Celtics 2023 - 2024 Discussion

[Real fan 02]

The Celtics big guys (Bird, McHale, Parish and Walton) would have a field day with this Celtics team or any other current team. And they all played good to great defense, including Ainge and DJ in the backcourt.

And I won't get into the Russell teams that won 11 of 13 years, but they were loaded too. They also played much deeper teams than any current teams play.

Agreed. As we know that eranof basketball was like on court gladiator competition.. rules were far different, and guys took pride in defensive prowess. This celtics team is a far superior athletic team than that of the 80s but those Cs teams played with pride and Parish and DJ got after guys on defense.

 

[1960Pats]

Agreed. As we know that eranof basketball was like on court gladiator competition.. rules were far different, and guys took pride in defensive prowess. This celtics team is a far superior athletic team than that of the 80s but those Cs teams played with pride and Parish and DJ got after guys on defense.

The most laughable response I saw here so far was how Tatum would be too athletic for Bird. That's what the NBA thought when Bird showed up. Boy were they wrong.

Maybe the C's should win another game before we start calling them the greatest team ever.

 

[Real fan 02]

The most laughable response I saw here so far was how Tatum would be too athletic for Bird. That's what the NBA thought when Bird showed up. Boy were they wrong.

Maybe the C's should win another game before we start calling them the greatest team ever.

I agree. They need to win tonight seal the deal.. however I just have this feeling that we are going to a 7th game.. wich would be a let down if you allow this team to win 2 more games. When you're up 3-0..

 

[Real fan 02]

Let's all hope for a big win tonight. Won't be easy but Cs need to come out with the right mentality and put this team away. Like to see JM tweak a few things.

@Zuma

Am I overthinking it? Why do I feel like this series isn't over?...

 

[Zuma]

@Zuma

Am I overthinking it? Why do I feel like this series isn't over?...

The Celts only shot 36% last game and allowed Dallas to get 52 rebounds. I don’t think this will happen 2 games in a row. We’re at home. Celtics will win.

 

[Real fan 02]

The Celts only shot 36% last game and allowed Dallas to get 52 rebounds. I don’t think this will happen 2 games in a row. We’re at home. Celtics will win.

Thank you for that reminder and stat line. I know Dallas was destined to Get a game. they did beat the #1 seed in OKC.. and Minnesota folded... Denver has to be kicking themselves huh..

 

[aluminum seats]

Defense, it all starts with defense. Rebounding and taking care of the ball

The Celtics come out with the right intensity and they should win

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yeah they’re two separate issues.

The refs had zero to do with the outcome of the game, obviously.

I do think a double standard is developing for foul calls, especially among the star players. Luka is getting many calls that Tatum isn’t. Tatum is getting hacked constantly while driving to the hoop…sure there are some plays where he’s putting his head down recklessly into a swarm, but there are also consistently very clear fouls the refs aren’t calling. Luka is getting these calls every time yet still *****ing.

No question that is happening. Lets hope it's corrected tonight.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The most laughable response I saw here so far was how Tatum would be too athletic for Bird. That's what the NBA thought when Bird showed up. Boy were they wrong.

Maybe the C's should win another game before we start calling them the greatest team ever.

Larry could not guard Tatum 1:1 consistently. He just didn't have the lateral quickness just like he couldn't handle players like Dominique, Jordan, Dr J Pippen, Bernard King, etc.

With that said there was a reason Larry was a consistent 2nd team all defensive player....extremely quick hands and reflexes, strength in not giving up low post position, anticipation, passing lanes, tendencies, knowing angles, funneling players to his help, etc.

 

[borisman]

Agreed. The only thing I don’t like is that Luca and Kyrie were 1-14 from three in game four, so if anything it could’ve been worse. Of course the rest of Dallas was over 60% from three, so that should go down.

Whatever! lol. Just win

One other thing to add to this is that Tim Hardaway Jr., who was benched for a while because of the yips, hit 5 of 7 3-pointers. One might say "BFD" but he was their 3rd leading scorer during the regular season so he could bring a big boost off the bench, something Hauser and PP haven't done in these finals. And PP is a HUGE mismatch on defense, something he hasn't been in these playoffs.
Tonight's the night to go balls out boys. LFG!!

