Celtics vs. the Lebronaires

DJnVa

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In a way, I'm happy that this is taking place right now. All of this playoff experience (good and bad) is going to make him a MUCH better player in the next few years. I think we will all look back on this Cavs series, regardless of the outcome, as a key moment for the young core of this team learning about playoff basketball. The next time on this stage will be much different for Tatum and Brown.
Absolutely.

But, we're winning this thing. Thinking about starting a "fuck the rules" game thread now.
 

joe dokes

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Smart is not a high volume shooter. His per 36 FGA this year are only above Baynes and Theis for the regulars. And looking back over the past few seasons, he seems to always hover around 11.5 FGA per 36, which is consistently around 10th on the team.

He is a bad shooter though
He is (37%). But if he makes 1 more shot of the 10 he takes per game, then he's a really good shooter (47%).
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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That first quarter was atrocious. Were they trying too hard to come out fast and were so jacked up they were missing dunks and layups? It was excruciating to watch. And when you're down big to a team with Lebron it's so hard to make it all the way back (even though they have) because it feels like any time we're teetering on making it a 7 or 8 point game, he can go ISO and push it back to double-digits.

Oh well, role players and young players play better at home.
Remember, historically it's been unusual for a team to reach the finals on its first try (and for all intents and purposes, this is the first try for this group). There's a lot of reasons for this - first of all, when you're playing in a 7 game series, everyone knows what everyone can do and schemes are designed to stop guys' favorite moves, so people have to be able to adjust. Also, trying not to get too jacked up and staying within their limits when playing on the road is apparently really hard and has to be learned with experience.

(As a side note, that's why I was pro-KI trade - there just aren't that many guys in the league who can score even when the defenses are geared to stop them.)

I still think the Cs pull this out but whatever happens, I'm sure there have been some valuable lessons for all concerned.
 

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I still think the Cs pull this out but whatever happens, I'm sure there have been some valuable lessons for all concerned.
I mentioned this is the game thread, too - like @DrewDawg says, the 1st quarter was not just bad, it was excruciating. It was like watching a kid pitching when he's walking everybody and then starts crying on the mound.

The Celtics had lots of games this year where they played like this and then righted the ship (mentally-speaking) by the end of the game, or even by the end of the half. It looked like they started to do this by the end of game 4, but this is a bigger stage, more is at stake, and the other team has one of the best basketball players ever playing for them. If the power of nerves/yips/being jacked up etc. is such that it can completely wreck a whole team like the Celtics for about six quarters - a team that withstood that furious onslaught by Lebron in game 2 and then won the game - then it raises some doubt in this series. I can see the power of home court working so that the Celtics come out blazing in game 5, but it's what happens after that that will determine the series. Will that first quarter of game 5 bring that mental toughness back so they are in the game 1-2 headspace for the duration? Or will Lebron respond, lead the Cavs on a response run and then push the Celtics back down? I can see a potential second breakdown as being way worse than the one we just saw, and spelling the end of the series.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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While I believe inexperience and, perhaps nerves, played a role in the Cs losses these last two games, the main factor is that Cleveland ran actions to get the matchups they wanted, especially early in both games. And some of the poor play by guys like Brown and Tatum were as a result of a Cavs team that, to their credit, played them very physically and got away with it.

Stevens and crew made some adjustments as the game progressed last night and will need to make more (anything to keep LeBron from being covered by Rozier). Those adjustments as well as how Cleveland responds, more than anything else, will determine if the Celtics can win this series.
 

Reverend

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That first quarter was atrocious. Were they trying too hard to come out fast and were so jacked up they were missing dunks and layups? It was excruciating to watch. And when you're down big to a team with Lebron it's so hard to make it all the way back (even though they have) because it feels like any time we're teetering on making it a 7 or 8 point game, he can go ISO and push it back to double-digits.

Oh well, role players and young players play better at home.
Not only the missed dunks and layups, but a while bunch of the early shots missed long, including several that hit the back board and then missed long past the hoop completely. Looked like they came out way too geeked up like a bunch of kids over shooting.

