NBA Draft - Trades - Free Agents

TheRainMaker said:

The new NBA - where nobody plays a position, everybody shoots 3’s, defense is an afterthought, refs allowing constant traveling, the NBA allowing “euro/crab stepping” and whatever you call James Harden’s step back as a legal move, running actually plays or strategy are thrown out the window and most coaches are just glorified cheerleaders.

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You didn't watch the Celtics today?

scout said:

You didn't watch the Celtics today?

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No. And it’s laughable a top seed gets its *** kicked game 1 at home of the semi finals. Your new NBA.

Giannis shot 30% today

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TheRainMaker said:

The new NBA - where nobody plays a position, everybody shoots 3’s, defense is an afterthought, refs allowing constant traveling, the NBA allowing “euro/crab stepping” and whatever you call James Harden’s step back as a legal move, running actually plays or strategy are thrown out the window and most coaches are just glorified cheerleaders.

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Actually, running actual plays and taking the ball to the basket are EXACTLY how the Celtics won game 1. Posting up Brown and even Kyrie on their smaller players.

Unless Milwaukee makes some serious adjustments, they're going to have to shoot 40% from three, and keep getting 3x the foul shots the Celtics do. Seemed like every shot they were taking as a contested 30-footer. On defense, they can't stop Kyrie (no surprise), Brown (a little surprise) or Average Al (huge surprise). Post up Hill and Bledsoe, take Mirotic and Illiasova to the basket, let Middleton continue to disappear, and do what you can on Giannis. That's the game. Worked out great Game 1.

By the way, Celtics have already won 2 more road games in the playoffs this year, than they did last year.

TheRainMaker said:

No. And it’s laughable a top seed gets its *** kicked game 1 at home of the semi finals. Your new NBA.

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NBA fans know the playoffs are different from the regular season. Defense is played in the playoffs. That is why the Celtics won and will probably win the series. It's nothing new.

TheRainMaker said:

The new NBA - where nobody plays a position, everybody shoots 3’s, defense is an afterthought, refs allowing constant traveling, the NBA allowing “euro/crab stepping” and whatever you call James Harden’s step back as a legal move, running actually plays or strategy are thrown out the window and most coaches are just glorified cheerleaders.

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I know you blame the Warriors, but this actually started with the Spurs in 2013-2014.

BobDigital said:

Celtics are winning the east. No one is stopping them in this conference.

I know some people feel confident about their chances to beat the GSWs... I just don't see it. They are so freaking stacked it's unfair.

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Pump the brakes. If the Celtics get past the Bucks they have to face the Raptors and that is a series I could easily see going 7 games.

Still gotta get past the Bucks of course but Game 1 was a great sign though.

1. Celtics curb stomped the Bucks
2. Warriors needed home officiating to get by the Rockets

Pretty good day.

Jaylen Brown actually looked like an elite player last night offensively. That first quarter stepback three was filthy.

I won't say who wins right now but if we do get past the Bucks I do think the Raptors will be even more challenging than the Bucks. Kawhi is really, really good and Marc Gasol proves to be an excellent mid-season pickup.

Kdo5 said:

Pump the brakes. If the Celtics get past the Bucks they have to face the Raptors and that is a series I could easily see going 7 games.

Still gotta get past the Bucks of course but Game 1 was a great sign though.

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I'm not saying they are going 12-0 until they get to the finals, but they finally seem to have it mostly figured out. And if they play at the level they can play at no one in the east is better. I think mostly this level of play will continue.

The Bucks will win a few games cause they are too good to not do so, but I see this series firmly being in the Celtics hands at this point point. The Bucks will play an amazing game and win that one, then steal a close one when the Celtics get cold at the wrong time, but that's all I think they can do if the Celtics play like they have been the last 5 games.

As for next series the Raptors are very good, but the Celtics just have so much depth and Irving will mostly cancel out Leonard. The Celtics don't need Irving to be a +20 player beat good teams. The Raptors need Kawhi to be. That's the difference between the two teams.

