BOSTON CELTICS vs. Washington Wizards (Eastern semi-finals)

[Tunescribe]

It was an entertaining final quarter last night when both teams finally decided to play AS teams. If the NBA had more team play on a regular basis I'd watch it more. Usually it's guys playing one-on-one while everyone else stands around watching.

 

[Kontradiction]

I just don't see any way anyone is going to beat Golden State. The team that's best equipped to do it is the team they're playing now and, unfortunately for them, Leonard is gimpy. That means they'll have to double Durant which will open up shooting lanes for Curry and Thompson.

 

[Vindicate]

I just don't see any way anyone is going to beat Golden State. The team that's best equipped to do it is the team they're playing now and, unfortunately for them, Leonard is gimpy. That means they'll have to double Durant which will open up shooting lanes for Curry and Thompson.

If anyone can match 60% of Lebron while they tighten down on some shooters (LeBron will have Durant), they will have a chance. James is putting up an absolutely insane post season right now. His threes are matching the best year of Curry and his twos are almost in the realm of Shaq in his prime. Leonard going out did suck though 25 point swing in mere minutes.

It's gonna be Cavs and Warriors, folks.

 

[bormio]

Cleveland is obviously better and upsets in the NBA are rare, but they do occur every once a in a while. If the Celts could somehow go 2-2, we would have best 2 of 3 with 2 home games. Cleveland gifted us home court - would be funny if it bit them in the ass.

 

[PatsFan2]

I am happy that Jalen Brown is progressing well playing Big minutes in the Playoffs as a Rookie says a lot. I was really sad we didn't get the Boogie Man Cousins. Him on this squad against the Cavs we would have a winning chance.

 

[PatsFan2]

IT is bringing it consistently AL Horford is bring it consistently...now if Avery Bradley and Kelly Olynyk can somewhat bring it consistently we could give Cleveland a series. IF the latter two struggles this series will be over in 4 Games.

 

[PatsFan2]

I just don't see any way anyone is going to beat Golden State. The team that's best equipped to do it is the team they're playing now and, unfortunately for them, Leonard is gimpy. That means they'll have to double Durant which will open up shooting lanes for Curry and Thompson.

Lebron ain't going to roll over and die he can take Durant away Irving can be a terror GS have a lot of fire power but Cleveland got some Defensive players and some decent shooters too. Also Cleveland hardly broke a sweat in two series in the East IF they take the Celtics out in Four I like a Fresh Cleveland against anybody. Feel ready bad for what happened to Kawhi Leonard freaking lucky @ss Warriors like they need any breaks with that Team.

 

[VrabelJr]

It was an entertaining final quarter last night when both teams finally decided to play AS teams. If the NBA had more team play on a regular basis I'd watch it more. Usually it's guys playing one-on-one while everyone else stands around watching.

Might I recommend watching the Spurs?

 

[1960Pats]

Danny could have dealt away current and future assets to have a better shot now, but IMO the choice was to move the C's peak of talent to a couple of years from now when (hopefully) Lebron is past his peak. I understand the logic and I hope it works out. This team has a lot of heart but I think the talent is a little underwhelming.

There are two players who couldn't hold back the tears when they held their press conference after they were traded from the C's. Gerald Henderson and Danny Ainge.

As for LeBron, the way people here are cringing over the thought of facing him they're acting like they're facing the GOAT, Bill Russell. I've seen LeBron make mistakes and play poorly in big games. He could do it again.

 

[Kontradiction]

Lebron ain't going to roll over and die he can take Durant away Irving can be a terror GS have a lot of fire power but Cleveland got some Defensive players and some decent shooters too. Also Cleveland hardly broke a sweat in two series in the East IF they take the Celtics out in Four I like a Fresh Cleveland against anybody. Feel ready bad for what happened to Kawhi Leonard freaking lucky @ss Warriors like they need any breaks with that Team.

While LeBron's offensive game has been peaking, his defense is not what it once was. If they put him one on one with Durant, Durant will still get his points and Green will thrive. Switch LeBron and put him on Green and Durant will get open looks. Curry/Irving is essentially a wash. I do agree, though, that GS's best course of action is to limit Irving. LeBron simply cannot be stopped. But if they can contain Irving then they will essentially make it the Golden State Warriors vs. LeBron James. If Cleveland can win that series after that then LeBron may be the GOAT.

 

[VrabelJr]

Lebron ain't going to roll over and die he can take Durant away Irving can be a terror GS have a lot of fire power but Cleveland got some Defensive players and some decent shooters too. Also Cleveland hardly broke a sweat in two series in the East IF they take the Celtics out in Four I like a Fresh Cleveland against anybody. Feel ready bad for what happened to Kawhi Leonard freaking lucky @ss Warriors like they need any breaks with that Team.

