How Would the Boston Celtics Fare in a NCAA-Style Tourney?
If you are a frequent listener of the Celtics Late Night Show, you have heard us (the hosts) and our guests/callers refer to the CLNSRadio google-group. This group is private access for the writing staff and show hosts. It's great way for the writers to toss around article concepts, discuss random NBA topics and vent frustrations we may have with our team, officials and opponents.
The group gets testy at times and would have to be heavily censored if it were given public access. For me, it's an online therapy session to bitch or boast about the Celtics at any given moment. Because of this group, I never watch hoops alone. The rest of the writers are only an email away.
Friday night, after the Celtics' loss to the Mavericks, monthly columnist, Matt Ribaudo posed an intriguing question to the writing group...
"I think if the playoffs start today, we beat everyone in a 7-game series...
But if the NBA was like the NCAA and played a fluky single-elimination tournament, how would we do?
Matt Ribaudo
CLNSRadio, Monthly Columnist
"
My initial reaction to this typically classic query by Ribaudo was, no way-- the Celtics don't fare well in a one and done post-season scenario.
I started to type my shot guy reaction in the group when I stopped and thought, this NCAA-style format means no (potential) 21 game road to the finals. The second season would be traded in for a series of elimination games. No more 40 games in 40 nights. No more multiple cross country trips during any given series. These are all circumstances that would help a senior citizen squad such as San Antonio or our Celtics.
Would this entire tourney be played at Madison Square Garden or an arena of the league's choosing?
If so, home court would no longer matter and the regular season battle for seeding would diminish a bit.
After much contemplation, I would say the Celtics would...READ MORE
