Will the C's play for seeding or coast into playoffs?

[greenpride32]

A lot of people seem to think the Celtics are going to do the same as last year; cruise into the playoffs worrying more about health than record/seeding.  I think Gary Tanguay even predicted this one of the preview shows.

I disagree.  Doc said in a recent interview that he feels if Game 7 of the 2010 Finals was played in Boston, we would have won it.  Home court was HUGE for us in 2008.

Last year was really out of their control since it was obvious KG was not 100% and they could not risk not having in in the postseason even if at 80% or so.  Pierce dealt with several more minor injuries as well.

But this year KG's injury looks to be in the past, and Paul looks to be in great shape.  Other than perhaps the big fella, I don't see anyone needing any nursing to get into the playoffs.  And Perkins' return should effectively help cut Shaq's minutes down if necessary.

Thoughts?

[Donoghus]

If long-term health isn't a concern, I fully expect them to play gangbusters in order to secure home court advantage.  After last season, they know how important it is to have a potential Game 7 on their court. 

I'm not sure if they'll get it but I expect them to try. 

[Who]

Depends on health / injuries.

If it's there for the taking, they'll play for it. If not, they'll do like they did last season and concentrate on entering the playoffs in the best possible condition rather than best possible seed.

They'll start the season looking for home court advantage and they'll continue to work towards that until (if) it is no longer a possibility (injuries?). So they'll only change plans mid-season if that goal is out of reach and instead concentrate on getting healthy / in form rather than primary W-L.

[Fafnir]

I think they'll play hard and try to get HCA, but as Don/Who have said if they suffer any injuries or set backs they'll take their foot off the gas.

[Assassin70]

I think they'll play hard and try to get HCA, but as Don/Who have said if they suffer any injuries or set backs they'll take their foot off the gas.

/co sign

[BCFiC]

Hi,
Last year "coast to playoffs" wasn't done by design. This year, so far, there're no indications of that necessity. Let's hope the Celtics stay healthy and won't need to coast.

AK

[guava_wrench]

"Coast" is not the correct word.

I expect the team will prioritize resting players over winning individual games. This is not like Detroit's coasting a few years ago. It is more like how the Spurs play Duncan.

This does not mean that they will give up on any game. It just means they will be willing to voluntarily put out a team less their their strongest to make sure players are healthy for the playoffs.

[Q_FBE]

Well, I suppose I should assume that with an average number of games missed due to injury - The Celtics will settle in at 56 to 58 wins. They will put more effort in defending the HC winning at least 33 games at home and going out on the road winning 25.

The upside is if the bench really gels and limits the starters minutes to about 30 a night, this team can win in the 60's and compete for HCA throughout.

The downside is if we get injuries upon injuries, we will likely break from the 4 hole as Division champs and get to deal with the Milwaukee - Chicago runnerup in the 1st round and have to deal with Miami, Orlando, and Lakers on the road to get to 18. I don't think that is an advisable trail to get to the 18th title.

I'm thinking 1st paragraph but hoping for the 2nd paragraph.

[Who]

"Coast" is not the correct word.

I expect the team will prioritize resting players over winning individual games. This is not like Detroit's coasting a few years ago. It is more like how the Spurs play Duncan.

This does not mean that they will give up on any game. It just means they will be willing to voluntarily put out a team less their their strongest to make sure players are healthy for the playoffs.

Which will be much easier to do and much easier on the eye (from the fan point of view) with the team's impressive depth this season.

Nate Robinson, Delonte West, Marquis Daniels, Jermaine, Shaq and BBD.

So when, or if, they do take the foot off the pedal ... it won't, or at least shouldn't, be anything like as bad as it was at times last season.

[More Banners]

Each of the past three years, the team came out of the gate strong and played to win all the time...at least until they were pretty well assured of 1) being well tuned up, chemistry, etc., and 2) assured of a solid playoff spot.  They'll follow a similar course this year.  We'll see what happens after Christmas, but they'll roll for the first few months.

[2short]

I think last year there were a variety of injuries from Davis' preseason hand right 'til the finals.  Make no doubt about it our team is built to win series in the playoffs more than individual games.  However I think this years win totals will depend on health and the bench.  If we stay healthy and our bench plays at their top level watch out.  Of course we all know, shaq, jermaine, dwest and marquis will spend time injured but hopefully for rests or short stints and let's get everyone healthy & rested for playoffs, add perk back in...we are the team to beat.

[celticinorlando]

don't really care about east coast seeding...i think the having a better record than the lakers is a must...but then the west sucks so bad that might be tough

[GreenEnvy]

I expect them to put an emphasis on winning significantly more games this season, but not at the expense of the health or rest of anyone.

With the team we got, we can afford to let everyone rest (except for maybe Pierce and KG for the first half).

The seeding is important not only for HCA, but because it would be advantageous to let Miami and Orlando beat up on each other before facing us.

[kofanis0880]

They will be fine as long as they stay away from Miami in the 1st two rounds...


I think that we could beat them anyways, but I think they would be much easier to beat 4 times 90+ games into the season rather than in the 1st two rounds. Our perceived physical play will cause problems for their their big three (barring any injuries/trades).

Shaq + KG at 80% against Miami's front court is a joke, and we all already know that none of Miami's PGs can keep up with Rondo (i.e. buzzer beater oop last year).

Our best case Scenario I think would be the top 4 seeded as this.

Miami
Orl/Bos
Boston/Orl
Chicago

Chicago could give Miami problems and we have enough defense and front court defense to neutralize Howard (as we have seen in the past).

[JSD]

I think the way the season plays out will dictate this decision. If injuries and minutes are beginning to pile up come Jan/Feb, doing something similar to last season would make sense.