Look For A Philly Sweep If Iverson 100 Percent Healthy

[Way Of The Ray <wayray@ix.netcom.com>]

If Iverson is sufficiently recovered from his injury (as in his capable
of forty points a
game - playoff version), Philly should sweep the Celtics out of the post
season.
If Iverson isn't at a hundred percent, the Celtics may win a game or
two, but
there's too many restricting factors in Philadelphia's favor.

And let's name them:

- Health: Philly spent most of the season saddled with various injuries
to their
frontline players. It severely affected their record. The Celtics
meanwhile, were relatively
unscathed. Missing players were generally out-performed by those who
replaced them,
and Pierce and Walker put together an almost unblemished-by-injury
season. Now
both teams are on a more or less even playing field, or perhaps less, if
you consider
Vitaly's absence. Edge Philly.

- Experience: There's a wide gulf between Boston and Philadelphia's
playoff experience. A huge gap. Edge Philly.

- Difference in playoff games versus regular season: Low post,
half court basketball predominates in the playoffs. Perimeter teams
generally
fare poorly. Philly is better geared to playing this style than the
outside shooting Celtics. Thank Chris Wallace for this. 3 lottery picks
and one big trade in the last two years and not one quality Big Man
in the bunch. GMing that bad takes practice. And now with Vitaly
out, the lack of a quality big person looks even worse. Edge Philly.

- Shaq-Kobe factor: So often playoff games come down to a mano-a-mano
battle between the best player or players on each team, or what is
known as the Shaq-Kobe (Bird - Parish - McHale) factor. A healthy
Iverson and Mutumbo are better than Pierce and Walker. Edge Philly.

Coaching: Not even a close call: LB is a freakin' Coaching Savant. Edge
Philly.

A prediction: Strangely enough, while it should be a sweep if Iverson
is healthy, I could see the Celtics winning one game on a miraculous
or just clutch Pierce shot at the end of the game. Pierce will jab his
right fist up in the air and the team will celebrate, but in the end it
won't forestall reality.

Ray