6 Reasons the Celtics Will Be on Vacation in June

[CelticG1]

#6

Where is the Superstar on the Magic? Vince Carter? Dwight Howard? Howard isn't, or at least from your description isn't (someone who carries their team in the fourth) and if you claim that Vince carter is than there is no way you can't say Pierce is as well.

Bottom line for me is that I only fear one team in the playoffs and that is the Cavs. They are the only team that makes me nervous because of Lebron and the fact is that the rules they have in place in the league right now benefit Lebron in every way to the point where you are not really allowed to play defense on him.  Every other team in the league in a 7 game series in the playoffs doesn't really scare me. Of course we could lose to these teams but I think we have the talent to beat any of these teams as well.

Dwight Howard is a superstar.  He doesn't carry the Magic in the same way that Kobe and Wade carry their teams (offensively), but he does it defensively and on the glass - which is just as important.  Dwight Howard is a game changer, and at times he's unstoppable on both ends of the floor (almost always on the defensive end).  The Magic are built around him, and they succeed with that structure.  He's a superstar.

Howard is rarely a game changer offensively in my opinion and he certainly is not toward the end of games, he is more of a liability. He is a beast defensively but the guy gets in foul trouble so much that a lot of the time he can't even stay on the floor.

[PosImpos]

#6

Where is the Superstar on the Magic? Vince Carter? Dwight Howard? Howard isn't, or at least from your description isn't (someone who carries their team in the fourth) and if you claim that Vince carter is than there is no way you can't say Pierce is as well.

Bottom line for me is that I only fear one team in the playoffs and that is the Cavs. They are the only team that makes me nervous because of Lebron and the fact is that the rules they have in place in the league right now benefit Lebron in every way to the point where you are not really allowed to play defense on him.  Every other team in the league in a 7 game series in the playoffs doesn't really scare me. Of course we could lose to these teams but I think we have the talent to beat any of these teams as well.

Dwight Howard is a superstar.  He doesn't carry the Magic in the same way that Kobe and Wade carry their teams (offensively), but he does it defensively and on the glass - which is just as important.  Dwight Howard is a game changer, and at times he's unstoppable on both ends of the floor (almost always on the defensive end).  The Magic are built around him, and they succeed with that structure.  He's a superstar.

Howard is rarely a game changer offensively in my opinion and he certainly is not toward the end of games, he is more of a liability. He is a beast defensively but the guy gets in foul trouble so much that a lot of the time he can't even stay on the floor.

well, I remember him coming up huge offensively last year against Cleveland in the playoffs.  he always brings it on the defensive end - every opposing team has to change their game plan inside because of him.  that combined with the fact that he is an automatic scorer within 5 feet of the basket makes him a superstar.  his offensive game is gradually improving, too.

[BballTim]

1. In total rebounds per game the C's are 29th
In total rebound percentage the C's are tied for 25th
That makes them an overall bad rebounding team any way you look at it. You just can't discount offensive rebounding. Among the top ten offensive rebounding teams in the league in number per game and/or offensive rebounding percentage are: the Lakers, Hawks, Bucks, Thunder, Trailblazers and Suns. All are playoff bound teams.

3. There's a very large difference between having a bad shooting night every once in a while that is severely off the norm and being the Jekyl/Hyde inconsistent shooters the Celtics have been collectively as a team this year. I think it's a valid criticism given their nearly 5 percentage point drop in three point percentage this year.

4. Nate won us some games? That's news to me. Say what you want about his potential to be a bench scorer but the reality is he's averaging just 6.5 PPG for the Celtics or less PPG than Eddie House was scoring, a player who no one would ever confuse for a major scoring threat of the bench.

Regarding PosImpos' supposed what have you done for me lately look at Nate, well I think you need to follow your own advice. Over the last 13 games Nate has averaged scoring just 4.9 PPg with 4 of those games being held scoreless and only one being a double digit scoring night.

Nate has potential to be a bench scorer but that is far from reality at this point.

5. and 6. Paul has played more to his potential lately but overall, none of the Big Three are playing like superstars anymore and Rondo too easily has nights like last night to be considered a superstar yet.

