Let's hold off on crowning the Celtics just yet, OK?

[wayne1218]

I think something was lost in the translation of the original statement of this thread. I, for one, never talked about the Rockets in this thread. I talked about ( endlessly, many times) how often the writers and "experts" make their preseason picks and everybody goes along, without bothering to check back later and see how they made out.

This thread was never about Rockets v Celtics, or Rockets v ANYBODY, but rather, that the Celtics were being handed the crown after making two great offseason acquisitions, much like the media does in the offseasons of NFL and MLB.

I still say you have to earn it, and while I admit it has worked out better ( far better) than I previously thought, I won't concede anything until they are indeed hoisting the trophy.

The big difference is, if that happens, I will be the first to congratulate all of you homers, and admit I was wrong.

However, if it doesn't happen, I know there will be not a soul in here saying GPA was right, and no apologies will be made, and since I won't expect any, I won't be disappointed.

I don't need to make any bets with anybody about whether the Celtics will make it further than the Rockets in the playoffs, because:

1) I never made it about Hou v Bos, so there is no point to be made
2) The Celtics will have much easier road in the playoffs v the East, so it is apples v oranges
3) This is a stupid argument, that has a long way to go to play out.

What I don't get, Wayne, is that you seem a reasonable, intelligent man, even admitting that the regular season meant squat for NE Pats, but fail to make any concessions with your Celts. I don't see how it is different. Especially since it was a one-game playoff in football, and it is 7-game series in NBA.

Another thing, just because I believe what I believe, cultivated from 40 + years of watching the NBA, that it makes me a bitter man to have an opinion, make a statement, and stick with it.

Nothing I have said has been disproven yet, and if and when it does, I will graciously admit if I was wrong. I have done it before, and I can do it again.

But until then, you can call me bitter, stupid, old, and mean, but that alone doesn't make it so.

What would i apoligize for Gramps? Not once did i say they were winning the Title. You on the other hand are wrong with just about EVERY Bold statement you made here in post 1 and we don't need to see the Finals to know that!

[wayne1218]

Nothing I have said has been disproven yet, and if and when it does, I will graciously admit if I was wrong. I have done it before, and I can do it again.

You have SERIOUS Issues Gramps if you can read post 1 of yours and still say this. How can i possibly take you seriously at this point. You are VERY Dillusional my friend .......

[Three Jack]

Another thing, just because I believe what I believe, cultivated from 40 + years of watching the NBA, that it makes me a bitter man to have an opinion, make a statement, and stick with it.

Gramps, I called you bitter because you were the one who started the thread about the Celtics and called them out, you are the one who posts all of the Rox stuff and after getting dismantled last night, you come up with a bunch of excuses and then claim you aren't making excuses....

Well, McGrady had a bad game and he was due. No mention of the stifling Boston defense.

Well, they are 31-5 since the beginning of the year. Great, very impressive, but we are talking about last night.

Blah, blah, blah....

After running your mouth a bit (and I don't blame you, I would if my team could win 22 in a row instead of lose 22 in a row!), you should expect to eat a little crow...comeout and say 'the Celts played great and they were a better team last night'. Simple....

[Three Jack]

Nothing I have said has been disproven yet, and if and when it does, I will graciously admit if I was wrong. I have done it before, and I can do it again.

Wow...perhaps we should add 'disillusional' to the list too!!!

[GrandPa]

You have "Pumped" your Rockets in other threads and since both are in 1st, what is the problem Gramps.

I didn't think Rockets were getting proper respect for the streak.

I never thought, and don't think, they are title material in their current Yao-less state.

I said I wouldn't come back with "I-told-ya-so's" when it is all over, but this dialogue is making it hard to resist.

I thought this was a betting forum, where bettors made unbiased plays on what they thought would happen, instead of what they wanted to happen.

The irony is, I am pretty sure I was a Celtics fan before you were even born. The Jones brothers, Don Nelson, Hondo, Russell, et al....I cut my basketball teeth on that dynasty.

Point is, I am trying to be objective, and while some may see my defense of the Rockets streak as homerism, the truth is I would defend any team who won 22-games in pro sports against anybody, rather than trying to belittle the achievement. Nobody here sees it that way, and maybe I presented my argument the wrong way.

