Considering the way the team played all season, ie, winning 5 in a row, losing 5 in a row, winning 2 in a row, losing 4 in a row...I can't blame the analysts for these predictions. Anything's possible as KG said back in '08, so they can't be totally counted out, but the Knicks are a decent team this season, and even if Boston does manage to get into the 2nd round or even all the way to the ECF, I think that's as far as the train can possibly go. I said in a former post that LeBron could single-handedly destroy this team and I stick by that. The guy is in the best years of his career, got the ring-monkey off his back, he owns the game right now. He can get to the rim anytime he wants and regardless of whoever is waiting there for him, 8 or 9 times out of 10, he will throw it down.
I hope the C's pull some magic as they have in years past, but I think a lot of fans this season really feel like this team just isn't the same as squads in years past in terms of being able to 'gut it out' night in and night out. There was just a lot, lot of inconsistency this year.
Again, not getting off topic, I think the analysts aren't disrespecting the Celtics at all. They're just going with the team that played a more consistent, better season. Can't blame them. Anything can happen. All we can do is sit back, relax (try to), and enjoy the ride.