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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 9, 2022 7:30:15 GMT -5
They only had one (pre-garbage time) fourth quarter turnover, so the full game numbers don’t look too bad, but in the second and third quarters, they had some ugly live-ball turnovers. Key to the tame in my mind was driving the ball and scoring at the rim vs. undersized Warriors lineups. Tatum and Brown, and even guys like Smart and White, are quick enough to drive past the initial defender (particularly off ball movement and closeouts) and skilled enough to score at the rim (or make kickout passes) versus late rotations. Have to keep doing that. Every Smart pull-up three or Tatum side-step three feels like a cop out against these small lineups. They had a few for sure and you’d like to see none, but that’s likely an unrealistic ask in a pressure packed, intense Championship game. They need to limit them to that small period like they did last night. We can’t expect them to have none.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 9, 2022 6:54:42 GMT -5
When the Celtics don’t give the Warriors free points off turnovers, they are flat out better. There are very few things to critique tonight - the first-half turnovers were bad, the third quarter was meh, and they could’ve been a bit better from the free throw line. But all of those issues were contained, and when they were just playing basketball, it was clear the Celtics were a more complete team. I know it’s not their style, but it would be wonderful if they keep the same energy level in back-to-back games. The Celtics rebounding is what saved them. The turnovers got ugly again, but ugly wins are wins. They had 12 turnovers last night. That’s a pretty solid number. They took care of the ball. Was there a stretch where they turned it over a few times in a close bunch? Sure, but this is the NBA that’s going to happen in basically every game. 12 is a very manageable number.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 9, 2022 6:20:27 GMT -5
Disgusting from Draymond, he should be suspended for this. Tatums shoulder problem is a pinched nerve - it’s painful but also very unpredictably so. It’s why you’ll see him take a direct hit and have no pain but then something that seems very minor causes a ton of it.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 9, 2022 6:19:22 GMT -5
All that being said, complaining about the refs is a losers mentality, even if it gets so egregious, see Draymond tackling and acting like a fullback in game 2, that it becomes very difficult. The Celtics let the refereeing in game 2 throw them off their game. The referee didn’t cause all the turnovers, the Celtics mentality, likely because of the refereeing did. Great teams need to be more mentally strong then that to overcome things. If you can fight through it, you don’t usually get the same egregious calls later in the game.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 9, 2022 6:16:19 GMT -5
NBA refs 1000% get used to influence results. Whether that means certain refs are in cahoots with the league or the league just picks the ones they know will be the way they want them to be is an unknown. Hell, it could be unspoken and some refs just know this is what the NBA wants and it behooves them to be that guy so they get good assignments so they play that role. But the evidence is overwhelming to support this. There is a reason referee assignments aren’t decided ahead of time and why it’s big news and clear trends follow certain referees. Again, it could be any number of things so we can’t pick just one, but ultimately, we do know the NBA picks refs to try to manipulate certain outcomes to make series longer.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 5, 2022 15:30:28 GMT -5
Isaiah Wynn not showing up is something. Mediocre left tackle not showing up in his contract year. If the Cs weren’t still playing, this would be a story.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 5, 2022 15:29:02 GMT -5
Scheduled for open heart surgery in the morning, how about a real easy tape to tape win tonight so my heart doesn't get too riled up. I would like to be around for one more dynasty please, city of champions!! Good luck buddy. Thoughts will be with you.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 4, 2022 14:19:17 GMT -5
...even Pritchard is twice the defender Kemba ever was. Slow down there Umass. Kemba sucked on D but that statement is a little over the top. Kemba got more steals, blocks and drew more charges than Pritchard could ever hope to have. Neither one is all that great defending opponents shots. So kemba was not the most horrible defender. I prefer Pritchard on this team than Kemba, but the difference between them defensively is nil. The Kemba Walker the Celtics signed was a shell
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 4, 2022 6:10:07 GMT -5
