Who are Celtics biggest challengers in the East?

magicfanatic23 · Post #1 » by **magicfanatic23** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:47 pm

I'm a Magic fan here and I was just curious who you guys think are your biggest challengers in the East next season?

I think it is probably Orlando and Philadelphia. Orlando is still getting better and I don't think we have reached our potential yet and Philly is going to be real good next year imo. I just don't see Detroit coming back the same next year and with any hunger. And I don't think Cleveland is improving at all. Just let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

BillessuR6 · Post #2 » by **BillessuR6** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:01 pm

Cleveland. From all the teams we played in the playoffs they were the best defensive team. They are one of the most underrated teams in the league. Detroit is second. And then comes Orlando, IMO.

celticfan42487 · Post #3 » by **celticfan42487** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:09 pm

CLE or DET

then ORL

LeBron is the only player that has the ability to really just wear down Pierce and outmatch him both physically and quickness.

And untill DET changes they are the are the most deadly team in terms of rebounds,turnovers,free throws. They just don't make mistakes.

Then it's ORL. Close to a complete team.

TOR and PHIL I don't think have enough of a complete team to be a challenger. TOR not enough defense at the wings, PHIL no outside shooting. Those flaws can and will be exposed.

Hopefully DET makes a trade rebuilding wise to take them out. That would bring the East down and give us the clear favorites to go to the Finals.

threrf23 · Post #4 » by **threrf23** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:10 pm

Regular season: Detroit.

Postseason....Cleveland maybe if they can turn their huge numbers of expiring contracts into something good. They were are biggest threat in the East this past season because they matched up well with us. I like Philly, personally, I think Thad Young is underrated, Iggy continues to get better as does Louis Williams, and I like Mo Cheeks. Toronto is a threat, if JO stays healthy, JO/Bosh/Calderon is a nice trio, though I don't think they have what it would take. I like Miami, too, with minor tweaks.

Pietrus was a nice signing for the Magic, and Courtney Lee maybe works out. They don't worry me much though until maybe next season. Rashard & Turk probably don't show too much improvement, and I don't view Dwight Howard as elite just yet.

Athanacropolis · Post #5 » by **Athanacropolis** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:13 pm

thebirdman wrote:Cleveland. From all the teams we played in the playoffs they were the best defensive team. They are one of the most underrated teams in the league. Detroit is second. And then comes Orlando, IMO.

QFT. You beat me to it birdman. I think that Orlando is an excellent team, but I don't think they're ready yet. I watched them in the playoffs, and I saw too many turnovers, very inconsistent backcourt play, and an inability to close out the Pistons in close games when they had Detroit on the ropes. Yeah, I know, the Pistons have the experience, but Orlando is going to have to beat teams with the experience if they want to get to the next level.

I still think Orlando will win 50+ games again next year, though. Probably be the 3 seed again, possibly the 2 if Detroit blows it all up and Cleveland doesn't get any more reliable outside shooters to help LeBron.

Not sold on Philly...yet. Not sold on Toronto, either.

We know what to expect from Washington if Arenas is healthy--they'll be worse than when Arenas doesn't play.

Other than that, the rest is a crapshoot: Chicago, Milwaukee, Miami, Atlanta.

threrf23 · Post #6 » by **threrf23** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:23 pm

celticfan42487 wrote:CLE or DET

TOR and PHIL I don't think have enough of a complete team to be a challenger. TOR not enough defense at the wings, PHIL no outside shooting. Those flaws can and will be exposed.

TOR has okay defense at the wings, but Parker isn't a better defender than Ray Allen necessarily, and Jamario Moon isn't good enough IMO to really handle PP well. But, against Toronto, PP & Ray don't have to work extremely hard on the defensive end, and Toronto's best player is guarded by KG, arguably the league's best defender.

Philly lacks outside shooting, but I think Iggy's shooting ability may be underrated, and who knows maybe Thad Yound can develop a better jump shot. Besides, their offseason isn't done yet, and they could seemingly improve their outside shooting with a relatively minor move. They can sign a guy like Nachbar who complements Iggy well enough and gives them outside shooting.

