We'll show the critics

[DERRENMATTS]

Its being said that we're 22-3 because we haven't played the good teams out West--that we've won so many games because of lack of competition. Well, that part is true (that we haven't played top competition), but we're going to show everyone that we can win against the West's best.

We've been playing like a contending team. Sure we've been winning against weaker competition, but stats will tell you that we've been destroying teams. If we weren't a contending team, we would have lost a couple of games against the weaker teams, but our losses have come at the expense of the Magic, the Cavs, and the Pistons--all who are being penciled in as playoff teams.

Many people are looking at the Patriots as Superbowl favorites. But throughout the season, critics have been saying the same thing--that their schedule hasn't been as difficult as other teams'. But look at the stats--they are demolishing teams, and that's a clear sign of a dominant team.

Watch when we play the Spurs, the Suns, the Mavs, the Jazz, the Lakers, etc. Yeah, we will lose some games against the West's better teams, but I'm sure the games will be competitive and well fought. But we'll also win some of these games against the West's best, and it won't come as a surprise--it shouldn't be looked at as an upset. We are that good--we are one of the best teams in the NBA.

Soon critics will run out of things to throw at us, and they will have to admit that yes, we are a contending team.

[The Eye of the Q is upon you!]

I beg to differ on the Patriots not having a difficult schedule. True the AFC east has been horrible outside of New England, but the NFC East is the 2nd toughest division top to bottom (AFC South is tougher). We beat the Colts at Indianapolis (otherwise the Colts are playing for perfection, not us). We also beat all the teams of the AFC North (much tougher than the AFC west). And we beat San DIego in the tense early season matchup. So the Patriots have had one of the most difficult schedules out there.

The Celtics can and will get better as the season goes along. I'm looking forward to that Texas trip in March.

[DERRENMATTS]

Don't kill the messenger, that's what I've heard on talk radio stations earlier this season, regarding the Patriot's domination.

For me, a clear sign that a team is dominant is how consistently they play. The Pistons, the Spurs, etc, they are consistently playing their game the same way--and they usually win in the same fashion. We are in that mold as well. Look at how many teams we've beaten by 20+ pts already.

[Roadrunner]

derrenmatts said:

Don't kill the messenger, that's what I've heard on talk radio stations earlier this season, regarding the Patriot's domination.

For me, a clear sign that a team is dominant is how consistently they play. The Pistons, the Spurs, etc, they are consistently playing their game the same way--and they usually win in the same fashion. We are in that mold as well. Look at how many teams we've beaten by 20+ pts already.

Detroit under performs when it counts, and the Spurs play OK.

[Deleted]

We play whomever the schedule dictates. It's opposing fans/media excuse about why we've been playing so well. Quite frankly, I rather them think we're not good enough then being renowned as World Champions.

[DERRENMATTS]

Wonder what the critics will say now? Well, they'll probably say we need to beat the Spurs, the Mavs, the Pistons, and the Suns first before they say we are legit title contenders.

I'm proud of the guys. We didn't play all that well against the Jazz, but we came right back (the next night) and demolished the hot Lakers on their home court. 4-0 on the road on this west coast swing is a good first taste of the west.

Pierce deserves the Celtics' MVP on this west coast trip.