2008-2009 Boston Celtics Thread

[MANNYHOF24]

Obviously... I agree, it shouldn't be a foul, but they were calling s*** like that all night, which is why I had no problem with them calling it.

 

Doesn't really matter anyways. It's February 5th, not June.

 

True. My biggest problem with the end of the game, was the play calling of Doc. They play to end regulation was vintage 2003-2007 Celtics. They should have ran a play more like Philly on tuesday, instead of isolating Pierce at the top of the key. Never works.

[YanksHater213]

I honestly thought they were going to run a play either the same as the other day vs. Philly, or similar to the one they did (look for Eddie/Pierce running free, not open so inbound to Davis who came off a pick for Pierce, hand off to Allen to create his own shot). Doc got predictable, and the Lakers overloaded the perimeter like they should have.

 

Looking at the replay, Fisher kind of hooked Allen, but it's an excusable no call, it was a good veteran play I guess.

[riverside sluggers]

Last minute of today's game was brutal all around. Each time I looked over at the tv, Spurs were getting free throw shots. It had to be around 5 or so. Plus, 60 points given up in the 1st half? Yuck

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Way to s*** the bed, Celtics. Why can't they beat any respectable teams? I guess Cleveland really is better than us.

[italstallianion]

I'm sorry guys but I'm a Spurs fan. There is the one time where I don't root for the Celtics, and that's against my Spurs.

 

Cleveland is NOT better than you guys...

[YanksHater213]

Cleveland

San Antonio

Boston/LA

[TheKilo]

Cleveland's going to win the NBA title...there's no way LeBron is losing to anyone in a 7 game series.

[See Red]

Cleveland's going to win the NBA title...there's no way LeBron is losing to anyone in a 7 game series.

 

If they get homecourt I might agree. I think the Lakers are better, though -- especially if they get Bynum back, even if he's not 100%.

[YanksHater213]

Cleveland's going to win the NBA title...there's no way LeBron is losing to anyone in a 7 game series.

 

This.

 

I think Boston still could potentially beat Cleveland in a 7 game series if everything goes their way. LeBron is just too good and his supporting cast goes too deep. I think they win the NBA Championship, no series goes more than 6 games.

 

They'll roll through the C's in the ECF and the Spurs in the Finals.

[Dojji]

Probably so, but don't underestimate LBJ's capacity to completely fart up a deciding game.

[TheKilo]

Probably so' date=' but don't underestimate LBJ's capacity to completely fart up a deciding game.[/quote']

 

You mean like this game, when he scored 45 points in a Game 7?

 

Or this game, when he went into Detroit and scored the last 25 points for his team in a 2OT win?

 

Dude, give me a break with this crap. LeBron is the best player in the league and leads the team that is the odds-on favorite to win the title.

 

Heaven help the rest of the league if he ever finds his Pippen.

[YanksHater213]

People love to harp on LeBron because of his lack of a jumper... big f***ing deal. The man is 6'8, 275 (at least), he's bigger than most players in the NFL. He's the most athletic player in the NBA by light-years, he can get to the rim at will. He can go from the 3 point line to the rim in one dribble. He's the best player in the NBA by a mile right now. He could score 50 any night he wants, he could get a triple double whenever he wants.

 

The scary thing about him though, is that this year, he's turned his defense up 20 notches, the guy is quietly becoming an elite defender.

 

People who hate on him are just jealous of his other-worldly skills or something... I used to hate on him like everyone else, but he's the best player we've seen since Jordan, easily.

[Keeper]

LeBron is the best player in the game, no question about it. But there's enough parity in the NBA to prevent the Cavs from winning it all. The Celtics are still the team to beat in the East, IMO. The Magic are a very good team. But if Nelson opts for season-ending surgery, they're finished for all intents and purposes.

 

The Lakers are looking impressive, after beating the Celtics at home and the Cavs at home. When Bynum comes back, look out. I don't know if they contained LeBron today or if it was just him not being able to finish at the rim. Either way, though, he did not play well.

 

I'm almost 100% sure the Lakers will be back in the championship. Can't say the same for the Cavs because they still have the Celtics to contend with.

