PLAYOFFS, 2nd RND, GM #1 – Celtics @ Bucks – 1:00PM, Sun, 04-28-19

[bucknersrevenge]

Basically Celtics and Bucks fans have to be rooting for the Nuggets to win game 6 in their series so that this series can start (since it seems likely that both GSW & Houston wrap up their series in the next game).

Think we'd prefer a later start because of Smarf's potential return?

Curious if most here think getting Smart back, or having them miss Brogdon, is more important to our success against them. In other words, would you rather have them both back, or neither.

This is a sneaky GREAT question. I actually had to think about this for a minute or two. I think, given the choice I'd rather not have either of them back. Not because I think Brogdon is better per se, but because as I've stated previously, I just don't believe in Milwaukee's backcourt without Brogdon. I think the rest of those guys are mediocre at best who get a HUGE bump from having Giannis around. Whereas Brogdon seems to find a way to hit clutch shots against us whenever we play them. He's a solid defender and he doesn't make many mistakes. He'd be good on any team and it kinda cheeses me off a little that we traded the 2nd round pick that netted him. You're welcome Milwaukee.

As for us, I'd love to have a a defensive maven like Smart to play against a team that wants to put you in rotation like the Bucks do but unlike last year, we have more size and more overall talent than the Bucks. We're not gonna shut Giannis down by any stretch. But we can certainly make him guard at the other end. We have a ****ton of wings to throw at him defensively and with Kyrie, Jaylen, Terry, and Gordon we still have a monster edge there. Their backcourt defends by funneling ballhandlers to the paint to Lopez and Giannis to block shots and ignite the transition game for dunks and 3's. We don't score in the paint. Our bigs shoot jumpshots. Their biggest strengths are practically negated by the way we run our offense.

And lastly, in a close game, and the Bucks have not seen many of those for a while now (certainly none that have mattered), there are 3 players on that team you need to watch out for: Giannis, Middleton, and Brogdon. That's it. Taking away one of those pieces helps us.

[thelarrybirdx]

You won 60 **** games. 60. Stop putting yourselves on the same level as the 07 Pats or the 73 win Warriors.

I mean, they beat the opposing teams by double digits in literally half of their games. Pretty sure that was good for 2nd best in league history behind the 86 Lakers. I'm not saying they're as good as that team or the teams you mentioned, but I'm pretty sure in terms of advanced statistics, they've been historic.

The Patriots and Warriors in those respective years were literally the best regular seasons in their sport ever. It was a humongous upset that they lost in the finals. It literally shook the sport. Thats historic

Conversely, if the Bucks dont even make the finals it wont cause much more than a minor tremor. Thats not historic.

Yeah, it's all opinionated. I can definitely understand where you're coming from.

[FlatearthZorro]

Giannis actually travels and pushes off a LOT. I'm not even sure who travels more him or Harden. That's debatable. If you tell me that he doesn't travel on post ups, euro-step(s), etc...

I think he certainly gets away with a lot, as just about every NBA player and certainly stars do. Personally think comparing him to the egregiousness of what goes on with Harden is a little much but I can understand where the feelings stem from. Think the idea that Giannis is some drastically different player if he's ref'd a little closer is silly though, which again is the main point. Of course you can point out many things refs missed in games but it can easily be done with just about any star in the NBA. ****, Kyrie (and Giannis and just about every player) could be called for a carrying violation virtually every time they dribble the basketball.

That was more IT's thing, Irving doesn't use it as much. But I do agree that stars do get away with alot and the NBA is trying to produce a product that makes them a lots of money, so players who are liked, play hard and have a star-ish personality do get different treatment.

[watsonthedragon]

Think we'd prefer a later start because of Smarf's potential return?

Curious if most here think getting Smart back, or having them miss Brogdon, is more important to our success against them. In other words, would you rather have them both back, or neither.

