ECF: P2 | (2) Boston Celtics vs (4) Cleveland Cavaliers | Tied 2-2

[phraoh]

Just some random thoughts on some of the comments, and my opinion on various topics. Look, the Cavs are down 2-0, because they have generally played with little effort for a ECF game, playing no defense with no energy, not knocking down open looks like they have on an overall basis. Contrast that with the Celtics who have played with a tremendous amount of energy and effort on defense, gotten to loose balls first consistently, and overall have hit the open looks they have received, which are more than Cavs have received due to better effort and Defense by Boston. I really can't see how a fan of either team can argue the above, as they are pretty much facts. I don't care what the stats are, but other than the first quarter in the second game, Lebron has played with no energy, very little hustle and Defense....he is either dejected at his teams chances, trying to force more from teammates, is tired, or knows he is gone at year end and not particularly interested in winning this series.

The Celtic players deserve credit for their play, but their coach is putting them in the best position to win, and is playing the right players....due to their many injuries, the right players is not difficult to figure out, but Stevens has a system and coaches up his players and gives the younger ones confidence. Lue on the other hand, seems to want to play his favorites who have done nothing but play bad defense and provide no offense (see JR and Hill). I don't think the Cavs have a chance to win both games in Cleveland, but they are like Jekyl and Hyde, so who knows.

[Celts17Pride]

Anyone get the feeling LeBron doesn't care if they loose this series so he has an excuse to bolt out of Cleveland this summer?

He is not trying to win this series because he knows they have no chance at the Warriors, so it's better to lose now (even to a depleted Celtics squad) than getting swept again by the Warriors.

Cool story

[Patsfan1081]

Just some random thoughts on some of the comments, and my opinion on various topics. Look, the Cavs are down 2-0, because they have generally played with little effort for a ECF game, playing no defense with no energy, not knocking down open looks like they have on an overall basis. Contrast that with the Celtics who have played with a tremendous amount of energy and effort on defense, gotten to loose balls first consistently, and overall have hit the open looks they have received, which are more than Cavs have received due to better effort and Defense by Boston. I really can't see how a fan of either team can argue the above, as they are pretty much facts. I don't care what the stats are, but other than the first quarter in the second game, Lebron has played with no energy, very little hustle and Defense....he is either dejected at his teams chances, trying to force more from teammates, is tired, or knows he is gone at year end and not particularly interested in winning this series.

The Celtic players deserve credit for their play, but their coach is putting them in the best position to win, and is playing the right players....due to their many injuries, the right players is not difficult to figure out, but Stevens has a system and coaches up his players and gives the younger ones confidence. Lue on the other hand, seems to want to play his favorites who have done nothing but play bad defense and provide no offense (see JR and Hill). I don't think the Cavs have a chance to win both games in Cleveland, but they are like Jekyl and Hyde, so who knows.

No there not, Cleveland barely got any open looks in game two. Lebron went from twelve open looks in game one to just on end in game two. This is wth him attacking the basket much more. So Cleveland wasn't just missing open looks in game two, even Korver couldn't get a shot off and would have to launch threes on the run because Smart was on him like glue. Clevelands supporting cast was a lot better in game two though, especially Love. Also Lebron had a triple double with forty plus points, how can you say he wasn't trying? I think the idea that they're not giving effort is overblown, it seems like people are attempting to give them an excuse when the facts are outside Lebron and Love they're just not very good.

[Darth Celtic]

[gfycat][/gfycat]Bostons young players have proven they are willing to play hard on every possession and have rendered the skill level of the Cavs vets to squat. do I think Bostons players are more skilled? no.

As expected, just like SuperDario, you also doubled down on the stupid instead of admitting the obvious. JR Smith was never in his career as skilled as J Brown is now at 21.

You sir must have not watched JR in Denver..

[/url]

So, looking at J Brown's stats for the playoffs (even coming off the bench and on mins restrictions all last series), his stats are way better than JR smiths at any time during his career, including the 27 mpg max he got in denver. Not sure where you are getting at. What skills are you referring too? His 1 assist per game or 2 rebound? He did make 40% from 3 one season, still below JB's 42%.

[LewisnotMiller]

It's easy for posters to talk about heart and hustle when they're not in their 30s playing guys who are under 25 and who get a whole lot more rest because the bench is deeper.

What bench? We'd be a heck of a deep team if even Theis and Larkin were available, but without them we are running eight guys for all intents and purposes.

And whilst young legs are great, rookie legs are another matter. It's unusual to have 2 rookies and a second year man as members of an 8 man ECF final and have that be a positive.

I'm surprised you guys haven't either given us more Clarkson (although I don't rate him) or Osman.

[jfs1000d]

It's easy for posters to talk about heart and hustle when they're not in their 30s playing guys who are under 25 and who get a whole lot more rest because the bench is deeper.

What bench? We'd be a heck of a deep team if even Theis and Larkin were available, but without them we are running eight guys for all intents and purposes.

And whilst young legs are great, rookie legs are another matter. It's unusual to have 2 rookies and a second year man as members of an 8 man ECF final and have that be a positive.

I'm surprised you guys haven't either given us more Clarkson (although I don't rate him) or Osman.

It's not heart and hustle. It is speed and athleticism.

Cavs are taken to the woodshed athletically. 4 out of their 5 starters can't guard their matchup 1-on-1. Hill maybe can bother Rozier, but Rozier is ultra quick. LeBron is left to roam and he also has a difficult defensive matchup to worry about.

Celtics, when they go Horford at C, have 5 players who can break you down, shoot, pass and can score. And, the speed of the backcourt in Rozier and Brown is tremendous.

