Eastern Conference | Round 1 | (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Brooklyn Nets

[Hello Brooklyn]

I feel like people are overreacting to the fact that this was a close game. Boston did in fact steal the win but Brooklyn has some serious issues that they are going to have to get straightened out. Eventually kyrie will cool off, but the problem is that Tatum was all over Durant tonight and KD didn’t seem to have an answer. I have no doubt in my mind that he will play better, but unless kyrie plays like this all series (he won’t), as well as dragic (he also won’t), it won’t be enough to make up for the difference in production from his teammates.

Also, a series like this is where Brooklyn could have really used a Jarrett Allen right about now. Hope the harden trade was worth it.

Kyrie doesn't have to play like this if KD plays at his usual level.

I would rather have Kyrie/KD both have good games than Kyrie plays amazing and KD plays like ****.

They can't double both.

If Tatum can really shut down KD one on one then all hope is lost.

Allen would help but Simmons would help more. He could actually guard Tatum and let KD roam on defense.

I wouldn’t say all hope is lost. Brooklyn still at least has some decent talent to the point where they can be legitimate difference makers. It’s a one game at a time process.

Simmons would not help more than Allen. Rebounding was a major problem tonight and Allen would solve that almost immediately, as well as being a legitimate rim protector. Al Horford more than likely wouldn’t have scored 20 tonight if Allen plays. Simmons lack of perimeter shooting also would hurt Brooklyns spacing.

Against a team like Miami or Toronto or Chicago, I agree that Simmons would be more helpful.

Well Drummond is the best rebounder in the league. So not sure Allen would do better than him.

And Allen can't guard Tatum. Simmons could guard Tatum and/or Brown. KD is putting a ton of effort on defense right now.

There is literally no wing defender with Harris/Simmons out. Except for Kessler Edwards who doesn't play.

I'd honestly put Claxton on Horford. Right now hes guarding Tatum.

Simmons would be bad for spacing. But so would Allen.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I feel like people are overreacting to the fact that this was a close game. Boston did in fact steal the win but Brooklyn has some serious issues that they are going to have to get straightened out. Eventually kyrie will cool off, but the problem is that Tatum was all over Durant tonight and KD didn’t seem to have an answer. I have no doubt in my mind that he will play better, but unless kyrie plays like this all series (he won’t), as well as dragic (he also won’t), it won’t be enough to make up for the difference in production from his teammates.

Also, a series like this is where Brooklyn could have really used a Jarrett Allen right about now. Hope the harden trade was worth it.

Kyrie doesn't have to play like this if KD plays at his usual level.

I would rather have Kyrie/KD both have good games than Kyrie plays amazing and KD plays like ****.

They can't double both.

If Tatum can really shut down KD one on one then all hope is lost.

Allen would help but Simmons would help more. He could actually guard Tatum and let KD roam on defense.

At this point does anyone honestly think Simmons will be on the court playing in these playoffs?

Based on what is being reported is seems like he will def play in Game 4 or 5.

Can he help?

Not sure. But 15 minutes of defense on Tatum would 100% be worth it. Its not like hes any worse on offense than Claxton or Drummond.

[Jaqua92]

Again, you're being disingenuous in this argument. The reception that Kyrie gets in Boston is nowhere near the same as what other players normally get in opposing arenas. So let's just stop with that bs right there. He's not reacting because someone made fun of him burning sage, he's reacting because a large number of people are verbally abusing him with cursing and other mean **** that they say. This is just a ridiculous Karen esque take from a Boston fan "He should have gotten 2 technicals and an ejection!"

Just say that you were terrified of him going off today and thought you were going to lose the game. It's okay to admit.

Kyrie reeps what he sewed.

Fans boo him because he quit on the time his first season, and didn't show up for the ECF games. He threw the young guys under the bus after they went to the ECF without him. He announced to the entire garden he planned to resign, then threw the team under the bus, and quit.

