Doug Collins on the C's

tlee324 · Post #1 » by **tlee324** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 2:59 am

“This team is taking it to another level. They make you look bad. Did it to Miami last Sunday, did it to Indiana and now they did it to us,” Philadelphia coach Doug Collins said. “They are going to be a handful and I wouldn’t want to play them in the playoffs. When Boston locks in they are really tough to play against. It’s going to be very interesting. I wouldn’t blink on Boston. Everybody wants to talk about Miami and Chicago.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2012040802

You could say he's just being a good sportsman, but I think a lot of coaches are thinking similarly.

nic4747 · Post #2 » by **nic4747** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 3:03 am

I truly believe this team is a serious contender this year. Both our starting lineup and our bench are better than last year by a mile. Assuming no injuries, we could win it all.

PierceFan4ever · Post #3 » by **PierceFan4ever** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 3:11 am

I think Frank Vogel said something really great about us too yesterday. Popovich had some high praises for Bradley after the Spurs game. I think it's no secret that no team wants to play us in the playoffs, they know we are dangerous because we have something no other team has, 3 hof players and a great pg.

31to6 · Post #4 » by **31to6** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 3:30 am

As high as I am on the way we're playing, watching the Heat/Thunder game the other night, there's a level of athleticism and physicallity there when both teams (especially the Heat) are dialed in that's WAY above where we can go.

I think we're the Spurs East - no one would WANT us in the playoffs, but no one would expect us to go beyond the second/maybe third round without lucking into a major and untimely injury to an opponent.

That said, I'm glad this bunch is looking like it'll have at least one more meaningful spring together - fun to watch.

Fencer reregistered · Post #5 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 3:33 am

It's expedient coach-speak, but it seems sincere even so.

The Celtics have an elite defense, and they have the talent to be outstanding on offense. They also have the ability to lock down and be mentally tough.

They're a longshot for the championship, but they're respectable contenders nonetheless.

Franchise history helps a little -- the last Bill Russell champions still stand as one of the classic "Too old and won anyway" teams of all time. And you can probably strike the "one of" from that.

exculpatory · Post #6 » by **exculpatory** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 4:18 am

Fencer reregistered wrote:It's expedient coach-speak, but it seems sincere even so.

The Celtics have an elite defense, and they have the talent to be outstanding on offense. They also have the ability to lock down and be mentally tough.

They're a longshot for the championship, but they're respectable contenders nonetheless.

Franchise history helps a little -- the last Bill Russell champions still stand as one of the classic "Too old and won anyway" teams of all time. And you can probably strike the "one of" from that.

Fencer

Do you know how many times I have referred to the 1969 Celtics in the last month in various threads???

WE ARE MORE THAN RESPECTABLE CONTENDERS. WE ARE GOING TO SHOCK THE WORLD & WIN.

Fencer reregistered · Post #7 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 4:35 am

exculpatory wrote:
Fencer reregistered wrote:It's expedient coach-speak, but it seems sincere even so.

The Celtics have an elite defense, and they have the talent to be outstanding on offense. They also have the ability to lock down and be mentally tough.

They're a longshot for the championship, but they're respectable contenders nonetheless.

Franchise history helps a little -- the last Bill Russell champions still stand as one of the classic "Too old and won anyway" teams of all time. And you can probably strike the "one of" from that.

Fencer

Do you know how many times I have referred to the 1969 Celtics in the last month in various threads???

WE ARE MORE THAN RESPECTABLE CONTENDERS. WE ARE GOING TO SHOCK THE WORLD & WIN.

Not shock, I think. The world knows better than to be shocked.

Surprise.

LuckyLeprichan · Post #8 » by **LuckyLeprichan** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 4:48 am

Sincere or not, it's true. Since Bradley entered the starting line-up, we've been giving up 81.6 PPG. Against teams that combined average 96.4 PPG, including holding SAS (102.4 ppg) to 87, Miami (100.2 ppg) to 72, Utah (99.2) to 82, Minnesota (98.6) to 79 and Indiana (96.6) to 72.

This defensive stretch since Bradley took over is historic. If we can carry it over to the playoffs, we truly are contenders.

tlee324 · Post #9 » by **tlee324** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 4:53 am

LuckyLeprichan wrote:Sincere or not, it's true. Since Bradley entered the starting line-up, we've been giving up 81.6 PPG. Against teams that combined average 96.4 PPG, including holding SAS (102.4 ppg) to 87, Miami (100.2 ppg) to 72, Utah (99.2) to 82, Minnesota (98.6) to 79 and Indiana (96.6) to 72.

This defensive stretch since Bradley took over is historic. If we can carry it over to the playoffs, we truly are contenders.

It starts and ends with KG, but adding a defensive force like Bradley to it is so significant...

