Can we substitute Stevens for Doc?

'08 Celtics would take it to '16 Cavs who beat the '16 Warriors so, of course, the answer is "Yes".

 

I believe the starters would be close to even to a slight Celtic advantage: Allen/Pierce/Garnett/Rondo/Perkins vs Curry/Barnes/Green/Thompson/Bogut.  The bench is what really turns it in favor of the C's IMO:  The C's had Posey/House/Allen/Cassell/Powe/Brown vs Igodala/Livingston/Barbosa and others.

Celtics win. KG is too much for Draymond.

Posey off the bench allows Boston to matchup with GSW's small ball.

Boston Team 2008 vs Golden State Team 2016

Starters

Rondo vs Curry
Ray Allen vs Thompson
Paul Pierce vs Iggy
KG vs  Green
Perkins vs Bogut

Bench

Cassell vs Shaun Livingston
Tony Allen/Eddie House vs Barnes
James Posey
PJ Brown/Leon Powe vs Varejao

reference

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Boston-Celtics/2/Rosters/Current/2008
http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Golden-State-Warriors/9/Rosters/Current/2016

so the starting lineup is going to be tough.

Curry didn't play like the MVP in the finals where there were constant pressure on him, something Rondo/Tony Allen and to some extent Posey if he gets in the paint can provide. You also have PJ/KG/Perkins would can really be those rim protectors and be very physical down there. I still give the slight edge to Curry, mainly for his shooting over Rondo. Rondo during the 08 championship run was not used as much and at times Cassell did more offense initiation if I remember correctly.

Ray Allen vs Thompson would be my favorite matchup, as both were shooting lights out and I really don't know who to give the edge to. Thompson definitely wins in the "age" area, but I don't know how his defense will be chasing Ray Allen around all day vs like chasing JR.

Pierce vs Iggy - another interesting matchup in my opinion -> Iggy historically has been a great defender and on Pierce. In 2012, he had Pierce to 17 20 and 16 points

source - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1180702-76ers-vs-celtics-paul-pierce-andre-iguodala-and-the-matchups-that-matter

In 2008 these are their matchup numbers

Pierce 12/5/2007 113-103 win with 19 pts vs Iggy 24
Pierce 1/18/2008 116-89 win with 22 pts (7/9 shooting) vs Iggy 17 (8-20)
Pierce 3/10/2008 100-86 win with 17 pt (6-11) vs Iggy 17 (5-14)
Pierce 3/24/2008 90-95 Loss with 12 pts (4-6 shooting) vs Iggy 28 pt (10-17)

I say all in all, Truth should win this matchup but probably NOT by much

KG - Green another great matchup, both kind of similar, both big tough, selfless, vocal, defensive and physical players, but I think KG wins that matchup as well. Defensive player of the year, playing at an MVP level that year. I think he has a bigger impact on the Celtics than Green does for the Warriors. It also helps that KG will probably pose the biggest threat to the Warriors as compare to the Cavaliers as KG will be best skilled big man in this series and also has 4-5 inches on Green, more athletic, better shooting, more moves, I'd even say smarter player and best player compare to ALL the bigs Green has played in the playoffs.

Perk vs Bogut? Perk -> Perk stayed healthy in 2008 finals, Bogut went out in game 5.

Now time for the bench

I believe 2008 Celtics bench wins this also not by much. 2008 was a GREAT defensive team in Tony Allen and James Posey, and not to mention Posey and House can shoot the ball fairly well. I think that is decent enough to give GS enough trouble. Tony Allen and Posey can probably defend Livingston better than any one on the Cavs.

