[EC 2nd round] #2 Boston Celtics Vs. #3 Orlando Magic

Maybe. If you assume he would have continued the stellar shooting the rest of the season and playoffs, yes. But I'm not sure you can make that assumption. I'd say they would be and Eastern Conference Finals favorite if the Celts were missing KG. Otherwise, the Magic would exactly where they are now, which is 3rd best in the East.

 

Orlando should be ashamed of themselves. They just don't know how to close a team out consistently in the playoffs. They need a wingman that can consistently create.

I don't know wtf Rafer was doing down the stretch especially that play where he just lobbed it up hoping Howard could get it. Rashard Lewis chocked down the stretch. One of his wide open 3's hit nothing but the backboard.

 

I'm not even mad at him. You can't have on a Cavs jersey IN BOSTON

 

Even with Nelson I doubt they would make the Finals.

 

I think they would have had a good chance if Nelson would have been playing like he did before he got hurt.

 

He's been doing that finger thing all postseason, I have no clue what it means.

 

I was thinking he would come back down to earth a little. They definitely would have a chance to beat Cleveland with him though.

 

But what if he didn't maybe this season was the year he was turning into a great PG, and the turning point of his career. I think if they could have beat the Cavs they could have beat Boston too even with KG.

 

The way the Cavs are playing, the Magic wouldn't beat them in a 7-games series unless Jameer Nelson played totally out of his mind. Even then, the Cavs defense would figure out a way to throw him off.

 

That is the unfortunate thing. Maybe he was becoming a very good PG but then he got hurt so we will never know. Of course he can still do that next year.

But if Orlando is healthy and Boston is healthy I would definitely take Boston in that series.

 

For some reason I am just not sold on the Cavs right now, but I do agree with you that they would beat Orlando with or without Jameer. I do think with Jameer they would give the Cavs a competitive series.

 

If the Celtics still had Leon Powe, I think they could still possibly take out the Cavs. Maybe it's just me.

No KG and No Powe = No Chance.

Maybe, KG could play in the ECF. He still hasn't gotten surgery yet. I hope LeBron and Kobe never win rings as leader of their teams.

 

Actually Rafer is one of the reasons why they advanced to the 2nd round in the first place.

 

The more I watch Boston play, the more I am reminded of those timeless words of wisdom: "NEVER underestimate the heart of a champion." This team is just fearless. As much as I hate to admit it (It is Boston, afterall), no team in the league comes even close in terms of having the right combination/balance of toughness, swagger, heart and fortitude...those are the kind of intangibles that make champions. There is almost no doubt in my mind that had KG been healthy, they would be the prohibitive favorites to come out from the East and stop the Lakers dead in their tracks. Cleveland would be an afterthought with a healthy Boston team.

Too bad that injuries won't allow them a legit shot at defending their title. At the beginning of the season, I was hoping for a great Boston-Houston matchup in the finals. Absent that, I would have been more than happy with a Boston-Lakers rematch.

 

Agreed.

BTW Tiger, I am looking at your signature. Say it with me...

FIRST OPTION...FIRST OPTION....FIRST OPTION...

SECOND OPTION....SECOND OPTION....SECOND OPTION....

(3rd, 4th, and onwards look good).

 

Funny thing is, I changed my sig right before the acquisition of Ron Artest, and now the Rockets don't even have a "first option" to contend with...all in the same season, mind you. Shows you the gap between expectations and what often turns out to be reality.

Anywho, I am changing it to another old and tired argument of mine from years past: You can't build a house on a cracked foundation. In our case, we have not one, but two such 'cracks' that are no longer threatening to, but have effectively 'brought the house down'...so to speak. The Rockets are right, "It is Time", they just forgot to mention that it was time, nay, past time to move beyond the Yao and McGrady era. T-Mac needs to go because there is no way in hell he will ever accept a secondary role, and Yao can stay but there is no way in hell he should be raking in anywhere near max money in the near future, since his career is already on the decline (just look at the numbers if you feel like arguing this point). He can be a piece, but no way in hell should he ever be thought of as "untouchable" or a franchise player to build around. It is a mistake that will keep us stuck in mediocrity and non-championship-contender status for the next decade.

That being said, I love the young guys, and again in case anyone has not been paying attention, they are the ones who have been carrying the team through the tough stretches in these playoffs. So we now find ourselves in the exact reverse position of the early years of Yao-Mac led Rockets: we finally have the depth and the requisite talent to compete, yet we have lost those two guys who were supposed to lead the charge.

 

didnt the celtics have everyone last year and the hawks took em to 7 games?

 

Right...did you have a point? This Boston team is notorious for doing things the hard way, yes.

 

Wow, did anyone hear Howard throw the Van Gundy under the bus? I saw it on his postgame interview.....

 

What did he say?