Interesting CNNSI article

Post #1 » by **Spin Move** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:25 pm

"The Celtics were never a 70-win team, probably not a 60-win team. But can they still be considered a championship-caliber team considering they are trying to make the leap from winning 24 games last season? That's a more difficult question to which we'll return in a minute."

I disagree with parts of it, I defintly think we win 60, never thought we would win 70, and i dont think decison making is rondos weakness i think its confidence in his jumper and lack of asserevniss but still. worth a read.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/w ... index.html

bballcool34 · Post #2 » by **bballcool34** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:06 pm

Good read.

The points I disagree with are:

Rondo. His decision making has been good- except when it comes to shooting the ball- if that's what McCallum is referring to?

Pierce is probably tired, as most players who play a lot of minutes are, but is it anything special or is he gassed? If he is, then I haven't noticed it. Pierce has been inconsistent (having great shooting nights followed by not so great) and he has shot only 38.6% from the field in the last 6 games. But, over the course of an 82 game season, Pierce shooting sub-par in 6 games is normal, and not a result of fatigue. Especially, when 28 of the 80 shots are from 3 (35%). To put that in perspective, over his career, only 21% of Pierce's total shots are threes. Simply put: Pierce was making the three better earlier and has cooled off from downtown.

Celtics winning 70? No, that was never really a possiblity in my mind. But, them probably not being a 60 win team. Now, McCallum's just being dumb. Maybe they won't be a 60 win team, but based on their performance thus far this season, I wouldn't bet on that horse.

bruno sundov · Post #3 » by **bruno sundov** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:42 am

For them to be a 60 win team, all they have to do win 29 of the rmaining 45 games the rest of the year.

Egregious Blunder · Post #4 » by **Egregious Blunder** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:46 pm

theyre well on pace to win 60.

bruno sundov · Post #5 » by **bruno sundov** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 7:59 pm

I would say at least 60! It is going to be intersting to see if the defense or offense gets us there. Maybe it will be both.

theman · Post #6 » by **theman** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 8:28 pm

I'd bet the over on 60 wins.

drza · Post #7 » by **drza** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:07 pm

I'd take the over on the 60 wins as well. The defense hasn't gone anywhere, the offense just slowed down. Early in the season KG exploded. Then for awhile Pierce exploded. Now everyone is kind of chilling a bit. I bet they finish the season on a tear over the last 20 games or so as they quit trying to pace themselves.

Post #8 » by **Darth Celtic** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:24 pm

29-16. that sounds doable.

Prophet_C · Post #9 » by **Prophet_C** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:33 pm

60-65 wins is what I'm thinking

bruno sundov · Post #10 » by **bruno sundov** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:41 pm

If we win 65 games this year it would have to be the biggest turnaround in one season for any NBA franchise. plus 41 games from last year. WOW!!!

bru87tr · Post #11 » by **bru87tr** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:52 pm

guy is smoking crack. 60 wins not possible ?

31-6.... hmmmm, ya thats a stretch to go 60. lol

U2larkin04 · Post #12 » by **U2larkin04** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:54 pm

Guys... I think we should tank... I want OJ Mayo.

Red2 · Post #13 » by **Red2** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 7:09 pm

give leon some burn and rest pierce more. ever since the west coast trip Paul has looked a little tired

Taget · Post #14 » by **Taget** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 9:54 pm

bru87tr wrote:guy is smoking crack. 60 wins not possible ?

31-6.... hmmmm, ya thats a stretch to go 60. lol

Sadly even if we lost every single game from now to the lottery we'd still be out of contention. We'll just have to bite the bullet and win a champhionship instead.

But seriously we have such a large cushion of wins it'll be tough not to win 60. 70 was always pushing it, but 60... very doable.

celtxman · Post #15 » by **celtxman** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:10 pm

McCallum's opinion is about where I was before the season - that the team would be a championship level team, but maybe not a 60 win team. But the math is now inescapable 29-16 to win 60 games. I'm not sure why he sees a problem with that. I think most of his points are decent, but really nothing new. I don't really care if the East is better than the West - the Celtics only need to worry about one team coming out of the West if they take care of their own business.