ECSF: P1 | (2) Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers (3) | BOS 1-0

[infinite11285]

Rooting for the Celtics. It sucks Brown is injured, and all of the other C's for that matter.

[Triple M]

Simmons strength is going be an issue to address. He might not be as explosive as LeBron but it is scary that a 20-21 year old is that strong. Thus i expect to see some Semi on Simmons match ups through out the series because he is the Celtics best chance at limiting Simmons. Another area to watch Simmons is when he catches the first outlet pass or when he outlet passes himself because the Sixers are the best transition team in the playoffs largely because how good Simmons is reading the court. Just look at how often he gets an outlet pass and turns it into points or a good look, so the Celtics are in a bit of a dilemma. The Celtics will probably give up the offensive glass to prevent transition points but in doing so the Sixers can still attack via out let passes.

Another think that i feel should be mentioned is the Sixers took a lot of long contested shots and the Celtics weren't immune to that vs. the Bucks but it seemed the Celtics were in desperation at the end of clock situations while the Sixers took a lot of those shots early in the clock. I feel like both teams need to reduce those outcomes and the Sixers in particular should want to balance out those transition 3s with half court sets through Embiid.

So while the Sixers have more top end talent in this series i think both teams youth and the variance in how discipline or focus a young team can be can produce a longer series then most expect. With that being said i still feel that tonight is a must win for the Celtics especially if the Sixers come out more rusty than rested.

[Madhouse]

What’s #37 going to do??

Read on Twitter

Video would be fine if Simmons wasn’t built like a ox himself. Simmons likely stronger, much better ball handler, and better court vision/teammates. Simmons is playing at a higher level with more confidence in his skill set right now than the Bucks team.

Stronger than the old Giannis current one? no

Giannis has more reach and is taller and can take longer steps but Simmons is probably indeed stronger. he can really bully people

[Sixerscan]

Miami has no one like Celtics players #36 and #37.

What’s the distance in talent between Smart and Josh Richardson? Richardson showed a lot of effort and skill on the defensive end. Then I’m assuming Boston will use Morris in the same way as James Johnson to be in Simmons face defense. Not sure what number 37 is suppose to do.

What’s #37 going to do??

Read on Twitter

If Simmons tries something like this instead of running the offense Brown needs to immediately call time out and regroup. A quick move to a pass or shot is one thing but this is just dumb/reflects a lack of movement from the rest of the Bucks.

Bucks desperately need a real coach. If they get Budenholzer I could see them winning 50+ next year.

[hookshot199]

I cannot wait till tonight. Will see how much defensive effort Boston has to exert and whether that sucks rinse energy on the offensive end.

I don’t think Boston should be tired even after 7 game series. Cause they played at home Saturday and back at home tonight. Sixers May be rusty. Embiid doesn’t play well if he’s off more than 3 rest days.

The Sixers need to keep Horford, Tatum and Rozier (and Morris off the bench) off the three-point line and pack it in for everybody else. Don't put Embiid on Horford. Put him on Baynes, Monroe and/or Ojeleye - which means he can play a one-man zone.

When Brown comes back (assuming he doesn't play tonight) they'll have to mix things up a bit. The Celtics can't win the series if we deny them open looks from the three-part line. And Horford, Brown and Tatum are not super-quick (Rozier is, but he's short), so there's no reason we shouldn't be able to defend the line much better than the Bucks.

Postseason 3-point average: Rozier (.382), Horford (.432), Brown (.378), Morris (.455) and Tatum (.308). Tatum, though down in the playoffs, shot at an impressive .434 clip during the season.

Thirty percent of Celtics playoff points were 3-balls.

[Raps in 4]

How do you know? Hayward played 5 minutes so far could have stunted the growth for Brown and Tatum. Kyrie is a big loss not denying that. 76ers won 19 of their last 20 games by an average of 14 points.

How do I know? Hayward was a 4.0 VORP, 10.4 WS, 3.06 RPM player last year.

Tatum and Brown haven't come anywhere close to that level of production.

Hayard + Irving are better than Simmons + Embiid. Boston supporting cast is better than Philly supporting cast. Could Simmons and Embiid overtake Hayward and Irving in the future? Sure. I even expect them to. But they're not better right now.

Based on? RPM? VORP? WS? Or all 3 since you cited those stats to explain why GH is good?

