2017-18 NBA (Playoffs): A gasping, wheezing thread begs message board poster arguing how Jordan never lost a Finals to just let it die in peace (4 Viewers)

[flranger]

You're crazy.

I'll admit I'm probably missing it...  I mean I know Hayward can score but Horford is a stud defender and does a million things right.  Tatum clearly needs to be on the court as much as possible as well.  All in all its a good problem to have.  I think Ainge makes a major move this summer again.  Too much talent not to try to consolidate.  Irving, Hayward, Horford, Brown, Tatum, Rozier, Smart, and more draft picks coming.

 

[msudaisy26]

The Toronto Raptors are unlikely to pursue Stan Van Gundy for their head coaching vacancy.

SVG was recently let go by the Pistons and is still trying to land his next gig. Mike Budenholzer, as well as Raptors assistants Rex Kalamian and Nick Nurse are the leading candidates.

Not sure why this is news.

 

[Abraham]

I'll admit I'm probably missing it...  I mean I know Hayward can score but Horford is a stud defender and does a million things right.  Tatum clearly needs to be on the court as much as possible as well.  All in all its a good problem to have.  I think Ainge makes a major move this summer again.  Too much talent not to try to consolidate.  Irving, Hayward, Horford, Brown, Tatum, Rozier, Smart, and more draft picks coming.

Irving, Heyward, Horford, Tatum and Brown is a downright terrifying small ball lineup.  

 

[Boston]

I'll admit I'm probably missing it...  I mean I know Hayward can score but Horford is a stud defender and does a million things right.  Tatum clearly needs to be on the court as much as possible as well.  All in all its a good problem to have.  I think Ainge makes a major move this summer again.  Too much talent not to try to consolidate.  Irving, Hayward, Horford, Brown, Tatum, Rozier, Smart, and more draft picks coming.

It is not the consolidation...it is the contracts...Ainge needs to figure out what to do about Smart and Rozier...I don't see him simply letting both walk when their contracts are up and getting nothing in return...a sneaky move would be figuring a way to obtain a high pick this year...the C's have the potential for having 4 #1's next season and one is the Kings pick which holds a lot of value...add in a Rozier to some of those assets and you could have a strong package...I would love to keep both Smart and Rozier, just not sure if the cap will make it doable...

 

[JuniorGong]

It is not the consolidation...it is the contracts...Ainge needs to figure out what to do about Smart and Rozier...I don't see him simply letting both walk when their contracts are up and getting nothing in return...a sneaky move would be figuring a way to obtain a high pick this year...the C's have the potential for having 4 #1's next season and one is the Kings pick which holds a lot of value...add in a Rozier to some of those assets and you could have a strong package...I would love to keep both Smart and Rozier, just not sure if the cap will make it doable...

Orlando needs a point guard, perhaps package Rozier, Celtics #1 this year and the Sacramento pick next year to get Orlando’s pick this year (most likely #5). Might also have to throw in another #1.

The Celtics could then draft Bamba or if they wanted to play it safe Carter. Carter is an Al Horford clone who could learn under Al and take his place once Al’s contract expires. Bamba would be the guy I would target though, tremendous upside and him going to a team with a strong identify and culture should help to get the most out of a guy whose biggest knock is he seems disinterested at times.

 

[wikkidpissah]

My confidence is still troubled about the Celtics ability to find a way to limit LBJ enough to win, mostly for one reason. They have 3+ bodies (MMorris, Brown & Ojeleye - with switches from Smaaht, Tatum & Hwafid) to throw at defending him. Stevens has used footwork - and, mostly importantly, the spots at which to deploy it - to defuse the Freak & Simmons the last two series. The flaw on doing so against the Cavs is that the spot on him is early in his drives, but unless refs call the charge when a player steps in on that, it's a minus play. And refs dont call charges on the Kang 

I'm also a little dubious about the metric on Morris being one of the best on lebrohan, simply because i've seen no real stops from him against anyone else as a Celtic and it's been a loooong time since i've seen a Piston successfully defend anything.

