Re: #1

["hironaka@xxxxxxxxx"<hironaka@xxxxxxxxx>]

> ---------- Initial message -----------
> 
> From    : owner-celtics@igtc.com
> To      : celtics@igtc.com
> Cc      : celticsstuffgroup@yahoogroups.com
> Date    : Wed, 19 Feb 2003 23:25:24 -0800
> Subject : #1
> 
> Wow. Detroit is in 1st place in the Eastern Conference 
with Chauncey 
> Billups as their PG. Amazing don't you think? And to 
think they only 
> beat us by 52 at home...
> No doubt the playoffs will be interesting this year.
> Detroit wants to get back at the C's. The 6'uh's want 
to get back at 
> the C's. The Pacer should have won vs. the Nets last 
year. The C's want 
> to get back at the Nets. Add in the possibility of MJ 
and the always 
> erratic Bucks and one will find a stew ready to boil 
over.
> As they say " the more things change the more they stay 
the same" and 
> so the C's and 6'uh's look as though they might be 
headed for a first 
> round matchup once again. I can't wait for all 7 games.
> 

I'm trying to figure out how the Celtics can close out 
the season 19-9 to get to 50 wins. They have around seven 
games left where they will be favored to lose, certainly 
the case tonight, as well as maybe 7 other losable games 
(e.g. Nets at home).

Still, I think the fourth seed plus a prudent management 
of player injuries will be the key to our postseason 
hopes, since 50 wins might not get us to the 3rd seed 
anyway. It may be as important, or more, than developing 
late season championship momentum with a strong finishing 
kick.

When you look at the bottom four of the East, with Philly 
and the Bucks looking like the most probable first round 
opponent (both went to the ECF in the past three 
seasons), my view for now is that the fourth seed still 
is as good a spot as any to have (including #1).

I'd almost prefer that Boston face the Answer or "Jesus 
Shuttlesworth" than the unknown of Jordan-Stackhouse in 
the first round...or the prospects of New Orleans if 
Baron comes back the way Mashburn and Wesley have drilled 
us coming around picks. Let the Nets and Detroit deal 
with those initial hurdles.

The key with any of the four likely first round opponents 
(or Orlando etc. I suppose) is Boston's homecourt 
advantage, whether that means playing .500 ball the rest 
of the way (45 wins) or moving to a next level with 49-52 
wins.

The Celtics are tremendously erratic defensively from 
game to game, having allowed something like 68 points in 
the past two quarters. But I'd rather we get blown out by 
53 points tonight and remain healthy, rather than go into 
the long layoff before next week (Houston, Indy etc.) 
with Battie, Walker or Pierce unable to practice.

Clearly this year's team is distinguished by its player 
talent (we generally have the two best all-around players 
on the court in any given night) but they have also taken 
inconsistency to an entirely uncharted level, given that 
they have twice broken the record already for worst 
defeats in Celtics history.

If it comes together routinely (defense) for four 
quarters by season's end, I truly think we can win any 
seven game series against any team, apart from Sacramento 
and Dallas. Historically, you can't do a whole lot to 
stop two in form 20 point scorers who can each average 5+ 
assists over a series. 

We've got a working championship system in place with 
Harter, one that took a slower overall defensive and 
offensive team to the Finals for Larry Bird.

I'm no less than ecstatic over Pierce's 12 assist 0 
turnover game. McGrady, Garnett and Kobe may never be 
able to put that type of game on their resume.



-------------------
L'e-mail gratuit pas comme les autres.
NOMADE.FR, pourquoi chercher ailleurs ?