Our true Eastern conf rival - The Orlando Magic

[CNYCeltsfan]

Much was made earlier in the year about the knicks being our rival, and of course the Heat, but IMO, our true rival is the Orlando Magic.  We knocked them out of the playoffs in 08, they knocked us out in 09, we knocked them back out again in 2010.  In my opinion they are the only team that scares me in the east because they can eliminate our size advantage not just with Howard but their incredible range at the 3 point line.  They are the team I am scared of.  I actually hope they end up #3 to Miami's #2 in the playoff re-seeding so Miami can beat them and we get miami.

thoughts?

[wdleehi]

Both teams are dangerous.  The Celtics can not look past either of them. 



A fully healthy Celtic's team is better then both of those teams fully healthy. 

[Fafnir]

Miami is still a better team, and a tougher opponent to play in the playoffs.

[GreenEnvy]

Nah.

For obvious reasons, it's Miami.

After them, I'd say it's Chicago actually.

The coaches. Rondo vs Rose. Garnett/Noah. 2009 Playoffs.

Orlando is a nice team, they played us tough this season thus far, but we win the game easily on Christmas with Rondo IMO, and with Perk, D12 doesn't go off for 30+ and keep this one close.

Then you can throw the Knicks in for the NY/BOS fun.

[Birdbrain]

The magic are fun team too watch (3 pointers) and have a great coach but, I would go with Miami and then Chicago (fully healthy) as the 2 most talented teams outside of Boston. 

I think if Boston is relatively healthy and really commits to defense the Magic aren't that much of a challenge.  Now if they make some unGodly amount of 3's they can hang but, as the saying goes live by the 3 die by the 3.

They don't have anyone for Rondo or KG. 

[CelticG1]

Much was made earlier in the year about the knicks being our rival, and of course the Heat, but IMO, our true rival is the Orlando Magic.  We knocked them out of the playoffs in 08, they knocked us out in 09, we knocked them back out again in 2010.  In my opinion they are the only team that scares me in the east because they can eliminate our size advantage not just with Howard but their incredible range at the 3 point line.  They are the team I am scared of.  I actually hope they end up #3 to Miami's #2 in the playoff re-seeding so Miami can beat them and we get miami.

thoughts?

Just to nit pick a little we didn't knock them out in 08. We had Atlanta-Cavs-Pistons- LA that year.

I can't really make up my mind about who is more of a rival or who I am more concerned about come playoff time.

I definitely don'th think it's Chicago. I think Rose would have to do way to much on his own against us for them to be much of a threat. I just can't see that happening.

I would probably say the Magic pose the biggest threat to us. This is as bad as they are going to be right now considering how many pieces they moved and this is about as bad as Gilbert can be playing right now. I just seem them improving a decent amount come playoff team. Plus I think they have close to as much depth than us (although not talent wise).

I still am not really sold on the Heat as being a huge threat against us in the playoffs. They are a dangerous team but I think in a 7 game series their "big 3" would have to be firing on all cylinders. I honestly believe that after those 3 their team is complete garbage

[housecall]

My list in order of whom i fear the most in the east at this time:1.Chicago-Tibbs would probably have a few key things in the playoffs in how to play the C's that the others will not.2.Orlando is able to shoot there way into winning a few games whether they are playing a lot of defense or not.3.Miami is Miami and could win some games with their strengths(Wade,James,Bosh)alone.4.ATlanta has made some changes(motion) in their offense this season and still a very athletic team.5.NYKnicks will probably win a few games aganist the C here/there but don't play enough defense to stop a college team.

[pearljammer10]

Orlando does somewhat scare me and they always play well against the Celtics. Having Turk and Nelson on the outside always makes me nervous...

Not gonna lie, I guess the Magic trade is going to pay off. Turk belongs in the Magic system and was lost without it, JRich is still having a good year, and although Arenas is playing like horse puckey Id rather have him than Lewis at this point. If they can make one more trade to add some size down low without giving up too much I put them as our toughest opponent. Maybe not the best in the league, but the toughest for the Celtics to play against in the East.

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

The magic dont scare me at all. No way they push us past 5 or 6 games in the playoffs. Dont underestimate ray allen and PP playin at the top of their games right now shootin their best as a celtic. KG and Perk too good defensively to go with 2nd best PG in league Rondo. Just too much defensive and offensive talent. Lets not forget that the only reason they got a trip to the finals was KG's Knee. Theyre not gonna be able to beat us in a 7 game series pierod.

