Honestly, Every other NBA team sucks

[OsirusCeltics]

I think it's the nature of the media to create rivals for certain teams, and sensationalize everything that goes on. In my view there is no team that can compete with the Celtics at full strength and motivated

Celtics have the most complete team in the NBA. Have everything you can ask for. 4 hall of famers, a budding superstar, versatile bench, 6th man of the year candidate, size, has the best defense. It's the Celtic's championship to lose

I think its human nature for the media to pump up the competition to make the season more of a story. The rest of the league is either
-not tough enough
-lacks teamwork
-not balanced
-horrible bench
-too young/inexperienced
-lacks dominant consistent firepower

I'll run down the contenders:

Chicago Bulls
-Rely to heavily on one player, which makes them easy to defend
-Do not have consistent offense besides Rose
-Inexperienced

Miami Heat
-Lebron and Wade do not compliment each other
-Play too much one on one basketball
-Unable to play a half court game
-Horrible bench
-Lack of a distributing point guard

LA Lakers
-Only 3 capable bigs, which is very fragile in case of an injury
-Their bigs are as soft as tissue paper. Can be punked if you go at them and attack them
-Horrible bench, which makes the starters have to play extended minutes to preserve the lead
-Horrible transition defense
-Kobe is not clutch and shoots them out of games

SA Spurs
-Rely too heavily on threes
-Inconsistent bench
-Lack of interior defense
-Tim Duncan is on his last legs
-Not as good defensively as past seasons
-Struggle to play a half court game

Dallas Mavericks
-Lack mental toughness
-Do not score that well in the paint
(However, I do feel this team is a threat if they play focused)

Other teams aren't worth mentioning. I  do feel the Thunder and Blazers are very very good teams, but are too young. Thunder can surprise anyone, but I dont know

That's my take on it

[PosImpos]

The Lakers have:
1) 3 All-Star caliber bigs
2) the 2nd best shooting guard in the league
3) a solid defensive stopper at the 3
4) a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  

When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have:
1) the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer
2) the 4th or 5th best small forward who is one of the league's best closers
3) the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter)
4) the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league
5) a guy who is one of the better (but not best) 6th men
6) a bench otherwise filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

[OsirusCeltics]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

[Kane3387]

What six men are better then Baby? Name all of the ones you think.

[PosImpos]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

[TheTruthFot18]

TP. Great write up on the competition. Have to include ORL. While highly unlikely, they could upset the bulls in the 2nd round but besides that are not a threat.

I only really see three teams as a threat in a 7 game series:

Bulls: All weaknesses aside, a series would (will) be a tough battle.

Heat: As much as Lebron and Wade's Hero ball has failed them, it has also won them games. Should be fun to watch though.

Lakers: We had the roster to beat them last year, and were even better now. They improved slightly if at all while we solved our bigs and wings problem.

Although the Mavs beat us twice this season, they will choke in the playoffs, it always happens.

Spurs are the team I'd rather face in a finals match. 1, as much as I would love to beat LA and take revenge, lets see someone else come out of the west. and 2, I know we can beat them especially in a 7 game series.

[Rondo2287]

What six men are better then Baby? Name all of the ones you think.

Lamar Odom for one

[PosImpos]

What six men are better then Baby? Name all of the ones you think.

Lamar Odom
Jason Terry
Jamal Crawford
Lou Williams
Marcin Gortat (apparently he's coming off the bench as of late)

There may be a couple others.

[OsirusCeltics]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

[slamtheking]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.   This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.

I think you lacking in imagination.  The C's, if healthy, are every bit their superior.

C's have a deeper big man rotation at C and PF. C's are 6 deep versus Lakers are 3 deep.  (if discounting Murphy, C's are still 5 deep with quality NBA players).  You could argue Bynum and Odom are more athletic or bigger than the C's bigs outside of KG but I don't see either of them really scoring on JO.  Odom doesn't have the bulk to take the physical beating that he'd face against BBD, JO and Shaq.  Also, Krstic gives the C's the extra dimension of pulling out the Laker Center to leave the middle open for Rondo, PP or Green to drive (Ray too for that matter).

C's have by far the better PG and SF -- both starting and off the bench.  C's 3rd string PG (Arroyo) could match up with their starter.

The only advantage I'd give the Lakers is starting SG with Kobe over Ray.  However, C's have better depth at SG with West and Wafer able to back up Ray.  I don't think highly for what the Laker bench contributes outside of Odom and Blake.

Add in the X-factor of motivation being squarely with the C's (the players from last year still have that bitter taste in their mouths to wash out, Shaq wants that ring to tie Kobe, JO/West/Wafer haven't had a title yet and want it, BBD wants another title to bolster his drive for big payday, etc...)

[Donoghus]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

You lost me there.

[Who]

What six men are better then Baby? Name all of the ones you think.

Jeff Green, Jermaine O'Neal and Delonte West.

[OsirusCeltics]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

You lost me there.

I think Kobe's moniker of "best closer" has been greatly overhyped. He hasn't done anything deep in the playoffs/NBA finals to garner that name. Ray has made countless of clutch shots, better team player, and a better shooter

The only thing Kobe can take pride in, is his superior one on one skills

[Drucci]

The Lakers have 3 All-Star caliber bigs and the 2nd best shooting guard in the league, plus a solid defensive stopper at the 3 and a guy who hits clutch shots (despite being a liability in every other way) at PG.  When their top 6 players are healthy and focused, it's really difficult imagining any team beating them.  This is doubly true when they have HCA (and they will, except against SA).

That's the honest, painful truth.


At full strength, the Celtics have the 5th best point guard in the league who is also the league's 2nd best passer, the 4th or 5th best small forward, the 5th best shooting guard (but best pure shooter), the 2nd best defensive player and maybe 10th or 11th best big man in the league, a guy who is maybe the 5th best 6th man, and a bench filled with decent role players.

The Celtics are impressive if at full strength, but the Lakers are more impressive.  Right now, it looks much more likely that the Lakers will be at full strength for the playoffs than that the Celtics will be.

Rankings have nothing to do with who is the best TEAM, and Celtics are that

Yes, but overall talent and impact at each position has something to do with who is the best TEAM, and the Lakers win on both counts, I think.  All that the Celtics can boast is a superior team defense and great chemistry.  Since '08, the Lakers have developed both of those things as well, however, which is why they've been winning.  The Celtics have been inconsistent.

Even individually, Celtics are better.
Rondo > Fisher
Ray > Kobe (Ray had to change his game to come on this team. He is way more clutch than Kobe)
Pierce > Artest
KG > Gasol
Shaq and JO > Bynum

You lost me there.

I think Kobe's moniker of "best closer" has been greatly overhyped. He hasn't done anything deep in the playoffs/NBA finals to garner that name. Ray has made countless of clutch shots, better team player, and a better shooter

The only thing Kobe can take pride in, is his superior one on one skills

Agreed, and it's been particularly true since the '08 playoffs : he hasn't hit a single game winner or very big clutch shot, '08 included, and it's not a matter of not taking these shots... he is just not making them. Luckily for him his teammates bailed him out twice last year (Gasol against OKC on a tip in and Artest on a rebound after a Kobe airball against PHX).

[RebusRankin]

Artest is no longer a great defensive 3, thug yes.