This is a sneaky GREAT question. I actually had to think about this for a minute or two. I think, given the choice I'd rather not have either of them back. Not because I think Brogdon is better per se, but because as I've stated previously, I just don't believe in Milwaukee's backcourt without Brogdon. I think the rest of those guys are mediocre at best who get a HUGE bump from having Giannis around. Whereas Brogdon seems to find a way to hit clutch shots against us whenever we play them. He's a solid defender and he doesn't make many mistakes. He'd be good on any team and it kinda cheeses me off a little that we traded the 2nd round pick that netted him. You're welcome Milwaukee.

As for us, I'd love to have a a defensive maven like Smart to play against a team that wants to put you in rotation like the Bucks do but unlike last year, we have more size and more overall talent than the Bucks. We're not gonna shut Giannis down by any stretch. But we can certainly make him guard at the other end. We have a ****ton of wings to throw at him defensively and with Kyrie, Jaylen, Terry, and Gordon we still have a monster edge there. Their backcourt defends by funneling ballhandlers to the paint to Lopez and Giannis to block shots and ignite the transition game for dunks and 3's. We don't score in the paint. Our bigs shoot jumpshots. Their biggest strengths are practically negated by the way we run our offense.

And lastly, in a close game, and the Bucks have not seen many of those for a while now (certainly none that have mattered), there are 3 players on that team you need to watch out for: Giannis, Middleton, and Brogdon. That's it. Taking away one of those pieces helps us.

This matches my thinking as well. Basically, even if Smart was more important to our team than Brogdon is to theirs, we have more depth to cover the loss than they do.

Also, your last point is huge. It feels like Brogdon and/or Middleton hits a huge shot EVERY TIME we play them. With GAs lack of an outside shot, they basically have one guy that we need to account for on the perimeter at the end of close games. I also think, with the way Brown has been playing, and his length, he can sufficiently replace Smarts D (in this match-up). I fully anticipate him to do a good to great job on Middleton (and we NEED him to if we want to have any chance).

[SmartWentCrazy]

If the Celtics win the series, I may get banned for the amount of bumps of dismissive posts I’m gunna do on the GB.

[celticfan42487]

Curious if most here think getting Smart back, or having them miss Brogdon, is more important to our success against them. In other words, would you rather have them both back, or neither.

This is a sneaky GREAT question. I actually had to think about this for a minute or two. I think, given the choice I'd rather not have either of them back. Not because I think Brogdon is better per se, but because as I've stated previously, I just don't believe in Milwaukee's backcourt without Brogdon. I think the rest of those guys are mediocre at best who get a HUGE bump from having Giannis around. Whereas Brogdon seems to find a way to hit clutch shots against us whenever we play them. He's a solid defender and he doesn't make many mistakes. He'd be good on any team and it kinda cheeses me off a little that we traded the 2nd round pick that netted him. You're welcome Milwaukee.

As for us, I'd love to have a a defensive maven like Smart to play against a team that wants to put you in rotation like the Bucks do but unlike last year, we have more size and more overall talent than the Bucks. We're not gonna shut Giannis down by any stretch. But we can certainly make him guard at the other end. We have a ****ton of wings to throw at him defensively and with Kyrie, Jaylen, Terry, and Gordon we still have a monster edge there. Their backcourt defends by funneling ballhandlers to the paint to Lopez and Giannis to block shots and ignite the transition game for dunks and 3's. We don't score in the paint. Our bigs shoot jumpshots. Their biggest strengths are practically negated by the way we run our offense.

And lastly, in a close game, and the Bucks have not seen many of those for a while now (certainly none that have mattered), there are 3 players on that team you need to watch out for: Giannis, Middleton, and Brogdon. That's it. Taking away one of those pieces helps us.

This matches my thinking as well. Basically, even if Smart was more important to our team than Brogdon is to theirs, we have more depth to cover the loss than they do.

