NBA Playoffs

[the Q]

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.

Next year vs golden state should be an epic series.

Yes I’m calling that shot already. Only thing that might change that is Lebron to Houston.

 

[MadDogRevival]

Only thing that might change that is Lebron to Houston.

LeBron to Philly

 

[superjohn]

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.

Boston would be crazy not to trade Hayward for Leonard.

 

[champs99and04]

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.

You're getting carried away with this one.

 

[champs99and04]

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.

I assume you must be talking about Meyers Leonard, there's no way in hell Gordon Hayward is a better fit for any system than Kawhi freaking Leonard. Neither is Irving for that matter. The only way the Celtics wouldn't make that deal would be if they didn't think he'd re-sign (and there are still no assurance with Irving, despite his being bullish on the franchise in general) or if they were concerned about his health.

It's so crazy that Boston basically emptied their roster (and the unprotected Brooklyn pick) last summer for Kyrie and Hayward. I'm starting to get excited that I'm going to be so wrong about the Celtics that I will end up being right when we are forced to conclude that Kyrie Irving is useless because everybody who plays for Brad Stevens automatically turns into God anyways. #humbled

What if they were sitting on the cusp of the finals right now with room for two max players and say, Mo Bamba or Colin Sexton? Maybe those two max players end up being Hayward and Irving. We'll see.

 

[the Q]

I assume you must be talking about Meyers Leonard, there's no way in hell Gordon Hayward is a better fit for any system than Kawhi freaking Leonard. Neither is Irving for that matter. The only way the Celtics wouldn't make that deal would be if they didn't think he'd re-sign (and there are still no assurance with Irving, despite his being bullish on the franchise in general) or if they were concerned about his health.

It's so crazy that Boston basically emptied their roster (and the unprotected Brooklyn pick) last summer for Kyrie and Hayward. I'm starting to get excited that I'm going to be so wrong about the Celtics that I will end up being right when we are forced to conclude that Kyrie Irving is useless because everybody who plays for Brad Stevens automatically turns into God anyways. #humbled

What if they were sitting on the cusp of the finals right now with room for two max players and say, Mo Bamba or Colin Sexton? Maybe those two max players end up being Hayward and Irving. We'll see.

Bradley for morris worked out fine.

I think it’s really interesting that the Cavs were basically screwed no matter what.

Either kyrie would’ve missed their postseason (likely) or they’re in the current situation where they had to move IT.

 

[Huskyforlife]

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.

I know you understand this is insane, right? Sarcasm?

 

[Walker11]

I know you understand this is insane, right? Sarcasm?

People are getting carried away. But he isnt on an island. I think Zach Lowe said something similar, a guy who some people consider smart.

With an absolutely trash roster, sure, Stevens had sub 500 teams his 1st 2 seasons. Prime Giannis or AD will never be sub 500 even if surrounded by 4 cadavers. I would rather have Stevens than say the 20th best player in the league but AD? Silly.

 

[nomar]

People are getting carried away. But he isnt on an island. I think Zach Lowe said something similar, a guy who some people consider smart.

With an absolutely trash roster, sure, Stevens had sub 500 teams his 1st 2 seasons. Prime Giannis or AD will never be sub 500 even if surrounded by 4 cadavers. I would rather have Stevens than say the 20th best player in the league but AD? Silly.

I think Lowe said he'd consider taking Stevens over anyone not in that elite tier.

No way I'm passing on AD for any non-player.

As for Kawhi, I'm not trading (a) Brown or Tatum, both still on their rookie deals and both looking like future stars or (b) Hayward, which would be a huge to him and Stevens, and would send a message to any future FAs that you'll be on the block the minute you sign your deal. I like that Ainge is cold as ice but that would not be a good look. Horford was the first big name FA to sign with the Celtics ever. I wouldn't want Hayward to be the last.

If we could do Rozier plus picks, I'd certainly do it, but they wouldn't.

 

[the Q]

I think Lowe said he'd consider taking Stevens over anyone not in that elite tier.

No way I'm passing on AD for any non-player.