In a way, I'm happy that this is taking place right now. All of this playoff experience (good and bad) is going to make him a MUCH better player in the next few years. I think we will all look back on this Cavs series, regardless of the outcome, as a key moment for the young core of this team learning about playoff basketball. The next time on this stage will be much different for Tatum and Brown.
Totally. Like, it's been frustrating the last two games seeing the two youts not take the immediate catch and shoot and then miss out on an opportunity. On the other hand, every time I see mistakes that I have every belief will be corrected in time, the more potential I see going forward--like, just wait until they don't hesitate any more.

Remember, historically it's been unusual for a team to reach the finals on its first try (and for all intents and purposes, this is the first try for this group). There's a lot of reasons for this - first of all, when you're playing in a 7 game series, everyone knows what everyone can do and schemes are designed to stop guys' favorite moves, so people have to be able to adjust. Also, trying not to get too jacked up and staying within their limits when playing on the road is apparently really hard and has to be learned with experience.

(As a side note, that's why I was pro-KI trade - there just aren't that many guys in the league who can score even when the defenses are geared to stop them.)

I still think the Cs pull this out but whatever happens, I'm sure there have been some valuable lessons for all concerned.
The Cavs have been incredibly effective in Cleveland leaning on the LeBron-Love combo to get swift, devastating baskets to break up the Celtics' rhythm and getting match-ups like Rozier on James.

Is this just better execution at home against a young Celtics team struggling on the road, or has there been an adjustment to which they need to learn to respond?
 

InstaFace

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The Cavs had 1 or 2 assists in the second half. It was all ISO’s and the occasional gift from a Celtic falling out of bounds. They also only scored 43 points but a lot of that was pace and turnovers (Celtics scored 49). I think Brad needs to think about the switch happy defense. If he’s going to stick with it, go with the Smart-Brown-Morris-Tatum-Horford lineup for longer stretches. Or a least don’t put Baynes and Rozier on the court together with that style, it was too easy for the Cavs. Perhaps try a zone for stretches with Rozier?

I did notice Rozier was trying to fight through screens more in the 4th after happily (seemingly voluntarily) switching into LeBron all game long. More of that please.
One thing that was very evident to me watching at the bar - and it might have been discussed in the game thread but I haven't read it - was the switch-and-recover strategy by Brad. Basically, anytime Rozier got switched into a bad matchup (especially Lebron but really anyone except Smith), someone recognized and sprinted over to help, and Rozier turned around and sprinted away to find the open man before Lebron could. Basically the D appeared to have been "switch everything, but then help Rozier by switching back the instant the ball comes to a stop". When they actually did it, it was very effective, even if it was Baynes doing the helping... the problems were occurring when Rozier got ISO'd onto Lebron and never got switch help.

I wish I could pull up GIFs to show it, because I saw it happen at least a dozen times (mostly in the 2nd half) and it was pretty cool to see the strategy revealed like that. I think if they can actually stick to it and avoid leaving Rozier on an island, it'll work fine.
 

JCizzle

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One thing that was very evident to me watching at the bar - and it might have been discussed in the game thread but I haven't read it - was the switch-and-recover strategy by Brad. Basically, anytime Rozier got switched into a bad matchup (especially Lebron but really anyone except Smith), someone recognized and sprinted over to help, and Rozier turned around and sprinted away to find the open man before Lebron could. Basically the D appeared to have been "switch everything, but then help Rozier by switching back the instant the ball comes to a stop". When they actually did it, it was very effective, even if it was Baynes doing the helping... the problems were occurring when Rozier got ISO'd onto Lebron and never got switch help.