Also, your last point is huge. It feels like Brogdon and/or Middleton hits a huge shot EVERY TIME we play them. With GAs lack of an outside shot, they basically have one guy that we need to account for on the perimeter at the end of close games. I also think, with the way Brown has been playing, and his length, he can sufficiently replace Smarts D (in this match-up). I fully anticipate him to do a good to great job on Middleton (and we NEED him to if we want to have any chance).

I think you're both DRAMATICALLY underrating Brogdon.

Do you realize he's one of what 8 players ever in NBA history to have a 50%fg 40% 3 90% FT season?

Ray Allen never did it. Glen Robinson never did it.

The only players that have done it are: Bird, Durant, Curry, Price, Dirk, Nash, Miller

All who are among the best shooters to ever play the game. That's a huge freaking asset for any team, let alone one that has the current version of Shaq on it in Greek Freak.

Obviously the MVP is the MVP so they still steamroll non championship level teams, but when you lose a shooter of that skill it hurts your offensive ceiling massively. We would have much much much much easier time beating them if Smart and Brodgon were both out as opposed to having both players on the team.

That said realistically Brod will come back in this series at some point and Smart won't so the discussion is merely academic.

[bucknersrevenge]

This is a sneaky GREAT question. I actually had to think about this for a minute or two. I think, given the choice I'd rather not have either of them back. Not because I think Brogdon is better per se, but because as I've stated previously, I just don't believe in Milwaukee's backcourt without Brogdon. I think the rest of those guys are mediocre at best who get a HUGE bump from having Giannis around. Whereas Brogdon seems to find a way to hit clutch shots against us whenever we play them. He's a solid defender and he doesn't make many mistakes. He'd be good on any team and it kinda cheeses me off a little that we traded the 2nd round pick that netted him. You're welcome Milwaukee.

As for us, I'd love to have a a defensive maven like Smart to play against a team that wants to put you in rotation like the Bucks do but unlike last year, we have more size and more overall talent than the Bucks. We're not gonna shut Giannis down by any stretch. But we can certainly make him guard at the other end. We have a ****ton of wings to throw at him defensively and with Kyrie, Jaylen, Terry, and Gordon we still have a monster edge there. Their backcourt defends by funneling ballhandlers to the paint to Lopez and Giannis to block shots and ignite the transition game for dunks and 3's. We don't score in the paint. Our bigs shoot jumpshots. Their biggest strengths are practically negated by the way we run our offense.

And lastly, in a close game, and the Bucks have not seen many of those for a while now (certainly none that have mattered), there are 3 players on that team you need to watch out for: Giannis, Middleton, and Brogdon. That's it. Taking away one of those pieces helps us.

This matches my thinking as well. Basically, even if Smart was more important to our team than Brogdon is to theirs, we have more depth to cover the loss than they do.

Also, your last point is huge. It feels like Brogdon and/or Middleton hits a huge shot EVERY TIME we play them. With GAs lack of an outside shot, they basically have one guy that we need to account for on the perimeter at the end of close games. I also think, with the way Brown has been playing, and his length, he can sufficiently replace Smarts D (in this match-up). I fully anticipate him to do a good to great job on Middleton (and we NEED him to if we want to have any chance).

I think you're both DRAMATICALLY underrating Brogdon.

Do you realize he's one of what 8 players ever in NBA history to have a 50%fg 40% 3 90% FT season?

Ray Allen never did it. Glen Robinson never did it.

The only players that have done it are: Bird, Durant, Curry, Price, Dirk, Nash, Miller

All who are among the best shooters to ever play the game. That's a huge freaking asset for any team, let alone one that has the current version of Shaq on it in Greek Freak.

Obviously the MVP is the MVP so they still steamroll non championship level teams, but when you lose a shooter of that skill it hurts your offensive ceiling massively. We would have much much much much easier time beating them if Smart and Brodgon were both out as opposed to having both players on the team.

That said realistically Brod will come back in this series at some point and Smart won't so the discussion is merely academic.

