Celtics kinda worry me sometimes... They should dominate most of these teams (Knicks included) but their "killer instinct" is just not quite what it should be. I guess this isn't uncommon at all for teams trying to repeat as champs, but it's nevertheless a little bit worrisome with them because it's what they lacked in previous years too... It's only one game also, but it seems like this same sort of thing was occurring with them the year (or 3!) prior to winning the Finals. Where they were pretty much the "best team" already but lacked the requisite effort, discipline, attention to detail and relentless desire, so to speak, to actually get it done (yes, talent-for-talent and based on how they were nearly the perfect group of personnel to do so, they should have beat GSW in the 2022 Finals too).
I'm too biased to really add any good analysis on this one, but WE missed a record number of 3s <I think>, Jaylen wasn't looking like himself (hope it's not an injury), and Porzingas was out for the 2nd half with an undisclosed illness <again.>. I wonder if Porzingas has some kind of weird Autoimmune illness like Crohn's?
True, Porzingas is a big loss for the game. They better be careful, especially if he is out for more games. Without him, the gap between the teams shrinks markedly as he is a big piece of what the Celtics do and can at least give KAT some extra work on both ends. Shooting 175 threes in a game is not going to get it done anyways though. They need to attack the damn paint, draw some fouls, make the Knicks hesitant on both their perimeter and interior D, keep them on their toes instead of just jacking up threes every possession. It's annoying because it's not as if they lack size. Tatum's biggest (and really, only) weakness is just how many threes he jacks up instead of going inside more and keeping the defense honest. Makes him wildly inconsistent as a player when the defense and pressure gets a bit stiffer (as it usually does in the playoffs). _________________ Best Classical Best Films Best Paintings
Celtics kinda worry me sometimes... They should dominate most of these teams (Knicks included) but their "killer instinct" is just not quite what it should be. I guess this isn't uncommon at all for teams trying to repeat as champs, but it's nevertheless a little bit worrisome with them because it's what they lacked in previous years too... It's only one game also, but it seems like this same sort of thing was occurring with them the year (or 3!) prior to winning the Finals. Where they were pretty much the "best team" already but lacked the requisite effort, discipline, attention to detail and relentless desire, so to speak, to actually get it done (yes, talent-for-talent and based on how they were nearly the perfect group of personnel to do so, they should have beat GSW in the 2022 Finals too).
I'm too biased to really add any good analysis on this one, but WE missed a record number of 3s <I think>, Jaylen wasn't looking like himself (hope it's not an injury), and Porzingas was out for the 2nd half with an undisclosed illness <again.>. I wonder if Porzingas has some kind of weird Autoimmune illness like Crohn's?
True, Porzingas is a big loss for the game. They better be careful, especially if he is out for more games. Without him, the gap between the teams shrinks markedly as he is a big piece of what the Celtics do and can at least give KAT some extra work on both ends. Shooting 175 threes in a game is not going to get it done anyways though. They need to attack the damn paint, draw some fouls, make the Knicks hesitant on both their perimeter and interior D, keep them on their toes instead of just jacking up threes every possession. It's annoying because it's not as if they lack size. Tatum's biggest (and really, only) weakness is just how many threes he jacks up instead of going inside more and keeping the defense honest. Makes him wildly inconsistent as a player when the defense and pressure gets a bit stiffer (as it usually does in the playoffs).
So true. I felt that Tatum had corrected that in our 2024 Playoff run, but he definitely fell back into doing that tonight.
I think we just felt like the game was over once we went up by 20 and just couldn't get back into the game mentally after the Knicks went on that run to close out the 3rd.
This guy is pretty hyperbolic but it tends to be, in part, tongue in cheek (self-aware, flippant about it) and can be amusing if one doesn't take it too seriously, plus he makes some valid points about the Celtics, bringing to mind why we might want to be more hesitant from assuming they're an automatic juggernaut. Such as, was last year's title, with very favorable competition, really all that impressive?
They beat Dallas handily without even playing all that well offensively (look back at Tatum and Brown's stats for instance). Obviously you can't knock them for beating who was in front of them but they also never really faced anyone that should've or did test them, and they tend to crumble or "play down to their comp until it's too late" the more they are tested, the more confrontational and fearless the opponent (see Miami the previous year, GSW before that, almost losing to Giannis without Middleton...).
