NBA Post-Season Thread

[nomar]

The Celts forgot how to play defense.

They're not playing good defense but every Bulls player thinks he's Michael Jordan. Lopez is making everything.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Celtics season is on life support right now.

They can't rebound, at all. I think everyone on this board can relate to that.

Inexplicable inactivity at the deadline. This was going to be an issue, I just figured it'd maybe come up in round 2. I also think that Stevens basically wrung every ounce of productivity out of them in the regular season. They don't have an extra gear for the playoffs like really good teams do. I love IT, but you're not going to go deep in the playoffs with him as your best guy.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

View attachment 21814In the past day Fizdale has become my new favorite guy in the NBA.

That's his wife on the right, I think.

 

[superjohn]

That's his wife on the right, I think.

yep.

 

[UConn990411]

Inexplicable inactivity at the deadline. This was going to be an issue, I just figured it'd maybe come up in round 2. I also think that Stevens basically wrung every ounce of productivity out of them in the regular season. They don't have an extra gear for the playoffs like really good teams do. I love IT, but you're not going to go deep in the playoffs with him as your best guy.

I actually disagree, and think this has been Stevens' worst job so far (which is crazy to say considering their record). He did a terrible job developing their bench and establishing roles for players, and it's rearing its ugly head.

 

[gtcam]

Celtics season is on life support right now.

They can't rebound, at all. I think everyone on this board can relate to that.

I Thomas is, I fully understand why, going through the motions tonight
Horford, as usual, refuses to play the 5
Avery disappeared today
Olynyk is as weak and soft as a noodle
Don't get why Zeller isn't seeing time vs Lopez

just a bad match-up - Chicago can't miss and just too big

 

[Walker11]

Inexplicable inactivity at the deadline. This was going to be an issue, I just figured it'd maybe come up in round 2. I also think that Stevens basically wrung every ounce of productivity out of them in the regular season. They don't have an extra gear for the playoffs like really good teams do. I love IT, but you're not going to go deep in the playoffs with him as your best guy.

This x 100 million. There are definitely die hard Celtics fans on this board who claim that blowing up their roster for Butler and the position of the 2nd best team in the East wasn't worth the future sacrifice but I don't buy it. They have enough depth at the wing to lose 2 of Crowder/Bradley/Brown (plus the Nets pick).

 

[superjohn]

Inexplicable inactivity at the deadline. This was going to be an issue, I just figured it'd maybe come up in round 2. I also think that Stevens basically wrung every ounce of productivity out of them in the regular season. They don't have an extra gear for the playoffs like really good teams do. I love IT, but you're not going to go deep in the playoffs with him as your best guy.

The Bulls just have more talent. As you said the Celts squeeze every ounce out of what they have. The Bulls were the exact opposite during the regular season, they beat all the top teams at one point or the other but also consistently lost to the worst teams.

 

[nomar]

I actually disagree, and think this has been Stevens' worst job so far (which is crazy to say considering their record). He did a terrible job developing their bench and establishing roles for players, and it's rearing its ugly head.

I agree with BigErn. "Developing their bench"? Who besides Brown are you talking about? (And I don't even agree that Brown hasn't developed.) Rozier?

We needed a rebounder. Not a great rebounder. Ainge was right not to give up anything of value. But we could have traded some 2nd round picks for a body.

 

[nomar]

This x 100 million. There are definitely die hard Celtics fans on this board who claim that blowing up their roster for Butler and the position of the 2nd best team in the East wasn't worth the future sacrifice but I don't buy it. They have enough depth at the wing to lose 2 of Crowder/Bradley/Brown (plus the Nets pick).

I'm not sure Ern is saying what you're saying.

I'm happy they didn't blow up the team, even though agree IT isn't the #1 player on a title team. But a small move would've helped the Celtics avoid getting swept by the 8th seed.

 

[FartMan69]

Inexplicable inactivity at the deadline. This was going to be an issue, I just figured it'd maybe come up in round 2. I also think that Stevens basically wrung every ounce of productivity out of them in the regular season. They don't have an extra gear for the playoffs like really good teams do. I love IT, but you're not going to go deep in the playoffs with him as your best guy.

They've figured out that with a deep roster you can outpace teams during a long season but of course come playoff time that gets thrown out the window. The team with the best 5 wins 10/10 times in a series and as obvious as it sounds the team with the best player on the court has the upper hand by a lot in a 7 game series. I can't think of one playoff team in the east where the C's would have the best player. Ironically this team reminds me of the Bulls when Rose wasn't healthy, could put together strong stretches during the regular season with basically 2 starting 5's but come playoff time not one of those 10 players could keep up with the Lebron's of the world in a playoff series.

