Celtics 2023 - 2024 Discussion

[patfanken]

Here's the thing. Kyrie and Luka have averaged around 60ppg this playoff run and have been universally aplauded for their efforts and they should be. The J's also have averaged around 60ppg and have been universally trashed and have had their games and hearts questioned for the past 2 weeks

Add to that fact the J's are BOTH far better defenders than the Dallas duo, you have to wonder WTF.

WHY are the J's being penalized for their success at going deep into the playoffs for the last 3 or 4 years. They are getting killed about losing to GS, even though most "Mediots picked GS to begin with.

The J's are both so much better than they were in 22. And their TEAM is better and deeper too. So yes the team and the J's are being thrown under the Dallas hype bus, but this is the year when the J's and the Cs SHOULD put that to rest

 

[Kdo5]

Maybe it’s just me but Porzingis doesn’t necessarily sound confident when I listen to his press conferences. Feels like a big time cross your fingers situation with his return.

 

[Keep Up With The Joneses]

Maybe it’s just me but Porzingis doesn’t necessarily sound confident when I listen to his press conferences. Feels like a big time cross your fingers situation with his return.

My hope is they start Al and let KP come in off the bench. I would rather not shake up the starting lineup when we have no idea what Porzingis can contribute, and for how long.

 

[aluminum seats]

My hope is they start Al and let KP come in off the bench. I would rather not shake up the starting lineup when we have no idea what Porzingis can contribute, and for how long.

I'd be really surprised if he didn't start

I think he's fully ready to go and will have a great series. I think he would have returned in game five or six in the last series if they needed him and he's had a lot more rest since then

 

[RobertWeathers]

I believe it will be a tough series because the team has a knack for making it hard on themselves, even this season.

How? Last year sure but that's not true this year....except for G2s v MIA ane CLE which were eventually dismissed in 5 games.

Th3e 2023-2023 Celtics are a much more mature bunch and take care of business.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Here's the thing. Kyrie and Luka have averaged around 60ppg this playoff run and have been universally aplauded for their efforts and they should be. The J's also have averaged around 60ppg and have been universally trashed and have had their games and hearts questioned for the past 2 weeks

So f-ing true.

In the playoffs, Tatum is 26/10/6

For context, during the 1986 playoff run, Bird was 26/9/8

Bird >>>>>>>> Tatum but the criticism is ridiculous. Hes still performing/helping his team when his shot hasn't been falling.

Add to that fact the J's are BOTH far better defenders than the Dallas duo, you have to wonder WTF.

WHY are the J's being penalized for their success at going deep into the playoffs for the last 3 or 4 years. They are getting killed about losing to GS, even though most "Mediots picked GS to begin with.

The J's are both so much better than they were in 22. And their TEAM is better and deeper too. So yes the team and the J's are being thrown under the Dallas hype bus, but this is the year when the J's and the Cs SHOULD put that to rest

Yep

 

[Kdo5]

How? Last year sure but that's not true this year....except for G2s v MIA ane CLE which were eventually dismissed in 5 games.

Th3e 2023-2023 Celtics are a much more mature bunch and take care of business.

It’s all about what JT does at the end of games and how the rest of the offense follows suit in close games with the lead.

They’ve slowed down, stopped ball movement and gone iso to protect a lead, which often leads to issues. This has still happened a few times. When we are behind or are neck in neck we seem to be better.

What happens when we are up 10 points with 5 minutes to go in the fourth quarter against Dallas? Do we move the ball around and keep doing what we’ve been doing? Or does Tatum hold the ball, wind the clock down and iso with everyone else standing around?

I am not yet convinced that question has been answered. And I’m still concerned it can cost us if such habits resurface.

 

[Tunescribe]

Maybe it’s just me but Porzingis doesn’t necessarily sound confident when I listen to his press conferences. Feels like a big time cross your fingers situation with his return.

He sounded REALLY tentative, like he's preparing to have an excuse. He should've just said, "Yeah, I'm 100-percent and ready to go."

 

[1960Pats]

It's about time.

 

[Brewskies]

How? Last year sure but that's not true this year....except for G2s v MIA ane CLE which were eventually dismissed in 5 games.

Th3e 2023-2023 Celtics are a much more mature bunch and take care of business.

I hope you are correct. Your position is correct but this is a team still struggling to demonstrate that the Jay's can handle the pressure together or alone unlike their past performances in pressure situations. Go Celtics. Go Jay's. I think the most important player for the Celtics in this round will be Holiday, his offense and defense, we need both in each game. Go Holiday
Let's not forget your guy, who has done terrific this season, Pritchard. Go Pritchard.
They got here because of Derrick White, we will need him. Go White. In the playoffs Hauser has been terrible, who cares, produce in this round. Go Hauser.

We will need Porzingis at the very least 85%. We lose without him if it is 7 games. Go Porzingis.

