NBA Playoffs

[UConn990411]

As good as LeBron is, the Warriors would smoke this Cavs team.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

The question is where do they go from here?

Their big contracts have 2 years left on them and they’re capped out thanks to questionable deals for Val and ibaka.

They really don’t have a path to the finals that doesn’t have Lebron and injury in the same sentence.

I think they stand pat. See what LeBron does. The level of their main contracts leaves them few viable options.

 

[traitor71]

Rockets are good, no doubt - I just don't think they are completely mentally tough and the finals IS a different animal then the conference finals. Fact is they've been aiming for the Warriors for years and this is their big shot. Their goal is more to beat the Warriors than it is to win the NBA championship. So under this hypothesis they are laser focused for the series, matchup well with CP3 physical on Curry, Harden trying on defense v Thompson & some plan (Capella) to contend with Durant. And they've got the magic bullet 3 formula to win with 1 or 2 hot shooting games.
= So they get kinda hot or lucky and fulfill their goal.
Then letdown...
then bright lights of finals...
then LeBron who is incredibly relieved to not see Warriors again and on a mission from God to get a championship that's much more there for the taking (ala Jordan grabbing it from Mailman)...
then back to ye old playoff shriking violet Harden & CP3.
= Cavs in 5

How in the hell would they guard Houston? It's impossible not to imagine Ariza, Tucker, Mbah a Moute, Eric Gordon, etc all not being wide open against Cleveland's defense. LeBron can't guard them all, so how do they handle that?

 

[UConn990411]

The refs are not ready for this series to end, that’s for sure.

Boston goes up 6, and they immediately put Philly on the line.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

New meaning to letting them play at the end of this one

 

[Huskyforlife]

Whoever caught that in-bounds traveled. Brad Stevens is amazing though.

 

[Robertelamin]

Trade Simmons.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Whoever caught that in-bounds traveled. Brad Stevens is amazing though.

Yeah definitely got away with one

 

[superjohn]

Barkley calling out the Brad Stevens jealousy.

 

[champs99and04]

I'm not the biggest proponent of the 'clutch gene' by any stretch, but that Sixers team gives off some serious UConn Amida Brimah/Rodney Purvis era vibes. Simmons and Embiid are built physically to dominate the sport, they put in the time to develop skills that allow them to do so, and they seem like willing learners who will improve through time. But there's something missing and it's obvious. Guys who were built to play basketball vs. guys who were born to play, or something like that. The best I can explain it is that you know the mistakes they're going to make before they make them.

For some reason I knew Redick was going to miss that wide open three that would have put them up five with a minute left. I knew Embiid was going to lose the ball in an act of clumsiness on the final possession. I knew somebody for Boston would slip to the basket unchecked amidst the chaos that followed the Saric turnover. It felt like prophecy and it felt like the right outcome, even though I was rooting for Philly and even though I think they're 'better.'

 

[superjohn]

I'm not the biggest proponent of the 'clutch gene' by any stretch, but that Sixers team gives off some serious UConn Amida Brimah/Rodney Purvis era vibes. Simmons and Embiid are built physically to dominate the sport, they put in the time to develop skills that allow them to do so, and they seem like willing learners who will improve through time. But there's something missing and it's obvious. Guys who were built to play basketball vs. guys who were born to play, or something like that. The best I can explain it is that you know the mistakes they're going to make before they make them.

For some reason I knew Redick was going to miss that wide open three that would have put them up five with a minute left. I knew Embiid was going to lose the ball in an act of clumsiness on the final possession. I knew somebody for Boston would slip to the basket unchecked amidst the chaos that followed the Saric turnover. It felt like prophecy and it felt like the right outcome, even though I was rooting for Philly and even though I think they're 'better.'

What made you know Redick was going to miss that huge wide open three? Was it because he's missed that shot his entire career going back to Duke?

 

[MadDogRevival]

Brad Stevens is going to have a very long, very impressive career. I mean, it was obvious with what he did with Butler. Butler! But there's just no denying it.

I'm the most interested in both semis as I have been in a long time.

 

[champs99and04]

What made you know Redick was going to miss that huge wide open three? Was it because he's missed that shot his entire career going back to Duke?

Yes.

 

[tzznandrew]

I'm not the biggest proponent of the 'clutch gene' by any stretch, but that Sixers team gives off some serious UConn Amida Brimah/Rodney Purvis era vibes. Simmons and Embiid are built physically to dominate the sport, they put in the time to develop skills that allow them to do so, and they seem like willing learners who will improve through time. But there's something missing and it's obvious. Guys who were built to play basketball vs. guys who were born to play, or something like that. The best I can explain it is that you know the mistakes they're going to make before they make them.

