Healthy = 18

[LongTimeFan]

If we are reasonably healthy, then we win it all.

The recent Atlanta games indicates how much we've improved. Unfortunately, Cleveland has improved more, a lot more. If Garnett, Powe and surprisingly Tony are in reasonable shape we should win it all.

The key to beating Cleveland is obviously stopping James and to do that, Tony's six fouls are huge. He's a millstone we can hang around James and wear him down. This will get us by Cleveland. More or less neutralising James defeats them.

LA is soft and defense still wins playoff games. Obviously we need Garnet and as Powe showed last year his toughness helps a lot.

So, imo, if we're healthy, we will win it all. The real test is Cleveland and Tony is our best defender.

[MyInsatiableOne]

LA is still soft...they have benefited from a surprisingly weak West this year...the East is certainly more rugged and physical (reminds me of the 1980s all over again!)

[BRUNiNHO91]

That's the big problem. WILL we get healthy?? If we get everybody back I am not even worried about anybody else. Lakers won't beat us..not in Boston, not in LA, not in China, not on the moon...Cavs won't either...I have a feeling Boston goes in there without Garnett sunday and wins..our bigs will knock their bigs around all series long..just like in the last game back in Boston.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I feel like a Bos-Cle ECF would be the "real" Finals and the true Finals with LA would be an anti-climax...whether Bos or Cle wins the East, it will be that way...

[billfromBoston]

Is this a support group thread? Nothing is a lock, even with health...I think Boston is the best, deepest team when healthy, but to discount Cleveland and LA's ability to compete on the highest level is ludicrous....either of these teams can beat Boston if Boston doesn't bring their "A" game. Its not all about health - Boston still has to play its best to beat the other contenders...

[MyInsatiableOne]

I never said we would win...we may not even make it to the ECF if we are not healthy. I just said whoever comes out of the East (between Cle and Bos) will win the title.

[tdfoss]

If we are reasonably healthy, then we win it all.

The recent Atlanta games indicates how much we've improved. Unfortunately, Cleveland has improved more, a lot more. If Garnett, Powe and surprisingly Tony are in reasonable shape we should win it all.

The key to beating Cleveland is obviously stopping James and to do that, Tony's six fouls are huge. He's a millstone we can hang around James and wear him down. This will get us by Cleveland. More or less neutralising James defeats them.

LA is soft and defense still wins playoff games. Obviously we need Garnet and as Powe showed last year his toughness helps a lot.

So, imo, if we're healthy, we will win it all. The real test is Cleveland and Tony is our best defender.

I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. Bynum is coming back Sunday, he's big, physical and can control the boards. He was the piece the lakers were missing last year. It shoudl be a fun series. Just do your part and get by Cleveland.

[MyInsatiableOne]

^Who's to say Bynum will be 100% effective after the long layoff? Especially with all the "rehab" he was doing partying!

[Rocky5000]

I feel like a Bos-Cle ECF would be the "real" Finals and the true Finals with LA would be an anti-climax...whether Bos or Cle wins the East, it will be that way...

I felt like the ECSF were the real finals last year for us. So once again, Cleveland will be the biggest obstacle.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I feel like a Bos-Cle ECF would be the "real" Finals and the true Finals with LA would be an anti-climax...whether Bos or Cle wins the East, it will be that way...

I felt like the ECSF were the real finals last year for us. So once again, Cleveland will be the biggest obstacle.

Yeah...I wasn't too scared of DET last year and they proved me right...

[LongTimeFan]

TDFoss:

You have a point about Bynum.

However, I don't think Kobe and he can play well together. Bynum's injury was inflicted on him by a reckless play on Kobe's part. Bynum isn't going to forget that. Maybe everyone else will, but in the back of his mind Bynum will be playing against six players out there.

Bill:

I'm not saying it will be easy, just that we will win it all if we are healthy.

[MyInsatiableOne]

I still want to see Bynum's game after all the "rehab" he was doing partying at the Playboy mansion!

[Al-Haqq]

We HAVE to win this year, because this year is our best chance. Next year will be harder but still a chance and from then on it shouldn't be expected as easily.

I just hope we don't lose because of bad rotations or some bull like that. There is no choice, they have to win and they have to be healthy!

[MyInsatiableOne]

^Why do we *have* to win this year? We will be very good and competitive next season as well...and Cleveland may not capture lightning in a bottle next season as they did this one...in fact it's more than likely they'll fall back to earth, as will LA with their new commitment to "defense"...

I think it will again be a competitive and exciting season next year...but right now I'm focusing on this one!

[tdfoss]

^Who's to say Bynum will be 100% effective after the long layoff? Especially with all the "rehab" he was doing partying!

Myinsatiableone, you have a valid point. Until he starts playing (tonight) we won't know how well he will be. However, can't we apply your same logic to Garnett's return? Garnett hasn't been out as long but has still missed 20 games and injury seems to be lingering.

I believe both will be back strong for the playoffs

[MyInsatiableOne]

^I agree with you, to a point. The thing is, we know what to expect with Garnett as he's done it over an entire career. Bynum has yet to play at a high, sustained level for an entire season, let alone a few seasons. He's done it in spurts. I think he is a quality big, but I need to see him play for 2-3 seasons before I will consider him a premier center in the NBA...

[davidse]

great stuff


la sweeps the season series with boston and cleveland, winning both away games without bynum (don't remember about the home games), now bynum is coming back, and your conclusion ?

1. if boston is healthy they win the title
and
2. either boston or cleveland would be the lakers in the finals...


great stuff.

[MyInsatiableOne]

Thanks, troll! I thought Bynum, the GCOAT, was supposed to send you guys to the promised land? All I see is a team that, without Bynum, is rolling through a weaker West and still plays no D and is softer than your head. Good luck in the playoffs, I look forward to either us (hopefully) or Cleveland kicking your asses in the Finals!