Only CLE can beat us in 7 game series?

klemen4 · Post #1 » by **klemen4** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:44 pm

After seeing last night game against the Magic and scouting the style they play I doubt that they can beat us in playoffs.

Why:
Howard is not good on offense and he has got no reliable offensive moves, that will allow teams to play him one on one and concentrate on their 3pt shooters. The way we played yesterday, slowing the tempo, limit turnovers and good defense, they were lost. Brilliant tactics by our coaching stuff. Sure they are a good them, but they dont have enough firepower to mesh with us and Cleveland. I also think we are far better defensive team then they are.

So Cleveland in my mind is the only team which can beat us in 7 game series.

billfromBoston · Post #2 » by **billfromBoston** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:54 pm

Dude, that's not how it works...

Just because Boston got beaten by Cleveland and LA doesn't mean they have the nod in a 7 game series and just because Boston beat Orlando last night doesn't mean we can beat them in a 7 game series...

These teams are all very close in capability - it'll be another 40 games before we know how well each is playing entering the playoffs and even then we'll have to see how things play out as the match up progresses...

Regular season games are litmus tests that require review and adjustment - they aren't final statements about each team and their optimal ability to perform head-to-head...

Kefa461 · Post #3 » by **Kefa461** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 2:55 pm

klemen4 wrote:After seeing last night game against the Magic and scouting the style they play I doubt that they can beat us in playoffs.

Why:
Howard is not good on offense and he has got no reliable offensive moves, that will allow teams to play him one on one and concentrate on their 3pt shooters. The way we played yesterday, slowing the tempo, limit turnovers and good defense, they were lost. Brilliant tactics by our coaching stuff. Sure they are a good them, but they dont have enough firepower to mesh with us and Cleveland. I also think we are far better defensive team then they are.

So Cleveland in my mind is the only team which can beat us in 7 game series.

That has yet to be proven....but as you have said....in your mind....but until they do....we still have the upper hand. 8-)

klemen4 · Post #4 » by **klemen4** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:08 pm

Dude, that's not how it works...

Just because Boston got beaten by Cleveland and LA doesn't mean they have the nod in a 7 game series and just because Boston beat Orlando last night doesn't mean we can beat them in a 7 game series...

It took a lot more to write my last post. I watched 44/45 Boston games this season (Missed only Washington at home) and I know what we are capable of and what our opponents can do. I also watched some early season Cleveland games, and I think their last 5 games and I see the difference between great(Cleveland) and very good(Orlando) team.

Cle can beat us because:
- Lebron James
-Good 3pt shooters
-Good defence
-Potencially home court advantage

BUT if we play them right way:
- Playing James one on one, no double teaming
- Take care of their shooters

...we will beat them.

I think the key is to guard Lebron one on one and if he is able to finish, let it be. he can score 40 point on us, but if we dont allow the shooters easy 3pt they just cant beat us. It is all in defense.

BillessuR6 · Post #5 » by **BillessuR6** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:10 pm

Defensively ORL is nowhere near us or CLE and that in the playoffs will determine the series winners, IMO.

Zin5 · Post #6 » by **Zin5** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:11 pm

Gotta agree bfb here. I'm pretty sure no one was saying Atlanta could even take us to a game five this time last year. There's still 40 more games to play in the regular season, let's get into the playoffs healthy before we start considering who can beat us.

Ortho Stice · Post #7 » by **Ortho Stice** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 3:14 pm

billfromBoston wrote:Dude, that's not how it works...

Just because Boston got beaten by Cleveland and LA doesn't mean they have the nod in a 7 game series and just because Boston beat Orlando last night doesn't mean we can beat them in a 7 game series...

These teams are all very close in capability - it'll be another 40 games before we know how well each is playing entering the playoffs and even then we'll have to see how things play out as the match up progresses...

Regular season games are litmus tests that require review and adjustment - they aren't final statements about each team and their optimal ability to perform head-to-head...

The eighth seeded Warriors beat the best team in the league that year, the Mavericks, yet it wasn't that big of a surprise to some people since they beat them a few times in the regular season and just matched up really well against them. I agree that it shouldn't be the only thing taken into account, but the regular season is in fact a pretty good indicator, if nothing major happens to either team before the playoffs arrive. We match up pretty well with the Magic, and I can't see us losing the series, even if they have home court advantage.

