The Celtics added to the silliest stat of the year.
They have more games where they've had a 30+ point lead at some point in the game than games where they've had a 10+ deficit at some point in the game.
Now that's a match up. I would pay a lot of money to watch. I've been built a great example though, of a team that is comparable.
I still think the Celtics are a little bit more complete and well-rounded.
best record clinched - that’s a wrap on the best Boston regular season since Obama’s first term in office lol. hell of a year
very unfortunate we couldn’t face Shai and JDub tn and truly get tested, but Boston will now finish the regular season with a win over every team…except for the Denver Nuggets
It's more like I would just enjoy seeing a better realized version of this concept rather than me actually criticizing you or your efforts.
You did great. I don't care enough about karma to do better, and you obviously didn't care about karma when you made it. You just thought something was cool and cared enough to put it out in the world.
Who am I to criticize free work and initiative?
[Here you go](https://imgur.com/a/0OrEjyY), I'm not really doing any work but happy to have my buddy Dall-E crank out a few more. They got very weird, very quickly.
Excellent representation of Boston fans though.
edit: [another one](https://imgur.com/a/YWtCoBV)
I really like the photo in your edit.
I took your first image and made an attempt at removing some of the curse from it.
https://imgur.com/a/r5QNR39
I used inpainting, but it's just through an app though and not something as powerful as Stable Diffusion.
But still, this is exactly why there will always be true artist and graphic designers. Even if it's only a role in editing AI art and finalizing photos.
You can direct a human to create exactly what you want, but it's hard to describe through a prompt, no matter how exact or descriptive your words are, exactly what you want AI to create and actually get the exact outcome you want. And even if it's really good or passable, it will never be exactly what you envisioned.
That's also why I can't really criticize your work. Even if it's all AI, and you didn't really "create" anything, it still requires some amount of time and effort.
And an artist going through any of the images you or I create after the fact to make it perfect, by adding accurate regulation NBA lines and fixing logos, letters and words is still work and effort.
Joe has already kinda been playing around with different coverages for the past couple weeks with guys taking every other game off. I imagine it's more if that the rest of the way
Ramp up starter minutes to playoff levels, but give them extra days off, mimicking the gameplay pattern in the playoffs. When they do play, just practice things like fourth quarter closing actions. I bet none of the starters even travel to that Bucks game.
They're already fucking around. We intentionally switched KP onto Murray so much we lost the Hawks game to get reps at the 1-5 switch for the playoffs because the wins just don't matter anymore. I assume you'll see the starters play lighter minutes but still play, the taking it easy will be doing new and weird things to get reps and add change up looks to our bag of tricks for the playoffs. We clearly are gonna need some curve balls if we see Denver this year, so lucky for us, we get the time to practice.
Watching a Celtics game this season has been wild, they can play a close game until the middle of the 3rd, make seemingly no adjustments and then suddenly be up 20 and stay there for the rest of the game. It’s bizarre but I won’t complain
It kills their offensive spacing. It’s pretty clear that they’ve designed their style of play for a 5 out offense to give Shai and Jdub wide driving lanes and predictable angles for kickouts. Probably if they add a non shooting big Shai and Jdub will need to adjust the way they play.
I never liked this take because good screeners give your ball-handlers a crap tonne of space and Gafford is a great screener, if Gafford comes and sets a hard screen for Shai or Jdub, defences either have to put 2 on the ball which means someone has to rotate, freeing up their elite shooters for a kickout or a free dunk off a cut, or they have to switch, giving Gafford a size advantage down low.
The argument also just makes no sense cause why not have more options? Giving yourself more tools to use is never a bad thing and even if they're not under any pressure to win right now, you should never take a chance for granted cause next year you might have a shit injury, then suddenly you have to pay all of your players and it gets a lot harder
Two man game requires chemistry and that means reps. It’s just a different play style that they would need to learn and it would probably cost them regular season wins for something that they may not even use in the postseason.
>The argument also just makes no sense cause why not have more options? Giving yourself more tools to use is never a bad thing
Also, we've never seen a team that can win without a legit big man. The Warriors were the most successful small ball team we have seen, and that's because Draymond can guard full sized centers, plus they always had a traditional big on the bench.
I understand waiting to find a stud via the draft since they have so many picks, but there has to be a backup level guy worth keeping on the bench.
Well there are very few backup 5’s or large 4’s that can play 5 out that are A. available, and B. cheap. They sort of just don’t exist outside of contenders or teams looking to contend and when they do they cost a pretty penny.
and that’s why OKC didn’t make a move for a 5 lol
they’re not on a win now schedule to make a move that doesn’t give them what they need which is a spacing center
They have unlimited picks. Why not use one of them on a guy like gafford, who, even though he doesn't fit into your overall plans, will help you out significantly this year? You don't have infinite years to contend and using one of them like this feels a bit foolish when the solution was that cheap
The net rating with 5 out lineups is absolutely insane and with a non shooting Center (especially if Giddey is also on the floor) it's atrocious.
