Why the C's will be in the NBA Finals

[rondohondo]

I know a lot has been made of the shaq injury( and rightly so) , but I am pretty sure the C's will be in the NBA Finals. It's all about matchups in the playoffs and the C's have an advantage in almost every series.

Kristic will match up perfectly with Big Z and JO and BBD can hold down the center spot for the rest of the time. I do think we will need Shaq against Chicago and LA , but until then I think the C's will be able to get by.

I think a lot of people on this board and in the media don't think the C's have anything left and they are getting too old, but this is a team full of champions and big game experience. Do not underestimate this team, they will make you look silly in the end!

[GreenFaith1819]

I know a lot has been made of the shaq injury( and rightly so) , but I am pretty sure the C's will be in the NBA Finals. It's all about matchups in the playoffs and the C's have an advantage in almost every series.

Kristic will match up perfectly with Big Z and JO can hold down the center spot for the rest of the time. I do think we will need Shaq against Chicago and LA , but until then I think the C's will be able to get by.

I think a lot of people on this board and in the media don't think the C's have anything left and they are getting too old, but this is a team full of championship and big game experience. Do not underestimate this team, they will make you look silly in the end!

Agreed!

[barefacedmonk]

We played very well tonight but...

[rondohondo]

We played very well tonight but...

you seem to constantly be negative and warn everyone why the C's are all done, why can't I be positive and think a team full of champions has what it takes to go all the way ?

 I know it is one game , but just look at the matchups for the upcoming series against possibly Miami and Chicago, the c's still have very favorable matchups in those series . They will be in the Finals, mark my words ( not saying they will win it, if they have Shaq they will!)

[barefacedmonk]

We played very well tonight but...

you seem to constantly be negative and warn everyone why the C's are all done, why can't I be positive and think a team full of champions has what it takes to go all the way ?

Constantly negative?? Warn everyone? I've never said that the C's are done. Don't put words in my mouth.

[GreenFaith1819]

Rondohondo - I think BFM is just talking about the bench...the starters pretty much carried us, save for Jeff Green.

Jeff actually had a decent game, to me.

[jdz101]

Ray and Paul will shoot 14 of 19 from deep every game?!?!?

We will win it all if that happens....but somehow I doubt it.  

[aporel#18]

They're not only reaching the Finals, they will win #18.

Because they have the best starting five, no matter who is our starting 5.

Because Shaq will be huge when he finally starts playing.

Because at some point Doc will stop messing with the rotation.

Because of UBUNTU

Go Celtics!!!

Of course, they won't play like today on game 4, but I think all the above will be true as is today.

[Jon]

Still early, but they certainly silenced the critics from the first two games. 

If Shaq is back by the time Miami comes around, I'll be very, very confident.  Having an intimidating center in for 40+ mpg as opposed to 20+ mpg will make a huge difference. 

Had they had both O'Neals tonight, they likely would've shut this game down before the end of the second quarter. 

[vinnie]

Honestly, Krstic is awful right now and doesn't match up with anyone

[Jon]

Honestly, Krstic is awful right now and doesn't match up with anyone

If Shaq comes back, he'll be an afterthought.  He and Jermaine can man the 5 spot with perhaps an occasional guest spot from BBD.  And I can live with BBD at the 5 if it's for fewer than 5 mpg. 

[barefacedmonk]

Honestly, Krstic is awful right now and doesn't match up with anyone

If Shaq comes back, he'll be an afterthought.  He and Jermaine can man the 5 spot with perhaps an occasional guest spot from BBD.  And I can live with BBD at the 5 if it's for fewer than 5 mpg. 

Agreed. A healthy Shaq will be a tremendous asset in the next series...and hopefully all the other series that follow.

[Who]

Honestly, Krstic is awful right now and doesn't match up with anyone

This is just a bad series for Nenad Krstic.

He shouldn't even be on the court against this Knicks team. Not with Jermaine taking up all the minutes against Ronny Turiaf. Doc is doing him a disservice.

This series is not a good indicator of Krstic's ability to be a contributor in future rounds against teams with ... a more typical big men that he can matchup against in that second unit ... I wouldn't read too much into Krstic's performances against the Knicks.

Next series will be a new beginning and a better opportunity for him to play quality basketball.

[aporel#18]

Honestly, Krstic is awful right now and doesn't match up with anyone

This is just a bad series for Nenad Krstic.

He shouldn't even be on the court against this Knicks team. Not with Jermaine taking up all the minutes against Ronny Turiaf. Doc is doing him a disservice.

This series is not a good indicator of Krstic's ability to be a contributor in future rounds against teams with ... a more typical big men that he can matchup against in that second unit ... I wouldn't read too much into Krstic's performances against the Knicks.

Next series will be a new beginning and a better opportunity for him to play quality basketball.

agree, Krstic against SFs on D is not a great option. And on the offensive end, they're not using him in the post. Stop feeding the Baby, Celtics...

Baby is an undersized 4, who can play the 5 against D12. Against the Lakers he's lost, and he could be useful against Boozer, but not against Big Z. I don't know about Noah. When Docs puts him to play energy minutes in short stints, he can change a game. When he plays big minutes he settles for jumpers.

With the O'Neal brothers healthy, of course, Nenad is insurance and 3rd stringer, and a very good one. No need to play Baby at the 5.

[vinnie]

This maybe a bad series for Krstic, but the guy was terrible the last month of the season and his bad play continues.