Barkley says Cavs will Win EASILY

[RAcker]

I say the key is Rondo and here is why. If Pierce doesnt somewhat neutralize Lebron then we dont have much of a chance but if he can then it's close. Rondo would be the difference maker. Of course, at this point in their careers I would say Rondo is the better player and not by just a little either.

Eh... I still say the series rides on Pierce's ability to deal with LeBron.  If Pierce is off his game, we're sunk.  I kinda get the Rondo argument, but I think Ray is more relevant.

It will be interesting if the Cavs stick to their gameplan from 2 years ago.  They completely took Ray Allen out of the series... sent double teams at him, made sure he was never open and constantly ran him away from the 3 point line.   

Game 1:  0-4 = 0 points
Game 2:  4-14 = 16 points
Game 3: 4-12 = 10 points
Game 4: 4-10 = 15 points
Game 5: 4-11 = 11 points
Game 6: 3-8 = 9 points
Game 7: 1-6 = 6 points 

He finished the series 4 for 24 from three.   Everyone assumed he was washed up.  They just played him tight.   

If Ray is getting open shots and gets up to 20 points in game 1... I think maybe we have a chance.

This is a solid point and something that I've thought about.  Ray will have to play extra minutes in this series without a doubt to be able to pick spots and get in a rhythm.  PP is going to have to minimize LeCrab as much as possible.  When fouls or fatigue are an issue, TA is going to have to pick up some defensive slack.  PP will likely  have to log a lot of minutes as well.  There is just no getting around it with a 7 game series against such a quality opponent.

If these things can work out, then winning the series will happen if only KG, Sheed, Baby and Perk don't get outworked on the glass and Rondo just does what Rondo does.  In my opinion, we have to out-rebound, out-hustle, etc. in any game we're going to win and if Rondo just does his normal job and the front line matches or exceeds their bigs, then the Ray and Paul situations mentioned above will be the factor that either gets us over the hump or holds us back.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I don't think Ray's problem from that year are sustainable in a full series, unless he gets hurt or tired. The main reason is that Rondo is leagues better running the offense, which was one of the main problems that year. Ray got out of rhythm, and it took him a while to get it back, and poor PG play doesn't help a player like Ray.

It's no surprise that when Ray is playing well, it's more than usually because Rondo is playing well (running the offense), and same with when Ray is shooting poorly. Praise and blame for whatever is happening with Ray also has to include Rondo in some level.

I hope Rondo starts finding him early, and that Perk and Davis move the ball to make sure Ray puts his shots up.

[LarBrd33]

I don't think Ray's problem from that year are sustainable in a full series, unless he gets hurt or tired. The main reason is that Rondo is leagues better running the offense, which was one of the main problems that year. Ray got out of rhythm, and it took him a while to get it back, and poor PG play doesn't help a player like Ray.

It's no surprise that when Ray is playing well, it's more than usually because Rondo is playing well (running the offense), and same with when Ray is shooting poorly. Praise and blame for whatever is happening with Ray also has to include Rondo in some level.

I hope Rondo starts finding him early, and that Perk and Davis move the ball to make sure Ray puts his shots up.

ALright ... you guys sold me on it.  I'm changing my opinion.

If the Cavs gameplan for Ray like they did 2 years ago, that will take him out of the series.   Pierce will have to spend the majority of his energy trying to slow down LeBron... so that will take his offense out of the series too.   KG is too brittle to count on these days.    That leaves Rondo.  The series relies on Rondo.   

[BudweiserCeltic]

I don't think Ray's problem from that year are sustainable in a full series, unless he gets hurt or tired. The main reason is that Rondo is leagues better running the offense, which was one of the main problems that year. Ray got out of rhythm, and it took him a while to get it back, and poor PG play doesn't help a player like Ray.

It's no surprise that when Ray is playing well, it's more than usually because Rondo is playing well (running the offense), and same with when Ray is shooting poorly. Praise and blame for whatever is happening with Ray also has to include Rondo in some level.