You're DEFINITELY misreading us. We both have a ton of respect for Brogdon and who he has been, especially against us. That's actually why we agreed if given the choice we would rather have neither him nor Smart back if the choice is to get both back or neither back. His impact on that Milwaukee team goes beyond raw numbers. watson said, and I agree that our depth can compensate for the loss of Smart better than their can compensate for the loss of Brogdon because of precisely what you said. Go back and re-read what we wrote.

[Bucksmaniac]

Think we'd prefer a later start because of Smarf's potential return?

Curious if most here think getting Smart back, or having them miss Brogdon, is more important to our success against them. In other words, would you rather have them both back, or neither.

This is a sneaky GREAT question. I actually had to think about this for a minute or two. I think, given the choice I'd rather not have either of them back. Not because I think Brogdon is better per se, but because as I've stated previously, I just don't believe in Milwaukee's backcourt without Brogdon. I think the rest of those guys are mediocre at best who get a HUGE bump from having Giannis around. Whereas Brogdon seems to find a way to hit clutch shots against us whenever we play them. He's a solid defender and he doesn't make many mistakes. He'd be good on any team and it kinda cheeses me off a little that we traded the 2nd round pick that netted him. You're welcome Milwaukee.

As for us, I'd love to have a a defensive maven like Smart to play against a team that wants to put you in rotation like the Bucks do but unlike last year, we have more size and more overall talent than the Bucks. We're not gonna shut Giannis down by any stretch. But we can certainly make him guard at the other end. We have a ****ton of wings to throw at him defensively and with Kyrie, Jaylen, Terry, and Gordon we still have a monster edge there. Their backcourt defends by funneling ballhandlers to the paint to Lopez and Giannis to block shots and ignite the transition game for dunks and 3's. We don't score in the paint. Our bigs shoot jumpshots. Their biggest strengths are practically negated by the way we run our offense.

And lastly, in a close game, and the Bucks have not seen many of those for a while now (certainly none that have mattered), there are 3 players on that team you need to watch out for: Giannis, Middleton, and Brogdon. That's it. Taking away one of those pieces helps us.

You must not have seen our clinching home court throughout the playoffs game at Philly where George Hill and Sterling Brown came up with key plays down the stretch as we came from behind to beat the Sixers in a close game.

Btw I enjoy honest discussion and debate, and on your own forum you tend to get a lot of groupthink so that is why I am going to the opposing forum. Since it is a message board I don’t think it should be cut and dry to stay on your team’s forum unless you’re trolling.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Still no schedule yet, huh? Thanks NBA, for not allowing me to plan the next 2 weeks of my life.

[La Flame]

If the Celtics win the series, I may get banned for the amount of bumps of dismissive posts I’m gunna do on the GB.

When*

[MagicBagley18]

Still no schedule yet, huh? Thanks NBA, for not allowing me to plan the next 2 weeks of my life.

Dude I got tickets to game 3 and my gf needs to take the day off so I can drive in etc...had to have her tell her boss she needs a day off next week TBD luckily they are tight so it can be done but enough is enough let us know

[celticfan42487]

This matches my thinking as well. Basically, even if Smart was more important to our team than Brogdon is to theirs, we have more depth to cover the loss than they do.

Also, your last point is huge. It feels like Brogdon and/or Middleton hits a huge shot EVERY TIME we play them. With GAs lack of an outside shot, they basically have one guy that we need to account for on the perimeter at the end of close games. I also think, with the way Brown has been playing, and his length, he can sufficiently replace Smarts D (in this match-up). I fully anticipate him to do a good to great job on Middleton (and we NEED him to if we want to have any chance).

I think you're both DRAMATICALLY underrating Brogdon.

Do you realize he's one of what 8 players ever in NBA history to have a 50%fg 40% 3 90% FT season?

Ray Allen never did it. Glen Robinson never did it.

