M.I.: Is there no stopping Boston, Cleveland or L.A.L?

[campybatman]

That's the question I pose to the rest of the teams in the NBA. The broadcasters for the Celtics on WEEI said, it's these three teams and then everyone else. I concur with that assertion. Initially, I thought Toronto would be right there with Boston and Cleveland, but I reckon not. Jermaine O'Neal's lingering knee issue isn't a surprise but the duo of Bosh and Calderon should be enough this season, right?. Nope. And Boston is the unmovable object while LeBron James is the unstoppable force. Cleveland versus Boston in the playoffs is on. Moreover, the Lakers probably came into this season with the lost in the NBA Finals of last season fresh and their minds and a new focus on adding defense to their potent offense. Can they keep it up?

For Boston, there's Cleveland. For Cleveland, there's Boston and Detroit. For both Boston and Cleveland, I wouldn't forget about Orlando, Atlanta and, depending on what happens with trades and the return of Arenas, I'll add both Miami and Washington.

For the Lakers, there's always San Antonio and Dallas to be cognizant of. Then you've... Denver, New Orleans, Phoenix, Houston, Utah and the young upstart Portland.

I feel like the only way Boston loses games during this season is if they simply don't show up and have too many mental lapses/turnovers. Players on all teams will get tired through a 82-games schedule. However, Boston's worst enemy are themselves and not one team this season. They'll beat themselves. If they don't... Then they'll keep winning, injuries and inconsistent bench play aside. Their motivation can't be any higher. There's still a lot left to motivate this Celtics team.

[DEEP3CL]

Good stuff bons !

I agree with everything you wrote, right now the Celtics, Lakers and Cavs are just ballin on some different juice right now. Crazy part is it don't look like neither team is going to let up at all, second part is they're just toying with teams literally.

I mean bonsaiflipflops, we're on our board pitching a fit on our D not being played for 48 minutes I mean out side of the Celtics doing it like that no team usually sustains that effort for 48. I mean breakdowns happen in ball period, but the fact of the matter is these 3 teams aren't really exerting their full power yet.

Three teams with a combined 7 losses with a quarter of the season played, all three are on a 60+ win pace.........hell maybe even 70 barring the tribulations that go with a season.

For you guys, at least you can see your enemies (Cavs & Pistons) in sight.........question is are they ready to tangle.

For us the picture isn't quite clear but we know who lurks in the shadows, but the goal is clear Finals and winning it or it's a failure of a season.

Again good stuff bons.

[avi623]

The way I look at it right now is the following: there is the best TEAM (the Celtics), the best player (LeBron), and the best collection of talent for some time (the Lakers).

One of those three has to win it. No other team in the league can compare to what those three have. No one plays as one unit the way Boston does, no one has a player like LeBron, and no one is as talented from 1-15 as LA.

[campybatman]

Thanks.

Yeah, that's a good point. The Lakers have to keep one eye on the ultimate goal and the other on their competition in their conference. Which are several possible teams. On the other hand, for Boston, you don't want to make the mistake of looking pass, let say, a Philadelphia or a Milwaukee. All the playoff caliber teams from both conferences probably already recognize Boston and the Lakers as the primary threats to their chances of reaching the NBA Finals this season. Unfortunately, Boston must fend off Cleveland who carry a very large chip on their shoulders and Celtics fans are well aware of the big stick James carries. Let's just say: He really wouldn't mind the prospect of facing Boston in the playoffs again. However, if you listen to recent comments made by James in a sit down interview. He doesn't believe his team is ready right now to win a championship. I'm uncertain exactly what he'd meant in that. Because he has lead a Cavaliers team to one NBA Finals a few seasons ago. If he means talent wise, then that team was better than this season's team.



LeBron James Talks To Stephen A. Smith

http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/vid ... Id=3726419



The one difference I'll make between Boston and the Lakers. Obviously, I can only try to speak from the point of view of Boston. The Celtics right now have a roster that can adjust to the style of play of any opponent. That is, they've some young legs to run in a full court game, they've veterans who can keep their poise and lead by example, they can slow it down and play a half court game, they can score and defend and they've players that can provide points from the perimeter as well as interiorly. That's balance. And everyone genuinely likes one another and can get along on and off the court. Comradery. Hence, you've chemistry and bickering is infrequent.

