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

[Bad-Thoma]

I don’t mind Kyrie giving it to Celtics fans at all. I don’t think most people do. But his whining during the presser after the game was annoying.

As a Celtics fan I agree 100%. I have zero issue with him giving it back to the fans, I actually kind of enjoy it and it's not like he can't afford the fine. He played out of his mind on offense (defense not so much) and was kind of the perfect villain and the NBA playoffs needs that, and while I don't like the narcissistic head case I respect it. It's his whole "I never did anything to deserve it" attitude that is annoying, he straight up quit on the team in the Milwaukee series and fan bases don't forgive that ****. I'd wager a crisp $20 that someday even the densest Brooklyn fans will understand, Kyrie will make sure of it.

[Pachinko_]

I'm not trying to do a deep dive into the root cause of hooliganism and violence in sporting events, not insulting cultures where it happens, not making broad social commentary. I'm just saying I consider any actual acts of sports-related violence themselves to be unacceptable, and would like them to be punished if/when they happen, whereas I don't care as much about insults and swearing and would rather let them slide unless they reach the level of offensive slurs or threats.

Sure. Just keep in mind that accepting up to a certain type of insults is still an arbitrary boundary, set by you.
Some people just don't like to hear F U with their name attached to it, and their reaction might not be the one you'd prefer.

[ITYSL]

I don’t mind Kyrie giving it to Celtics fans at all. I don’t think most people do. But his whining during the presser after the game was annoying.

Oh yeah, giving it back to fans is awesome, and we see that all the time. Trae is the one that always comes to mind, it's like whenever he plays in NY he's doing that.

I'd say that the way Kyrie did it was a bit different. It wasn't just chest-pounding because he played great (and Kyrie DID play great) like Trae does, it was middle fingers and telling a fan to suck his dick, which comes off a bit more as being thin-skinned.

I don't really care that he did it that way, though. Nor do I care if fans are jeering him. Visiting players get jeered by fans all the time, including with all the words that Kyrie mentioned in his press conference. It's all part of the job for players to realize they'll be taunted like that, and all part of the entertainment for some fans. If the players want to give it back to the fans, all the power to them. Kyrie might be fined for the way in which he did it, but whatever. No big deal, and he can afford it.

[DoctorX]

yes be triggered and upset. I don´t have dog in the race but this is playoffs. Would be wack to give techs for this, double wack. Would give one more reason to hate modern game. This playoffs will make boys to men and i´m not talking about players!

That made me laugh but I see what you are saying.

[Fencer reregistered]

KD's fatal mistake was he took a quick look at the clock and got caught flat-footed as Tatum slipped past him, which I don't really blame him for. He must have been thinking why the clock hadn't run out yet, that last play felt like it took forever to develop.

Durant was guarding 2 guys at the top of the key, it was a pick your poison kind of decision. Not to mention fantastic cut by tatum and read by Smart.

Yeah sure, but when you're guarding 2 guys and you have to make a decision the correct answer is never "Ima stand here and do nothing" LOL
He just got distracted for a crucial moment, that's all. It happens.

Brain freeze. KD was probably in the process of belatedly realizing that the clock was so low that a kickout to Brown was no longer a possibility.

[DoctorX]

I think Kyrie is a basket case, but I do enjoy watching him play. Also, I can't be upset at what he did to the Celtic fans since they are certain fan bases if I was player, I would be doing the same to. It also makes for great entertainment.

[Pachinko_]

Durant was guarding 2 guys at the top of the key, it was a pick your poison kind of decision. Not to mention fantastic cut by tatum and read by Smart.

Yeah sure, but when you're guarding 2 guys and you have to make a decision the correct answer is never "Ima stand here and do nothing" LOL
He just got distracted for a crucial moment, that's all. It happens.

Brain freeze. KD was probably in the process of belatedly realizing that the clock was so low that a kickout to Brown was no longer a possibility.

Looks like he was checking the clock

[Jaqua92]

I don't get the butthurt about Kyrie talking **** to Boston fans.

I personally don't have a problem with them booing Kyrie. I would probably hate Kyrie if I was a Celtics fan too.

But don't dish out what you can't take back. Kyrie was this close to owning Boston and shutting everyone up.

