The Celtics are LEGIT contenders and are capable......

[C1UTCH-C1TY]

...Are capable of beating the Heat. Do you agree, if not, why?

Got the starters

Rondo
Lee
Pierce
bass
KG

Rotate bench in

Terry
Avery Bradley
Green
Sullinger
Melo

All defense lineup
Rondo
Bradley
Lee
KG
Melo. That's a nasty defense


Closing the game
Rondo
Terry
Pierce
Green
KG





There team is much improved from last year even though they lost ray allen. They are a top 5 team in the league in my opinion and are legit contenders.

[LCAhmed]

How quickly people have forgotten about Jeff Green. I don't know how he will perform or mesh with the team. Definitely a potential threat to contend! Miami is still scary good though.

[C1UTCH-C1TY]

Originally Posted by LCAhmed How quickly people have forgotten about Jeff Green. I don't know how he will perform or mesh with the team. Definitely a potential threat to contend! Miami is still scary good though.

Meh, they still don't have anyone to stop Rondo since chalmers isn't capable. Although the same could be said about the celtics not having anyone to stop lebron. Maybe Green could do a decent job at containing him.

[LCII]

Pierce and Garnett are too old.

[rolyat93]

No, bench doesn't mean much in the playoffs. KG will still be a factor with his jump shot and defense but Pierce got shut down last year by Lebron. They took the Heat to 7 last year, but Bosh was out for a lot of that series and the Heat have also gotten better with the addition of Allen. Rondo needs to grow a jump shot if they want to have a chance.

[C1UTCH-C1TY]

Originally Posted by LCII Pierce and Garnett are too old.

Pierce wasn't healthy this year, and Garnett was a BEAST in the playoffs. What are you smokin?

[C1UTCH-C1TY]

Originally Posted by rolyat93 No, bench doesn't mean much in the playoffs. KG will still be a factor with his jump shot and defense but Pierce got shut down last year by Lebron. They took the Heat to 7 last year, but Bosh was out for a lot of that series and the Heat have also gotten better with the addition of Allen. Rondo needs to grow a jump shot if they want to have a chance.

Good point, i remember how ray allen was wondering why rondo never approached him for shooting advice....

[London'sBurning]

Originally Posted by C1UTCH-C1TY Pierce wasn't healthy this year, and Garnett was a BEAST in the playoffs. What are you smokin?

That was during a shortened regular season. In an 82 game season one of them is far more likely to get an injury along the way and come into the playoffs hobbled. They'll put up a good fight against the Heat but they won't win IMO.

[C1UTCH-C1TY]

Originally Posted by London'sBurning That was during a shortened regular season. In an 82 game season one of them is far more likely to get an injury along the way and come into the playoffs hobbled. They'll put up a good fight against the Heat but they won't win IMO.

i see your point, you may be right.

[sugrlndkid]

The key is keeping Garnett and Pierce healthy enough through a grueling 82 game season and then have Rondo still play at an elite level...They have adequate weapons(really love the Jason Terry move) and they also have Courtney Lee(excellent perimeter defender)...

Celtics will have the talent and pieces to get into the playoffs, but in the end...if their big three are healthy, they could do fine...However we are talking about the aging Celtics knocking off the Heat whose superstars are in their prime. Miami is the team to beat in the East.

[C1UTCH-C1TY]

Originally Posted by sugrlndkid However we are talking about the aging Celtics knocking off the Heat whose superstars are in their prime. Miami is the team to beat in the East.

the only one of the heat big 3 that are in their prime is lebron. wade is passed his prime, and i think bosh might be as well because he just doesn't have the opportunities like he had in toronto.

[apollo33]

Lee will get abused by Wade. He's an excellent combo guard defender but struggles against stronger and bigger SG's

[SkyrimOwnsAll]

Originally Posted by apollo33 Lee will get abused by Wade. He's an excellent combo guard defender but struggles against stronger and bigger SG's

But not this guy




I agree with the poster who mentioned Jeff Green, if he can do a decent job at guarding LeBron, and not letting it effect his offense and if Pierce and Garnett can stay healthy during the season, the C's might get a ring this year

Im intrigued by Jared Sullinger, and Fab Melo.. along with an underrated player in Bass, they could give Miami problems, but the Heat have Ray Allen too this year, so it could be intresting

[xiki]

RR = healthy = chance
RR = unhealthy = slim/fat/NO chance

Dooling will be missed.

[Firebomb525]

Originally Posted by apollo33 Lee will get abused by Wade. He's an excellent combo guard defender but struggles against stronger and bigger SG's

Isn't Wade smaller then Lee by a couple inches? Anywho, as long as we don't have to see the Heat again in the Finals.

[sugrlndkid]

Originally Posted by C1UTCH-C1TY the only one of the heat big 3 that are in their prime is lebron. wade is passed his prime, and i think bosh might be as well because he just doesn't have the opportunities like he had in toronto.

The definition for a player in their prime varies based on the level of talent that a player exhibits. Superstars have the longest of their "prime" years unless injuries derail that...

The Heat's Big three have the following ages:
James- 27
Bosh - 28
Wade -30

They are all in their primes fool...

Pierce - 34
Garnett - 36

They are past their primes and aging...

[atomicanderz]

Will lose in the ECF... I do like what they've done but Miami's big 3 is still better than what they have.

[felixng2012]

The only chance they have is if one of the big 3 gets injured. Thats it.

[tzou88]

Meh, Celtics took Miami to 7 games with Pierce playing like ass and Ray Allen not 100% and Avery Bradley injured. This year they got Terry, Lee, and some sort of Bradley, not to mention Jeff Green in some capacity. I think Celtics will be VERY competitive.

[AFS]

Originally Posted by Firebomb525 Isn't Wade smaller then Lee by a couple inches? Anywho, as long as we don't have to see the Heat again in the Finals.

By one inch. Wade is 6'4 and Lee is 6'5. Lee is pretty athletic but matching up against Wade is still a nightmare.