Celtics Defeat Heat, Advance to NBA Finals! Victory Cigar vs MIA 10/27

[ConstableGeneva]

With a little over 3 minutes remaining, KP fouled out.
So it was back to the old Al as the Center lineup.

White was with the Celtics last season.

The difference is instead of Smart in there in the clutch, it was Jrue.

Miami had success in containing JT and JB in the clutch last season.

That's why Smart was forced to take over because the Jays were stifled.

With 1:29 remaining, Herro made a 3 to cut the Celtic lead to 108-112.

Jrue responded by making a jumper with 1:10 remaining to give the Cs some cushion.

It really feels different now.
Last season the Cs would've lost this game in the clutch.

And who scored 9 pts in the final three minutes of a close game against New York?

Can't deny the impact of having a big like KP for this team. It's not solely the Smart-for-Jrue swap. Cs also don't get a game 7 vs the Sixers if Smart didn't keep them alive in game 6 until Tatum's late-game heroics.

Yeah, no doubt about KP's impact.

But what I'm talking about is the last 3:18 where KP fouled out and the Cs were back to the traditional Celtic lineup of Al at the 5.

The change was Jrue instead of Smart.

Also, Smart's a great player, he's just not consistent and very unpredictable in the clutch.

Smart had his chance when Kyrie left and became a starter from 2019-20 to 2022-23.

Cs came close but no championship in that span.

Jrue is a proven commodity.

Giannis never reached the finals until Jrue became a Milwaukee Buck.

And we wouldn't know if Cs would've won the 2022 Finals if they had Porzingis on the team.

[Fierce1]

And who scored 9 pts in the final three minutes of a close game against New York?

Can't deny the impact of having a big like KP for this team. It's not solely the Smart-for-Jrue swap. Cs also don't get a game 7 vs the Sixers if Smart didn't keep them alive in game 6 until Tatum's late-game heroics.

Yeah, no doubt about KP's impact.

But what I'm talking about is the last 3:18 where KP fouled out and the Cs were back to the traditional Celtic lineup of Al at the 5.

The change was Jrue instead of Smart.

Also, Smart's a great player, he's just not consistent and very unpredictable in the clutch.

Smart had his chance when Kyrie left and became a starter from 2019-20 to 2022-23.

Cs came close but no championship in that span.

Jrue is a proven commodity.

Giannis never reached the finals until Jrue became a Milwaukee Buck.

And we wouldn't know if Cs would've won the 2022 Finals if they had Porzingis on the team.

Last year, around November, some of us here kept saying the Cs needed a big man and having Smart, Brogs, and White was redundant.

Most here disagreed.

It's a good thing Brad realized that and finally got a quality big man in KP.

Regarding not knowing if Cs would've won with KP in 2022, maybe the Cs would've won if it was Jrue instead of Smart.

We will never know, but one thing's for sure, going from Smart to Jrue is an upgrade.

[ConstableGeneva]

Yeah, no doubt about KP's impact.

But what I'm talking about is the last 3:18 where KP fouled out and the Cs were back to the traditional Celtic lineup of Al at the 5.

The change was Jrue instead of Smart.

Also, Smart's a great player, he's just not consistent and very unpredictable in the clutch.

Smart had his chance when Kyrie left and became a starter from 2019-20 to 2022-23.

Cs came close but no championship in that span.

Jrue is a proven commodity.

Giannis never reached the finals until Jrue became a Milwaukee Buck.

And we wouldn't know if Cs would've won the 2022 Finals if they had Porzingis on the team.

Last year, around November, some of us here kept saying the Cs needed a big man and having Smart, Brogs, and White was redundant.

Most here disagreed.

It's a good thing Brad realized that and finally got a quality big man in KP.

Regarding not knowing if Cs would've won with KP in 2022, maybe the Cs would've won if it was Jrue instead of Smart.

We will never know, but one thing's for sure, going from Smart to Jrue is an upgrade.

Yep, but it's not the only upgrade the Celtics made. So the improvement Cs are seeing isn't solely a case of Smart-to-Jrue. The addition of Porzingis is arguably more impactful since he's replacing an offensively-challenged and oft-injured Rob plus supplementing/supplanting an aging Horford. Celtics have never had a two-way big of KP's calibre since KG.

I'm done since I'm getting dizzy with this discussion.

[Tyakack]

Knowing that white is always going to be on the court in crunch time just brings a huge smile to my face. Another perk to smart being gone. Take the decision out of Joe's hands.

[Fierce1]

And we wouldn't know if Cs would've won the 2022 Finals if they had Porzingis on the team.

Last year, around November, some of us here kept saying the Cs needed a big man and having Smart, Brogs, and White was redundant.

Most here disagreed.

It's a good thing Brad realized that and finally got a quality big man in KP.

Regarding not knowing if Cs would've won with KP in 2022, maybe the Cs would've won if it was Jrue instead of Smart.