[Mike-Dub]

Much was made earlier in the year about the knicks being our rival, and of course the Heat, but IMO, our true rival is the Orlando Magic.  We knocked them out of the playoffs in 08, they knocked us out in 09, we knocked them back out again in 2010.  In my opinion they are the only team that scares me in the east because they can eliminate our size advantage not just with Howard but their incredible range at the 3 point line.  They are the team I am scared of.  I actually hope they end up #3 to Miami's #2 in the playoff re-seeding so Miami can beat them and we get miami.

thoughts?

Just to nit pick a little we didn't knock them out in 08. We had Atlanta-Cavs-Pistons- LA that year.

I can't really make up my mind about who is more of a rival or who I am more concerned about come playoff time.

I definitely don'th think it's Chicago. I think Rose would have to do way to much on his own against us for them to be much of a threat. I just can't see that happening.

I would probably say the Magic pose the biggest threat to us. This is as bad as they are going to be right now considering how many pieces they moved and this is about as bad as Gilbert can be playing right now. I just seem them improving a decent amount come playoff team. Plus I think they have close to as much depth than us (although not talent wise).

I still am not really sold on the Heat as being a huge threat against us in the playoffs. They are a dangerous team but I think in a 7 game series their "big 3" would have to be firing on all cylinders. I honestly believe that after those 3 their team is complete garbage

Also I'm confused on what u mean by reseading.  There is no reseading in the NBA Playoffs.  The situation you did mention though can happen though if we ge the one seed.

[housecall]

The magic dont scare me at all. No way they push us past 5 or 6 games in the playoffs. Dont underestimate ray allen and PP playin at the top of their games right now shootin their best as a celtic. KG and Perk too good defensively to go with 2nd best PG in league Rondo. Just too much defensive and offensive talent. Lets not forget that the only reason they got a trip to the finals was KG's Knee. Theyre not gonna be able to beat us in a 7 game series pierod.

TP,its funny how fans,analysts omit this one important thing that happened during that season the Magic got to the final,a Celtics-less KG.Every one of the NBATV guys accept Greg Anthony,K.McHale feels now that Turks back they will get back to the finals.None of them bring up the fact KG was out and it took them all they had to get pass the C's with BBD at pf.

[Roy H.]

I think there are five teams that, if hot and playing to their max potential, could challenge us in the playoffs:  LA, San Antonio, Miami, Orlando, and Chicago.

I think people are a bit too quick to write off the Heat.

[greenpride32]

Only way ORL can beat us is if they are on fire beyond the 3 point line.  Over the course of a 7 game series they won't be able to keep it up.

CHI and NYK I'm not concerned about (unless NYK lands Melo).  I think CHI is one of the most overrated teams this year; but in fairness I don't think they've played with their full squad yet; either Boozer or Noah have been hurt.  I think CHI really misses that second big time scorer behind Rose; they miss Gordon and Salmons.  Deng and Boozer just don't cut it.

MIA will be the biggest challenge.  Their 3 stars can all play 40 minutes a game if need be so that somewhat nullifies their lack of depth.  And you know they're going to get the superstar calls.

[Jon]

Maybe.  But keep in mind that there was no Rondo on Christmas and that we spent 8 minutes last night rocking a lineup that featured the 6-6 BBD at center and the 6-7 Luke Harangody at the 4. 

Add Perk back into the equation and I'm not sure the C's ever give up that 10 point lead.  Keep in mind that a lot of those Magic 3s came because the C's were preoccupied with Howard.  Having a rotation of Shaq/Perk (and perhaps Jermaine) on Howard should allows us to do what we usually do: control Howard. 

And that should free up others.  If Pierce doesn't have to collapse on Howard, he can absolutely shut down Turk and he can also abuse him on the offensive end. 

While I like the Orlando upgrade offensively, I think it leaves them suspect defensively with Turkoglu being a bad option at the 3 or 4, Richardson still in a "Phoenix" state of mind, and Arenas still playing like he's on a loser. 

[mgent]

I think there are five teams that, if hot and playing to their max potential, could challenge us in the playoffs:  LA, San Antonio, Miami, Orlando, and Chicago.

I think people are a bit too quick to write off the Heat.

If we're talking about hot teams playing to their max potential I could see the Hawks easily taking us to 7 games again.