In more exciting news, how about them Nuggets? Could this be a series for the ages? Gordon for the win (is it time to state that he is unequivocally their 2nd best player, not Murray? Even if we recognize that Murray is more likely to have an offensive explosion from time to time?) ... Jokic with all of the infinity stones now??? Moving forward, he just needs to cut down on the turnovers from last night, but otherwise it is awesome to watch. I love seeing a player of his caliber fearlessly play to his potential, not care whatsoever about the media, doesn't worry or think too much about failure (that would stop him from going all out), and come up so clutch basically all the damn time...
This guy is pretty hyperbolic but it tends to be, in part, tongue in cheek (self-aware, flippant about it) and can be amusing if one doesn't take it too seriously, plus he makes some valid points about the Celtics, bringing to mind why we might want to be more hesitant from assuming they're an automatic juggernaut. Such as, was last year's title, with very favorable competition, really all that impressive?
They beat Dallas handily without even playing all that well offensively (look back at Tatum and Brown's stats for instance). Obviously you can't knock them for beating who was in front of them but they also never really faced anyone that should've or did test them, and they tend to crumble or "play down to their comp until it's too late" the more they are tested, the more confrontational and fearless the opponent (see Miami the previous year, GSW before that, almost losing to Giannis without Middleton...).
In more exciting news, how about them Nuggets? Could this be a series for the ages? Gordon for the win (is it time to state that he is unequivocally their 2nd best player, not Murray? Even if we recognize that Murray is more likely to have an offensive explosion from time to time?) ... Jokic with all of the infinity stones now??? Moving forward, he just needs to cut down on the turnovers from last night, but otherwise it is awesome to watch. I love seeing a player of his caliber fearlessly play to his potential, not care whatsoever about the media, doesn't worry or think too much about failure (that would stop him from going all out), and come up so clutch basically all the damn time...
And, yikes Chet. Who I like, so I hope this doesn't turn him into Nick Anderson...
Well said! Pulling for the Nuggies mostly because of Jokic.
Regarding MY Celtics, I wouldn't read too much into one game. Let's see how Wednesday goes. #bleedgreen,baby
Knicks simply have no chance. Celtics are too good top to bottom.
This take is aging better and better!!!
Dunno, Repo, looking pretty dire at this point. Knicks are playing inspired, relentless (2nd halves particularly), unafraid, attacking, whereas (in general) the Celtics seem to "expect to win" instead of really going and getting it and making sure they do. If Porzingus can contribute some real, productive minutes (at least 20) then their chances grow. Without him doing so, it is unlikely they can come back and take 4 out of the next 5 -- not impossible but... They're still maybe slightly better than the Knicks without him, but the Knicks are playing with a lot more fight in them and the Celtics would have to play with a lot more fight and desire and attack instead of just shooting so many outside and mid-range shots waiting for them to fall. They seem to have built up and relied too heavily on their habit of winning games with their outside shots falling, whereas when the Knicks up the perimeter and mid-range D in the 3rd and 4th quarters, and rapidly collapse on the lane, the Celtics appear lost. It's on the coach and the stars to adjust to where they're getting more shots close to the basket and playing more of a balanced inside-outside game. They're playing like a rather stupid, stubborn team despite the fact of their habits not working right there in front of them. The silver lining is that they've lost by, what, 3 points, combined? So it's also not necessarily the end of the world. But they do need to tweak some things fast before this gets completely out of hand. Personally, teams playing like the Celts are right now (with all the talent in the world) annoy me, so I almost don't even want them to win as I respect the Knicks far more -- at least thus far. Hoping to see the Celtics prove why they're the defending champs and come out with that "dog" in them this upcoming game. If they do so, and continue to do so, this series could turn into one of the greatest 7 gamers ever. Because the Knicks, under the determination and clutch play of Brunson, are not backing down. _________________ Best Classical Best Films Best Paintings
Dunno, Repo, looking pretty dire at this point. Knicks are playing inspired, relentless (2nd halves particularly), unafraid, attacking, whereas (in general) the Celtics seem to "expect to win" instead of really going and getting it and making sure they do. If Porzingus can contribute some real, productive minutes (at least 20) then their chances grow. Without him doing so, it is unlikely they can come back and take 4 out of the next 5 -- not impossible but... They're still maybe slightly better than the Knicks without him, but the Knicks are playing with a lot more fight in them and the Celtics would have to play with a lot more fight and desire and attack instead of just shooting so many outside and mid-range shots waiting for them to fall. They seem to have built up and relied too heavily on their habit of winning games with their outside shots falling, whereas when the Knicks up the perimeter and mid-range D in the 3rd and 4th quarters, and rapidly collapse on the lane, the Celtics appear lost. It's on the coach and the stars to adjust to where they're getting more shots close to the basket and playing more of a balanced inside-outside game. They're playing like a rather stupid, stubborn team despite the fact of their habits not working right there in front of them. The silver lining is that they've lost by, what, 3 points, combined? So it's also not necessarily the end of the world. But they do need to tweak some things fast before this gets completely out of hand. Personally, teams playing like the Celts are right now (with all the talent in the world) annoy me, so I almost don't even want them to win as I respect the Knicks far more -- at least thus far. Hoping to see the Celtics prove why they're the defending champs and come out with that "dog" in them this upcoming game. If they do so, and continue to do so, this series could turn into one of the greatest 7 gamers ever. Because the Knicks, under the determination and clutch play of Brunson, are not backing down.
