Why does no one give the C's a chance vs. Cle?

[celtsrp33]

Personally I think all the people in the media who think the Cavs are going to roll into the finals are clueless.  The Celts are playing some good ball right now and are much deeper than Cleveland.  There is no reason why the C's couldn't beat the Cavs.....except the refs handing it to LBJ.  

[Roy Hobbs]

I understood that prior to the playoffs beginning; the Celts were just playing too poorly.

Now, I think it's a bit of a different story.  With the Celts rolling and playing up to their potential, it should be a very compelling series. 

[Fafnir]

The Celtics ended the season playing sub .500 ball, against a relatively easy schedule. They beat the Cavs the only tough game left imo and lost a bunch to weaker foes.

If we finish the Heat off in 4, I think the press will give us more respect.

[celticinorlando]

depends if they continue to play at this level

[angryguy77]

Kenny Smith still has us picked unless he changed his mind. So does Skip Bayless.

[Fafnir]

So does Skip Bayless.

He just makes contrarian picks so he can scream and yell. He and Jay Marrotti are the most annoying sports "commentators" around.

I remember him repeatedly bashing the C's and "Garnnott" in 2007-2008.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I understood that prior to the playoffs beginning; the Celts were just playing too poorly.

Now, I think it's a bit of a different story.  With the Celts rolling and playing up to their potential, it should be a very compelling series. 

I understand picking Cleveland over the Celtics. What I've never understood is that fixation of some to that give us no chance against them. It's ludicrous.

[PosImpos]

I'd give the C's a 10-20% chance in that series.

Yes, they played them even in the regular season, but Cleveland just has so many weapons and you'd better believe the refs will be on their side.  The Big 4 will have to step up big time in order for them to have a shot at winning the series.

One way or another, I think it'll go 6 or 7 games.

[Bahku]

If they continue playing like they have been, (and that's accepting the fact that they may have a bad game or two), then they have as good a chance as anyone of beating the Cavs ... I truly believe that.

[Vermont Green]

The Celtics have certainly proved me wrong by playing much better than I thought against Miami but I don't find it a surprise that most observers would favor Cle in a series against the Celtics or anyone else.  I am not sure if I should believe in them to continue to the the team of the first 25 and last 3 games or the team of the other 57 games.

Let's hope we finish off the Heat on Sunday and that Chicago gives it to Cle like they did to us last year. We will need all the intagible help we can get if we are going to beat Cle.

[Meadowlark_Scal]

So what does Cleve really have....They have Lebron James, hard to stop, but not enough...IF the C's ...or any team for that matter play the right D on him, it will make a big difference, you have to DENY guys like that the ball...not many can wrap their small minds around that type of D, most NBA players, (and league guys) think, "Oh, I'll let him get the ball, then shut him down" so they play him 10 feet back...he won't make that shot..ect....not going to get it done..!  #2, do not underestimate Varajo..EVERYONE in the bball universe HATES the good rebounder, it changes the whole game, makes the D work longer and harder, improves your offense % possesions and gets you into foul trouble..box that fool out...but stay with him....whoever is covering him....don't bother "helping out" you'll have enough to do yourself.....shaq...perk can handle him...another box out issue, as soon as he crosses half  court, give him no space.....the rest of that team is mediocre...but you have to cover them, or they can get going, willams, west, jamison...the C's can beat them for sure....look, Chicago did.....but the C's have to respect who they are covering and STOP giving so much space to those types.....Perk is famous for losing his man, thinking that he should help out instead, and to date NO ONE on the C's ever covered VARAJO..is that DOCs fault or lazy D..BBD or SHELDON should be given that...see PP, KG and Sheed won't do it becasue they don't respect him, and think they are soooo good, that when Varajo GETS the ball, they will then SHUT that fool down...NO, TOO LATE, AND A FOUL....just what he likes to do to us, and has consistantly...!!!  OKAY..now my blood pressure is up..and that is just my opinion...we can beat them...but it won't be easy..!

[CoachBo]

The Celtics have certainly proved me wrong by playing much better than I thought against Miami but I don't find it a surprise that most observers would favor Cle in a series against the Celtics or anyone else.  I am not sure if I should believe in them to continue to the the team of the first 25 and last 3 games or the team of the other 57 games.

Let's hope we finish off the Heat on Sunday and that Chicago gives it to Cle like they did to us last year. We will need all the intagible help we can get if we are going to beat Cle.

Good post. We need to finish the job and gain as much rest as we can.

It's pretty simple - play like we did in the first two games of the Miami series, with efficiency and ball movement on offense and intensity and great rotations on defense, and we have a chance.

Play like we did for most of the regular season, and we might - might - win a game or two in the series, max.

[angryguy77]

So does Skip Bayless.

He just makes contrarian picks so he can scream and yell. He and Jay Marrotti are the most annoying sports "commentators" around.

I remember him repeatedly bashing the C's and "Garnnott" in 2007-2008.

I know he does, but he said they have a better chance against the cavs than most think

[Mike-Dub]

Tim Legler on First Take with Skip Bayless said we have a shot and that he was waiting for Paul Pierce to have one of his take over games which he did last night.  Also he said that he believes who ever gets out of the Cleveland Boston series would be going to the finals, so maybe after Paul's game last night he likes us to beat Cleveland.

[Vermont Green]

So what does Cleve really have....

I think Cle is similar to Miami in that they have the stud and a bunch of complimentary players although Cle's stud is even better than Miami's stud.  Then of course they have Shaq and Z and Miami has no real big guys.

If you are suggesting that Cle is not that good or overrated or something, I don't buy it.  Cle is going to be a tough out for the C's or anyone, even if they are playing at the top of their game.