The Boston/Kyrie relationship is simple (and at this point almost equally pathetic), Kyrie lied, and disrespected, and left, and never owned how he handled it publically. Kyrie screwed that relationship up. Boston fans got hurt, and can't let it go.

Kyrie is the narcissistic abuser who blames you for how you react to being abused.

Boston fans in the garden need to get a grip, and I do find it a bit pathetic. But Kyrie created this mess.

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I'm not even talking about justification from fans though. I think Boston fans are justified to boo Kyrie for what he did or didn't do. If they wanna curse him out or say mean **** to him during games, fine (as long as it doesn't get racial or cross the line). All I'm saying is that Kyrie is also justified in giving it back to the fans doing this to him. To me, it's part of the competitive nature of sports and it's fun.

Oh totally.

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[Pachinko_]

KD literally caught ball watching the last shot and completely lost his man who sneaked behind him and got a layup to win the game. Imagine if he loses the series because of that? Woof.

Other than that I wanted to say that the best defence in the League has a massive roster hole, and it's not Timelord. They have nobody to put on a fast guard if Smart is in foul trouble. Big wings are great, until you have to put them on someone fast and short. Kyrie left Tatum in the dust and got an open layup at least twice that I remember, Brown didn't do much better, Pritchard was LOL

Kyrie may or may not shoot like that every night, but he will absolutely blow past a slower defender every single night.

[soxfan2003]

Kyrie is outstanding but..... this is in MJ's layup package.

https://youtu.be/-qCCm0V4hvw

I mean, he did stuff like this on a nightly basis, as well as literal perfect footwork. I just don't understand what he can't do that Kyrie can, except ball handling. And MJ had a better jumpshot inside 25 feet than Ky, we're talking a guy who shot 50% for his career at the guard position.

Can MJ float the ball with either hand? Shoot 90% from the FT line? Finish off either foot? Do a step back? Euro step? Shoot 40% from 3?

MJ is a legendary scorer but he is also 6'6. At that height, it is much easier to score with simple moves. Ky is smaller so it is much harder for him to score and yet he does it with ease.

If MJ had Ky's offensive skillset, he would average at least 40ppg

I'll give Kyrie the range argument.

Euro step wouldve been a travel in 1991

I didn't see MJ take floaters like Kyrie but he didn't need to because of his ability to get into the paint and finish around the basket at a higher percentage than what is typical of floaters.
I brought up body control because although Kyrie gets the most out of his skill for his size, he does not have the acrobatic ability that MJ has and that has nothing to do with height. For example, Derrick Rose was a good approximation for a much shorter guy with that level of body control and ability to finish around the basket with creativity. (Kyrie has a better package than Rose overall, was just an example of one facet).

Kyrie wins on floaters, outside shooting, step backs. MJ had better fades, turnarounds, dribble pullups (superior accuracy), finishing around the basketball in general. I think there are things Kyrie did because he wasn't a 6'6" super athlete.... but he also didn't possess MJ's body control which has little to do with height, and allowed him to attack the basket in many different ways an not be trapped.

I'll take MJ's superior body control to Kyrie's floaters and stepbacks, especially with the huge gap in efficiency.

I am no Kyrie fan at all. I was indifferent and kind of glad he left the Celtics since I didn't think the team was going to win a title with Kyrie at PG. I wouldn't bother booing the guy but I felt he disgraced the Celtics uniform with his selfish play against Milwaukee in the playoffs.

This all being said, Kyrie probably has even more body control than Michael Jordan. (This is no disrespect to Jordan, I got him as the 2nd best non center of all time only behind Lebron.) But Jordan was the better scorer and especially in his younger years more visually pleasing player for most people to watch than Kyrie Irving or even Lebron James.

The laws of physics still apply. Kyrie's superior than MJ's body control doesn't make him as good of a scorer despite his shooting skills since he doesn't have Jordan's height, jumping ability or even speed.

