What would it take for the 2024 Celtics to be in all time team discussions?

[LewisnotMiller]

Assuming a win this year (which I wouldn't), it would take them rolling through and winning next year, imho.

They are in no way near that rarified air yet.

This is the reality for me. The gold standard is continuing to beat all comers after they have there target locked on you. No shade at what the Celtics are doing, no prediction they can't possibly repeat, but they'll need to do more after this season to get into the rare air.

Right there with you.
I still remember people predicting Denver was going to gallop through this season after last year's finals.

[giordunk]

Probably be equivalent to when the Spurs won their first championship in 1999.

Of all the all-time teams they remind me of the 2014 Spurs in the whole team basketball aspect. the sum is greater than its parts, except all the parts are super good as well.

[LewisnotMiller]

Probably be equivalent to when the Spurs won their first championship in 1999.

Of all the all-time teams they remind me of the 2014 Spurs in the whole team basketball aspect. the sum is greater than its parts, except all the parts are super good as well.

I'd be happy if they played stupid iso ball, crappy defence, or whatever, as long as they won.
But man is it a joy to watch my team play actual team basketball, defence, etc, AND win. An absolute joy, which I'm not taking for granted. So many times in this run I've looked at them and just though 'Holy crap, I'm watching a real Celtics team'

Those Spurs teams were much the same...it was an ingrained approach to the game.

[homecourtloss]

Probably be equivalent to when the Spurs won their first championship in 1999.

Of all the all-time teams they remind me of the 2014 Spurs in the whole team basketball aspect. the sum is greater than its parts, except all the parts are super good as well.

I'd be happy if they played stupid iso ball, crappy defence, or whatever, as long as they won.
But man is it a joy to watch my team play actual team basketball, defence, etc, AND win. An absolute joy, which I'm not taking for granted. So many times in this run I've looked at them and just though 'Holy crap, I'm watching a real Celtics team'

Those Spurs teams were much the same...it was an ingrained approach to the game.

Out of all playoffs teams, the Celtics have the 2nd highest % of their plays in ISO these playoffs and the highest % of any team that made it past the first round; during the regular season, they had the 4th highest % of their plays be in ISO. The Celtics play plenty of ISO and are generally good at it.

Also, not sure which team has ever played “crappy defence” and still won in the playoffs other than perhaps the 2018 Cavs (29th in DRtg) though even they were top 8 in defense before the Finals.

[LewisnotMiller]

Probably be equivalent to when the Spurs won their first championship in 1999.

Of all the all-time teams they remind me of the 2014 Spurs in the whole team basketball aspect. the sum is greater than its parts, except all the parts are super good as well.

I'd be happy if they played stupid iso ball, crappy defence, or whatever, as long as they won.
But man is it a joy to watch my team play actual team basketball, defence, etc, AND win. An absolute joy, which I'm not taking for granted. So many times in this run I've looked at them and just though 'Holy crap, I'm watching a real Celtics team'

Those Spurs teams were much the same...it was an ingrained approach to the game.

Out of all playoffs teams, the Celtics have the 2nd highest % of their plays in ISO these playoffs and the highest % of any team that made it past the first round; during the regular season, they had the 4th highest % of their plays be in ISO. The Celtics play plenty of ISO and are generally good at it.

Also, not sure which team has ever played “crappy defence” and still won in the playoffs other than perhaps the 2018 Cavs (29th in DRtg) though even they were top 8 in defense before the Finals.

You may be missing the point in my post.

[itsxtray]

The Celtics do iso a lot but it's not the one man pound pound pound iso. They set guard/guard screens to get the matchups they want and exploit teams switching to get Porzings on smalls. They also drive and kick and swing out of their iso's, It's iso but different than we've really seen it before.

[homecourtloss]

I'd be happy if they played stupid iso ball, crappy defence, or whatever, as long as they won.
But man is it a joy to watch my team play actual team basketball, defence, etc, AND win. An absolute joy, which I'm not taking for granted. So many times in this run I've looked at them and just though 'Holy crap, I'm watching a real Celtics team'

Those Spurs teams were much the same...it was an ingrained approach to the game.

Out of all playoffs teams, the Celtics have the 2nd highest % of their plays in ISO these playoffs and the highest % of any team that made it past the first round; during the regular season, they had the 4th highest % of their plays be in ISO. The Celtics play plenty of ISO and are generally good at it.

Also, not sure which team has ever played “crappy defence” and still won in the playoffs other than perhaps the 2018 Cavs (29th in DRtg) though even they were top 8 in defense before the Finals.

You may be missing the point in my post.

I’m not missing anything. I think you don’t understand the team that you root for.

[PistolPeteJR]

They really missed KP’s size tonight. I thought that would have been super obvious last game but Doncic and Kyrie only decided to play some semblance of defense tonight which really limited the transition game for the Celtics and resulted in more set defenses for the Mavs, which also meant a lot more Mavs bigs in the right spots for rebounds.

That said, the Celtics also came out quite flat, not to take anything away from the Mavs best game by far as a collective this Finals.

