NBA Playoffs

[champs99and04]

Smart OK, but definitely not Tatum. And it seems like Rozier has taken himself to another level. I keep waiting for some regress, but it's almost like he's getting better.

It's tough to compare them because Tatum just turned 20 and Redick is at the tail-end of his prime. I think it can be argued either way. Redick is a below average defensive player (I don't know exactly how bad), but his shooting and passing coming off screens has kept that offense above water all year and especially in the playoffs with guys like Covington struggling. In sum, he's a huge net positive for a team that protects the rim as well as Philly.

Tatum is solid defensively, perhaps above average if you want to give him the benefit of the doubt for contributing to the league's top ranked defense (I don't know how much of that is coaching/scheme, but then again, the same point could be made against Redick). On the other end he's been super efficient and looks poised to emerge as one of the league's best scorers over time, but he's feasted on a healthier diet of shots than Redick, who has been an artist at drilling unthinkably tough shots under duress, moving away from the basket.

At the end of the day, I think both clubs would keep their guys. Redick's infusion of shooting is one of the primary reasons for the turn around they've had, and it's one of the primary reasons they continued to win when Embiid went down. Tatum has held his own as a rookie on the #1 defense in the league, something I absolutely did not expect him to do, and posted outrageous shooting splits for a player in his age-19 season. Taking the needs of both teams into account, the difference between great shooter and all-time great shooter meant more to Philly than it did to Boston, and the opposite is true defensively. JMO.

 

[Rocktheworld]

Man already know Skip is gonna go in on LeBron's free throws even if the Cavs win

 

[superjohn]

It's tough to compare them because Tatum just turned 20 and Redick is at the tail-end of his prime. I think it can be argued either way. Redick is a below average defensive player (I don't know exactly how bad), but his shooting and passing coming off screens has kept that offense above water all year and especially in the playoffs with guys like Covington struggling. In sum, he's a huge net positive for a team that protects the rim as well as Philly.

Tatum is solid defensively, perhaps above average if you want to give him the benefit of the doubt for contributing to the league's top ranked defense (I don't know how much of that is coaching/scheme, but then again, the same point could be made against Redick). On the other end he's been super efficient and looks poised to emerge as one of the league's best scorers over time, but he's feasted on a healthier diet of shots than Redick, who has been an artist at drilling unthinkably tough shots under duress, moving away from the basket.

At the end of the day, I think both clubs would keep their guys. Redick's infusion of shooting is one of the primary reasons for the turn around they've had, and it's one of the primary reasons they continued to win when Embiid went down. Tatum has held his own as a rookie on the #1 defense in the league, something I absolutely did not expect him to do, and posted outrageous shooting splits for a player in his age-19 season. Taking the needs of both teams into account, the difference between great shooter and all-time great shooter meant more to Philly than it did to Boston, and the opposite is true defensively. JMO.

If they could do a straight up trade Tatum for Redick, it would take Philly about a second to pack JJ's bags.

 

[intlzncster]

It's tough to compare them because Tatum just turned 20 and Redick is at the tail-end of his prime. I think it can be argued either way. Redick is a below average defensive player (I don't know exactly how bad), but his shooting and passing coming off screens has kept that offense above water all year and especially in the playoffs with guys like Covington struggling. In sum, he's a huge net positive for a team that protects the rim as well as Philly.

Tatum is solid defensively, perhaps above average if you want to give him the benefit of the doubt for contributing to the league's top ranked defense (I don't know how much of that is coaching/scheme, but then again, the same point could be made against Redick). On the other end he's been super efficient and looks poised to emerge as one of the league's best scorers over time, but he's feasted on a healthier diet of shots than Redick, who has been an artist at drilling unthinkably tough shots under duress, moving away from the basket.

At the end of the day, I think both clubs would keep their guys. Redick's infusion of shooting is one of the primary reasons for the turn around they've had, and it's one of the primary reasons they continued to win when Embiid went down. Tatum has held his own as a rookie on the #1 defense in the league, something I absolutely did not expect him to do, and posted outrageous shooting splits for a player in his age-19 season. Taking the needs of both teams into account, the difference between great shooter and all-time great shooter meant more to Philly than it did to Boston, and the opposite is true defensively. JMO.

