1/4 NBA Season Review - Just 3 and 1/2 Elite Teams (Lakers aren't - yet )

[housecall]

I still think the Celts will have to go through the Heat and Lakers if they're going to win the title this year.  Miami may not be tough enough to win it all this year, but they'll be a lot better than the 10th best team in the NBA.

What about the Magic?The Magic is deeper than the Heat and seemed to be built better for the playoffs than the Heat.So far the Miami Heat win with only one style of play...an up/down foot race.They will have to execute in the halfcourt a lot better than they've shown us so far come playoff time.

[nba is the worst]

Decent breakdown, but not putting the Lakers as full title contenders based on a few regular season games is a bit ignorant. Without having overall homecourt advantage for the past three years, they've been to 3 NBA finals, and have won 2 titles.

I see them elevate their play in the post-season more than any other team, and I see it every year. That's not even homerism, it's just common sense.

I agree the Lakers elevate their play in the post season, but my writeup is analyzing the first quarter of the season.

The reality is the Lakers' strength of schedule has been quite weak, and they have lost home games they should have won as the traditional best team in the west.

I (somewhat arbitrarily) picked a pace for 60 wins as the definition of "elite" - and should have put that in the preface.

But your comment of the Lakers not "having overall homecourt advantage for the past three years, they've been to 3 NBA finals, and have won 2 titles", while accurate, isn't too relevant - since they had HCA vs every opponent they beat.

[wdleehi]

Pointless breakdown.



If someone was to do that last year, before the playoff, the Celtics would not be on the elite list.


It is not about how you do in the regular season.  It is about how good you can play in the playoffs.


We have seen what teams like LA, SA, Boston, Orlando and Dallas can do.  (all can and have made the finals)

We are not sure about Miami, NO, Utah.


We know that teams like Atlanta flame out. 

[nba is the worst]

Pointless breakdown.



If someone was to do that last year, before the playoff, the Celtics would not be on the elite list.


It is not about how you do in the regular season.  It is about how good you can play in the playoffs.


We have seen what teams like LA, SA, Boston, Orlando and Dallas can do.  (all can and have made the finals)

We are not sure about Miami, NO, Utah.


We know that teams like Atlanta flame out.  

Hmmm - I disagree that early season analysis is "pointless"...

1. For the most part, teams are healthier in the 1st quarter of the season, then as the marathon continues they have inevitable injuries, and then regain their health (to whatever level) in the playoffs. Last season at the 1/4 mark, the Celtics were 16-4, just like this year. Elite. In 2007, 18-2 - moreso. Last year's lakers? 17-3. So IMO there is insight to be gained, although of course (obviously), how a team does in the playoffs determines who advances.

2. Dallas made the Finals in 2006 - just like the Mavs. How many of the players from '06 are still on the roster of either team? Two for each (Nowitzki, Terry, Wade, Haslem)- so why do you say that "we've seen what dallas can do" - but not Miami?

Poppycock.

[wdleehi]

Pointless breakdown.



If someone was to do that last year, before the playoff, the Celtics would not be on the elite list.


It is not about how you do in the regular season.  It is about how good you can play in the playoffs.


We have seen what teams like LA, SA, Boston, Orlando and Dallas can do.  (all can and have made the finals)

We are not sure about Miami, NO, Utah.


We know that teams like Atlanta flame out. 

Hmmm - I disagree that early season analysis is "pointless"...

1. For the most part, teams are healthier in the 1st quarter of the season, then as the marathon continues they have inevitable injuries, and then regain their health (to whatever level) in the playoffs. Last season at the 1/4 mark, the Celtics were 16-4, just like this year. Elite. In 2007, 18-2 - moreso. Last year's lakers? 17-3. So IMO there is insight to be gained, although of course (obviously), how a team does in the playoffs determines who advances.

2. Dallas made the Finals in 2006 - just like the Mavs. How many of the players from '06 are still on the roster of either team? Two for each (Nowitzki, Terry, wade, haslem)- so why do you say that "we've seen what dallas can do" - but not Miami?
Poppycock.

Sorry.


It is about as useful as the power rankings.

[nba is the worst]

Pointless breakdown.



If someone was to do that last year, before the playoff, the Celtics would not be on the elite list.


It is not about how you do in the regular season.  It is about how good you can play in the playoffs.


We have seen what teams like LA, SA, Boston, Orlando and Dallas can do.  (all can and have made the finals)

We are not sure about Miami, NO, Utah.


We know that teams like Atlanta flame out. 

Hmmm - I disagree that early season analysis is "pointless"...

1. For the most part, teams are healthier in the 1st quarter of the season, then as the marathon continues they have inevitable injuries, and then regain their health (to whatever level) in the playoffs. Last season at the 1/4 mark, the Celtics were 16-4, just like this year. Elite. In 2007, 18-2 - moreso. Last year's lakers? 17-3. So IMO there is insight to be gained, although of course (obviously), how a team does in the playoffs determines who advances.

2. Dallas made the Finals in 2006 - just like the Mavs. How many of the players from '06 are still on the roster of either team? Two for each (Nowitzki, Terry, wade, haslem)- so why do you say that "we've seen what dallas can do" - but not Miami?
Poppycock.

Sorry.


It is about as useful as the power rankings.