For some reason I knew Redick was going to miss that wide open three that would have put them up five with a minute left. I knew Embiid was going to lose the ball in an act of clumsiness on the final possession. I knew somebody for Boston would slip to the basket unchecked amidst the chaos that followed the Saric turnover. It felt like prophecy and it felt like the right outcome, even though I was rooting for Philly and even though I think they're 'better.'

Meh. It's their first playoffs. They had all sorts of opportunities to choke against the Heat and they didn't. Extrapolating one series when most of the best players are under 23 isn't a good idea. People said LeBron lacked a clutch gene in his first few playoff series as well...

 

[MilliniumPrince]

Meh. It's their first playoffs. They had all sorts of opportunities to choke against the Heat and they didn't. Extrapolating one series when most of the best players are under 23 isn't a good idea. People said LeBron lacked a clutch gene in his first few playoff series as well...

Those people watched him score 29 of his team final 32 points, 25 in a row, against the defending conference chance. They were idiots, and I agree with you. Conclusions about a team so young are foolish.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

Celtics fan here but I gotta assume it’s Cavs in 5, maybe 6.

 

[Waquoit]

I'm not the biggest proponent of the 'clutch gene' by any stretch, but that Sixers team gives off some serious UConn Amida Brimah/Rodney Purvis era vibes.

Including the guy who won a ring while making the single biggest shot (and FT) on a NC-winning team in your shade hurts your credibility.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

It will take a Herculean effort and a growth spurt by Marcus Smart to stop LeBron

 

[Lefty2one]

I'd be so frustrated if I were a Philly fan. So many frustrating, sloppy turnovers throughout the series. Sure, Boston's D deserves a fair amount of credit but Philly has been doing this all season. It's rare to see such an evenly matched series end 4-1. Moving on...

I'm curious to see how Stevens defends LeBron. I'm assuming they'll stick with their strategy vs Philly (stick to shooters and rarely help on Simmons & Embiid) and let LeBron get his, but shut down everyone else. GSW did that in the 2015 Finals and it worked pretty darn well. Let LeBron get 50, it won't matter if the supporting cast isn't doing a darn thing (especially since they no longer have a player of Kyrie's caliber to share the load).

My gut feeling is that Boston wins this thing in six or seven. They are so well-rounded and their defense is significantly better than Cleveland's. Kevin Love is going get attacked mercilessly on the defensive end of the floor. Cleveland is still a bit of a mess, we should all forget the series against those frauds from Canada. It means little; this series will be a return to reality and Cleveland will have their hands full. Then again, it's LeBron vs the East. He may find a way...

 

[UConn990411]

Those people watched him score 29 of his team final 32 points, 25 in a row, against the defending conference chance. They were idiots, and I agree with you. Conclusions about a team so young are foolish.

I think Philly will be more than fine, but it’s geting overlooked that Embiid is going to turn 25 next season. He should be closer to his prime than he is to being a young guy still figuring things out.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I think Philly will be more than fine, but it’s geting overlooked that Embiid is going to turn 25 next season. He should be closer to his prime than he is to being a young guy still figuring things out.

Well he was an all-star this year, so...

 

[Dogdeacon]

Meh. It's their first playoffs. They had all sorts of opportunities to choke against the Heat and they didn't. Extrapolating one series when most of the best players are under 23 isn't a good idea. People said LeBron lacked a clutch gene in his first few playoff series as well...

That and Embid was clearly out of gas in 4th quarters all series. I haven't looked at numbers but could almost guarantee that his minutes were significantly up over regular season. And of course playoff minutes are harder minutes. Embid was KILLING the Celtics last night, but I liked the C's chances in the 4th Q because I'd seen Embid run out of gas four games straight.

Yes Simmons gagged, but part of not being able to shoot is... being afraid to shoot, rushing shots, avoiding FT. I'm defining not being able to shoot. Very obvious what those two guys need to work on and given how blatantly it was exposed & their lofty goals if I'm Philly fan I quickly spin the bright side that they'll be motivated to get in the gym this summer.

As a Celtics fan I love winning this series convincingly without Irving & Heyward, but I fear the future Sixers and kind of like you need a guy to stop LeBron - they'll definitely need someone bigger & quick to stop Embid 2.0.