I wish I could pull up GIFs to show it, because I saw it happen at least a dozen times (mostly in the 2nd half) and it was pretty cool to see the strategy revealed like that. I think if they can actually stick to it and avoid leaving Rozier on an island, it'll work fine.
You're definitely right and I liked it when they pulled it off- Rozier's steal after initially slipping comes to mind. However, as you said, there were still a ton of times where they didn't switch back and Rozier was either left on an island against LeBron or was caught trying to box out TT/Love/Nance on the offensive glass while Horford/Baynes were out guarding smaller guys on the perimeter. I'm curious to see if Brad adjusts at all or if he doesn't consider it to be a major problem.
 

the moops

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CLE changed up their strategy on that type of play, and it worked out very well. Initially, on the switch, Lebron was going to the block to post up, and as you said, BOS was scrambling effectively and having Rozier sprint to the corner and a bigger defender was taking Lebron. Later, Lebron would just keep the ball and back Rozier down on the switch. Taking away BOS ability to switch cause the ball never left Lebrons hands .
 

Carmine Hose

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I don't know the answer to this, thus I'll throw it out there.

Has any team in NBA history made the NBA Finals without its best player playing in any of the Conference Finals games, nevertheless any of the playoff games?
 

InstaFace

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Well it's fine if Lebron gets switched onto Rozier and someone else like Baynes recognizes, and runs to help, and Rozier runs off to cover. The ball never leaving Lebron's hands is a good thing, then, because it means they're not finding the temporarily-open man.

It's a tactic that avoids (1) pick-and-rolls dislodging defenders and creating space, because they're switching, and (2) getting owned by bad mismatches from those switches because they're switching-back, but at the risk of (3) having the ball find the temporarily open man while they switch back. I didn't see #3 happen at all last night, and even a passer of Lebron's quality may have trouble hitting someone within that brief window if they're doing it well.
 

DJnVa

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CLE changed up their strategy on that type of play, and it worked out very well. Initially, on the switch, Lebron was going to the block to post up, and as you said, BOS was scrambling effectively and having Rozier sprint to the corner and a bigger defender was taking Lebron. Later, Lebron would just keep the ball and back Rozier down on the switch. Taking away BOS ability to switch cause the ball never left Lebrons hands .
I posted an article somewhere after game 2 that talks about this. They switched the switcher in games 1 and 2 and it worked. Cleveland has found a counter. Now Brad needs to work out something new.
 

benhogan

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One thing that was very evident to me watching at the bar - and it might have been discussed in the game thread but I haven't read it - was the switch-and-recover strategy by Brad. Basically, anytime Rozier got switched into a bad matchup (especially Lebron but really anyone except Smith), someone recognized and sprinted over to help, and Rozier turned around and sprinted away to find the open man before Lebron could. Basically the D appeared to have been "switch everything, but then help Rozier by switching back the instant the ball comes to a stop". When they actually did it, it was very effective, even if it was Baynes doing the helping... the problems were occurring when Rozier got ISO'd onto Lebron and never got switch help.

I wish I could pull up GIFs to show it, because I saw it happen at least a dozen times (mostly in the 2nd half) and it was pretty cool to see the strategy revealed like that. I think if they can actually stick to it and avoid leaving Rozier on an island, it'll work fine.
This is 100% correct.

I expect Brad to make some of these adjustments:
1. As noted by Instaface, Rozier scrambles back on open perimeter Cavs player once LBJ gets Rozier ISO'd on him.
2. Start Baynes and have him match up/get physical with TT (I've beaten this dead horse for 3 games now and have no idea why this adjustment is not being made?)
3. Work the offense through Horford at the top of the key. He can beat Love/TT with a pump fake - drive, or shoot the 3 if they back off, or move the ball with the Cavs big on the perimeter out of the lane. I didn't understand putting Al on the block, it played into TT's strength and clogged the lane. It also led to contested, off-balance, turnaround jumpers from Al.
4. Insert Smart for Rozier in the middle of 1st and 3rd Quarters. Have Smart pick up LBJ full court. Once Lebron sits down at the end of 1st and 3rd Quarter's bring back Terry.

Trust in Brad, but these seem like obvious adjustments?
 
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joe dokes

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I don't know the answer to this, thus I'll throw it out there.

Has any team in NBA history made the NBA Finals without its best player playing in any of the Conference Finals games, nevertheless any of the playoff games?
Willis Reed missed all but 11 games of the 71-72 season. Lost to the Lakers in 5 in the finals. However, you could fairly argue that he wasn't their best player by then; that Frazier was.
 

