Can Danny?

Posted by SoulHonky at 05:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by SoulHonky at 04:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

if there's one thing this team doesn't need it's Sam Cassell's been there, done that attitude. While it seemed like, earlier in the season, that what this team needed was a steady veteran presence, it now seems like this team is too steady for their own good. The lack of energy that the team showed in the third quarter of game seven was astonishing and is an example of the lax attitude that has killed this team on the road. They seem to have bought into their press clippings a little too much or are just a little too confident in themselves. The best thing possibly for this team is Eddie House and the chip on his shoulder. He'll go out every play and try to keep his spot. I'm a fan of Cassell but he looked beyond slow in the Cavs series and I don't think moving from Boobie Gibson and Delonte West to Chauncey Billups and Rodney Stuckey is going to make things any better.

And say a prayer for Ray Allen's shot. Because without it, I don't think the Celtics have one against the Pistons.

Posted by SoulHonky at 06:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Posted by SoulHonky at 06:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

...until they lose a home game. Every time these guys play on the road, it just doesn't seem like they are into the game 100%. It's not that they aren't trying but they lack a sense of urgency. Honestly, the worst thing that could have happened was the Hawks series in which they blew out the Hawks at the Garden and their lack of focus on the road didn't really do anything but make the fans nervous.

Right now, the only possible remedy I could see would be to get Eddie House some minutes. The last thing this team really needs on the road is Sam Cassell's calming presence. I think we need Eddie's fire and attitude to get this team going when the series heads back to Cleveland.  

It might not always be fun but at least it's interesting and dramatic and has nothing to do with praying about ping pong balls.  

Posted by SoulHonky at 03:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It's two games. Two embarrassing games in which the Celtics were outplayed, outhustled, and without focus. Of course, that means it's time to sharpen the knives against Doc Rivers but this happens to the best teams. The Pistons faced a similar challenge from the young 76ers team.

While this team needs to play with more urgency, I'm not about to get nervous. I've been a huge Josh Smith fan over the years but even I'll admit that he's playing out of his mind right now. The C's need to refocus on the defensive end and build from there. While I like a lot of the talent on the Hawks, most of it is young and Smith especially is prone to get down when things aren't going his way.

It hasn't been pretty but let's not get crazy here. The Celtics are still IMO the best team in the East and arguably the best team in the NBA.

Posted by SoulHonky at 04:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First Round
Boston vs. Atlanta: I think Atlanta could steal one game but right now I have to go with the C's in a sweep.

Detroit vs. Philly: The great run of the Sixers comes to a screeching halt against the Pistons. Again, the Sixers could steal a game but I'm calling for a sweep.

Orlando vs. Toronto: Personally, I feel like both of these teams are overrated but the Raptors are especially troubling since Chris Bosh keeps speaking out saying he doesn't have enough trust in his teammates and that the home fans aren't loud enough. Not that I can blame him. Toronto home games are eerily quiet at times and the Raptors roster isn't that impressive. TJ Ford and Jose Calderon will have to raise their game another level for the Raptor to have a chance and I don't see that happening. Orlando in 5.

Cleveland vs. Washington: LeBron can try as hard as he can but the Cavs just don't have enough to make it out of the first round this year. Danny Ferry immediately starts working the phones, trying to find what he can get for the expiring contracts of Wally Szczerbiak, Eric Snow, and Damon Jones. Wizards in 6.

Second Round
Boston vs. Washington: This is the series that make me nervous. I think the C's will have enough to beat the Pistons but the Wizards, if hitting on all cylanders, could knock us off. This is the type of series in which hometown legends are made and I'm hoping someone will step up for the C's. The Wizards bench is just too thin and should anything go wrong for the starters, I can't see any cavalry on the horizon. Celtics in 6. (Should the Cavs win, I'll take Boston in a sweep)

Detroit vs. Orlando: I could see Detroit manhandling Orlando in some of these games. The Magic defense needs to step up a notch to hold down the Pistons and I don't see it happening. The Magic could win one of these games in a blowout but I can't see them more than two. In fact, I'm betting they only get one: Pistons in 6.

East Championship
Boston vs. Detroit: This should be a great matchup and the only thing that really scares me is if the ghost of Pitino rises up and Chauncey Billups has a monster series. I could see him having his way with Rondo and Cassell and I could even see Rodney Stuckey coming in and being effective. Still, I just can't bet against the Celtics so I'm taking the C's in 7.
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West First Round
LA Lakers vs. Denver: Denver takes one of the first two games in LA and makes a series out of it. Still, they just don't have the defense to beat the Lakers and end up losing in 6 games.

New Orleans vs. Dallas: The best matchup of the first round, this one should come down to the wire. I'm gonna go with the Mavs in 7 with Peja coming up small while Jason Terry earns his paycheck.

San Antonio vs. Phoenix: The Spurs are the worst best team I've ever seen. I really have no idea how they are so successful this year. Any team that has Jacque Vaughn getting serious minutes shouldn't be so good. I'd have had a lot more faith in the Spurs had they held onto Luis Scola and Beno Udrih. I just don't see  the Spurs having enough fire power to hang with the Suns nor enough defense to slow then down. Phoenix in 6.

Utah vs. Houston: The Rockets were a great storyline but when all else fails, bet on McGrady failing to make it to the second round. Utah in 6.

Second Round
LA vs. Utah: It seems to me like the Jazz are destined to be the team that is always one player away. I just can't see Okur, AK-47, or Korver being the guys to step up to beat the Lake Show.

Phoenix v. Dallas: Honestly, either team that takes on the Suns will likely struggle. I think the Suns would rather deal with Jason Kidd than Chris Paul but either way they are taking this series in 6.

West Championship
LA vs. Phoenix: Kobe vs. Shaq. ESPN goes nuts with countless stories and 24 hour coverage of this but both players take the high road, praising one another while throwing jabs at former teammates like Ricky Davis, Smush Parker, and Kwame Brown.  I'm not sure if Bynum will be able to go much against Shaq and I think Gasol vs. Amare should be a battle but the key player in this will be Lamar Odom. Lamar Odom at his peak is going to be too much for the Suns to handle. I also wouldn't be stunned if Jordan Farmar made a name for himself in this series, taking it to Steve Nash a few times. It will be a battle but I saw the Lakers in 7.

NBA CHAMPIONSHIP
It's back! Lakers vs. Celtics. People dust off their old game consoles and remember the days of Tom Chambers drunking from the three point line while ESPN Classic becomes the most watched ESPN channel during the days before tip-off. The C's never faced the Gasol version of the Lakers but I just don't think the Lake Show is going to have enough. I'm going the Celtics in 5.

Posted by SoulHonky at 06:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)