Celtics vs. Heat - how do we stack up?

[BostonIrishGuy]

Now that Miami has it's "super" team in place, how do they stack up against our defending Eastern Conference champs?

I like the fact that most of our team is back from last year's Finals run. I think we have a clear advantage at PG with Rondo, as well as down low with our big guys (Perk, KG, Big Baby, J.Oneal) vs. Bosh and whomever else they get. Bosh is soft, and unless they get someone like Shaq, they really don't have someone to do the dirty work down low to counter our bigs. Next, they do have an advantage at the 3 spot with LBJ, but Pierce is no slouch and won't back down. Neither will Ray Ray at the 2 spot vs. D Wade. Wade and LeBron will need to play defense as well, and Wade will have to chase Ray around to make sure he is not open burying threes all day.

All in all, I think we are deeper, more battle tested, and most importantly a better TEAM. Not a collection of greedy egos like the Miami Heat. 

What do you guys think?

Go C's.

[Rashi]

I mentioned in another thread and will say it here that we should really try to get Anthony Morrow with Sheed's contract and w/e else we can offer.

Also if we can get Ben Wallace for cheap then we should go for it. Another big body and he still averages about 8 rebounds which is always a plus.

And finally let's re-sign Nate. Rondo/Nate/Ray/Tony/Avery can tire the Heat's 'big 3' with all that running.

[RJ87]

I mentioned in another thread and will say it here that we should really try to get Anthony Morrow with Sheed's contract and w/e else we can offer.

Also if we can get Ben Wallace for cheap then we should go for it. Another big body and he still averages about 8 rebounds which is always a plus.

And finally let's re-sign Nate. Rondo/Nate/Ray/Tony/Avery can tire the Heat's 'big 3' with all that running.

Exactly, I think we need to make an all out push for Morrow at this point. GSW just go David Lee for $13m a year, that can't really figure out what to do with Ellis, and they're selling the team -they may be willing to do a s&t for cap. Although, with them moving Azubuike to NY, it may mean they're more likely to keep Morrow.

But we can hope, right?

[Rashi]

I mentioned in another thread and will say it here that we should really try to get Anthony Morrow with Sheed's contract and w/e else we can offer.

Also if we can get Ben Wallace for cheap then we should go for it. Another big body and he still averages about 8 rebounds which is always a plus.

And finally let's re-sign Nate. Rondo/Nate/Ray/Tony/Avery can tire the Heat's 'big 3' with all that running.

Exactly, I think we need to make an all out push for Morrow at this point. GSW just go David Lee for $13m a year, that can't really figure out what to do with Ellis, and they're selling the team -they may be willing to do a s&t for cap. Although, with them moving Azubuike to NY, it may mean they're more likely to keep Morrow.

But we can hope, right?

Yeah I do feel GSW will match any offer given to Morrow, but besides him the only other player that I see which will be a nice fit for us is Shane Battier, but I would still perfer Morrow.

[BostonIrishGuy]

I mentioned in another thread and will say it here that we should really try to get Anthony Morrow with Sheed's contract and w/e else we can offer.

Also if we can get Ben Wallace for cheap then we should go for it. Another big body and he still averages about 8 rebounds which is always a plus.

And finally let's re-sign Nate. Rondo/Nate/Ray/Tony/Avery can tire the Heat's 'big 3' with all that running.

Excellent analysis here, I think Ben Wallace would be awesome in green. I just think we are deeper and mentally stronger than that overhyped Miami team.

[RJ87]

I mentioned in another thread and will say it here that we should really try to get Anthony Morrow with Sheed's contract and w/e else we can offer.

Also if we can get Ben Wallace for cheap then we should go for it. Another big body and he still averages about 8 rebounds which is always a plus.

And finally let's re-sign Nate. Rondo/Nate/Ray/Tony/Avery can tire the Heat's 'big 3' with all that running.

Exactly, I think we need to make an all out push for Morrow at this point. GSW just go David Lee for $13m a year, that can't really figure out what to do with Ellis, and they're selling the team -they may be willing to do a s&t for cap. Although, with them moving Azubuike to NY, it may mean they're more likely to keep Morrow.

But we can hope, right?

Yeah I do feel GSW will match any offer given to Morrow, but besides him the only other player that I see which will be a nice fit for us is Shane Battier, but I would still perfer Morrow.

We can't make an offer on him at this point, anyway - we've used our MLE on Jermaine O'Neal... So I hope Danny is kicking the tires for them to sign him and move him for Sheed.

[Rashi]

I mentioned in another thread and will say it here that we should really try to get Anthony Morrow with Sheed's contract and w/e else we can offer.

Also if we can get Ben Wallace for cheap then we should go for it. Another big body and he still averages about 8 rebounds which is always a plus.

And finally let's re-sign Nate. Rondo/Nate/Ray/Tony/Avery can tire the Heat's 'big 3' with all that running.

Exactly, I think we need to make an all out push for Morrow at this point. GSW just go David Lee for $13m a year, that can't really figure out what to do with Ellis, and they're selling the team -they may be willing to do a s&t for cap. Although, with them moving Azubuike to NY, it may mean they're more likely to keep Morrow.

But we can hope, right?

Yeah I do feel GSW will match any offer given to Morrow, but besides him the only other player that I see which will be a nice fit for us is Shane Battier, but I would still perfer Morrow.