If you are not impressed by what they did, you are not being objective.

[wayne1218]

I didn't think Rockets were getting proper respect for the streak.

I never thought, and don't think, they are title material in their current Yao-less state.

I said I wouldn't come back with "I-told-ya-so's" when it is all over, but this dialogue is making it hard to resist.

I thought this was a betting forum, where bettors made unbiased plays on what they thought would happen, instead of what they wanted to happen.

The irony is, I am pretty sure I was a Celtics fan before you were even born. The Jones brothers, Don Nelson, Hondo, Russell, et al....I cut my basketball teeth on that dynasty.

Point is, I am trying to be objective, and while some may see my defense of the Rockets streak as homerism, the truth is I would defend any team who won 22-games in pro sports against anybody, rather than trying to belittle the achievement. Nobody here sees it that way, and maybe I presented my argument the wrong way.

If you are not impressed by what they did, you are not being objective.

Point out where you defended a (16-0) season by the Patriots Gramps. Oh, i get it, it never happened. You are full of it saying you would defend all big streaks. You know what i say? BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!

[ELJUGO]

Rockets got served last night, period. Boston is much better than them, very nice win without Ray for Boston. Great run by Houston, we'll see how they finish the season...

As for Boston, you have now FINALLY gotten your record above .500 on the road vs winning teams, back to back road wins improved them to a Whopping 7-6.

[GrandPa]

Orlando 43-24-2
Boston 41-24-2
New Orleans 40-25-1
LA Lakers 40-25-1
Houston Rockets 40-26-1

These are ATS records. This just in.....

These are the teams that have made bettors money. This is a gambling forum ( I think?)

[wayne1218]

I know the Celtics bandwagon is filled to the brim, although they have yet to play a game.
I know they have been given an A+ for their offseason acquistions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, perennial All-Stars.
I know they have three superstars now as their nucleus.
I know they have noone else on the team, including no bench at all, especially in the frontcourt.
I know that history has not been kind to teams in these situations, because the rules still only allow one ball on the floor at a time.
I know the Houston Rockets had Clyde Drexler, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Charles Barkley, all members of the NBA 's 50 Greatest of All-Time Team, assembled on the same team, and failed to reach the conference Finals.

Quite simply, this sport is more about team chemistry than any other team sport, in part due to the smaller size of the roster, and in part due to the smaller number of players on the floor at the same time. As the long season drags on, age is a factor, and the number of minutes distributed is key. I feel that the sum of the parts will not equate to an Atlantic Division title, or an Eastern Conference flag either, as the role players and bench players will be insufficient to support the 3 studs. They will make the playoffs, and there will be some highlights to be sure, but this experiment rarely works. Ask the Yankees.

LAUGHING MY FUCKEN ASS OFF GRAMPS!

Where oh where in this thread you started do you say ANYTHING about gambling? You are a joke!

[wayne1218]

As for Boston, you have now FINALLY gotten your record above .500 on the road vs winning teams, back to back road wins improved them to a Whopping 7-6.

Thank God they will have Homecourt throughout!

[molta02]

i still don't know who was 'crowning' the celtics at the beginning of the season........

[beerball101]

i still don't know who was 'crowning' the celtics at the beginning of the season........

the MEDIA ! WAS CROWNING THEM! & i dont even follow nba!

sorta like the patriots! well they still lost!

[wayne1218]

Gramps ... What do i do now? I have to admit, the Pistons have me very worried. Going into the playoffs i felt good but after 2 rounds, i don't see how they win this series. I hope i'm wrong and i'll be cheering for the C's but i have a feeling they may need to win a road game in this series and they have been horrible away from home!

[GrandPa]

Honestly, I think each team wins a roadie in this one, and Celts win it in 7 @ home.

Don't know how hurt Billups is, and Pistons usually have a bad game or two in each series, which they cannot afford now.

GL

[wayne1218]

Rasheed Wallace is a beast and his inside out game scares the hell out of me. If Ray Allen is MIA in this series too, the Celtics are done.