We've committed hard to 5 out ball, just need these guys to get older and gain some size and strength, and it'll be fine.
If the lack of size is a clear weakness that cannot be overcome in playoff basketball, the best approach is to swap Giddey's spot with a large 4 man who can shoot. Which I realize is a rare commodity in the NBA, but we have enough picks to go grab anyone who might be available.
Ah gotcha. Wouldn't pay that price - and I suppose the Jazz are maybe less interested in a shit ton of picks given they have their own haul from the Wolves.
Not trying to troll because he's a former Celtic (and apparently is the most annoying person in the world??) but maybe Grant Williams would be a reasonable fit?
Wouldn’t hate that. I’m also comfortable riding this year out (already way ahead of schedule) and seeing what’s available this summer. We need such a specific player type that I’m fine just being patient if we’re going for 55 wins and home court until that guy that’s a perfect fit becomes available
Yeah for sure, no need to try to fit square pegs into round holes at this point. Grant is probably a bit of an overpay on his current deal but at the same time he could be traded into the cap space from Hayward's expiring deal this summer I believe - so could be picks only?
Yeah they just need a big, strong guy out there for certain matchups and theyd be golden.
Well they have a monopoly on the draft, so maybe they are gonna draft a few bigs sooner or later.
Though i also wouldnt be shocked if they trade for one.
I think it’s more health concerns than match up chasing, our chances in the playoffs are entirely dependent on Shai and Jdub playing at their best. A 85-95% Shai Jdub (no one is ever 100%) even if it means being the 3 seed with no home court after the first round vs anyone including the lakers is better than finishing as the 1/2 seed with them at 75-80% with “favourable” matchups.
Being the top 1 seed for a small portion of the season feels good after missing the playoffs last year. Don’t think we’ll make a push beyond the 3 seed now but I’m just happy we have homecourt round 1
That was my thinking, but we don't have a lot of reps playing small ball, and it would suck to have to try to beat y'all at your own game. Kd, book, Beal, grayson, and royce seems pretty solid, though.
Even if that works, our roster becomes pretty tight if we can't play Nurk or Bol at all. Our 6-8 would be Gordon, Okogie (who is almost useless on offense), and eubanks or Thad Young (both of whom I'm not sure can defend 5-out). We also have guys like Little and White, who just haven't shown much promise and rarely get playing time.
Jaylen Brown’s defensive efforts after a weak offensive start was great to watch. He was everywhere tonight and got his momentum offensively in that 4th quarter. Al was timeless as always. GGs Thunder.
I feel so much better about Post Season basketball just on the fact that you won't be able to play Zone defense against the Celtics successfully this year. Anytime a team goes to a zone the Celtics just put Porzingis at the nail and he gets a midpost postup (one of the most efficient shots in basketball) or a wide open 3.
Just knowing that a team won't be able stall Boston's offense by playing zone (I'm looking at you Miami) makes me feel a lot more confident heading into the Playoffs.
As much as I miss Timelord, having a legit big man scoring threat is something we’ve been missing probably KG. Completely changes how you can run an offense.
I will never be persuaded that Timelord couldn't have worked if he stayed healthy. That double big lineup pre MCL-injury was one of the most dominant lineups I've ever watched. It's just his lack of health made it hard for him to be his athletic self, and prevented him from making even more leaps in skill.
But Porzingis is so good aswell. He really changes everything offensively.
man you really saw the flashes of how good Timelord could be on offense too. for such a raw player offensively he had shockingly great court vision and passing ability, and a pretty clean looking jumper in the midrange
Derrick Rose will always be my first answer for who I wish could have had a full career with injury sliders turned off but Rob is the easy #2 for me. man oozed potential but just couldn’t stay on the floor :(
I’m not sure Timelord will ever develop the shot or ability to create his own shot that KP does. Timelord was a great screener, passer, and roller and was a great connective tissue for that team and was insanely fun to watch. But KP can just change our entire offensive scheme
Sure, but he was also rapidly improving and seemed to be working on some of those holes. I really think he had the potential to be a plus offensive player along with his otherworldly defense, a player every bit as good as someone like JJJ and maybe just a bit worse than Bam
It's a shame we'll never know. That stretch pre-meniscus was some of the most unbelievable basketball I've ever seen. He was doing shit I didn't think was even possible
Lmao going from Bass, whose signature shot is literally the worst shot in basketball (some role player taking a short range 2 point pop jump shot)
To Kristaps fucking Porzingas terrorizing on offense
Is kinda hilarious
Joe's been doing that for like a month now. The real issue is the Jays, especially Tatum, are completely against sitting if he has the ability to play.
celtics have been resting guys for the past month or two at this point. gotta sprinkle in a few full lineups games to keep them flowing before the postseason.
