The Celtics Will Win The NBA Championship

[Raising 18]

they may win it.... they may not win it.. but one thing is for dang sure.. Im going to enjoy the ride because u just never know when it could be over... Go Celtics.. heres to winning it all

[Yvette]

Agreed.. Cs will win it all this June!...

[Bahku]

I still believe ... absolutely. All of these same negative things were being said last year ... "Thay can't turn on the switch ... too many ifs ... too old", etc.. This year's post-season will be another such positive surprise, and we'll make it to number 18.

Experience almost always prevails when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, and I think it will in this instance as well. Yes, I am one of the "half-full" people here, but I am also moderately knowledgeable when it comes to hoops, and I think they'll flip the switch again.

That's the thing, though, Bahku.  I believe they can flip the switch again, I really do.  But flipping the switch wasn't enough last year.  It was enough to get them farther than any of us realistically thought they'd go after what we saw in the regular season, but nevertheless it wasn't enough to get all the way to the finish line. 

Why will this season be different?  Why, when the Big 3 are a year older and the team is apparently no deeper than it was last year, despite the off-season additions and mid-season trades?

Actually, it was enough, (IMHO) ... I hate to bring it up again, (because people say it's just an excuse), but the officials robbed us ... that was the difference. In my many, many years of watching the NBA, I can't remember ever seeing a game where the 4th quarter was so incredibly unbalanced with trips to the line.

It was absolutely absurd, and we could just as easily have won that game if it had been called even remotely balanced in the final quarter. Plain and simple, we were robbed ... big time. (Man I hope this doesn't start another firestorm of "Don't blame the refs!" posts ).

Another reason I think it will be different, is because KG, Paul and Ray are ALL in better shape this year, and until this recent funk, have been looking much better than last year. And this is just a funk ... it won't last long, and every team has them ... better now than in the post-season.

As jd pointed out, there's a major reason that 4th quarter was called the way it was - it was game 7 of the finals in LA.  if we make it to the finals again, it's likely we'll be playing in LA, or SA, or Dallas.  We'll probably have to deal with the same stuff again.

Sorry, I can see a game being called in favor of the home team, (it happens quite often), but that game and quarter was called way beyond the realm of reasonable or even the normal home-team tilt. It was absurdly off-balance, and anyone who didn't see that was in denial. 37 to 17 free-throws in a championship-deciding game?!? Please.

[j804]

Yup teams don't belong on the same floor as us.

[JSD]

Yup teams don't belong on the same floor as us.

Ray? Is that you?

[StartOrien]

Size it up:

[RAcker]

These are the posts I love this time of year.  TP.

[jsingh1699]

we'll win in june.

even with biased officiating, we had a double digit lead against the lakers in game 7. we collapsed because of our offense. that prob wont happen again. with guys like west, green, shaq, maybe even a rare krstic sighting (rmr when he use to be an offensive machine for us?), we'll have fresh guys to get us through the middle of the games (if doc allows it).

im convinced the guys have shutdown for the season. they are ok with being 3rd in the east. they'd rather be healthy and use these games to gel with each other.

[CeltsAcumen]

I really hope you are correct.

[Cman]

This is my 5000th post.

I just want to say I'm still convinced the Celtics will win it all this season. They're a team built for the chess match that is the playoffs.

Well, TP.
Probability is not on your side, but I like teh attitude.

[prov1ml34]

When is the last time that a #3 seed without HCA after the first round won the NBA championship?

I'm not trying to be flippant, I'm legitimately curious.

San Antonio in 2007 was the third seed...although they had HC over the Cavs.

Last one was the Detroit Pistons in 04 I think. Didn't have homecourt after the first round and beat the #2 Nets, the #1 Pacers, and then the #2 Lakers.

That's probably the closest comparison we can hope for.  We don't have a '95 Hakeem or even an '07 Duncan on this team (though maybe Rondo could be '07 Parker).  I'm not convinced this team is as talented as the Pistons were, either.  