You can likely speak on behave of the Lakers better. I would say that your team shouldn't let a lost get to you and feel as if you're competing with Boston for the best overall record in the league. It's unimportant. And vise versa. What I mean is winning beyond clinching home court throughout the playoffs. Because in the end, you must get through your own conference playoffs that won't include Boston. Yes, Boston currently holds more wins than the rest of the league. However, being at the top of the standings brings pressure. And if you aren't a team that's constructed to handle and maintain your position or any position you're fighting to hold as a NBA team. Then you probably don't deserve to be there. But, Boston deserves to be where they're right now as well as Cleveland and the Lakers. They're earning their places by going out and winning these games on their schedule no matter how pretty or unpretty. You walk away with the victory. So, this would be my advice to the Laker players. Don't lose sight of the bigger picture. Stay together as a team because it's the individual who talks alone and for himself that can affect the team. You can divide yourself in face of adversity. Gut it out. Maybe the defense isn't coming along as you would prefer it. Well, that's when the front office steps in and helps the head coach and staff by acquiring different pieces in players so you can get where you hope to be at defensively. What would bother me if I were a Lakers fan would be the recent comments made by Bynum after the Pacers lost. Even if he'd a good point, don't air it publicly to the media and paint yourself in a corner. Because to those looking from the outside. It sounds like you're contradicting your head coach. This is where maturity or a veteran talking to him must come into play. For the Celtics, they already understand that losing on the road in the playoffs can be a humbling experience, but can also serve as a form of urgency and a reminder. They didn't falter or allow it to break their spirit and desire to finish what they'd challenged themselves to do before last season which was to win a championship. Mission accomplish. Will there be a sequel?

[billfromBoston]

The Celtics need to aggressively develop their bench over the next 20-25 games or they won't be fresh enough to put forth 100 percent effort come playoff time...Rondo and Perk's development helps a great deal, but Powe, TA, and House have to be utilized more effectively on offense or they will lose leads when in the game and force the starters back in - we saw that last night...

The team doesn't need to panic though, Powe/TA/House has high-end offensive potential, especially mixed in with two starters, they just need to make a concerted effort to ID WHAT it is they want to do offensively when those players on in the game. Too often right now it is just a sensless hodge-podge offense or one that overly-relies on PP/RA's presence to score - they must find their own groove.

This team is a LOCK to add a vet big man however and they will make a move around the deadline for sure...their is still a ton of internal development to be had, give it some time and they will be a better club...

[DEEP3CL]

What would bother me if I were a Lakers fan would be the recent comments made by Bynum after the Pacers lost. Even if he'd a good point, don't air it publicly to the media and paint yourself in a corner. Because to those looking from the outside. It sounds like you're contradicting your head coach.

I wasn't really that bothered by the comments, just how it came it out is what was disappointing about it. Because in reality we've been through that type of "media drama" before during our 3-Peat run, plus Phil knows how to handle those situations. But like you said you don't air that stuff to the media and frankly that's what I hate about today's player.

But I'll say this about Phil.........he'll address the situation with Drew once they get home, he doesn't do that type of stuff when he's on the road. Like Phil said recently," Drew doesn't know any better" which is true now a more seasoned veteran would be a problem say like what Amare is doing in Phoenix.

Bottom line it's a marathon season we're only a quarter of the way in, and adversity is part of the package so the teams that handle it will have the success they're looking for in the end.

One thing all 3 of these teams have in common, is that they all get along with each other and enjoy each other, bonding like that will be hard for any team to infiltrate. The only tribulation these teams are facing now is the constant strive for perfection...........which all three feel they haven't probably reached yet, it's a thirst that's never quenched when your good.

[campybatman]

One thing all 3 of these teams have in common, is that they all get along with each other and enjoy each other, bonding like that will be hard for any team to infiltrate.

I thought this was interesting when I'd first read it.

The media formed a semi-circle around Trevor Ariza after practice, seeking an answer to a question that never came because the interview was called off by teammate Derek Fisher, who was standing next to him.