[YanksHater213]

People are so quick to write the Lakers in, they forget how good the Spurs are. They're resting Duncan, Manu, and Parker, and they'll be fresh this year, plus their supporting cast is better than it has been in years past. Bonner is a very underrated offensive player (although he can be picked on defensively), Mason is extremely underrated as well, plus these guys have the experience working for them. I think in a series vs. the Lakers, the Spurs team defense can limit Kobe enough, Duncan and Parker will be able to pick apart Fisher and Gasol, and Ginobili will only have to deal with Walton and Ariza. Plus they have the best coach in the game by far.

 

I can see the Spurs taking out the Lakers in 7...

[Keeper]

I could see it, too. But the Spurs are an aging team, and I like the Lakers' big 3 over the Spurs' big 3. Kobe is the X-Factor. If he plays well, the Spurs' backs will be against the wall.

 

Is Popovich still sporting the beard? If so, advantage Spurs.

[YanksHater213]

Pop is the most intimidating coach in the NBA because of that, I love it. The Spurs are aging, yes, but Pop has been and will continue to give Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili nights off so they stay fresh. Duncan is playing awesome ball this year, flying way too far under the radar for a top 3 (maybe best) PF all-time.

[See Red]

People are so quick to write the Lakers in, they forget how good the Spurs are. They're resting Duncan, Manu, and Parker, and they'll be fresh this year, plus their supporting cast is better than it has been in years past. Bonner is a very underrated offensive player (although he can be picked on defensively), Mason is extremely underrated as well, plus these guys have the experience working for them. I think in a series vs. the Lakers, the Spurs team defense can limit Kobe enough, Duncan and Parker will be able to pick apart Fisher and Gasol, and Ginobili will only have to deal with Walton and Ariza. Plus they have the best coach in the game by far.

 

I can see the Spurs taking out the Lakers in 7...

 

The Spurs have never been able to limit Kobe. Why would this year be any different? Not to say the Spurs can't beat the Lakers in 7, but I don't think they will without homecourt. And they're not getting it. Lakers won in five last season, and were clearly the better team. I think both teams are improved this season, the Spurs more-so than the Lakers... but not enough, in my opinion. Especially if the Lakers get Bynum back... even if he's not 100%.

[msubulldogs21]

Paul Pierce is a bad ass. But you already knew that anyway.

[riverside sluggers]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/02/report_celtics_1.html

 

Celtics trade Sam Cassell to Sacramento (future 2nd round pick and cash) to free up a roster spot for the deadline. What you got planned Ainge??

[Dojji]

Marbury?

[See Red]

nevermind.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Probably getting ready to pounce on a buyout player. I can't see us making a meaningful trade, our current roster isn't very trade friendly, with salaries and all that. I could see Scalabrine and TA being packaged, possibly, but I have no idea for who, since that's a relatively small amount of salary and I don't know what worthwhile players are out there that make a similar amount.

[riverside sluggers]

Tony Allen is expected to miss eight weeks after undergoing thumb surgery on Wednesday.

Eight weeks would sideline him for the rest of the regular season, and even if he did return slightly ahead of schedule, he's not valuable enough of a fantasy contributor to make him worth keeping. Go ahead and cut Allen loose if you own him in a deep league.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Celtics trade a stiff of a big man (O'Bryant) for a stiff of a point guard (Solomon).

 

 

Can't find a link, saw it on ESPN's deadline show.

[See Red]

I think the Celtics actually get a conditional second round pick back, and not Solomon. Not that it matters. Just looked into it, Solomon for the second rounder was actually a separate deal, I believe.

 

Garnett's hurt against the Jazz. Went up for an alley-oop, and didn't actually come down wrong on his leg -- in fact, he came down on the other leg -- so it must've happened when he went up. Hope it's not anything serious!

 

edit: He's warming up, appears to be alright.

[msubulldogs21]

*WHEW*

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

I think the Celtics actually get a conditional second round pick back' date=' and not Solomon. Not that it matters. Just looked into it, Solomon for the second rounder was actually a separate deal, I believe.[/quote']

 

Yes, it was reported as such after I posted that.

 

I'd rather have an open roster spot in exchange in PO'S than an awful point guard. So I'll take it.

[rician blast]

MRI for Garnett. Fingers crossed.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3920443

[YanksHater213]

It's either a simple sprain or a MCL. It was good to see he was moving on it before the second half, and I'm happy Doc held him out, but we'll see. Keep him out at least a month regardless.

[See Red]

I'd love to see the refs start calling this game both ways.

 

edit: Nuggets are awful without Nene.