I’ve been watching and listening to a lot of coverage the last 24 hours and man people over-react to one game/one quarter. People acting like the Celtics are way better than GS and can’t lose this series. That’s just crazy talk at this point.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 3, 2022 14:17:59 GMT -5
I still can't get over Ime going from most rigid coach ever with lineups. To playing one big, with White and Pritchard to start that run game one of the Finals. That team doesn't look to switch and Pritchard played Curry darn good. I just hope the Refs keep calling it the same. Part of why it was such a great game was the refs stayed out of it and let them play. I think it’s past time to give Udoka credit for his strategy early in the season of emphasizing defense, toughness and size. It really set the foundation upon which this team has found success. Someone here was saying this early in the season, can’t remember who, but he’s a good looking guy. Admittedly it took a lot longer than I expected and I lost patience and hope with how they were playing.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 3, 2022 14:15:50 GMT -5
Brown can occasionally play like the best player on the court against anyone. Brown had all his best characteristics going full speed and didn't fall into his worst habits. Even his dribbling looked far better than a week ago, which is strange but welcome. A few more games like that from him (if he can listen to his better angels) and we are in really good shape. I dunno about the dribbling. He had at least two or three bobbles where he was lucky that he recovered the ball. He’s been better about just elevating for an easy pullup rather than driving into help and I hope he continues that trend. The difference is Miami is one of the best teams in the league at stripping the ball - GS isn’t nearly as strong in this regard so Brown may look better.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 3, 2022 7:19:20 GMT -5
Let’s see 3 more wins before we start talking like this series is over.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 3, 2022 6:38:58 GMT -5
One other thing, if the Celtics win this series, I’ll never talk bad about the unprotected 2028 pick swap again.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 3, 2022 6:26:17 GMT -5
I love this: “As Tatum ran up and down the floor watching the comeback take place around him, he never forced his way into the flow of the game. The ball would swing his way, and he would move it. He kept contesting shots on defense, then sprinting to the corners to lead the break. When he got the ball in the paint in transiti0on with just under five minutes left, he didn’t even think about forcing a shot. Instead, he kicked it out to a trailing Al Horford to bury the 3 and take the Celtics’ first two-possession lead. In the end, they won 120-108 and now lead the series. It’s the kind of game management Tatum’s trainer, Drew Hanlen, has been preaching to him since last summer. “I think the biggest thing is the advice that Michael Jordan gave Kobe Bryant: At the end of the day, the only thing that people are going to judge you on is if you get the job done or not,” Hanlen told The Athletic after the game. “In past years, (Tatum’s) focus has been on scoring and being able to carry the load on the offensive end through scoring. Whereas now, it’s more so just reading what the defense is giving him, making the right play, not forcing shots, not taking ‘my turn’ shots, and really just getting everybody involved.” theathletic.com/3347912/2022/06/03/jayson-tatum-nba-finals-debut/
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 3, 2022 6:05:56 GMT -5
Golden State might be in trouble. You figured it might take some time to figure out the Warriors crazy offensive movements. Like maybe two or three games, at least. Richard Jefferson has been quoted about how it would take Cleveland several games to acclimate to the frenzy of the Warriors attack during the finals. It took Boston about 2.5 quarters. Once they ditched the drop coverage schtick against the greatest shooting team ever, Boston’s offense gathered momentum with 5 out shooters. One key will be whether Golden State can punish Boston on the boards when they go small. If Tatum’s main assignment is Green, it’s probably unlikely. I’m happy that this will probably be a Payton Pritchard series. I look forward to a game or two where he really gets it cooking. I don’t love Derrick White’s in the postgame presser that now Boston should focus on getting “greedy” and win game 2. It doesn’t make you Greedy to capitalize on your talent! A small quip on a good night. Also, awesome Jayson Tatum game. Selfless, not giving into ego. THAT is mental toughness. Maybe is the pessimist in me but i can’t get to the point where GS is in trouble. I still just look at how many weapons they have and get worried.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 2, 2022 22:39:31 GMT -5