Now, Orlando is a team that - even with a good team defense - they havce no one at the wing positions to cause trouble for PP & Ray. Turk is a good defensive player but is too weak to guard PP, Pietrus is not a smart defender, Courtney Lee is a rookie. Plus, their wings don't make PP & Ray waste (bad word choice, I know) effort on the defensive end like Lebron or DWade or Iggy would do single handedly. Perk is a strong body to put on DHoward, KG - arguably the best defender in the league, is capable of making Rashard Lewis almost a non-factor IMO, which sucks for the Magic because they are somewhat dependent on him. And I like Rondo more than Jameer Nelson. So all in all I think the Magic are slightly overrated, plus I think they match up extremely poorly with us.

SonicYouth34 · Post #7 » by **SonicYouth34** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:49 pm

Cleveland and Detroit are the biggest threats.

Orlando is a good PF and PG away from being a threat, but they're still a good team.

I personally don't think Philly is gonna be all that great, but that's just me.

I like the new Toronto team, especially since JO and CB4 compliment each other so well.

Washington could make some noise if there big three can actually play more than 30 game together.

celticfan42487 · Post #8 » by **celticfan42487** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:15 pm

Yeah to clarify by close to being a complete team I mean ORL is a decent PG or PF away from that status.

D-12 takes them on his back, and imo has arrived as the clear #1 Center in the League and he is that good to make up for Lewis's lack of PF skills [ablitity to box out for boards and/or shot blocking presence].

It appears getting that kind of level for a PG would be an easier find for ORL then PF especially since a PF would most likley mean a trade of one of their 3 top scorers.

PHIL may be able to pick up a 15 mpg player off the bench for 3point shooting, but their best lineup and starting one doesn't have a 3 point threat 1-5. They already have Louis coming off the bench who should be able to provide a 3 point spark.. I just don't see it coming together enough to be a complete team next year unless Young develops that range because we know Miller and Dalembert are not and Brand is more of a 14 feet kind of shooter rathen then 18 feet like KG to make it all okay. I seriously doubt Young or Iggy become 3 point threats either. They'll be great, but they just have the zone weakness that was there last year.

Yeah and WAS I think will be great too, actually a lot of parity between WAS,TOR,PHIL. All have a lot of strenghts and can make it to the Finals. I'd give ORL or CLE a little more chance simply because they have that "top 5 talent" that wins rings in LeBron or Dwight.

daveisceltics · Post #9 » by **daveisceltics** » Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:00 pm

Detroit and Orlando

Truthiracy · Post #10 » by **Truthiracy** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 12:03 am

Not Detroit, that team is as old as molasses and has no desire to Win. I'll say no one.

rambo_ortega · Post #11 » by **rambo_ortega** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 1:58 am

Cleveland
Detroit
Toronto
Orlando
Philadelphia
Washington

The eastern conference teams are starting to be powerhouses next season.

GreenGrizz · Post #12 » by **GreenGrizz** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 2:37 am

Cleveland, Detroit and Atlanta. Orlando is not a good playoff team.

gocelts · Post #13 » by **gocelts** » Fri Jul 18, 2008 5:10 am

Cleveland...they were a PJ Brown jumper away from the ECF, and we no longer have him or Posey. Until our young bigs (and wings) prove they are up to the challenge to step up, I'm giving Cleveland the edge for now.

Detroit was doomed once Ray got hot, proving they are on the downfall, and worst part of all for them, is that they know it.

Orlando needs some more time to grow togther, and as they are an exciting team, they are still young and prone to mistakes and breakdowns. I do like their squad though but I just don't see them on the championship stage yet...

magicfanatic23 · Post #14 » by **magicfanatic23** » Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:53 am

I see u guys really respect Cleveland. Interesting. I guess I should respect them as well after the way they played u guys in the playoffs.

vct33 · Post #15 » by **vct33** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 3:56 am

It's the Cavs for sure. They will be the biggest obstacle to overcome in the postseason once again. Especially if they are able to move some of their expiring contracts for some talent between now and February.

Ortho Stice · Post #16 » by **Ortho Stice** » Sun Jul 20, 2008 4:35 am

As people've said, Cleveland is the Celtics' biggest challenge in the East. They beat a stronger Detroit team a few years ago and almost eliminated the Celtics this year. They pushed the Celtics to seven games, in which two of their losses - games one and seven -- could've gone either way. They have the best player in the league (my opinion), and are one of the top rebounding and defensive teams in the league. But basically they just match up well against the Celtics. Don't be surprised if they eliminate the Celtics next year and go to the Finals again.