Pierce: Celtics are still best team

[Vinsane]

This is actually the best (summarized) post in this thread. KG is a top ten NBA player, and people are acting like the Celtics suck because he wasn't there.

No one said they suck, no one said that they were not considered for a ECF prior to the conclusion of the series with Orlando. A lot said yes, they're not the same team without Garnett, myself included. However, they're still the Boston Celtics and they still had 2/3rds of the Big Three.

Even further into the argument anyone can see that Boston is still one of the deepest teams talent wise. Once more though, they're not the Championship caliber team they were with Garnett. And the series with Orlando proved just that.

Yeah the Celtics don't suck without Garnett, but at the same time, they're not in a finals, let alone a Conference Championship.

 

[Len B]

Even further into the argument anyone can see that Boston is still one of the deepest teams talent wise. Once more though, they're not the Championship caliber team they were with Garnett. And the series with Orlando proved just that.

Yeah the Celtics don't suck without Garnett, but at the same time, they're not in a finals, let alone a Conference Championship.

So then explain what's wrong with Pierce saying with KG they are the best team in the league when healthy.

 

[Vinsane]

So then explain what's wrong with Pierce saying with KG they are the best team in the league when healthy.

He gets a pass. Due to the fact that they won a championship with KG. Personally I would of loved to see KG uninjured and let teams like the Bulls, Magic and Cavaliers challenge a 100% healthy Boston Celtics, unfortunately we won't get to see that and Orlando can say they beat a "water-downed" Boston Celtics.

In the same breath though, you can say that the 100% healthy Celtics didn't have a show down with the #1 team in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in the post-season. Regular season it went 2-2.

The "Until someone knocks them off" card was when the Celts were playing at full health, were holding the #1 seed, and playing some of their best basketball of the season. To say the power had shifted at that given time was obscure, as that would mean the Celtics weren't at power, which wasn't true. The only thing you could really go on at that given point in time was the fact that the Celtics were the ones who had the rings. They were playing arguably better basketball than they did last year at that point in time with the same team minus Posey, but plus added play from Powe and Tony Allen(at the time).
Once KG went down, I said the team was still a very solid team, which they were. If you can find where I said they were still the "best" team then hats off to you, but I have a great feeling you'll have trouble finding that, cause I didn't even feel they were. I felt they were still a dangerous team, but not the best in the east.

Say Cleveland beats Orlando...and then comes back next year and plays at the same high level or even higher...then obviously they'll have the upperhand..and it would be extremely obscure for me to say "the power has shifted" don't you think?

Saying the Celtics will still be elite next year and a title contender if healthy is extremely far from being a bias homer who can't take the green shaded glasses off...that is unless, you are seeing something that everyone else isn't?

1.) Speaking on the announcement of KG gone for remainder of season.

This really is a bunch of Boston haters looking for false hope. As I said, the Celtics were 10-2 against playoff teams without KG, 18-7 overall. They still have 3 all star caliber players and a very deep bench. They're used to playing without KG and have developed an offense that doesn't involve him anymore. They'll be fine.

2.) Same post, a few replies later.

This team can't win against the Lakers without KG, 0 chance. However, they've shown that they can still handle the eastern conference without him...including wins over Cleveland and Orlando. OH NO! THE SKY IS FALLING!

wait....so you're on our side, but arguing against us?
:tee:

When I take my Wine and Gold goggles off I can rationalize the bigger picture. The argument is "Celtics with KG are the best team in the league". I seen a Championship Celtics team with KG that beat a Cleveland Cavaliers team, at home. Then it was proved that yes, with KG the Celtics were the best team in the NBA.

Fast forward to a year later and without KG they don't make it out of the second round. Now we'll have to wait ANOTHER year to see if this Cavaliers team (assuming everyone comes back next season) Can beat a healthy Celtics team.

(The following statement is assuming the Celtics are 100% healthy)

Are they a Championship caliber team, in a stronger East on paper? Yes.

Are they a Championship caliber team in a stronger East, on the court? Yet to be seen.

 

[Deviant]

From Paul Pierce's standpoint, you have to say that your team is the best team because it's YOUR TEAM. They're an elite team. Almost any player on every team goes in thinking that their team is great, can be great, or is better than what people think they are. That's just sports. Teams don't go into games thinking "we're going to lose because we're not better than this team." They go in with a gameplan to win and with the belief that they'll win, regardless of what others say.

Now, I do believe the Celtics are one of the Top 3 teams in the NBA. Their record speaks for it. However, I don't think they are the best team in the NBA. They played a Chicago team in the playoffs that at was much better than their given #7 seed, especially with Brad Miller and Salmons in, and beat them in one of the best series I have ever seen in 7. That was without KG, a Top 10 player in the NBA. They then went in against Orlando without Garnett and went to 7. Ray Allen was playing like shit during that series and they still gave the Magic a run for their money. I have to imagine that if KG were in, that series would be entirely different. I'm not saying that the Celtics would have won easily, but Boston wouldn't have let a 3-2 lead slip away from them like that.

To be honest, this postseason will probably make the Celtics that much better next year because of how well Big Baby, Rondo, and Perkins stepped up in the series. They're still a Top 3 team in my eyes, but the truth of the matter is that they're out of the playoffs.

Oh, and I hate the Celtics. Just putting that one out there in case someone calls me on homerism.

 

[mgoblue2290]

I think it all depends on what the Cavs do this off season. If they can bring in another legitiamte threat, then they'd probably be the team to beat.