easily math that
Hes not that strong (age) to make you fly
when you have the toough defedig mentality
Its just a matter of dead weight

Agreed - Shaq of 2010 for sure.  Shaq of 2000 is something else entirely.  Then the speed was there also, beat you to a spot, and too strong to root out. 

[Drucci]

I don't care what the analysts say. It's always nice to hear some positivity about the C's but honestly, we are now underdogs and many people have written us off, and I like that, we thrive when playing this role.

[Edgar]

also...in other topic from
nba.com

Celtics flip the script
Allen burns Kobe-less Lakers for 24 points as Celtics end three-game slide vs. L.A. | Box score

3 game slide??

didnt we win our last game too.