Figured we can update this once we know who the opponent is.
Per a little birdie, game 1 is going to be on Sunday, time still TBD.
Per a little birdie, game 1 is going to be on Sunday, time still TBD.
Celtics vs. Nets, Round 1 Discussion
- Thread starter tims4wins
- Start date
I kinda hope it is the Nets. They're an utterly loathsome franchise, stretching all the way back to wife beating Jason Kidd right up to burner account KD and his anti vaccine sidekick.
As a basketball fan, I want the Nets. Win or lose it will be fun as hell to watch. What would be less interesting than a series against a depleted Cleveland team?
Adding a poll for preferred opponent. Will change that to series prediction once the play-in is over.
I said Cleveland, but I remember the 2018-19 team sweeping Indy and then having that be utterly meaningless a round later.
Screw it, bring on the Nets. Will be fun, and the Cs will be sharp for Mil if they win.
This team does best when it's challenged and needs to execute.
Screw it, bring on the Nets. Will be fun, and the Cs will be sharp for Mil if they win.
This team does best when it's challenged and needs to execute.
I agree with this. Plus, the Nets give up a ton of points so I’d like the Celtics offense to be on a heater heading into Round 2.
When do we think we find out the schedule, would it be Wednesday after the play in Tuesday night?
While the Celts owe the Cavs some post-season payback, the more challenging and exciting series is to be had with the enigmatic Nets.
LETS GO CELTS
LETS GO CELTS
Yeah, I like the fact that you have to execute offensively to beat the Nets, but that they make that execution easier than do other teams. Allows Cs to really focus on their weak point, which can be the offensive end.
Gimme the Nets. The Celtics have been the hottest team in basketball, and I don't want any excuses for them to take their feet off the gas pedal and slip into prior bad habits.
They've been the best offense in basketball since the ASG by a good margin. The Nets defense is fucking embarrassing. At some point, Kyrie is going to do his Kyrie thing. Tatum is going to be raking, and Kyrie is going to call off whoever is defending him and try to man him up.
And it's going to be glorious.
They've been the best offense in basketball since the ASG by a good margin. The Nets defense is fucking embarrassing. At some point, Kyrie is going to do his Kyrie thing. Tatum is going to be raking, and Kyrie is going to call off whoever is defending him and try to man him up.
And it's going to be glorious.
One reason I’m happy with 2 as opposed to 4 is physicality. While I think the Celtics would beat the Raps in 5, due to Toronto’s issues with half court offense, they beat the shit out of you lol. This team (especially Tatum) tend to get distracted and flustered if the defense plays really physical and the calls aren’t there.
I would guess that a 6 game series against the Nets would have the Celtics physically fresher than a 5 game series against Toronto.
I would guess that a 6 game series against the Nets would have the Celtics physically fresher than a 5 game series against Toronto.
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I generally didn’t sweat the seeding because aside from an injury depleted squad like Chicago or Cleveland, every team in the EC has legitimate potential to beat this team (and visa versa). Obviously it would’ve been great to have an easy run, but if they pull off a championship it will be one for the ages.
Entertainment wise: Nets
Best Chance of a championship: Cavs
I'm just excited for the playoffs with the way this team is constructed. We no longer have to watch our defensive liability murder the Celtics chances when the game inevitably switches to half court possessions.
Best Chance of a championship: Cavs
I'm just excited for the playoffs with the way this team is constructed. We no longer have to watch our defensive liability murder the Celtics chances when the game inevitably switches to half court possessions.
Thanks, I am looking for G2 confirmation - I booked a suite for my company, and I want to give my employee's as much notice as possible for babysitters etc.
Seems that Tuesday the 19th is a very likely date.
I want the Cavs, but then again, I want the Nets to lose the 8-seed play-in game to the Hawks and for them to miss the play-offs entirely. Then we can have six weeks of an excuse off between the Nets and Lakers for not making the actual postseason.
It does. If you wind up with any extras, I'll be in town and would gladly impersonate an employee or two... ;-)
I voted Nets but if there was a 'let the chips fall where they may' option, I'd have taken it. I have been very slow to get on board with watching this team but obviously what they've been doing lately is impressive. I'm looking forward to some meaningful playoff series and I like their chances against anyone they way they've been playing.
yeah but a 5 game series against CLE is going to be far easiest of the three.
I think people are underestimating BRK. No one knows how BRK is going to play if Simmons comes back (including BRK) but Simmons simply cutting to open spaces, handling the ball in transition, and giving BRK one more plus defender is going to be a problem. I'd prefer that problem be for another team.