That leaves the team with the old man who needs to have one more great round I'm him. He deserves a Championship. Celtics do it for him. Go Al Horford.

 

[bresna]

Is this Dallas hype really surprising? If you've watched the pregame discussions for these playoffs, almost every one of the Celtics' opposing teams was ripe for an upset. This last series against Indiana was the worst. It sounded like they were the Pacers' regular announcers. Every Pacers player was ready to take it to the next level. Every Pacers player was playing at the top of his game. During the game, they only got excited when a Pacers player made a play. It was really noticeable. I muted it after a while.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

He sounded REALLY tentative, like he's preparing to have an excuse. He should've just said, "Yeah, I'm 100-percent and ready to go."

Could be. Also English is a foreign language for him, so maybe the words don't roll off his tongue?

 

[RobertWeathers]

I hope you are correct. Your position is correct but this is a team still struggling to demonstrate that the Jay's can handle the pressure together or alone unlike their past performances in pressure situations. Go Celtics. Go Jay's. I think the most important player for the Celtics in this round will be Holiday, his offense and defense, we need both in each game. Go Holiday
Let's not forget your guy, who has done terrific this season, Pritchard. Go Pritchard.
They got here because of Derrick White, we will need him. Go White. In the playoffs Hauser has been terrible, who cares, produce in this round. Go Hauser.

We will need Porzingis at the very least 85%. We lose without him if it is 7 games. Go Porzingis.

That leaves the team with the old man who needs to have one more great round I'm him. He deserves a Championship. Celtics do it for him. Go Al Horford.

Yep. We don't know how they handle pressure until they win it all. However if the playoffs are any indication - which they trailed in the 4th qtr multiple times, they now have the focus, maturity, and mental toughness to bear down and get the job done.

 

[aluminum seats]

Just want to pause for a minute to say how great it is to follow this team. Tons of success obviously, but pretty tough the last nearly 40 years, with some genuinely dark times.

This is a tough, likable team, and I really think Jayson Tatum doesn't get enough credit, not just for what a great player he's been, but he seems like a pretty damn good guy too, which isn't always the case. Here's hoping we're hanging banner 18 in a couple of weeks. Go Celtics.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Just want to pause for a minute to say how great it is to follow this team. Tons of success obviously, but pretty tough the last nearly 40 years, with some genuinely dark times.

This is a tough, likable team, and I really think Jayson Tatum doesn't get enough credit, not just for what a great player he's been, but he seems like a pretty damn good guy too, which isn't always the case. Here's hoping we're hanging banner 18 in a couple of weeks. Go Celtics.

The stretch after Larry Legend retired and before Jim O'Brien (i'm not saying that jerk's name) was especially dark. With the exception of the rebuilding years under Danny they've been in the playoffs.

But yea.....in my sports awareness life (1978 and on...) one title since 1986 is unbecoming of this franchise.

Time to change that.

 

[borisman]

Maybe this should be on the main forum.

The finals kick-off, err, tip-off tonight at 8:30

The Celtics are -6.5 for this game and about -225 to win the series.

Kristaps Porzingis is expected to make his return after missing the last two series with a calf injury. The rest of the team is about as healthy as can be hoped.

Barring any injuries we should be hanging banner 18 in October.

 

[jimnance]

Just want to pause for a minute to say how great it is to follow this team. Tons of success obviously, but pretty tough the last nearly 40 years, with some genuinely dark times.

This is a tough, likable team, and I really think Jayson Tatum doesn't get enough credit, not just for what a great player he's been, but he seems like a pretty damn good guy too, which isn't always the case. Here's hoping we're hanging banner 18 in a couple of weeks. Go Celtics.

Tatum is the best player on the C's by far.
Brown is a great player and really improved this season, playoffs included.
But lets be real. He gets more scoring opportunities because Tatum is often doubled. No, this nothing to do with G.Arenas opening his stupid yap.
It's just obvious especially in playoffs.
Tatum doesn't get enough credit for not forcing the issue when doubled and passing to an open man.
White and Holliday are great as well, but Tatum is the best player on the team.
And no, it's not really close.
I love all these guys including KP and we're gonna need him. I don't know what he's physically able to do or not do, I'm a bit leery. It's a tough injury to recover from.

 

[Kdo5]

Cue the: this doesn’t belong here!

That said I’m concerned about KP and think we could be staring down a Durant situation where he quickly gets hurt again albeit not as devastating an injury.

Otherwise I’m feeling as optimistic as I ever had before. Should be a really exciting series.

 

[gobesmug]

Cue the: this doesn’t belong here!

That said I’m concerned about KP and think we could be staring down a Durant situation where he quickly gets hurt again albeit not as devastating an injury.

Otherwise I’m feeling as optimistic as I ever had before. Should be a really exciting series.

It's OK, it doesn't mention Brady so it's safe from the "it doesn't belong here" crowd

 

[IcyPatriot]

Just ignore the *****ing members
who do not utilize the ignore thread feature.