Lovin' All The Hype!

[Bahku]

Yes, it's completely nauseating in a way, but we've already become the heavy underdog in the East, and that's a role that this team absolutely thrives in!

Let them puff their chests, spout their praises, and parade their superiority ... when crunch-time comes, we've already proven our metal, and the oweness will be on them to show their playoff worth!

Time will tell if they have the maturity and discipline to put their young egos aside far enough to become an efficient and cohesive playing unit ... personally, I have my doubts.

Either way, I'm lovin' that we're the underdogs!

[CeltsAcumen]

Could not agree more.  Miami Thrice is the best thing to happen to the Celtic's Big 3, outside of the championship.  Everyone knows KG, PP and Ray all have pride and there is no way they will let the new 3 just waltz into a series with Orlando or LA. 

[Rashi]

Tp Bahku.

I cannot wait for the season to get started. The Lakers, Magic and the Celtics cannot wait to get their chance to stomp over these guys.

Can't believe Riley just put Chris Bosh and KG in the same sentence, I hope KG is watching this.

[Green Man]

I'm right with you man. Once he announced it last night that was the first thing that I thought of. Looks like we'll be the underdogs and have to once again prove to everyone how great we are as a TEAM.

And when I really look at matchups:

 -TA can stop DWade pretty well, while Ray will still have problems, and not too mention Bradley who may be able to help too
- Pierce can contain LeBron somewhat
- KG/Baby/JO/Perk on Bosh seems too physical, we'll find out if he's a big time player finally

Then our suffocating team defense will just stop them enough

gonna be a fun season, can't wait

This is all just more motivation to fuel our hungry guys..you know our vets and Doc will be like "look at them, we are the defending eastern conf champs, the road goes through us, this is our conference." remember last year Doc always said we had to go through Orlando because they were the conf champs, everyone else acted like the Cavs were the team to beat.

[jr_3421]

This is exactly what Scal needed to get his competitive juices flowing

[twinbree]

TP Excellent point. Something else to be optimistic about. Lord knows how much we thrive as underdogs. We just need to stay focused on playing Celtics basketball and not worry about the media anointed EC champs.

Beyond next season, if Avery can develop into a dependable defensive stopper to add to TA it'll be nice to have two great wing defenders off the bench when facing the Heat.

[Bahku]

TP Excellent point. Something else to be optimistic about. Lord knows how much we thrive as underdogs. We just need to stay focused on playing Celtics basketball and not worry about the media anointed EC champs.

Beyond next season, if Avery can develop into a dependable defensive stopper to add to TA it'll be nice to have two great wing defenders off the bench when facing the Heat.

Time will tell with Avery ... I still have my doubts, but he's got the skills. You're right about staying focused ... I think this season has shown that the Celtics are perennially under-estimated, and that they aren't about to get discouraged from their regular-season struggles. (TP, 'Bree)

[Greenbean]

TP Excellent point. Something else to be optimistic about. Lord knows how much we thrive as underdogs. We just need to stay focused on playing Celtics basketball and not worry about the media anointed EC champs.

Beyond next season, if Avery can develop into a dependable defensive stopper to add to TA it'll be nice to have two great wing defenders off the bench when facing the Heat.

Time will tell with Avery ... I still have my doubts, but he's got the skills. You're right about staying focused ... I think this season has shown that the Celtics are perennially under-estimated, and that they aren't about to get discouraged from their regular-season struggles. (TP, 'Bree)

Sad the hear we wont be having that defensive tandem in the backcourt with Tony leaving.

However...I also love the prospect of being the underdog defending EC champs. If anything, we are no longer the team with the bulls eyes on our back. That would be the Heat. Everyone will be jacked up to play them, including us. We all know what happens when this team gets super focused...we usually dont lose.

[Rondo2287]

TP Excellent point. Something else to be optimistic about. Lord knows how much we thrive as underdogs. We just need to stay focused on playing Celtics basketball and not worry about the media anointed EC champs.

Beyond next season, if Avery can develop into a dependable defensive stopper to add to TA it'll be nice to have two great wing defenders off the bench when facing the Heat.

Time will tell with Avery ... I still have my doubts, but he's got the skills. You're right about staying focused ... I think this season has shown that the Celtics are perennially under-estimated, and that they aren't about to get discouraged from their regular-season struggles. (TP, 'Bree)

Sad the hear we wont be having that defensive tandem in the backcourt with Tony leaving.

