Celtics 2024-2025 Discussion

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

It’s just nuts that a player can get 3 steals on baseline inbound passes for 6 points, at this level of competition. Props to McConnell but how can the Thunder play with such carelessness in the finals? That last one to tie game at 95 was basically the ball game. Everyone knew the Pacers would win after that.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I’m really rooting hard for the Pacers. This would be the type of championship in sports, and especially in pro basketball, that never happens. A feel good story about a band of unselfish, complementary players who win by committee, hustle, and clutch play.

Someone always seems to step up. It a non-star system that confuses the media, who insist on consistent individual star making above all else. Nobody needs to get you 30. Nobody needs to even get you 20. But seven different guys can get you 20+ on any given night, Siakam, Hali, Mathurin, Nesmith, Nembhard, Toppin, Turner. Then McConnell is good for 10-15.

Playing 10 guys, full tilt. If somebody gets it rolling, you ride it, like Mathurin last night. If somebody doesn’t have it, you set him down and find another guy that night. Only a disappearing act by Tyrese Haliburton or Pascal Siakam seems not survivable.

And the defense was a clinic in the 4th quarter last night. Thunder 18 points, 6 made field goals, 5 turnovers, Pacers with 5 blocks and 4 steals. OKC, the most athletic team in the NBA was gassed. Bench scoring 49-18 Pacers.

Rapper Jay-Z placed a $1 million bet on the Thunder to win the NBA Finals in exactly five games with +230 odds. His bet would have won him $3.3 million, but with the Pacers leading 2-1 in the series, he has already lost the wager.

TOUGH.

 

[RobertWeathers]

What about the movie Hoosiers?

Greatest basketball movie of all-time.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I’m really rooting hard for the Pacers. This would be the type of championship in sports, and especially in pro basketball, that never happens. A feel good story about a band of unselfish, complementary players who win by committee, hustle, and clutch play. This is the story that always ends in a respectable 4-2 defeat in the second round to a team loaded with all stars.

The Pacers are halfway to winning the unlikeliest championship in recorded NBA history

You have to go back to the 2003 Florida Marlins to top what the Pacers could pull off

www.cbssports.com

You could argue the last "starless" team to win a title was the last Spurs team w/ Duncan but the one that really stands out to me are the 04 Pistons.

This Pacers team has Halliburton but I wouldn't put him in the top 10

 

[RobertWeathers]

I can't believe how some fans still don't realize how much better Jokic is than anybody else. There is NO one remotely close to him.
Giannis? Lmfao. Tatum is better than Giannis.
Jokic is the only one in the NBA who will be in the conversation for GOAT.
An alltime top 5 five player. Nobody else comes close. LeBron is top 10 not top 5.

Jokic is approaching top 5 status no question but needs titles to REALLY be in that tier.

 

[Clonamery]

I’m really rooting hard for the Pacers. This would be the type of championship in sports, and especially in pro basketball, that never happens. A feel good story about a band of unselfish, complementary players who win by committee, hustle, and clutch play. This is the story that always ends in a respectable 4-2 defeat in the second round to a team loaded with all stars.

The Pacers are halfway to winning the unlikeliest championship in recorded NBA history

You have to go back to the 2003 Florida Marlins to top what the Pacers could pull off

www.cbssports.com

I want them to win for the pain it will bring the Knicks especially the owner.

 

[1960Pats]

I’m really rooting hard for the Pacers. This would be the type of championship in sports, and especially in pro basketball, that never happens. A feel good story about a band of unselfish, complementary players who win by committee, hustle, and clutch play. This is the story that always ends in a respectable 4-2 defeat in the second round to a team loaded with all stars.

The Pacers are halfway to winning the unlikeliest championship in recorded NBA history

You have to go back to the 2003 Florida Marlins to top what the Pacers could pull off

www.cbssports.com

And they aren't floppers.

 

[1960Pats]

You could argue the last "starless" team to win a title was the last Spurs team w/ Duncan but the one that really stands out to me are the 04 Pistons.

This Pacers team has Halliburton but I wouldn't put him in the top 10

Isn't Duncan the player that the Celts would have had if the lottery wasn't fixed? I don't think the NBA likes us.

 

[1960Pats]

Someone always seems to step up. It a non-star system that confuses the media, who insist on consistent individual star making above all else. Nobody needs to get you 30. Nobody needs to even get you 20. But seven different guys can get you 20+ on any given night, Siakam, Hali, Mathurin, Nesmith, Nembhard, Toppin, Turner. Then McConnell is good for 10-15.

Playing 10 guys, full tilt. If somebody gets it rolling, you ride it, like Mathurin last night. If somebody doesn’t have it, you set him down and find another guy that night. Only a disappearing act by Tyrese Haliburton or Pascal Siakam seems not survivable.

And the defense was a clinic in the 4th quarter last night. Thunder 18 points, 6 made field goals, 5 turnovers, Pacers with 5 blocks and 4 steals. OKC, the most athletic team in the NBA was gassed. Bench scoring 49-18 Pacers.