I wonder what JJ will do next year. Philly's paying him an absurd 23mil for this single year of service. Will he want to resign (obv for a lot cheaper)?

 

[superjohn]

Texting with friends 5 minutes ago I was saying I've never seen a team miss more point blank layups than the Raptors have tonight, as I'm typing this they just missed three more.

 

[Robertelamin]

Toronto can't hit anything

 

[superjohn]

Toronto can't hit anything

They missed 15 of last 16 and most were layups.

 

[superjohn]

How was that a shotclock violation???

 

[Robertelamin]

They missed 15 of last 16 and most were layups.

Member when champs suggested LeBron might mail it in against the Pacers? Haha good times

 

[superjohn]

Member when champs suggested LeBron might mail it in against the Pacers? Haha good times

Did somebody hack his account?

 

[Dogdeacon]

I'm starting to believe this. I think Stevens is that much of a wizard and the role players are the biggest beneficiaries. Jaylen Brown was very raw coming out of Cal, it's unreal the strides he's made in two seasons. Rozier went from not being a rotation piece to one of the better backup PGs in the league. Tatum was a polished prospect but Stevens is getting the most out of him.

This is going to turn into a Patriots situations where you don't want anything to do with FAs (or trade offers) who are leaving the Celtics. Already happened with Avery Bradley and IT. If they let Smart go and I'm in the GM of another team I wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole. Stevens gets the most out of a majority of the roster, guys who will not produce similar results in another organization.

Smart is kind of his own guy, I don't think the Stevens effect is at play with him. Definitely if they shopped Rozier or Brown or even Horford other teams should be wary that they'll never get the same Boston does out of them.

Rozier - Kyrie (obv great on his own) - IT - kind of seems like Stevens' system is good for a PG. Maybe the narrative that IT's playing thru injury isn't the biggest part of that story, Brad simply has a system that gets great looks for any PG.

 

[Dogdeacon]

It's tough to compare them because Tatum just turned 20 and Redick is at the tail-end of his prime. I think it can be argued either way. Redick is a below average defensive player (I don't know exactly how bad), but his shooting and passing coming off screens has kept that offense above water all year and especially in the playoffs with guys like Covington struggling. In sum, he's a huge net positive for a team that protects the rim as well as Philly.

Tatum is solid defensively, perhaps above average if you want to give him the benefit of the doubt for contributing to the league's top ranked defense (I don't know how much of that is coaching/scheme, but then again, the same point could be made against Redick). On the other end he's been super efficient and looks poised to emerge as one of the league's best scorers over time, but he's feasted on a healthier diet of shots than Redick, who has been an artist at drilling unthinkably tough shots under duress, moving away from the basket.

At the end of the day, I think both clubs would keep their guys. Redick's infusion of shooting is one of the primary reasons for the turn around they've had, and it's one of the primary reasons they continued to win when Embiid went down. Tatum has held his own as a rookie on the #1 defense in the league, something I absolutely did not expect him to do, and posted outrageous shooting splits for a player in his age-19 season. Taking the needs of both teams into account, the difference between great shooter and all-time great shooter meant more to Philly than it did to Boston, and the opposite is true defensively. JMO.

This is 3 paragraphs of bad, over analysis of the obvious even without mentioning immense salary/contract disconnect. Tatum's upside vs Reddick is silly, Tatum's length & versatility NOW makes it sillier.

Next time on insane over-rating of white shooters, why Cleveland won last night, because Kyle Korver's quick release makes him better than either Lowry or DeRozan

 

[auror]

The Fultz heist is currently so good that they won't even let the kid play in Boston....He won't see a minute on the parquet or they risk his fragile psyche for another lost year.

I mean, he didn't play in the Heat series either after game 3 (and only 20 minutes combined in first 3 games). Not really a Boston thing. But you're right his shot is still broken so they're giving his minutes to McConnell (and mostly just more Simmons).

 

[Rocktheworld]

That was a good NO-GS game too. What a come-back game for Steph. Looking forward to the series headed back to NOLA

 

[Dogdeacon]

I mean, he didn't play in the Heat series either after game 3 (and only 20 minutes combined in first 3 games). Not really a Boston thing. But you're right his shot is still broken so they're giving his minutes to McConnell (and mostly just more Simmons).

