Celtics are likely better off if the Heat win

[popcontest]

I'm not rooting for Miami to beat the Mavs, but it occurred to me that the Celtics are likely better off if Miami wins in convincing fashion. Here are a few reasons why:

• It would point to Boston being the second best team in the league and make them a more attractive free-agent destination.
• It brings the focus back to the East -- the most competitive players will want to rise to the challenge of taking down a budding dynasty.
• Players like Dwight Howard will more likely recognize they won't be able to compete on their own. Increases odds we can sign another All-Star this year or next.

[CelticSince83]

Agreed.  Another point, might make them less prone to upgrade at the point guard position.  Probably more complacent and convinced they can get by with Bibby and Chalmers if they win.  If they lose, will be absolutely more aggressive in attempting to improve their roster for 11-12.

[RyNye]

• It would point to Boston being the second best team in the league and make them a more attractive free-agent destination.

What on Earth is your logic here? If the Heat win, the Mavericks are the second best in the league by default. Followed by the Bulls and the Thunder. Unfortunately, this year's playoffs is not too flattering regarding the state of the Celtics.

The only positive outcome to the Heat winning would be to say that the Celtics were knocked out early in the playoffs, yes, but they were knocked out by the best team in the league just as they were peaking. There is no way to spin it to say that Boston is the second best.

[CelticSince83]

Slot them @ #3 regardless of who wins.  The Celtics could have beaten MIA, the Bulls were never in that series.  I think Boston is WAY closer than Chicago and OKC. 

[Chris]

I have had this thought as well, and my main rationalization was that if the Heat win this series, there is a chance they will get a little too comfortable next year, and at the very least, may go on cruise control a bit in the regular season, allowing someone else to steal home court, and it might just hurt their chemistry overall.  On the other hand, if they lose this series, they might be even more driven next year, and could be a completely unstoppable force, as a team on a mission.

Ultimately though, its all just a rationalization. 

[CelticsGuy34]

• It would point to Boston being the second best team in the league and make them a more attractive free-agent destination.

What on Earth is your logic here? If the Heat win, the Mavericks are the second best in the league by default. Followed by the Bulls and the Thunder. Unfortunately, this year's playoffs is not too flattering regarding the state of the Celtics.

The only positive outcome to the Heat winning would be to say that the Celtics were knocked out early in the playoffs, yes, but they were knocked out by the best team in the league just as they were peaking. There is no way to spin it to say that Boston is the second best.

rondo got injured and everything derailed, not to even mention JO being injured

when heat beat the celtics they acted like they won the championship

[PortCelt]

I'm not rooting for Miami to beat the Mavs, but it occurred to me that the Celtics are likely better off if Miami wins in convincing fashion. Here are a few reasons why:

• It would point to Boston being the second best team in the league and make them a more attractive free-agent destination.
• It brings the focus back to the East -- the most competitive players will want to rise to the challenge of taking down a budding dynasty.
• Players like Dwight Howard will more likely recognize they won't be able to compete on their own. Increases odds we can sign another All-Star this year or next.

Hmmmm. Not sure we can say with absolute certainty the Celtics are better than the Bulls or Thunder given the age of our core vs. the collective playoff experience both teams have gained. However, any FA would consider Bos. a contender.

Given their national notoriety, media hype, and perhaps a championship in tow, the Heat will be playing next season with even a bigger target on their backs. So all the contending teams, east and west, will be motivated.

No question the precedent in today's game is for GM's to stock pile superstars, and with the Magic's lack of cap space it is quite possible Howard will look elsewhere. But the only team that has the proven trade assets and star power is the Lakers.

It's not a reach to say everything is on the table for Danny and I expect him to target major names like Josh Smith, Oden, Varejao, Iggy and perhaps CP3 using a combination of trades. In the end though it's likely the core 4 will be wearing Celtic green.

If Miami does win we can at least say we lost to the eventual champion, but it doesn't make me feel any better about the season or address the question marks moving forward.

[Bankshot]

Eh.  Don't care if the Celtics would be perceived to be the second best team.  I want the Heath to lose!

[greenpride32]

I have had this thought as well, and my main rationalization was that if the Heat win this series, there is a chance they will get a little too comfortable next year

Lebron wants 5-6 rings so he will be in the conversion with Michael and Kobe.  That's a huge reason why he joined MIA.  I don't see him letting the foot off the pedal any time soon.

If the Heat win or lose, I really don't see any affect on the Celtics.  If MIA wins it's only going to give LBJ more confidence in the future.

[CNYCeltsfan]

OP is right but for the wrong reasons.  The only thing stopping the heat are the heat.  If they win a championship we can hope they become complacent and the egos get in the way.  I can see Bosh becomeing trouble if the is constantly thirdd option, which he will be.  he could possibly move to 4th if they get a vet pg/c willing to sign for league minimum to chase a ring.

[slamtheking]

I'm not really seeing an upside to it at all.  Nothing good will come from Lebron winning a title.  In fact, I suspect it will become worse as Stern's eyes glaze over from the marketing money that will flow in from casual NBA followers stocking up on Heat/Wade/Lebron paraphenalia that the officiating favoritism the Heat enjoy now will look like nothing compared to what we'll see in the future to ensure that $$$$ keeps flowing into the NBA's coffers.

[wdleehi]

The Heat and Celtics will be drawing on the same players.  (cheap useable big men)



So, do players want to join the older Celtics or the Title winning Heat? 



Which team will I get a better chance to showcase for the next big deal?



Which team has a city (weather) I like better?

[mostofusrsad]

it is not productive to sit back and smile about how we were 2nd best....i dont think we were and our core players are no where near the level where they need to be in order to compete next year.which is all we have at thispoint.

[bfrombleacher]

Right now, if the Heat win, they will be the team with the best individuals, not the best team.

It is insane how much Dwyane Wade and LeBron James have to carry the load. A player is expected to put in 110% but I saw the two put in 2, 3 hundred percent.

Unless the Heat get a coach and backup, I think there is a slight chance that they will crash and burn before winning the amount of championships Heat pundits expect them to.

I'd say no matter if the Heat win or lose, the Celtics are going to be on the top half of the league in the near future. Danny Ainge made a bad mistake in trading Perkins but at least he got some lifelines. Whether we get back to the top though will depend on Ainge's next few moves.

[PortCelt]

OP is right but for the wrong reasons.  The only thing stopping the heat are the heat.  If they win a championship we can hope they become complacent and the egos get in the way.  I can see Bosh becomeing trouble if the is constantly thirdd option, which he will be.  he could possibly move to 4th if they get a vet pg/c willing to sign for league minimum to chase a ring.

I don't see Bosh bellyaching about being the 3rd option. In fact he relishes it, and like RA after his choppy first season Bosh may become more of a force moving forward. The Heat are in a space in time where they can trot out two of the 5 best players on earth for 40+ minutes a night without them wearing down. Both can trap and play the passing lanes, which leads to devastating transition points. When the role players step up they're a tough out. They don't need a PG because either guy can get into the paint ... score, get fouled or dish. Collectively, in the finals, their ancillary players are shooting 47% when Lebron finds them off the double team, and no one has been able to stay with Wade on the ISO.

The only effect their winning the title will have on the Celtics is management skewing younger and more athletic in the market vs. signing the older veteran acquisitions of years past. No matter if they win it, or if Dallas finds a way, the handwriting is on the wall. The way to beat them is to space the floor with shooters that will not allow Wade or LBJ to roam, pound them in the paint, allow them only one shot, and limit live ball turnovers ... all trademarks which the Celtics lacked this season.