If RPM, then:

Embiid (4.78) > Simmons (3.2)> Hayward > Irving (2.5)

Tyus Jones must be playing like an All Star with his 4.77 rpm

For VORP, Simmons has 4.6, Irving has 4.0, and Embiid 2.2. Embiid must be hot garbage.

Embiid and Simmons are propped up by DRPM. Not one of Embiid, Simmons, or Covington has an ORPM over 1.50.

Irving and Hayward are much more productive offensive players. No one on Philly has the scoring power of those two. They also play on the best defensive team in the league, which can cover for any individual defensive shortcomings.

[FlatearthZorro]

Video would be fine if Simmons wasn’t built like a ox himself. Simmons likely stronger, much better ball handler, and better court vision/teammates. Simmons is playing at a higher level with more confidence in his skill set right now than the Bucks team.

Stronger than the old Giannis current one? no

Even if not visually appearing as strong he’s still more capable using his size inside. Simmons has the tools to be a serious issue for the Celtics and is a better player since last meeting and upgraded roster.

I would have to disagree that his stronger or more capable of using his size. Simmons could be the next LeBron but Giannis is much closer. As he shoots better, he's longer, taller, more physical. In the previous series a few of his dunks looked like he wont reach the rim, but he did. That being said Simmons is a year and a half younger.

[kuclas]

I cannot wait till tonight. Will see how much defensive effort Boston has to exert and whether that sucks rinse energy on the offensive end.

I don’t think Boston should be tired even after 7 game series. Cause they played at home Saturday and back at home tonight. Sixers May be rusty. Embiid doesn’t play well if he’s off more than 3 rest days.

The Sixers need to keep Horford, Tatum and Rozier (and Morris off the bench) off the three-point line and pack it in for everybody else. Don't put Embiid on Horford. Put him on Baynes, Monroe and/or Ojeleye - which means he can play a one-man zone.

When Brown comes back (assuming he doesn't play tonight) they'll have to mix things up a bit. The Celtics can't win the series if we deny them open looks from the three-part line. And Horford, Brown and Tatum are not super-quick (Rozier is, but he's short), so there's no reason we shouldn't be able to defend the line much better than the Bucks.

Postseason 3-point average: Rozier (.382), Horford (.432), Brown (.378), Morris (.455) and Tatum (.308). Tatum, though down in the playoffs, shot at an impressive .434 clip during the season.

Thirty percent of Celtics playoff points were 3-balls.

Horford is gonna to knock down the 3s. Sixers have to live with that. Remember sixers Celtics January 2017 game where embiid had that monster dunk but Celtics sealed the game with embiid getting caught in no man lane and leaving Horford (I think) open for the 3 late in the game.

The key is to punish Celtics on the other end. Embiid has to not get fancy and settle for jump shots. He’s gotta attack and get Horford in foul trouble. That’s how u punish teams that like to space the floor and move embiid away from the paint. Punish them on the other end.

[phifans]

Stronger than the old Giannis current one? no

Even if not visually appearing as strong he’s still more capable using his size inside. Simmons has the tools to be a serious issue for the Celtics and is a better player since last meeting and upgraded roster.

I would have to disagree that his stronger or more capable of using his size. Simmons could be the next LeBron but Giannis is much closer. As he shoots better, he's longer, taller, more physical. In the previous series a few of his dunks looked like he wont reach the rim, but he did. That being said Simmons is a year and a half younger.

They dont have to be the next LeBron.

Plus Giannis and Ben are totally two different players.

Ben is a pure facilitator who can do everything else great (except shooting ) as well.

Giannis is a beast and also do everything great but he will never reach the level of Simmons as a facilitator.

[GeorgeMarcus]

Stronger than the old Giannis current one? no

Even if not visually appearing as strong he’s still more capable using his size inside. Simmons has the tools to be a serious issue for the Celtics and is a better player since last meeting and upgraded roster.

I would have to disagree that his stronger or more capable of using his size. Simmons could be the next LeBron but Giannis is much closer. As he shoots better, he's longer, taller, more physical. In the previous series a few of his dunks looked like he wont reach the rim, but he did. That being said Simmons is a year and a half younger.

Not to nitpick but I doubt Giannis is more physical than Simmons.

[FlatearthZorro]

Even if not visually appearing as strong he’s still more capable using his size inside. Simmons has the tools to be a serious issue for the Celtics and is a better player since last meeting and upgraded roster.

I would have to disagree that his stronger or more capable of using his size. Simmons could be the next LeBron but Giannis is much closer. As he shoots better, he's longer, taller, more physical. In the previous series a few of his dunks looked like he wont reach the rim, but he did. That being said Simmons is a year and a half younger.