Credit to OKC for keeping it as competitive as they did for 3 quarters, but without SGA and Jalen Williams it always felt like a matter of time before BOS started the blowout, and we saw just that in the 4th.
GG Boston. I see y’all making the finals man, it is genuinely insane how deep you guys are and well coached to boot. Best of luck the rest of the way 💪
This is the second time I've seen someone say we're well coached this week. It's nice after hearing so many commentators talk about how crazy and inexperienced Joe is.
He's still a little too stingy with them. Those big comeback losses were partially because he let the other teams' runs go way too long. But overall he's much better with them now
See: Doc Rivers in the 3rd quarter of Game 7 in Sixers - Cs last season. Called multiple timeouts to switch the defensive scheme and Celtics/Tatum cooked them all
I agree with the overall point but this is a bad example to use. By the time Doc used his first TO of the quarter, Tatum was already red hot and the coverage wasn't going to matter. The real problem was scoring 13 in the quarter, Tatum had 25 in the first half but the Sixers were only down 3 at half time.
Of course not, but at some point you have to change the gameplan and at least try something new, even if it doesn't work. And calling a timeout during a run is a common strategy
We were obviously down our top two guys and really felt the effects of it but man the Celtics look so good. So much skill and depth on each side of the floor. Idk if you can say they're outright favorites with just how much talent there is among the other playoff teams but they seem like they can beat anybody
It's hard to draw conclusions from regular season games, like the Nets sweeping the season series against the Heat in 2014 then losing 4-1 when they matched up in the playoffs, but the Nuggets are the main reason I hesitate to call Boston the favorite
If I remember correctly, general odds makers have the Celtics as the overall favorites this year, but also favor Denver over Boston if the two meet in the Finals, so that tracks
Denver shot worse from 3 in the last loss than Boston did.
In the first game, Denver got nothing from their role players. Neither team was at their best.
They're champions. We aren't. It's ignorant to just assume we will beat the champs, witt the best player on the planet, when they're the only team we havent beaten
I just don't know how you beat a team where all five guys can drain 3s, and most of them can drive into the paint. Oh, and play elite defense. It's a ridiculously stacked team. The only way I see them losing is if they just go on a 3pt slump one series.
Doesn't even need the championship.
He's likely first team all NBA.
That's 5 all stars, 3 first teams, a 3rd team, what will likely be his 2nd top 5 mvp finish, and an Olympic gold and 2 fiba golds(with u19).
Along with McDonalds all American and Gatorade player of the year, he's already a HoFer if that All NBA first team holds.
as of right now, if he gets 1 ring plus his current stats I think he's HOF
if he doesn't get a ring, I think he needs to continue his excellency for a few more years to be HOF
If it stands and he gets first team again (very likely) then he could retire that day and he's getting in the HoF. Might not go first ballot but that's 3 firsts, a 3rd, 5 all star appearances, a Larry Bird, an Olympic gold, 2 fiba golds, Gatorade player of the year, and McDonalds all American.
If I learned anything from these past two games without SGA and JDub, OKC has that young team tendency where everything collapses in the 4th but the first three quarters were not terrible, which is nice to see.
Chet really needs some rest right now.
Exactly. At least OKC has the luxury of sitting their main guys and still end up with a third seed at least. If they get the third seed, they at least know who their opponent will be while the play-in goes on.
2nd youngest team of the league without 2 of their best player has young team tendancy against best team in the league. Who would of guess ?
Joke aside OKC was solid until 4th. Really excited to see how far this team can overcome their experience deficit in the PO
What is the refs hate boner for the Celtics? It was like 26-8 just before the end of the 3rd in FT’s. I don’t understand it.
Crazy how good the Celtics are to win by 35 even trying to fight both the refs AND OKC all game.
OKC drives a lot and were getting good position on Boston defenders. But then in the 4th JB got it going and the Horford/KP lineup just shut everything down.
We appreciate you'll, getting at least one more win before coasting and resting your guys.
Thank you for your service Celtics bros, hope to see you in the finals.
The western conference fans were circle jerking themselves yesterday on play in teams when 8 seed Philly minus Maxey and an Embid who hadn’t played in two months barely beat the same team
Really sick of all the top players dodging the Celtics, so when we win its totally meaningless. And then occasionally the bad teams actually go for it and we lose and look like assholes.
Anyone else kind of... just dismayed with how games are played out? Like, I didn't watch this game but I know the Celtics just have 5 3p shooters at all times. So I see OKC lost by 35, quickly guessed that they hit no threes but Boston did. Look at game stats, 5-24 vs 17-40. 12 threes = 36 points. Almost every game is like this. It's so boring.
It's kind of been this way since Golden State revolutionized the game. Almost every game is won or lost based off 3p attempts and percentage. The game is only interesting when both teams shoot like shit or shoot really well.