RedOctober3829

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In Game 1, they did "switcheroos" which are basically switching up the coverage after the Cavs had initially thought they had mismatches and it really confused them. I'm not sure why they didn't go back to it. It could be that communication is really hard on the road.

Would anyone bench Rozier for Smart and have Rozier play primarily on the 2nd unit? They could use his scoring punch off the bench and Smart could really energize the defense as an extra body to throw at LeBron. Smart usually shoots better at home too. A starting lineup of Smart-Brown-Tatum-Horford-Baynes as noted above would guard against all of the easy offense LeBron had against Rozier.
 

DJnVa

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In Game 1, they did "switcheroos" which are basically switching up the coverage after the Cavs had initially thought they had mismatches and it really confused them. I'm not sure why they didn't go back to it. It could be that communication is really hard on the road.
Well, the idea was that it surprised them in the first 2 games, made them hesitate, looking for the new mismatch. They chewed up too much shot clock to run an effective offense.

In games 3 & 4 I'm not sure if Cleveland simply attacked it quicker or Boston pulled out of it, thinking they would.
 

RetractableRoof

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Part of the experience that needs to be gained by young players is what 'playoff basketball' really is/means. Sometimes it means that Jordan rules are amplified, like it or not the refs are human and expect Lebron to do that extraordinary thing and officiate with that expectation in their minds eye. So, that slight bump by a defender is going to be called when Lebron's shot doesn't drop and the opposite is true when he is defending. That is a reality which is present and isn't blaming the refs - it is just life. The players need to learn that and live with it psychologically.

Similarly, playoff basketball means that when players are cutting through screens they are going to get held, pawed at, tugged, pushed, etc. The same holds true on inbound plays when they are trying to get open. Brown especially went through that in game 3 when Cleveland sought to deny him the ball early to prevent him from getting started. He was held, pawed, anything to disrupt the timing of the actions designed to get him the ball or get him to comfort locations. Tatum seems to be engaging in the same (call it hand fighting?) all over the court all series and doesn't have the same bulk to fend it off as much. These kinds of things are also part of playoff life, and they need to learn to push through it, or fend it off, or anticipate it to avoid it. Perhaps by scheme, perhaps by Brad having conversations with the refs, perhaps by change in home court - somehow it has to be dealt with.

This doesn't count the reality of the scheming changes that happen game to game in the playoffs which isn't present in the regular season. This doesn't count the mental expectations, pressures, additional press, additional fan intensity,external distractions of family/friends in attendance, etc. It is hard to win in the playoffs in most sports, I try my best to not lose sight of that when watching these young guys/team playing this 3rd round in the playoffs. I guess I'm trying to find a way to take a breath and enjoy the enormity of what they are doing earlier in the growth cycle than I had personally expected it.

That all said, I believe they can still pull this off - it was never destined to be a cake walk even after the hype of the first 2 games.
 

mauf

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I posted an article somewhere after game 2 that talks about this. They switched the switcher in games 1 and 2 and it worked. Cleveland has found a counter. Now Brad needs to work out something new.
Yup. When they brought the double-team and forced the ball out of LeBron’s hands, that worked reasonably well — he made a few of his turnovers trying to make tough, cross-court passes to capitalize on those doubles. He’ll probably make better passes if the C’s double him consistently in that situation (they’ve done it so infrequently up to now that I think it surprised the Cavs when they did double), but the Cavs won’t bury enough 3s to make the double team a worse option than practically conceding 2 by letting LBJ abuse Rozier in the post.

That said, I’m more optimistic than the rest of you. Credit to the Cavs for digging deep when the C’s cut their lead to single-digits on a couple occasions, but the C’s were the better team for three-quarters of last night’s game — they just dug too deep a hole in the first quarter.
 

RedOctober3829

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Well, the idea was that it surprised them in the first 2 games, made them hesitate, looking for the new mismatch. They chewed up too much shot clock to run an effective offense.

In games 3 & 4 I'm not sure if Cleveland simply attacked it quicker or Boston pulled out of it, thinking they would.
To my eyes. they didn't do any of it in Games 3 or 4. Most of the time they were just switching after the pick and playing it straight up.
 