BobDigital said:

I'm not saying they are going 12-0 until they get to the finals, but they finally seem to have it mostly figured out. And if they play at the level they can play at no one in the east is better. I think mostly this level of play will continue.

The Bucks will win a few games cause they are too good to not do so, but I see this series firmly being in the Celtics hands at this point point. The Bucks will play an amazing game and win that one, then steal a close one when the Celtics get cold at the wrong time, but that's all I think they can do if the Celtics play like they have been the last 5 games.

As for next series the Raptors are very good, but the Celtics just have so much depth and Irving will mostly cancel out Leonard. The Celtics don't need Irving to be a +20 player beat good teams. The Raptors need Kawhi to be. That's the difference between the two teams.

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I'd not say that the Celts have it figured out just yet. This is a byproduct of the playoffs shortening rotations and adjustments. I expect the Bucks to adjust for Tuesday's game and I expect the Celts to be down double digits at some point on Tuesday. However, if the Celts can battle back and keep it under 10 by the 4th...I love our chances at taking game 2 and effectively ending this series (no way does Milwaukee take 4 of 5 with 3 being in Boston).

The Raptors.... am not sure they take down Philly. Philly still has the best starting 5 in the East Conference (Simmons, Butler, Embiid, Harris, and Reddick)...the Sixers just need their stars to play major minutes...but not sure Embiid can do that though...

The Celtics remain the deepest team in the EC by far....I mean we have Hayward, Rozier, Baynes, and Theis coming off the bench....and those 4 guys could form a NBA play-off team with one MAX player, IMO.

I'm afraid of the Claw if the Celtics advance. I'm not convinced yet. The Celtics had their best shooting night since the Allstar break. Not sustainable.

SBLIII said:

I'm afraid of the Claw if the Celtics advance. I'm not convinced yet. The Celtics had their best shooting night since the Allstar break. Not sustainable.

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I agree that the Raptors would be a really tough out, assuming we end up in the ECF.

As for the shooting I don't think it was flukey. The ball movement was tremendous and they did a good job turning decent looks into great looks. Very promising and unselfish basketball.

Hyped said:

The Raptors.... am not sure they take down Philly. Philly still has the best starting 5 in the East Conference (Simmons, Butler, Embiid, Harris, and Reddick)...the Sixers just need their stars to play major minutes...but not sure Embiid can do that though...

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I don't see the 76ers winning the series. They have good to great players in the starting lineup but I just don't like the way that team is built at all. The Raptors are much better overall. Gasol did a great job on Embiid and we already know the flaws of Ben Simmons. The Sixers are in trouble.

Flash said:

Jaylen Brown actually looked like an elite player last night offensively. That first quarter stepback three was filthy.

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I'm a big Jaylen fan. He'll probably never be an elite offensive player but a good one. His true strength is as a defender.

SBLIII said:

I'm afraid of the Claw if the Celtics advance. I'm not convinced yet. The Celtics had their best shooting night since the Allstar break. Not sustainable.

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I'd agree if they weren't going to the basket so much, and taking so much mid-range. Maybe they don't shoot 54% overall, but if they shot 48% that would be plenty.

TheRainMaker said:

The new NBA - where nobody plays a position, everybody shoots 3’s, defense is an afterthought, refs allowing constant traveling, the NBA allowing “euro/crab stepping” and whatever you call James Harden’s step back as a legal move, running actually plays or strategy are thrown out the window and most coaches are just glorified cheerleaders.

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The new NBA is more difficult for us older fans, but I still enjoy it. I remember back in the day there was this thing called a moving pick that was illegal. Now the player setting the pick constantly moves and resembles a pulling guard in the NYFL.

Bump. Good first quarter.

You need to like their chances. Eventually Kyrie will get his. Add that to everything else their doing well and they have a good chance to take a commanding commanding lead that statistically is virtually series winning. Being as they are taking 2 home games.

as bad a 3rd as you can possibly play

and not even the whole quarter, just the last 7 mins...

ok sports has sucked tonight

Sheesh 28-3 run ... that sh!t is brutal ... lace em up boys and rock the Garden.

Stereotypical letdown road game after stealing home court.

Regards,
Chris