Also as a Celtics fan: Markelle Fultz hahahahahahahahahahaha

 

[PAHusky]

I'd be so frustrated if I were a Philly fan. So many frustrating, sloppy turnovers throughout the series. Sure, Boston's D deserves a fair amount of credit but Philly has been doing this all season. It's rare to see such an evenly matched series end 4-1. Moving on...

I'm curious to see how Stevens defends LeBron. I'm assuming they'll stick with their strategy vs Philly (stick to shooters and rarely help on Simmons & Embiid) and let LeBron get his, but shut down everyone else. GSW did that in the 2015 Finals and it worked pretty darn well. Let LeBron get 50, it won't matter if the supporting cast isn't doing a darn thing (especially since they no longer have a player of Kyrie's caliber to share the load).

My gut feeling is that Boston wins this thing in six or seven. They are so well-rounded and their defense is significantly better than Cleveland's. Kevin Love is going get attacked mercilessly on the defensive end of the floor. Cleveland is still a bit of a mess, we should all forget the series against those frauds from Canada. It means little; this series will be a return to reality and Cleveland will have their hands full. Then again, it's LeBron vs the East. He may find a way...

The strategy of letting Lebron get his that the Warriors used in 2015 worked because Lebron was playing with three janitors and a ticket booth worker by that point thanks to injuries. I'm interested to see what Stevens does in terms of defensive adjustments, but I think the cavs aren't going to have too many problems beating the celtics this series. As a neutral, I'd rather cleveland win. I don't think they have a real shot against either the rockets or warriors but I think the celtics have absolutely no chance against the west.

 

[auror]

The strategy of letting Lebron get his that the Warriors used in 2015 worked because Lebron was playing with three janitors and a ticket booth worker by that point thanks to injuries. I'm interested to see what Stevens does in terms of defensive adjustments, but I think the cavs aren't going to have too many problems beating the celtics this series. As a neutral, I'd rather cleveland win. I don't think they have a real shot against either the rockets or warriors but I think the celtics have absolutely no chance against the west.

That's @Lefty2one's whole point. Who do they have in this one? The Celtics' lineup defensively is versatile enough to match up with the small Cleveland lineups.

George Hill, J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, LeBron James and Kevin Love has been their most used playoff lineup.

Kevin Love against Horford is a matchup I like for the Celtics.
Rozier should be able to "contain" George Hill.
Stick Tatum to Korver, no problems.
Jaylen Brown puts Smith into a cocoon.

Marcus Smart does his best against LeBron. He scores 35 a game. Boston stays at home. Rest of the Cavs struggle. Not to mention the Celtics have been playing similar teams the last couple of rounds. Super elite 6'9"+ guy with skills who is a terror in transition and can pass out to shooters or finish at the rim. Giannis & Simmons. Warm up courses for the main event.

The Hill/Love pick and roll has Horford switching onto Hill, which is no problem. You can even throw Brown onto Hill so that when he switches onto Love it's not as big a mismatch (or have Brown on LeBron and Smart to take Hill/switch onto Love if you think he's better if he gets put into the post).

Brad Stevens against Ty Lue. Celtics home court advantage.

Celts in 7.

 

[HuskyHawk]

That's his whole point. Who do they have in this one? The Celtics lineup defensively is versatile enough to match up with the small Cleveland lineups.

George Hill, J.R. Smith, Kyle Korver, LeBron James and Kevin Love has been their most used playoff lineup.

Kevin Love against Horford is a matchup I like for the Celtics.
Rozier should be able to "contain" George Hill.
Stick Tatum to Korver, no problems.
Jaylen Brown puts Smith into a cocoon.

Marcus Smart does his best against LeBron. He scores 35 a game. Boston stays at home. Rest of the Cavs struggle.

The Hill/Love pick and roll has Horford switching onto Hill, which is no problem. You can even throw Brown onto Hill so that when he switches onto Love it's not as big a mismatch (or have Brown on LeBron and Smart to take Hill/switch onto Love if you think he's better if he gets put into the post).

Brad Stevens against Ty Lue. Celtics home court advantage.

Celts in 7.

It wouldn't surprise me if they run a few bodies at Lebron in an effort to wear him down. Smart will get a lot of that duty, but I think you will see Brown on him and Semi as well. Semi played well against the Bucks, but was rarely needed against Philly. I think they'll use him against the Cavs.

I think Boston has more weapons and a better team defense, but the Cavs have the best player by a lot. It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out. I expect it to go 7, and that will be in Boston.