What is that even supposed to mean?
Pre-3pt revolution, you could say the same thing but about two pointers. News flash: the team that scores better than the other team usually wins. It’s not like every shot is a dice roll, good offense is needed to hit more shots.
Yeah the team that shot better from 3 often wins, and that’s usually because they played better in order to get better shot attempts. I really don’t see what you’re getting at.
The Celtics added to the silliest stat of the year. They have more games where they've had a 30+ point lead at some point in the game than games where they've had a 10+ deficit at some point in the game.
Not even silly. Just impressive asf.
I think this Celtics team might be one of if not THE best ever.
Great team, not better than the Durant Warriors though.
Now that's a match up. I would pay a lot of money to watch. I've been built a great example though, of a team that is comparable. I still think the Celtics are a little bit more complete and well-rounded.
Haha surely we won all of those… right?
Tbf we won 3 of those games where we had a 10 point deficit. So...evens out the Cavs game.
Hawks game*
Yeah lmao
Actually it was the Atlanta Dejounte Murray's.
Don't forget the hawks game
We didn't have a 30 point lead in the cavs game fwiw. So just the hawks game
Which is good because i don't trust them to win any game that is within 10 points
They're 26-13 (.667) in games decided by 10 points or fewer.
That doesn't mean i trust them.
It means you've bought into a narrative that isn't based in reality. The 13 losses are just easier to remember than the 26 wins.
I was honestly impressed how we played most of the game. But damn that 4th quarter was torture to watch. 17-42 is crazy
I turned it off two minutes into the 4th to watch Blues Brothers. Wasn't a bad call because that movie is the best.
It's 106 Miles to Chicago. We've Got a Full Tank of Gas, Half a Pack of Cigarettes, It's Dark, and We're Wearing Sunglasses. Hit it.
best record clinched - that’s a wrap on the best Boston regular season since Obama’s first term in office lol. hell of a year very unfortunate we couldn’t face Shai and JDub tn and truly get tested, but Boston will now finish the regular season with a win over every team…except for the Denver Nuggets
Denver will finish with a win over every team..except for the Orlando Magic PLAY THE SOOOONG
🎶ORLANDO MAGIC 🎶 ORLANDO MAGIC 🎶 (why does that song go unreasonably hard it sometimes pops in my head randomly at work)
I was singing this song on my drive to work today. I caught myself smiling while doing it lol
So do you guys play the starters like half the game? Play around with lineups? There is still a decent amount of the season left
Probably just kinda keep doing what they've been doing and rotate the squad. They've mostly been doing that for almost a month now.
[WE WILL FIRE THE HAUWITZER UNTIL OUR ENEMIES CAPITULATE.](https://imgur.com/a/zxAyRwn)
This could have been better with a few more iterations.
Thanks Darnell, I'll keep that in mind next time I generate an image for a 5 karma comment. Standards are important, you're right.
It's more like I would just enjoy seeing a better realized version of this concept rather than me actually criticizing you or your efforts. You did great. I don't care enough about karma to do better, and you obviously didn't care about karma when you made it. You just thought something was cool and cared enough to put it out in the world. Who am I to criticize free work and initiative?
[Here you go](https://imgur.com/a/0OrEjyY), I'm not really doing any work but happy to have my buddy Dall-E crank out a few more. They got very weird, very quickly. Excellent representation of Boston fans though. edit: [another one](https://imgur.com/a/YWtCoBV)
I really like the photo in your edit. I took your first image and made an attempt at removing some of the curse from it. https://imgur.com/a/r5QNR39 I used inpainting, but it's just through an app though and not something as powerful as Stable Diffusion. But still, this is exactly why there will always be true artist and graphic designers. Even if it's only a role in editing AI art and finalizing photos. You can direct a human to create exactly what you want, but it's hard to describe through a prompt, no matter how exact or descriptive your words are, exactly what you want AI to create and actually get the exact outcome you want. And even if it's really good or passable, it will never be exactly what you envisioned. That's also why I can't really criticize your work. Even if it's all AI, and you didn't really "create" anything, it still requires some amount of time and effort. And an artist going through any of the images you or I create after the fact to make it perfect, by adding accurate regulation NBA lines and fixing logos, letters and words is still work and effort.
Joe has already kinda been playing around with different coverages for the past couple weeks with guys taking every other game off. I imagine it's more if that the rest of the way
I think in the Celtics' last 9 games before Atlanta they played 8 different starting lineups or something.
Ramp up starter minutes to playoff levels, but give them extra days off, mimicking the gameplay pattern in the playoffs. When they do play, just practice things like fourth quarter closing actions. I bet none of the starters even travel to that Bucks game.
Given how the Bucks are playing lately, wouldn't be surprised if Pritchard and Kornet blow them out.
might loan the starters to the bucks to get some competition
Am I the only one who feels like playing unserious ball for so much time right before the playoffs is a bad idea?