I think it is a Boston thing, but its nitpicking. Here's what his coach said; "But I got a decision to make, and I’ve made a decision. “That doesn’t mean it’s etched in stone. It’s always something that you review and I think about. And the care for Markelle Fultz and his future is always on my mind.”
For me the last part says; "the 5 decent minutes best case scenario in Boston isn't worth the downside of that crowd getting on him and the kid getting further inside his own head to the point he misses another entire season tweaking his broken jump shot. I'd rather hold him out and retain the illusion he has #1 pick value, if he does we will trade him this offseason b/c without a jumper he's redundant bordering on useless given what Ben Simmons is doing. Man do I wish we had Tatum, we'd be a lock to win this series and probably the east"
But I might be reading too much into it

 

[HuskyHawk]

On the Celtics and Sixers. The Celtics are using positionless basketball to slow 'The Process' | Boston.com

It makes some fair points. Boston is so adaptable, that you can't really take them out of their game, but they can take you out of your game. That's what happened in game 1.

Stevens is great and Ainge is very sharp. The two of them being in lockstep really makes the talent acquisition work. For those that don't know, Stevens and Belichick have a mutual admiration society of sorts. There are many similarities when you look at how they both see great value in versatility. The Celtics are bringing in guys who can play all over the floor. Smart, for as limited as he is in some respects, is a great defender, plays very hard, and poses matchup problems. If Brown is healthy, I think Boston will win this series.

 

[Dogdeacon]

On the Celtics and Sixers. The Celtics are using positionless basketball to slow 'The Process' | Boston.com

It makes some fair points. Boston is so adaptable, that you can't really take them out of their game, but they can take you out of your game. That's what happened in game 1.

Stevens is great and Ainge is very sharp. The two of them being in lockstep really makes the talent acquisition work. For those that don't know, Stevens and Belichick have a mutual admiration society of sorts. There are many similarities when you look at how they both see great value in versatility. The Celtics are bringing in guys who can play all over the floor. Smart, for as limited as he is in some respects, is a great defender, plays very hard, and poses matchup problems. If Brown is healthy, I think Boston will win this series.

Brown isn't playing game 2, definitely worrisome as Boston got the one-game rally the troops bump, but now will need to pull out all the stops as Philly will throw everything into trying to win this game. Solid contributions needed from each of Baynes, Smart, Morris and Shane Larkin (yet another example of Stevens making a scrap heap PG look great), cuz their new BIG 3 isn't putting up 75+ again.

 

[champs99and04]

I wonder what JJ will do next year. Philly's paying him an absurd 23mil for this single year of service. Will he want to resign (obv for a lot cheaper)?

Crazy thing is that 23 mil is probably good value for Redick with how bloated salaries have become under the new cap (Al Horford is better than Redick, but the same applies).

But yeah, that's maybe the most difficult question facing Philly this offseason. It feels like they're going to be second guessed either way.

 

[champs99and04]

This is 3 paragraphs of bad, over analysis of the obvious even without mentioning immense salary/contract disconnect. Tatum's upside vs Reddick is silly, Tatum's length & versatility NOW makes it sillier.

Next time on insane over-rating of white shooters, why Cleveland won last night, because Kyle Korver's quick release makes him better than either Lowry or DeRozan

That's kind of what I do.

In all seriousness, I think you're underrating Redick. The fact that you lumped him in with the first white shooter you could think of makes my point.

 

[champs99and04]

I might have to take back my comments about Mitchell not being a future superstar. He's so ahead of schedule.

 

[superjohn]

I might have to take back my comments about Mitchell not being a future superstar. He's so ahead of schedule.

That dunk off his own miss was ridiculous.

 

[Drew]

Dante Exum HAMMER dunk.

Quinn Snyder is a top 10 NBA coach

 

[champs99and04]

That dunk off his own miss was ridiculous.

I legitimately yelled when that happened as if I had witnessed a horrible crime.

 

[superjohn]

Dante Exum HAMMER dunk.

Quinn Snyder is a top 10 NBA coach

Great coach and looks like a Batman villain.

 

[Robertelamin]

Well he is A Dukie after all. He flamed out so bad at Missouri that it kind of blows my mind he is a good NBA coach. Plus it looks like he does meth.