I'll be the first one to go out on a limb....The Celtics knock off Cleveland in 6.

I'll be the first one to go out on a limb....The Celtics knock off Cleveland in 6.

 

To me, it depends on how bad Lebron's elbow is.

 

But the Celtics definitely have the ability and will to do it. Would not surprise me.

 

It is ironic that in the East, the weaker of the two conferences, I could see scenarios where one of 3 different teams advance.

 

In the West, the stronger of the two conferences, I see no scenario other than the Lakers advancing.

If the Mavs keep Dirk, they will never make it out of the first round again. He is not an alpha male and they need an alpha male to make it out of round 1. If I am Cuban, I blow the team up, get me an alpha male and have at it.

 

I don't see how anyone could place the blame on Dirk. He was about the only Mav in the series that did anything.

 

I'll be the first one to go out on a limb....The Celtics knock off Cleveland in 6.

 

Wishful thinking?

To me, it depends on how bad Lebron's elbow is.

 

But the Celtics definitely have the ability and will to do it. Would not surprise me.

 

It is ironic that in the East, the weaker of the two conferences, I could see scenarios where one of 3 different teams advance.

 

In the West, the stronger of the two conferences, I see no scenario other than the Lakers advancing.

 

I do think it comes down to LeBron's elbow. This season proved that the Celtics do not matchup well with the Cavs. I don't think they can score enough to win the series. The main problem Boston is going to face though IMO is their lack of depth. Outside of Big Baby, there's not a guy coming off the bench who I would qualify as a quality guy to put in there. Boston's starting lineup is as good as anyones, but they are too old to have to play so many minutes against a team that goes as deep as the Cavs IMO.

And I think the Spurs win the West. I think the Lakers beat the Jazz (if the Jazz survive), but I wouldn't be totally shocked if Utah knocked them off.

Wishful thinking?

 

Not at all.

 

The Celtics just have better overall talent on their roster.

 

The Celtics know this is their last chance, they're going to leave everything they have on the court.

 

The Celtics were the best team in the league at the beginning of the season when they were healthy....They're finally healthy again.

I do think it comes down to LeBron's elbow. This season proved that the Celtics do not matchup well with the Cavs. I don't think they can score enough to win the series. The main problem Boston is going to face though IMO is their lack of depth. Outside of Big Baby, there's not a guy coming off the bench who I would qualify as a quality guy to put in there. Boston's starting lineup is as good as anyones, but they are too old to have to play so many minutes against a team that goes as deep as the Cavs IMO.

 

Season is different than playoffs when games are played at a slower pace and more of a half court game.

 

Celtics have a lot more scoring options than Cavs IF their games are on. Also, a lot more playoff experience to draw on.

 

I will agree with the bench and why Rasheed plays such a big role and needs to finally prove why Boston brought him in.

 

I am not sure minutes come into play when they get a day off every other day.

And I think the Spurs win the West. I think the Lakers beat the Jazz (if the Jazz survive), but I wouldn't be totally shocked if Utah knocked them off.

 

Lakers showed they were hurt by team speed that can get to the rim and finish. Not sure the Spurs have that.

^So UKMF the Celtics are the best team in the league right now?

 

They have declined so much on the defensive end, and they are one of the worst teams in the league in the 4th quarter. Right now I don't think the Big 3 (in their current state) equal one LeBron James.

 

While I don't think the Cavs are a lock to beat the Celtics, I hope you're just not going on the Miami series. If the Celtics play like they did against the Heat (last 3 games) for much of the series, I don't see the series going past 5 games.

^So the Celtics are the best team in the league right now?

 

They have declined so much on the defensive end, and they are one of the worst teams in the league in the 4th quarter. Right now I don't think the Big 3 (in their current state) equal one LeBron James.

 

While I don't think the Cavs are a lock to beat the Celtics, I hope you're just not going on the Miami series. If the Celtics play like they did against the Heat (last 3 games) for much of the series, I don't see the series going past 5 games.

 

And the Cavs didn't struggle against the #8 seed? That series was closer than it finished out. I could see each team winning at home for a 7 game series.

I don't think anything is wrong with Lebron's elbow. He pulled a Paul Pierce.

^So the Celtics are the best team in the league right now?

 

They have declined so much on the defensive end, and they are one of the worst teams in the league in the 4th quarter. Right now I don't think the Big 3 (in their current state) equal one LeBron James.

 

While I don't think the Cavs are a lock to beat the Celtics, I hope you're just not going on the Miami series. If the Celtics play like they did against the Heat (last 3 games) for much of the series, I don't see the series going past 5 games.

 

If the Cavs play like they did against the Bulls they have no chance, zero, nada, nil, to beat the Celtics.

And the Cavs didn't struggle against the #8 seed? That series was closer than it finished out. I could see each team winning at home for a 7 game series.

 

The Bulls were not the 8th best in the East though. Without that injury to Noah that led to a 10 game losing streak they probably finish 5th or 6th.

 

Not making excuses because the Cavs didn't play well, but the Bulls are always pesky in the playoffs.

 

Lakers showed they were hurt by team speed that can get to the rim and finish. Not sure the Spurs have that.

 

The big men inside are why I think the Spurs have a chance. Look at what the Celtics did to them two years ago. Gasol is one of the weakest players in the NBA when push comes to shove, I don't think he'll do that good against Duncan. If Gasol, Bynum and Odom are slowed down the Lakers aren't better than anyone else in the West to me.

 

Season is different than playoffs when games are played at a slower pace and more of a half court game.

 

Celtics have a lot more scoring options than Cavs IF their games are on. Also, a lot more playoff experience to draw on.

 

I will agree with the bench and why Rasheed plays such a big role and needs to finally prove why Boston brought him in.

 

I am not sure minutes come into play when they get a day off every other day.

 

I'm not going to argue with your first two points.

 

Rasheed is one of the worst players in the NBA right now. He's statistically the worst rebounder per 48 minutes (for a guy 6'11" or taller) in NBA history. He doesn't shoot that well anymore and his defense is not even a shell of what it was. I think he's one of the worst 20 players in the NBA right now.

If the Cavs play like they did against the Bulls they have no chance, zero, nada, nil, to beat the Celtics.

 

You may be right. I know I personally would rather put my bets on LeBron and Co., but to each his own.

Also LBBC, when I was talking about minutes I didn't mean for the entire series, I'm talking about on an individual game basis. The Celtic get extremely tired on the game to game basis. Look at how awful they are in the fourth, even against the Heat. The last two times they played Cleveland they had decent sized leads and the Cavs cut it down very quickly in the 2nd half.

 

I will say that Rondo will abuse Mo Williams, if Rondo can knock down a few shots.