How many teams have won the title without HCA in the Finals since the introduction of the 2-3-2 format?

Thanks for the congrats!

I think that format came in in 1985?

Were the back to back Pistons HC?

The 3peat Bulls had HC.

95 Rockets went to Orlando.

3peat Bulls had home court.  Questioned 98 until I thought of Jordans "still gotta come through Chicago" speech.

99 Spurs had HC

3peat Lakers were home

Spurs 03 (and 05) were HC

04 Pistons went to LA

Did Miami have HC against Dallas? I don't think they did.

I am pretty sure the 1998 Bulls didn't have HC in the finals. They went to Utah and Utah won Game 1.

[JSD]

When is the last time that a #3 seed without HCA after the first round won the NBA championship?

I'm not trying to be flippant, I'm legitimately curious.

San Antonio in 2007 was the third seed...although they had HC over the Cavs.

Last one was the Detroit Pistons in 04 I think. Didn't have homecourt after the first round and beat the #2 Nets, the #1 Pacers, and then the #2 Lakers.

That's probably the closest comparison we can hope for.  We don't have a '95 Hakeem or even an '07 Duncan on this team (though maybe Rondo could be '07 Parker).  I'm not convinced this team is as talented as the Pistons were, either.  

How many teams have won the title without HCA in the Finals since the introduction of the 2-3-2 format?

Thanks for the congrats!

I think that format came in in 1985?

Were the back to back Pistons HC?

The 3peat Bulls had HC.

95 Rockets went to Orlando.

3peat Bulls had home court.  Questioned 98 until I thought of Jordans "still gotta come through Chicago" speech.

99 Spurs had HC

3peat Lakers were home

Spurs 03 (and 05) were HC

04 Pistons went to LA

Did Miami have HC against Dallas? I don't think they did.

I am pretty sure the 1998 Bulls didn't have HC in the finals. They went to Utah and Utah won Game 1.

You're right. It was off the top of my head so I was wrong on a couple.

He or she nailed it, I think:

When is the last time that a #3 seed without HCA after the first round won the NBA championship?

I'm not trying to be flippant, I'm legitimately curious.

San Antonio in 2007 was the third seed...although they had HC over the Cavs.

Last one was the Detroit Pistons in 04 I think. Didn't have homecourt after the first round and beat the #2 Nets, the #1 Pacers, and then the #2 Lakers.

That's probably the closest comparison we can hope for.  We don't have a '95 Hakeem or even an '07 Duncan on this team (though maybe Rondo could be '07 Parker).  I'm not convinced this team is as talented as the Pistons were, either.  

How many teams have won the title without HCA in the Finals since the introduction of the 2-3-2 format?

I believe it's only been 6 teams since 1985.

Looked it up because I was curious...the teams were: the 1985 Lakers, the 1993 Bulls, the 1995 Rockets, the 1998 Bulls, the 2004 Pistons and the 2006 Miami Heat.

So it will definitely be difficult, but not impossible. Although having Jordan or Magic would help.

[angryguy77]

I still believe ... absolutely. All of these same negative things were being said last year ... "Thay can't turn on the switch ... too many ifs ... too old", etc.. This year's post-season will be another such positive surprise, and we'll make it to number 18.

Experience almost always prevails when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, and I think it will in this instance as well. Yes, I am one of the "half-full" people here, but I am also moderately knowledgeable when it comes to hoops, and I think they'll flip the switch again.

That's the thing, though, Bahku.  I believe they can flip the switch again, I really do.  But flipping the switch wasn't enough last year.  It was enough to get them farther than any of us realistically thought they'd go after what we saw in the regular season, but nevertheless it wasn't enough to get all the way to the finish line. 

Why will this season be different?  Why, when the Big 3 are a year older and the team is apparently no deeper than it was last year, despite the off-season additions and mid-season trades?

