Celtics Uphold Prediction, Win 5 of 7 in Time for Home Stretch

After winning five of seven as predicted (last post) the Celtics preapre for an onslaught of Western Conference opponents. The Celtics have to play Cleveland twice more before seasons end and on top of that must play against five of the top playoff teams in the West. The second seed Dallas Mavericks (won 13 in a row), the forty four win, thrid seed, Denver Nuggets, fourth seeded Jazz, fifth ranked Thunder, and the seventh placed Spurs all play Boston. The Celtics took care of business against the Pacers tonight posting a double digit win at home. Take care of business, beating the teams you should beat was what the C's have acomplished thus far in March. Winning five of seven and reassarting yourself on the homecourt was a step in the right direction.

If the Celtics can somehow come away with some wins during this upcoming stretch they have a chance at the three seed. With a favorable schedule against lower seeded and bad Eastern Conference teams, the Celtics have a great chance to intergrate new players (Finley & Robinson), build team chemisty, and elevate their play riding into the postseason. On paper this team is brimming with talent, but without that team Chemistry it seems the C's cannot win at home or be consistent on either side of the ball.

All sesaon it has been injuires and waiting for players to come back. Only to find that when KG and Marques Daniels finnally do come back, Paul Pierce misses time. With Tony Allen as the only current injury, the Celtics are essentially at full strength and should be able to capture the third seed in the East. Most likely too late to catch Orlando and with minimal chance of overtaking the Cavs Boston should make the three spot their priority. They are currently tied with Atlanta for the three slot. 

The argument that this team is too old is just one people make because its easy to say. Yes KG and Pierce have slowed down with age and injury, but the problem has been a serious lack of team chemistry and continuity with new players and those who have missed games. The 2007 championship Celtics had profound team chemistry that propelled them to sixty six wins and an NBA Title. 

Next Patriot Feature Back

The Patriots two major concerns this offseason are upgrading the pass rush on defense and getting better on offense. Getting better on offense to most people means finding that third receiver option for Brady after Moss and Welker (out for at least the majority of next season). What the Patriots really need is a 1,000 yard rusher, 10 touchdowns a season type of running back. A feature back and strong defense was the Patriot way of old that led to such great success. Since then we have been left with a stable of good, but not great running backs. With a dangerous running game the Patriots would be a force on offense particularly with Brady returning healthy and ready (after a full season). Brady doesn't need great receivers he just needs to be smart and great like he normally is. Moss is going to put up his annual 1,000  yard, ten touchdown effort, as Sam Aiken, (returning Patriot standout) David Patten, Ben Watson, and Julian Edelmen will catch the rest of Brady's passes (until Welker's return). The passing game is going to be fine, but combining that attack with a ground game and a better defense is crucial.

The Patriots need to acquire Thomas Jones from the free agent pool. Jones was recently let go from the New York Jets after posting 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Since Corey Dillon the patriots have been searching for their feature back and have gone to a stable of backs instead. The group of versatile running backs on the team have been effective, but not dominant and that is what Thomas Jones would be. A physical, tough, strong, and determined half back; Jones would be perfect for the Patriots and they should seriously consider signing him.

Imagine teams trying to cover Randy Moss in the passing game and Thomas Jones in the running game; not to mention Kevin Faulk, Edelmen, and eventually Welker on screen passes. The discussion is not why Thomas Jones would be great, but what running backs in your stable do you let go? You can't keep Taylor, Maroney, Morris, Faulk, and Green-Ellis on your football team if your going to add a new RB. Figure it out somehow because this team needs Thomas Jones. Give Tom Brady a feature back and a good defense behind him and you've got a complete football team.

7-5 End to February, Need 5 of 7 to Start March

Several posts on this blog were focusing on this idea of Marquis Daniels and KG being back healthy would equal strong a Celtic February. Also the idea that by the end of the month the team would be playing great basketball. KG and Daniels have been back playing nighty, but the Celtics have lost two in a row to close out a 7-5 finish in Feburary's last twelve games. An impressive 3-1 road trip on the west coast made it seem like the C's were coming together right on cue. KG is back playing well, but now Pierce is sidelined with injury; when will thsi team ever get the chance to play at full strength? So now comes the part where we say "when Pierce gets back this team will win" however, who is to say what other player will be injured by then? The wins will come back if the Big three can stay healthy at the same time to play along side the ever improving Rondo. Along with the continued intergration of Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels, and new comer Nate Robinson the Celtics will be ready for their third straight playoff appearance.

March and April will be the telling months for this long injury plauged season for the Boston Celtics. They are still the fourth seed in the East as they closely trail Atlanta for the third spot. A six game in division lead isn't exactly stellar either; as you think of the Atlantic division championship a given (in recent years). With the way that Rondo and Ray Allen have been playing the Celtics just need to hold on for their other players to come around. Pierce will be back and KG and Marquis are playing well, but this team needs a lift from the likes of Wallace, Davis, Tony Allen and Robinson to regain form.

