Celtics for East?

[C-Dog]

Celtics for the eastern conference?

was the deal successful or not?

 

[Alex99]

Celtics Vs Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals.

 

[justthedukes]

Celtics Vs Bulls in the Eastern Conference finals.

Yeah very possible. I think Chicago will take out the East though, just think the celt's need a year or so to 'gel'. Maybe 2008-09 Eastern Conference Champ's.

 

[mdc]

Chicago won't take out the east until they can get at least a passable low-block PF. I'm guttered they didn't have a real go at KG themselves - they could have put together a stronger package than the celtics tbh (celtics package amounted to a borderline all-star PF who struggles defensively, a glue guy in Ryan Gomes and some steak-knives).

Back on topic - the east will actually be very matchup dependent this year I think. As I see it, in a playoff series;

Detroit beats Boston (Sheed, Prince and Hamilton are horror matchup defensively for boston, and the other 2 positions are majorly in favour of the pistons)
Detroit probably beats Chicago (They really get excited for the bulls)
Cleveland beats Detroit
Chicago beats Cleveland
Boston beats Cleveland (Cavs got good team defense but struggle one-on-one. James has to guard either Allan or Pierce, gets burnt either way)
Boston/Chicago no idea - though I'd be favouring Boston.

It's gonna be an interesting playoffs. As long as Cleveland gets knocked out early and we don't have to watch this year's tripe again, I'll be happy

 

[Hodges]

Dont rate Toronto at all? I still think they have a good chance to make the conference semis. Winning the Atlantic just became a lot harder though.

I think this trade was a good thing for Boston. Depending on how many game Pierce and Ray can play, they should go deep into the playoffs. Detroit get another year older, and I dont think that they can replicate last years record. Cleveland are treading water too - Chicago looks the goods for the East this year. Behind the C's that is...

 

[jhgoat]

Yeah very possible. I think Chicago will take out the East though, just think the celt's need a year or so to 'gel'. Maybe 2008-09 Eastern Conference Champ's.

they better hurry the hell up and do that then, coz those guys arent going to be around forever

 

[Renegade]

T-Wolves would be happy with that return for KG

 

[mdc]

Dont rate Toronto at all? I still think they have a good chance to make the conference semis.

I can't see them beating any of those teams in a 7-game series, but they will do well enough in the regular season. I like watching them though, similar youth + effort to Chicago. I actually think Milwaukee will be .500+ this year too, but they're cupcake soft.

 

[WakeUpPies]

3 old players nearing the end of their prime, they need to hurry up before they all retire, they traded away most of their future

 

[justthedukes]

When Vinsanity arrived at New Jersey I remember there was talk of NJ being a near 'lock-in' to win the east.

Well a team with Vince Carter and Jason Kidd in your team, you'd expect them to beat James and the Cav's.

Chemistry beats Talent

I actually think Milwaukee will be .500+ this year too, but they're cupcake soft.

If Redd can stay healthy all year they will suprise alot of people IMO. I'm not sure of buck's record when Redd was playing, but id reckon it would be +.500

 

[peternorth]

honestly i dont think they'll win the east. other teams have playoff experience and chemistry. boston will have it in a few seasons.

 

[mdc]

When Vinsanity arrived at New Jersey I remember there was talk of NJ being a near 'lock-in' to win the east.

Well a team with Vince Carter and Jason Kidd in your team, you'd expect them to beat James and the Cav's.

I think you'll find if you go back to that season Indiana and Detroit were the favourites, with Detroit going on to win the title. James was a rookie that year iirc, and the cavs would have been a borderline playoff team (if at all).

People underrate the Cavs supporting players - Iglauskas isn't pretty but he's a former all-star, Gooden isn't inconsistent but has some big games, Varejao is the best flopper in the game + a very good offensive rebounder, and Hughes is borderline all-star when healthy. James' persistent ball-hogging just makes these players look really bad. Plus they got Pavlovic and Gibson who are both decent prospects.

New Jersey on the other hand are so weak in the middle they have a PG consistently lead the rebounding for them. It's a testament to Kidd that they even make the playoffs.

 

[mdc]

honestly i dont think they'll win the east. other teams have playoff experience and chemistry. boston will have 3 very old men in a few seasons.

FYP

 

[Magpie Mark]

This is just great. Been waiting for this for years. Raef, Antoine, Jiri, Olowokandi, Ricky D, Blount, Wally, all the young draft picks. It all falls into place.

Great great move!!!

Go Cs!!

 

[Moo]

Trouble is with winning the East is that you run into a Western Conf team

 

[stinger05]

Dont rate Toronto at all? I still think they have a good chance to make the conference semis. Winning the Atlantic just became a lot harder though.

I think this trade was a good thing for Boston. Depending on how many game Pierce and Ray can play, they should go deep into the playoffs. Detroit get another year older, and I dont think that they can replicate last years record. Cleveland are treading water too - Chicago looks the goods for the East this year. Behind the C's that is...

The raps are just another flash in the pan mate.

 

[Darealrath]

I don't get the hype for Chicago. Good team but they lack a star and I can't see anyone on their roster jumping up to that category by next season. I'd be shocked if they got past a fit Boston.

 

[justthedukes]

I don't get the hype for Chicago. Good team but they lack a star and I can't see anyone on their roster jumping up to that category by next season. I'd be shocked if they got past a fit Boston.

IMHO they just work well together. Gordon is establishing himself as a star, and you got a guy like Kirk Hinrich, who just does the fundamentals so well. A backcourt not to sleep on. They play D extremely well as you would expect from a team with Big Ben.

They're probaly not ready to win the Eastern Conference but I reckon if they stay healthy they will give it a real crack.

 

[Moo]

The raps are just another flash in the pan mate.

Have a great young core ....plus Kidd strikes me as a guy who is going to help yoou off the bench as he gets older.

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

This won't be the year the Celtics make a charge for the ring.

Next year will as they'll be able to have assessed more readily what they need then hopefully trade for or buy in those needs that have been identified.

Now free agents will want to come play for that team so the options will be greater.

 

[Bourky23]

they'd have to be a chance surely?

 

[celtic_pride]

This won't be the year the Celtics make a charge for the ring.

Next year will as they'll be able to have assessed more readily what they need then hopefully trade for or buy in those needs that have been identified.

Now free agents will want to come play for that team so the options will be greater.

Hmm never say never.

You may be right in one aspect, the Heat won the title in Shaq's second season at Miami, but I don't see why we the Celts can't contend this year, the only team that really worries me is the Spurs in the West, but I'm hoping that going in years past (the Spurs for some reason can never seem to go back to back) they may be eliminated in the playoffs by the Mavs or Suns etc.
Boston sports fans are excited right now, cause there is a very strong possibility the Red Sox, the Celtics and Patriots can go all the way and win the treble of silverwear for Boston/New England

I think I could die happy if it all happened in one or concurrent seasons, that would be the US sports ulitmate grandslam

 

[mdc]

Hoopshype reporting Sarunas Jasikevicius trying to go to the celtics. Unlucky not to have gotten a go in GS, he's a very good player. This would be a huge help for Boston, Sarunas/Rondo would be a solid PG rotation. If they can just add a decent C to split mins with Perkins they'll be the team to beat (in the East).

 

[AndSmithMustScore]

Boston have signed Scott Pollard.

I'd rather have had Mutumbo, he's a better defender and Pollard is an injury concern.

 

[peternorth]

reminds me of the shaq/kobe laker days when vets were signing on for a chance at a ring

pollard hasnt played a good game since his days with the kings. hes a good locker room presence but.