A question for Celtics fans

[NEM]

I am not a big NBA fan, but am rooting for the Celts. I don't get to see them often, and can only read in the newspapers what they are doing.

So, I ask, are they a legitimate threat to win it all? Can they beat Detroit in an Eastern Final to get to the NBA finals?

[Bases Loaded]

They are seen by many as the best team in the league. We have three perennial all-stars in Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. A very talented young point guard in Rajon Rondo, who is getting better as the season progresses. We are almost guaranteed first in our conference and since we have mostly veteran players, all with championship experience, we have a good chance in the playoffs. Our biggest challenge will be like you said Detroit because their chemistry is outstanding due to the fact that they have kept the same core of talented players for about 5 years now and have won a couple championships. It will be a fun thing to follow, the all stars I mentioned are being dubbed the reincarnation of the big three and we play exciting and entertaining basketball.

[NEM]

They are seen by many as the best team in the league. We have three perennial all-stars in Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. A very talented young point guard in Rajon Rondo, who is getting better as the season progresses. We are almost guaranteed first in our conference and since we have mostly veteran players, all with championship experience, we have a good chance in the playoffs. Our biggest challenge will be like you said Detroit because their chemistry is outstanding due to the fact that they have kept the same core of talented players for about 5 years now and have won a couple championships. It will be a fun thing to follow, the all stars I mentioned are being dubbed the reincarnation of the big three and we play exciting and entertaining basketball.
Home Court advantage has always been a big thing, IMO, in the NBA. I assume that with the best record in the NBA, that they will have home court advantage throughout, including the NBA finals, if the get there.

[TITAN126]

They are seen by many as the best team in the league. We have three perennial all-stars in Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce. A very talented young point guard in Rajon Rondo, who is getting better as the season progresses. We are almost guaranteed first in our conference and since we have mostly veteran players, all with championship experience, we have a good chance in the playoffs. Our biggest challenge will be like you said Detroit because their chemistry is outstanding due to the fact that they have kept the same core of talented players for about 5 years now and have won a couple championships. It will be a fun thing to follow, the all stars I mentioned are being dubbed the reincarnation of the big three and we play exciting and entertaining basketball.
What championship experience? Pierce, Allen, Garnett, and Cassell are just a few I can think of off the top of my head that have never ever played in the Finals, never mind won anything...

But "the experts" are all saying that the Celtics are the favorites...but Detroit is good and whoever survives the West would be tough as well, assuming they get that far.

[Patti37]

The Celtics can beat the Pistons. Despite not having championship experience, Pierce, Allen and Garnett can handle the high intensity that the playoffs bring. The key match up with be Billups v. Rondo. We know how Billups handles championship play. We don't know how Rondo will respond.

I believe Posey has been on at least one championship team.

[groganfan]

they're on ESPN tonight NEM, but if the game doesn't go well, they can't fire Doc Rivers for you.

[Bases Loaded]

What championship experience? Pierce, Allen, Garnett, and Cassell are just a few I can think of off the top of my head that have never ever played in the Finals, never mind won anything...

But "the experts" are all saying that the Celtics are the favorites...but Detroit is good and whoever survives the West would be tough as well, assuming they get that far.

You're right, I should have said Playoff experience. But nevertheless, Eddie House and James Posey (two of our excellent role players, NEM) played with the championship Heat a couple years ago, and I'm pretty sure PJ Brown has rings too.

[Bases Loaded]

Home Court advantage has always been a big thing, IMO, in the NBA. I assume that with the best record in the NBA, that they will have home court advantage throughout, including the NBA finals, if the get there.

Yeah not to mention the Garden can get pretty crazy. I think we have the best home record in the league, but then again we have the best record in the NBA period.

[NEM]

I am not a big believer in that term "playoff experience" in any sport. These guys are professionals, the court/field is the same size as during the regular season, the ball is the same, the time is the same, or the innings the same, etc... and these guys play to the best of their abilities, period.

If you ask them about the term "playoff experience" I would venture that they would say the same thing, that they just go out there, play the games the same way that they did in the regular season, and hopefully they will be good enough to win.

There have been many, many games over the years, in all sports, where teams that have not been in the playoffs too often will beat those that have that, alleged" playoff experience, and where rookies will shine just as they had all season long.

Players have abilities that will take them just so far. Whether they have "playoff experience", IMO, makes no difference. The best team, or the luckiest team, on a given day/night will win.

[SamBam39]

Honestly, I am not a big basketball fan. I stopped watching when the Big Three retired. And I haven't watched this year either. I wish the C's well but have no idea if they will win anything.