 

[Niles Standish]

My confidence is still troubled about the Celtics ability to find a way to limit LBJ enough to win, mostly for one reason. They have 3+ bodies (MMorris, Brown & Ojeleye - with switches from Smaaht, Tatum & Hwafid) to throw at defending him. Stevens has used footwork - and, mostly importantly, the spots at which to deploy it - to defuse the Freak & Simmons the last two series. The flaw on doing so against the Cavs is that the spot on him is early in his drives, but unless refs call the charge when a player steps in on that, it's a minus play. And refs dont call charges on the Kang 

I'm also a little dubious about the metric on Morris being one of the best on lebrohan, simply because i've seen no real stops from him against anyone else as a Celtic and it's been a loooong time since i've seen a Piston successfully defend anything.

He was 31st out of 39 players that covered James at least 50 possessions this year.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23483183/marcus-morris-boston-celtics-probably-best-guy-defending-lebron-james-kawhi-leonard

The only thing that has said Morris is one of the best LeBron stoppers is Morris himself.  Stats don't back that up.  Jaylen actually has been successful against LeBron and probably should be the primary defender if he's healthy.  Semi is completely overwhelmed and Smart can only cover LeBron in limited situations.  Hopefully Horford doesn't disappear like he normally does in the playoffs against a LeBron team.

I am happy with the Celtics making it this far.  Even if they get swept I think they outplayed what they should have.  But I'm hoping (not confident) for a long series against Cleveland for whoever gets the honor of being swept by Golden State (who will not be in a close series against Houston 4 or 5 games).  I kind of hope LeBron sets up a superteam next year because the Golden State era has been remarkably boring.  They have not even been in a close series since Durant joined and won't be until something changes with one of the other teams.

 

[elguapo07]

Orlando needs a point guard, perhaps package Rozier, Celtics #1 this year and the Sacramento pick next year to get Orlando’s pick this year (most likely #5). Might also have to throw in another #1.

The Celtics could then draft Bamba or if they wanted to play it safe Carter. Carter is an Al Horford clone who could learn under Al and take his place once Al’s contract expires. Bamba would be the guy I would target though, tremendous upside and him going to a team with a strong identify and culture should help to get the most out of a guy whose biggest knock is he seems disinterested at times.

May MSU Jaren Jackson be the fit it they go this route?  Cs could use his inside defense now while his offense develops but he is still able to shoot from outside 

 

[wikkidpissah]

He was 31st out of 39 players that covered James at least 50 possessions this year.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23483183/marcus-morris-boston-celtics-probably-best-guy-defending-lebron-james-kawhi-leonard

The only thing that has said Morris is one of the best LeBron stoppers is Morris himself.  Stats don't back that up.  Jaylen actually has been successful against LeBron and probably should be the primary defender if he's healthy.  Semi is completely overwhelmed and Smart can only cover LeBron in limited situations.  Hopefully Horford doesn't disappear like he normally does in the playoffs against a LeBron team.

I am happy with the Celtics making it this far.  Even if they get swept I think they outplayed what they should have.  But I'm hoping (not confident) for a long series against Cleveland for whoever gets the honor of being swept by Golden State (who will not be in a close series against Houston 4 or 5 games).  I kind of hope LeBron sets up a superteam next year because the Golden State era has been remarkably boring.  They have not even been in a close series since Durant joined and won't be until something changes with one of the other teams.

the metric was quoted a few times when MM was acquired, so would have been from previous seasons. he was still playing into shape in one of the 2 games he faced James this season. I'll be interested to see if the Bucks series did anything for Ojeleye's defensive confidence - he's such a slug on offense, tho. and Crowder - as good as anyone i've seen against against lebrohan in his 1st season or so w Celts - gave Stevens the template by which to use Semi.

i'm glad Mother's Day plans pre-empt my watching much of Gm1, cuz i truly find watching the Kang play to be an unpleasant experience. Will be interesting to see if Stevens finds a contingency for this series, tho.

 

[wikkidpissah]

Orlando needs a point guard, perhaps package Rozier, Celtics #1 this year and the Sacramento pick next year to get Orlando’s pick this year (most likely #5). Might also have to throw in another #1.