Jordan's body control and maneuverability in a crowded paint was fantastic for a player of his height and athleticism -- he is clearly superior to Lebron in this area -- but Kyrie's body control IMO is even better. A lot of his dribbling acrobatic play that leads to on on balance shots is due to ridiculously good body control for a player his height.

It is just hard for it to showcase itself in impressive highlights driving to the hoop since he isn't that tall/long and his jumping ability is pedestrian.

Another way to look at body control is which athlete would be easier to train in activities like diving, gymnastics, ballet or even yoga. My money would be on Irving looking better in those activities if both Jordan and Irving spent similar amounts of time training for them.

[NyKnicks1714]

Watching some of the post game right now, Kyrie is so damn insufferable.

[CIN-C-STAR]

Celtics need to do a better job with fans using slur words against opponents. Most of the time they deal with those fans, but at this game they just let them say whatever they wanted. I don't know if that is a coincidence. According to NBA, you are not allowed to yell "F U" to a player. That can get you tossed from a game, though usually you get away with a warning for the first offense. There were no warnings given at this game.

Not seen any video of what you're alleging, but I'm sure you have proof since you're putting it out there
There is video being circulated, however, of a fan yelling, "Kyrie, you suck," and Kyrie responding with, "Suck my dick, bitch".
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/kyrie-irving-shouted-expletives-at-a-celtics-fan-on-his-way-to-the-locker-room/ar-AAWjhPa?cvid=ef4458c84f8644d2aff8ec3bb307d812
Based on how sensitive you are about rude and foul language, I'm assuming you believe Kyrie should have been kicked out of the arena for that too, right?
Or we could all stop acting so sensitive. Racist taunts, threats, etc. obviously should not be tolerated, but other than that there is no reason to clutch pearls here (though the article makes the claim that Kyrie's remark was both homophobic and sexist, so there is that).
Even Kyrie in his post-game presser said he doesn't really care about the heckling. He just feeds off the energy and enjoys giving it back (and I respect him for saying that, not trying to get fans booted for basic heckling like Westbrook or some of these other softies in the league do).
I know you're salty about the loss but be more like your boy Kyrie and embrace the dark side. Let the hate and the heckling flow through you

[TheLand13]

Kyrie doesn't have to play like this if KD plays at his usual level.

I would rather have Kyrie/KD both have good games than Kyrie plays amazing and KD plays like ****.

They can't double both.

If Tatum can really shut down KD one on one then all hope is lost.

Allen would help but Simmons would help more. He could actually guard Tatum and let KD roam on defense.

I wouldn’t say all hope is lost. Brooklyn still at least has some decent talent to the point where they can be legitimate difference makers. It’s a one game at a time process.

Simmons would not help more than Allen. Rebounding was a major problem tonight and Allen would solve that almost immediately, as well as being a legitimate rim protector. Al Horford more than likely wouldn’t have scored 20 tonight if Allen plays. Simmons lack of perimeter shooting also would hurt Brooklyns spacing.

Against a team like Miami or Toronto or Chicago, I agree that Simmons would be more helpful.

Well Drummond is the best rebounder in the league. So not sure Allen would do better than him.

And Allen can't guard Tatum. Simmons could guard Tatum and/or Brown. KD is putting a ton of effort on defense right now.

There is literally no wing defender with Harris/Simmons out. Except for Kessler Edwards who doesn't play.

I'd honestly put Claxton on Horford. Right now hes guarding Tatum.

Simmons would be bad for spacing. But so would Allen.

No one on the Nets is going to stop Tatum. This includes Simmons. You need to focus on limiting points from Boston’s main offensive threats. Horford scoring 20 is inexcusable. Allen stops this and then some. Drummond might be the better rebounder, but he’s not even close to being the defender or offensive that Allen is.

Allen being out there doesn’t matter in regards to spacing nearly as much as Simmons. Simmons is not a center. He’s not going to camp out down low, fight for room and get points. Allen can. He’s averaged 16 points on 71% TS this season. That’s pretty difficult to stop. Simmons can be left on an island at the perimeter and just like that upper left with limited options.