No one is butthurt. They're just pissed that the guy who started this fight is taking offense to how they act. The Celtic fan base in Kyries world
is a monster he created.

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

[Mamba Mentality]

Kyrie basically just let the Celtics fanbase know that all the heckling is bothering him. Expect things to only get worse tomorrow night. Between him, KD, and Simmons this might be the most sensitive team ever assembled.

[Pachinko_]

Kyrie started a fight he can never win. The fans are certainly not gonna stop, and if things escalate and it comes down to it, guess who gets banned.
Hint: not the fans.

[sam_I_am]

I don't get the butthurt about Kyrie talking **** to Boston fans.

I personally don't have a problem with them booing Kyrie. I would probably hate Kyrie if I was a Celtics fan too.

But don't dish out what you can't take back. Kyrie was this close to owning Boston and shutting everyone up.

True. It’s just too bad his job description included shutting Tatum up and his defensive effort on that last play was nonexistent.

Expecting logical behavior out of a flat earth anti-vax incense burning unique personality is beside the point. The guy is incredible to watch and the drama only adds to the entertainment. If his antics fuel his game, Give me more please!

As far as people at the Garden being hurt by anything Kyrie did….I am sure everyone of them got flipped off 10x more driving out of the parking garages.

[Fencer reregistered]

Pundits are saying stuff like the Nets are too small, Nets won't get any bigger, etc.

Meanwhile, the Nets have two formerly star bigs getting DNPs, or three if you count Simmons.

[Slax]

Kyrie basically just let the Celtics fanbase know that all the heckling is bothering him. Expect things to only get worse tomorrow night. Between him, KD, and Simmons this might be the most sensitive team ever assembled.

Maybe I'm giving him too much credit, but I think he enjoys having an antagonistic relationship with Celtics fans, and tries to foster it by doing things that he knows will provoke them.

[whatisacenter]

Kyrie basically just let the Celtics fanbase know that all the heckling is bothering him. Expect things to only get worse tomorrow night. Between him, KD, and Simmons this might be the most sensitive team ever assembled.

Maybe I'm giving him too much credit, but I think he enjoys having an antagonistic relationship with Celtics fans, and tries to foster it by doing things that he knows will provoke them.

I think you both might be right.

[Luke Skyowner]

yes be triggered and upset. I don´t have dog in the race but this is playoffs. Would be wack to give techs for this, double wack. Would give one more reason to hate modern game. This playoffs will make boys to men and i´m not talking about players!

That made me laugh but I see what you are saying.

kind of sucks to watch it with a kid who will probably waives his finger next time he makes a basket on school court I kind of get that is not all black and white at all. But subjectively, bring it on. Men can take it behind the screen and see that it´s all sports and fun, players showing human reactions and more than not have the right to be triggered-fans are salty. Brings back the saying 6th man on the court for home team. There is a line to not let it out of control but it was feet inside the clear zone, beearly but surely imo

[ITYSL]

In terms of the game itself, I don't expect KD to shoot that poorly again, but I also don't expect Kyrie to shoot that well again, especially on difficult, contested iso shots. You can't expect KD+Kyrie to get much more than 62 points combined every night.

Curry being hobbled is tough for them right now, they need production out of him and 1/4 from three isn't it.

Claxton was one of the better Nets on the floor yesterday. Any thought to starting him over Drummond?

[MaxZaslofskyJr]

Anyway, I predict the Nets will do the hokey-pokey... and... they'll turn themselves around. That's what it's all about!

[CelticSooner]

Personally I love that Kyrie willing to embrace the villain role. Makes for good entertainment. Kinda reminds of LeBron in Miami except LeBron never truly wanted to accept the role. Too worried about marketing to all fans.

[itrsteve]

They should play psychological warfare and run a tribute video for G2 - he had no shortage of legitimate highlights and maybe that can put this to bed.

It's a useless distraction, I wish the fans didn't feed into it.

[binjumper]

Gotta come out to say got mad respect for Tatum's defensive. His defense won that game. I hope more people noticed the effort he put in on that end last night. If he plays that sort of defense throughout the Playoffs I can easily see Boston coming out of the East.