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

[DeRoma]

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?

Celtics fanbase are ones that's giving him that fire to play like that. So you should expect it again in game 2 at the very least

[DeRoma]

One thing about the KD played bad narrative, then why didn't the Nets win when he played better in the 2nd half?

Because it was tied at half

He shot 2-10 in the first half with multiple TOs but his 2nd half wasn't as bad 7-14 with fewer TOs.

Kyrie also played better in the 2nd half then his first half with 24 of his 39 came in the 2nd half.

This is a good point. Kyrie went off, and KD had about what you'd expect from him from the 2nd half on and still lost. What that implies is that the Nets will either need both players to play above what they already do, or find it from another source if one of them is just at their average or below.

You know.... You can literally say that same thing to Tatum, Smart, and Horford?

Also KD still played below average in the second half. He was completely off the whole entire game and you can literally see it all the way through the last play on how disengage he is.

[Triple M]

One thing about the KD played bad narrative, then why didn't the Nets win when he played better in the 2nd half?

Because it was tied at half

He shot 2-10 in the first half with multiple TOs but his 2nd half wasn't as bad 7-14 with fewer TOs.

Kyrie also played better in the 2nd half then his first half with 24 of his 39 came in the 2nd half.

This is a good point. Kyrie went off, and KD had about what you'd expect from him from the 2nd half on and still lost. What that implies is that the Nets will either need both players to play above what they already do, or find it from another source if one of them is just at their average or below.

You know.... You can literally say that same thing to Tatum, Smart, and Horford?

Also KD still played below average in the second half. He was completely off the whole entire game and you can literally see it all the way through the last play on how disengage he is.

My point is every game is independent. The Celtics don't need to precisely produce the same results to win. Everything we've seen so far tells me this will be a tight series

[jfs1000d]

One thing about the KD played bad narrative, then why didn't the Nets win when he played better in the 2nd half?

Because it was tied at half

He shot 2-10 in the first half with multiple TOs but his 2nd half wasn't as bad 7-14 with fewer TOs.

Kyrie also played better in the 2nd half then his first half with 24 of his 39 came in the 2nd half.

This is a good point. Kyrie went off, and KD had about what you'd expect from him from the 2nd half on and still lost. What that implies is that the Nets will either need both players to play above what they already do, or find it from another source if one of them is just at their average or below.

You know.... You can literally say that same thing to Tatum, Smart, and Horford?

Also KD still played below average in the second half. He was completely off the whole entire game and you can literally see it all the way through the last play on how disengage he is.

Nets have played two games in postseason.

Kyrie went nuclear in both of them. They barely beat Cavs, Lost to Boston.

What does this mean?

I just don’t think nets have enough horses. People enamored with KD and Kyrie explosion, but they need both to play great to win. Bit good, but great.


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[jfs1000d]

Hes not taking offense. He literally said hes just giving the same energy back. Watch his interview.

People are def butthurt. Did you see Shaq and Barkely's response?

And you believe him? He's rationalizing. Of course he feels disrespected. Because that's how the fans feel.

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I'm curious why do you think Kyrie left?

Kyrie is moody. I am sure he didn’t like Boston, which makes no sense, but I think biggest reason is he did t like getting traded and told where to be.

Durant and Kyrie would be in Boston now with Tatum if kyrie stayed. But, you also have to realize the BS that Kyrie pulls doesn’t fly in boston.

They demand you play games here. I always feel like kyrie doesn’t want to play a full 82 game season because he feels it isn’t necessary. This year was perfect kyrie. Part time player, physically healthy for the only thing that matters - playoffs.


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[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?

Celtics fanbase are ones that's giving him that fire to play like that. So you should expect it again in game 2 at the very least

Kyrie can light it up on anyone, he doesn't need to rely on crowd motivation to score a lot. But who knows, maybe it did have something to do with it. It's unlikely that Kyrie will continue to shoot 60% from the floor and 60% from 3 like he did in Game 1. I suppose he could go on a total heater and keep up that pace, but it's unlikely.

I also doubt that KD+Kyrie will likely score much more than 62 points combined on the Celtics defense, so they'll have to find offense somewhere else. The two of them averaged a combined 57 points in the games they played together this season. They did have a few huge games, though so that could happen: 79 points in a W vs. Orlando; 78 points in a L vs. Memphis; and 86 points in a L vs. Atlanta.

[antonac]

I do still feel like, if you want difference makers, KD and Kyrie are on another level to Tatum, Brown and Horford.

The concern I'd have with the Nets is that while Kyrie looked unguardable, do you really want to put your offensive hopes in him making those types of shots all series? Boston's form looked far more repeatable. I'd much rather bet on their shot selection than Brooklyn's.

but heck, Kyrie's done it before so maybe he will all series, he's certainly motivated enough.

[celtxman]

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.

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Hes not taking offense. He literally said hes just giving the same energy back. Watch his interview.

People are def butthurt. Did you see Shaq and Barkely's response?

