NBA Playoffs

[tzznandrew]

Any Rockets fans here? Do they have any chance of beating the GSWs?
Looking back 2 years ago, the GS loss to Cleveland after being up 3-1 is probably the biggest choke job in the history of the NBA.
What about this year? They have 2 HOF locks (SC and KD), a probable HOF player (KT), a possible HOF player (Green). The two locks include the best shooter ever and possibly the best offensive player ever. They also have a very high level set of supporting players. If they don't win this year, barring injury, it would be a massive choke job.

GS turns the ball over too much, and they had the same issue they had two years ago (Steph Curry playing at less than 100%). But still, I think they're 80-20 to win. Durant being there, and being the best player on the floor, covers up most of this. And when they play the Cavs they'll have a close 2nd best player, in addition to Curry-Thompson-Green before we can get into a debate about borderline HOFers Iggy/Love.

 

[the Q]

GS turns the ball over too much, and they had the same issue they had two years ago (Steph Curry playing at less than 100%). But still, I think they're 80-20 to win. Durant being there, and being the best player on the floor, covers up most of this. And when they play the Cavs they'll have a close 2nd best player, in addition to Curry-Thompson-Green before we can get into a debate about borderline HOFers Iggy/Love.

Yeah curry was hurt the whole series, bogus got hurt late in the series and Draymond probably cost them the title with his obsession with touching other men's junk.

It was just an odd collection of events, plus a beyond herculean effort by lebron and Kyrie hitting a fadeaway 3.

 

[champs99and04]

I don't think Tatum or Horford really fit that mold coming in. The celtics staff certainly molded tatum, and have turned horf into one of the toughest bigs in the league, imo.

Why do you say that? Not sure many within the organization would agree with that characterization of Horford.

 

[husky429]

Why do you say that? Not sure many within the organization would agree with that characterization of Horford.

That he's one of the toughest bigs in the league? Or that he wasn't tough coming in? I think he was plenty "tough" coming in, but he's come into his own as a Celtic.

 

[MadDogRevival]

Yeah curry was hurt the whole series,

Not buying that - it's a cover and complete Horse S---t. Dude just choked, which is what the team did. They were up 3-1. In game 4, Curry played 40 minutes and had 38 points in a win, shooting .538 from 3. Those aren't "injured player" numbers. Curry and the Ws choked away a 3-1 lead. They had an "historic" season and they followed it up with an "historic" choke job. Everything else is noise.
Really looking forward to the Rockets series.
Can't see any way the Cavaliers/Celtics beat them or even win a game.

 

[intlzncster]

I would say that Houston has around a 40% chance to beat them. GS has proven to be capable of turning the ball over and that could cost them. And as pointed out, they have choked it away once, so it's always possible it could happen again. Having said that, I think Houston has to win the first game to have any shot at it, and I still just have trouble imagining anyone beating the Warriors 4 times in a series.

They choked it away sans KD. It's a whole other monster now.

 

[MadDogRevival]

They choked it away sans KD. It's a whole other monster now.

No doubt. The choke job in 2016 was the worst choke in NBA history.
If they don't win this year with potentially 5 HOF players on their roster, including the greatest shooter and greatest offensive player ever, it may end up being the worst choke in the history of sports.

 

[superjohn]

No doubt. The choke job in 2016 was the worst choke in NBA history.
If they don't win this year with potentially 5 HOF players on their roster, including the greatest shooter and greatest offensive player ever, it may end up being the worst choke in the history of sports.

Lol, who is the 5th HOF player on the Warriors roster?

 

[Robertelamin]

The Falcons blew a 25 point 3rd quarter lead in the Super Bowl so there is that.

 

[MadDogRevival]

The Falcons blew a 25 point 3rd quarter lead in the Super Bowl so there is that.

Yeah, but they were playing against the greatest coach and QB in the history of the league, they weren't heavy favorites, and so on. 3-1 choke by GS is a much bigger choke, especially considering Game 7 was at home.

 

[champs99and04]

Yeah, but they were playing against the greatest coach and QB in the history of the league, they weren't heavy favorites, and so on. 3-1 choke by GS is a much bigger choke, especially considering Game 7 was at home.

When you're a 73 win team that blows a 3-1 lead in the finals with two of those games coming at home, it's definitely a choke no matter how you slice it.

But subjectively speaking, I just didn't come away from those three games thinking that way. Honestly, Cleveland was probably better. Oklahoma City was probably better. I know it sounds crazy to say that about a 73 win team, but that team was better built for the regular season. They had looked very mortal at times in the previous postseason (they trailed Memphis 2-1 in 2015 and then lost games two and three to Cleveland without Kyrie/Love) and then followed that up by beating the Thunder in a series in which they lost two games by over 25 points.

