Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic – 2012 NBA Eastern Conference playoff seeds fantasy prediction (Pt-2)
Number three seed: Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are aging fast and their stakes have fallen considerably from the very time, a younger, more athletic and as time proved, a more potent Big Three emerged at the South Beach. However, they still have the guidance
of one the best coaches in the league, Doc Rivers, which is a thing enough to keep them on the number three rank. Miami Heat and the Chicago Bulls won’t be backing down any time soon and it will be very difficult for the C’s to tackle them.
The most prominent factor that will hamper them is their old roster.
The Boston Celtics lost the first two spots last year as well when they struggled towards the end of the regular season even against the low performing teams. The Celtics however recuperated tremendously in the first round of the
play-offs when they swept the New York Knicks to clinch the Eastern Conference semi-finals berth.
However their line-up was brutally exposed by Miami, who beat them at their own game. Boston lost the series 4-1 and in effect spelled an end of an era.
The aging bodies of the Boston Big three Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce are slowing the team down. Modern basketball requires agility and athleticism, which is what the Celtics are lacking at the moment. Rajon Rondo is
the only superstar left in the team who has the strength to keep the wheels moving with speed. There is Jeff Green to accompany him on the front court, but the Boston package is lacking the punch to make it to the top.
Even though the work stoppage and potentially a reduced season will give the much needed time to Celtics trio’s to get back to their fullest, however, even with them, the C’s just don’t have enough firepower to knock out Heat and
the Bulls.
Number 4 seed: Orlando Magic
Dwight Howard has another year left in his contract with the Orlando Magic which means that the team will most probably manage its previous number four seed. So far in the off-season, no significant change has been made by the
Orlando management to make the Magic any better than last year.
Howard has been the reason for Orlando’s success in the last few years. The three times reigning defensive player of the year is capable of creating a huge impact on both the ends of the court. Howard has been the league’s best
post scorer and rebounder for a long time and has established himself as a perennial All-Star.
The problem with Orlando Magic is that they solely depend on him. There is nobody else to carry the load and if Howard misfires, Orlando loses more often than not. There is no backup plan. Howard has been very clear that if he
doesn’t receive support this year, it might be his last season in South Florida.
At the moment, the Magic have to re-sign shooting guard Jason Richardson and trade for another superstar if they want to become a force in the coming season and satisfy Howard. If that does not happen, Howard will not be able to
carry the Magic against the likes of the Miami Heat, Bulls and the C’s all alone, and will definitely leave next season.
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