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Boston Celtics
The NBA playoffs so far have been characterized by significant injuries to big-time players. Dwight Howard was out before the postseason began, Derrick Rose went down in the waning minutes of Game 1, and several other players (Baron Davis, Amare Stoudemire, etc.) have fallen victim to on- and off-court maladies. Consequently, we're seeing a lot of series that definitely will not go the distance -- there are six 3-1 series in play right now, along with two that have already been decided. The Nuggets in particular have had fits dealing with the new-look Kobe Bryant -- he's been more of a distributor late in games than he has in the past, where the game plan was simply "give it to Kobe."
Kobe's role?
Kobe Bryant's role in the fourth quarter is usually that of a force of nature, but these playoffs have seen him rely more on his teammates.
Thunder or Spurs?
The Spurs and Thunder have already taken care of their two opponents, but it's still a long way to go before either team makes it to the finals.
Comeback chance?
The Bulls and Magic find themselves in the same 3-1 hole as the Nuggets and Hawks, although Denver and Atlanta didn't lose their franchise players early on.
Josh Smith has a strained tendon in his left knee, and may miss Game 3 against the Celtics. Can the Hawks win without him?
- Thats_How_I_Troll: "If Boston can do it without Ray and Rajon, then Atlanta can be competitive without Smith. "
- Reague5122: "Celtics were going to win that game even if Smith finished the game, they have outplayed the Hawks in 6 out of 8 qaurters, won without Rondo and Ray Ray, C's get to rest until Friday."
- PP Owns Rondo: "Not good for Atlanta. They're already in bad shape without Al and Zaza. No way do they win this series without Josh. I think Boston wins in 5 anyway with Josh or not."
- Delta_Hedge: "no big deal---he's not that good anyway. He just jacks up 3s."
- b00chtron: "the hawks were not winning this series anyways"
- fee.forbin: "With Josh Smith out the C's might get some rest before the next round."
Join the conversation or respond by signing in or creating a profile and blogging.
On Monday, "First Take" debated Rajon Rondo's fate in the playoffs. Rondo was ejected from Sunday's game after bumping a referee to show his displeasure with a call. Skip Bayless thinks he should be suspended for at least one playoff game, while Stephen A. Smith hopes the NBA thinks the ejection was a sufficient punishment. What's your take?
On Tuesday, "First Take" discussed a report that the Lakers turned down a trade of Pau Gasol for Rajon Rondo of the Celtics. The trade would have been an unusual switch between two fierce rivals, but would it have made either of them better? Both players are major pieces of their respective teams and would necessitate huge changes in the way each team would play. What's your take?
Rajon Rondo dropped his fourth triple-double of the season, and his second in three games, as the Celtics grounded the Knicks 115-111 in overtime. With 18 points, 20 assists and a career-high 17 rebounds, Rondo joins Jason Kidd and Magic Johnson as the only players to have at least 15 points, rebounds and assists in the same game in the past 25 years.
How impressed are you by Rondo's feat? Are the Celtics a threat in the East?
The Lakers showed they aren't a team to be taken lightly as they extinguished the Heat's flame with a 93-83 victory at home. What does the playoff future hold for the Lake Show? After back-to-back losses, are you still convinced the Heat are the team to beat?
Sound off below or join the ongoing conversations about your team.
Should the Celtics start rebuilding?
Rajon Rondo has matured into a bona fide star with the Celtics, but with the team going nowhere fast, it's becoming more and more likely that Boston will trade him. A Rondo trade would be essentially giving up on the season.
Howard or Rondo?
Magic center Dwight Howard also might be available for trade if the Magic's pursuit of Monta Ellis as a complement to him fails.
Where will Howard end up?
Howard has looked for a trade for much of the past few months, seemingly convinced that the Magic won't be serious contenders any time soon.
Will Pierce pass Havlicek?
Paul Pierce has passed Larry Bird as the second-leading scorer in Boston Celtics history, trailing only fellow great John Havlicek on the all-time list.
Are the Celtics contenders?
Boston was a game below .500 before this recent five-game winning streak. The Celtics are getting older, but do they have one more run in them?
Paul Pierce passed Celtics legend Larry Bird Tuesday to move into second place on the team's all-time scoring list. Pierce finished with 15 points, bringing his career total to 21,797. Where does this put Pierce on the list of the greatest Celtics of all time? Click the photos below to set your rankings!
Greatest all-time Celtics
Ray Allen
Larry Bird
Bob Cousy
Dave Cowens
Kevin Garnett
John Havlicek
Sam Jones
Kevin McHale
Robert Parish
Paul Pierce
Bill Russell
JoJo White
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
- Vote: Which team will win tonight's game at Madison Square Garden?
- Rank 'Em: How does the talent on the court at MSG compare? | Your Power Rankings?
- More: Celtics blog from ESPN Boston | Knicks blog from ESPN New York
There was a time when the Celtics and Knicks were rivals, but Bernard King and Kevin McHale were probably on the court the last time we woke up that reality. As Paul Pierce made clear yesterday, rivalry isn't the first word that comes to mind when the teams match up these days. But even as the Knicks try to stoke the fires of the rivalry on the court, what about the basketball feud between fans in the respective cities?
Boston has the NBA titles; New York has the playground legends. Boston had a Garden; New York still has one. New York gave us Bob Cousy; Boston made him a star. And Nate Robinson ... well, they can share that point.
1. Which Celtics star shouldn't have the ball with the game on the line?
The Mavericks handed the Celtics their second loss of the season on Monday, making good use of a typically big night from Dirk Nowitzki. But the Celtics had a chance to tie or take the lead in the closing seconds, only to see Kevin Garnett miss a jumper. Is Garnett the last guy who should have the ball in that situation?
- "not trying to hate on the guy, but rondo pretty much lost those last 2 possessions. either shouldve driven it to the rim instead of the open three and then missing pierce." -- SN commenter 1908cubs
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