Actually, it was enough, (IMHO) ... I hate to bring it up again, (because people say it's just an excuse), but the officials robbed us ... that was the difference. In my many, many years of watching the NBA, I can't remember ever seeing a game where the 4th quarter was so incredibly unbalanced with trips to the line.

It was absolutely absurd, and we could just as easily have won that game if it had been called even remotely balanced in the final quarter. Plain and simple, we were robbed ... big time. (Man I hope this doesn't start another firestorm of "Don't blame the refs!" posts ).

Another reason I think it will be different, is because KG, Paul and Ray are ALL in better shape this year, and until this recent funk, have been looking much better than last year. And this is just a funk ... it won't last long, and every team has them ... better now than in the post-season.

As jd pointed out, there's a major reason that 4th quarter was called the way it was - it was game 7 of the finals in LA.  if we make it to the finals again, it's likely we'll be playing in LA, or SA, or Dallas.  We'll probably have to deal with the same stuff again.

Sorry, I can see a game being called in favor of the home team, (it happens quite often), but that game and quarter was called way beyond the realm of reasonable or even the normal home-team tilt. It was absurdly off-balance, and anyone who didn't see that was in denial. 37 to 17 free-throws in a championship-deciding game?!? Please.

Not only that, we have (on paper at least) better scoring options off the bench. KG is back, we hopefully wont have freak injuries(allen and perk) that will limit our team.

Oneal bros will be back as well. And who says this will go to a game seven anyway? It is possible that we do this if 5. Crazy I know, but I believe this team is that much better than LA when healthy. I wouldn't rule it out.

[Assassin70]

I really hope you are correct.

ditto

[Mike-Dub]

I still believe ... absolutely. All of these same negative things were being said last year ... "Thay can't turn on the switch ... too many ifs ... too old", etc.. This year's post-season will be another such positive surprise, and we'll make it to number 18.

Experience almost always prevails when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, and I think it will in this instance as well. Yes, I am one of the "half-full" people here, but I am also moderately knowledgeable when it comes to hoops, and I think they'll flip the switch again.

That's the thing, though, Bahku.  I believe they can flip the switch again, I really do.  But flipping the switch wasn't enough last year.  It was enough to get them farther than any of us realistically thought they'd go after what we saw in the regular season, but nevertheless it wasn't enough to get all the way to the finish line. 

Why will this season be different?  Why, when the Big 3 are a year older and the team is apparently no deeper than it was last year, despite the off-season additions and mid-season trades?

Actually, it was enough, (IMHO) ... I hate to bring it up again, (because people say it's just an excuse), but the officials robbed us ... that was the difference. In my many, many years of watching the NBA, I can't remember ever seeing a game where the 4th quarter was so incredibly unbalanced with trips to the line.

It was absolutely absurd, and we could just as easily have won that game if it had been called even remotely balanced in the final quarter. Plain and simple, we were robbed ... big time. (Man I hope this doesn't start another firestorm of "Don't blame the refs!" posts ).

Another reason I think it will be different, is because KG, Paul and Ray are ALL in better shape this year, and until this recent funk, have been looking much better than last year. And this is just a funk ... it won't last long, and every team has them ... better now than in the post-season.

As jd pointed out, there's a major reason that 4th quarter was called the way it was - it was game 7 of the finals in LA.  if we make it to the finals again, it's likely we'll be playing in LA, or SA, or Dallas.  We'll probably have to deal with the same stuff again.

Sorry, I can see a game being called in favor of the home team, (it happens quite often), but that game and quarter was called way beyond the realm of reasonable or even the normal home-team tilt. It was absurdly off-balance, and anyone who didn't see that was in denial. 37 to 17 free-throws in a championship-deciding game?!? Please.

I agree with both of you guys.  I believe that we can beat any team in a playoff series without homecourt advantage, but I would love to get HC advantage over LA and Miami to a lesser extent because I belief LA is getting out of the West, our bigggest threat, and the 2-3-2 format is really tough for the away team.

Miami only a little bit because I feel they're the only team that would have anychance at beating us in the east, albeit a small one IMO.