Great game. Lots of thoughts here.
1. Horford and Tatum absolutely killing it in the 1st half and LeBron has minor foul trouble - they should have sent the offense through Tatum for the rest of the game. Terrible coaching by Stevens. Too many shots taken by the 2nd string - Marcus Smart is a heady, energetic player, and I respect what he brings - but he took too many shots.
2. Tatum is going to have a nice career. Fine player. I know he's young, but he gave up the ball too much tonight considering how hot he was.
3. The bad call on LeBron when Smart faked the charge almost changed the outcome of the game. LeBron had 4 fouls relatively early. This looked headed for overtime until the moment got too big for the Celtics late in the 4th.
4. Morris should put as much energy into practicing his jump shot as he does into screaming all the time. Pick your moments kid.
5. JR Smith actually showed up and played a key, if small, role.
6. The question somebody asked about "would you take Brad Stevens over a great player like Lebron" has been answered. Stevens did not have a good night - got away from what was working and made no adjustments late to get the ball to the hot hands.
7. Tyron Lue did a nice job - when he went to doubling Al, that's when the tide shifted, and suddenly.
8. I thought the officiating was acceptable, if not great. Cavs were in early foul trouble often - Celts should have crashed the rim more - waaaay too much distance shooting by cold shooters. If they pressed that advantage, they win - bad coaching there.
9. Guy who said he predicted two blowouts - 1/2 way to the worst call of the month on the BY.
10. LBJ is the greatest player I have ever seen play, and I've been watching since the late 70s. Him winning on the road versus the Cs in a game 7 after their home dominance with the bunch of bums that he has is absolutely miraculous. Not one all-star in the group other than him, and he's in the finals. Bizarre and impressive and unreal.
11. All the pressure is going to be on GS tomorrow.
12. Rockets vs. the Cavs with a healthy Kevin Love and the Cavs have a shot.
13. If Cavs beat the Rockets, the number of people saying LeBron is better than Jordan was is going to go from <20% to about half.