We will never know, but one thing's for sure, going from Smart to Jrue is an upgrade.

Yep, but it's not the only upgrade the Celtics made. So the improvement Cs are seeing isn't solely a case of Smart-to-Jrue. The addition of Porzingis is arguably more impactful since he's replacing an offensively-challenged and oft-injured Rob plus supplementing/supplanting an aging Horford. Celtics have never had a two-way big of KP's calibre since KG.

I'm done since I'm getting dizzy with this discussion.

Like I said with 3:18 remaining in the 4th, KP fouled out.

So we were able to see what the Cs could do when it was back to Al, JT, JB, White, and Jrue instead of Smart.

[Fierce1]

Knowing that white is always going to be on the court in crunch time just brings a huge smile to my face. Another perk to smart being gone. Take the decision out of Joe's hands.

Yes, if the Cs didn't trade Smart for KP and only traded Brogs for Jrue, the closing lineup would be Al, JT, JB, Jrue, and Smart.

White would be on the bench.

[BrianFitz]

I actually felt much better about the outcome when Porzingis fouled out. Bam was absolutely eating him alive.

[Hal14]

Nice job, Oshae!

Read on Twitter

[Homerclease]

https://x.com/jaredweissnba/status/1718103355614986457?s=46&t=2r3K1qCL2UmIu9zb8OVdDw

[sam_I_am]

Last year, around November, some of us here kept saying the Cs needed a big man and having Smart, Brogs, and White was redundant.

Most here disagreed.

It's a good thing Brad realized that and finally got a quality big man in KP.

Regarding not knowing if Cs would've won with KP in 2022, maybe the Cs would've won if it was Jrue instead of Smart.

We will never know, but one thing's for sure, going from Smart to Jrue is an upgrade.

Yep, but it's not the only upgrade the Celtics made. So the improvement Cs are seeing isn't solely a case of Smart-to-Jrue. The addition of Porzingis is arguably more impactful since he's replacing an offensively-challenged and oft-injured Rob plus supplementing/supplanting an aging Horford. Celtics have never had a two-way big of KP's calibre since KG.

I'm done since I'm getting dizzy with this discussion.

Like I said with 3:18 remaining in the 4th, KP fouled out.

So we were able to see what the Cs could do when it was back to Al, JT, JB, White, and Jrue instead of Smart.

Last night was a sobering game to me regarding KP. He was the only Celtic with a net negative (-12). Bam had his way with him and exposed some of his short comings.

[Fierce1]

Yep, but it's not the only upgrade the Celtics made. So the improvement Cs are seeing isn't solely a case of Smart-to-Jrue. The addition of Porzingis is arguably more impactful since he's replacing an offensively-challenged and oft-injured Rob plus supplementing/supplanting an aging Horford. Celtics have never had a two-way big of KP's calibre since KG.

I'm done since I'm getting dizzy with this discussion.

Like I said with 3:18 remaining in the 4th, KP fouled out.

So we were able to see what the Cs could do when it was back to Al, JT, JB, White, and Jrue instead of Smart.

Last night was a sobering game to me regarding KP. He was the only Celtic with a net negative (-12). Bam had his way with him and exposed some of his short comings.

True!

Bam was too fast for KP.

Al still the best option to guard Bam.

Hopefully Brad can get a good 3rd big man.

[Larry_Russell]

Not loving our bench right now.

Can really use someone (s) to step up.

[Red2]

I’d rather see Lamar Stevens on the court than Hauser. Hauser isn’t making a difference. At least stevens brings energy and defense

[Red2]

We missed Grant last night and his ability to body up on bigger guys.

[Red2]

Hauser has had plenty of chances in pre season and 1st two games and he’s not giving us anything

[Fierce1]

Hauser has had plenty of chances in pre season and 1st two games and he’s not giving us anything

If Hauser continues to be ineffective then that will open the door for Svi or Lamar.

[CelticsPride18]

We missed Grant last night and his ability to body up on bigger guys.

To guard who. Bam looked like a bitch when his flopping didn’t worked

[Homerclease]

Not loving our bench right now.

Can really use someone (s) to step up.

I thought Brissett stepped up fine last night. Horford couldn’t shoot it but his defense was really good. Hauser and PP shot a combined 2/3. What more do you want?

[CelticsPride18]

Hauser was good last night. Good defense and made a three. PP was getting hunted

[Homerclease]

Let’s say for the sake of discussion that Horford started last night and White came off the bench. Is the discussion about the bench being an issue different today?

PP and Hauser’s job is to be in the right spots at the right times and present themselves as a threat to space the court. Thus making it easier for our better players to drive to the basket. As long as they are semi passable on defense then there’s no issue here. I applaud Joe for making the change already to Brissett from Kornet who doesn’t do anything at an NBA level at this juncture