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OT: Eastern Conference Finals

  • Just wanted to stop by and see what you guys were thinking heading into the Eastern Conference Finals. Miami has to be favored here, but what are you all predicting? Will it be a series, or will the Heat breeze past the Celtics? And how does Bosh's return - or lack thereof - affect your prediction?

    Recruiting Analyst for Voice of the Hawkeyes. Email: tworly@yahoo.com; Twitter: @ToddWorly247

    Todd Worly ●

  • If Bosh is ready to go by Game 2 I think Miami wins in Five. If Bosh doesn't come back before Game 4 I think Miami wins in Six.

    If no Bosh at all then the Celtics win in Six or Seven. Unless Lebron decides to take it to a whole nother level and Wade contributes like he has lately.

    With Bosh it'll be a cinch without Bosh they could lose.

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    Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say "YES"!

    andrew32

  • andrew32 said...

    If Bosh is ready to go by Game 2 I think Miami wins in Five. If Bosh doesn't come back before Game 4 I think Miami wins in Six.

    If no Bosh at all then the Celtics win in Six or Seven. Unless Lebron decides to take it to a whole nother level and Wade contributes like he has lately.

    With Bosh it'll be a cinch without Bosh they could lose.

    I could see it playing out as you said. In a way, is Miami possibly a better team RIGHT NOW without Bosh? If/when he returns, would that take away from the aggressiveness of LeBron and Wade?

    Bosh returning would be huge defensively for Miami, as he could more or less neutralize Garnett, and I'm not sure if the Heat have anyone else that can do that. But would the Heat's offense struggle more when Bosh returns?

    Recruiting Analyst for Voice of the Hawkeyes. Email: tworly@yahoo.com; Twitter: @ToddWorly247

    Todd Worly ●

  • Todd Worly said...

    I could see it playing out as you said. In a way, is Miami possibly a better team RIGHT NOW without Bosh? If/when he returns, would that take away from the aggressiveness of LeBron and Wade?

    Bosh returning would be huge defensively for Miami, as he could more or less neutralize Garnett, and I'm not sure if the Heat have anyone else that can do that. But would the Heat's offense struggle more when Bosh returns?

    I think the only thing that can take away the aggressiveness of James is James. Having Bosh back at full speed gives them a third option that's also an All-Star level player. It'll be good over the course of a game to have that inside option when Wade needs a rest or has to go to the bench.

    James and Bosh played great together when Wade was down this year.

    If nothing else he can provide some interior defense. He did a great job against KG last year and Miami really needs him out there so he can give'm more of the same this go around.

    The main issue is James. He has to dominate the ball, drive to the basket, draw fouls and distribute. He sometimes has a habit of disappearing or shrinking in the big moments. That cannot happen anymore.

    signature image

    Ray, when someone asks you if you're a god, you say "YES"!

    andrew32

  • andrew32 said...

    I think the only thing that can take away the aggressiveness of James is James. Having Bosh back at full speed gives them a third option that's also an All-Star level player. It'll be good over the course of a game to have that inside option when Wade needs a rest or has to go to the bench.

    James and Bosh played great together when Wade was down this year.

    If nothing else he can provide some interior defense. He did a great job against KG last year and Miami really needs him out there so he can give'm more of the same this go around.

    The main issue is James. He has to dominate the ball, drive to the basket, draw fouls and distribute. He sometimes has a habit of disappearing or shrinking in the big moments. That cannot happen anymore.

    Great post - really enjoy hearing your perspective. James and Pierce have had some epic playoff battles in the past. Pierce has to hang tough with him on both ends of the floor for Boston to stay in it. This is much easier said than done, but IMO, the key to stopping LeBron is to force him to settle for long two-point jumpers. The Celtics succeeded doing that in '08 and '10 when LeBron was in Cleveland, but LeBron had a phenomenal series against the Celtics last year. If he can duplicate that, where he's consistently hitting from the outside, Boston doesn't have much of a chance.

    Boston also needs to find someone to at least slow down Wade. Losing Avery Bradley really hurts, and Ray Allen is nowhere near healthy.

    On the flipside, if Bosh is out, Garnett needs to go for 25+ and 12+ per game. Rondo also needs to have a monster series. Those are the two matchups that really favor the Celtics.

    Recruiting Analyst for Voice of the Hawkeyes. Email: tworly@yahoo.com; Twitter: @ToddWorly247

    Todd Worly ●

  • andrew32 said...

    He did a great job against KG last year

    That's why it is so important for him to come back healthy. He is one of the few players in the league who has the height to give KG fits without having to sacrifice on the offensive end. (Joel Anthony types) Either way I think Miami needs a role player to step up (Chalmers, Miller, Jones or Battier) and knock down open shots all series... especially if Ray Allen comes out firing on all cylinders, which I expect. Jermaine O Neil's play will be vital whether it's good or bad. (still think they are idiots for trading Perkins) Anyway unless Rondo just plays out of this world, I don't think it goes more than 6 games.

    JMO

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    Golden is better then Jimbo is. I feared it was true. He is going to hoist a crystal ball there. -fsufsu

    ilovelamp51 ●

  • ilovelamp51 said...

    That's why it is so important for him to come back healthy. He is one of the few players in the league who has the height to give KG fits without having to sacrifice on the offensive end. (Joel Anthony types) Either way I think Miami needs a role player to step up (Chalmers, Miller, Jones or Battier) and knock down open shots all series... especially if Ray Allen comes out firing on all cylinders, which I expect. Jermaine O Neil's play will be vital whether it's good or bad. (still think they are idiots for trading Perkins) Anyway unless Rondo just plays out of this world, I don't think it goes more than 6 games.

    JMO

    Completely agree with you about Bosh.

    JO was actually shelved for the season, and subsequently waived, which is one of the reasons Garnett moved to center from power forward. Brandon Bass is the starting power forward.

    Allen has been shooting terribly lately, but he did hit some big shots at the end of the last two games. If he doesn't get his shot back, it'll be very tough for the Celtics to win.

    Recruiting Analyst for Voice of the Hawkeyes. Email: tworly@yahoo.com; Twitter: @ToddWorly247

    Todd Worly ●

  • Todd Worly said...

    Completely agree with you about Bosh.

    JO was actually shelved for the season, and subsequently waived, which is one of the reasons Garnett moved to center from power forward. Brandon Bass is the starting power forward.

    Allen has been shooting terribly lately, but he did hit some big shots at the end of the last two games. If he doesn't get his shot back, it'll be very tough for the Celtics to win.

    I knew I missed seeing him in the 76ers series but I didn't realize he was out for the year until last night... Miami just matches up too well with KG being at the 5. Bass gives them energy but the Heat can throw way too many combination of players to guard them without having to double. (James, Anthony, Turiaf, Haslem, Battier) It also allows them to run Allen away from all the screens & double down on Pierce/Rondo at any time. After what I saw last night, I definitely wouldn't rush Bosh back until he is 100% ready. If Miller/Chalmers/Jones keep hitting their outside shots, Boston might not win a game.... (although I think they will take at least 1)

    signature image signature image signature image

    Golden is better then Jimbo is. I feared it was true. He is going to hoist a crystal ball there. -fsufsu

    ilovelamp51 ●

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