This game has gotten quite feisty. Cavs are tired.My post did the job
Belichick would call that a slump.31 Division titles in 61 years. That's good, right?
Better than average (for a two-team division).31 Division titles in 61 years. That's good, right?
you are insane..... you watched the last game against a full go healthy cavs team right?And dare I say it, they may surprise us yet this season (yes, I still think they can take anyone in the East though I know I am in a small minority and they are a tough match-up for Golden State too...).
I feel the same way...and even the first round will be tough. If they get Atlanta it will be even tougher. They look like a team that peaked a month ago. I have visions of triple-teams on IT while the rest of the team can't score.you are insane..... you watched the last game against a full go healthy cavs team right?
If the Celtics get Toronto in the second round they are done then, as long as both derozan and Lowry are healthy. Hell, even Washington will be tough for them. Honestly, even a first round matchup will be tough for this team although I do honk they should win it.
The last game with CLE turned when LeBron played the 5, which was necessitated when TT was out. First of all, LBJ is typically unguardable but the Cavs can force switches that the Cs haven't figured out how to defend yet: i.e, LBJ vs. Smart, AB, or KO.you are insane..... you watched the last game against a full go healthy cavs team right?
This is where I am at. If Bradley can hit his open shots and force the other team's defense to be honest, not only does he carry more of the offensive burden but it opens up lanes to the basket for IT and the other guys that like to slash.The key for me is Bradley. We need consistent games like last night. If he plays poorly, there just isn't enough offense to beat the Cavs, Raptors, or Wizards. I expect Crowder and Horford to be relatively consistent in what they give us. Isaiah will do Isaiah things. Bradley is the key player for me. I doubt Brown/Rozier play a whole lot in the playoffs so it really comes down to the IT/Bradley/Smart rotation.
Well I am certainly insane. I also acknowledge that the odds favor the Cs being bounced by the second round if not the first.you are insane..... you watched the last game against a full go healthy cavs team right?
If the Celtics get Toronto in the second round they are done then, as long as both derozan and Lowry are healthy. Hell, even Washington will be tough for them. Honestly, even a first round matchup will be tough for this team although I do honk they should win it.
This is correct but understated. It is dramatically more divorced from reasonable expectations of this team to have serious concerns about the first round v. modest hopes for the finals.We just like to moan about the Celtics because we watch them every night. In fact I think fans of any team outside of GSW have a bevy of playoff worries.
The Cavaliers are still the favorites in the East if everyone is healthy. That's clear. But even as someone who is really annoyed at some of the play of the Celtics of late, it's pessimistic to *expect* them to lose a first round series at this point, and to have already virtually given up on winning in the second round. Don't get me wrong, Stevens and this core have to go out there and prove they can win a series, I understand some skepticism based on last year. But people here talk about them like a fringe playoff team.
Yeah, we're worried because we watch the Celtics every night. How the C's will match-up defensively is a problem, but so is Isaiah's one-man show. The Celtics will have to find offense somewhere, and even if Bradley and Crowder flip a switch defensively, everyone else does too. There's always some surprises defensively in the playoffs: last year JR Smith turned into a fucking ballhawk. Who could've predicted that?We just like to moan about the Celtics because we watch them every night. In fact I think fans of any team outside of GSW have a bevy of playoff worries.
The Cavaliers are still the favorites in the East if everyone is healthy. That's clear. But even as someone who is really annoyed at some of the play of the Celtics of late, it's pessimistic to *expect* them to lose a first round series at this point, and to have already virtually given up on winning in the second round. Don't get me wrong, Stevens and this core have to go out there and prove they can win a series, I understand some skepticism based on last year. But people here talk about them like a fringe playoff team.
This post should NOT be re-accommodated.Yeah, we're worried because we watch the Celtics every night. How the C's will match-up defensively is a problem, but so is Isaiah's one-man show. The Celtics will have to find offense somewhere, and even if Bradley and Crowder flip a switch defensively, everyone else does too. There's always some surprises defensively in the playoffs: last year JR Smith turned into a fucking ballhawk. Who could've predicted that?
But if you're a Toronto fan you're terribly worried about Toronto burying themselves under DeRozan DeChucking and about how your ISO offense is going to operate under heightened playoff defenses in general. If you're Cleveland you're worried about how porous your perimeter defense is: JR Smith is back to being a pumpkin defensively, Kyrie has his troubles with screens, K-Love has been on skates since he came back, and TT isn't good enough at C to compensate for all of that. And if you're a Wizards fan you're worried because your team is three fucking guys.