Rapper Jay-Z placed a $1 million bet on the Thunder to win the NBA Finals in exactly five games with +230 odds. His bet would have won him $3.3 million, but with the Pacers leading 2-1 in the series, he has already lost the wager.

TOUGH.

They're deep like the Celtics were the last few years.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

They're deep like the Celtics were the last few years.

TBH it reminds me of how everyone in national media totally refused to believe that the Patriots had a chance against the greatest show on turf in 2001. But team depth, clutch performances, physicality, and complementary play beat out the Rams "dynasty" that the Rams and the media were convinced was about to start. The Pacers have played 18 playoff games and been underdogs in 16 of them. They are bigger underdogs tonight than they were on Wednesday.

 

[ViperGTS]

Isn't Duncan the player that the Celts would have had if the lottery wasn't fixed? I don't think the NBA likes us.

Of course the NBA hates Boston. The fact they got the 1st pick in '17 was a nice bone tossed to them. There wasn't a generational player in that draft. The whole racial aspect is still a deep cut imo. Plus they want to, as has recently seen to be folly, prop up certain franchises. The wanted Robinson to get some titles, so they have him Duncan. Then in '07 the league didn't want Boston to get Oden or Durant. We know for a fact that Danny would have taken Durant. Imagine swinging a trade for Garnett to add to Durant and Pierce? I know the 5th pick wouldn't be heading out but I imagine Danny would have gotten something done. Never forgive the NBA for both of this bone jobs.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Isn't Duncan the player that the Celts would have had if the lottery wasn't fixed? I don't think the NBA likes us.

Same one. In their last title while he was a 15/10 guy he was 37 and the team didn't have a player who scored more than 16 a game.

 

[jimnance]

Same one. In their last title while he was a 15/10 guy he was 37 and the team didn't have a player who scored more than 16 a game.

Duncan is probably the most underrated of the top 15 all-time players.
A great,great player. Best power forward of all time, ahead of the Mailman.
10x better than Durant ever dreamed of being and KD is a great player.
There're only 2 players in the NBA right now that could be rated higher on the all time list: Lebron( I feel nauseous saying that) and Jokic. Period.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Duncan is probably the most underrated of the top 15 all-time players.
A great,great player. Best power forward of all time, ahead of the Mailman.
10x better than Durant ever dreamed of being and KD is a great player.
There're only 2 players in the NBA right now that could be rated higher on the all time list: Lebron( I feel nauseous saying that) and Jokic. Period.

Yup. If I assembled an GOAT team and the requirement was to be strict about positions, it would be...

C- Russell
PF- Duncan
Shooting Forward- Larry
PG- Magic
SG- Air

I picked Russell because this team has enough scoring and Magic and Larry are not plus defenders. Now, the argument can easily be made for Wilt, KAJ, Prime Shaq and even a 1977 Bill Walton. But....it's my team and Russ is on it.

 

[jimnance]

Yup. If I assembled an GOAT team and the requirement was to be strict about positions, it would be...

C- Russell
PF- Duncan
Shooting Forward- Larry
PG- Magic
SG- Air

I picked Russell because this team has enough scoring and Magic and Larry are not plus defenders. Now, the argument can easily be made for Wilt, KAJ, Prime Shaq and even a 1977 Bill Walton. But....it's my team and Russ is on it.

Damn that one helluva team. That's about as good as it gets. I wouldn't change a thing. They would destroy any all star team you wanna put together.
Russell is the alltime greatest defensive player in history. Duncan probably the best defensive PF. Mike certainly the best defensive guard. Bird and Magic both solid defensively and great rebounder on top if being 2 of the greatest offensive players.
Unbeatable in a 7 game series vs. any other collection of talent.

 

[ViperGTS]

I take Garnett over Duncan all day long and twice on Sundays. Sure I love Duncan but if you gave me a choice? It's not even close imo.

C- Russell
PF- Garnett
Shooting Forward- Larry
PG- Magic
SG- Air

 

[RobertWeathers]

I take Garnett over Duncan all day long and twice on Sundays. Sure I love Duncan but if you gave me a choice? It's not even close imo.

C- Russell
PF- Garnett
Shooting Forward- Larry
PG- Magic
SG- Air

Why is it not close? We aren't talking Bird vs Kelly Tripuka here?

 

[ViperGTS]

Why is it not close? We aren't talking Bird vs Kelly Tripuka here?

Because Garnett is an animal. He is the ultimate motivator and has the mentality of a junkyard dog AND can back it up. Again, I love Duncan but I can't put them in the same category if I am building my ultimate team.

 

[jimnance]

Because Garnett is an animal. He is the ultimate motivator and has the mentality of a junkyard dog AND can back it up. Again, I love Duncan but I can't put them in the same category if I am building my ultimate team.

I love KG and he was a great player.
Duncan was better and it's not close.

 

[ViperGTS]

I love KG and he was a great player.
Duncan was better and it's not close.

The advanced metrics would say different.

This is the AI ****.

Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett were two dominant power forwards of their era, with Duncan often lauded for his efficiency and longevity, while Garnett was known for his intensity and all-around play. Duncan boasts more championships and accolades, but Garnett's statistical output and defensive impact are comparable.