Apology accepted.

Please let me know the next time someone posts something "useful" here on the CelticsBlog Forums in December!

 

[housecall]

Look forward to reading the halfway(40-42game)mark breakdown.

[Bahku]

I never get too excited about the Spurs' record, because with them especially, the regular season is like a whole different league. I mean, how many years have they looked like the best, (or one of the best), teams on the planet going into the post-season, and then completely fizzled out in the playoffs?

They are one of the NBA's most perennially over-rated post-season teams, and their own worst enemy. I love Tim Duncan, but, (hate to say it), this has been happening since he joined the team, and I can't help but wonder if he's at the root of the problem. He's just always seemed a bit short on that "killer instinct", and I wonder if it sets the precedent for the rest of the team.      

[nba is the worst]

I never get too excited about the Spurs' record, because with them especially, the regular season is like a whole different league. I mean, how many years have they looked like the best, (or one of the best), teams on the planet going into the post-season, and then completely fizzled out in the playoffs?

They are one of the NBA's most perennially over-rated post-season teams, and their own worst enemy. I love Tim Duncan, but, (hate to say it), this has been happening since he joined the team, and I can't help but wonder if he's at the root of the problem. He's just always seemed a bit short on that "killer instinct", and I wonder if it sets the precedent for the rest of the team.      

It's difficult for me to understand how a Celtics fan (whose team has one title in the past 24 years) can post comments like "completely fizzled out in the playoffs", (The Spurs) are one of the NBA's most perennially over-rated post-season teams", and "I can't help but wonder if he's at the root of the problem" - when the Spurs are the only small market team to have more than 1 title in the modern era, all FOUR coming with Tim Duncan as the best player on the team.

Interesting take, though...

[Bahku]

I never get too excited about the Spurs' record, because with them especially, the regular season is like a whole different league. I mean, how many years have they looked like the best, (or one of the best), teams on the planet going into the post-season, and then completely fizzled out in the playoffs?

They are one of the NBA's most perennially over-rated post-season teams, and their own worst enemy. I love Tim Duncan, but, (hate to say it), this has been happening since he joined the team, and I can't help but wonder if he's at the root of the problem. He's just always seemed a bit short on that "killer instinct", and I wonder if it sets the precedent for the rest of the team.      

It's difficult for me to understand how a Celtics fan (whose team has one title in the past 24 years) can post comments like "completely fizzled out in the playoffs", (The Spurs) are one of the NBA's most perennially over-rated post-season teams", and "I can't help but wonder if he's at the root of the problem" - when the Spurs are the only small market team to have more than 1 title in the modern era, all FOUR coming with Tim Duncan as the best player on the team.

Interesting take, though...

Sorry, inside joke ... I was paraphrasing what a friend here said about Dirk and the Mavs, and hoping to get a reaction out of them, but I'm glad someone actually noticed it! Timmy's actually one of the most successful post-season players, (and in turn, the Spurs/team), playing in the NBA today. (TP)

[Fafnir]

I never get too excited about the Spurs' record, because with them especially, the regular season is like a whole different league. I mean, how many years have they looked like the best, (or one of the best), teams on the planet going into the post-season, and then completely fizzled out in the playoffs?

They are one of the NBA's most perennially over-rated post-season teams, and their own worst enemy. I love Tim Duncan, but, (hate to say it), this has been happening since he joined the team, and I can't help but wonder if he's at the root of the problem. He's just always seemed a bit short on that "killer instinct", and I wonder if it sets the precedent for the rest of the team.      

I don't think the Spurs have really been on a roll going into post season since they won it all.

In 2007-2008 I think you could have considered them on a roll, and they did get to the WCF. (And lost a game in part due to an awful non-call on Brent Barry) But that year Manu was pretty banged up...

[nba is the worst]

I never get too excited about the Spurs' record, because with them especially, the regular season is like a whole different league. I mean, how many years have they looked like the best, (or one of the best), teams on the planet going into the post-season, and then completely fizzled out in the playoffs?

They are one of the NBA's most perennially over-rated post-season teams, and their own worst enemy. I love Tim Duncan, but, (hate to say it), this has been happening since he joined the team, and I can't help but wonder if he's at the root of the problem. He's just always seemed a bit short on that "killer instinct", and I wonder if it sets the precedent for the rest of the team.      

It's difficult for me to understand how a Celtics fan (whose team has one title in the past 24 years) can post comments like "completely fizzled out in the playoffs", (The Spurs) are one of the NBA's most perennially over-rated post-season teams", and "I can't help but wonder if he's at the root of the problem" - when the Spurs are the only small market team to have more than 1 title in the modern era, all FOUR coming with Tim Duncan as the best player on the team.

Interesting take, though...

Sorry, inside joke ... I was paraphrasing what a friend here said about Dirk and the Mavs, and hoping to get a reaction out of them, but I'm glad someone actually noticed it! Timmy's actually one of the most successful post-season players, (and in turn, the Spurs/team), playing in the NBA today. (TP)

I knew you couldn't be serious...

[nba is the worst]

Look forward to reading the halfway(40-42game)mark breakdown.

Thanks - I'll consider it - even if a mid-season one probably isn't as relevant as this or the post-trading deadline analysis are in terms of how the post-season might stack up.