I know you’re still trying your best to justify the trade, but at least just this once, take off the glasses and be willing to admit how useful Allen would be here.

Or don’t, doesn’t really matter to me.

[Hello Brooklyn]

I wouldn’t say all hope is lost. Brooklyn still at least has some decent talent to the point where they can be legitimate difference makers. It’s a one game at a time process.

Simmons would not help more than Allen. Rebounding was a major problem tonight and Allen would solve that almost immediately, as well as being a legitimate rim protector. Al Horford more than likely wouldn’t have scored 20 tonight if Allen plays. Simmons lack of perimeter shooting also would hurt Brooklyns spacing.

Against a team like Miami or Toronto or Chicago, I agree that Simmons would be more helpful.

Well Drummond is the best rebounder in the league. So not sure Allen would do better than him.

And Allen can't guard Tatum. Simmons could guard Tatum and/or Brown. KD is putting a ton of effort on defense right now.

There is literally no wing defender with Harris/Simmons out. Except for Kessler Edwards who doesn't play.

I'd honestly put Claxton on Horford. Right now hes guarding Tatum.

Simmons would be bad for spacing. But so would Allen.

No one on the Nets is going to stop Tatum. This includes Simmons. You need to focus on limiting points from Boston’s main offensive threats. Horford scoring 20 is inexcusable. Allen stops this and then some. Drummond might be the better rebounder, but he’s not even close to being the defender or offensive that Allen is.

Allen being out there doesn’t matter in regards to spacing nearly as much as Simmons. Simmons is not a center. He’s not going to camp out down low, fight for room and get points. Allen can. He’s averaged 16 points on 71% TS this season. That’s pretty difficult to stop. Simmons can be left on an island at the perimeter and just like that upper left with limited options.

I know you’re still trying your best to justify the trade, but at least just this once, take off the glasses and be willing to admit how useful Allen would be here.

Or don’t, doesn’t really matter to me.

You don't need to stop Tatum. You need someone to guard him that won't get destroyed like Bruce Brown or Seth Curry.

LOL you have your opinion on Allen I have mine.

Allen isn't more valuable than those guys vs the Celtics.

I'll take Harden or Simmons over him any day.

Nobody could predict Simmons would hurt his back and not play a game this year.

BTW Allen wasn't a big enough difference maker to stop the freaking Hawks who got stomped today by Miami either.

[Takingbaconback]

I wouldn’t say all hope is lost. Brooklyn still at least has some decent talent to the point where they can be legitimate difference makers. It’s a one game at a time process.

Simmons would not help more than Allen. Rebounding was a major problem tonight and Allen would solve that almost immediately, as well as being a legitimate rim protector. Al Horford more than likely wouldn’t have scored 20 tonight if Allen plays. Simmons lack of perimeter shooting also would hurt Brooklyns spacing.

Against a team like Miami or Toronto or Chicago, I agree that Simmons would be more helpful.

Well Drummond is the best rebounder in the league. So not sure Allen would do better than him.

And Allen can't guard Tatum. Simmons could guard Tatum and/or Brown. KD is putting a ton of effort on defense right now.

There is literally no wing defender with Harris/Simmons out. Except for Kessler Edwards who doesn't play.

I'd honestly put Claxton on Horford. Right now hes guarding Tatum.

Simmons would be bad for spacing. But so would Allen.

No one on the Nets is going to stop Tatum. This includes Simmons. You need to focus on limiting points from Boston’s main offensive threats. Horford scoring 20 is inexcusable. Allen stops this and then some. Drummond might be the better rebounder, but he’s not even close to being the defender or offensive that Allen is.

Allen being out there doesn’t matter in regards to spacing nearly as much as Simmons. Simmons is not a center. He’s not going to camp out down low, fight for room and get points. Allen can. He’s averaged 16 points on 71% TS this season. That’s pretty difficult to stop. Simmons can be left on an island at the perimeter and just like that upper left with limited options.

