2008 Celtics vs 2017 Celtics

[KGBirdBias]

Since we may get the #1 seed for the first time since 2008. In a 7 game series with the 2017 Celtics having homecourt, how many games do you think it would go and who wins. I think I already know the answer but it may tell us how far we are away.

Starters\top reserves
Rondo vs IT
Allen vs AB
Pierce vs Crowder
KG vs Horford
Perkins vs Johnson
Posey vs Brown
Allen vs Smart
House vs Rozier
BBD vs Olynk

Sorry but I think it's a 2008 sweep. The 2008 teams defense was just suffocating. They would put TA on IT and it would be over but I think AB would get into Allen as well. KG and Horford would be a good matchup...both do the little things. Pierce would probably be the difference.

[fairweatherfan]

The 08 Celtics had a devil of a time winning their playoff series, especially the early ones, mainly due to some extended offensive funks. I think they'd let their guard down and we'd take one from them, but that'd be it.

It is kinda funny trying to picture how "homecourt" would work 

[Donoghus]

The '08 team would mop the floor with this '17 team.

[fairweatherfan]

The '08 team would mop the floor with this '17 team.

On paper they would, but if the 08 Hawks could get 3 off that team, this bunch should be able to get  at least 1.

[Rosco917]

Not even close...08 by a mile. The 2017 team wouldn't win a single game in a 7 game series.

[celtics2030]

That series versus is Atlanta was mind boggling. Atlanta during the season was not that good but they had a really good team.

The Celtics seemed like they needed to get the playoff jitters out.

None of the games at home were even close. I have never seen a more lopsided 4 games at home in a 7 game series in my life.

This team would have trouble beating that Atlanta team.

2008 celtics would average 110 points a game easy . The league has changed, and with the defense the way it is that team for at least 1 or 2 years would have been much much better offensively.

[manl_lui]

Since we may get the #1 seed for the first time since 2008. In a 7 game series with the 2017 Celtics having homecourt, how many games do you think it would go and who wins. I think I already know the answer but it may tell us how far we are away.

Starters\top reserves
Rondo vs IT
Allen vs AB
Pierce vs Crowder
KG vs Horford
Perkins vs Johnson
Posey vs Brown
Allen vs Smart
House vs Rozier
BBD vs Olynk

Sorry but I think it's a 2008 sweep. The 2008 teams defense was just suffocating. They would put TA on IT and it would be over but I think AB would get into Allen as well. KG and Horford would be a good matchup...both do the little things. Pierce would probably be the difference.

i think the last time we got 1st seed was 2012?

anyways, I do think the 2008 team will win the series, probably not a sweep as someone already mentioned, the Hawks that year over achieved and took 3 games from us. This 2017 team should be able to take at least one, with that said, the 2008 team should and would destroy the 2017 team for a couple of reasons

the defense in 2008 is noticeably better, and another big weakness this current team has is rebounding, KG/Perk/PJ Brown would've made some difference in the rebounding category. I do think KG and PP will be the difference maker as well, as KG and PP's offense is above average. While I do think AB is a great defender, with the offensive schemes in 2008, I would believe there would be multiple picks set for Ray Allen making it hard for AB to chase Ray for the 3.

Bench - 2008 vs 2017
Eddie House/Posey are above average 3 point shooters and would've provided more offense than our current bench. TA being the defensive stopper like Smart.

[fairweatherfan]

i think the last time we got 1st seed was 2012?

We were the 4 seed in 2012 - remember Chicago was the 1 but Rose blew out his knee for the first time and the Sixers took them out as an 8. Miami was the 2 seed which is why they were at home for Game 7.

In 09 we were the 2 seed to Cleveland, in '10 we were the 4 seed, in '11 the 3 seed behind Chicago + Miami after leading the conference much of the year. This is all from memory but I'm pretty sure it's right.

[TheSundanceKid]

I think the 17 Celtics would nab a game. They would live and die by the 3 though.

Rondo in transition off of some of the missed 3s and layups from our team would kill us. Also depends on the refs, back in 08 IT wouldn't get half the calls he does now, such has the league changed. IIf they play by current rules the 17 Celtics would be in with more of a shout. By the old rules, IT gets suffocated, although I bet Smart has a better series..

[SparzWizard]

08 Celtics all the way.

Beating that 2008 Atlanta squad was brutal. And then you have LeBron James without his superstar teammates, and that took the 08 Celtics to 7 games. Finally, we have that Detroit Pistons team, they were tough. Glad the C's were able to win two road games.

NBA Finals...just glad the Celtics mounted a 24-point comeback in Game 4 at Staples to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Could've closed it out in Game 5 and celebrated #17 at Staples, but it was nice to see raining confetti at the Garden in Game 6 

[LilRip]

The 08 Celtics were a force and, IMO, were one KG season ending injury away from a repeat (or a Kendrick Perkins injury away from a potential three-peat). This 2017 team would have a minimal chance.

That said, it's interesting how both teams had rebounding as an issue. All those o-rebs from 2010 still haunt me.

[cousytoheinsohn]

The 2017 iteration would get a game and come close to getting two based, if nothing else, on Stevens coaching Doc under the table in every game but also because of the abundance of team-oriented things they do that have made them so successful, fun to watch and cheer for, and let's admit it once and for all, a really good basketball team this year. The 08 squad would just be too good for them, though. No dishonor there.

It's nice to see Tony Allen get some credit. He was a major but woefully under-appreciated part of the Cs' greatness in that era. Tony was unselfish, almost to a fault. Largely as a result, he made his teammates better. Rondo was a good example. Letting him get away was a grievous error. Something changed when he left, not in a good way. The Cs were never as purposeful nor tough-minded a team after Tony's departure. He's one of my favorite Celtics from 2000 forward.

Marcus Smart, another rugged Oklahoma State guy, reminds me of Tony in many ways. I see a similar trend-in-the-making of overlooking the ton of good things Marcus contributes in the immeasurable category of intangibles in favor of his perceived shortcomings in the glossier statistical aggregates. Like Tony, he's one of those guys who flat knows how to play the game and brings a magnificent mean-streak along just for fun. I hope they don't repeat the mistake with him that they made with Tony. Here's hoping Marcus is a Celtic for a long time.

[nebist]

I agree that the 08 team would win in 4-5 games, but I would be fascinated to see how Stevens would defend them -- particularly in leveraging Rondo and Perk not being able to shoot against them.  I'd also pay to see the possessions where Smart ended up switched onto KG in the post.  Those would be an absolute dogfight for positioning (before KG drained a fall-away over the top).

[PhoSita]

The '08 team would mop the floor with this '17 team.

Agreed.


The 08 team had a Simple Rating Score of 9.3, whereas this year's team has a SRS of 2.07.

This year's team makes 12 threes a game (33.4 attempts) whereas the 08 team made 7 threes a game (19 attempts).  Based on three pointers alone, this year's squad might steal a game.


Looking at the ORTG and DRTG of the two teams really tells you all you need to know.

This year's Celts have a ORTG of 111, which is one point better than the 08 squad at 110.

On the other end, the 08 squad had a DRTG of 98.9, whereas this year's team has a DRTG of 108.6.

[JBcat]

I think a more challenging question is this year's team verses the team in 2002 that went to the conference finals.