How is this different from last year?

[wdleehi]

 I think the reintegrating thing is overrated a bit, since last year, we were also trying to integrate a new backup PG, which is harder to integrate than a backup wing or big man (I think Shaq will integrate just fine, as he had plenty of time to integrate early in the season).  

I disagree, Chris.  Integrating a backup PG who will see maybe 10 minutes per game in the playoffs is not more difficult than integrating:

* an injured starting center (Shaq);
* a backup small forward (Green);
* a backup center (Krstic);
* an injured backup center (JO); and
* an injured backup combo guard (Delonte).

Last year, the team was basically intact, with Nate struggling a bit to take over for Eddie.  This year, literally half the rotation will be turned over. 

That is the biggest difference right now. 


Instead of getting one player ready while having 4 guys on the floor that knew what was going on to help him, there can be up to 5 new guys on the floor trying to figure things out. 

[PosImpos]

But can Rondo get to where he was last year? We need him to play like he did last year to win a title this year.

That has to be the most concerning thing aside from conceding HCA.  Hard to imagine Rondo turning it on like he did last season.

What makes you think Rondo will have a hard time turning it around?

I think that of all players Rondo is definitely the one who is pacing right now and waiting for the playoffs to play at 100%.

Plantar fascitis doesn't just go away being one big reason for my concern.

The fact that Rondo seems checked out mentally, to a much greater degree than the rest of the team, being another.

[Chris]

 I think the reintegrating thing is overrated a bit, since last year, we were also trying to integrate a new backup PG, which is harder to integrate than a backup wing or big man (I think Shaq will integrate just fine, as he had plenty of time to integrate early in the season).  

I disagree, Chris.  Integrating a backup PG who will see maybe 10 minutes per game in the playoffs is not more difficult than integrating:

* an injured starting center (Shaq);
* a backup small forward (Green);
* a backup center (Krstic);
* an injured backup center (JO); and
* an injured backup combo guard (Delonte).

Last year, the team was basically intact, with Nate struggling a bit to take over for Eddie.  This year, literally half the rotation will be turned over. 

Well, they were also sorting out a wing rotation with Tony and Marquis both coming back from injuries.  KG was still struggling with his effectiveness coming off his injury, and learning how to play without his normal explosiveness (he really didn't start clicking until the playoffs).

As for this year, Shaq should be a relatively easy integration.  He fit in just fine earlier in the season, and I don't think anyone has forgotten anything about how he fits in during the couple months he has been out. 

Delonte also seems to be integrating well, and is already fitting into the system better than Nate or either of the wings did last year. 

The questions are JO (and his "integration" certainly has not been leading to their play right now, since he is not there), Green (who has been fitting in pretty well, and at times has been better than some of the guys who have been here), and Krstic (OK, that's a question, because he has been largely been playing a different role than he will be in when the playoffs start...but he will maybe be seeing 10 minutes a night against most teams anyways).

Honestly, I think the biggest difference between last year and this year is that this year is happening NOW, and therefore, it looks much worse, while last year, we had an amazing playoff run to wipe our memories of just how horrid it was, and how bad the panic was.

[Marcus13]

It's very similar - except that we are more injured and the competition has gotten better

I don't think the competition is any better this year. Orlando was better last year and Clev was strong. LA is not better this year. I don't see how our road to a championship could have tougher competition than last season. The first round should be a breeze if we get the Knicks.

The first round should be a breeze for a title contendor.  However, there is no way Orlando/Cleveland last year was as good as Chicago/Miami this year.  Miami is Cleveland with a better supporting cast and Chicago is quite possibly the best team in the Conference - don't see last year's Orlando team being as good as them.

How much of your view of Cleveland/Orlando last year is based on how the C's beat them in the playoffs?

The Cavs looked very good in beating Chicago in the playoffs and had a very strong record going into the playoffs. Orlando had swpt the first two rounds and looked to be as good as the year before (when they went to the Finals).

Hmm, that is a point that I hadn't thought of and is valid.  The Celtics handling business did make them seem a little inferior.

However, I don't see how you can make an argument that Cleveland last year is a better team than Miami this year.  They both had LeBron except Mo Williams has been substituted for Dwyane Wade and AV has been substituted for Bosh.  Other than that, both teams are pretty weak.

I guess you could make a coint toss between Orlando and Chicago imo - we won't know until the playoffs begin.  Both teams had a MVP Candidate and good starters around them, but the bench is weak.

[Drucci]

But can Rondo get to where he was last year? We need him to play like he did last year to win a title this year.

That has to be the most concerning thing aside from conceding HCA.  Hard to imagine Rondo turning it on like he did last season.

What makes you think Rondo will have a hard time turning it around?

I think that of all players Rondo is definitely the one who is pacing right now and waiting for the playoffs to play at 100%.

Plantar fascitis doesn't just go away being one big reason for my concern.

The fact that Rondo seems checked out mentally, to a much greater degree than the rest of the team, being another.

