Some writers still critical of the Celtics

[Matt34520]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/w ... 2/pistons/

"The Boston Celtics, all the rage in the first three months of this season, still look vulnerable both in depth and height, especially given Kevin Garnett's strained abdominal muscles and Kendrick Perkins' sore left shoulder. And even the team's most optimistic fans see this as an opportunity of two, maybe three years, tops."


People still don't believe were the real deal. Its so annoying

[yazpani]

because you're not!

[Matt34520]

I think the Celtics have a three year shot at a title but Garnett in Pierce will be here for 4 years.

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

Relax. The whole Patriot-created 'screw everyone who doesn't get on their knees and blow us' mentality needs to stop. The writer makes two valid points. The C's still have a depth problem, at backup center and PG, and they need a bigger lug who can backup Perk. And this is a three-year window with the current roster, your delusional if you think otherwise.

Some of you guys act like if an NBA writer doesn't act like the C's are a shoo-in for the 2008 NBA title, then he's committing some brazen act of outright disrespect.

[Jammer]

Most of the basketball writers exhibited little knowledge of the Celtics, especially after the signings of Posey, House and Pollard.

Part of the problem is that their are only two centers on the roster, one of whom (Pollard) has had an ankle problem since pre-season. That leaves them with only one true center (Perkins), who averages 24.7 mpg when available.

The power forwards, who can make up the difference, only offer one player, Garnett, with size. Currently 3 of the 4 tallest Celtics players,
are injured.

6' 11" Kevin Garnett

6' 10" Scot Pollard

6' 8.25 inch Kendrick Perkins are all injured.

Their replacements are

Scalabrine 6' 8.75"

Davis 6' 7.5"

Posey 6' 7"

Powe 6' 6"

They are truly small up front.

So, the writer is correct if he watched the San Antonio game, considering the injuries.

The Celtics are also lean in the backcourt, without a true point guard to backup Rondo. So, the weaknesses are evident. Whether they will matter will be known when the playoffs arrive, when any unavailability of Rondo, Pollard or Perkins will be magnified.

The Celts can win it all this year, and realistically for 3 more years, with the right free agents.

In May 2011, Kevin Garnett will have his 35th birthday, Ray Allen will be two months from his 36h birthday, Paul Pierce will be 33 1/2, Posey will be 34.

The Window is narrow, but definately includes the next 3 seasons.

Of course, a key free agent signing with the MLE in 2009 or 2010 wouldn't hurt.

[Hemingway]

Even as the big 3 fade into the distance, we are still better off then most teams. They will all be expiring and we will have a winning atmosphere. If you can do one of the following we will be reloaded.

1. Find a steal in the draft
2. Trade one of the big 3 as an expiring for a star
3. Get a star with something to prove to come in for the MLE

[GonzoLays]

The power forwards, who can make up the difference, only offer one player, Garnett, with size. Currently 3 of the 4 tallest Celtics players,
are injured.

6' 11" Kevin Garnett

6' 10" Scot Pollard

6' 8.25 inch Kendrick Perkins are all injured.

Their replacements are

Scalabrine 6' 8.75"

Davis 6' 7.5"

Posey 6' 7"

Powe 6' 6"

They are truly small up front.

Perk is 6'10" tall, not 6'8".
Powe is 6'6.5" tall without shoes, not 6'6" tall.

[screwedupmaniac]

it's funny how everyone has different opinions...and i totally see where everyone is coming from with the different comments on lack of depth at some positions and such...

however, here are the facts:

in spite of a "lack of depth" at the C and PG positions, we are in first place in the entire league with an nba best record of 40-9, and we are 16-0 against western conference teams.

Rondo is for real, and anyone who hasn't recognized this yet has not watched this team very carefully. and i agree with doc that although it would be nice to have a guy like cassell off of the bench, it's not mandatory in order to win a championship. yes, i remember the first game against detroit when we basically lost the game because house couldn't get the ball across half court. but doc made a good point that you don't need a pure PG coming off the bench...getting the ball across half court is a team effort, and we've seen more success as of late with the team working together to get the ball where it needs to be. house starts to get trapped, but before he's sucked into it, there's ray allen next to him to dish it off to and get it past half court.

it's funny that we "need" a backup PG so badly, but without looking this up, someone please tell me off the top of your head, who is steve nash's backup? or who was chauncey's backup when they won the championship? or who was tony parker's the past couple of times that they have won championships?

the same goes for the center position...who's played next to duncan in the starting lineups of their past 2 championship teams? mediocre centers at best...now who were their backups?

these arguments about lack of depth and experience are rediculous...let's all remember that rondo's comparison (tony parker) couldn't shoot and was "inexperienced" when he won his first championship next to tim duncan.

we are 40-9 folks...we are 40-9...

