Will another team upend Boston, Toronto and Cleveland?

[GuyClinch]

Toronto isn't top three - and they weren't last year. Methinks the original poster is letting the Toronto trolls get to him..

Pete

[MyInsatiableOne]

Toronto isn't top three - and they weren't last year. Methinks the original poster is letting the Toronto trolls get to him..

Pete

[tombattor]

I think Atlanta is for real. They almost took us at home. Seems like they gained a lot of confidence in that playoff series against us last year.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I think Atlanta is for real. They almost took us at home. Seems like they gained a lot of confidence in that playoff series against us last year.

I think they're much better than last year, no doubt. But how often are they going to shoot that well, especially from 3? And they have NO interior D...granted, Smith is out, but he is *IT* even when he's back.

Better? Yes. Top 3? No way.

[tombattor]

I think Atlanta is for real. They almost took us at home. Seems like they gained a lot of confidence in that playoff series against us last year.

I think they're much better than last year, no doubt. But how often are they going to shoot that well, especially from 3? And they have NO interior D...granted, Smith is out, but he is *IT* even when he's back.

Better? Yes. Top 3? No way.

May not top 3, but I'd put them ahead of the Raptors right now.

[campybatman]

Am I'm the only one not sold on Atlanta, yet? Boston must get off to better starts as opposed to slow starts and late game heroics. I haven't got an opportunity to watch the game but the Atlanta game really upset me because it's as if the Celtics are playing down to the competition or the schedule is wearing them down. This early, though.

Admittedly, I thought the Hawks could be a better team next season, this season, with a healthy Bibby. But, they're still a young team or at least their main core are. I'm curious to see what Law can give them on a regular bases. Hawks players should admit to themselves that losing to Boston in seven games motivated them this season to focus on team defense for starters. Look around the league... How many teams are getting better defensively thanks to Boston? Besides, Atlanta, hasn't Milwaukee improved defensively under their new head coach? Aren't the Lakers bursting out of the gate with better defense or have they merely blew out their opponents?

[Havlicek17]

Before the season started, I would have thought Philly had a chance to break into the top 2 or 3 in the east. But now I am not so sure. Brand isn't playing like his old self, at least not yet.

1.) Boston
2.) Cleveland
3.) Detroit (only if McDyess comes back)
4.) Atlanta
5.) Philly
6.) Toronto
7.) Orlando
8.) Miami

[campybatman]

I wonder what motivates Iverson if he's likely an expiring contract for Detroit at season's end. I don't see why Stuckey doesn't start with Iverson and have Hamilton as the sixth man. With McDyess, Prince and Wallace in the front court.

Would look similar to the 2000-2001 Philadelphia roster

Hill/McDyess
Lynch/Prince
Mutombo/Wallace
Snow/Stuckey
Iverson/Iverson

McKie/Hamilton

[MyInsatiableOne]

Am I'm the only one not sold on Atlanta, yet? Boston must get off to better starts as opposed to slow starts and late game heroics. I haven't got an opportunity to watch the game but the Atlanta game really upset me because it's as if the Celtics are playing down to the competition or the schedule is wearing them down. This early, though.

Admittedly, I thought the Hawks could be a better team next season, this season, with a healthy Bibby. But, they're still a young team or at least their main core are. I'm curious to see what Law can give them on a regular bases. Hawks players should admit to themselves that losing to Boston in seven games motivated them this season to focus on team defense for starters. Look around the league... How many teams are getting better defensively thanks to Boston? Besides, Atlanta, hasn't Milwaukee improved defensively under their new head coach? Aren't the Lakers bursting out of the gate with better defense or have they merely blew out their opponents?

No, see my posts throughout this thread re: the Hawks.