CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Random Thoughts Going into the Playoffs

After looking through all the previews and listening to the preview shows, it seems that most analysts give the Celtics a chance to win the first series against Miami but feel that they will lose in the second round, no matter who they face. Gets kind of depressing.

There are so many things that point to an early exit for the Celtics. They have absolutely no momentum coming into the playoffs. They are facing one of the teams that was the hottest down the stretch who are playing great team ball right now. They are old. They have reported chemistry issues. Rasheed has been a disappointment. But even with all that I just have this little feeling deep down inside that tells me that this team is going to turn it on and make a deep run.

They have shown that on any given night they can beat any team. They have also shown that they can lose to the Nets. But, these guys are veterans. These guys are proud. I believe that they will pick up their games and rediscover ubuntu and they will get it done. There are precedents to look back at and foster belief that it can be done. There are the 1969 Celtics to look to. They were old. They were washed up. They had the worst record of any team coming in. But they beat a highly favored Lakers team to win the title. There is the Spurs team that were also considered washed up that entered the playoffs as the 6th seed and won the championship. There is the 94-95 Rockets team that also entered as the 6th seed and won it all. Never underestimate the heart of a champion or Celtics Pride.

I'm a little worried by the fact that all the ESPN analysts are picking the Celtics to beat the Heat.

I know that the Celtics got stronger by having their early series go to 7 games in their championship run, but I really don't want to see them go to 7 games this year. I'd love to see it end in 4 but think it will go at least 5 games and may even go the full 7. But if the Celtics come out with motivation like they should, it shouldn't go past 5 games.

I'm starting to think that Doc really is the masterful motivator that we've heard he is. How funny that all of a sudden there are rumors of Doc leaving the team after this season. And Doc is being very cool to say that he will wait until after the season is over to think about that. KG and Pierce have come out strongly with their feelings that they want Doc back and what better way to bring him back than to win a championship and give him the opportunity to defend it. What a sneaky guy that Doc is.

I really liked what I saw of Oliver Lafayette in the last game of the season. I think adding Lafayette and Gaffney before the playoffs, both high energy guys who are known for their work ethic and defense, is a good move by Danny. These guys, if nothing else, will push the Celtics in practice to up their games.

I'm thinking that the Cavs may have more trouble with the bulls than they think they will. As irritating as Noah can be, he is good and he plays hard. Derrick Rose is a very good PG and should wear Mo Williams out trying to defend him. And the X Factor is Brad Miller who can just take a guy out whenever needed. The Magic know they are in for a fight with the Bobcats who are a very good team. Should be fun series to watch and cheer for the underdogs.

Another series I plan to watch is the Lakers/Thunder one. You can tell that Phil Jackson is already worried about this one because he has been fined not once, but twice already for complaining about the star calls he expects Durant to get. Gee, think he is worried about the star calls Kobe gets? Somehow I don't think that will bother him. The Thunder is a young team with nothing to lose and that makes them very dangerous. Go Thunder!

I'm getting excited for the playoffs. I expect the Celtics to finally get it together and find consistency and surprise a lot of people. If they don't, I'll be the one who is surprised.
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