Celtic Nation was positively paranoid after Atlanta tied the series at 2-all. This is Simmons' response to a question about the Celtics.

Andrew (KC): If the Celtics were to lose to the Hawks, would it be a bigger disappointment then the Mavs choking last year against the Warriors?

Bill Simmons: Any scenario where the Celtics don't make the Finals is a huge disappointment - they have the most talented team in the East BY FAR and they won 66 games. Dallas lost to G-State because of the styles, because their coach panicked and because their best guy got psyched out. Boston has no excuse against Atlanta. None. They have a much better team.

My take?

Simmons is mostly right. He stresses talent, but the reality is, Boston is an OLD TEAM.

Garnett, Allen, Pierce ... the best guys are all in the their 30s. Atlanta is very talented, but very young. Their best athlete, Josh Smith, played in the Iolani Classic three years ago. I interviewed him. He won the dunk contest that year, insanely creative dunker.

Boston should win, but old teams don't always do well in the post-season. Old teams with depth like the Celtics of the 1980s do very well. This season, Boston added some veterans late in the season, but it's not like football or baseball. Chemistry matters. Chemistry takes time to develop, and when Boston rests the Big 3, they are still rather ordinary.

Boston is not unbeatable. Just a myth pushed by New Englanders who are now choking on their own vomit. I'm a fan of Garnett, but I don't worship the ground he walks on.

A little success and Bostonians get their panties in a bunch at the slightest hint of failure. Relax. The C's will win and, barring injury, reach the East finals.

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