Very interesting matchup but I would HAVE to say Celtics in 7. Key game in this series will be defense and 3 point shooting. Which in my opinion, Celtics wins in the defensive category while being able to match if not be on par with GS 3 pt shooting as we have current 3 pt god in Ray Allen, and Pierce isn't bad either. Eddie House off the bench

Quote from: manl_lui on August 04, 2016, 12:58:20 PM

Boston Team 2008 vs Golden State Team 2016

Starters

Rondo vs Curry
Ray Allen vs Thompson
Paul Pierce vs Iggy
KG vs  Green
Perkins vs Bogut

Bench

Cassell vs Shaun Livingston
Tony Allen/Eddie House vs Barnes
James Posey
PJ Brown/Leon Powe vs Varejao

reference

http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Boston-Celtics/2/Rosters/Current/2008
http://basketball.realgm.com/nba/teams/Golden-State-Warriors/9/Rosters/Current/2016

so the starting lineup is going to be tough.

Curry didn't play like the MVP in the finals where there were constant pressure on him, something Rondo/Tony Allen and to some extent Posey if he gets in the paint can provide. You also have PJ/KG/Perkins would can really be those rim protectors and be very physical down there. I still give the slight edge to Curry, mainly for his shooting over Rondo. Rondo during the 08 championship run was not used as much and at times Cassell did more offense initiation if I remember correctly.

Ray Allen vs Thompson would be my favorite matchup, as both were shooting lights out and I really don't know who to give the edge to. Thompson definitely wins in the "age" area, but I don't know how his defense will be chasing Ray Allen around all day vs like chasing JR.

Pierce vs Iggy - another interesting matchup in my opinion -> Iggy historically has been a great defender and on Pierce. In 2012, he had Pierce to 17 20 and 16 points

source - http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1180702-76ers-vs-celtics-paul-pierce-andre-iguodala-and-the-matchups-that-matter

In 2008 these are their matchup numbers

Pierce 12/5/2007 113-103 win with 19 pts vs Iggy 24
Pierce 1/18/2008 116-89 win with 22 pts (7/9 shooting) vs Iggy 17 (8-20)
Pierce 3/10/2008 100-86 win with 17 pt (6-11) vs Iggy 17 (5-14)
Pierce 3/24/2008 90-95 Loss with 12 pts (4-6 shooting) vs Iggy 28 pt (10-17)

I say all in all, Truth should win this matchup but probably NOT by much

KG - Green another great matchup, both kind of similar, both big tough, selfless, vocal, defensive and physical players, but I think KG wins that matchup as well. Defensive player of the year, playing at an MVP level that year. I think he has a bigger impact on the Celtics than Green does for the Warriors. It also helps that KG will probably pose the biggest threat to the Warriors as compare to the Cavaliers as KG will be best skilled big man in this series and also has 4-5 inches on Green, more athletic, better shooting, more moves, I'd even say smarter player and best player compare to ALL the bigs Green has played in the playoffs.

Perk vs Bogut? Perk -> Perk stayed healthy in 2008 finals, Bogut went out in game 5.

Now time for the bench

I believe 2008 Celtics bench wins this also not by much. 2008 was a GREAT defensive team in Tony Allen and James Posey, and not to mention Posey and House can shoot the ball fairly well. I think that is decent enough to give GS enough trouble. Tony Allen and Posey can probably defend Livingston better than any one on the Cavs.

Very interesting matchup but I would HAVE to say Celtics in 7. Key game in this series will be defense and 3 point shooting. Which in my opinion, Celtics wins in the defensive category while being able to match if not be on par with GS 3 pt shooting as we have current 3 pt god in Ray Allen, and Pierce isn't bad either. Eddie House off the bench

Ray Allen is a really bad matchup for Klay Thompson. Klay's a really good defender, but not the type to chase a guy like Ray Allen around. I bet young Tony Allen could give Steph a hard time for a few minutes until he fouled out.

great point! Ray Allen has always been a great athletic player, one of the best guys who can move without the ball, and in my honest opinion, still the best shooter in NBA history. Klay didn't defend against that in the Cleveland series, you can say JR, but Allen in 2008, though just a bit past him prime in my honest opinion still a much better and effective player than JR Smith.

GST would have never gotten by the Lakers