NBA Playoff Thread

This would be the NBA's most bizarre "love triangle". 10 times worse than Toni Braxton taking down the resurgent 1995 Dallas Mavericks.

 

That's not a high bar to clear. The 1994-95 Mavs only won 36 games.

 

Lost in the last five days of LeBron-mania is the fact that Boston looks better during these playoffs than it did during its title run in 08.

 

When the Celtics play defense as they have so far, they are the best team in the league by a wide margin. Now, they may not be able to sustain it for the series, or the next series, but really, they have no rival when they clamp down as they have against Cleveland and so far in this game.

 

A few months ago, someone here said Cleveland is "the deepest team in the league, by far."

That person was from Cleveland.

See what I'm getting at?

The Celtics' defense is excellent, and makes them a legitimate force against any team in the league. But "the best team in the league by a wide margin"?

Meh, probably not. No one can claim to be the best team "by a wide margin" this year. Orlando and Los Angeles also play quality defense, and the Celtics' defense isn't better than theirs "by a wide margin."

Phoenix, sure.

 

Obviously, Dwight Howard has quit. Vince Carter is probably sleeping with his mom.

 

I heard it was Ron Jeremy.

 

Lost because the sports world would rather press the Easy button and just call the losing favored team chokers and/or quitters.

 

True, but I believe the 93-94 Mavs had won, what, 13 games? With Kidd, Mashburn and Jimmy Jackson, the 94-95 Mavs were one of the more exciting teams to watch -- but they, eventually, flamed out by the spring.

 

Dear Piotr: I was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware to hate the Celtics and all their works. I stand by my statement as a matter of opinion. It is certainly possible the Celts will lose this series, or the next, because such defensive intensity is difficult to maintain, but if they can, they will be champions. Easily.

 

Fair enough.

We'll find out soon.

 

If the Magic refuse to work the ball inside, the Celts could win going away. When you are cold from the outside, the best teams realize "it's not their night" and move inside.