Eddie Jurak

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One thing that was very evident to me watching at the bar - and it might have been discussed in the game thread but I haven't read it - was the switch-and-recover strategy by Brad. Basically, anytime Rozier got switched into a bad matchup (especially Lebron but really anyone except Smith), someone recognized and sprinted over to help, and Rozier turned around and sprinted away to find the open man before Lebron could. Basically the D appeared to have been "switch everything, but then help Rozier by switching back the instant the ball comes to a stop". When they actually did it, it was very effective, even if it was Baynes doing the helping... the problems were occurring when Rozier got ISO'd onto Lebron and never got switch help.
There was one notable play where it didn't work - LBJ started to post up Rozier and Horford came over for the switch, hesitated, and got caught in no man's land.
 

LondonSox

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Their best player is Horford btw, not Kyrie and I don't know about Hayward because we haven't see him really play. But I think it would still likely be horford, he's so good and so key to the Celtics.
 

cheech13

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I don't know the answer to this, thus I'll throw it out there.

Has any team in NBA history made the NBA Finals without its best player playing in any of the Conference Finals games, nevertheless any of the playoff games?
The '99 Knicks come to mind, but it's questionable whether or not 36-year-old Patrick Ewing was still their best player.

EDIT: He also appeared in way more games than I remembered before looking it up.
 

the moops

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Their best player is Horford btw, not Kyrie and I don't know about Hayward because we haven't see him really play. But I think it would still likely be horford, he's so good and so key to the Celtics.
To me, saying Horford is Boston's best player is similar to saying Draymond Green is the best Warrior. Neither is accurate, yet if Golden State was without Curry and Durant, and Green was the glue that held the team together and had them tied 2-2 with Houston. Well, I could see people making the claim .
 

Erik Hanson's Hook

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Does Brown have small hands?

When I look online it says 8.75 long and 9 inches wide.

Those seem slightly small for a 6'7 guy.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2709127-nba-combine-results-2017-thursday-measurements-highlights-and-top-prospects
Is it?

It just seems like the ball slips out of his hands on dunks ALOT.
Jaylen is much closer to 6'5" (6'5.25" without shoes to be exact), which is shorter than your average NBA small forward (6'7").

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2639745-nba-combine-results-2016-thursday-measurements-highlights-and-top-prospects
https://fansided.com/2016/06/23/average-position-measurements-2016/
 

Imbricus

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Jaylen is much closer to 6'5" (6'5.25" without shoes to be exact), which is shorter than your average NBA small forward (6'7").
Yeah, but aren't they all closer to 6'5"? As in, nobody's listed height for the NBA is their real height (well, except Durant is oddly an inch or two taller). Pretty much all those heights are "wearing shoes" heights, aren't they?
 

HomeRunBaker

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99 was also a 48 game season, right?
It was a 50-game schedule but a brutal one at that. I'd argue that a condensed 50-game over 13 weeks is more taxing than playing 82 games over 24 weeks. They had one stretch of 9 games in 12 nights (including two 3 game in 3 night sequences with no b2b in same city) with 7 of those games followed by flights to a different city. This type of scheduling was consistent across the board to squeeze in 50 games resulting in the leagues lowest scoring games since the '53-'54 season and lowest eFG% since the '75-'76 season.
 

Cesar Crespo

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It was a 50-game schedule but a brutal one at that. I'd argue that a condensed 50-game over 13 weeks is more taxing than playing 82 games over 24 weeks. They had one stretch of 9 games in 12 nights (including two 3 game in 3 night sequences with no b2b in same city) with 7 of those games followed by flights to a different city. This type of scheduling was consistent across the board to squeeze in 50 games resulting in the leagues lowest scoring games since the '53-'54 season and lowest eFG% since the '75-'76 season.