As for Kawhi, I'm not trading (a) Brown or Tatum, both still on their rookie deals and both looking like future stars or (b) Hayward, which would be a huge to him and Stevens, and would send a message to any future FAs that you'll be on the block the minute you sign your deal. I like that Ainge is cold as ice but that would not be a good look. Horford was the first big name FA to sign with the Celtics ever. I wouldn't want Hayward to be the last.

If we could do Rozier plus picks, I'd certainly do it, but they wouldn't.

Trade Kyrie, keep Scary Terry (who again, needs a far better nickname).

 

[HuskyHawk]

Boston would be crazy not to trade Hayward for Leonard.

Spurs are not offering that deal straight up and you know it. What else would you give up? Not Brown or Tatum. Not the Laker's pick.

 

[Yardigan]

How much trade leverage does SA have with Leonard? Does anyone really know what's going on with him health-wise? When was the last time he played like a star for more than a week or two?

 

[huskypantz]

I know it's impossible to really tell from my couch, but Tyronn Lue looked like a passive participant in the game. Was he officially gelded by Lebron?

 

[the Q]

How much trade leverage does SA have with Leonard? Does anyone really know what's going on with him health-wise? When was the last time he played like a star for more than a week or two?

Their biggest piece of leverage with Leonard is that they can give him by far the most money.

but no one really knows how bad, if at all, he wants to leave SA.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Their biggest piece of leverage with Leonard is that they can give him by far the most money.

but no one really knows how bad, if at all, he wants to leave SA.

And my concern as a Boston fan is why he wants to leave. Is he having problems with Pop? Would I expect the same with Stevens? And @nomar makes a good point about trading Hayward after he signed to come to Boston as a FA. It's a bad look.

In short, while Leonard is an upgrade on Hayward, he's not a guy at a position of need, he's a guy playing the position they are strongest at. Morris has been a good pick up for Boston, but they could use an upgrade on Baynes. They are going to be dealing with Embiid for years, inside the division. I really hope they get lucky with a miracle draw on the Laker's pick.

 

[superjohn]

Spurs are not offering that deal straight up and you know it. What else would you give up? Not Brown or Tatum. Not the Laker's pick.

I can only go off of what you posted. You posted about Hayward for Leonard and linked to Kellerman talking about Hayward for Leonard. Nomar also said he wouldn't trade Hayward for Leonard.

 

[the Q]

And my concern as a Boston fan is why he wants to leave. Is he having problems with Pop? Would I expect the same with Stevens? And @nomar makes a good point about trading Hayward after he signed to come to Boston as a FA. It's a bad look.

In short, while Leonard is an upgrade on Hayward, he's not a guy at a position of need, he's a guy playing the position they are strongest at. Morris has been a good pick up for Boston, but they could use an upgrade on Baynes. They are going to be dealing with Embiid for years, inside the division. I really hope they get lucky with a miracle draw on the Laker's pick.

Well what it sounds like, and again none of this is verifiable since no one is talking, is that the riff really is about the medical stuff going on with his injury. So I don't know if he'd also have an issue with Stevens and Ainge because I don't recall them having a situation where a player wanted opinions from their own doctor.

 

[Dogdeacon]

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.

I can't believe after game 1 there's an entire page about an article about a hypothetical trade of the two guys that didn't play all year. Who cares - its not basketball until at at least 18-19 season.
Celtics ran Cleveland off the court with better more versatile/switchable small ball players. They started Morris instead of Baynes and TLue kind of caved rather than try to slow it down and grind bigs. I think that's what happens in game 2 in Boston, Cavs start TThompson and play slow, dominate the glass, heavy doses of LeBron, Love and Thompson post-ups early with shooters AFTER inside game has been established or on offensive rebound kickouts. If the Celtics can rebound with them they should win again by 5-8. If Cavs outrebound I see it coming down to LeBron possessions late = maybe FTs.

Back in Cleveland they might try to run a bit more, but yesterday it was analogous to game 1 of Sixers series where it was quite apparent that 2-8 the Celtics have vastly superior athletes, can shoot, drive and defend better.

 

[auror]

Trade Kyrie, keep Scary Terry (who again, needs a far better nickname).

How can you not love it?
SCARY TERRY T-SHIRT

 

[Yardigan]

Trade Kyrie, keep Scary Terry (who again, needs a far better nickname).