Too bad he never gave any energy to winning a championship in Boston. Saying butthurt all of the time is just a lazy way of dismissing things any fan in any city would hate about what Irving did. The management and fans in Boston were onboard with making him the #1 option on a championship level team. If he didn't want that he shouldn't have lied that he wanted to stay.
Feel free to read any posts I had on Irving while he was on the Celtics. There was never a single one saying the Cavs fans were butthurt, nor was there anything defending his bad behavior in Boston. Once he put the cherry on top of the cake by saying he didn't owe anyone "s&*#" I was in favor of getting rid of him for pennies on the dollar to the Clippers. But for some inexplicable reason Ainge kept him long enough to quit against the Bucks in a strangely fitting ending to his time in Boston.

[BleedGreen1989]

This is no disrespect to any other EC team and Boston can surely be eliminated by a few teams in a vacuum, but I'm not sure any team will instill the fear in me that Durant and Irving do on a game to game basis.

If Boston can win this series, I'm hoping this will be my peak blood pressure during a series.

[Cricket23]

There is something from game 1 that makes me optimistic from a Celtics point of view. I understand that KD may not have another game that bad, and others have said Kyrie won't usually play that well, and other similar things about other players. Every game someone can say so and so can play better or worse, but what I'm more focused on are the teams as a whole. Brooklyn outshot Boston 54% to 47% and 46% to 36% from 3. That is a significant difference and a team with that type of edge rarely loses. Those percentages are likely to even out over the course of a series and that's bad news for the Nets.

Yeah but Nets average 113 ppg all year, this was just normal production.
To be honest with you for the best defense in the League, it didn't quite feel like it. Sure Kyrie went nuts but there were also a lot of open shots for Mills/Dragic/Curry, and these guys can shoot. I get it that focusing on KD and doubling him was important but it also means you're gonna give something up. Next game they might switch it up and then KD might go for 40+, it's not like he hasn't done it before.

Normal production in PPG, yes, but not normal for them to outshoot their opponent by that percentage. Nor is it the norm for Boston to get outshot by that percentage.

[cl2117]

This series has 7 games written all over it.

I've got the C's with the edge because of their depth, but I feel like both KD and Irving can both individually win the Nets a game. I think you're gonna have a Seth Curry or Patty Mills game or two where they go like 7 for 7 from deep and help them run away with one. So I've got them with 3-4 wins, so it's on a knife's edge.

If the Celtics play their best basketball they should win the series simply because they have more overall talent, but it's gonna be a dogfight the whole way through.

I think with Timelord this is a different series and the C's could take it in 5, but his absence definitely opens a window for Brooklyn given their elite duo.

[Slax]

Hes not taking offense. He literally said hes just giving the same energy back. Watch his interview.

People are def butthurt. Did you see Shaq and Barkely's response?

And you believe him? He's rationalizing. Of course he feels disrespected. Because that's how the fans feel.

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I'm curious why do you think Kyrie left?

Without weighing in on the previous discussion, I think the answer to this particular question is threefold. First, Kyrie didn't really want to be in Boston in the first place, he just preferred Boston as an alternative to Cleveland because he couldn't force a trade to New York or LA. Second, he was resentful when the Celtics continued winning when he was injured. Third, he got into a bunch of personality clashes with multiple teammates and the coach. The 2019 Celtics season was super toxic and resulted in at least three veteran free agents choosing to leave (Kyrie, Horford, Marcus Morris), so he was really just the highest profile casualty of a REALLY bad locker room, only some of which was his fault.

Perhaps he also hated the fans while he was here, who knows. But based on everything we know, those three reasons make the most sense for him leaving.

[Hello Brooklyn]

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.

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Hes not taking offense. He literally said hes just giving the same energy back. Watch his interview.

People are def butthurt. Did you see Shaq and Barkely's response?

Too bad he never gave any energy to winning a championship in Boston. Saying butthurt all of the time is just a lazy way of dismissing things any fan in any city would hate about what Irving did. The management and fans in Boston were onboard with making him the #1 option on a championship level team. If he didn't want that he shouldn't have lied that he wanted to stay.
Feel free to read any posts I had on Irving while he was on the Celtics. There was never a single one saying the Cavs fans were butthurt, nor was there anything defending his bad behavior in Boston. Once he put the cherry on top of the cake by saying he didn't owe anyone "s&*#" I was in favor of getting rid of him for pennies on the dollar to the Clippers. But for some inexplicable reason Ainge kept him long enough to quit against the Bucks in a strangely fitting ending to his time in Boston.

Sour grapes.

Kyrie played out his contract and decided he wanted to play at home.

Yeah you can boo him for it. Just expect the same energy back.

I would probably boo that bum Harden if he was playing at Barclays too.

[Hello Brooklyn]

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?

Celtics fanbase are ones that's giving him that fire to play like that. So you should expect it again in game 2 at the very least

Kyrie can light it up on anyone, he doesn't need to rely on crowd motivation to score a lot. But who knows, maybe it did have something to do with it. It's unlikely that Kyrie will continue to shoot 60% from the floor and 60% from 3 like he did in Game 1. I suppose he could go on a total heater and keep up that pace, but it's unlikely.