No doubt, but I also think a 50 game schedule will see more wacky things. The Knicks were an 8 seed that year too, one of the few 8s to beat a 1.
 

pjheff

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cheech13

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99 was also a 48 game season, right?
It was the 50-game season. I had thought Ewing went out in the first round against the Heat, but it actually wasn't until the Conference Finals. I must be mis-remembering because of the nearly 20 years of Simmons talking about the Ewing theory.
 

BuellMiller

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It was the 50-game season. I had thought Ewing went out in the first round against the Heat, but it actually wasn't until the Conference Finals. I must be mis-remembering because of the nearly 20 years of Simmons talking about the Ewing theory.
That was my first thought and reasoning, as well. I'm not sure of any others...the closest one I could think of and had to check was the Bulls during MJ's baseball sabbatical, but they lost game 7 to the Knicks in the ECSF.
 

Kenny F'ing Powers

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Paul Pierce agrees with me. Gotta win this in 6:

“The Celtics have to win in six,” he said. “They have to win in six. They have to win this game and they have to get the road win in Cleveland. I’m just not comfortable with having LeBron in Game 7 — no matter where it is . . . Unless you have the Truth on your side, I’m not comfortable with that.”
 

InstaFace

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Guys I think Paul Pierce just declared he's coming out of retirement to play in game 7.

Where would Brad play him? I guess he'd take some of Morris's minutes.
 

bakahump

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Did anyone else notice the "Playoff Basketball" or maybe Vet on Rookie Move in game four with Tatum on Lebron?

3rd quarter I think.
Tatum covering LBJ out by the Wing 3pt line. Has his hands up but angled toward LBJ. LBJ had the ball low and moved to triple threat position. Then LBJ instantly brought his arms up causing his forearm to slap Tatums hands.
Tatums hands never moved down. It was all initiated by LBJ

If you imagine a stationary top hand (Tatum) "slapped" by a upward moving forearm (LBJ). Thats what happened. Looked like Jayson whacked him and certainly had a SLAAAP sound.
LBJ was expecting the contact (you know because he caused it....LOL) and continued through the contact for a shot. It hit rim and bounced out but the foul was called on Tatum.

By definition I dont *think it should have been a foul (????) but it was LBJ in Cleveland in the playoffs on a rookie. Not sure WTF the call should have been by the letter of the law.

Jayson had a look like "WTF just happened".
 

lars10

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Did anyone else notice the "Playoff Basketball" or maybe Vet on Rookie Move in game four with Tatum on Lebron?

3rd quarter I think.
Tatum covering LBJ out by the Wing 3pt line. Has his hands up but angled toward LBJ. LBJ had the ball low and moved to triple threat position. Then LBJ instantly brought his arms up causing his forearm to slap Tatums hands.
Tatums hands never moved down. It was all initiated by LBJ

If you imagine a stationary top hand (Tatum) "slapped" by a upward moving forearm (LBJ). Thats what happened. Looked like Jayson whacked him and certainly had a SLAAAP sound.
LBJ was expecting the contact (you know because he caused it....LOL) and continued through the contact for a shot. It hit rim and bounced out but the foul was called on Tatum.

By definition I dont *think it should have been a foul (????) but it was LBJ in Cleveland in the playoffs on a rookie. Not sure WTF the call should have been by the letter of the law.

Jayson had a look like "WTF just happened".
Harden makes that call happen probably five times a game.. in the new nba that’s always a foul.
 

JCizzle

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Harden makes that call happen probably five times a game.. in the new nba that’s always a foul.
Thankfully it's no longer an automatic shooting foul at least. I don't really understand why Tatum and Brown keep their arm extended against him so far from the hoop. It's just asking for an automatic call when he pulls up his hands
 

the moops

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As long as you don't swing your arms through the contact, or more so to create the contact, it is always a shooting foul. At least that is my understanding of the rule change.
 

djbayko

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Did anyone else notice the "Playoff Basketball" or maybe Vet on Rookie Move in game four with Tatum on Lebron?