I understand the worries health-related. I tend to think that Rondo is not attacking the basket like he used to because he is pacing for the playoffs but I didn't even think about his plantar fascitis. Hopefully if we haven't heard anything about it lately it means that he is OK and getting better but not necessarily.

As for the mental part that's why I'm not worried. Sure, Rondo has taken a big hit with Perk's departure and he has a stubborn/tough character. But his pride and habit of stepping up in the playoffs will make us quickly forget his mental struggles of the season in my opinion.

I also think Rondo will have an additional chip on his shoulders regarding all the criticism he received (rightfully, though) this season and the praise on guys like Rose.

[Lucky17]

We're a much more level-headed fan base this year, having already experienced this once before.

[Marcus13]

We're a much more level-headed fan base this year, having already experienced this once before.

When it comes to our team, anyway.  We made Miami out to be the out of contention when they're now only a game behind us again

[droopdog7]

I am actually hoping it IS different from last year.  I mean, did we win the title last year and someone forgot to tell me?

As I have been saying, we may be able to get out of the east again (maybe), but I don't see us beating the lakers without HCA, which we have already given away.

[vinnie]

I don't know the exact answer, but I have heard Doc say in at least three interviews that this year is different than last year and that last year he pulled the plug on certain players which caused them to play poorly the last 15 games of the season. This year, he is saying that 8 of their 9 core guys are healthy and there is absolutely no reason for them playing this poorly. My guess is Doc knows what he is talking about.

[vinnie]

Not sure about Doc being more annoyed.  He looked like he was ready to shoot Sheed and others at some points last season.  I think there is a little revisionist history going on there.

I don't remember Doc calling the team soft or selfish last year. He was definitely frustrated, but........

[Roy H.]

I am actually hoping it IS different from last year.  I mean, did we win the title last year and someone forgot to tell me?

As I have been saying, we may be able to get out of the east again (maybe), but I don't see us beating the lakers without HCA, which we have already given away.

If this team rallies and makes it to Game 7 against the Lakers in the Finals, I'm very confident that they'll win.  KG's improved play alone would be the difference maker.

It's the getting there part that I'm more worried about.

[looseball]

I don't see the optimism that Shaq and JO will be healthy contributors in the playoffs.  Neither has played in a long while and may not have enough time to get into good enough shape to have much of an impact.
I think we have to look at the guys who are healthy now, and judge how far we can get with these players.

[mgent]

I am actually hoping it IS different from last year.  I mean, did we win the title last year and someone forgot to tell me?

As I have been saying, we may be able to get out of the east again (maybe), but I don't see us beating the lakers without HCA, which we have already given away.

If this team rallies and makes it to Game 7 against the Lakers in the Finals, I'm very confident that they'll win.  KG's improved play alone would be the difference maker.

It's the getting there part that I'm more worried about.

Once again, like everything, it all depends on how strong the O'Neals come back.  If we're playing Krstic significant minutes I see us getting out-rebounded twice as badly.

The Lakers, Bulls, and Magic are all teams that if they really try can outrebound us by 20 with relative ease.  That'll be our Achilles heel in the playoffs.

[Chris]

I am actually hoping it IS different from last year.  I mean, did we win the title last year and someone forgot to tell me?

As I have been saying, we may be able to get out of the east again (maybe), but I don't see us beating the lakers without HCA, which we have already given away.

If this team rallies and makes it to Game 7 against the Lakers in the Finals, I'm very confident that they'll win.  KG's improved play alone would be the difference maker.

It's the getting there part that I'm more worried about.

Once again, like everything, it all depends on how strong the O'Neals come back.  If we're playing Krstic significant minutes I see us getting out-rebounded twice as badly.

The Lakers, Bulls, and Magic are all teams that if they really try can outrebound us by 20 with relative ease.  That'll be our Achilles heel in the playoffs.

If the Oneals aren't back strong, I don't think we are making it anywhere near the finals anyways, so thats a moot point. 

I also don't think we would beat the Heat without Shaq playing well, since he is one of the real mismatches we have against them. 

[Roy H.]

I am actually hoping it IS different from last year.  I mean, did we win the title last year and someone forgot to tell me?

As I have been saying, we may be able to get out of the east again (maybe), but I don't see us beating the lakers without HCA, which we have already given away.

If this team rallies and makes it to Game 7 against the Lakers in the Finals, I'm very confident that they'll win.  KG's improved play alone would be the difference maker.

It's the getting there part that I'm more worried about.

Once again, like everything, it all depends on how strong the O'Neals come back.  If we're playing Krstic significant minutes I see us getting out-rebounded twice as badly.

The Lakers, Bulls, and Magic are all teams that if they really try can outrebound us by 20 with relative ease.  That'll be our Achilles heel in the playoffs.

If Krstic is playing that badly, we're not making the Finals, let alone winning three games against the Lakers.

(In other words, exactly what Chris said.)