Poll: Celtics or Knicks?

[PhoSita]

What a bunch of homers. What have the Celtics done this season to make you think all of a sudden they can turn it on.

My understanding is that people see that Pierce and KG are still on the team and so assume that because the Celtics have "flipped the switch" in the past, they will do so again.

This ignores the fact that the entire rest of the team is different, and the teams that flipped the switch in the past were 50-win caliber teams.

Is this the same Knicks team that has Amare out, Chandler hurt, Martin hurt, Copeland hurt, a recently retired Sheed, and Prigioni hurt (left on crutches yesterday)?

The same Knicks team that lost 2 of their last 18 games, yes.

(C&P from the other other thread)

So then it's the same Knicks team that has had the following:


Melo is 0-2 in playoff series as a Knick
Melo has won 1 career playoff win as a Knick
Melo's record during the playoffs as a Knick is 1-8
Over his last 14 games Melo's playoff record is 2-12
Melo's career playoff FG% is 41.9
In 2011 Melo shot 37.5% from the field during the playoffs (vs C's)

JR Smith's career playoff FG% is 40.7
JR Smith's career playoff 3pt% is 31.8
In 2010 Smith shot 36.8% from the field during the playoffs
In 2011 Smith shot 35.6% from the field during the playoffs (vs C's)
In 2012 Smith shot 31.6% from the field during the playoffs

Yes, let's conveniently ignore Kidd / Chandler / Felton and how they tend to play against the Celtics.

Let's also conveniently ignore the past playoff performance -- to the extent that there even is any to look at -- for the entire Celtics supporting cast.


The fact is the Knicks are a much more experienced, balanced, and talented team than the Celtics are right now. 

[SHAQATTACK]

If I wasn't a die hard fan , I can see where none homers would have their doubts.   

Gee, I'm as nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rock n chairs ,  feel like its gonna be  an uphill battle just to win a game or two.

I'll watch blindfolded , may be too painful.

[Lightskinsmurf]

If I wasn't a die hard fan , I can see where none homers would have their doubts.   

Gee, I'm as nervous as a long tail cat in a room full of rock n chairs ,  feel like its gonna be  an uphill battle just to win a game or two.

I'll watch blindfolded , may be too painful.

I can understand the doubts, but at the same time I can't understand the praise for new york. Before I go picking the knicks to sweep the C's or beat them in 5 games I'm gonna have to see the knicks actually win a couple playoff games first.

Call me crazy but, they haven't done jack in the playoffs since the jackson 5 debuted. Respect is earned not given, the knicks gotta earn my respect.

[cletus1985]

If KG and PP take their games to another level like KG did last year and Jeff Green keeps going hard to the basket I believe the Celtics defense will prevail. That's a lot of ifs though so while I still believe, I also wouldn't be shocked to see the knicks come out on top.

Other factors are the health of their big men. Chandler, Martin, and Stoudemire have all been dealing with injuries and Stoudemire might not play. If Martin and Chandler aren't able to play at a 100% we have a much better chance.

I never count these guys out in the playoffs and against the knicks I think we have a real chance of going to the 2nd round.

[eugen]

Knicks win first 2 in MSG, then the third in the Garden.  Celtics fight for a pride win in game 4, then lose a tough battle in MSG in game 5.

I think this will be a lot like that series between the Celtics and Heat in 2010, only with the Celtics playing the role of the team that just barely avoids getting swept.


The 5 people who voted for a Celtics sweep either didn't watch the NBA this season or are just being funny.

NYK are not so strong as HEAT 2011 team. So, the analogy maybe is not good. But, we have to admit that now NYK are favorite no only for the home advantage, but in general

[CelticConcourse]

Celtics in 4
Celtics in 5
Celtics in 6

A win in 7 would be traumatizing for me 

[Sketch5]

Any one that voted for the Knicks to win should be banned!! LOL!:P

I think who does not respect the opinion of other people should be baned...

p.s. my hope is Cs will win in 7, but I feel NYK are in better shape right now and Cs have more expereince during playoff season

It was a joke, Geez, you have a bad day?

[kgfor3]

Celtics in 4
Celtics in 5
Celtics in 6

A win in 7 would be traumatizing for me 

Losing a game 7 hurts. The pain from last years ECF and the 2010 finals is still very much with me.

[crimson_stallion]

Call me crazy, but I actually like this matchup.

I know that the Knicks have a vastly better regular seqson record, but lets not forget that the the Celtics were one of the top teams in the East and were playing crazy good before KG and PP started missing games.

Another thinf to consider is that Jeff Green's defense against top tier small forward has been absolutely elite, and his ability to potentially slow down Carmello gives Pierce more freedom to focus on his offense.

The fact that Jeff Green has emerged as a legit #2 shorting option also will help take much of the pursue off KG, so he can focus on defense and rebounding a little more.

Aside from the heat, I think Boston matches up with the Knicks as well as anybody.

I think this will be a fun series.