The Boston Celtics have a favorable next seven games coming up before a showdown with the Cavs in Cleveland. Expect them to grab at least five wins during this steretch as they may struggle with Memphis or Washington's energy and youth. Boston desperately needs this five out of seven performance because two games after the Cavaliers match up, a brutal road trip begins with games against Houston, Dallas, Utah and then Denver. Then pits the Celtics against the Spurs and Thunder to close out the month of March in the NBA.

Pass Rush Needed in New England

The Patriots first offseason priority should be acquiring a defensive player who can provide some real pass rushing threat. Last season Tully Banta-Cain was the Patriots sack leader with over nine on the year, but the team failed consistently to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The New England secondary fell under criticism for allowing so many points to be scored on them throughout the season. However, with an effective pass rush the defensive result may have been different. Despite being an inconsistent unit there were positives on the defensive side of the ball. With Leigh Booden and Brandon Merriweather  recording five interceptions, Jerod Mayo's hundred plus tackles, and Derrick Burgess and Mike Wright's five sacks each (in limited playing time) were positive signs. That being said, this team was ousted from the playoffs in the first round and the defense was exposed throughout the season. 

The Patriots need to rush the passer on a consistent basis to truly contend for a Super Bowl once again, and must weigh the following options. Julius Peppers is the big name in the free agent class for a pure pass rusher and New England would be remiss to avoid trying to get this player. Along with a pursuit of Peppers Bellichick needs to have success in next month's draft. Enter last season's controversial trade of Richard Seymour to the Oakland Raiders. He was exchanged for what is now the 22nd overall selection in April's draft. With a top draft choice and a chance to sign Peppers Bellichick should be able to address the pass rush woes. Bring back Banta-Cain, draft a pass rusher in the first round, and make an offseason splash in attaining Julius Peppers.

Still Too Early

Despite the fact that the media is calling for the demise of the Celtics and despite the 5-5 record over their last ten, it is still far too early for concern. Yes Boston's lead in the Atlantic Division is down to only four games, and yes they have been melting down in crunch time during games, but to have everyone doubting this team is right where I'd have this team be. In 2007 everyone doubted the logistics of the big three, but the team was inspired from this exposure to the league wide naysaying. This current team does need to realize they are not the 07' championship squad, however they also need to remember that no one should doubt them. 

I thought this season would have the magic of 2007 and that the team would be even better than that year, however I have been gravely mistaken. It has been a normal season that most teams have. A season where you have many ups and downs; many small losing and winning streaks. Everyone is closing the window on the Celtics because they are fourteen games above .500? first in their division?, fourth place in the Eastern Conference?, and one game behind the Hawks for the third seed? Not the magical tweleve loss season I had hoped for (as a spoiled Boston fan) in the beginning, but a normal season that most cities would be happy for. 

America is closing the door on the Celtic's in February by saying they are too old and cannot match up with the best in the league. Consider the one point loss to LA and the two point loss to Orlando and I don't see how this is a fair statement. The only team that does expose this "old age" is of course the Atlanta Hawks (who are only one game better than the Celtics). Atlanta has dominated Boston by sweeping the four games played this season, and does indeed present a match up nightmare. Even in 2007 the Hawks (who were not nearly as good as they are now) took their series against Boston seven games. I do not buy this "old age" reasoning to explain the Celtic's woes, unless we are referring to woes against Atlanta. The Hawks are a very young team and perhaps the most athletic in all the NBA; along with the fact that they are no longer afraid for the Celtics. My only true concern for the season is playing the Hawks in a playoff series and nothing more.

 The Lakers and Magic are some of the top teams in the NBA and the Celtics hung in there pound for pound until the very end. This, among other things, indicates to me that this team will be back on track winning more games than it losses by a healthy margin. I still believe that by February's end the Celtics will be playing great basketball. This team is not too old to contend for a Champioship and that is exactly what they intend to do: win basketball games, get into the playoffs, and contend for a title. Even after the disapointing loss to the Hornets last night, it is still far too early to close the window on a season that is still young.

Celtics Return to Form by February's End (un-edited)

My prediction of a lofty 70 wins for the Celtics this season has proven again to be more of what I wanted to happen, as opposed to what I mostly knew could never happen. If you look at the 2007/2008 Boston Celtic team that won 66 games and compare it to this year's roster, one could understand how I calculated four more wins and four less losses. This year's team on paper is better than the championship roster of 07', yet this team has already lost fifteen games. By adding Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels to the Big Three you're looking at a group that also includes a drastically improved Rondo and Perkins. There is nothing this team's skill set does not match and there is nothing they cannot do on the court. Wallace, Allen, and House are all exceptional three point shooters and Paul Pierce is an above average three shooter.  Perkins, KG, and Wallace can play stalwart interior defense and rebound at will and Rondo and Tony Allen can play effective perimeter defense. Rondo and Maquis Daniels can each play the point guard position quite well; along with the fact that Rondo is an excellent rebounder for his size and position. At full strength the Celtics can spread the floor with three point shooting, lock down the paint with interiror defense, rebound, and attack the basket with Pierce slashing in and getting to the line. So why is this team currently sub par to the 07' team? Why is this team struggling if they are "better"? The key words are "full strength".

