I Knew This Team Looked Familiar...
Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2014 5:09 am

Let's face it. We're on the third year of a three-year championship run. We're tired. Guys are hurt. Players are older. That old spark seems missing. But I'm reminded of a team that struggled to finish out the season despite finishing close to the top of the Eastern Conference, only to defy the seeming odds and make it to Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Yes, I'm talking about the 2009-2010 Boston Celtics that finished 50-32.
That season, Boston started strong with a 32-18 after injury prevented a return to the NBA Finals in 2008-2009. However, age and injuries started to take its toll, finishing with an 18-14 record after the All Star Break. During this time, they seemed vulnerable entering the playoffs, dropping games to teams they had no business losing to during this run. Nevertheless, they defied the odds and turned back the clock, tearing through the Eastern Conference in the playoffs and pushing the defending champion Lakers to Game 7.
Miami started off eerily in the same manner, powering its way to a 37-14 record before resting at the All Star Break. However, since then, age and injuries have started to take its toll, and Miami is currently 17-11 with about two games to play if I'm not mistaken. Boston limped into the playoffs and powered its way through, while Miami, despite recent struggles that have frustrated everyone, now has Dwyane Wade and Udonis Haslem back in action. Despite all of these things,
Miami appears poised for a solid run, assuming the veterans bring it in the playoffs.
We're limping into the playoffs. Oden hasn't been seen in weeks, we're struggling with that killer instinct that brought us two titles, and nagging injuries have given us problems, and so on. We're likely going to get the #2 seed assuming we win out and Indiana loses at least one more game. We are primed to win the Eastern Conference with the standings as they are right now. As the #2 seed, we will be matched up with Charlotte, followed by the winner of the Wizards-Bulls series.
Meanwhile, Indiana will have to deal with Atlanta and then the winner of the Raptors=Bulls series. Sure, it's a mixed bag, but Miami will be challenged appropriately. Boston was forced to respond to the challenges they faced, starting with an annoying HEAT team, then a conference-leading Cavaliers team, then a confused Magic team. Boston faced the best the Eastern Conference had to offer, yet still had enough left to face a strong Lakers squad.
Miami will have the same test. The added advantage is that Miami will have the best player in the world on their side. They will have a player limited by a bad knee(s) like Boston did, but their third man will not disappoint from the field when needed. This team is primed to become the victorious edition of the 2009-2010 Boston Celtics. There, I finally said it. The playoffs start in a few days, and we have two games to go.
Are you ready?