We can't make an offer on him at this point, anyway - we've used our MLE on Jermaine O'Neal... So I hope Danny is kicking the tires for them to sign him and move him for Sheed.

Oh right. My bad, I just realized what I wrote didn't make sense, because we only have the Sheed contract to work with.

But yes your right, I really hope DA brings us the best he can with Sheed's contract.

[Who]

Miami have matchup advantages at their starting wing positions and backup wing position.

Boston have a matchup advantage at the point.

The power forward matchup between Bosh and Garnett should be fairly neutral due to KG's defense. I would expect the matchups to be neutral at the five and the backup big man slot too + backup point guard slot.

So, Miami, in my mind, are the clear favourite in terms of individual matchups.

[wdleehi]

Better question, which one of these teams will be more attractive to the vet min FAs.

[GranTur]

Two words: Erik Spoelstra.

[FatjohnReturns]

Errr we will not do well vs Miami. If Atlanta gives us a hard time with their athleticism. Miami will give us fits.

The teams with the best chance to beat Miami in the playoffs are Orlando and the Lakers. Orlando because no one on Miami's team is going to be able to stop Howard. They wont even be able to slow Dwight down. The Lakers simply because Kobe,Gasol,Artest,Odom,  is still better than Lebron,Wade,Bosh.

Maybe in 2008 we could give them a run, right now we are too old and not very athletic. With Ta resigning still up in the air we have no one who can check Lebron or Wade. When we play Miami its going to be ulgy.

[Celtics4ever]

I dunno they have a quitter at Small Forward now with a suspect shot who can be contained by Allen should we resign him.  They have a soft PG.   They have no bench per se.   Atlanta does give us fits but they don't quit.   Two of their trio are losers in mentality, Wade is the only one who has the killer instinct when it matters.

[jv2764]

Now that Miami has it's "super" team in place, how do they stack up against our defending Eastern Conference champs?

I like the fact that most of our team is back from last year's Finals run. I think we have a clear advantage at PG with Rondo, as well as down low with our big guys (Perk, KG, Big Baby, J.Oneal) vs. Bosh and whomever else they get. Bosh is soft, and unless they get someone like Shaq, they really don't have someone to do the dirty work down low to counter our bigs. Next, they do have an advantage at the 3 spot with LBJ, but Pierce is no slouch and won't back down. Neither will Ray Ray at the 2 spot vs. D Wade. Wade and LeBron will need to play defense as well, and Wade will have to chase Ray around to make sure he is not open burying threes all day.

All in all, I think we are deeper, more battle tested, and most importantly a better TEAM. Not a collection of greedy egos like the Miami Heat. 

What do you guys think?


Go C's.

How are the Big 3 in Miami greedy?  They are taking less money than the max contract value brother.  Add up KG, Ray, and Paul's contract value in 2008 and compare to the the Miami Big 3.  I think you will be very surprised my friend.

If the C's did this you be thrilled.  You sound like a scorned lover or the guy who did not get a prom date man.


Just saying....

[Meadowlark_Scal]

If we sign Nate, and we should, because there isn't a better 2nd pg around that can contribute for us like Nate, fast, great D, intelligent, good layups and shooting, we are very strong at pg, KG will be better next year, Ray and PP...bbd is a weakness....if he loses the weight, develops a better 10 foot shot, his jump, some post moves, explosiveness....all these ha can develop, easily IF HE WANTS IT.....TA, better shooting (bad form) but he can do it...his speed and slashing are great, D.....needs to work on his dribble, then his lane choices will open up, improve his strengths,....JO gives us more mobility, he is like a KG type...he is our new X factor.....on a real team like this, he could turn into a serious monster for good...he has what it takes, has to learn to turn the thug off, turn disappointments into drive...but he also could help us as a sometimes enforcer, which, in this new NBA WE REALLY NEED...because the neither the refs nor the league will save you......as we have seen (ask rondo's chin, perks knee, or rays thigh.....or bbd head-need i go on?).Meet clean play with clean play, force with force, without hesitation...!

[Rashi]

If we sign Nate, and we should, because there isn't a better 2nd pg around that can contribute for us like Nate, fast, great D, intelligent, good layups and shooting, we are very strong at pg, KG will be better next year, Ray and PP...bbd is a weakness....if he loses the weight, develops a better 10 foot shot, his jump, some post moves, explosiveness....all these ha can develop, easily IF HE WANTS IT.....TA, better shooting (bad form) but he can do it...his speed and slashing are great, D.....needs to work on his dribble, then his lane choices will open up, improve his strengths,....JO gives us more mobility, he is like a KG type...he is our new X factor.....on a real team like this, he could turn into a serious monster for good...he has what it takes, has to learn to turn the thug off, turn disappointments into drive...but he also could help us as a sometimes enforcer, which, in this new NBA WE REALLY NEED...because the neither the refs nor the league will save you......as we have seen (ask rondo's chin, perks knee, or rays thigh.....or bbd head-need i go on?).Meet clean play with clean play, force with force, without hesitation...!

You know I have been thinking about something. I know some people might not agree, but I really think we should consider trying to get Shaq (for vet min if we could). He will become very handy in hard fouling and getting the opponents into foul penalty. We really don't need him much esp once Perks is back, but in a playoff series against Heat and/or Lakers, he can really come up huge for us. Wade/Bron are best when driving to the rim. with Shaq's size he can easily clog the paint forcing them to become jump shooters.