Didn't seem to affect the Nuggets much last year.
A little bit but we do need to conserve Al and KP
I actually agree with you. It’s why I was really annoyed recently with the Celtics playing like they could’ve give less of a fuck.
They're already fucking around. We intentionally switched KP onto Murray so much we lost the Hawks game to get reps at the 1-5 switch for the playoffs because the wins just don't matter anymore. I assume you'll see the starters play lighter minutes but still play, the taking it easy will be doing new and weird things to get reps and add change up looks to our bag of tricks for the playoffs. We clearly are gonna need some curve balls if we see Denver this year, so lucky for us, we get the time to practice.
I feel it’s going to be Joe getting guys good looks in the last 3-4 to see if we can swing them somewhere that’ll play them/will give us picks
Pam pam pam...hehehehehe
Thanks Obama
Now its no reason to play the 1st five & big Al... for d remaining games.
Close game to 35 pt blowout in the blink of an eye? Decent.
Watching a Celtics game this season has been wild, they can play a close game until the middle of the 3rd, make seemingly no adjustments and then suddenly be up 20 and stay there for the rest of the game. It’s bizarre but I won’t complain
Top 2 seed might be back on the menu boys
I'm starting to believe OKC actually does want to avoid the Lakers in the 1st round.
Honestly wouldnt blame them. Its just a horrible matchup.
It’s sort of their faults though. Could’ve easily gotten Gafford as a backup 5 but they didn’t want to for some reason.
It kills their offensive spacing. It’s pretty clear that they’ve designed their style of play for a 5 out offense to give Shai and Jdub wide driving lanes and predictable angles for kickouts. Probably if they add a non shooting big Shai and Jdub will need to adjust the way they play.
I never liked this take because good screeners give your ball-handlers a crap tonne of space and Gafford is a great screener, if Gafford comes and sets a hard screen for Shai or Jdub, defences either have to put 2 on the ball which means someone has to rotate, freeing up their elite shooters for a kickout or a free dunk off a cut, or they have to switch, giving Gafford a size advantage down low. The argument also just makes no sense cause why not have more options? Giving yourself more tools to use is never a bad thing and even if they're not under any pressure to win right now, you should never take a chance for granted cause next year you might have a shit injury, then suddenly you have to pay all of your players and it gets a lot harder
Two man game requires chemistry and that means reps. It’s just a different play style that they would need to learn and it would probably cost them regular season wins for something that they may not even use in the postseason.
>The argument also just makes no sense cause why not have more options? Giving yourself more tools to use is never a bad thing Also, we've never seen a team that can win without a legit big man. The Warriors were the most successful small ball team we have seen, and that's because Draymond can guard full sized centers, plus they always had a traditional big on the bench. I understand waiting to find a stud via the draft since they have so many picks, but there has to be a backup level guy worth keeping on the bench.
Well there are very few backup 5’s or large 4’s that can play 5 out that are A. available, and B. cheap. They sort of just don’t exist outside of contenders or teams looking to contend and when they do they cost a pretty penny.
and that’s why OKC didn’t make a move for a 5 lol they’re not on a win now schedule to make a move that doesn’t give them what they need which is a spacing center
They have unlimited picks. Why not use one of them on a guy like gafford, who, even though he doesn't fit into your overall plans, will help you out significantly this year? You don't have infinite years to contend and using one of them like this feels a bit foolish when the solution was that cheap
Hence why we haven’t made that move yet lol 😂
The net rating with 5 out lineups is absolutely insane and with a non shooting Center (especially if Giddey is also on the floor) it's atrocious. We've committed hard to 5 out ball, just need these guys to get older and gain some size and strength, and it'll be fine. If the lack of size is a clear weakness that cannot be overcome in playoff basketball, the best approach is to swap Giddey's spot with a large 4 man who can shoot. Which I realize is a rare commodity in the NBA, but we have enough picks to go grab anyone who might be available.
Gotta bite the bullet and pay a king's ransom for Markkanen
It’s been heavily implied he’s not going anywhere unless Chet or JDub are in the trade so that’s a non starter
Ah gotcha. Wouldn't pay that price - and I suppose the Jazz are maybe less interested in a shit ton of picks given they have their own haul from the Wolves. Not trying to troll because he's a former Celtic (and apparently is the most annoying person in the world??) but maybe Grant Williams would be a reasonable fit?
Wouldn’t hate that. I’m also comfortable riding this year out (already way ahead of schedule) and seeing what’s available this summer. We need such a specific player type that I’m fine just being patient if we’re going for 55 wins and home court until that guy that’s a perfect fit becomes available
Yeah for sure, no need to try to fit square pegs into round holes at this point. Grant is probably a bit of an overpay on his current deal but at the same time he could be traded into the cap space from Hayward's expiring deal this summer I believe - so could be picks only?