The Celtics could then draft Bamba or if they wanted to play it safe Carter. Carter is an Al Horford clone who could learn under Al and take his place once Al’s contract expires. Bamba would be the guy I would target though, tremendous upside and him going to a team with a strong identify and culture should help to get the most out of a guy whose biggest knock is he seems disinterested at times.

Rozier wont be traded til the Smart thing is settled and FA isnt til after the draft, so.....

 

[tjnc09]

He was 31st out of 39 players that covered James at least 50 possessions this year.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23483183/marcus-morris-boston-celtics-probably-best-guy-defending-lebron-james-kawhi-leonard

The only thing that has said Morris is one of the best LeBron stoppers is Morris himself.  Stats don't back that up.  Jaylen actually has been successful against LeBron and probably should be the primary defender if he's healthy.  Semi is completely overwhelmed and Smart can only cover LeBron in limited situations.  Hopefully Horford doesn't disappear like he normally does in the playoffs against a LeBron team.

I am happy with the Celtics making it this far.  Even if they get swept I think they outplayed what they should have.  But I'm hoping (not confident) for a long series against Cleveland for whoever gets the honor of being swept by Golden State (who will not be in a close series against Houston 4 or 5 games).  I kind of hope LeBron sets up a superteam next year because the Golden State era has been remarkably boring.  They have not even been in a close series since Durant joined and won't be until something changes with one of the other teams.

https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2017/07/08/heres-one-reason-celtics-fans-should-be-excited-about-marcus-morris

He was the best defender in 15-16 vs. LeBron.   

 

[tjnc09]

Marc D'Amico‏Verified account @Marc_DAmico

Brad Stevens just recited this stat on the fly: Cleveland's "others" averaged 84 PPG last series. Obvious that he hammered that stat home to his players throughout the last three days.

Let LeBron be LeBron and don't let the other guys kill you.

 

[Chaos Commish]

On Morris... past performance is not indicative of future results and the match-up sample size probably isn't statistically significant. There's nothing about his defensive prowess that makes the stat interesting to me. 

Happy to have a game today.

 

[JuniorGong]

Marc D'Amico‏Verified account @Marc_DAmico

Brad Stevens just recited this stat on the fly: Cleveland's "others" averaged 84 PPG last series. Obvious that he hammered that stat home to his players throughout the last three days.

Let LeBron be LeBron and don't let the other guys kill you.

I think they want to make Lebron earn his points though but realize even if you make things tough on him he is still going to get his. I also think they want to make him work on the defensive end as well. That doesn’t mean a bunch of isolations by whoever he is guarding, more have whoever he is guarding set a lot of screens, etc. to ensure he has to be active on the defensive end.

I have zero feel for how today plays out, a close contest or either team blowing out the other all seems equally possible.

 

[modogg]

great stats on Morris. Cavs in 5. i kind of think if Celtics can take it to 6 games it a "win" for them

 

[GOB]

https://giphy.com/gifs/goats-leaves-critters-YIZl9Tk7dGCOI

 

[wilked]

So far so good for Cs. Time for Tatum to get going 

 

[GOB]

Love doing a great job of defending Horford early. 

 

[wilked]

So,.. Cavs D is awful 

 

[Chaos Commish]

So,.. Cavs D is awful 

Like their offense.

 

[GOB]

So,.. Cavs D is awful 

Their entire team is garbage outside of LeBron and Love on offense. 

He will be so much happier in Orlando next year.

 

[Dedfin]

So when was the last time the Celtics beat a Lebrohan team in the playoffs?  It's gotta feel good for you guys/gals.

 

[sports_fan]

Celtics dominating the paint

 

[Dez]

If you can't beat Boston without Kyrie and Hayward..................JFC down 25.

 

[Dez]

Celtics dominating the paint EVERYTHING

Fixed

 

[sports_fan]

Celtics dominating the paint

also outside the paint

 

[pollardsvision]

You're crazy.

For the C's, I'm not sure how high up he is, or how necessary. Kyrie, Horford, and Tatum are better. Maybe Brown. Jazz just lost him and had their best season since Malone. He's a fine player and will make them better, but I'm still not sure it's a great use of cap space. A no-brainer top 2 on the roster seems far fetched, imo.