The Nets are going to be tough and are likely our first-round opponents. But I think you always go for the highest seed possible in large part because so much is unknowable at this stage. Second seed is solid, and if we can't beat the Nets in round one with home-court advantage, we frankly aren't going to do any better against Miami without the advantage.
The Bulls and Cavs were my preferences, of course. But the Cavs aren’t in the Celtics hands at all, and the Bucks took the 3rd seed out of our hands when they sat everyone yesterday.
Of the options between 2 and 4, I’d rather 2. But I also understand why people would have preferred 4th.
Yep.
Eg, if Durant turns an ankle badly in the first quarter tomorrow night, the C’s probably don’t see BKN this coming week anyways.
Of course we want them to take on CLE. Don't be silly with this Brooklyn shit. You never want to face a more difficult opponent.
No kidding. This thread confuses me.
I don't care if we have to go through 3 high school teams to get to the finals, if that's what gives us the best chance of winning, that's what I want. Period.
You don't get participation trophies, you don't get moral victories, and you certainly aren't going to feel any different if the C's send the Nets packing or the Cavs. It's all about winning it all, and playing the Cavs makes it easier to do that. If the Nets can't beat the Cavs, then even better. Go fuck yourself Kyrie.
I don't care if we have to go through 3 high school teams to get to the finals, if that's what gives us the best chance of winning, that's what I want. Period.
You don't get participation trophies, you don't get moral victories, and you certainly aren't going to feel any different if the C's send the Nets packing or the Cavs. It's all about winning it all, and playing the Cavs makes it easier to do that. If the Nets can't beat the Cavs, then even better. Go fuck yourself Kyrie.
Not sure I fully agree with this. Sending the Nets packing would feel pretty special, and I firmly believe that if they beat the Nets they're winning it all.
100% on board with this.
How would it feel if the Nets send us packing? Personally, I'm less worried about beating the Nets than I am worried about the Nets giving us a fucking battle, and meanwhile, there's Milwaukee waiting in the wings, and likely, pretty damn rested.
If another team, say for example, the Cleveland Cavaliers, want to do the dirty work for us, that'll be fucking awesome. If COVID took out half the Nets roster, and they lose to Cleveland as a result, I'm just fine with that too. They can make their excuses, I don't give a shit. Ain't going to be no asterisk next to #19 in the rafters no matter who have to go through. And let's not forget, there may be a few reasons that Cavs fans want Kyrie to go fuck himself too.
I'd prefer the easiest path possible. But if it is the Nets, there are some things that the Celtics should be able to take advantage of. Putting aside Ben Simmons, the Nets are very small at guard, and none of those guys (Kyrie, Seth, Patty Mills and Dragic) are defensive stalwarts. Celtics wings should have a field day cutting to the hoop, it isnt like Brooklyn has much in the way of rim protection. If there is no Ben, I'm looking for The Jaylen Brown Experience to explode all over Brooklyn like Peter North coming out of a 3 month coma.
The Nets have nobody who gives Tatum any trouble. Going back to last years playoffs, he’s averaging around 30/6/5 on a 61% TS against them, in 9 games. If the other guys hit their shots, I feel a lot better about our offense against their defense, than the other way around.
Like I said earlier, obviously I’d prefer the Cavs, but it’s likely the Nets, so I’m just digging into the matchup with them.
Edit: this tweet says my post better, as it includes last regular season.
View: https://twitter.com/lissmx14/status/1513566622690197515?s=20&t=qwximGoK0JZgsg7HkdFFhw
Like I said earlier, obviously I’d prefer the Cavs, but it’s likely the Nets, so I’m just digging into the matchup with them.
Edit: this tweet says my post better, as it includes last regular season.
View: https://twitter.com/lissmx14/status/1513566622690197515?s=20&t=qwximGoK0JZgsg7HkdFFhw
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Yeah, I refuse to answer the poll question. Cavs are obviously preferable, but you can't pencil in an "easy sweep" for anyone. At the same time, this Celtics team isn't afraid of the Nets, and we shouldn't be either.
I voted for Cleveland but really just looking forward to the games. Honestly Cleveland may not be an easy matchup either, they have youth and energy and might be pesky. They played us tough early in the year (of course that was with the "old" C's).
One risk to the Nets that I think is under-rated is injury. The MCL sprain this year was kind of a freak play but Durant has a lot of mileage and if he or Irving gets hurt even for a game or two, they don't really play as a team enough to hang in there.