 

[UConn990411]

This x 100 million. There are definitely die hard Celtics fans on this board who claim that blowing up their roster for Butler and the position of the 2nd best team in the East wasn't worth the future sacrifice but I don't buy it. They have enough depth at the wing to lose 2 of Crowder/Bradley/Brown (plus the Nets pick).

Does Jimmy Butler make you a contender? No. If you trade for him, do you still have enough pieces to trade for another player that makes you a contender? Likely no.

Countless NBA teams in history have "gone for it" when they weren't really close enough to do so, and it set them back for years to come.

 

[superjohn]

I Thomas is, I fully understand why, going through the motions tonight
Horford, as usual, refuses to play the 5
Avery disappeared today
Olynyk is as weak and soft as a noodle
Don't get why Zeller isn't seeing time vs Lopez

just a bad match-up - Chicago can't miss and just too big

Haven't even noticed Horford in this game, he's been totally invisible.

 

[4UConn]

Bulls will win this series 4-1.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

I'm not sure Ern is saying what you're saying.

I'm happy they didn't blow up the team, even though agree IT isn't the #1 player on a title team. But a small move would've helped the Celtics avoid getting swept by the 8th seed.

Yeah I don't disagree that they have the pieces to have made a Butler deal, but even without that there was available inside help that was there for the taking. The lack of rebounding is an issue that no player development was going to address and it mystifies me that Ainge didn't make a move.

 

[FartMan69]

I actually disagree, and think this has been Stevens' worst job so far (which is crazy to say considering their record). He did a terrible job developing their bench and establishing roles for players, and it's rearing its ugly head.

His development of their bench is the only reason they had such a strong regular season. It's a marathon. Playoffs are a sprint and without that Alpha go-to you are pretty much helpless to make any sort of run to the Finals.

 

[FartMan69]

Does Jimmy Butler make you a contender? No. If you trade for him, do you still have enough pieces to trade for another player that makes you a contender? Likely no.

Countless NBA teams in history have "gone for it" when they weren't really close enough to do so, and it set them back for years to come.

Don't they have Brooklyn's 2018 pick as well? Nets will be terrible for years to come so that's still a pretty solid trade piece.

 

[UConn990411]

I agree with BigErn. "Developing their bench"? Who besides Brown are you talking about? (And I don't even agree that Brown hasn't developed.) Rozier?

We needed a rebounder. Not a great rebounder. Ainge was right not to give up anything of value. But we could have traded some 2nd round picks for a body.

I'm mystified still that they didn't sign Terrence Jones after he got released. He'd be far more productive than stiffs like Jerebko and Zeller.

As for the bench, Stevens was all over the place with minutes for Rozier, Jaylen, and Olynyk. He was usually pretty consistent with bench roles in years past, but no one seemed to have a clue about their role heading into the postseason this year.

 

[Walker11]

I'm not sure Ern is saying what you're saying.

I'm happy they didn't blow up the team, even though agree IT isn't the #1 player on a title team. But a small move would've helped the Celtics avoid getting swept by the 8th seed.

You may be right in retrospect but this is my opinion. I would have taken Butler. They would have likely lost in the ECF with that roster but they would still have a great young nucleus. We won't really know what the ideal move was until we see how good Fultz/Ball or whoever they land is.

Does Jimmy Butler make you a contender? No. If you trade for him, do you still have enough pieces to trade for another player that makes you a contender? Likely no.

Countless NBA teams in history have "gone for it" when they weren't really close enough to do so, and it set them back for years to come.

I can see both sides. Its a risk either way. Like I said, it will depend on the draft pick. If they land Fultz and he is a an All-NBA player and they can comfortably ditch IT, Ainge will look like a genius. They are also lucky enough that their roster construction will likely lead to them being a very good to great team for the foreseeable future regardless.

I don't like the idea that you only make moves if they put you into a position to win the championship. Provided there are no injuries, no one should challenge the Warriors for the next 3-4 years.

 

[nomar]

I'm mystified still that they didn't sign Terrence Jones after he got released. He'd be far more productive than stiffs like Jerebko and Zeller.

As for the bench, Stevens was all over the place with minutes for Rozier, Jaylen, and Olynyk. He was usually pretty consistent with bench roles in years past, but no one seemed to have a clue about their role heading into the postseason this year.

He was experimenting all the way to the end, which was disconcerting. So if you're talking about subbing units, I agree. But I think player development has been fine.

 

[Walker11]

I'm mystified still that they didn't sign Terrence Jones after he got released. He'd be far more productive than stiffs like Jerebko and Zeller.

