As the halfway mark approaches in the NBA, the Boston Celtics have entered into a 3 way tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with the 76ers and Knicks. That might not seem like much, except all 3 teams have a 17-20 record. 4 games before the halfway mark, and a division is that dreadful. The Atlantic Division really, really, really sucks. It is actually possible that the #3 seed in the East will have a worse record than the team that will end up #9 and out of the playoffs.
Originally posted by redsoxnationAs the halfway mark approaches in the NBA, the Boston Celtics have entered into a 3 way tie for first place in the Atlantic Division with the 76ers and Knicks. That might not seem like much, except all 3 teams have a 17-20 record. 4 games before the halfway mark, and a division is that dreadful. The Atlantic Division really, really, really sucks. It is actually possible that the #3 seed in the East will have a worse record than the team that will end up #9 and out of the playoffs.
Probably not, but I can see a situation where the division winner in the Atlantic is the only team to make the playoffs from there in the east. Chicago would be in first place right now if they were in the Atlantic division. They still have to go on the road and play Seattle, the Texas teams, and a few teams on the west coast, as well as their share of games still against Cle/Det/Indy. They could fade but I can also see them getting the #7 or #8 slot.
In the Atlantic, I can see the Celtics winning the division (yeah call me a homer) with 45 wins. They've played the 2nd toughest schedule so far. Their schedule eases up and they don't have the usual long road trip in February this year like they've had the last few seasons. Toronto seems to have started to improve after getting rid of Vince "Mr 100% effort" Carter. Philly could still sneak in the division lead too. Iverson might not be the player he was during Philly's final run a few years ago, but he is still capable at times of carrying them to wins.
With the Knicks, it looks like Isiah is setting himself up to be the head coach there. And as past history shows; Isiah + Head Coach Job = DISASTER. NJ lost Jefferson for the year, and Kidd I think will be traded at the deadline. Going outside the Atlantic division, I think Orlando could drop out of the playoff hunt. Francis is whining about his buddy Mobely getting traded so if they start to head south a bit, does he get traded too?
Originally posted by BOSsportsfan34In the Atlantic, I can see the Celtics winning the division (yeah call me a homer) with 45 wins. They've played the 2nd toughest schedule so far. Their schedule eases up and they don't have the usual long road trip in February this year like they've had the last few seasons.
I might be a homer, too, but I think the Celtics are ready start winning a few more games. They have played quite respectably so far and newcomers like Tony Allen and Al Jefferson have added a spark to go with Pierce, Payton and Ricky Davis. I can see them winning the division. Yup.
In 21 of the Celtics' first 23 games, they were either tied or had the lead heading into the fourth quarter ... that ain't bad.
I think Boston will prevail and win the Atlantic, then surprise a few people in the playoffs ... How far they advance (or if they advance at all) is up in the air, but they WILL surprise with impressive play, I'm sure of that.
Originally posted by AlessandroIn 21 of the Celtics' first 23 games, they were either tied or had the lead heading into the fourth quarter ... that ain't bad
If games only had 3 quarters that might mean something.
Originally posted by AlessandroIn 21 of the Celtics' first 23 games, they were either tied or had the lead heading into the fourth quarter ... that ain't bad
If games only had 3 quarters that might mean something.
Very good point, Merc. They did have a nice win vs. Chicago tonight tough. The schedule for them eases up now, but it's up to them to still go out and win the games.
My mistake, I wrote "heading into the fourth quarter" when it should simply be "in the fourth quarter" ... In other words, for those first 23 games, there were only two where the Celtics weren't in contention to win the game.
If you're tied or have the lead in the fourth quarter, that's a good indicator that you're not getting totally outplayed/blown out; if they had just pulled out a few extra victories in those close games, the C's would have a much better record than they currently have.
All I'm saying is that all of those 20 losses didn't come as double-digit blowouts ...
Originally posted by AlessandroMy mistake, I wrote "heading into the fourth quarter" when it should simply be "in the fourth quarter" ... In other words, for those first 23 games, there were only two where the Celtics weren't in contention to win the game.
If you're tied or have the lead in the fourth quarter, that's a good indicator that you're not getting totally outplayed/blown out; if they had just pulled out a few extra victories in those close games, the C's would have a much better record than they currently have.
All I'm saying is that all of those 20 losses didn't come as double-digit blowouts ...
You can say the same thing for the Clippers. Do you really want your basketball team compared to the Los Angeles Clippers? (Although to be fair, the Clippers haven't nearly stunk up the joint this season as they have in years past)
I can't see the Celtics going too far. If you want to root for underdogs, root for the Bulls. I can't see a lot of people getting behind a team with wonderful personalities like Gary Payton and Ricky Davis.
Originally posted by AlessandroMy mistake, I wrote "heading into the fourth quarter" when it should simply be "in the fourth quarter" ... In other words, for those first 23 games, there were only two where the Celtics weren't in contention to win the game.
If you're tied or have the lead in the fourth quarter, that's a good indicator that you're not getting totally outplayed/blown out; if they had just pulled out a few extra victories in those close games, the C's would have a much better record than they currently have.
All I'm saying is that all of those 20 losses didn't come as double-digit blowouts ...
You can say the same thing for the Clippers. Do you really want your basketball team compared to the Los Angeles Clippers? (Although to be fair, the Clippers haven't nearly stunk up the joint this season as they have in years past)
I can't see the Celtics going too far. If you want to root for underdogs, root for the Bulls. I can't see a lot of people getting behind a team with wonderful personalities like Gary Payton and Ricky Davis.
Well Gary Payton and Ricky Davis haven't been problems. They've been great, especially Davis. He's coming off the bench and making a run at 6th man of the year.
The problems have been Pierce and Blount, but to be fair, Pierce has seemed to turn a corner lately. I think he was used to the old system under Obrien of trotting up the court and launching 3 pointers with 17 seconds left on the shot clock or trying to go 1-on-3.
Blount though, ugh. Here was his line from the Chicago game on Wednesday: 22 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 3 turnovers.
Looks like Sports Guy's dad is right; Blount is stealing money.
Right now, the Philadelphia 76ers, #1 in the Atlantic, are 18-20, while the Chicago Bulls, fourth-- FOURTH-- in the Central, are 18-19.
Hey, if the Bulls finish with a better record than any Atlantic Division team but miss the playoffs because the Atlantic Division champion has to be in the playoffs, could we make the Bulls the Atlantic Division Champions? God knows they're playing better as a team than Allen and the Iversonaires.
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Originally posted by ekedolphinRight now, the Philadelphia 76ers, #1 in the Atlantic, are 18-20, while the Chicago Bulls, fourth-- FOURTH-- in the Central, are 18-19.
Hey, if the Bulls finish with a better record than any Atlantic Division team but miss the playoffs because the Atlantic Division champion has to be in the playoffs, could we make the Bulls the Atlantic Division Champions? God knows they're playing better as a team than Allen and the Iversonaires.
If you're going to do that, then what about Houston and Memphis? Both miss the playoffs if they started today but would be the 6th and 7th seeds in the east.
Originally posted by BOSsportsfan34Blount though, ugh. Here was his line from the Chicago game on Wednesday: 22 minutes, 0 points, 0 rebounds, 3 turnovers.
Looks like Sports Guy's dad is right; Blount is stealing money.
And the worst part of it is that it looks like he just doesn't care. He's got his paycheck and he appears pretty damn nonchalant all the time. He's a stiff.
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