They dont have to be the next LeBron.

Plus Giannis and Ben are totally two different players.

Ben is a pure facilitator who can do everything else great (except shooting ) as well.

Giannis is a beast and also do everything great but he will never reach the level of Simmons as a facilitator.

Guess so. Who knows we will see. But I do feel like Giannis uses his length pretty well as well as his physicality.

[dukes_wild]

Why do people keep saying Semi Ojeleye is a good defender?

[Madhouse]

Why do people keep saying Semi Ojeleye is a good defender?

Because he is thick

[dukes_wild]

Why do people keep saying Semi Ojeleye is a good defender?

Because he is thick

And that thickness, while can be used effectively, is also one of his biggest downfalls defensively.

[Triple M]

Why do people keep saying Semi Ojeleye is a good defender?

what are you criticizing about his defense exactly???

Watch on YouTube

just 1 play vs. Antetokounpo but you can't ask for more

Watch on YouTube

vs. a variety of defenders

Watch on YouTube

more examples

Watch on YouTube

one more example

from watching him over the year there isn't much to criticize him for on defense he passes my eye test and is solid defender at wirst.

[Arsenal]

How do I know? Hayward was a 4.0 VORP, 10.4 WS, 3.06 RPM player last year.

Tatum and Brown haven't come anywhere close to that level of production.

Hayard + Irving are better than Simmons + Embiid. Boston supporting cast is better than Philly supporting cast. Could Simmons and Embiid overtake Hayward and Irving in the future? Sure. I even expect them to. But they're not better right now.

Based on? RPM? VORP? WS? Or all 3 since you cited those stats to explain why GH is good?

If RPM, then:

Embiid (4.78) > Simmons (3.2)> Hayward > Irving (2.5)

Tyus Jones must be playing like an All Star with his 4.77 rpm

For VORP, Simmons has 4.6, Irving has 4.0, and Embiid 2.2. Embiid must be hot garbage.

Embiid and Simmons are propped up by DRPM. Not one of Embiid, Simmons, or Covington has an ORPM over 1.50.

Irving and Hayward are much more productive offensive players. No one on Philly has the scoring power of those two. They also play on the best defensive team in the league, which can cover for any individual defensive shortcomings.

We were talking about who are the better players, not who are the better players on offense only. So these points are totally irrelevant to the discussion.

By RPM and RAPM, the 2 best advanced stats to show individual impact, Embiid and Simmons are both better than Kyrie and Hayward. In fact Horford is the Celtics best player by RPM and RAPM. So they're missing 2 out of their 3 best players, not their best 2 players.

[Arsenal]

That's great that Semi Ojeleye and Aron Baynes are going to come in and slow down Simmons and Embiid. The problem is that with those 2 guys on the floor, the Celtics will be lucky to maintain a 90 O-Rating. It's like playing 3 on 5 as those two are virtual zeros on the offensive end.

PG Rozier
SG Tatum
SF Ojeleye
PF Horford
CE Baynes

This is a lineup that strikes fear into exactly no one.

[Triple M]

Even if not visually appearing as strong he’s still more capable using his size inside. Simmons has the tools to be a serious issue for the Celtics and is a better player since last meeting and upgraded roster.

I would have to disagree that his stronger or more capable of using his size. Simmons could be the next LeBron but Giannis is much closer. As he shoots better, he's longer, taller, more physical. In the previous series a few of his dunks looked like he wont reach the rim, but he did. That being said Simmons is a year and a half younger.

Not to nitpick but I doubt Giannis is more physical than Simmons.

Simmons seems freakishly strong for his age. Antetokounpo is also strong but i think players would have a better shot of pushing Antetokounpo off his spot than Ben. if we are comparing the two player further i think people assume Ante is stronger because he is a better finisher but that has more to do with athleticism and touch than just strength.

[notagenius]

what's brown's status?

other than embiid, i actually like how boston matches up. Sixers in 5 if brown is out, celts in 6 if not.

[Arsenal]

what's brown's status?

other than embiid, i actually like how boston matches up. Sixers in 5 if brown is out, celts in 6 if not.

It's my understanding Brown is doubtful for tonight. I would assume they'll hold him out because there are 3 days until game 2 on Thursday. Much more likely to see him back then, especially if the Celtics lose game 1. I bet if they win game 1 they hold him out of game 2 also.