As for the bench, Stevens was all over the place with minutes for Rozier, Jaylen, and Olynyk. He was usually pretty consistent with bench roles in years past, but no one seemed to have a clue about their role heading into the postseason this year.

Hard to disagree with your first point. Terrence Jones is underrated.

 

[UConn990411]

He was experimenting all the way to the end, which was disconcerting. So if you're talking about subbing units, I agree. But I think player development has been fine.

Yup, I used the wrong terminology. I'm happy with the way they're developing Jaylen (and, to a lesser extent, Rozier), but his confidence was completely shot by the end of the year due to inconsistent minutes.

Losing Turner was a big loss for the bench, but not an insurmountable one. Stevens deserves a lotta blame for not figuring it out.

 

[superjohn]

Yeah I don't disagree that they have the pieces to have made a Butler deal, but even without that there was available inside help that was there for the taking. The lack of rebounding is an issue that no player development was going to address and it mystifies me that Ainge didn't make a move.

Celtics weren't willing to offer that Brooklyn pick as a part of a Butler trade. Bulls would have been nuts to accept any mish-mash of players the Celts were offering.

 

[nomar]

Yup, I used the wrong terminology. I'm happy with the way they're developing Jaylen (and, to a lesser extent, Rozier), but his confidence was completely shot by the end of the year due to inconsistent minutes.

Losing Turner was a big loss for the bench, but not an insurmountable one. Stevens deserves a lotta blame for not figuring it out.

Ultimately it may just be a personnel issue. Like Ern said, he maxed this team out during the regular season but he just doesn't have the horses. That said, I have to give some blame to Stevens for these losses. I don't care that the Bulls have Butler. They're the 8th seed for a reason. The Celtics are better. But they are getting humiliated. IT's not himself and that's a big part of it, but the way the Celtics played today after racing out to the 7-0 lead was shocking.

 

[Jerry1714]

All of this Celtics should have traded for him is nonsense, the Bulls were not trading Butler, he was not available.

Celtics roster is frankly not very good and your not going to do anything in the playoffs when the one guy on your team who can make a shot is 5'7. Been saying it for awhile, if a team will give you a good pick or a good young player for IT they should move him asap.

 

[superjohn]

Ultimately it may just be a personnel issue. Like Ern said, he maxed this team out during the regular season but he just doesn't have the horses. That said, I have to give some blame to Stevens for these losses. I don't care that the Bulls have Butler. They're the 8th seed for a reason. The Celtics are better. But they are getting humiliated. IT's not himself and that's a big part of it, but the way the Celtics played today after racing out to the 7-0 lead was shocking.

I think the Bulls D had a lot to do with it, this is the best D I've seen them play all season. With Wade and Rondo playing like this to compliment Butler I'm not really sure the Celts have the talent to matchup. It's a minor miracle Stevens was able to get a 1 seed out of that roster, besides Isaiah's scoring outbursts nothing on that roster wows me.

 

[UConn990411]

All of this Celtics should have traded for him is nonsense, the Bulls were not trading Butler, he was not available.

Celtics roster is frankly not very good and your not going to do anything in the playoffs when the one guy on your team who can make a shot is 5'7. Been saying it for awhile, if a team will give you a good pick or a good young player for IT they should move him asap.

I'm not sure I understand the logic here. The Celtics have one guy who can create his own shot ... so they should trade him? I've seen other people say something similar, and it makes no sense.

And that's not even mentioning the impact Isaiah has on guys like Bradley and Crowder. There's a reason other players' offensive numbers continue to improve every year - they benefit from opposing defenses focusing primarily on IT.

 

[aceboon]

Celtics should have tried to trade for Nurkic during the season, given the fact that Portland finessed the hell outta Denver in that deal the Cs should have been able to present a reasonable offer.

 

[FartMan69]

All of this Celtics should have traded for him is nonsense, the Bulls were not trading Butler, he was not available.

Celtics roster is frankly not very good and your not going to do anything in the playoffs when the one guy on your team who can make a shot is 5'7. Been saying it for awhile, if a team will give you a good pick or a good young player for IT they should move him asap.

Not liking your post because of your incredible post/like ratio being 1;1. But I like your post.

 

[Jerry1714]

I'm not sure I understand the logic here. The Celtics have one guy who can create his own shot ... so they should trade him? I've seen other people say something similar, and it makes no sense.

And that's not even mentioning the impact Isaiah has on guys like Bradley and Crowder. There's a reason other players' offensive numbers continue to improve every year - they benefit from opposing defenses focusing primarily on IT.

The point is when hes the one guy you are in trouble. When he is your only option you are not winning anything. His playoff shooting percentages decline hugely over his regular season numbers for a reason.