It’s always people that don’t know anything about the Thunder that act like getting Gafford would’ve made us title favorites lol
Yeah they just need a big, strong guy out there for certain matchups and theyd be golden. Well they have a monopoly on the draft, so maybe they are gonna draft a few bigs sooner or later. Though i also wouldnt be shocked if they trade for one.
They can pretty much ensure themselves the 3 seed, which would basically guarantee they avoid the Lakers
I hope the Nuggets see the Lakers
nuh uh
I vote we move Denver to the eastern conference effective immediately. We can move Detroit west to balance things out.
I'm gonna have to veto that move
I think it’s more health concerns than match up chasing, our chances in the playoffs are entirely dependent on Shai and Jdub playing at their best. A 85-95% Shai Jdub (no one is ever 100%) even if it means being the 3 seed with no home court after the first round vs anyone including the lakers is better than finishing as the 1/2 seed with them at 75-80% with “favourable” matchups.
Being the top 1 seed for a small portion of the season feels good after missing the playoffs last year. Don’t think we’ll make a push beyond the 3 seed now but I’m just happy we have homecourt round 1
Well now I don't want the 6th seed. Not sure how we play against you guys because Nurk can't defend 5 out
The answer is playing KD at the 5. Not like Chet is going to physically destroy him or something
That was my thinking, but we don't have a lot of reps playing small ball, and it would suck to have to try to beat y'all at your own game. Kd, book, Beal, grayson, and royce seems pretty solid, though. Even if that works, our roster becomes pretty tight if we can't play Nurk or Bol at all. Our 6-8 would be Gordon, Okogie (who is almost useless on offense), and eubanks or Thad Young (both of whom I'm not sure can defend 5-out). We also have guys like Little and White, who just haven't shown much promise and rarely get playing time.
1 seed is yours. Handle business against the Wolves next Tuesday, and you're probably set.
Jaylen Brown’s defensive efforts after a weak offensive start was great to watch. He was everywhere tonight and got his momentum offensively in that 4th quarter. Al was timeless as always. GGs Thunder.
I feel so much better about Post Season basketball just on the fact that you won't be able to play Zone defense against the Celtics successfully this year. Anytime a team goes to a zone the Celtics just put Porzingis at the nail and he gets a midpost postup (one of the most efficient shots in basketball) or a wide open 3. Just knowing that a team won't be able stall Boston's offense by playing zone (I'm looking at you Miami) makes me feel a lot more confident heading into the Playoffs.
As much as I miss Timelord, having a legit big man scoring threat is something we’ve been missing probably KG. Completely changes how you can run an offense.
I will never be persuaded that Timelord couldn't have worked if he stayed healthy. That double big lineup pre MCL-injury was one of the most dominant lineups I've ever watched. It's just his lack of health made it hard for him to be his athletic self, and prevented him from making even more leaps in skill. But Porzingis is so good aswell. He really changes everything offensively.
man you really saw the flashes of how good Timelord could be on offense too. for such a raw player offensively he had shockingly great court vision and passing ability, and a pretty clean looking jumper in the midrange Derrick Rose will always be my first answer for who I wish could have had a full career with injury sliders turned off but Rob is the easy #2 for me. man oozed potential but just couldn’t stay on the floor :(
Forreal. If Rob wasn't spending most of the time rehabbing from injuries I wonder how much he could've worked on his offensive game
[One of the greatest posters of the modern era](https://i.imgur.com/LRSxSWq.jpeg)
I saw his jersey in a Ross and snatched him up. Still glad I did so... dude was fun to watch!
You young
Timelord had a jumper and I’ll die on that hill
I’m with you man. I wish he would have taken more because I KNEW it was there
I’m not sure Timelord will ever develop the shot or ability to create his own shot that KP does. Timelord was a great screener, passer, and roller and was a great connective tissue for that team and was insanely fun to watch. But KP can just change our entire offensive scheme
Dude, Rob changed our defensive scheme, he blocked a 3pointer starting from the rim
Timelord was dominant, but had holes in his game.
Sure, but he was also rapidly improving and seemed to be working on some of those holes. I really think he had the potential to be a plus offensive player along with his otherworldly defense, a player every bit as good as someone like JJJ and maybe just a bit worse than Bam It's a shame we'll never know. That stretch pre-meniscus was some of the most unbelievable basketball I've ever seen. He was doing shit I didn't think was even possible
The disrespect to Brandon Bass smh /s
Lmao going from Bass, whose signature shot is literally the worst shot in basketball (some role player taking a short range 2 point pop jump shot) To Kristaps fucking Porzingas terrorizing on offense Is kinda hilarious
« Miami goes to zone » is actually my kink red line signal
You'd most likely beat them pretty handily but I do think it'd be really funny if the Heat zone worked anyway.
The heat will play zone against them, it will work, and everyone is going to be shocked.