Joselo16 · Post #10 » by **Joselo16** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 6:07 am

So why did it take Doc for Ray to go to him, till he decided to keep this energetic disruptive defensive force in the formerly lethargic stating unit, when the proof was there?! Glad Ray is the true professional he is and saw the truth. I feel greater about our chances at another title now then when a few weeks ago, when we had such an un-balanced team.

Fencer reregistered · Post #11 » by **Fencer reregistered** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 6:46 am

Joselo16 wrote:So why did it take Doc for Ray to go to him,

There are many possible theories other than "Doc didn't see it and Ray pointed it out." Two of the most obvious are:

* Doc is lying and helping Ray save face.
* Doc wanted Ray to figure it out for himself.

LuckyLeprichan · Post #12 » by **LuckyLeprichan** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 6:53 am

tlee324 wrote:
LuckyLeprichan wrote:Sincere or not, it's true. Since Bradley entered the starting line-up, we've been giving up 81.6 PPG. Against teams that combined average 96.4 PPG, including holding SAS (102.4 ppg) to 87, Miami (100.2 ppg) to 72, Utah (99.2) to 82, Minnesota (98.6) to 79 and Indiana (96.6) to 72.

This defensive stretch since Bradley took over is historic. If we can carry it over to the playoffs, we truly are contenders.

It starts and ends with KG, but adding a defensive force like Bradley to it is so significant...

Of course. Since KG took over as center we're pretty good too. Not that good though.

Joselo16 · Post #13 » by **Joselo16** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 6:56 am

Fencer reregistered wrote:
Joselo16 wrote:So why did it take Doc for Ray to go to him,

There are many possible theories other than "Doc didn't see it and Ray pointed it out." Two of the most obvious are:

* Doc is lying and helping Ray save face.
* Doc wanted Ray to figure it out for himself.

Very true! Just going by what was reported though. Either way I'm glad it finally happened!

Jammer · Post #14 » by **Jammer** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 10:35 am

For those who keep refering to the 1969 Celtics,
the 1969 Celtics were Defending Champions and therefore Repeat Champions.

However, the refs have been very kind to the Celtics since the All-Star break;
the way they were kind to Cleveland and Atlanta in 2008;
to stretch those playoff series to 7 games.

Celtics could get to the Finals this year.

OKC would probably be more of a handful than San Antonio.

ermocrate · Post #15 » by **ermocrate** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 11:28 am

Fencer reregistered wrote:
Joselo16 wrote:So why did it take Doc for Ray to go to him,

There are many possible theories other than "Doc didn't see it and Ray pointed it out." Two of the most obvious are:

* Doc is lying and helping Ray save face.
* Doc wanted Ray to figure it out for himself.

Ray understands Bball a lot better than Doc...

The_Ghost_of_JB · Post #16 » by **The_Ghost_of_JB** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 12:10 pm

Nice words from Collins. I always liked him and he knows his stuff. I believe this team can get out of the first round. However in the second round they are going to face Bulls or Miami. As we saw Thursday the bulls are a horrible match up for this team. As for the heat. It is a better match up for the Celtics but my prediction is that no team in the NBA is going to win a 7 game series against the heat.

jmr07019 · Post #17 » by **jmr07019** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 12:47 pm

This recent run of good play has convinced me we could win 18 although we'd absolutely need a little luck along the way. KG is gonna have to play like 40 mpg in the playoffs. Lack of big men is concerning. Ray is the best player we've had off the bench in the 08-current era.

Scalamental · Post #18 » by **Scalamental** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 12:55 pm

Celtics are taking it to a higher level, just as the sixers are taking it to a lower level. This is not the same sixers team we played earlier this season. Not discounting the celtics at all because the team looks great. The big judgement is whether or not the c's can make it through miami in the play offs.

Gomes3PC · Post #19 » by **Gomes3PC** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 1:55 pm

I agree that nobody wants to play the Celtics, but I just don't think they have enough in crunch time to win against the elite teams. If the game is tied or the C's are down 1-3 points with under a minute, I basically shut the TV off because I know what will happen - the Clogged Toilet Offense. The last 5 minutes of games against great teams are so hard to watch because the C's simply lack the elite halfcourt scoring to make a play when the other team is bearing down defensively.

I'm going to enjoy this playoff run, hopefully they win a series or two and make life miserable for Chicago / Miami. But anyone expecting the C's to move on past round 2 is a bit delusional given how bad the team is in the waning moments of games against elite defense.

2Mas · Post #20 » by **2Mas** » Mon Apr 9, 2012 1:56 pm

I'm just glad everyone isn't all .. Let's tank & blow it up, this team sucks anymore. It's been a long but yet short season. We're hitting our stride in the right spot. Let's go at least 6-4 over these next 10 games. If we really get up on NY & Phi with a few days rest, I'll take a couple L's to rest our guys. Why not?

This teams exciting.. Wish all NBA teams could feel the Celtic Pride.