Will the Celtics win the east?

[GreenNote]

I know it's still early but I have a feeling that the Celtics will not overtake Miami for the number one spot because it will require too much effort to beat teams and they have nothing to prove this year.

On the other hand, Miami desperately needs to make a statement and probably want to avoid Orlando. I know that there is still time and I hope that Boston can buckle down and at least secure homecourt vs the West.

On another note I think these struggles ensure that everyone remains grounded.

[GreenEnvy]

I know it's still early but I have a feeling that the Celtics will not overtake Miami for the number one spot because it will require too much effort to beat teams and they have nothing to prove this year.

On the other hand, Miami desperately needs to make a statement and probably want to avoid Orlando. I know that there is still time and I hope that Boston can buckle down and at least secure homecourt vs the West.

On another note I think these struggles ensure that everyone remains grounded.

Who knows. Both teams can roll off 10+ W's in a row, or go into a funk. Both teams have done both.

I'm not really worried about Miami as much as the Celtics sliding down to Chicago and Orlando. Pre-Christmas they were running away with the conference and at this rate they will be in 4th place by the end of the month if they don't get their act together.

This team is really only worried about getting healthy for the playoffs. The problem is, they know it and so does everyone else. Teams look at them like they can catch them on one of those nights. When the C's come to play, they can beat anyone. But other nights they just coast.

Just when we thought we weren't going to see a repeat of last season, this stretch happens.

Regardless of this lackadaisical play, with KG, Perk and West back, based on talent alone they should stop dropping easy games. And maybe climb atop the East.

[barefacedmonk]

Yes, they can definitely win the conference. Complacency and injuries are our worst enemies.

[Megatron]

Celtics can an will win the east if healthy.

The problem is that outside of KG we dont have any productive bigs.

Perkins is going to be a shell of himself.
Shaq is showing signs of age.
Jermaine isnt healthy and never will be.
Baby is undersized.
Erden sucks.

We have no dominant bigs to really "roll over" miami and orlandos frontline.

I think what everyones hoping is that Shaq/Perk/JO/Baby/KG will become impact players and be beasts in the paint against the realatively weak front lines of miami and orlando.

Thats what needs to happen. What good is having tons of bigs if none of them rebound, or can make an impact in the game?

[Bahku]

I think they will, but as Megatron said, it will depend on whether or not we stay healthy. I'm really anxious to get Perk, Delonte, and KG back, and see what develops ... should be fun. 

[celtics2]

No. 2nd seed at best. Age and injury problems. Doesn't mean we don't beat Miami in ECF's. If we get off the gurneys. Looking like a long shot at tis point.

[vinnie]

I say second at best and that it will be a struggle to hold onto that position. If healthy they have an outside shot at winning the conference, but I would say the chances are 10 percent or less. Miami is playing too well right now, and it looks to me that they have figured things out.

[pearljammer10]

Yes... They will.

[Edgar]

I really hope so and think they can
but they wont if they keep losing home games
no matter against who.
a couple more next 5 games and maybe my
answer will be highly boubtfully

[Greenbean]

Miami has a tough stretch ahead and we're getting KG back. Ask me after that.

Sorry for the cop out!

[BostonIrishGuy]

It is going to be tough. I'm definitely worried about how health and old age start impacting our team down the stretch, and we are starting to see it right now. I think if healthy, we can take ANYONE down, including Miami. But can the C's be healthy for the playoffs?

I think Miami is the real deal now, as much as I hate to admit it. I think we can beat Orlando or Chicago in the second round, but Miami worries me especially if they have HCA.  

[nba is the worst]

Speculating on the future is meaningless, but I think the Magic are in the best position to finish strong.

I'm guessing Wade's kamikaze style will put him out for at least a couple of weeks, and I'm concerned that KG will be at 60-70% again like last season when he returns - and he is simply key to the C's quest for 60+ wins

[MBz]

I think they can, but I'm going to say no due to injuries.  I think we'll end up as the #2 or #3 seed. 

[GreenNote]

I guess the games against Miami will even be more important. It should be exciting if more than a couple teams can earn the number one seed with less than 5 games remaining.

After all this should make the regular season more exciting than it already is.