[GreenGrizz]

We didn't have a seven footer when we had Havileck and Cowens

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

Powe is 6'6.5" tall without shoes, not 6'6" tall.

Everybody loves the height nazi. I guess a half inch really means a lot to some guys....

[GuyClinch]

Everybody loves the height nazi. I guess a half inch really means a lot to some guys....

That's not it - 6'6.5" = legit 6'8'. Guys wear shoes.

[wigglestrue]

Powe is 6'6.5" tall without shoes, not 6'6" tall.

Everybody loves the height nazi. I guess a half inch really means a lot to some guys....

In shoes, he's about 6'7.5"
So that's about 1.5 inches.
Which does, in fact, mean a lot.

[Datruth345]

i don't see what the big deal is

we are winning with out kg we beat some good teams and some not so good team

what more do the celtics need to do, obviously there are flaws to the team, but every team has them

[EdSkae]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/steve_aschburner/02/12/pistons/

"The Boston Celtics, all the rage in the first three months of this season, still look vulnerable both in depth and height, especially given Kevin Garnett's strained abdominal muscles and Kendrick Perkins' sore left shoulder. And even the team's most optimistic fans see this as an opportunity of two, maybe three years, tops."


People still don't believe were the real deal. Its so annoying

My issue is if it were the Knicks, 76ers, or Bulls who traded for Garnett and were 40-9 and 16-0 against the west. The same writers who are nitpicking the Celtics and pointing out anything negative. Would be telling us the Knicks, 76ers, or Bulls were the greatest thing since sliced bread.

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

In shoes, he's about 6'7.5"
So that's about 1.5 inches.
Which does, in fact, mean a lot.

That's not it - 6'6.5" = legit 6'8'.

Lame.

[GuyClinch]

Weak..

If you call Powe 6'6" then Rondo is 6', Paul Pierce is 6'4", Dwayne Wade is 6'2", Lebron James is 6'5" and so on.. That's the problem - your artificially lowering ballers heights to make your LAME point.

Pete

[hickfromfrenchlick]

Rondo has been playing amazingly but I still can't get that 4th quarter where Billups ate him up out of my mind. Yeah, I know we beat them in Game 2, but how would we defend him in the playoffs?

Depth isn't a problem as long as no starters are out and we have either Powe or Baby. We're fine up front. But we could use another PG.

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

Weak..

If you call Powe 6'6" then Rondo is 6', Paul Pierce is 6'4", Dwayne Wade is 6'2", Lebron James is 6'5" and so on.. That's the problem - your artificially lowering ballers heights to make your LAME point.

Relax buddy, I never made the argument in the first place. I resent that anyone would ever say that I 'artificially lower ballers heights.' Thats a crab move and I know it. The only thing I was remarking on was what I thought was my favorite messageboard trend, height nazism. You know the old "he's not 6'8, he's actually 6'8 and 1/4 cm." Often spouted by people who like to scour others posts for minor statistical inaccuracies and grammar mistakes, and take utter glee in correcting them.

I realize the guy was trying to support his cause by doing the old "not wearing shoes" trick and an old veteran like you wasn't gonna get fooled by that foolishness. Didn't mean to step in the middle of this brouhaha...

Have fun worrying about a few inches here or there, I'm sure your used to that...Go Marcus.

[freakon0mics]

Writers are writers. They know especially since its the Celtics, that their voice are going to be heard. So they are just going to write anything to stir something up. I agree with hickfromfrenchlick though. I don't see how we can compete with the likes of the Pistons and maybe any team coming out of the west without good PG depth. Its sort of a liability just having a 2nd year point guard, basically as your only point guard.

[SuperDeluxe]

The writer had to write an article about the longevity of the glorious Pistons. To make them look even better than they actually are, there's not an easier way than making the competition look not that good. This guy likely doesn't have any problems with the Celtics