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

[Blacktopninja]

This is not complicated. Lebron James is just simply being out-coached by Brad Stevens.

[titlebound1]

I feel like Horford and Morris have been playing like they have something to prove. But more importantly, my biggest take away is Jaylen Brown. You can see that this kid doesn't fear LeBron. He wanted this. Tatum is naturally the better player... But Brown has a competitive edge. I've seen that same cold look from guys like Smart and KG. This young man is a killer.

[MeanGeraldGreen]

[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.

Skilled how ? all I see is a highly athletic defensive player with a developing offensive skillset. Smith had been a huge clutch shooter for most of his career,despite going cold again this season and flipping the switch for a few games and going cold again in this series.
Smith is streaky, he could come out and drain 7 treys game 3...I'll take that over the consistent defense of Brown that has no clutch factor , does that make him the better player, doesn't look like it in this series so far, but doesn't make it false. I agree Brown is on course to be a better player over the course of his career and if Smith doesn't find his shot he's better off riding the pine

Well yea what lunatic would want consistent defense in the playoffs

[og15]

I feel like Horford and Morris have been playing like they have something to prove. But more importantly, my biggest take away is Jaylen Brown. You can see that this kid doesn't fear LeBron. He wanted this. Tatum is naturally the better player... But Brown has a competitive edge. I've seen that same cold look from guys like Smart and KG. This young man is a killer.

Derozan wants to know how to do this killer / competitive edge thing

[CIN-C-STAR]

If Cleveland shortens their rotations and comes out with the right hustle, determination and focus in game 3, I could still see them winning both at home. But Boston will make it tough no doubt.
Maybe it's just wishful thinking but I want to see all the teams win their home games heading into an epic game 7 where all the winning streaks and records collide -- Lebron's game 7 streak, Boston's current home playoff winning streak, Boston's winning streak when up 2-0 in a series, Boston's game 7 history rehashed, Lebron possibly adding to his list of 40-point, game 7 performances...
No matter who won it would be a titanic clash between the Eastern Conference's long-time lord and the future of the conference with what Boston is building. I hope it happens spectacularly and not with a Cleveland whimper, though that (5 game Boston series win) seems possible too after the spankings in games 1 and 2.

[LewisnotMiller]

I feel like Horford and Morris have been playing like they have something to prove. But more importantly, my biggest take away is Jaylen Brown. You can see that this kid doesn't fear LeBron. He wanted this. Tatum is naturally the better player... But Brown has a competitive edge. I've seen that same cold look from guys like Smart and KG. This young man is a killer.

Attitude wise he even showed a little of this last year, but he wasn't ready in terms of strength and shooting consistency.

But I agree...he embraces the moment.

[loveandbeer]

The difference in this series is that even if Bron has a 40 point TD the Cavs lose. This was not the case against the previous two teams.

I still have Celtics in five. I think Cavs will take one at home by a decent margin and just fall short in the other, with the series finishing out in Boston.

[LewisnotMiller]

If Cleveland shortens their rotations and comes out with the right hustle, determination and focus in game 3, I could still see them winning both at home. But Boston will make it tough no doubt.
Maybe it's just wishful thinking but I want to see all the teams win their home games heading into an epic game 7 where all the winning streaks and records collide -- Lebron's game 7 streak, Boston's current home playoff winning streak, Boston's winning streak when up 2-0 in a series, Boston's game 7 history rehashed, Lebron possibly adding to his list of 40-point, game 7 performances...
No matter who won it would be a titanic clash between the Eastern Conference's long-time lord and the future of the conference with what Boston is building. I hope it happens spectacularly and not with a Cleveland whimper, though that (5 game Boston series win) seems possible too after the spankings in games 1 and 2.

I think Cleveland winning the next 2 is possible, too. Not sure about shortening the rotations per se. I'd be prioritizing effort. Love and James are going to carry a load, but Thompson and (I think) Osman could give you a better chance of both switching and rotating defensively, which is where the real issues seem to be.

Gotta get better effort from the backcourt though. I thought Clarkson would at least give you something in very low minutes, but defensively he's so bad...

[MixedUp]

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 ****...

You forgot the part where he played no defense.


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[FlatearthZorro]

I feel like Horford and Morris have been playing like they have something to prove. But more importantly, my biggest take away is Jaylen Brown. You can see that this kid doesn't fear LeBron. He wanted this. Tatum is naturally the better player... But Brown has a competitive edge. I've seen that same cold look from guys like Smart and KG. This young man is a killer.