1. I don't think you can lump defensive and offensive rebounding into the same statistic. It's a completely different ballgame and requires different basketball tools.
For instance, Shelden Williams increases our amount of OReb%, but has really hurt our Dreb% in his time out there on the court. You can blame that on Sheed, but Baby has also been paired with him.

Also doesn't help that Garnett hasn't been top form or close to it(where he's at now) for most of the season.

The teams I consider to be true contenders (LAL, Orlando, Denver, Cleveland, Boston, Utah, Dallas, Atl) and their offensive rebounding % ratings: 6th, 10th, 13th, 18th, 21st, 25th, 26th, 28th. I just can't consider something essential when the top 3 reads Memphis, Detroit, OKC.

4. I consider Nate to have put some games out of reach as part of the second unit and that has helped us to win some games. 10 point leads disintegrating were the norm and that has happened a lot less since Nate came aboard and Pierce and KG have roared back from their January form.

Look at the Charlotte game as an example. Nate comes in with a 4 point lead against the best defensive team in the league and his play turns that into a 15 point lead and provides the cushion for the starters and he carried the offense all by himself. The Pacers game was a similar story. Nate's 3's absolutely triggered that blowout. 

Have to say that I don't agree with just about anything you just said but we can agree to disagree.

  I think that when KG and Perk are healthy we're a decent rebounding team. I also think Rondo could easily give us another 2-3 boards a game in the playoffs.

[looseball]

Great analysis.  Cruel title.

[Mike-Dub]

I just have one question for all of the naysayers? out there. Would you please tell me the team that will definitely win the title this year and why? I dont want any opinions either, I want to KNOW the team that will wint it all. Don't give me, well if Shaq is healthy and as long as Bynum comes back. That won't get it! My point is this, you can't do it because there is no clear cut, definite champion out there this year. That being said, why can't the C's be in contention if there is no clear cut favorite?

Have to give you a tp for that. People are just picking "the field" over the Celtics it's ridiculous

I'm with you CelticsG1 gotta give Celtics17 a TP for that and not going with the field like most people are.

[Greenbean]

TP Pos for an excellent analysis of the teams weaknesses this season. I just hope they can overcome just a cuple of those and make a deep run because some of those are not fatal flaws.

[Greenbean]

Oh yeah the #1 reason:

The Finals dont go into July!

[nickagneta]

I just have one question for all of the naysayers? out there. Would you please tell me the team that will definitely win the title this year and why? I dont want any opinions either, I want to KNOW the team that will wint it all. Don't give me, well if Shaq is healthy and as long as Bynum comes back. That won't get it! My point is this, you can't do it because there is no clear cut, definite champion out there this year. That being said, why can't the C's be in contention if there is no clear cut favorite?

Have to give you a tp for that. People are just picking "the field" over the Celtics it's ridiculous

I'm with you CelticsG1 gotta give Celtics17 a TP for that and not going with the field like most people are.

Why is saying that if I had to look at the NBA right now and pick a champion that ruling out the Celtics due to some very evident flaws on the team is ridiculous? I don't get it. I'm as positive as the next gut but if I'm going to be objective about what I have seen over the last 3 months, I have to say that the Celtics don't have what it takes to be a champion.

They don't rebound well.
They are extremely inconsistent.
They show, on way too many occasions, a lack of effort and heart.
They collapse in second halves of games.
They have serious bench problems.

These are pretty much irrefutable characteristics of this team and not characteristics you see in very many NBA World Champions, if any.

I understand you guys want to be positive and have some faith and karma regarding your team but when you come out and attack people with different views or call them names or tell them to take a hike or call their opinion ridiculous, you are not being very positive or optimistic, you're being disrespectful.

Why can't you take the high road like some other quality posters around here who are very optimistic about this team like barefacedmonk, Bahku or GreenFaith? I think they share your view on the Celtics but they are at least being respectful of those that don't share the same opinion. BTW, those three guys are the first that came to mind there are literally dozens more.

[vinnie]

TP for Nick for the above post. Reflects my sentiments exactly.

[BballTim]

I just have one question for all of the naysayers? out there. Would you please tell me the team that will definitely win the title this year and why? I dont want any opinions either, I want to KNOW the team that will wint it all. Don't give me, well if Shaq is healthy and as long as Bynum comes back. That won't get it! My point is this, you can't do it because there is no clear cut, definite champion out there this year. That being said, why can't the C's be in contention if there is no clear cut favorite?