I know you’re still trying your best to justify the trade, but at least just this once, take off the glasses and be willing to admit how useful Allen would be here.

Or don’t, doesn’t really matter to me.

Nets have to encourage more perimeter shots, particularly Smart and Jaylen Brown. These celtics players were just slashing to the paint with a purpose and Nets can't handle that. Simmons would 100% help this defense and help this offense. Nets remind me of the Bulls where they got the playmakers and explosive scorers, but could really benefit from a facilitator/distributor. Having Simmons handle the ball with Irving/KD/Curry/Mills around him will help a lot. He'd also be great at slowing down Celtics offense when they are running down hill in transition as well as switching and rebounding.

[TheLand13]

Well Drummond is the best rebounder in the league. So not sure Allen would do better than him.

And Allen can't guard Tatum. Simmons could guard Tatum and/or Brown. KD is putting a ton of effort on defense right now.

There is literally no wing defender with Harris/Simmons out. Except for Kessler Edwards who doesn't play.

I'd honestly put Claxton on Horford. Right now hes guarding Tatum.

Simmons would be bad for spacing. But so would Allen.

No one on the Nets is going to stop Tatum. This includes Simmons. You need to focus on limiting points from Boston’s main offensive threats. Horford scoring 20 is inexcusable. Allen stops this and then some. Drummond might be the better rebounder, but he’s not even close to being the defender or offensive that Allen is.

Allen being out there doesn’t matter in regards to spacing nearly as much as Simmons. Simmons is not a center. He’s not going to camp out down low, fight for room and get points. Allen can. He’s averaged 16 points on 71% TS this season. That’s pretty difficult to stop. Simmons can be left on an island at the perimeter and just like that upper left with limited options.

I know you’re still trying your best to justify the trade, but at least just this once, take off the glasses and be willing to admit how useful Allen would be here.

Or don’t, doesn’t really matter to me.

You don't need to stop Tatum. You need someone to guard him that won't get destroyed like Bruce Brown or Seth Curry.

LOL you have your opinion on Allen I have mine.

Allen isn't more valuable than those guys vs the Celtics.

I'll take Harden or Simmons over him any day.

Nobody could predict Simmons would hurt his back and not play a game this year.

BTW Allen wasn't a big enough difference maker to stop the freaking Hawks who got stomped today by Miami either.

Yeah, and your opinion on Allen isn’t valid. The fact that you would take harden over him at this point supports that.

Are you implying Allen’s the reason they lost to the hawks?

[God Squad]

That Celtics final play was a thing of f'n beauty.


Sick game.

[TheLand13]

Well Drummond is the best rebounder in the league. So not sure Allen would do better than him.

And Allen can't guard Tatum. Simmons could guard Tatum and/or Brown. KD is putting a ton of effort on defense right now.

There is literally no wing defender with Harris/Simmons out. Except for Kessler Edwards who doesn't play.

I'd honestly put Claxton on Horford. Right now hes guarding Tatum.

Simmons would be bad for spacing. But so would Allen.

No one on the Nets is going to stop Tatum. This includes Simmons. You need to focus on limiting points from Boston’s main offensive threats. Horford scoring 20 is inexcusable. Allen stops this and then some. Drummond might be the better rebounder, but he’s not even close to being the defender or offensive that Allen is.

Allen being out there doesn’t matter in regards to spacing nearly as much as Simmons. Simmons is not a center. He’s not going to camp out down low, fight for room and get points. Allen can. He’s averaged 16 points on 71% TS this season. That’s pretty difficult to stop. Simmons can be left on an island at the perimeter and just like that upper left with limited options.

I know you’re still trying your best to justify the trade, but at least just this once, take off the glasses and be willing to admit how useful Allen would be here.

Or don’t, doesn’t really matter to me.