The only players that have done it are: Bird, Durant, Curry, Price, Dirk, Nash, Miller

All who are among the best shooters to ever play the game. That's a huge freaking asset for any team, let alone one that has the current version of Shaq on it in Greek Freak.

Obviously the MVP is the MVP so they still steamroll non championship level teams, but when you lose a shooter of that skill it hurts your offensive ceiling massively. We would have much much much much easier time beating them if Smart and Brodgon were both out as opposed to having both players on the team.

That said realistically Brod will come back in this series at some point and Smart won't so the discussion is merely academic.

You're DEFINITELY misreading us. We both have a ton of respect for Brogdon and who he has been, especially against us. That's actually why we agreed if given the choice we would rather have neither him nor Smart back if the choice is to get both back or neither back. His impact on that Milwaukee team goes beyond raw numbers. watson said, and I agree that our depth can compensate for the loss of Smart better than their can compensate for the loss of Brogdon because of precisely what you said. Go back and re-read what we wrote.

Oh I'm not disagreeing on the conclusion, I'm arguing it's not a question that's great or worthy of heavy thought. The answer is Brogdon and it's not even close.

He's having one of the best shooting performances in NBA history this year while Smart is having a good starting level SG season. That shouldn't be a question that needs to be considered.

[celticfan42487]

Still no schedule yet, huh? Thanks NBA, for not allowing me to plan the next 2 weeks of my life.

100% agreed this is pretty absurd at this point.

We should have the schedule by now.

[bucknersrevenge]

Curious if most here think getting Smart back, or having them miss Brogdon, is more important to our success against them. In other words, would you rather have them both back, or neither.

This is a sneaky GREAT question. I actually had to think about this for a minute or two. I think, given the choice I'd rather not have either of them back. Not because I think Brogdon is better per se, but because as I've stated previously, I just don't believe in Milwaukee's backcourt without Brogdon. I think the rest of those guys are mediocre at best who get a HUGE bump from having Giannis around. Whereas Brogdon seems to find a way to hit clutch shots against us whenever we play them. He's a solid defender and he doesn't make many mistakes. He'd be good on any team and it kinda cheeses me off a little that we traded the 2nd round pick that netted him. You're welcome Milwaukee.

As for us, I'd love to have a a defensive maven like Smart to play against a team that wants to put you in rotation like the Bucks do but unlike last year, we have more size and more overall talent than the Bucks. We're not gonna shut Giannis down by any stretch. But we can certainly make him guard at the other end. We have a ****ton of wings to throw at him defensively and with Kyrie, Jaylen, Terry, and Gordon we still have a monster edge there. Their backcourt defends by funneling ballhandlers to the paint to Lopez and Giannis to block shots and ignite the transition game for dunks and 3's. We don't score in the paint. Our bigs shoot jumpshots. Their biggest strengths are practically negated by the way we run our offense.

And lastly, in a close game, and the Bucks have not seen many of those for a while now (certainly none that have mattered), there are 3 players on that team you need to watch out for: Giannis, Middleton, and Brogdon. That's it. Taking away one of those pieces helps us.

You must not have seen our clinching home court throughout the playoffs game at Philly where George Hill and Sterling Brown came up with key plays down the stretch as we came from behind to beat the Sixers in a close game.

Btw I enjoy honest discussion and debate, and on your own forum you tend to get a lot of groupthink so that is why I am going to the opposing forum. Since it is a message board I don’t think it should be cut and dry to stay on your team’s forum unless you’re trolling.

Look, I get it. You're protecting your guys. And you have every right. They've been solid for you guys. A part of a 60 win season. That does count for something. And if you say they've made some key plays who am I to say they haven't. It's just when I line up the backcourts in this series in terms of talent and impact, those guys you're mentioning are at the bottom of the list. Taking nothing away from what they may have done, that's just the real. Now I haven't watched the Bucks much except when they play us so I will tell you, as a Celtics fan, there is nobody in that backcourt I fear more than Malcolm Brogdon because I've seen him play. He's the kind of player that can consistently makes the difference in a 7 game series, much like Marcus Smart. Those other guys may make a play or 2 in a game that helps. That's just how I feel based on what I have seen when we play. I appreciate honest discussion and debate as well and appreciate you not trolling.