Have to give you a tp for that. People are just picking "the field" over the Celtics it's ridiculous

I'm with you CelticsG1 gotta give Celtics17 a TP for that and not going with the field like most people are.

Why is saying that if I had to look at the NBA right now and pick a champion that ruling out the Celtics due to some very evident flaws on the team is ridiculous? I don't get it. I'm as positive as the next gut but if I'm going to be objective about what I have seen over the last 3 months, I have to say that the Celtics don't have what it takes to be a champion.

They don't rebound well.
They are extremely inconsistent.
They show, on way too many occasions, a lack of effort and heart.
They collapse in second halves of games.
They have serious bench problems.

These are pretty much irrefutable characteristics of this team and not characteristics you see in very many NBA World Champions, if any.

I understand you guys want to be positive and have some faith and karma regarding your team but when you come out and attack people with different views or call them names or tell them to take a hike or call their opinion ridiculous, you are not being very positive or optimistic, you're being disrespectful.

Why can't you take the high road like some other quality posters around here who are very optimistic about this team like barefacedmonk, Bahku or GreenFaith? I think they share your view on the Celtics but they are at least being respectful of those that don't share the same opinion. BTW, those three guys are the first that came to mind there are literally dozens more.

  I think the point that they're making is, on some level, it's a nonsical argument. If the Celts don't win the title then of course they were right, but the odds of the Celts winning the title are pretty low. Same with the Lakers, Cavs, Magic, Nuggets, Mavs, Hawks, Phoenix and Utah. If I start 9 seperate threads saying that each of these teams don't have the talent or drive to win the title then at worst I'll be correct 88% or so of the time. Likewise, if you say the Celts can win the title then, even if they had the same chance of any of teams listed, that's still 1 in 9.

  Even if the Celts are title contenders, they're unlikely to win the title. Just like the other contenders are unlikely to win the title.

[Mike-Dub]

I just have one question for all of the naysayers? out there. Would you please tell me the team that will definitely win the title this year and why? I dont want any opinions either, I want to KNOW the team that will wint it all. Don't give me, well if Shaq is healthy and as long as Bynum comes back. That won't get it! My point is this, you can't do it because there is no clear cut, definite champion out there this year. That being said, why can't the C's be in contention if there is no clear cut favorite?

Have to give you a tp for that. People are just picking "the field" over the Celtics it's ridiculous

I'm with you CelticsG1 gotta give Celtics17 a TP for that and not going with the field like most people are.

Why is saying that if I had to look at the NBA right now and pick a champion that ruling out the Celtics due to some very evident flaws on the team is ridiculous? I don't get it. I'm as positive as the next gut but if I'm going to be objective about what I have seen over the last 3 months, I have to say that the Celtics don't have what it takes to be a champion.

They don't rebound well.
They are extremely inconsistent.
They show, on way too many occasions, a lack of effort and heart.
They collapse in second halves of games.
They have serious bench problems.

These are pretty much irrefutable characteristics of this team and not characteristics you see in very many NBA World Champions, if any.

I understand you guys want to be positive and have some faith and karma regarding your team but when you come out and attack people with different views or call them names or tell them to take a hike or call their opinion ridiculous, you are not being very positive or optimistic, you're being disrespectful.

Why can't you take the high road like some other quality posters around here who are very optimistic about this team like barefacedmonk, Bahku or GreenFaith? I think they share your view on the Celtics but they are at least being respectful of those that don't share the same opinion. BTW, those three guys are the first that came to mind there are literally dozens more.

  I think the point that they're making is, on some level, it's a nonsical argument. If the Celts don't win the title then of course they were right, but the odds of the Celts winning the title are pretty low. Same with the Lakers, Cavs, Magic, Nuggets, Mavs, Hawks, Phoenix and Utah. If I start 9 seperate threads saying that each of these teams don't have the talent or drive to win the title then at worst I'll be correct 88% or so of the time. Likewise, if you say the Celts can win the title then, even if they had the same chance of any of teams listed, that's still 1 in 9.