They both do, everyone is throwing the "you're 15-1 vs LeBron" despite him being on much lesser teams and Morris had to step up cause he talked.

[FlatearthZorro]

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 ****...

You forgot the part where he played no defense.


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People write this like they are just noticing it. He hasn't played defense for a while. I mean last year he stood 8 feet away from Jae Crowder and Jae had 2 good games out of 5. He preserves energy and he's done it for a while. Few years.

[brackdan70]

I feel like Horford and Morris have been playing like they have something to prove. But more importantly, my biggest take away is Jaylen Brown. You can see that this kid doesn't fear LeBron. He wanted this. Tatum is naturally the better player... But Brown has a competitive edge. I've seen that same cold look from guys like Smart and KG. This young man is a killer.

Derozan wants to know how to do this killer / competitive edge thing

Nah I don’t think he does.

[lambchop]

If Cleveland shortens their rotations and comes out with the right hustle, determination and focus in game 3, I could still see them winning both at home. But Boston will make it tough no doubt.
Maybe it's just wishful thinking but I want to see all the teams win their home games heading into an epic game 7 where all the winning streaks and records collide -- Lebron's game 7 streak, Boston's current home playoff winning streak, Boston's winning streak when up 2-0 in a series, Boston's game 7 history rehashed, Lebron possibly adding to his list of 40-point, game 7 performances...
No matter who won it would be a titanic clash between the Eastern Conference's long-time lord and the future of the conference with what Boston is building. I hope it happens spectacularly and not with a Cleveland whimper, though that (5 game Boston series win) seems possible too after the spankings in games 1 and 2.

I think Cleveland winning the next 2 is possible, too. Not sure about shortening the rotations per se. I'd be prioritizing effort. Love and James are going to carry a load, but Thompson and (I think) Osman could give you a better chance of both switching and rotating defensively, which is where the real issues seem to be.

Gotta get better effort from the backcourt though. I thought Clarkson would at least give you something in very low minutes, but defensively he's so bad...

Yea CLE has to go to Osman imo. He can hang with BOS athletically and Cleveland will just have to live with his percentages on open threes.
He's that dellavadova type player they need to be able to compete imo.

And bron has to finally go to his postups more often, dude just shys away from contact in the post too much. Morris and Brown can t hang with him downlow, yet after one semi hard foul and some misses free throws bron stops going to that.

[Stillwater]

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.

Skilled how ? all I see is a highly athletic defensive player with a developing offensive skillset. Smith had been a huge clutch shooter for most of his career,despite going cold again this season and flipping the switch for a few games and going cold again in this series.
Smith is streaky, he could come out and drain 7 treys game 3...I'll take that over the consistent defense of Brown that has no clutch factor , does that make him the better player, doesn't look like it in this series so far, but doesn't make it false. I agree Brown is on course to be a better player over the course of his career and if Smith doesn't find his shot he's better off riding the pine

Well yea what lunatic would want consistent defense in the playoffs

Sweet deprivation

[og15]

I feel like Horford and Morris have been playing like they have something to prove. But more importantly, my biggest take away is Jaylen Brown. You can see that this kid doesn't fear LeBron. He wanted this. Tatum is naturally the better player... But Brown has a competitive edge. I've seen that same cold look from guys like Smart and KG. This young man is a killer.

Derozan wants to know how to do this killer / competitive edge thing

Nah I don’t think he does.

touche

[Calamity_Cometh]

Makes you think- maybe the Bucks are more talented than we give them credit for.

[Higgs Boston]

Makes you think- maybe the Bucks are more talented than we give them credit for.

Celtics had 3 starters with no playoffs experience as starters, and one of them was a rookie. Bucks are better than people think but the celtics also are improving.

[ken6199]

Its beyond puzzling that they can't schedule a game on prime time Friday night, having us to wait for 3 days between game 2 and game 3.

[FlatearthZorro]

Its beyond puzzling that they can't schedule a game on prime time Friday night, having us to wait for 3 days between game 2 and game 3.

LeBron the diva made the NBA do this with his "I need rest, we need rest inbetween games". The league legit did it for him.

[Higgs Boston]

NBA finals are scheduled before conference finals, they adjust the series during the playoffs to make a balanced schedule.