However...I also love the prospect of being the underdog defending EC champs. If anything, we are no longer the team with the bulls eyes on our back. That would be the Heat. Everyone will be jacked up to play them, including us. We all know what happens when this team gets super focused...we usually dont lose.

Im wondering if part of the reason they let Tony go was because of how good Bradley is as a defender.  Granted he is only 6'3 but he is still only 19 years old so he probably has another inch of growing in him and could end up at Tony's height of 6'4

[Greenbean]

TP Excellent point. Something else to be optimistic about. Lord knows how much we thrive as underdogs. We just need to stay focused on playing Celtics basketball and not worry about the media anointed EC champs.

Beyond next season, if Avery can develop into a dependable defensive stopper to add to TA it'll be nice to have two great wing defenders off the bench when facing the Heat.

Time will tell with Avery ... I still have my doubts, but he's got the skills. You're right about staying focused ... I think this season has shown that the Celtics are perennially under-estimated, and that they aren't about to get discouraged from their regular-season struggles. (TP, 'Bree)

Sad the hear we wont be having that defensive tandem in the backcourt with Tony leaving.

However...I also love the prospect of being the underdog defending EC champs. If anything, we are no longer the team with the bulls eyes on our back. That would be the Heat. Everyone will be jacked up to play them, including us. We all know what happens when this team gets super focused...we usually dont lose.

Im wondering if part of the reason they let Tony go was because of how good Bradley is as a defender.  Granted he is only 6'3 but he is still only 19 years old so he probably has another inch of growing in him and could end up at Tony's height of 6'4

It probably has something to do with it but I would hope that Danny would not count on Bradley coming in with no experience as a 19 y/o kid to take Tony's place as the defensive stopper on a championship squad. It took Tony years to feel comfortable in that role.

That being said I LOVE the idea of this kid becoming a defensive star early on. His athletic abilities are amazing and he LOVES defense. His offensive game needs polishing but on paper you are right. He can be Tony Allen next year. You really just never know with rooks though.

[Rondo2287]

TP Excellent point. Something else to be optimistic about. Lord knows how much we thrive as underdogs. We just need to stay focused on playing Celtics basketball and not worry about the media anointed EC champs.

Beyond next season, if Avery can develop into a dependable defensive stopper to add to TA it'll be nice to have two great wing defenders off the bench when facing the Heat.

Time will tell with Avery ... I still have my doubts, but he's got the skills. You're right about staying focused ... I think this season has shown that the Celtics are perennially under-estimated, and that they aren't about to get discouraged from their regular-season struggles. (TP, 'Bree)

Sad the hear we wont be having that defensive tandem in the backcourt with Tony leaving.

However...I also love the prospect of being the underdog defending EC champs. If anything, we are no longer the team with the bulls eyes on our back. That would be the Heat. Everyone will be jacked up to play them, including us. We all know what happens when this team gets super focused...we usually dont lose.

Im wondering if part of the reason they let Tony go was because of how good Bradley is as a defender.  Granted he is only 6'3 but he is still only 19 years old so he probably has another inch of growing in him and could end up at Tony's height of 6'4

It probably has something to do with it but I would hope that Danny would not count on Bradley coming in with no experience as a 19 y/o kid to take Tony's place as the defensive stopper on a championship squad. It took Tony years to feel comfortable in that role.

That being said I LOVE the idea of this kid becoming a defensive star early on. His athletic abilities are amazing and he LOVES defense. His offensive game needs polishing but on paper you are right. He can be Tony Allen next year. You really just never know with rooks though.

Oh of course, im not saying i agree with it or think its smart.  Im just trying to get into his head.

[Celtics4ever]

Bradly has more potential than Tony Allen ever dreamed of I think.   Whether he does anything with it is the million dollar question.

[Greenbean]

Bradly has more potential than Tony Allen ever dreamed of I think.   Whether he does anything with it is the million dollar question.

Not to hijack this thread but if you think about it. Tony Allen was always kept around for his potential. He never developed into that explosive scorer because he was set back by a major knee injury.

I guess Bradley has a high upside if he proves to be a good shooter like Monte Ellis (mid range). I always thought Tony was a great basketball prospect. I look forward to following his continued progress in Memphis.

Back to the point. Lot's to be excited about this year. I really cant wait.