 

[Long Ball Larry]

35 points in the half.  Smh

 

[wilked]

Amazing half 

 

[ICON211]

Did Doris Burke really just try to spin Tatum's mother not paying bills so he could play basketball into a positive for her character???

 

[tjnc09]

Bring back the 76ers

 

[pollardsvision]

Bring back the 76ers

Well, that series was the real ECF.

 

[mr. furley]

THIS SERIES IS OVER! LEBRON CAN'T BEAT STEVENS! AL HORFORD IS THE BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT!

CELTS IN 4!

 

[tjnc09]

Well, that series was the real ECF.

I was joking.  76ers looked terrible in g1 and then played a very competitive series.  Raptors were up all g1 and then proceeded to finish the series like garbage.  It's only one half of one game.

 

[sports_fan]

THIS SERIES IS OVER! LEBRON CAN'T BEAT STEVENS! AL HORFORD IS THE BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT!

CELTS IN 4!

I have the Celtics in 3

 

[dickey moe]

A real ### kicking...

 

[pollardsvision]

I was joking.  76ers looked terrible in g1 and then played a very competitive series.  Raptors were up all g1 and then proceeded to finish the series like garbage.  It's only one half of one game.

I wasn't.

 

[dickey moe]

Horford playing out of his mind.

 

[GOB]

Kevin Love sags off Horford. Horford squares to shoot, Love inches closer.

Horford pumps lazily and Love bites on it like it's a game winner. Get him off my screen.

 

[Chaos Commish]

THIS SERIES IS OVER! LEBRON CAN'T BEAT STEVENS! AL HORFORD IS THE BEST PLAYER ON THE COURT!

CELTS IN 4!

3

 

[the moops]

For the C's, I'm not sure how high up he is, or how necessary. Kyrie, Horford, and Tatum are better. Maybe Brown. Jazz just lost him and had their best season since Malone. He's a fine player and will make them better, but I'm still not sure it's a great use of cap space. A no-brainer top 2 on the roster seems far fetched, imo.

this is severely under selling Hayward. Brown and Tatum have obviously been a revelation, their switchiness coupled with Hoford and Smart are what makes the defense hum. But Hayward is a better version of Brown/Tatum. And it's not as if BOS had a choice of who to offer a max deal too. Sometimes you take what is available. 

And as someone mentioned upthread. A Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Hoford lineup is scary switchy

 

[sports_fan]

Lue should draw up more plays that result in the Cavs scoring points

 

[mr. furley]

Lue should draw up more plays that result in the Cavs scoring points

it's what Brad Stevens does. which is why his team is scoring. and also why they are going to win this series today.

 

[modogg]

it's what Brad Stevens does. which is why his team is scoring. and also why they are going to win this series today.

pretty sure Stevens is a superhero. Dr. Strange maybe

 

[pollardsvision]

this is severely under selling Hayward. Brown and Tatum have obviously been a revelation, their switchiness coupled with Hoford and Smart are what makes the defense hum. But Hayward is a better version of Brown/Tatum. And it's not as if BOS had a choice of who to offer a max deal too. Sometimes you take what is available. 

And as someone mentioned upthread. A Brown, Hayward, Tatum, Hoford lineup is scary switchy

Heyward is great. He''ll be a $25 million/year luxury. A tiny market team just lost him for nothing and their future is as bright as it's ever been, because of a #12 overall pick. 

 

[Short Corner]

Heyward is great. He''ll be a $25 million/year luxury. A tiny market team just lost him for nothing and their future is as bright as it's ever been, because of a #12 overall pick. 

I disagree

 

[the moops]

Heyward is great. He''ll be a $25 million/year luxury. A tiny market team just lost him for nothing and their future is as bright as it's ever been, because of a #12 overall pick. 

Imagjne they had Mitchell and Hayward. How much brighter would their future look? 

 

[tjnc09]

Celtics looked too complacent that quarter

 

[GOB]

Jordan Clarkson loves himself

 

[sports_fan]

it's what Brad Stevens does. which is why his team is scoring. and also why they are going to win this series today.

It's a good strategy