JCizzle · Post #8 » by **JCizzle** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:06 pm

Meh.

The Hawks still give us HUGE problems as well. They're going to be more mature/experienced this year, and it really wouldn't shock me if they were able to pull out a series against us.

MyInsatiableOne · Post #9 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 4:15 pm

thebirdman wrote:Defensively ORL is nowhere near us or CLE and that in the playoffs will determine the series winners, IMO.

Agreed...a contender beat a pretender, convincingly...

Bad-Thoma · Post #10 » by **Bad-Thoma** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:02 pm

IMO, any of Cleveland, Boston, Orlando, or Atlanta could take each other down at this point in the season, but there is a long way to go. No one saw Philly or Atlanta coming last year and they both put up a big fight in the playoffs, who knows who will put it together this year and make a strong push for the playoffs. It's not just talent, it's partly momentum as we saw last year as we were able to coast into the playoffs and then had a struggle on our hands.

Cyclical · Post #11 » by **Cyclical** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:44 pm

Too me, CLE and the Celts are the two best teams in the league. Period. Not Orlando, The Lakers or anyone else. The Cavs are the only team that can take us in 7 because of two reasons:
1. Suffocating defense
2. LeBron James
Orlando is not good under constant pressure; they live and die by the 3 and Howard is not offensively developed enough to deal with Perk. Yes, Perk is a big key here -- much more effective against centers who depend on inside position then against ones who depend on the outside jumpshot , like Z. The Magic are slick but I'd be more afraid of the Hawks.

CelticFaninLBC · Post #12 » by **CelticFaninLBC** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 7:53 pm

Orlando = New Orleans

D. Howard needs a better supporting cast. I

MyInsatiableOne · Post #13 » by **MyInsatiableOne** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 8:29 pm

CelticFaninLBC wrote:Orlando = New Orleans

D. Howard needs a better supporting cast. I

He also needs to work on his game...he has no moves, unless you count dunking it a move...

threrf23 · Post #14 » by **threrf23** » Fri Jan 23, 2009 10:40 pm

By the end of the season Philly & possibly Toronto (if they pick up their morale and particularly if they acquire Marion) worry me more than Orlando. But who knows. Orlando's record has surprised me thus far.

joshman · Post #15 » by **joshman** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:27 am

wow what is all the hate on orlando lately? sure you beat them but they are still capable of beating any team any day. and i think correction i KNOW that orlando is just as good yet better than cleveland.

orlando is at worst going to finish 2nd in the east with you guys at 1.

as much as i hate to say it but your team is back and ready to attack. lol

MaxwellSmart · Post #16 » by **MaxwellSmart** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 6:14 am

Orlando is turning into a Very Good team---one that could beat any team on any night for sure--BUT, they won't beat a Great Team in a 7 game series---Because they don't have a Go To Guy...No LeBron/Kobe/Pierce/Wade....Hedo is not that player, and neither is Howard....maybe if Rashard Lewis would get off the 3 point line once in awhile-he could come close...Perhaps Van Gundy will realize this in the future.

Dave_From_NB · Post #17 » by **Dave_From_NB** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 2:10 pm

I was a lot surprised how flat Orlando were, but lets not pretend that the Celtics have their A game running every night either.

humblebum · Post #18 » by **humblebum** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 5:47 pm

I agree with billfromboston... there are really a lot of tough teams this season, especially in the east. Out west the Lakers and Nuggets are tough... as well as a healthy Rocket's team, especially if they can deal T-Mac, who kills their chemistry with poor shot selection.

However, I understand the sentiment that Cleveland is the only team who could beat us in a 7 game series. They're the only team I can "envision" doing so.

On Orlando, I just don't get why they don't feature Lewis on the left block more. I mean he's very long, has an impossible to block release point on his fadeaway, he's tough, and he'll work for offensive boards and loose balls. Watching the game the other night I kept thinking, "why don't they feed Shard in the low post?" Baffling.