Postseason Thread 2022, ECFinals Version 1.0

[DayofMourning]

Just imagine if we had Nunn instead of Gabe. That's where this team was 2 years ago. Now they've got a beast defender in his spot who is actually shooting as well as Nunn ever did in the playoffs. And we know he can shoot better.

[AirP.]

Just imagine if we had Nunn instead of Gabe. That's where this team was 2 years ago. Now they've got a beast defender in his spot who is actually shooting as well as Nunn ever did in the playoffs. And we know he can shoot better.

Nah... Miami could have retained Nunn as another player on the roster but it would have put them into the tax unless they paid Robinson less or had let him walk. Had he walked Miami could have retained Nunn and possibly added another solid vet compared to getting Morris at the minimum. It would have been another option for Spoelstra to have off the bench and possibly an asset to move this last season if he wouldn't have gotten hurt like he did for the Lakers.

I do like the idea of just developing players with a 1 of the 2 needed strong skills... defense or 3pt shooting and not wasting much time looking for the core difference maker(which Riley tries to trade for). I think this by far is the best way to go for keeping a team good while developing players.

[AirP.]

So currently for Boston to win in 6 they have to win the next 4 out of 5, that's probably not going to happen so then you go to 4 out of the next 6 with half those games in Miami... doubtful that happens especially with game 7 in Miami, if game 7 were in Boston their chances would go up dramatically.

[al bondiga]

miami is a very solid thing as it is... we are not better than in the bubble...80% of what we were that year...but are competition is eliminating itself...yes!!! We are more patient

[Shewasfly]

Starting to think that Lowry needs to come off the bench going forward. Spo is going to have to man up and make the decision. Doesn’t mean Lowry can’t play a lot of minutes or in big moments. Just means that the starting lineup has clicked a lot better without him in it

I really like this bc it would also solve a lot of the other concerns some of us have about Herro having to do too much playmaking and thinking about how to set others up. Rather than just being able to focus on scoring and setting up his teammates as a product of that and the attention he draws, instead of the other way around with him having to think playmake first.

Just take the ball out of Herro's hands. Vincent and Oladipo can be out there but currently Oladipo looks for his shot too much for a guy who hasn't played that many games in the last few years but he does seem to try to play a role that's needed vs what he wants to do. It's got to be frustrating to be used to being a #1 option who is coming off multiple years out and feels like his old self but is just rusty.

You can’t entirely take the ball out of his hands. Herros scoring does come off the dribble for the most part. He’s not really like Duncan or Strus the way you seem to think he is where’s he’s just a shooter.

But he needs to have that mindset when he has the ball. Get it to score. Not whatever it is he’s doing right now half the time.

[al bondiga]

Wild card for the series: Victor Oladipo

Boston's defense is predicated on having sufficient one-on-one defenders along the perimeter to contain paint penetration. If VO can get some weak side passes his way, he can beat his man off the dribble and bend the Celtics defense or finish in the paint. VO being in his bag this series can do a lot to tilt things our way

wow... I'm glad I'm not the only one who saw that...dipo it's not only the wild card for the series, I think he might be in the Wild Card for the whole playoffs... the way he plays and his energy while doing little things have gone as under the radar as much as JP has

[AirP.]

I really like this bc it would also solve a lot of the other concerns some of us have about Herro having to do too much playmaking and thinking about how to set others up. Rather than just being able to focus on scoring and setting up his teammates as a product of that and the attention he draws, instead of the other way around with him having to think playmake first.

Just take the ball out of Herro's hands. Vincent and Oladipo can be out there but currently Oladipo looks for his shot too much for a guy who hasn't played that many games in the last few years but he does seem to try to play a role that's needed vs what he wants to do. It's got to be frustrating to be used to being a #1 option who is coming off multiple years out and feels like his old self but is just rusty.

You can’t entirely take the ball out of his hands. Herros scoring does come off the dribble for the most part. He’s not really like Duncan or Strus the way you seem to think he is where’s he’s just a shooter.