[SinceGatlingWasARookie]

Repeat in 2025 and beat avery good team in the 2025 playoffs.

To be great you need to beat a great team. Celtics were the only great team in the 2024 playoffs. Nuggets were the only other team we might have believed was great but the Nuggets had to reach the finals.

[LewisnotMiller]

Out of all playoffs teams, the Celtics have the 2nd highest % of their plays in ISO these playoffs and the highest % of any team that made it past the first round; during the regular season, they had the 4th highest % of their plays be in ISO. The Celtics play plenty of ISO and are generally good at it.

Also, not sure which team has ever played “crappy defence” and still won in the playoffs other than perhaps the 2018 Cavs (29th in DRtg) though even they were top 8 in defense before the Finals.

You may be missing the point in my post.

I’m not missing anything. I think you don’t understand the team that you wrote for.

Again, you're missing the point. It wasn't a post trying to analyze the Celtics. I was simply making the point that regardless of playstyle I would be happy if we won.
However, with the togetherness of the team, the defensive identity, and the willingness to share the ball, it's all the more joyful watching them.

I also said (in other posts) I would in no way place them in an all time discussion.

[LewisnotMiller]

They really missed KP’s size tonight. I thought that would have been super obvious last game but Doncic and Kyrie only decided to play some semblance of defense tonight which really limited the transition game for the Celtics and resulted in more set defenses for the Mavs, which also meant a lot more Mavs bigs in the right spots for rebounds.

That said, the Celtics also came out quite flat, not to take anything away from the Mavs best game by far as a collective this Finals.

Agree with your points, but I'd add that Dallas did a much better job of having their bigs near the basket at both ends of the floor. There were plenty of occasions where Dallas bigs had mismatches trying to box them off the offensive glass, and Dallas help defence in the paint was much better organised in this one (as well as forcing more half court offence on the C's, as you said).
If I'm coaching the Celts, I'm not worried about the effort stuff, really. But that organizational stuff needs to be addressed, if we are going to avoid the same pitfalls next game.

[PistolPeteJR]

They really missed KP’s size tonight. I thought that would have been super obvious last game but Doncic and Kyrie only decided to play some semblance of defense tonight which really limited the transition game for the Celtics and resulted in more set defenses for the Mavs, which also meant a lot more Mavs bigs in the right spots for rebounds.

That said, the Celtics also came out quite flat, not to take anything away from the Mavs best game by far as a collective this Finals.

Agree with your points, but I'd add that Dallas did a much better job of having their bigs near the basket at both ends of the floor. There were plenty of occasions where Dallas bigs had mismatches trying to box them off the offensive glass, and Dallas help defence in the paint was much better organised in this one (as well as forcing more half court offence on the C's, as you said).
If I'm coaching the Celts, I'm not worried about the effort stuff, really. But that organizational stuff needs to be addressed, if we are going to avoid the same pitfalls next game.

You’re right, but I’m saying they were able to set that defense a lot better because of way less transition opportunities tonight for the Celtics.

[DorianRo]

pfftt not even ranked.. both of these teams in the finals would struggle to win more than a game against the majority of title winners in the 90's and 00's talk about a decline in the game LOL tatum would be a complete non factor . he would be locked down so easy. These teams are probably 2nd round exits at best years ago

[homecourtloss]

pfftt not even ranked.. both of these teams in the finals would struggle to win more than a game against the majority of title winners in the 90's and 00's talk about a decline in the game LOL tatum would be a complete non factor . he would be locked down so easy. These teams are probably 2nd round exits at best years ago

This has to be a meme account.

[DorianRo]

pfftt not even ranked.. both of these teams in the finals would struggle to win more than a game against the majority of title winners in the 90's and 00's talk about a decline in the game LOL tatum would be a complete non factor . he would be locked down so easy. These teams are probably 2nd round exits at best years ago

This has to be a meme account.

Huh?? You think This Celtics team is beating MJ's Bulls? Or Kobe/Shaq Lakers/ or the 2002 Kings or Blazers or Pop's Spurs? THey just got blown by 40 by a two man team.. One player who is fat and slow and can't defend

[LewisnotMiller]

They really missed KP’s size tonight. I thought that would have been super obvious last game but Doncic and Kyrie only decided to play some semblance of defense tonight which really limited the transition game for the Celtics and resulted in more set defenses for the Mavs, which also meant a lot more Mavs bigs in the right spots for rebounds.

That said, the Celtics also came out quite flat, not to take anything away from the Mavs best game by far as a collective this Finals.

Agree with your points, but I'd add that Dallas did a much better job of having their bigs near the basket at both ends of the floor. There were plenty of occasions where Dallas bigs had mismatches trying to box them off the offensive glass, and Dallas help defence in the paint was much better organised in this one (as well as forcing more half court offence on the C's, as you said).
If I'm coaching the Celts, I'm not worried about the effort stuff, really. But that organizational stuff needs to be addressed, if we are going to avoid the same pitfalls next game.

You’re right, but I’m saying they were able to set that defense a lot better because of way less transition opportunities tonight for the Celtics.

Yup, agree.