Boston going all in for Kawhi would’ve been interesting for sure.
Had they not made the kyrie trade they probably had the assets for him and brow (and could’ve traded for brow at the trade deadline).
TODAY the Celtics not getting Kawhi looks like a poor choice and for 2018-19 it may have been. Come July 1st when he signs with the Clippers not so much.
What's even more amazing to me is that right now playing THROUGH the leg injury (same thigh injury??!!) Kawhi is better than Giannis and able to seize control of these games. Yes Kawhi has a more experienced supporting cast, but ultimately these games are coming down to Kawhi getting BUCKETS when they are desperately needed. Kawhi's performance while hurt definitely increases curiosity about if Kawhi could have played last year and at same time IF that same injury is still hanging around it is an argument that he needed the rest.
Meanwhile at games end Giannis is charging like a bull in a china shop. Chris Weber (who knows shrinking from the moment) was 1000% correct to identify the BS in Giannis removing himself from the game with just over a minute left. WTF?! Bucks definitely crumbled in that game and it starts at the top. Middelton being their go-to guy when they need a bucket late is just weird.
I thought Kenny Smith, as always was really insightful after the game when he commented that now the Bucks get to find out if they are championship caliber or not. Who can step up and keep fighting no matter what? Last night it was only Lopez & Brogdon, maybe Bledsoe a little but even at his best he makes a lot of ill-fated over penetrating decisions (is he a rich man's Taliek Brown?). But maybe the Bucks have what it takes as Giannis is learning at a super high level. Yet it is driving me crazy that they don't get him the ball in the low post or even high post more than giving it to him at the three point line and trying to have him dribble create. Their shooters have deteriorated with Middleton blanketed. And Giannis passes, often behind himself after WALL thwarted penetration are off - making the three's much harder. In contrast Kawhi had 9 assists last night and every... single... assist .... led to a three...wow! Giannis in the post, especially late, might just get fouled and miss the free throws. I say try it anyway, if you are scared of your best player on the line you are toast anyway. At least his passes from there should be better.
Definitely these last two games lead me to believe that Bucks are shrinking as the moment gets bigger, doesn't bode well if they make the finals - although they'd obviously have to overcome this to do so. Raptors in contrast have been in more playoff series and are emboldened by less fear of failure.
