(2) Magic Vs. (4) Celtics

[Andrew]

It was a bad idea to write off the C's like I did a month ago though

You're not alone on that one. In all fairness though, they were floundering.

[Jeffx]

damn celtics let the magic in it again. held on for the win though so all is good. 1 down 3 to go

This is definitely a seven game series. Magic will come back in Game 2, get a split in Boston, then it's anyone's series.

[Sauru]

It was a bad idea to write off the C's like I did a month ago though

You're not alone on that one. In all fairness though, they were floundering.

you both should be ashamed. never count the celtics out of it.....well during the walker days it was ok but not now damn you

[rise]

I'm not ruling out the Celtics anymore. If they take this series, it will be amazing- it will be like "Fuck you for beating the Bobcats!"

[Andrew]

you both should be ashamed. never count the celtics out of it.....well during the walker days it was ok but not now damn you

There's shame all around. Back in April, the Celtics' struggles and the notion that their window had closed was a popular topic for analysts. I'd say they've forced a lot of people to think twice about that.

[NovU]

It seems like the Celtics are making a habit out of this. Getting ahead big then allowing the opponent get back into the game.

I guess a win is a win anyways.

[bowdown]

Shame on dwight howard. He did not work hard enough on his offense since last season. It is obvious. Atleast his FT% would had risen. Greg oden was shooting over 75% Fts this season after shooting near mid 60's before that. That correlates with the reports of hard work he put in during the offseason getting in shape and getting basketball conditioning. Howard's defense is amazing but his offense his killing his team. Even if he shot good FTs he would be so much more effective offensively

[bowdown]

hehe. i shoulda learned from my psych class
Correlation =/= causation
but u get the point

[Lean]

The Celtics did a pretty good job on containing Howard. Which led me to believe that he should work on at least a jumpshot and not just the "barrel down your defender" offense.

This will be a pretty interesting series.

[Sauru]

if howard could learn any good to move he would be hard to stop. hell he is hard to stop now but give that man 1 move to start and expand from there. also get your FT% up so they cant just hack you endlessly

[Jeffx]

I'm surprised he hasn't developed a shot by now from working with Patrick. And he's got to get his FT% in the low-to-mid 70s, at least.

[atlwarrior]

Well developing a jumpshot is not easy for most who dont have it from the start. I mean for those who have a really good one most likely its natural and they werent taught it. The size of Dwight's hands may make it tougher for him to develop a shooting touch. The case is the same with Rondo. Even now Rondo has improved his jumpshot by a lot since high school but he would have to work even harder than most to develop a shooter's touch because the size of his hands. Atleast it works to their advantage in other areas like defense, rebounding and handling the ball. The coaches at Oak Hill would always say his whole hand could literally cover an entire newspaper. Not to mention he also has a 6'10" wingspan.

[NovU]

He still averaged 18.3 and more than 20 in previous 2 seasons. Boston's bigs are just throwing bodies at him. And Lewis playing PF, Gortat as a only back up inside option, I think Boston's bigs are bit too much. That's why I picked the Celtics in 6.

[atlwarrior]

Yeah the Celtics clearly have the advantage big's wise.

[shadowgrin]

I'm surprised he hasn't developed a shot by now from working with Patrick.

Ewing is too busy trying to convince Dwight in observing different kinds of 'post moves'.

[koberulz]

Exactly why is prostitution illegal, anyway?

[Sauru]

Exactly why is prostitution illegal, anyway?

because if it becomes legal the 10 richest people in the world all wont be able to walk straight

[NovU]

Game2:

Celtics off to a quick start 11 but disappeared to 3 at the moment.

Perkins is just awesome 1 on 1 defender. With 2 fouls, he's on bench now, but he's really physical defending Howard.

[Andrew]

This one's shaping up to be a much better game. Redick's had a fine quarter.

[Andrew]

I have to agree with Van Gundy, terrible technical call on Vince Carter. Nice, competitive game though.

[NovU]

Calls were favoring the Celtics for one stretch but was fine overall. The Celtics D looks awesome. With Perkins out, Howard was abusing the paint but with him gone, the Celtics D took over the game once again. If it was for Barnes's big 3 in the end, the Magic would have been down by 5 with momentum on Celtics's side.

Redick > Carter so far in the game
With Howard and Carter on bench, the Magic clearly looked to have no answer on both ends of the floor. They better stay out of foul trouble in the second half.

[Andrew]

It's starting to fall apart for the Magic.

EDIT: Or perhaps not, though they still trail.

[Lamrock]

Ra$hard Lewis sucks now.

[benji]

He has the flu, didn't practice or participate in shootaround.

[JaoSming]

damn Baby just flew