This. LeBron can take over a game every single night whether it's via ridiculous shooting or getting to the line 15 times a game. Who else in the NBA can do that so consistently?

Kyrie owned Curry last year and it will happen again. Curry can't defend Kyrie and it tires him out even trying. Meanwhile Kyrie plays really good defense once the playoffs come around.

Look at what the Spurs are doing to GSW with old Gasol and Aldridge. Thompson and Love can easily emulate that and then some offensively. You're talking high percentage 2s in the paint which leads to massive spacing for everyone else. Look at how the series swung last year when Bogut went down.

The only weakness the Cavs have is the inconsistency of their bench, which are a bunch of veteran chuckers. If those guys get hot it's over. The series basically boils down to one player: Klay Thompson. If he can be "Good Klay" for 6 or 7 games then GSW has a chance.

 

[realtime]

There are two players who couldn't hold back the tears when they held their press conference after they were traded from the C's. Gerald Henderson and Danny Ainge.

As for LeBron, the way people here are cringing over the thought of facing him they're acting like they're facing the GOAT, Bill Russell. I've seen LeBron make mistakes and play poorly in big games. He could do it again.

Swap out LeBron for the rich man's DeAndre Jordan and the C's might have a real shot at winning the series. Unfortunately for the C's however, they are stuck facing LeBron, who, even if not the GOAT, will be impossible for the C's to beat 4 times in a series.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Let's not debate Cavs-Warriors just yet. It's 90% likely, but let's see how Cavs-Celtics goes.

 

[ViperGTS]

Let's not debate Cavs-Warriors just yet. It's 90% likely, but let's see how Cavs-Celtics goes.

I'm probably alone, but I think if the Cs play up to their ability, they can beat Cleveland. And Golden State. If they regress they will get smoked.

 

[Kontradiction]

This. LeBron can take over a game every single night whether it's via ridiculous shooting or getting to the line 15 times a game. Who else in the NBA can do that so consistently?

Kyrie owned Curry last year and it will happen again. Curry can't defend Kyrie and it tires him out even trying. Meanwhile Kyrie plays really good defense once the playoffs come around.

Look at what the Spurs are doing to GSW with old Gasol and Aldridge. Thompson and Love can easily emulate that and then some offensively. You're talking high percentage 2s in the paint which leads to massive spacing for everyone else. Look at how the series swung last year when Bogut went down.

The only weakness the Cavs have is the inconsistency of their bench, which are a bunch of veteran chuckers. If those guys get hot it's over. The series basically boils down to one player: Klay Thompson. If he can be "Good Klay" for 6 or 7 games then GSW has a chance.

I don't see it. This is a Dubs squad that took a better Cleveland team last year to 7 games. They then added Durant while the Cavs took a step back. GSW win round three. Those problems that the Cavs had throughout the year (that LeBron openly complained about) are still there. They'll rear their head again in the Finals.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'm probably alone, but I think if the Cs play up to their ability, they can beat Cleveland. And Golden State. If they regress they will get smoked.

If the C's play to their ability they can beat CLE.

.....as long as LeBron is out.

Even with just Love and Irving it goes 6 or 7 games.

CLE is dialed in now.

 

[ViperGTS]

If the C's play to their ability they can beat CLE.

.....as long as LeBron is out.

Even with just Love and Irving it goes 6 or 7 games.

CLE is dialed in now.

Nah. They can't play D and had 2 cupcakes. They play a battle tested team this time around. The development of Jaylen a Brown, especially on the defensive side with his length is a serious development. It is one that is being overlooked as well as Horfords new found game which has been missing all season.

This series has a good chance to be a stunner.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

There are two players who couldn't hold back the tears when they held their press conference after they were traded from the C's. Gerald Henderson and Danny Ainge.

.

What could have been.. The Henderson trade netted the pick that was Len Bias......and that tragedy....................

 

[realtime]

What could have been.. The Henderson trade netted the pick that was Len Bias......and that tragedy....................

Ugh . . . thanks for the reminder. Along with Benji Wilson, Bias was perhaps the most talented player to never play in the NBA. Too bad there are only highlights from about 4 of his games available on youtube.

 

[mosey threetupu]

Ugh . . . thanks for the reminder. Along with Benji Wilson, Bias was perhaps the most talented player to never play in the NBA. Too bad there are only highlights from about 4 of his games available on youtube.

That distinction often goes to the original Goat - Earl Manigault.