The 2009/2010 Celtics have not been fully healthy at the same time virtually all season long. Maqruis Daniel's last game was on December 4th, Garnett has missed eleven games, Pierce five, and Wallace four. Without Garnett for eleven games has hurt the team most significantly as the defensive intensity and acountability seems to diminsh in his absence. The bottom line is that the Celtics were 4-6 in the ten consecutive games Kevin missed and when this team has played at full strength they have been ever bit as good as the 2007-2008 Champions. The first twenty games of the season yielded 16 wins and then even after Daniels went out with a thumb injury the team soared to a 23-5 record. It has not been just the lacking of these players, but the stunting in growth of team Chemistry. A team must practice, bond, win, and lose together to be able to truly develop as a unit. Barring any further injuries the Boston Celtics will be at full strength three days after the Super Bowl, February 10th. The game against the Hornets in New Orleans could be a wild one depending on the mood of the crowd; if their city is one of Super Bowl Champions perhaps the fans will be too distracted. However, if the Saints lose than the city may need to rally behind its' basketball team against Boston. 

By the end of February 2010 the Celtics will have been practicing, playing, and growing at full strength together. This team may never surpass the 66 wins of 2007, but if they can galvanize at the most opportune time, it wont matter. The winning of a championship easily trumps whatever your regular season record might have been. Boston is not and should not be the favorite to win another title, but when they capture the two or three spot in the Eastern Conference and IF the team stays fully healthy they have as good a chance as anyone. 

Super Bowl XLIV

For the first time since the 1993/1994 season the number one seed in the AFC will play against the number one seed in the NFC in the Super Bowl. Every season there are two teams that everyone from fan to expert say will make it all the way to the Super Bowl. Every season the masses are wrong, and a surprise team pulls a playoff upset or two to advance to the Championship game. In 2007 I picked against the New York Giants each round of the playoffs, only to see them rattle off four straight playoff wins and cap it all off with a Super Bowl victory. At the end of the 2008/2009 season the NFL world was shocked by the 9-7 Arizona Cardinals reaching, and nearly winning the Super Bowl. However, this year is the anomaly with the Saints and Colts (both number one seeds) battling for the championship in Super Bowl XLIV. Every since the middle portion of the season people have been saying that the Super Bowl would be Colts VS. Saints; and for the first time in many years the NFL was predictable.

In a league of "any given Sunday" it is nearly impossible to predict who will make it to the Super Bowl, but for some reason this year what we all thought would happen has. I thought the New York Jets were going to beat the Colts yesterday because of how far they had come, and because they were the team everyone was doubting. I didn't want to make the same mistake I (and many others made) in 2007 doubting the Giants every step of the way. The Jets seemed like that team with the "x-factor" on their side, the team with supreme confidence and a team that was playing stout defense. After the Jets scored to go up 17-6 I was feeling even more so that I had correctly preordained the winner, but as the Colts have done all season long they came roaring back. As far as the NFC was concerned, I thought that the Vikings would win with their superior defense, dominant running game, and a matured Brett Favre at the helm. Favre had what he himself calls "my best season" with only seven interceptions and career highs in completion percentage and  quarterback rating. However, five turnovers and an old "Favresk" bad interception late in the game held a superior Vikings team out of the Super Bowl. I went against the popular notion that the Colts and Saints would square off in the forty fourth Super Bowl by selecting the other teams to make it. It had seemed that if you pick against who you initially think is going to win that you would be correct, but not this year. This is the year of the predictable; the year of the number one seeds in the Super Bowl.

None of this is to say that this will not be an exciting Super Bowl, for it will be, but it is disheartening that it will not include the Patriots or a chance for Favre to be the oldest Quarterback to be in the Super Bowl, or any team I care for. Now it all comes down to the following: please don't let Peyton Manning win another Super Bowl title. I am rooting for the Saints 110% and I do expect them to win. This is an offensive battle between two high octane point scoring machines each led by an exceptional quarterback. Drew Brees is the most accurate passer in the NFL (70.6 % NFL record) and Peyton Manning is the smartest and best quarterback in professional football. I like the Saints to win this game because they have more weapons on the offensive side of the football, a better running game, and they have an opportunistic turnover savvy defense.