One risk to the Nets that I think is under-rated is injury. The MCL sprain this year was kind of a freak play but Durant has a lot of mileage and if he or Irving gets hurt even for a game or two, they don't really play as a team enough to hang in there.
CLE has been a terrible team since the trade deadline. They are 10-17, and the only "good" wins were at home against TOR (VanVleet didn't play), OT win at home against LAC (no George, Kawhi, Morris, Jackson), and an OT win at home against DEN.
The only other teams they beat in that stretch were the bottom dwellers (DET, WAS, IND, ORL, NYK, and a last game of the year tankfest against MIL).
The Cavs were one of the leagues best teams to begin the year when healthy. They were still very good after Sexton went down as Rubio was able to gain a larger role and allow Garland the freedom to score. After Rubio went down they became exposed and it became obvious how crucial he was to their success. After Jarrett Allen was injured, along with Rubio and Sexton being out this team has been downright awful. There is a chance Allen returns for the playoffs I suppose but this team runs on Rubio and he’s not walking through that door.
All the people posting about how awesome it would be to send the Nets home need to consider the flip side, how obnoxious it would be to lose to them, especially while Timelord is a week or two away from coming back.
I think we’re the better team, but there is a respectable possibility we could lose, unlike Cleveland, who just has zero chance against the Celtics.
I think we’re the better team, but there is a respectable possibility we could lose, unlike Cleveland, who just has zero chance against the Celtics.
In a Celtics vs Cavs series, Boston can put the best player on the floor at any time. And, given the Cavs health, or lack thereof, perhaps even the 2 or 3 best players.
Against the Nets, the Celtics will have the 2nd and arguably the 4th best player among the combined rosters. Not yet worried about Simmons, but if he is healthy and ready to go, he could ease the defensive burden for the Nets 2 stars, especially with Robert Williams likely missing the series.
Against the Nets, the Celtics will have the 2nd and arguably the 4th best player among the combined rosters. Not yet worried about Simmons, but if he is healthy and ready to go, he could ease the defensive burden for the Nets 2 stars, especially with Robert Williams likely missing the series.
I don't think this means a whole lot given the various iterations of the Nets he has played against in that stretch.
It’s pretty much the same system as last year, only difference is no Harden, and no Jeff Green. But if you want to go by just this season, it’s 30/6/4 on a 64% TS. Either way, he destroys them.
Also just noticed that Smart has averaged 18/7 on a 70% TS against them this year, after averaging 18/4/6 on a 59% TS in last years playoffs.
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Voted for Cleveland for all the obvious reasons.
As far as manipulating the "seeding game Sunday"? It came down to playing TOR as the 4 seed or playing #7 (most likely the NETS) as the 2 seed. Pick your poison. Credit to MIL on figuring out how to get the limping BULLS
Part of me sees the Celtics smashing the NETS to pieces in the 1st round. It's been a long season for Ky-RANT, and they could easily curl up in their shell if the C's smack them around in Game 1/2. Hopefully gaining momentum from it for a BUCKS series that the C's will have home-court advantage. It's a dangerous road to travel but the EC was going to be a beast no matter what. A Toronto/Miami path + either the Bucks/Nets waiting in the EC Finals wouldn't be a picnic either. Go CAVS!
PHX is going to be the big winner here, whoever survives the EC is going to limp into the Finals
As far as manipulating the "seeding game Sunday"? It came down to playing TOR as the 4 seed or playing #7 (most likely the NETS) as the 2 seed. Pick your poison. Credit to MIL on figuring out how to get the limping BULLS
Part of me sees the Celtics smashing the NETS to pieces in the 1st round. It's been a long season for Ky-RANT, and they could easily curl up in their shell if the C's smack them around in Game 1/2. Hopefully gaining momentum from it for a BUCKS series that the C's will have home-court advantage. It's a dangerous road to travel but the EC was going to be a beast no matter what. A Toronto/Miami path + either the Bucks/Nets waiting in the EC Finals wouldn't be a picnic either. Go CAVS!
PHX is going to be the big winner here, whoever survives the EC is going to limp into the Finals
I would enjoy a series versus the Nets but at the same time, even if you want the Nets as an opponent for a reason specified in this thread, aren't 100% of us rooting for Cleveland to win tonight? Even if only because every time the Nets lose it is cause for celebration?
This is a good point and was enough for me to cast my vote for Cleveland. I'm not afraid of the Nets but the easiest path to the finals allows the Celtics to have extra gas in the tank if/when they get there. The memory of a worn down Celtics team losing to the Heat after being exhausted from the Toronto series is still pretty fresh.