[Darth Celtic]

Curious if most here think getting Smart back, or having them miss Brogdon, is more important to our success against them. In other words, would you rather have them both back, or neither.

This is a sneaky GREAT question. I actually had to think about this for a minute or two. I think, given the choice I'd rather not have either of them back. Not because I think Brogdon is better per se, but because as I've stated previously, I just don't believe in Milwaukee's backcourt without Brogdon. I think the rest of those guys are mediocre at best who get a HUGE bump from having Giannis around. Whereas Brogdon seems to find a way to hit clutch shots against us whenever we play them. He's a solid defender and he doesn't make many mistakes. He'd be good on any team and it kinda cheeses me off a little that we traded the 2nd round pick that netted him. You're welcome Milwaukee.

As for us, I'd love to have a a defensive maven like Smart to play against a team that wants to put you in rotation like the Bucks do but unlike last year, we have more size and more overall talent than the Bucks. We're not gonna shut Giannis down by any stretch. But we can certainly make him guard at the other end. We have a ****ton of wings to throw at him defensively and with Kyrie, Jaylen, Terry, and Gordon we still have a monster edge there. Their backcourt defends by funneling ballhandlers to the paint to Lopez and Giannis to block shots and ignite the transition game for dunks and 3's. We don't score in the paint. Our bigs shoot jumpshots. Their biggest strengths are practically negated by the way we run our offense.

And lastly, in a close game, and the Bucks have not seen many of those for a while now (certainly none that have mattered), there are 3 players on that team you need to watch out for: Giannis, Middleton, and Brogdon. That's it. Taking away one of those pieces helps us.

You must not have seen our clinching home court throughout the playoffs game at Philly where George Hill and Sterling Brown came up with key plays down the stretch as we came from behind to beat the Sixers in a close game.

Btw I enjoy honest discussion and debate, and on your own forum you tend to get a lot of groupthink so that is why I am going to the opposing forum. Since it is a message board I don’t think it should be cut and dry to stay on your team’s forum unless you’re trolling.

Love to have you.

[Froob]

Still no schedule yet, huh? Thanks NBA, for not allowing me to plan the next 2 weeks of my life.

Every round 2 series but this Portland-San Antonio/Denver series is a must see. Gonna have to plan my time with my girl around it lol.

[FlatearthZorro]

If the Celtics win the series, I may get banned for the amount of bumps of dismissive posts I’m gunna do on the GB.

Nah. Don't take my shine...

Anyhow, regarding the series, if the refs don't **** it up for us and we lose I'm completely fine with it. By the refs messing it up i mean if it's one sided. Tbh, it wouldn't shock me at all if we lost and as I wrote 3-4 times I do understand that the Bucks are the favorites.

[WeLikeOurGuys]

Still no schedule yet, huh? Thanks NBA, for not allowing me to plan the next 2 weeks of my life.

Every round 2 series but this Portland-San Antonio/Denver series is a must see. Gonna have to plan my time with my girl around it lol.

if you have xfinity download the streaming app on your phone or ipad

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Still no schedule yet, huh? Thanks NBA, for not allowing me to plan the next 2 weeks of my life.

Every round 2 series but this Portland-San Antonio/Denver series is a must see. Gonna have to plan my time with my girl around it lol.

if you have xfinity download the streaming app on your phone or ipad

Lol. Nah. You're just asking for a fight at that point. Imagine if you took your girl out to dinner and she whipped out her ipad to stream Keeping up with the Kardashians.

[Parliament10]

16 Pages, and we still don't know the Date & Time.
NBA flubbed on this one.