Nets have to encourage more perimeter shots, particularly Smart and Jaylen Brown. These celtics players were just slashing to the paint with a purpose and Nets can't handle that. Simmons would 100% help this defense and help this offense. Nets remind me of the Bulls where they got the playmakers and explosive scorers, but could really benefit from a facilitator/distributor. Having Simmons handle the ball with Irving/KD/Curry/Mills around him will help a lot. He'd also be great at slowing down Celtics offense when they are running down hill in transition as well as switching and rebounding.

Of course Simmons would help defensively, but that isn’t the kind of defensive help they need. They need more legitimate rim protection and toughness inside and Simmons isn’t a good answer to that.

Offensively, I have my concerns. Again, the spacing just will not be there unless you run small ball. At that point, you’re asking for trouble from a rebounding standpoint.

[GusFring]

How was a timeout not called on that last possession for Brooklyn, what is Nash thinking? Kyrie was special, if Durant even has a decent game they'd be up.

[Pachinko_]

That Celtics final play was a thing of f'n beauty.


Sick game.

I think this was all on KD man, he got caught checking the score board in the most important moment and lost his man completely. And from his body language, he knows it too. Just look what he does between 2:40 and 2:50

Watch on YouTube

[jfs1000d]

Are people actually saying a player that has never led the league in scoring is the best scorer in the history of the league? This can’t be serious.

Not best scorer. But best scoring skill. It is ability.


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[jfs1000d]

Celtics need to do a better job with fans using slur words against opponents. Most of the time they deal with those fans, but at this game they just let them say whatever they wanted. I don't know if that is a coincidence. According to NBA, you are not allowed to yell "F U" to a player. That can get you tossed from a game, though usually you get away with a warning for the first offense. There were no warnings given at this game.

Agree tbh.

That said, you can’t eject the entire crowd.


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[SeniorWalker]

Can MJ float the ball with either hand? Shoot 90% from the FT line? Finish off either foot? Do a step back? Euro step? Shoot 40% from 3?

MJ is a legendary scorer but he is also 6'6. At that height, it is much easier to score with simple moves. Ky is smaller so it is much harder for him to score and yet he does it with ease.

If MJ had Ky's offensive skillset, he would average at least 40ppg

I'll give Kyrie the range argument.

Euro step wouldve been a travel in 1991

I didn't see MJ take floaters like Kyrie but he didn't need to because of his ability to get into the paint and finish around the basket at a higher percentage than what is typical of floaters.
I brought up body control because although Kyrie gets the most out of his skill for his size, he does not have the acrobatic ability that MJ has and that has nothing to do with height. For example, Derrick Rose was a good approximation for a much shorter guy with that level of body control and ability to finish around the basket with creativity. (Kyrie has a better package than Rose overall, was just an example of one facet).

Kyrie wins on floaters, outside shooting, step backs. MJ had better fades, turnarounds, dribble pullups (superior accuracy), finishing around the basketball in general. I think there are things Kyrie did because he wasn't a 6'6" super athlete.... but he also didn't possess MJ's body control which has little to do with height, and allowed him to attack the basket in many different ways an not be trapped.

I'll take MJ's superior body control to Kyrie's floaters and stepbacks, especially with the huge gap in efficiency.

I am no Kyrie fan at all. I was indifferent and kind of glad he left the Celtics since I didn't think the team was going to win a title with Kyrie at PG. I wouldn't bother booing the guy but I felt he disgraced the Celtics uniform with his selfish play against Milwaukee in the playoffs.

This all being said, Kyrie probably has even more body control than Michael Jordan. (This is no disrespect to Jordan, I got him as the 2nd best non center of all time only behind Lebron.) But Jordan was the better scorer and especially in his younger years more visually pleasing player for most people to watch than Kyrie Irving or even Lebron James.

The laws of physics still apply. Kyrie's superior than MJ's body control doesn't make him as good of a scorer despite his shooting skills since he doesn't have Jordan's height, jumping ability or even speed.

