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When the Lakers acquired Gary Payton and Karl Malone in 2004, it was a foregone conclusion the Lakers were title-bound. Even though both Payton and Malone were old, Shaquille O'Neal was 33 and their bench was either depleted or old too (remember Rick Fox?)
The Shaq bias in the sports media lives on. John Hollinger in his ESPN chat has said Cleveland is the best in the East. The only big difference is Shaq. Anyone remember Shaq last year? He was not up to his dominant years. Why do people like Shaq so much?
Everyone says the Celtics are older, but the Magic, who Hollinger predicted are in a dead-heat with the Celtics in the off-season. Vince Carter is an again unproven playoff performer instead of a very solid Hedo Turkoglu.
Despite Brandon Bass and Matt Barnes, I just don't see what Carter brings, especially without a reliable Courtney Lee, who could have been a Bruce Bowen apable stopper. While the celtics have done some excellent off-season moves and have one of the best point guards in the NBA, their moves are marginally good, while the Cavaliers and Magic make some questionable moves.
So it is very clear the Boston Celtics get no respect, no respect at all. Maybe Kevin Garnett can star in Caddyshack 3.
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