I hope Rondo starts finding him early, and that Perk and Davis move the ball to make sure Ray puts his shots up.

ALright ... you guys sold me on it.  I'm changing my opinion.

If the Cavs gameplan for Ray like they did 2 years ago, that will take him out of the series.   Pierce will have to spend the majority of his energy trying to slow down LeBron... so that will take his offense out of the series too.   KG is too brittle to count on these days.    That leaves Rondo.  The series relies on Rondo.   

Wait, let me just say that a lot of what happened in that series has to be credited to the way Cleveland was defending Ray. Let's not take away from that. But I think the other factor, the PG factor also played a big role in there.

Just look at what happened last year against the Bulls and earlier with Miami (though that first game Ray was completely flat). Against the Bulls there was a PG distribution problem early on, and Ray struggled. Rondo started moving the ball better and he exploded.

Now, Miami was a pretty good defensive team. First game, even though Ray was flat, they did a good job not letting him get comfortable in the 3 point line. In fact, they didn't let anyone of our team shoot a good 3 pretty much all game. Second game was more of the same, though for the most part the problem was Rondo not actively looking for him, Davis and Perk not moving the ball when they got it... so Ray was completely inactive in the first half, even though he was wide open a lot of times.

Second half, Rondo finally found him in the corner, and we know the rest. Ray has been on fire since then.

We'll see how we respond against Cleveland, and even if they come with a good game plan to limit Ray, I think we have enough in there to counter it for a length of the series.

Let's execute.

[P2]

Barkley is very intelligent. Here's an interview I found back when he was playing:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F4W0R1Zr_8

[hpantazo]

I don't think Ray's problem from that year are sustainable in a full series, unless he gets hurt or tired. The main reason is that Rondo is leagues better running the offense, which was one of the main problems that year. Ray got out of rhythm, and it took him a while to get it back, and poor PG play doesn't help a player like Ray.

It's no surprise that when Ray is playing well, it's more than usually because Rondo is playing well (running the offense), and same with when Ray is shooting poorly. Praise and blame for whatever is happening with Ray also has to include Rondo in some level.

I hope Rondo starts finding him early, and that Perk and Davis move the ball to make sure Ray puts his shots up.

ALright ... you guys sold me on it.  I'm changing my opinion.

If the Cavs gameplan for Ray like they did 2 years ago, that will take him out of the series.   Pierce will have to spend the majority of his energy trying to slow down LeBron... so that will take his offense out of the series too.   KG is too brittle to count on these days.    That leaves Rondo.  The series relies on Rondo.   

Wait, let me just say that a lot of what happened in that series has to be credited to the way Cleveland was defending Ray. Let's not take away from that. But I think the other factor, the PG factor also played a big role in there.

Just look at what happened last year against the Bulls and earlier with Miami (though that first game Ray was completely flat). Against the Bulls there was a PG distribution problem early on, and Ray struggled. Rondo started moving the ball better and he exploded.

Now, Miami was a pretty good defensive team. First game, even though Ray was flat, they did a good job not letting him get comfortable in the 3 point line. In fact, they didn't let anyone of our team shoot a good 3 pretty much all game. Second game was more of the same, though for the most part the problem was Rondo not actively looking for him, Davis and Perk not moving the ball when they got it... so Ray was completely inactive in the first half, even though he was wide open a lot of times.

Second half, Rondo finally found him in the corner, and we know the rest. Ray has been on fire since then.

We'll see how we respond against Cleveland, and even if they come with a good game plan to limit Ray, I think we have enough in there to counter it for a length of the series.

Let's execute.

If cleveland focuses enough attention on Ray to shut him down, that will open it up for other players on the C's, particularly Pierce and Rondo. Rondo is not the confused, hesitant pg that the cavs faced 2 years ago, this Rondo can kill them. Pierce will get enough help on lebron that he can have something left in the tank to take over offensively. We can throw TA, Daniels, and even Rondo at lebron.