But he needs to have that mindset when he has the ball. Get it to score. Not whatever it is he’s doing right now half the time.

You can still give him the ball but he needs to do something with it instantly so defenders don't have the time to get up on him., I don't want him trying to run an offense when is what he does after being on the court for a while. He could play the 3pt shooter role and bring a much more dynamic offense to it vs just catching and shooting although I want him to take any open non fading to his side or back 3 he can.

[greg4012]

The Celtics are going to reinforce their few defensive holes whenever Smart and Horford return. We will need to test each vigorously to make sure they're in proper form. In addition, I'm starting to think we're well served hunting Robert Williams and going straight at him. He is most impactful when he can reside near the baseline simultaneously playing a triangular area to serve as off-ball rim protection, corner 3 point contesting and elbow 3s.

We need to negate that off-ball rim protection by getting him on the ball and testing his play in space. I know he's a guy that has good feet to defend on switches and use his length to recover. But, the playoffs is the time where a big man caught in space needs to be better than good to keep up. Plus, if he has residual issues from his meniscus tear, that is more likely to be exploited by making him defend on the ball in space rather than being able to wreak havoc as an off-ball rim protector.

[MHeat0279]

The Celtics are going to reinforce their few defensive holes whenever Smart and Horford return. We will need to test each vigorously to make sure they're in proper form. In addition, I'm starting to think we're well served hunting Robert Williams and going straight at him. He is most impactful when he can reside near the baseline simultaneously playing a triangular area to serve as off-ball rim protection, corner 3 point contesting and elbow 3s.

We need to negate that off-ball rim protection by getting him on the ball and testing his play in space. I know he's a guy that has good feet to defend on switches and use his length to recover. But, the playoffs is the time where a big man caught in space needs to be better than good to keep up. Plus, if he has residual issues from his meniscus tear, that is more likely to be exploited by making him defend on the ball in space rather than being able to wreak havoc as an off-ball rim protector.

How do you think we will fair with Hortford and Smart from a strategic standpoint?

[greg4012]

The Celtics are going to reinforce their few defensive holes whenever Smart and Horford return. We will need to test each vigorously to make sure they're in proper form. In addition, I'm starting to think we're well served hunting Robert Williams and going straight at him. He is most impactful when he can reside near the baseline simultaneously playing a triangular area to serve as off-ball rim protection, corner 3 point contesting and elbow 3s.

We need to negate that off-ball rim protection by getting him on the ball and testing his play in space. I know he's a guy that has good feet to defend on switches and use his length to recover. But, the playoffs is the time where a big man caught in space needs to be better than good to keep up. Plus, if he has residual issues from his meniscus tear, that is more likely to be exploited by making him defend on the ball in space rather than being able to wreak havoc as an off-ball rim protector.

How do you think we will fair with Hortford and Smart from a strategic standpoint?

Tough to say. A couple thoughts:

Smart's return should result in Pritchard's minutes disappearing. Offensively, that means less reliable open 3 point shooting but more ball handling support (any Pritchard 3 pointer being replaced by a Smart 3 pointer is a win for us). A lot of our 2nd half defensive success came from attacking the ball handlers earlier and exploiting the fact that Boston only has 2-3 ballhandlers on the floor at a time. Defensively, Smart is a clear upgrade that will take away matchup hunting. I hope we have solutions for that.

Horford will likely mean Theis losing minutes. Horford will provide benefit on both sides as well as a release valve when the offense gets stuck. He's a hub that can help move the ball side to side. Defensively, he's the glue and a QB for the defense. I think we need to attack him with our speedier guys.

Definitely more challenges ahead.

[carnageta]

Boston 'won 3 quarters out of 4' Celtics. Never seen anyone use that excuse, that much before. Lmao.