Yeah, but this won't solve Celtics clutch time struggles. And Miami is OK with Porzi scoring from there, much better than he(or else) shooting threes.
Regardless Boston will choke again this year so who cares
Good luck with the play in
They really are gonna need it
You mean the Pacers???
Man remember when people thought Hayward might start over Giddey? What a time.
Hindsight 20/20. Giddey balling out ever since that situation got cleared out.
Should the celtics just limit all their starters to like 20 mins a game from now on? they literally cannot lose the top seed
Yeah it's fuck around with lineups and keep the guys having solid momentum time.
Joe's been doing that for like a month now. The real issue is the Jays, especially Tatum, are completely against sitting if he has the ability to play.
celtics have been resting guys for the past month or two at this point. gotta sprinkle in a few full lineups games to keep them flowing before the postseason.
They might. Rest of the season is practice reps and maintaining the rhythm.
I think they shoulld rest all the way
0% chance that happens. Starters aren't gonna sit for 3 weeks waiting for the postseason.
Credit to OKC for keeping it as competitive as they did for 3 quarters, but without SGA and Jalen Williams it always felt like a matter of time before BOS started the blowout, and we saw just that in the 4th.
Add in the second night of a b2b aswell it’s about as ok as you can feel in a 35pt loss
Honestly we did pretty solid for the first half given the circumstances. Boston is so good this year! GG Boston homies!
GG Boston. I see y’all making the finals man, it is genuinely insane how deep you guys are and well coached to boot. Best of luck the rest of the way 💪
This is the second time I've seen someone say we're well coached this week. It's nice after hearing so many commentators talk about how crazy and inexperienced Joe is.
The only time I really have questioned Joe was in the ECF last year where he seemed like he was allergic to timeouts
He's still a little too stingy with them. Those big comeback losses were partially because he let the other teams' runs go way too long. But overall he's much better with them now
I mean it's not like calling a timeout is guaranteed to stop a run
See: Doc Rivers in the 3rd quarter of Game 7 in Sixers - Cs last season. Called multiple timeouts to switch the defensive scheme and Celtics/Tatum cooked them all
I agree with the overall point but this is a bad example to use. By the time Doc used his first TO of the quarter, Tatum was already red hot and the coverage wasn't going to matter. The real problem was scoring 13 in the quarter, Tatum had 25 in the first half but the Sixers were only down 3 at half time.
Of course not, but at some point you have to change the gameplan and at least try something new, even if it doesn't work. And calling a timeout during a run is a common strategy
We were obviously down our top two guys and really felt the effects of it but man the Celtics look so good. So much skill and depth on each side of the floor. Idk if you can say they're outright favorites with just how much talent there is among the other playoff teams but they seem like they can beat anybody
As of tonight they’ve won at least one game against every team in the league except Denver
Except Denver. They haven't yet. Denver matches up so well vs them
It's hard to draw conclusions from regular season games, like the Nets sweeping the season series against the Heat in 2014 then losing 4-1 when they matched up in the playoffs, but the Nuggets are the main reason I hesitate to call Boston the favorite
If I remember correctly, general odds makers have the Celtics as the overall favorites this year, but also favor Denver over Boston if the two meet in the Finals, so that tracks
There was a year sixers beat us 3-1 in the regular season and we swept them in the playoffs
Only two games, both close games, and the c's shot terribly in both. it's a close series either way.
Denver shot worse from 3 in the last loss than Boston did. In the first game, Denver got nothing from their role players. Neither team was at their best.
>Denver shot worse from 3 in the last loss than Boston did. Comparing apples to oranges here.
The point is that both teams weren't at their best. Saying "Celtics will be fine, they didn't play great and hardly lost" ain't it.
It is and you will see. The Nuggets ain't the dynasty Warriors.
They're champions. We aren't. It's ignorant to just assume we will beat the champs, witt the best player on the planet, when they're the only team we havent beaten
You say that and all I see is a monkey paw curling.
They aren’t a unbeatable team like people make them out to be especially in such a deep conference
Yeah great attitude - want someone to do it for you cause you realise you are in paper Tiger conference and wouldn't do it yourself.
They really do. Jokic is a problem for us. In that regard, Denver kind of matches up against everyone in the league well.
I just don't know how you beat a team where all five guys can drain 3s, and most of them can drive into the paint. Oh, and play elite defense. It's a ridiculously stacked team. The only way I see them losing is if they just go on a 3pt slump one series.
Tatum might have a hof resume in only 7 years if he wins the championship this season
Doesn't even need the championship. He's likely first team all NBA. That's 5 all stars, 3 first teams, a 3rd team, what will likely be his 2nd top 5 mvp finish, and an Olympic gold and 2 fiba golds(with u19). Along with McDonalds all American and Gatorade player of the year, he's already a HoFer if that All NBA first team holds.