I think this series hangs on the bigs: Perk, KG, and Davis. They have to rebound much, much better, need to bring energy, and need to cut down on turnovers. How many times do Perkins and KG set illegal picks? How often do Perkins and Davis turn the ball over or fail to get off a good shot when in front of the rim? If they cut down on these things they will win this series.

[Q_FBE]

If we hunker down and play defense consistently, move the basketball on the offensive end and maintain some degree of focus, we'll make it a tight series.

If we have any stretches like the second half of the third quarter last night, that game will be lost.

Optimism from CoachBO?

Woah!!!!

There will be some stretches of bad basketball from the Celtics because Cleveland will get the upper hand just because of Lebron. A lot of this will put the onus on Doc Rivers to make adjustments and perhaps personnel adjustments on the fly. Some of this could be caused by the ref's whistle (For example, Lebron drives into Stubby creating a block/charge situation for the referees). Nothing can be done there except to keep our poise. Some players will get exposed big time this series. I suspect we will play strong D, but the rebounding battle is a concern. So is committing turnovers on offense leading to transition opportunities for our opponent. Cleveland has great backup players (Moon, Hickson, Varejevo, Z), well we counter with Tony Allen, Stubby, Finley, and the Sheed. Better hope our starting five can stay on the floor a long time in this series.

I'd like to think the best of the Celtics will come out and play from now on. If so, then things could work out the way we want them to.

[Birdbrain]

Ray was horrible against atlanta as well I suppose they were doubling him.  He luckily didn't get 'doubled' against Detroit and LA.

Ray only takes himself out of the game.

I do agree though that Rondo needs to do his part in getting him the ball in good spots.  He is much better at that than 2008.  Best in league actually.

[j804]

He also said he would learn Spanish and lose 50 pounds.

Good one,tp

He also said and picked Miami to BEAT us....go figure.

[BostonIrishGuy]

I am worried about more than just Lebron when the C's play the Cavs. I think Shaq will be motivated to bully Perk - that should be quite the match up and Perk cannot back down. I think the C's cannot let Mo Williams get  in rhythm or it will kill them - conversely speaking, Ray Ray Jesus Shuttlesworth needs to keep hittin those threes for our C's. The one guy who I'm worried about is Sideshow Verejao - he's been a huge pain in the you know what for the C's this year, and his ability to annoy and scrap is likely to frustrate some of our post players (i.e. Sheed, Big Baby, KG, etc).

[Meadowlark_Scal]

Charles is funny, but he is there for character not expertise...Kenny and the white guy are there to even Charles out..i like the combo of those guys...they are very good together...but Charles just likes to talk...! He is wrong, of course...! Didn't he think he could beat Bavetta in a foot race...and he fell at the end..?

[Hila]

The Cavs did play good defense on Ray Allen in 2008, and have continued to do so in regular season meetings since then, but there were also other factors that are much improved now.

Then, he was only about a year removed from major surgery on both ankles.

Then, he was less integrated into the Celtics' offense; there were significant changes made the next season to help get more out of Ray.

From the mental standpoint, around that time there was a bizarre story involving his mother being released from witness protection. And while his son wasn't hospitalized and diagnosed with diabetes until the finals, the poor kid almost certainly felt awful and gave his parents cause for concern in the weeks/series leading up to the diagnosis.

I give the Cavs lots of credit... but if they got into his head, they probably weren't the only nasty thing there.

[pearljammer10]

I love Charles Barkley...

[BudweiserCeltic]

The Cavs did play good defense on Ray Allen in 2008, and have continued to do so in regular season meetings since then, but there were also other factors that are much improved now.

Ray Allen was very good against Cleveland this year. Shot 50%+ from the floor in 3 of the 4 meetings.

[Hila]

The Cavs did play good defense on Ray Allen in 2008, and have continued to do so in regular season meetings since then, but there were also other factors that are much improved now.

Ray Allen was very good against Cleveland this year. Shot 50%+ from the floor in 3 of the 4 meetings.

And I think he was very good because, well, he's very good, not because the Cavs stopped playing defense.