3rd quarter I think.
Tatum covering LBJ out by the Wing 3pt line. Has his hands up but angled toward LBJ. LBJ had the ball low and moved to triple threat position. Then LBJ instantly brought his arms up causing his forearm to slap Tatums hands.
Tatums hands never moved down. It was all initiated by LBJ

If you imagine a stationary top hand (Tatum) "slapped" by a upward moving forearm (LBJ). Thats what happened. Looked like Jayson whacked him and certainly had a SLAAAP sound.
LBJ was expecting the contact (you know because he caused it....LOL) and continued through the contact for a shot. It hit rim and bounced out but the foul was called on Tatum.

By definition I dont *think it should have been a foul (????) but it was LBJ in Cleveland in the playoffs on a rookie. Not sure WTF the call should have been by the letter of the law.

Jayson had a look like "WTF just happened".
Discussed on the game thread. I’m fine with that being a foul. Jayson was actually in Lebron’s space and would (should) have been anticipating that move if he had more experience. In fact, he’d better have that option filed away for when he has the call on offense from now on.
 

benhogan

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Nov 2, 2007
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I expect Brad to make some of these adjustments:
1. As noted by Instaface, Rozier scrambles back on open perimeter Cavs player once LBJ gets Rozier ISO'd on him.
2. Start Baynes and have him match up/get physical with TT (I've beaten this dead horse for 3 games now and have no idea why this adjustment is not being made?)
3. Work the offense through Horford at the top of the key. He can beat Love/TT with a pump fake - drive, or shoot the 3 if they back off, or move the ball with the Cavs big on the perimeter out of the lane. I didn't understand putting Al on the block, it played into TT's strength and clogged the lane. It also led to contested, off-balance, turnaround jumpers from Al.
4. Insert Smart for Rozier in the middle of 1st and 3rd Quarters. Have Smart pick up LBJ full court. Once Lebron sits down at the end of 1st and 3rd Quarter's bring back Terry.

Trust in Brad, but these seem like obvious adjustments?
1. check. Rozier scrambled off LBJ all night
2. check. Baynes completely shut down TT, about fucking time he started
3. check. Al's big 3 in the 4th at the top of the key is where he should be
4. check. Rozier came in when LBJ came out at the end of Q1
 

lovegtm

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Apr 30, 2013
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1. check. Rozier scrambled off LBJ all night
2. check. Baynes completely shut down TT, about fucking time he started
3. check. Al's big 3 in the 4th at the top of the key is where he should be
4. check. Rozier came in when LBJ came out at the end of Q1
Yeah, good call on Baynes starting. That completely changed the game early: every time Rozier was caught on LBJ, Baynes would kick him out. It worked because Thompson is a non-threat offensively, so starting Baynes let Baynes roam at will, and stopped Cleveland from getting an iso-rhythm.

Edit: also agree with getting Horford to the top of the key. Even beyond spacing, the offense bogged down badly when they tried to post him.
 

benhogan

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Nov 2, 2007
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Yeah, good call on Baynes starting. That completely changed the game early: every time Rozier was caught on LBJ, Baynes would kick him out. It worked because Thompson is a non-threat offensively, so starting Baynes let Baynes roam at will, and stopped Cleveland from getting an iso-rhythm.

Edit: also agree with getting Horford to the top of the key. Even beyond spacing, the offense bogged down badly when they tried to post him.
do you think there was an added benefit of Baynes getting "physical" with Lebron when Bron tried to back Aron down? LBJ looked exhausted by the end
 

lovegtm

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do you think there was an added benefit of Baynes getting "physical" with Lebron when Bron tried to back Aron down? LBJ looked exhausted by the end
Definitely, and we saw the same with Embiid. Brad always talks about physicality having a cumulative effect, and there's almost certainly something to it.

A fascinating issue in these playoffs, with the emergence of iso and post play in the newer switchier NBA, has been the importance of fatigue. When you have players like Embiid, LeBron, Durant, and Harden, who are mismatches against almost anyone, but then can engineer switches for even greater advantages, it's easy to think "oh, well he can just take the other guy for 1.1 points per possession or whatever." In practice, however, it turns out that that takes a ton out of even elite players, to the point where it's not a sustainable strategy. We just didn't see that highlighted when defenses were switching less, since there was less opportunity to iso like crazy.