[al bondiga]

I wouldn't worry about who's younger, I'd worry about who's going to be playing w/ more urgency, purpose, determination & hunger. The one thing that rivals youth is experience & veteran savvy. The latter is far more powerful. Furthermore Jimmy, after all, is still in his prime.

Read on Twitter

Jimmy isn't everything for us. We have several qualities that BK & Bucks don't possess. People are also underestimating the vast gap in coaching experience this series. Udoka prior to C's has been an asst coach for just 3 seasons. He's heading into this series going to war w/a seasoned strategist & battle tested mind in Spoelstra.

Read on Twitter

I don't see Steven Smith comments as a negative... I don't think Jimy would take them as a negative either... anybody should be so lucky to play until that age at the highest level

[twix2500]

I know many don't like Butler style of play. Even some Heat fans on this board. It shows some of these stat nerds are frauds when they choosing a player they admire. Because Butler is killing it stat wise and they still hold their tongues. For me personally I am very much enjoying the performance Butler is putting on in the playoffs. He is putting on some of the most versatile elite performances I have ever watched. Things I use to try and accomplish when I played. Thank God the Heat chose him over Richardson and Winslow.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I know many don't like Butler style of play. Even some Heat fans on this board. It shows some of these stat needs are fruads when they choosing a player they admire. Because Butler is killing it stat wise and they still hold their tongues. For me personally I am very much enjoying the performance Butler is putting on in the playoffs. He is putting on some of the most versatile elite performances I have ever watched. Things I use to try and accomplish when I played. Thank God the Heat chose him over Richardson and Winslow.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Call them out

Both the eye test and stats show Butler is an elite player and has been for years though.

[Slot Machine]

I’m interested to see Jimmy’s response (on the court) after they release all-NBA teams and he realizes he’s been snubbed.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I’m interested to see Jimmy’s response (on the court) after they release all-NBA teams and he realizes he’s been snubbed.

When we win the championship this season with 1 all star that the media was acting like they just had to throw in because we were the 1 seed, and the 6MOY, while everyone else like Jimmy Bam and maybe even Tucker are snubbed on some sort of all nba/all defensive teams and DPOY the media is going to have some explaining to do. And then hopefully they’ll make up for it next season and we’ll finally get credit where it’s due

[harlem_ball]

I know many don't like Butler style of play. Even some Heat fans on this board. It shows some of these stat needs are fruads when they choosing a player they admire. Because Butler is killing it stat wise and they still hold their tongues. For me personally I am very much enjoying the performance Butler is putting on in the playoffs. He is putting on some of the most versatile elite performances I have ever watched. Things I use to try and accomplish when I played. Thank God the Heat chose him over Richardson and Winslow.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

This version of Jimmy is an absolute killer. I know sometimes he's not at his best but when he's locked in like this he's approaching prime Wade-level efficiency.

[3ammy3uck3ts]

I know many don't like Butler style of play. Even some Heat fans on this board. It shows some of these stat needs are fruads when they choosing a player they admire. Because Butler is killing it stat wise and they still hold their tongues. For me personally I am very much enjoying the performance Butler is putting on in the playoffs. He is putting on some of the most versatile elite performances I have ever watched. Things I use to try and accomplish when I played. Thank God the Heat chose him over Richardson and Winslow.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

This version of Jimmy is an absolute killer. I know sometimes he's not at his best but when he's locked in like this he's approaching prime Wade-level efficiency.

This is an all time great post season stretch we’re seeing from him right now. I compare us to the 2019 raptors but better imo and right now Jimmy is outdoing what Kawhi did in those playoffs, let’s hope it ends the same way that stretch did as well. It would be awesome if he can add a buzzer beating game winner or 2 to this amazing run

[3ballbomber]

We Love You, Dragon

Read on Twitter

[greg4012]

miami is a very solid thing as it is... we are not better than in the bubble...80% of what we were that year...but are competition is eliminating itself...yes!!! We are more patient

We're better than the bubble squad