Comments on: Just wondering …

By: Big Johnson

Big Johnson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 20:37:18 +0000

michael,

Let me preface this by admitting I am a Celtics fan too and have tremendous respect and admiration for what my team just did last night. It has been 22 long years. Having said that, the team simply doesn’t measure up in parts or in whole for reasons elucidated above. While I agree with Pete’s player by player comparisons demonstrating a clear advantage to 86, it was really the entire unit that was better.

We will never be able to prove it either way, but I know very few diehard celtic fans that watched both of these teams that thinks the 08 version is anywhere close to the same galaxy as 86, present company included. You would really need to have watched season after season of those guys to understand what we mean.

By: gianthinker

gianthinker — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:45:42 +0000

I hope Willie shows up at the all star game, where he was suppose to coach, and he sits on the AL side wearing a Yankee hat.

…I hope we can talk him into returning next year as a bench coach or a 3rd base coach for us because Meacham is not a good 3rd base coach and Wave ‘Em Home belongs in the Bronx.

By: Real World

Real World — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:51:53 +0000

As a Bostonian who followed the 1980′s NBA, and Celtics (my favorite team), I agree with Pete whole heartedly. The 1986 Celtics would easily beat the 2008 team. The 2008 C’s wouldn’t, and couldn’t stop McHale in the post. They wouldn’t control the glass either, with Parish, McHale, Bird, and Walton rebounding. The 86 C’s could not only pass the ball, rebound, and score down low, they could also shoot lights out. Today’s water down NBA might have more athletes, than the 80′s league, but they have a lot more awful basketball players who lack the basic fundamentals of the game. The 86 C’s were superior to this years squad. IMO anyway.

By: michael

michael — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:03:58 +0000

big johnson, to say that the 86 c’s are better simply because they had larry misses the point. all i heard before this series was that the lakers had kobe, the best player in the world, and thus couldn’t lose. for someone reason everyone forgot that defense and team play wins championships – not one star, 11 softies, and an inability to play defense.

By: michael

michael — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:01:28 +0000

Pete, obviously you didn’t watch the celtics all year because this team was the complete opposite of a me first team and that’s what made it so good. for such a level guy, you’re really misinformed about this year’s celtics team. not one of them had a me first attitude (outside of sam cassell).

By: michael

michael — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:59:51 +0000

thing is the 1986 celtics were one of the best teams of all time, so not a fair comparison. i also dont think they wouldve “buried” this year’s C’s. this year’s c’s were written off by everyone, and when you play D that is as good as they play, theyre rarely “buried” in a game. i think it wouldve been a good series. i think this team couldve contended with some bulls teams too.

By: Drew

Drew — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:53:24 +0000

Willie should be part of the All-Star celebration.

By: saucY

saucY — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:48:25 +0000

i think it’s tough to campare any 2 teams from such different eras. in any sport, for that matter…

By: Big Johnson

Big Johnson — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:52:57 +0000

I don’t agree with Pete often, but there is no contest between the 86 Celtics and 2008. All that needs to be said is that Larry Bird played for the 86 team. We haven’t seen players like that since Jordan retired. The modern day Celtics are absolutely terrific, but we are clearly producing inferior teams to years’ past.

I agree, the 86 celtics or the 86 lakers obliterate this team in 4 games.

By: Steph

Steph — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:44:26 +0000

For the person who asked about the difference between 15/60-day DL:

Wang was placed on the 15-day DL to begin with because he has the potential to come back this season. Not a guarantee, but it’s a slight possibility. If he were placed on 60-day DL, the Yanks could call up someone to basically be on the 40-man roster without having to DFA another player…but once a player from the 60-day DL is activated, another player has to be DFA’d. Otherwise, if you just optioned someone, you’d still have 41 men on your roster. You have to clear the roster space. A trip to the 60-day DL basically means that the person doesn’t exist. Until they come back.

On the 15-day DL, you can only recall players from your 40-man roster.

As for Willie, the Yanks should definitely have him come to Yankee Stadium during the Yanks/Mets game and have him pull the lever.