Eastern Conference Finals starts tonight so grab your weird-freaking dancing, Indian, Celtics-loving friend and get ready for the action. Everyone is hating on the Celtics in this one. Especially Wannabee-Celtics-Homer Bill Simmons who has already stated that he thinks the Pistons will win. Newsflash Bill SImmons. To be a homer you have to a) like your team and b) convince yourself they will win at all costs. Since Bill is also an adamant Pierce-hater, who constantly craps on his team he in no way qualifies as a "homer".
Even with my own biases aside, there's no way the Celtics will lose this series. Every loser at ESPN has picked the PIstons to win, because the Pistons are the emphatic Blue-Chip team. No one will look stupid for picking them because their consistently decent. The fact that the Piston's have choked in the playoffs every year since they won it in 04' doesn't even enter their mind. Wake up people. Detroit lost to an arguably worse Cleveland team last year, so why would anyone think they could defeat the Celtics? Still skeptical? Then let's break it down.
POINT GUARD-Billups vs. Rondo
On paper this is a no-brainer. Mr. Big Shot trumps the smaller less experienced Rondo and will surely take control of the series. The problem is that Chauncy pulled a hammy the other week. Sure he's had a week to rest it, but the effects will linger. Plus, one of the main reasons that the Celtics got Cassel in the first place was to take it to Chauncy. Look for him to play some minutes.
ADVANTAGE RONDO
SHOOTING GUARD-Ray Alllen vs. RIP
A month ago Boston fans would have been pretty content countering Rip with Ray Allen. Today, we'd have a better shot of playing BRian Doo at the 2 spot. At least his D-fense is good. The demise of Ray Allen is so weird. So weird that I put all the blame on Doc Rivers. If you can't get a hall of famer in his prime shots, then get the hell out.
ADVANTAGE RIP
CENTER- PERK vs. SHEED
BP Thinks Perk sucks. Well, Im sure Perk thinks BP sucks and I would agree with Perk. Its hard to get a rhythm in 20 scattered minutes. If you want real stats on Perk check out THIS and you'll see that Perk is quietly having a very positive impact in these playoffs. SHEED clearly has the edge in this one, but thats just cause he's SHEED. He's Detroits heart and soul and always live and die with the SHEED. However, don't be surprised if SHEED melts down in the middle of a pivotal game and blows it for Detroit. That dude is CRAZY.
ADVANTAGE SHEED
POWER FOWARD-THE BIG TICKET vs. ANOTONIO MCDYESS
By now KG has proved to Celtics fans that he is not Tim Duncan, he is not Bill Russel. He's intense as hell, a true baller, but in the Cleveland series he had trouble posting up Delonte West for pete's sake. He will however be fired up, be making jumpers, yelling at his teamates, and controlling the paint.
ADVANTAGE KG
SMALL FOWARD- PAUL PIERCE vs. Tayshaun Prince
Tayshaun is no doubt Detroit's X factor. Billups and Rip will always get their 20, but Tayshaun does things at both ends of the floor that can really lift this team to greatness. The problem is that he is no match for the physically superior Paul Pierce. Paul is in his grove and will carry that into the E.C. Finals. Pierce went Larry Legend on the Cavs. Tayshaun Prince isn't going to slow him down. Advantage goes to the Cetics in this one.
ADVANTAGE PIERCE
BENCH
Well the Pistons do have Rodney Stucky..but....the Celtics have easily the deepest team in the NBA hands down. That is when their coach is juggling the line-up like flaming swords. Jason Maxiell has been huge for the Pistons, but the rest of their bench is well.....they basically don't have a "rest of bench". Lindsay Hunter and Stucky will get minutes, as might Juan Dixon, but they are nothing compared to Powe, PJ, House, Cassel, etc. Look for Tony Allen even to get some minutes this series covering RIP. This is a clear advantage for the Celtics and expect it to be the difference in the series.
ADVANTGE CELTICS
COACHING- Tweedle Doc vs. Tweedle Flip
Watching Doc and Flip try to out-coach each other will be like watching the Olson twins in a hot-dog-eating contest. Good luck. This one is a wash.
ADVANTAGE WESTERN CONFERENCE
Detroit is experienced, well-rested, and gets up against big teams, but the bottom-line is that with the exception of a couple games the Celtics have played like Brian Doo Doo. They are due for road wins and with the home-cooking should pull this one out in 6 or 7. With no LeBron they are all breathing easier and will play their best ball.
PREDICTION: Celtics in 6.Source URL: http://ledger-heath.blogspot.com/2008/05/celtics-vs-pistons-830-tonight.html
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