NBA Playoff Schedule: Derrick Rose, Superstars in Boston Celtics Path to Finals

I drew up a similar list a few months ago but have decided to do one with some updates. 

I will select the most worrisome players based on the probability of them playing the Celtics but, more importantly, the difficult task these players have given Boston in the past. 

Now you know why Elton Brand didn't make the cut...

Carmelo Anthony

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 30: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the New York Knicks celebrates during the game against the New Jersey Nets at Madison Square Garden on March 30, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadi

Last five games against Celtics: 

22-5-3 (Knicks); 32-5-5 (Nuggets); 23-8-4 (Nuggets); 18-6-5 (Nuggets); 18-13-3 (Nuggets). 

Mike D'Antoni has made the overwhelmingly difficult decision to start Ronny Turiaf over Shelden Williams in the first round against the Celtics. 

That is the reason that we will not be over-discussing Amar'e Stoudemire in this article. 

Sure, Amar'e put up a massive stat-line against the Celtics when Carmelo Anthony wasn't there, but the significant downfall in numbers that Amar'e has experienced (I am hesitant to say Bosh-like) can't be overlooked.

His 16-11 posting against the double O'Neal-less Celtics has me more than skeptical of his postseason impact. 

Regardless of the Knicks' streak against a slew of mediocre teams (which featured one above-.500 team), Amar'e is clearly still discovering his role in the "'Melo takes 20+ shots era" in New York. 

Given the Knicks' obvious problems at center, the Celtics should have ample personnel to handle Amar'e (Garnett with a little help from Shaq, JO, Baby and Krstic). 

Anthony is the real issue. 

At 6'8”, Anthony has a distinct height advantage over Paul Pierce (and Ray Allen if Boston looks for a switch).

We all know how streaky 'Melo can get, and the fact that the big city lights have suddenly helped provoke a slight defensive effort is all the more reason to shed a little concern.  

LeBron James

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MIAMI, FL - APRIL 06: Lebron James #6 of the Miami Heat looks on during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Arena on April 6, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or usin

Last five games against Celtics: 

27-10-7; 22-7-7; 35-10-9; 31-4-3; 27-19-10 (Cavs...wow); 15-7-6 (Cavs). 

I decided five was a nice number to survey the last five games of my selected players. Unfortunately, that included the infamous game five of last year's NBA Finals (all right, I guess it gives me a second to land a few blows). 

LeBron is undoubtedly the biggest problem for the Celtics while possibly being the Heat's demise. 

LeBron now has the supporting cast (OK, just Wade) to close out games. The question is, will he use it?

While maintaining the kind of numbers that he posted in Cleveland, LeBron has taken more jumpers in the final seconds than Wade while struggling to make most of them (particularly in the big games).

I doubt that LeBron will suddenly go comatose in one of the most important games of the second-round but he has more than enough backup should such an abominable incident take place. 

LeBron is a mismatch for every player on the Celtics (OK, every play in the league) and his stats against Boston won't change any time soon. 

LeBron's postings are often streaky and random throughout the course of games but he always manages to get his stats. The ultimate question will be whether they can handle Wade (done before) and Bosh (right...Garnett against Bosh). 

Clearly, regardless of Boston's woes, I don't have enough belief in the Heat getting it done. Not this year, anyway. 

Still, the Celtics could run into a world of trouble if LeBron suddenly gets sprinkled with some Michael Jordan fairy dust.

Dwight Howard

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ORLANDO, FL - MARCH 17: NBA All-Star Dwight Howard (center) shows off his game face at an Orlando community center where he was on hand to capture kids' game faces for the next adidas commercial on March 17, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Fans can visit www.

Firstly, Dwight Howard deserves to be recognized for being the man. Thus, the choice of photograph.

Last five games against Celtics: 

28-13; 33-13; 6-11 (5 blocks and foul trouble); 28-12; 21-10 (5 blocks). 

I loved watching Howard's dud against the Celtics in the first of three this year, but that was just slightly fortunate (and slightly Diesel-induced, hint, hint). 

Do I think that the Bulls are going to have some massive breakdown against the annoyingly inconsistent (for the people in Orlando, anyway) supporting staff of the Magic? 

Of course not. However, I'm not willing to take Howard off the list merely because of improbability. 

Shaq will be a vital piece in stopping Howard. 

Shaq has the big body that can bear the brunt of Howard's force, at least for 20-25 minutes (pending foul trouble). 

The Celtics shouldn't have a problem with the Magic's B-Team to their A-Team of starters but Howard is a different beast. 

Howard's uncanny ability to turn the ball over and his disastrous free-throw shooting (that always seems to look better than it is) is a massive liability for the Magic. However, a better group around him would make up for that.

Howard has turned it up a notch this season. There is less smiling and more mission; less youth and more leadership. 

Howard has developed the kind of fight that makes champions but he doesn't have the reliable supporting cast. If he did, the Magic would be the team to fear.

Derrick Rose

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CHICAGO, IL - MARCH 25: Derrick Rose #1 of the Chicago Bulls prepares to shoot a free-throw against the Memphis Grizzlies at the United Center on March 25, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Grizzlies 99-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ack

Last five games against Celtics: 

30-8-5; 36-5-2; 20-8-3; 39-7-5 (second-to-last game of season); 17-8-4. 

Let me preface my discussion about fast-don't-lie by saying that the whole MVP debate that has gone up a notch in the past few weeks is absolutely ridiculous. 

Months without Boozer then months without Noah? Now the Bulls have the No. 1 record in the NBA heading into the playoffs but does that really matter? 

Was there any player who had more of an impact on his team? Any player who showed a greater rise to stardom through work ethic (jumping from 22.2 percent from three to 33.5 percent in two years) and a more important leadership role? 

Rose earned the trophy long before the Nowitzki (and whomever else) supporters went into hiding. 

Rose's last two games against Boston are more telling than any of the others. 

I am hoping that Rajon Rondo's last performance against Rose was just a hiccup in his first-team all-defensive capabilities and that he will be able to do some containment work on Rose if the Celtics have the privilege of reaching the semis. 

Rose is the well-rounded force (with a well-rounded cast) that no team has seemed to be able to solve. 

If the Celtics' bench can step up, they are more than capable of handling the Bulls' backups. More so, if Shaq and JO can stay healthy the Celtics have a solid chance of hedging the rebounding gap with Chicago (I know, here I go with my ifs, again). 

Rose has turned into one of the select NBA few who can only be contained rather than stopped. He can turn it on any minute and he is not only proving to be the most valuable player in the league but he also seems to be the best player in the league.