Apologies. Somehow, I digested your post, liked it, and then reposted pretty much the same thing, and didn't even realize I had. And this is after spending the whole day dealing with students who plagiarized.This post should NOT be re-accommodated.
That was my hamfisted attempt at giving your post love while trying to incorporate topical humor. In short, your post was spot on.Apologies. Somehow, I digested your post, liked it, and then reposted pretty much the same thing, and didn't even realize I had. And this is after spending the whole day dealing with students who plagiarized.
First, while I agree with you about Rozier, I would be shocked if Brown didn't get his normal 15 minutes off the bench. While he doesn't add to the scoring of the second unit, he does add to its defense.I doubt Brown/Rozier play a whole lot in the playoffs so it really comes down to the IT/Bradley/Smart rotation.
I don't think fans of Toronto or Cleveland worry about their team getting bounced in the 1st round, and that's not a chicken little sentiment either. It looks like the Celtics will luck out and get the Bulls or Indy, but the other matchups are scary.Yeah, we're worried because we watch the Celtics every night. How the C's will match-up defensively is a problem, but so is Isaiah's one-man show. The Celtics will have to find offense somewhere, and even if Bradley and Crowder flip a switch defensively, everyone else does too. There's always some surprises defensively in the playoffs: last year JR Smith turned into a fucking ballhawk. Who could've predicted that?
But if you're a Toronto fan you're terribly worried about Toronto burying themselves under DeRozan DeChucking and about how your ISO offense is going to operate under heightened playoff defenses in general. If you're Cleveland you're worried about how porous your perimeter defense is: JR Smith is back to being a pumpkin defensively, Kyrie has his troubles with screens, K-Love has been on skates since he came back, and TT isn't good enough at C to compensate for all of that. And if you're a Wizards fan you're worried because your team is three fucking guys.
Toronto should worry a little because the Bucks are actually a good basketball team. There are 6 of those in the East. The Cavs and Celtics shouldn't be worried for that reason. Well, the Cavs should be a little worried because they've done nothing outside of the Celtics game in the last 3 months to demonstrate they belong in the playoffs at all, let alone as the 2 seed. The Celtics shouldn't be worried because they are healthy, playing as well as anyone in the East, and much better than any of their possible first round opponents. Assuming they end up the 1 seed, they should also be able to win a second round matchup against the Wizards or Hawks, but, per my original point, nothing is a lock after the first round because all the teams are good and none of them are great.I don't think fans of Toronto or Cleveland worry about their team getting bounced in the 1st round, and that's not a chicken little sentiment either. It looks like the Celtics will luck out and get the Bulls or Indy, but the other matchups are scary.
They are locked into the 6 seed, so this is the right decision for them.Wow......
Brian RobbVerified account @CelticsHub 29s30 seconds ago
Celtics' odds of keeping top seed just went up. Bucks game notes indicate Giannis, Middleton, Snell and Dellavedova will sit out vs. C's.
Sorry, didnt mean that Stevens should use all 3 at the same time. I think Brown and Rozier will be used at about 10 mins/game. We also don't know if Brown is ready for playoff basketball. I hope he can give us what he gave in the regular season but if he freezes up or makes a lot of rookie mistakes, I see Stevens leaning heavily on his vets.First, while I agree with you about Rozier, I would be shocked if Brown didn't get his normal 15 minutes off the bench. While he doesn't add to the scoring of the second unit, he does add to its defense.
Second, I hope / trust Brad uses the IT/Bradley/Smart rotation judiciously. There are a lot of ways for specific teams to take advantage of that rotation and if they are not scoring at a good clip, this unit can give up a lot of points very quickly to the wrong team.
I was talking about this in the other thread, but I think Toronto should be worried about the Bucks. Middleton is one of the better shooting guards in the league and they've been nasty since he came back. Their length will give Toronto a lot of trouble on both ends, especially with Middleton playing the 3 and and Giannis at the 4. That leaves Snell at the 2, and he's 6 foot 7. It's a huge team. They've got a ton of people they can throw at Derozan.I don't think fans of Toronto or Cleveland worry about their team getting bounced in the 1st round, and that's not a chicken little sentiment either. It looks like the Celtics will luck out and get the Bulls or Indy, but the other matchups are scary.