I also doubt that KD+Kyrie will likely score much more than 62 points combined on the Celtics defense, so they'll have to find offense somewhere else. The two of them averaged a combined 57 points in the games they played together this season. They did have a few huge games, though so that could happen: 79 points in a W vs. Orlando; 78 points in a L vs. Memphis; and 86 points in a L vs. Atlanta.

Again Kyrie and KD playing well is far better for the Nets than Kyrie going off and KD playing horrible.

We don't need Kyrie to do that again.

If KD/Kyrie were to just put up their regular season averages it would be enough to compete with Boston offensively.

Two major offensive threats would debilitate Boston's defense and open up room for the role players. Last game the Celtics were happy putting KD on and island in single coverage for much of the 4th. He wasn't punishing them for it.

Just need to play competent defense which I thought they did until the last few possessions.

And thats assuming Tatum keeps playing like prime Jordan. If KD doesn't quickly establish himself as the best player in this series I think we have little hope.

[Slax]

I do still feel like, if you want difference makers, KD and Kyrie are on another level to Tatum, Brown and Horford.

The concern I'd have with the Nets is that while Kyrie looked unguardable, do you really want to put your offensive hopes in him making those types of shots all series? Boston's form looked far more repeatable. I'd much rather bet on their shot selection than Brooklyn's.

but heck, Kyrie's done it before so maybe he will all series, he's certainly motivated enough.

This is a pretty weird thing to say two days after Tatum scored 31 points on 67% TS while facing double teams, racked up 8 assists, locked down one of the greatest players of all time, and hit a buzzer beating game winner.

[BleedGreen1989]

Celtics fanbase are ones that's giving him that fire to play like that. So you should expect it again in game 2 at the very least

Kyrie can light it up on anyone, he doesn't need to rely on crowd motivation to score a lot. But who knows, maybe it did have something to do with it. It's unlikely that Kyrie will continue to shoot 60% from the floor and 60% from 3 like he did in Game 1. I suppose he could go on a total heater and keep up that pace, but it's unlikely.

I also doubt that KD+Kyrie will likely score much more than 62 points combined on the Celtics defense, so they'll have to find offense somewhere else. The two of them averaged a combined 57 points in the games they played together this season. They did have a few huge games, though so that could happen: 79 points in a W vs. Orlando; 78 points in a L vs. Memphis; and 86 points in a L vs. Atlanta.

Again Kyrie and KD playing well is far better for the Nets than Kyrie going off and KD playing horrible.

We don't need Kyrie to do that again.

If KD/Kyrie were to just put up their regular season averages it would be enough to compete with Boston offensively.

Two major offensive threats would debilitate Boston's defense and open up room for the role players. Last game the Celtics were happy putting KD on and island in single coverage for much of the 4th. He wasn't punishing them for it.

Just need to play competent defense which I thought they did until the last few possessions.

And thats assuming Tatum keeps playing like prime Jordan. If KD doesn't quickly establish himself as the best player in this series I think we have little hope.

I mean, that's basically Tatum in the playoffs the last few years (not Jordan but what he did in Game 1 obviously). He's that level so I wouldn't expect a noticeable drop off. If anything, he's due for at least one game of looking nuclear himself.

But you are right about Durant. He needs to be the best player in this series for Brooklyn to win it.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Kyrie can light it up on anyone, he doesn't need to rely on crowd motivation to score a lot. But who knows, maybe it did have something to do with it. It's unlikely that Kyrie will continue to shoot 60% from the floor and 60% from 3 like he did in Game 1. I suppose he could go on a total heater and keep up that pace, but it's unlikely.

I also doubt that KD+Kyrie will likely score much more than 62 points combined on the Celtics defense, so they'll have to find offense somewhere else. The two of them averaged a combined 57 points in the games they played together this season. They did have a few huge games, though so that could happen: 79 points in a W vs. Orlando; 78 points in a L vs. Memphis; and 86 points in a L vs. Atlanta.

Again Kyrie and KD playing well is far better for the Nets than Kyrie going off and KD playing horrible.

We don't need Kyrie to do that again.

If KD/Kyrie were to just put up their regular season averages it would be enough to compete with Boston offensively.

Two major offensive threats would debilitate Boston's defense and open up room for the role players. Last game the Celtics were happy putting KD on and island in single coverage for much of the 4th. He wasn't punishing them for it.

Just need to play competent defense which I thought they did until the last few possessions.

And thats assuming Tatum keeps playing like prime Jordan. If KD doesn't quickly establish himself as the best player in this series I think we have little hope.

I mean, that's basically Tatum in the playoffs the last few years (not Jordan but what he did in Game 1 obviously). He's that level so I wouldn't expect a noticeable drop off. If anything, he's due for at least one game of looking nuclear himself.

But you are right about Durant. He needs to be the best player in this series for Brooklyn to win it.

I would expect an off game or two.

We will see. Happens to everyone.

[Pelly24]

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.

Kyrie is probably the most coordinated/fluid athlete I've ever seen. He can catch the ball with basically like no space to gather and stop his momentum, and then rise up perfectly for a layup as if he just walked into it. His ability to stop his momentum, contort his body on the ground and in the air is just amazing. MJ and Kobe are right there pretty much, but no one has better control.

[infinite11285]

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