[Green89]

How big is the coaching gap in your opinion between Tyronn Lue and Brad Stevens?
Use two players as an example to demonstrate the gap

Here's an example quoted from our 3rd string PG Shane Larkin.

"There was a loose ball near Shane even though the ball was in favor of his direction, the opposing player got it, next play he got benched"

It was not exactly said like that but I remember it similarly. One thing is, Brad likes his players to hustle for every ball, every possession. That's why he plays Marcus Smart so often despite awful shooting %'s since he is the embodiment of hustle and grit for the C's.

Brad expects everyone to make the right plays in any situation. Right after Rozier had that breakaway dunk, he blew a defensive assignment on the other end and Brad was screaming at him. It's all about the next play and winning every possesion with Brad.

[Curmudgeon]

Yes, if guys take possessions off on a Stevens team, they don't play. Simple as that. You can make mistakes trying to make plays, but not trying is unacceptable.

[iggymcfrack]

Thought this was a really good tweet the other day:

Read on Twitter

?s=21

The Dwyane Wade trade seemed bizarre at the time and looks even worse in retrospect. The time he didn’t fit with the Cavs was when Isaiah was there to be the bench scorer. Without him around, he seemed to fit much better. And over he course of the season, he seemed like maybe the 3rd bet player on the Cavs. Have to think the Cavs would have a LOT better chance against Boston if they had D-Wade for 25 minutes a game.

[Dupp]

3 days is too long to wait to see us get our butts kicked

[Dupp]

Thought this was a really good tweet the other day:

Read on Twitter

?s=21

The Dwyane Wade trade seemed bizarre at the time and looks even worse in retrospect. The time he didn’t fit with the Cavs was when Isaiah was there to be the bench scorer. Without him around, he seemed to fit much better. And over he course of the season, he seemed like maybe the 3rd bet player on the Cavs. Have to think the Cavs would have a LOT better chance against Boston if they had D-Wade for 25 minutes a game.

That’s just an uninformed tweet. Cavs didn’t want to get rid of wade, wade wanted out from the cavs and the cavs respected his wishes.

He was certainly valuable for the cavs all season and would have been very handy in the playoffs.

[LewisnotMiller]

It's easy for posters to talk about heart and hustle when they're not in their 30s playing guys who are under 25 and who get a whole lot more rest because the bench is deeper.

What bench? We'd be a heck of a deep team if even Theis and Larkin were available, but without them we are running eight guys for all intents and purposes.

And whilst young legs are great, rookie legs are another matter. It's unusual to have 2 rookies and a second year man as members of an 8 man ECF final and have that be a positive.

I'm surprised you guys haven't either given us more Clarkson (although I don't rate him) or Osman.

It's not heart and hustle. It is speed and athleticism.

Cavs are taken to the woodshed athletically. 4 out of their 5 starters can't guard their matchup 1-on-1. Hill maybe can bother Rozier, but Rozier is ultra quick. LeBron is left to roam and he also has a difficult defensive matchup to worry about.

Celtics, when they go Horford at C, have 5 players who can break you down, shoot, pass and can score. And, the speed of the backcourt in Rozier and Brown is tremendous.

It can be both.
We'll see. I suspect the Cavs will look more formidable at home.

At the very least...and this is charitable...the speed and athleticism advantage is being exacerbated by communication issues defensively.

Still, I'd have Osman playing Semi type minutes at the very least (ie. 15 per game).

[Edrees]

This game is SATURDAY!? not tomorrow? What the hell is with this

[LewisnotMiller]

This game is SATURDAY!? not tomorrow? What the hell is with this

I couldn't watch if it was Friday, so I can only assume they've planned this around me. Sorry for the inconvenience.

[StojkoVrankovic]

As expected, just like SuperDario, you also doubled down on the stupid instead of admitting the obvious. JR Smith was never in his career as skilled as J Brown is now at 21.

You sir must have not watched JR in Denver..

[/url]

So, looking at J Brown's stats for the playoffs (even coming off the bench and on mins restrictions all last series), his stats are way better than JR smiths at any time during his career, including the 27 mpg max he got in denver. Not sure where you are getting at. What skills are you referring too? His 1 assist per game or 2 rebound? He did make 40% from 3 one season, still below JB's 42%.

admit it bro, you didn't watch him. no biggie

[ButCanMarkDunk]

Cavs in 7.

[Darth Celtic]

You sir must have not watched JR in Denver..

[/url]

So, looking at J Brown's stats for the playoffs (even coming off the bench and on mins restrictions all last series), his stats are way better than JR smiths at any time during his career, including the 27 mpg max he got in denver. Not sure where you are getting at. What skills are you referring too? His 1 assist per game or 2 rebound? He did make 40% from 3 one season, still below JB's 42%.

admit it bro, you didn't watch him. no biggie

I could probably send you Pics of me at the Celtics games in Denver those years, but whatever.

[Grahf]

Anyone get the feeling LeBron doesn't care if they loose this series so he has an excuse to bolt out of Cleveland this summer?

He is not trying to win this series because he knows they have no chance at the Warriors, so it's better to lose now (even to a depleted Celtics squad) than getting swept again by the Warriors.

Dropping 42-10-12 including 21 1st qtr. points was LeBron attempting to lose? That is some serious next level ****...

[Tigersrule]

I think if Cavs somehow take this to 7 games, cant see Bron losing a game 7 against them

[jfs1000d]

I think if Cavs somehow take this to 7 games, cant see Bron losing a game 7 against them

CAvs aren’t winning a game 7 in Boston .


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