Are the C’s a Bigger Underdog Than We Realize?

Posted by Zach Lowe on Apr 2, 2010 719922 commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F2010%2F04%2F02%2Fare-the-cs-a-bigger-underdog-than-we-realize%2FAre+the+C%27s+a+Bigger+Underdog+Than+We+Realize%3F+2010-04-02+12%3A49%3A21Zach+Lowehttp%3A%2F%2Fcelticshub.com%2F%3Fp%3D7199

If you read TrueHoop, you probably saw that ESPN and AccuScore introduced a mega-addictive Playoff Predictor, which uses secret math to simulate the entire post-season—and allows you to build your own brackets, seeding teams where you want. (Note: The math really is secret, at least to us. In introducing the Predictor, John Hollinger writes that the math has some similarities with his power rankings but some notable differences. The Predictor, for instance, values crunch-time performance/late-game success more than Hollinger’s stuff does).

In any case, you can easily kill an hour or two monkeying around with The Predictor. And one thing you’d find: The math behind The Predictor thinks the C’s have little to no chance of winning the title.

Using current seedings, The Predictor gives the C’s a 73 percent of advancing past the Bucks in the 4-5 series. Fine. What about against Cleveland in the next round? 60-40, Cavs? 70-30?

Try 82-18, Cleveland. So: The Bucks have a better chance of beating the C’s than Boston does of getting by Cleveland.

Of course, the C’s could still get the 3rd seed, in which case they’d face Orlando in the semi-finals (if they get that far).

The percentages on that series? 73-27, Orlando.

So, yeah: This system does not consider the Celtics to be anything like serious contenders.

In that spirit:

Predictor Contest: The first reader who produces a legitimate Predictor Bracket with the C’s as champions wins a prize.* Photo proof required.

* Prize may not exist