 

[borisman]

The thing about this injury is nobody really knows what’s expected because it’s so freaking rare, so we don’t know if he’ll come back and be good, come back in a limited way, or whatever. My guess is that we don’t see him again, but I have no idea

Yeah, KP is pretty much done for these playoffs and is likely headed for offseason surgery. I remember hearing some doctor saying this could be a six month recovery for this very unusual injury. See ya in January big guy.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

One other thing to add to this is that Tim Hardaway Jr., who was benched for a while because of the yips, hit 5 of 7 3-pointers. One might say "BFD" but he was their 3rd leading scorer during the regular season so he could bring a big boost off the bench, something Hauser and PP haven't done in these finals. And PP is a HUGE mismatch on defense, something he hasn't been in these playoffs.
Tonight's the night to go balls out boys. LFG!!

Hauser is 9-17 on threes in the Finals

Tim Hardaway Jr was awesome in his D League mop-up time

Dallas isn’t a great team…they just had a great game and the Celtics had a ****ty one. The Celtics don’t need to tear up their playbook. They’ll be fine.

 

[borisman]

Agreed. As we know that eranof basketball was like on court gladiator competition.. rules were far different, and guys took pride in defensive prowess. This celtics team is a far superior athletic team than that of the 80s but those Cs teams played with pride and Parish and DJ got after guys on defense.

Agree completely and would like to add that the 2008 Celtics would also beat the pants off this current team. They allowed 90 PPG and a FG % of about 41%. That was #1 in the league and they beat teams by over 10ppg. While they ranked 10th if offensive efficiency do we really think this team could beat KG, PP, Ray Allen in a 7 game series?

 

[Real fan 02]

Agree completely and would like to add that the 2008 Celtics would also beat the pants off this current team. They allowed 90 PPG and a FG % of about 41%. That was #1 in the league and they beat teams by over 10ppg. While they ranked 10th if offensive efficiency do we really think this team could beat KG, PP, Ray Allen in a 7 game series?

Absolutely agree! You make great points. I've said myself that I Absolutely love Tatum, the player he is, the man he is on/off the court. However his personality isn't like a pierce, bird, KG, even Allen who was a silent assassin as well.
Those guys had the '' dog" mentality in them.. I don't Tatum will ever develop it.. Brown has it in him..

 

[borisman]

Hauser is 9-17 on threes in the Finals

Tim Hardaway Jr was awesome in his D League mop-up time

Dallas isn’t a great team…they just had a great game and the Celtics had a ****ty one. The Celtics don’t need to tear up their playbook. They’ll be fine.

While I trust Hauser (he also hit a bunch of 3's in mop up duty Friday) either him or PP seem to take turns struggling. PP has been a lost cause thus far.

My point still stands that if Hardaway is back to his norm it is a big boost for their bench. For shooters like him all it takes is one good game to gain your confidence back.

 

[Zuma]

Absolutely agree! You make great points. I've said myself that I Absolutely love Tatum, the player he is, the man he is on/off the court. However his personality isn't like a pierce, bird, KG, even Allen who was a silent assassin as well.
Those guys had the '' dog" mentality in them.. I don't Tatum will ever develop it.. Brown has it in him..

The current Celtics are like the Patriots without a true WR1. They have several very good WR2’s (when healthy) but no WR1. The C’s will still win the championship because their overall talent (especially the starting 5) is so much higher then other teams.

 

[Zuma]

While I trust Hauser (he also hit a bunch of 3's in mop up duty Friday) either him or PP seem to take turns struggling. PP has been a lost cause thus far.

My point still stands that if Hardaway is back to his norm it is a big boost for their bench. For shooters like him all it takes is one good game to gain your confidence back.

It’s seems to me Hauser and Pritchard have nerve issues. Is this the 1st time for them in the finals playing more than garbage time? Maybe the stage is too big for them at the moment or will always be.

 

[Real fan 02]

The current Celtics are like the Patriots without a true WR1. They have several very good WR2’s (when healthy) but no WR1. The C’s will still win the championship because their overall talent (especially the starting 5) is so much higher then other teams.

Well said! I absolutely like that comparison. You make perfect sense.. becuase people like to annoint Tatum as the #1.. but he's really not.. just a great player, great leader but not an alpha daughter I'd say.

 

[borisman]

It’s seems to me Hauser and Pritchard have nerve issues. Is this the 1st time for them in the finals playing more than garbage time? Maybe the stage is too big for them at the moment or will always be.

PP can't hit a 3 and is a liability defensively. But what else are the options? Ride or die.
Let's hope he hits a couple of 3's tonight to help the starters. I would also think the starters go deep in minutes especially if game is close. My worry is Big Al may be spent. The crowd hopefully gives him some energy. Leave it out there big man but remember it's a long game.

 

[RobertWeathers]

They are going to roll tonight.

Start stitching #18