  Even if the Celts are title contenders, they're unlikely to win the title. Just like the other contenders are unlikely to win the title.

That's the perfect way to sum it up.  Yes, the C's don't like a championship quality team right now, but they have as a good shot as any others, behind the Cavs and Lakers, even though we still could beat them.

I didn't agree with this thread being ridiculous, because it is not and PasImos had a lot of valid points, I was just being ignorant and  didn't want to hear them when they were valid and good.

I still believe this team can win it though, but lots has to go right. 

And I was wrong to tell them to go be fans of other teams and , and leave, and attack them, but celtics17 did have a good point that we have as good of a shot as any of the other teams, behind the Lakers and Cavs, but again I still believe we can beat them. 

I already apologized for what I said to PasImos and said I was wrong, quite frankly I have said a lot of stupid and wrong things on here because my homerism and passion is getting in the way (not saying you guys aren't as passionate as me because I bet a lot of you are and more), so why do you guys have to keep bashing me on it.

[BballTim]

I just have one question for all of the naysayers? out there. Would you please tell me the team that will definitely win the title this year and why? I dont want any opinions either, I want to KNOW the team that will wint it all. Don't give me, well if Shaq is healthy and as long as Bynum comes back. That won't get it! My point is this, you can't do it because there is no clear cut, definite champion out there this year. That being said, why can't the C's be in contention if there is no clear cut favorite?

Have to give you a tp for that. People are just picking "the field" over the Celtics it's ridiculous

I'm with you CelticsG1 gotta give Celtics17 a TP for that and not going with the field like most people are.

Why is saying that if I had to look at the NBA right now and pick a champion that ruling out the Celtics due to some very evident flaws on the team is ridiculous? I don't get it. I'm as positive as the next gut but if I'm going to be objective about what I have seen over the last 3 months, I have to say that the Celtics don't have what it takes to be a champion.

They don't rebound well.
They are extremely inconsistent.
They show, on way too many occasions, a lack of effort and heart.
They collapse in second halves of games.
They have serious bench problems.

These are pretty much irrefutable characteristics of this team and not characteristics you see in very many NBA World Champions, if any.

I understand you guys want to be positive and have some faith and karma regarding your team but when you come out and attack people with different views or call them names or tell them to take a hike or call their opinion ridiculous, you are not being very positive or optimistic, you're being disrespectful.

Why can't you take the high road like some other quality posters around here who are very optimistic about this team like barefacedmonk, Bahku or GreenFaith? I think they share your view on the Celtics but they are at least being respectful of those that don't share the same opinion. BTW, those three guys are the first that came to mind there are literally dozens more.

  I think the point that they're making is, on some level, it's a nonsical argument. If the Celts don't win the title then of course they were right, but the odds of the Celts winning the title are pretty low. Same with the Lakers, Cavs, Magic, Nuggets, Mavs, Hawks, Phoenix and Utah. If I start 9 seperate threads saying that each of these teams don't have the talent or drive to win the title then at worst I'll be correct 88% or so of the time. Likewise, if you say the Celts can win the title then, even if they had the same chance of any of teams listed, that's still 1 in 9.

  Even if the Celts are title contenders, they're unlikely to win the title. Just like the other contenders are unlikely to win the title.

That's the perfect way to sum it up.  Yes, the C's don't like a championship quality team right now, but they have as a good shot as any others, behind the Cavs and Lakers, even though we still could beat them.

   Beyond that, the other contenders look better from a distance than they do up close. There's an article in the herald today about Kobe blowing a (minor) gasket because of the way the team was playing.

[fairweatherfan]

   Beyond that, the other contenders look better from a distance than they do up close. There's an article in the herald today about Kobe blowing a (minor) gasket because of the way the team was playing.

Good point.  The Lakers are coasting right now, especially on D.   I've seen Orlando blow multiple 20 point leads this season.  The Cavs have a lot of injury questions. 

Our team's problems seem more unique than they are because we watch them constantly.  It doesn't make them not problems any more, but they aren't as unusual or extreme as we tend to think, especially for a team of vets.

Bottom line, I'd need some pretty good odds to bet that the C's will win the title this year, but they'll have a chance to win every series they're in.