I cannot disagree with anything you say, AfterHours. BUT, I LOVE my Boston teams so I feel like a Dad who sees his kids mailing one in and being a bit lazy & going through the motions. <THE most aggravating thing in the world btw! I hate when my kids half-ass their chores and the like! > BUT, I LOVE 'em. I love D. White & Jrue & the bromance of Porzingas & Jaylen, the ultimate bench of Pritchard & Horford & Kornet (prove me wrong, Hauser! I just called u out! ) , and of course the cool confidence of Tatum. Like you, I'm "hoping to see the Celtics prove why they're the defending champs and come out with that "dog" in them this upcoming game." Just because I'm a Dad!
Here's hoping and praying that " this series could turn into one of the greatest 7 gamers ever."
THAT is what I'm talking about! And NOT surprising!
#BLEEDGREENFOREVER, BABY!!
Hell yeah, excited to see them play THAT way, makes for a far more interesting series and playoffs (they better not let up!) and potentially the finals with them getting their mojo back after being punched in the mouth. Cavs too. Hoping to see that series -- should be great.
Denver vs OKC ohhh my goodness. Overall OKC is obviously superior and has way out played Denver .... eeeeexxxxxxcccccept down the stretch of games 1 and 3 (this is where Denver's championship experience, Jokic being so clutch -- they did this to the Lakers habitually -- really favors them over OKC's youth and inexperience). But Denver has Thanos, and he is awesome even in games when he shoots 8-25 from the field, even then because of just how much attention he commands and makes the game easier for everyone else. He's reached a level of value and impact that few do. Not since peak Shaq and perhaps peak 2015-2016 non-injured-in-the-finals-Steph (each way different of course) has a player been this valuable offensively on-ball + off-ball, due not just to his ridiculous statistical production but also the central gravitational pull he draws from the defense opening the game up for the 4 others on the floor plus being one of the greatest passers in NBA history (It's unfair!!). So... David actually taking down Goliath? I'm rooting for Denver to go all the way, middle fingers in the air, even if I still think it's a bit unlikely (Rick Adelman's son! No head coaching experience only to go all the way!?!? Has that ever happened before??? Jokic is practically being a player-coach on top of it!). I really like them as a team when they're playing inspired "heart of a champion" ball, and I will usually root for players like Jokic to win championships particularly as he has been in a somewhat unfair situation relative to his incredible peak and also I am particularly wanting players like him to win during this cupcake era of super team-ups. Of course OKC is a beautiful example of the same thing, "the right way" (and I'm a big fan of SGA and really all their players and how flawlessly they've been constructed) building their team without resorting to such super team-ups, so I actually like them a lot too and will be rooting for them -- shit, I guess I can't lose!!!
Now if Denver DOES get past OKC (still a very big IF) I do think the complete rejuvenation and momentum that will give them plus the confidence (which their other players seem to need) in surviving what has been relatively mediocre (for his standards) offensive series for Jokic so far, I would probably pick them at that point to win the ship, as incredible as that seemed just a week or two ago. _________________ Best Classical Best Films Best Paintings
Are the Cavs done in this series or do they just need to get back home and will turn it around??? _________________ Best Classical Best Films Best Paintings
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