People taking about Tatum like he had a bad game don’t know basketball. He shot poorly but 13 dimes with only 2 turnovers isn’t playing poorly. He didn’t shoot well but he wasn’t terrible.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 2, 2022 11:14:42 GMT -5
I feel relaxed fully expecting a game 1 loss. I like going into games with no expectations.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 2, 2022 10:46:14 GMT -5
Like everything else it’s situational. I want them staying aggressive, for the most part, and yes, I want good shots. Smart was wide open, but it’s not a good shot up 7 with 1:10 left and 12 seconds on the shot clock. That was the only one I had issue with. I think they were making the right basketball play for the most part the rest of the time. For me it's either you run your offense and get good looks or you play to drain clock. At that point in the game I want a good look and basket versus burning a few extra seconds. You just want to spread it around more and have the guys make great open looks. That's a team keep doing what you're doing, Smart you need to be better. Like I said, overall I agree and think they played well, but the view that there’s no point where the clock matters is one, I can’t get behind.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 2, 2022 7:22:34 GMT -5
Tonight your Boston Celtics with (hopefully) 4 homegrown players will play their first game in the NBA Finals. We made it friends! Smart Brown Tatum Theis Williams Williams Pritchard All homegrown…. Horford and White are the only rotation guy who’s not.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 1, 2022 15:22:59 GMT -5
You want the Celtics running good offense or running the clock out late? For years it was running the clock out and getting bad shots. Last game all the shots were good, the ball moved, it was darn refreshing to watch frankly. Sure I don't want Smart taking all those shots every game. Yet I see progress and our offense all year has been about getting wide open 3s off of ball movement. So many people complaining and I see it as a break through. One thing I'd like to see more of, is Horford or Smart top of FT line when they double Tatum like that and more cuts like Grant Williams did. That's how you destroy that 3-2 zone. Like everything else it’s situational. I want them staying aggressive, for the most part, and yes, I want good shots. Smart was wide open, but it’s not a good shot up 7 with 1:10 left and 12 seconds on the shot clock. That was the only one I had issue with. I think they were making the right basketball play for the most part the rest of the time.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on Jun 1, 2022 6:29:37 GMT -5
The only shot I didn’t like from Marcus was the 2 pt attempt he took in traffic He also tried to go behind the back in traffic while bringing it up on a possession and almost flubbed it. Then of course the play where he let the ball go out but the heat got there and threw it off of him I have no problem with the 3’s he took. They weren’t forced. I had no issues with the 2 that was a pull up in the lane, that’s a high percentage shot for him. I don’t think there was traffic affecting his look. The 3 he took up 7 with 12 seconds left on the shot clock and about 1:10 left was a bad shot because of when it was taken. I know it seems counter to “stay aggressive”, but when you’re up 3 possessions with that little time left, you do milk the clock on that possession. Keep moving the ball for sure, but that’s not a high percentage shot for him even if wide open.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on May 30, 2022 9:00:20 GMT -5
Its hilarious reading the beginning of this thread and then fast forwarding to the last few days: Ime soft, Tatum doesn’t know how to win, trade Brown, Smart sucks… The only thing I can think of is that some people are afraid to invest to much emotionally lest they may be let down. It's a game you will recover. When you are positive the ride is alot better and the whiners can be unbearable. What some call a process I call a character flaw. Constant complaining about other posters is something I call a character flaw.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on May 29, 2022 21:45:54 GMT -5
Heat about to take this game over. Tatum can’t match Butler, it’s sad.
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on May 27, 2022 19:30:41 GMT -5
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rjp313jr
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Post by rjp313jr on May 27, 2022 14:35:28 GMT -5
Can you imagine if the Celtics hadn’t signed Smart or Robert to the contracts that they did? I’d say both those guys would be getting close to max money on the open market, even with injury considerations. I don’t see them getting max money
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