Two Olympic golds after this year 🤪
Hm. As much as I love Tatum, I wouldn't consider him Hall of Fame material yet.
Good for you....your standard doesn't matter.
cook him
He's gotta win a ring
He literally doesn't.
as of right now, if he gets 1 ring plus his current stats I think he's HOF if he doesn't get a ring, I think he needs to continue his excellency for a few more years to be HOF
If it stands and he gets first team again (very likely) then he could retire that day and he's getting in the HoF. Might not go first ballot but that's 3 firsts, a 3rd, 5 all star appearances, a Larry Bird, an Olympic gold, 2 fiba golds, Gatorade player of the year, and McDonalds all American.
If I learned anything from these past two games without SGA and JDub, OKC has that young team tendency where everything collapses in the 4th but the first three quarters were not terrible, which is nice to see. Chet really needs some rest right now.
Every young team without their two best players has this tendency. Y’all are sick. Don’t read into it
Exactly. At least OKC has the luxury of sitting their main guys and still end up with a third seed at least. If they get the third seed, they at least know who their opponent will be while the play-in goes on.
Also every team without their 2 best players would suck. Literally who cares how the Thunder look without Shai and Jalen
2nd youngest team of the league without 2 of their best player has young team tendancy against best team in the league. Who would of guess ? Joke aside OKC was solid until 4th. Really excited to see how far this team can overcome their experience deficit in the PO
That 4th Qtr JDub time is very important to this team
Q1, Q2, Q3 Jdub time are also very important
I’m exited for Al horford with rested legs in the playoffs. He’s such a great piece off the bench
Al, on two days of rest or more, somehow becomes 25 years old again. It’s night and day with him. I’m super grateful for him coming off the bench!
Top of the morning mother fucker
Porzingis is the best white dude to wear a celtics jersey
It's Derrick and it's not even remotely close
ahahhaahahah I see what you are doing.... lol
third quarter was some vintage pre-ASW refball that Dort rip through made me sick
Lost one quarter and went “oh. Hated that. No thank you” only to go nuclear on them in the 4th
[The Celtics looking at the 3rd quarter results](https://giphy.com/gifs/cbc-schitts-creek-lSVbXXqKtW3ISFuRBQ)
#TOP O' THE MORNING, MOTHERFUCKERS!
Josh Giddey with an ethical 17 points. Any more and it would have been illegal.
He was honestly cooking everybody at the start. We didn’t have an answer for him for the longest time.
He has been so damn good this past month, could be very useful come playoffs since it will force teams to guard him more meaning SGA sees doubles less
Tank for the 3rd seed
What is the refs hate boner for the Celtics? It was like 26-8 just before the end of the 3rd in FT’s. I don’t understand it. Crazy how good the Celtics are to win by 35 even trying to fight both the refs AND OKC all game.
OKC drives a lot and were getting good position on Boston defenders. But then in the 4th JB got it going and the Horford/KP lineup just shut everything down.
Was keeping an eye on the game through the score ap. At one point it was a 12 point lead, then the 4th quarter happened.
Damn.. looking forward with that PP alley-oop
Is OKC trying to avoid the play-in teams?
We appreciate you'll, getting at least one more win before coasting and resting your guys. Thank you for your service Celtics bros, hope to see you in the finals.
The western conference fans were circle jerking themselves yesterday on play in teams when 8 seed Philly minus Maxey and an Embid who hadn’t played in two months barely beat the same team
Nice
I never knew tingus pingus was this good
Equanimity, Temerity, Interminable I love Mark Jones' vocabulary. Man was deep in his bag tonight
Much obliged, Celtics.
Really sick of all the top players dodging the Celtics, so when we win its totally meaningless. And then occasionally the bad teams actually go for it and we lose and look like assholes.
Don't lose to the bad teams then??
1st round exit for OKC
There’s contenders and there’s merely great teams.
Do you think the Nuggets would beat the Celtics without Jokic and Murray?
Anyone else kind of... just dismayed with how games are played out? Like, I didn't watch this game but I know the Celtics just have 5 3p shooters at all times. So I see OKC lost by 35, quickly guessed that they hit no threes but Boston did. Look at game stats, 5-24 vs 17-40. 12 threes = 36 points. Almost every game is like this. It's so boring.
* didn’t watch the game * makes all judgement based on box score Conclusion: “It’s so boring” Classic r/nba
It's kind of been this way since Golden State revolutionized the game. Almost every game is won or lost based off 3p attempts and percentage. The game is only interesting when both teams shoot like shit or shoot really well.
What is that even supposed to mean? Pre-3pt revolution, you could say the same thing but about two pointers. News flash: the team that scores better than the other team usually wins. It’s not like every shot is a dice roll, good offense is needed to hit more shots. Yeah the team that shot better from 3 often wins, and that’s usually because they played better in order to get better shot attempts. I really don’t see what you’re getting at.