Better nickname...and what we call Terry ROZIer around the homestead...Ozzie

 

[the Q]

How can you not love it?
SCARY TERRY T-SHIRT

Compared to things like Greek Freak and Stifle Tower....it's child's play.

 

[nomar]

And my concern as a Boston fan is why he wants to leave. Is he having problems with Pop? Would I expect the same with Stevens? And @nomar makes a good point about trading Hayward after he signed to come to Boston as a FA. It's a bad look.

In short, while Leonard is an upgrade on Hayward, he's not a guy at a position of need, he's a guy playing the position they are strongest at. Morris has been a good pick up for Boston, but they could use an upgrade on Baynes. They are going to be dealing with Embiid for years, inside the division. I really hope they get lucky with a miracle draw on the Laker's pick.

It seems like Kawhi has a lot of "people." And I think those "people" have had a lot of tension with Pop and the Spurs organization over Kawhi's rehab. Pop has made some comments that were interpreted as giving shade to Kawhi.

But Pop and Aldridge had problems last year and patched them up, and I don't see this as having reached a point of no return.

I agree about SF not being a position of need for Boston. Obviously Kawhi is a top-10, maybe top-5 player. But if we're going to make a huge move, I'd rather get a big man. You never know when one's going to become available. In the meantime, I'd love to see what this team plus Kyrie and Hayward can do.

 

[the Q]

It seems like Kawhi has a lot of "people." And I think those "people" have had a lot of tension with Pop and the Spurs organization over Kawhi's rehab. Pop has made some comments that were interpreted as giving shade to Kawhi.

But Pop and Aldridge had problems last year and patched them up, and I don't see this as having reached a point of no return.

I agree about SF not being a position of need for Boston. Obviously Kawhi is a top-10, maybe top-5 player. But if we're going to make a huge move, I'd rather get a big man. You never know when one's going to become available. In the meantime, I'd love to see what this team plus Kyrie and Hayward can do.

New Orleans somehow being just as good with Mirotic as with Cousins ruined the Brow dream for now. I don't know who the guy to get is after that.

 

[MadDogRevival]

I think that's what happens in game 2 in Boston, Cavs start TThompson and play slow, dominate the glass, heavy doses of LeBron, Love and Thompson post-ups early with shooters AFTER inside game has been established . . .

It's all about LeBron. He played soft in game 1. That was left over from the 1st two series. Toronto played soft D on him, and he was allowed to get a head of steam on virtually every possession against bigger guys or back down smaller guys.
The Celtics put contact on him far out from the rim.
If he wants it, he's going to have to work for it. The refs are going to let the C's handcheck and body him, and, as usual, he'll absorb a lot of contact with no calls. But the only way the Cavs have a chance is if LeBron decides he's going to force the drive, and all the other support players work hard to force the ball inside. If he does, the Celtics will be in foul trouble and the Cavs will win at the line.
Rodney Hood is not the answer. The reason the Cavs were not scoring is not because nobody but James can create a shot - we all knew that already. They were not scoring because James chose not to fight through the physical defense.
It's really that simple.
In game 1 the refs allowed a lot of hand checking, foreams, and bodying by the Cs. That's just part of the game (unfortunately). The Cavs shouldn't spend a second crying about it. They have to play with it. And the way to do that is to have James force contact off the dribble every possession. Sure, put 5 guys on him. It won't matter if he keeps driving - once they get to the bonus, the Cs are in trouble.
Of course, that takes a lot of energy, and he's not 22, and his supporting cast is very limited.

But I'm damn curious to see if he can pull it off.

 

[the Q]

It seems like Kawhi has a lot of "people." And I think those "people" have had a lot of tension with Pop and the Spurs organization over Kawhi's rehab. Pop has made some comments that were interpreted as giving shade to Kawhi.

But Pop and Aldridge had problems last year and patched them up, and I don't see this as having reached a point of no return.

I agree about SF not being a position of need for Boston. Obviously Kawhi is a top-10, maybe top-5 player. But if we're going to make a huge move, I'd rather get a big man. You never know when one's going to become available. In the meantime, I'd love to see what this team plus Kyrie and Hayward can do.

The best way to land a big is to get the #3 pick and take MO BAMBA.

I have planted my flag in Bamba.

No I will not give it up.

yes the marketing potential is also amazing.