Ariza and Sasha Vujacic had an angry exchange during Tuesday's game against Chicago and had to be separated.

Ariza was all smiles after practice while Vujacic shot on the court.

Jackson talked to both players about the outburst.

"They were both subdued," Jackson said. "They understood the rationale."

Ariza was asked who his favorite teammate was. He listed off several, when Lakers assistant coach Brian Shaw, who stood nearby while Ariza talked, chimed in, "Sasha?"

"Yeah, Sasha," Ariza said, laughing.

"We preach that there's a right way to play basketball and the correct way to do it," Jackson said. "The aspect that we try to tell players is that don't take the responsibility on yourself."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-lak ... ?track=rss



Judging by the date, I think this article is from last season. But, I find these particular quotes quite interesting.

On a day when Bynum said goodbye to his "best friend" when teammate Maurice Evans was traded with Brian Cook to Orlando for Trevor Ariza, the Lakers drubbed the Indiana Pacers, 134-114.

Bryant scored 32 points in 31 minutes, and Bynum distinctly outplayed O'Neal – Bryant's longtime friend whom the Lakers wouldn't trade Bynum and Lamar Odom to get over the summer.

Perhaps Bryant, whose desire to see Bynum traded was captured on video earlier this year, isn't quite ready to replace Evans as Bynum's best friend, but this game reflected how a once-cavernous divide between Bryant and Bynum has been filled with real relationship. After the game Bynum referred to Bryant by that one-syllable, shorthand moniker that only those who feel comfortable with him will use: "Kob."

Bynum gave Bryant the credit for the blocks on O'Neal, saying Bryant's advice about defending O'Neal helped much more than motivation over Indiana being Bynum's potential trade destination.

"He's very bright," Bryant said of Bynum. "So the information that I pass on to him, he quickly processes that information, can register it and go out and execute it. He did a great job of it tonight. I'll just continue to guide him. He has a lot of promise and I'll try to help him along as much as I can."

http://www.ocregister.com/sports/bynum- ... basketball

[Allanon]

Some really good posts. I agree it's the 3 teams and then everybody else.

Personally, I think it's going to be either Lakers or Celtics. I don't think the Cavs have the cajones.

[campybatman]

Personally, I think it's going to be either Lakers or Celtics. I don't think the Cavs have the cajones.

The Celtics and Lakers have other players more than capable of shouldering the offensive load if Pierce or K. Bryant go down for some games. Not to mention, you can look to Tony Allen or Odom from your bench. But, who could step-up in place of James...? It'll likely be a different player every game.

Nevertheless, everyone must remain healthy. Injuries can kill a team's momentum.

[DEEP3CL]

The quotes about Bynum and Kobe are from last season, and the thing with Trevor was something the LA media was trying to over hype. In basketball players are going to correct each other if they disagree with a certain sequence that's just the way it goes. It's just like when brothers rib each other.

[Fencer reregistered]

Coming out of last season, the Celtics were better than either the Lakers or Cavs. But the Cavs and Lakers both added talent on paper, while the Cs subtracted on paper. What's more, the Cavs had more room to deal (and indeed still perhaps do). And both the Lakers and Cavs did their big team-changing trades mid-last-season, while the Cs had a training camp together.

On the other hand, Ray is healthier and Rondo/Perk are on the upswing, which outweighs the age-related changes on the other teams unless Lebron takes his game to yet ANOTHER level.

All three have a reason to be best in the league. I don't foresee any other team overtaking all three this year.

[GuyClinch]

The Cavs are night and day better then last year. So I hope we can make a few roster tweaks before we face them.. They are really scary now.

[campybatman]

Unlikely, since Boston will face Cleveland on the road early next month. I think Ainge could prefer to wait until mid-season when part of that potential player's salary is paid off. I can see Garnett lobbying for Joe Smith. I believe they're friends.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I agree with Pete the Cavs are scary right now but I still can't put them on the same level as the Celtics and Lakers *yet*...but if they keep this up for another couple of months and continue to be right behind us, then I'll have no choice to.

But yeah, the rest of the league is playing for 4th place at this point!