2012 Celtics v. 2008 Celtics

[Pucaccia]

Let's compare the current Celtics vs. 2008 Celtics

2012 on left / 2008 on right based on an 8 man rotation.

Rondo greater than Rondo
Bradley less than Allen
Pierce equal to Pierce
Bass less than Garnett
Garnett greater than Perk
Allen greater than House
Pietrus greater than or equal to Posey
Steamboat equal to Brown

As stated based on an 8 man rotation,
T. Allen, Leon and Baby make 2008 deeper
but in the Playoffs your top 8 matter more.

Doesn't look that bad.

[Fafnir]

KG in 2008 was an MVP caliber player. That difference alone immediatelyleads to why one team is only fighting for th fourth seed and the other was one of the best regular season teams ever.

PP was also a much stronger player, as was Ray Allen.

[Roy H.]

I don't think you can necessarily look at it like that.  You have to look at the entire team as a unit.  

As a unit, I'd say we're approximately equal defensively.  My guess is that we're slightly better defensively on the perimeter and slightly worse defensively inside, but that's a guess.  

I think we've downgraded significantly offensively, and our rebounding has downgraded significantly, as well.

As a whole, I think the team is quite a bit worse than the 2008 champions, although they've recently regained contender status.

(Also, as much as I like Pietrus, I'd take Posey over him every day.)

[mqtcelticsfan]

2012 Pierce is absolutely not equal to 2008 Pierce. I also still like KG and Perk together more than Bass and KG.

[LooseCannon]

Is Doc the same coach or has he learned and improved?

[Kiorrik]

I don't think you can necessarily look at it like that.  You have to look at the entire team as a unit. 

As a unit, I'd say we're approximately equal defensively.  My guess is that we're slightly better defensively on the perimeter and slightly worse defensively inside, but that's a guess. 

I think we've downgraded significantly offensively, and our rebounding has downgraded significantly, as well.

As a whole, I think the team is quite a bit worse than the 2008 champions, although they've recently regained contender status.

(Also, as much as I like Pietrus, I'd take Posey over him every day.)

This.

[letsgoblue86]

No way is Paul the same as he was in 2008.

[LB3533]

Defense is significantly better than 2008. But our offense is a significant downgrade this season.

If we can keep playing this historic defense, we will win the title.

I don't believe we can rely on 60% shooting to win the chip for us this year

[Fafnir]

Defense is significantly better than 2008. But our offense is a significant downgrade this season.

If we can keep playing this historic defense, we will win the title.

I don't believe we can rely on 60% shooting to win the chip for us this year

Our defense is worse due to the worse defensive board work.

[thestackshow]

KG in 2008 was an MVP caliber player. That difference alone immediatelyleads to why one team is only fighting for th fourth seed and the other was one of the best regular season teams ever.

PP was also a much stronger player, as was Ray Allen.

The competiton was ALOT weaker back then though.

Think about it.

LeBron and a bunch of nobodies vs Big 3 Miami Heat.

KoBe with a bunch of scrubs and no Bynum.

The list goes on, we were CLEARLY the best team in the league that year, we had no equals, nobody was even close.

Every team in contention has gotten SIGNIFICANTLY better since 2008 and we are still hanging around.

[green7]

should compare to the 2010 team tbh,

[Greenbean]

No way is Paul the same as he was in 2008.

You are right...he is better.

Hi shooting percentages are down (but much better the last 2 months), but he is a more productive player all around than what he was in 07-08.

His defense hasn't fallen off either.

Pierce is a b-ball natural. Doesn't need athleticism to be a star. He actually hasnt been really athletic since he was like 25.

Garnett is the one who has fallen off the most.

But that falling off just means going from top 2 player in the NBA to top 20.

[arambone]

These guys are shooting the lights out. All of them. Not likely to last in the play-offs, but this team could theoretically shoot so well they win like in '08.

We won't know the answer to the question until the playoffs. Probably not, would be the answer least likely to make me feel slightly foolish in the future.

[celtics2]

Let's compare the current Celtics vs. 2008 Celtics

2012 on left / 2008 on right based on an 8 man rotation.

Rondo greater than Rondo
Bradley less than Allen
Pierce equal to Pierce
Bass less than Garnett
Garnett greater than Perk
Allen greater than House
Pietrus greater than or equal to Posey
Steamboat equal to Brown

As stated based on an 8 man rotation,
T. Allen, Leon and Baby make 2008 deeper
but in the Playoffs your top 8 matter more.

Doesn't look that bad.

In it's totality there is no comparison. 08 wins. This Celtic team has performed beyond expectations. We likely will not see the 3rd round. I misinterpreted the strength of this team. Those of you who didn't didn't know with Allen's injury AB would lite a fire. The only thing I like about this team over 2008 is the energy which produces a nice game pace.

[myteamisbetterthanyours]

KG in 2008 was an MVP caliber player. That difference alone immediatelyleads to why one team is only fighting for th fourth seed and the other was one of the best regular season teams ever.

PP was also a much stronger player, as was Ray Allen.

The competiton was ALOT weaker back then though.

Think about it.

LeBron and a bunch of nobodies vs Big 3 Miami Heat.

KoBe with a bunch of scrubs and no Bynum.

The list goes on, we were CLEARLY the best team in the league that year, we had no equals, nobody was even close.

Every team in contention has gotten SIGNIFICANTLY better since 2008 and we are still hanging around.

What he said ^^