So we're pretty much facing Atlanta and Bulls in second round?

[Q_FBE]

I think Atlanta could be a challenge in the first round.  I haven't really gotten to the point where I'm looking ahead to future match ups.  Just thinking about trying to beat the Hawks right now.

This isnt 2008. We will sweep the Hawks.

The Hawks have played us tough though sloppy. The Celtics are playing at a pretty good level right now so I am not that concerned about form. I am bothered by Ray Allen not being available because we need his 3 point production to open up lanes for Rondo, Pierce and mid rangers for Bass and Pietrus. Love the development of Bradley and Stiesma. Can Keyon Dooling and Marquis Daniels give us something?
A sweep would be nice, but I'll gladly take just advancing. 

[Senninsage]

The Hawks, from what I see right now, are really just hitting a lot of tough shots, but I really don't see them being better than this Celtics squad. I really don't see it. The Celtics sweeping the Hawks is a very real possibility.

[hpantazo]

We can beat both. Rose wont hold up, he has too many injuries.

The problem is the Bulls can beat us without Rose. They're that good.

I cant see it happening over a 7 game series though...regular season is one thing, but outside of Rose really, theres no real  go to scorers on that roster...

Boozer and Deng are both pretty dangerous, as unremarkable as their season may have looked.

rebounds scare me more than deng/Boozer....we have better scorers on our team than the bulls(as a whole) but if we keep giving them 2nd chances, they will kill us.

Ill take bass vs. Boozer any day..boozer isnt there defensively with the rest of the guys...and Pietrus/Pierce should be able to handle deng.

like I said though, to have a chance Rondo/KG need to play lights out..

That's what scares me the most about the bulls as well, and that's the only reason I fear them and don't fear the heat. The bulls will kill us on the boards, there is no way around it. Noah and Asik alone can beat the celtics on the boards. Add in Boozer and Deng's rebounding, and we are in trouble. We need an all out, focused team effort to rebound on defense without ever letting up even once through the entire series to be able to beat the bulls.

[indeedproceed]

We can beat both. Rose wont hold up, he has too many injuries.

The problem is the Bulls can beat us without Rose. They're that good.

I cant see it happening over a 7 game series though...regular season is one thing, but outside of Rose really, theres no real  go to scorers on that roster...

Boozer and Deng are both pretty dangerous, as unremarkable as their season may have looked.

Dengue is the key guy there, IMO.  When he is on, that team is dangerous as heck.  However, when he's off, he can really disappear and that team seems to delve into a one dimensional mode and can become very beatable.  

Noah used to scare me...doesn't anymore. Wasupwitthat?

[Neurotic Guy]

I'm probably not known for positivity, but if we stay healthy we can beat anyone in the east, especially if they're banged up.

This ain't your grandfather's Celtics any more.

Let's hope it is your grandfather's Celtics.  In 1969 the Celt's finished 4th in the East and won the NBA Championship!

Grandfather?  Ugh -- hopefully 1969 is your father's C's.  I can't be THAT old.

Actually, the 2012 C's aren't your slightly older brother's C's -- the older brother who watched them back in 2011.

[chambers]

I wonder who Bradley guards when we face the Bulls. I guess Hamilton because he'll be running all game, where as Rose won't be 100% and Rondo should be plenty enough to contain him.

I wish Bradley were 6'5", then he could guard Deng, or any SF for that matter...what a vision.

[hpantazo]

I wonder who Bradley guards when we face the Bulls. I guess Hamilton because he'll be running all game, where as Rose won't be 100% and Rondo should be plenty enough to contain him.

I wish Bradley were 6'5", then he could guard Deng, or any SF for that matter...what a vision.

I'd put him on Rose and harass the hell out of him. It could totally slow down the bulls offense. I believe Rondo can handle Rip if he tries.

[j804]

We can beat both. Rose wont hold up, he has too many injuries.

The problem is the Bulls can beat us without Rose. They're that good.

I cant see it happening over a 7 game series though...regular season is one thing, but outside of Rose really, theres no real  go to scorers on that roster...

Boozer and Deng are both pretty dangerous, as unremarkable as their season may have looked.

Dengue is the key guy there, IMO.  When he is on, that team is dangerous as heck.  However, when he's off, he can really disappear and that team seems to delve into a one dimensional mode and can become very beatable.  

Noah used to scare me...doesn't anymore. Wasupwitthat?

Asik and Gibson scare me

[slamtheking]

I can't believe I'm saying this but I think the C's DO have a chance of winning it this year.  not a higher percentage chance but better than slim.  The biggest key is that the C's have to play every game like it's the 7th game of a series AND they have to be healthy for the playoffs.  Any slacking off or even moderate-level injuries to critical players will doom the playoff run.  The other big key is that no more than 1 of the big 4 can have an off night and the bench has to play well every game.

C's should beat the Hawks even without home court.  The key is the limiting either JJ or Smith on offense and hoping that Horford doesn't come back looking like he's in prime form or giving the team an emotional boost.

C's could possibly beat the Bulls if Rose is really hobbling and the C's can pressure him the entire game.  The other critical piece is that the C's need to gang rebound their defensive boards.  If Chicago owns them on the boards, particularly late in a close game, the C's are toast.

C's could get by the Heat if they can limit turnovers and keep Miami in a halfcourt game.  Also need to drive to the hoop more to try to put defensive pressure on Wade and Bron and force the refs to actually call falls.  Wade and Bron are still the league's darlings and will get all the preferential treatment they can handle but if the C's can shut down the rest of the team, they can pull out the series.

C's could win the title against OKC, SA or Lakers (won't rule them out until they're knocked out) if they play way over their heads in the finals. 
KG is the key against OKC.  He has to dominate Perk and Ibaka.  Rondo, Bradley and Pietrus will be key to slowing down Westbrook, Harden and possibly Durant.
PP and the guards would be the key against SA.  I really think the C's could hold the advantage there and would really need to take it to SA from those positions.
Against the Lakers, have Bradley cover Kobe to frustrate him into hero ball and gang rebound to keep Pau and Bynum off the offensive glass.

I think that if the C's can even get to the finals, the opportunity for this group to get that treasured second ring will be enough to push them to overcome any obstacle.   The trick will be getting that far.

[LooseCannon]

The Hawks will be tough to beat if Josh Smith is nailing perimeter shots.  The Hawks will be easy to beat if Josh Smith forces a lot of jump shots that he misses.

Guess which scenario I think is more likely.

[LB3533]

The Hawks will be tough to beat if Josh Smith is nailing perimeter shots.  The Hawks will be easy to beat if Josh Smith forces a lot of jump shots that he misses.

Guess which scenario I think is more likely.

We need to shut down Joe Johnson.

I have serious doubts that Josh Smith can carry that Hawk team to 4 wins against us.

Let's make Joe, less super.

[GrandTheftRondo]

We really couldn't ask for an easier road to the ECF. I feel we can beat the Hawks in 5 and the Bulls in 7.

[CelticSooner]

Not sure about about a sweep but ATL won't get more than one win in that series IMO. Horford should be back but being out so long you can't expect him to add much. If the C's can't beat ATL they weren't a threat to Chicago/Miami anyways.

[Reyquila]

We gotta get out of the first round  alive before we get talk od 2nd round. Right?

[Reyquila]

We gotta get out of the first round  alive before we get talk od 2nd round. Right?