Add that to the fact that Draymond was suspended for game five and Kyrie and LeBron did things humans aren't supposed to do, and it doesn't rank that high for me as an all-time collapse. I thought the Clippers blowing a 3-1 lead to Houston was worse, I thought Dallas against Miami in 2006 was worse, I thought Miami against Dallas in 2011 was worse. The 2008 Celtics going 7 with the 37 win Hawks was inexplicable to the point that I'll nominate that even though they won.

 

[traitor71]

They choked it away sans KD. It's a whole other monster now.

I tend to agree, but once a team has had it happen to them once, I can never totally forget it. I also feel that Houston has been building this team for a few seasons now, and they are really good, so I can't count them out.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

The Draymond suspension is over-hyped. They lost four games that series and he played in three of those loses.

That series came down to LeBron being LeBron and Kyrie finally showing up in game three and beyond.

This version of GS shouldn't get close to losing a game, let alone a series. Barring major injury, or two, if they don't win it all....someone has to be fired.

 

[Yardigan]

Yeah, but they were playing against the greatest coach and QB in the history of the league, they weren't heavy favorites, and so on. 3-1 choke by GS is a much bigger choke, especially considering Game 7 was at home.

Bigger than '04 yankmes?

 

[uconnphil2016]

Figured I'd get a thread going for the series. Celtics looking good so far!

 

[HuskyHawk]

Great team defense from the guys in green.

 

[superjohn]

Celtics are going to win championships soon.

 

[superjohn]

The Falcons blew a 25 point 3rd quarter lead in the Super Bowl so there is that.

Still trying to figure out who the 5th Hall of Fame player on the Warriors is...

 

[huskypantz]

Celtics have some great pieces already in place. It's scary to think that they're missing Kyrie and Gordon.

 

[Matrim55]

Celtics have some great pieces already in place. It's scary to think that they're missing Kyrie and Gordon.

Most important piece is the coach. If you gave me the choice between Embiid, Giannis, AD or Stevens to start a team with, I'm going with Stevens.

They might not win this series – LeBron might end up being too good. But as long as Stevens is on the sideline they will win the coaching battle pretty much every single time, and that raises the probability of success so, so high. Add in switchable two-way future studs like Brown & Tatum, and I expect the Celtics will be hanging multiple banners over the next decade.

 

[intlzncster]

Celtics really just let the Cavs back in. All it takes is LeBron getting a few calls {which he already has) and getting hot. . They need a mini run right now

 

[intlzncster]

Celtics really just let the Cavs back in. All it takes is LeBron getting a few calls {which he already has) and getting hot. . They need a mini run right now

There.

 

[MadDogRevival]

Will be interesting to see how the Cavs respond.
LBJ played soft today and kept passing early rather than trying to create.
Refs let the defense play physically.
Only option for the Cavs is to respond in kind.
It's ugly basketball, but the Cavs have no chance unless LBJ decides he's going to fight through the wrestling match every possession in order to make things happen. In that case, the refs are going to decide the series . . . if they let the D goon him every time, the Cavs have no chance.
Today was a combination of soft LeBron, C's shooting hot, C's excellent D, Cavs shooting poorly.
C's should not be overconfident - things can change quickly.
Huge talent differential between the two teams. Today exposed how weak the Cavs are 2-5 when LBJ is not setting the table for them. Is Keven Love's vertical more than 12"?
If LeBron goes to Philly next year then Philly/C's is going to be a war for a few years.

 

[Kitaman]

Curious question, with Celts successful performance minus Irving and Hayward, would a trade with the Spurs for Leonard be in play with any of these players?

Parker and Ginobli need va iable replacement and Irving (+?) for Leonard would solve that. Or replacing Leonard with Hayward (+? ) would also seem a win for Boston. If Boston sweetens the deal (Ainge and Hayward) then San Antonio would be just fine going forward, especially with Kyrie. Anyway to me that makes Boston on par or certainly competitive with GS, and atop the EC. I wonder if astute Ainge will consider this next month.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Curious question, with Celts successful performance minus Irving and Hayward, would a trade with the Spurs for Leonard be in play with any of these players?

Parker and Ginobli need va iable replacement and Irving (+?) for Leonard would solve that. Or replacing Leonard with Hayward (+? ) would also seem a win for Boston. If Boston sweetens the deal (Ainge and Hayward) then San Antonio would be just fine going forward, especially with Kyrie. Anyway to me that makes Boston on par or certainly competitive with GS, and atop the EC. I wonder if astute Ainge will consider this next month.

There is no way in hell they’d trade Irving for Leonard. I don’t think they would bother trying to trade Hayward for Leonard either. Hayward may be a better fit for their system and they play the same position. Certainly Leonard is superb defensively, but they are similar offensively, and Hayward is above average on D. Not sure who you had in mind as a + with Hayward, but Ainge isn’t trading himself. It has been discussed. Max Kellerman Suggests Celtics Trade Gordon Hayward For Kawhi Leonard

If Boston tries to trade for anyone, I think it will be a 4-5 frontcourt player.