Jordan's body control and maneuverability in a crowded paint was fantastic for a player of his height and athleticism -- he is clearly superior to Lebron in this area -- but Kyrie's body control IMO is even better. A lot of his dribbling acrobatic play that leads to on on balance shots is due to ridiculously good body control for a player his height.

It is just hard for it to showcase itself in impressive highlights driving to the hoop since he isn't that tall/long and his jumping ability is pedestrian.

Another way to look at body control is which athlete would be easier to train in activities like diving, gymnastics, ballet or even yoga. My money would be on Irving looking better in those activities if both Jordan and Irving spent similar amounts of time training for them.

Disagree on virtually every point you made, ironically for the very reasons you cite. Jordan was a far superior athlete and I guarantee could play multiple sports at an elite level. Do not feel that way about Kyrie.

I do think Kyrie is very well coordinated, obviously so, but I actually watched MJ in his era (as well Kyrie) and there's simply things MJ could do that I've never seen another player do. Then AND now. I could pull up dozens of plays that were just average drives into the lane and MJ would make absolutely absurd in air adjustments, sometimes just palming the ball with one hand flying above the rim with unbelievable creative control and touch. He was a once in a lifetime act, even with good imitators like Kobe and prime Wade in history.

Kyrie gets the most out of his talent possible, there's no denying that and he's one of the best shows on TV skill for skill. I just think MJ was simply a greater talent and thats not even including athleticism, although it certainly facilitated his ability to be creative since much of that comes from having strong core muscles. I think Kevin Durant said it last year but people dont even put MJ in the conversation for best jump shooter and its really insane why, simply because he didn't take 3 pointers in an era where few did. MJ all things considered is one of the best midrange shooters ever, especially if you consider volume and how much defensive pressure he faced. Its a tremendously underrated skill imo to be able to lineup up off balance shots the way MJ did after taking the physical punishment he did, on precise pumps at all sorts of angles.

I could go on and I'm really not trying to say Kyrie isnt also in that greatest ever skill conversation. Just that its not clear to me he's superior to MJ (or Kobe)

[jfs1000d]

I feel like people are overreacting to the fact that this was a close game. Boston did in fact steal the win but Brooklyn has some serious issues that they are going to have to get straightened out. Eventually kyrie will cool off, but the problem is that Tatum was all over Durant tonight and KD didn’t seem to have an answer. I have no doubt in my mind that he will play better, but unless kyrie plays like this all series (he won’t), as well as dragic (he also won’t), it won’t be enough to make up for the difference in production from his teammates.

Also, a series like this is where Brooklyn could have really used a Jarrett Allen right about now. Hope the harden trade was worth it.

Kyrie doesn't have to play like this if KD plays at his usual level.

I would rather have Kyrie/KD both have good games than Kyrie plays amazing and KD plays like ****.

They can't double both.

If Tatum can really shut down KD one on one then all hope is lost.

Allen would help but Simmons would help more. He could actually guard Tatum and let KD roam on defense.

It isn’t about shutting guys down. It is about making them make tough shots.

Did you guys think Tatum was forced into tough shots?

Okay the percentages. Durant got up 24 shots, how many were wide open? Maybe 3 or 4 shots. And I would say many of his makes were closely contested

Kyrie, he had 39 and bit impossible shots, but he also broke loose on some shots. He scored 9 pts, alone, on Daniel theis in 4th and also got an open look at the dagger 3 with 43 second left off a bad defensive deck on from Marcus.

No one can shut those guys down. You just gotta make them work for it.


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[KIRAG]

Guys mad at Kyrie? Guys mad at Durant? Sometimes great games happen.

That was just great coaching by Idoka. Sent the double at kyrie. Tatum guarded Durant.

And he didn’t over coach.


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The only issue I have is with Kyrie running down the clock with ISO ball instead of some pick and roll/pick and pop with KD and try to get a nice open shot. He passed it to KD with under 3 seconds left in the shot clock and expected a bail out shot.

He did that numerous times with his previous teams.