E. CONF. FINALS – Gm 4: Celtics (0) @ Heat (3) – 8:30PM, Tues, May 23, 2023

[soxfan2003]

Probably puffing hard on the Copium, but Jimmy isn’t the reason we are down 3-0, it’s the role players. We just need to get one win to start shifting the pressure.

What adversity has Caleb Martin or Gabe Vincent faced?

Just sayin, we win one game and get back home and start rolling…role players might turn into pumpkins.

Jimmy is great but being punked by role players is why are we losing.

The Heat role players may miss shots and turn into pumpkins as shooters but barring a key injury to Butler or Bam, I don't know how the heck Boston beats this team 4 times in a row. The Celtics are consistently losing the turnover battle to Miami and that reduces the Celtics margin of error. Yes, the Celtics trounced the Heat on the offensive glass last game but a lot of that was from Miami making shots and the Celtics missing.

The big difference is even when the Heat role players or 2 stars have an off-game shooting, they do nearly everything else right. They will hustle back on defense, take charges, defend well, space the floor correctly, play unselfishly on offense, etc.

These are things Spoelstra is pretty much able to take for granted in the playoffs while Joe has to probably beg his players to give good effort.

The Heat play nearly every possession like a professional basketball team more concerned about winning the game and executing the plan than looking good for the TV cameras. You blow a layup after a minor or even major foul that isn't called, ask the refs to call the game the same both ways and plead for the call nicely in the next stoppage of play. If the refs are truly terrible, ideally the head coach should get a tech during stoppage of play to make your point. But don't jog back on defense and let the other team play 5 on 4.

[Froob]

I’d love to see Joe say anyone in the game crying to the refs and not out there to win is done for the night. Smart did nothing but cry to the refs and try to start fights.

Jaylen was jogging in transition. Gabe Vincent isn’t going to make contested shots over a 6’7 guy. We need Jaylen locked in and focused.

[Tyakack]

Someone is gonna come back from 0-3 eventually..... As unlikely as it is, the opportunity to make history should be the motivation. It's not as if they don't have the talent to do it. Most teams that go down 0-3 are clearly the inferior team.

This team is definitely inferior in alot of ways, but not in talent. Just go out there and win 1 game. That might literally be all this team needs to wake up.

[HiLo76]

Someone is gonna come back from 0-3 eventually..... As unlikely as it is, the opportunity to make history should be the motivation. It's not as if they don't have the talent to do it. Most teams that go down 0-3 are clearly the inferior team.

This team is definitely inferior in alot of ways, but not in talent. Just go out there and win 1 game. That might literally be all this team needs to wake up.

Someone is gonna come back from 0-3 but it won't be this bunch.. they have no heart as a team.

[Tyakack]

Someone is gonna come back from 0-3 eventually..... As unlikely as it is, the opportunity to make history should be the motivation. It's not as if they don't have the talent to do it. Most teams that go down 0-3 are clearly the inferior team.

This team is definitely inferior in alot of ways, but not in talent. Just go out there and win 1 game. That might literally be all this team needs to wake up.

Someone is gonna come back from 0-3 but it won't be this bunch.. they have no heart as a team.

I'm not saying I think it's gonna happen. I don't think any fanbase that has ever had their team down 0-3 actually thought they were still gonna win...... But it will happen eventually... And this would actually be one of the more realistic scenarios compared to the rest.

Granted, they are all unrealistic, I'm just saying one of the more realistic scenarios.. Because you could make a very realistic, and I would argue accurate argument, the team down 0-3 has more talent. If the heat can beat us 3 times in a row, we should be able to do the same. Based off the talent on each roster.

Of course when you factor in all the other elements, that is probably why it won't happen... But I do think the heat are playing with fire, no pun intended, if they don't close it out now. If this team actually starts believing in themselves again... The 3's will start falling and the defense will start swarming, and they will remember how good they are.

I think the Celtics lose game 4, but if they don't..... Look out.

[Bird84]

I just want to say before I forget. I love talking with all of you even if I disagree. This is a great group of people. From Shak to Parl, Zoya to Triple this is as good as it gets. Love you all!!!

[soxfan2003]

One injury to Bam or Butler and it becomes realistic that the Celtics win 4 straight games, but I don't like watching games with the hope of players that I don't even dislike getting injured.

[threrf23]

I'm sure there will be a couple posters on here that believe games 1-3 in this series were not must wins but now that the rest of the games are must win Boston will figure it out and go on to win four games straight.


I'm not one of those guys. Win or lose this game is completely academic and the series was over Friday night

In the offseason if they have to move some guys and potentially take a step back for the time being I'm all for that at this point.

I mean, it's possible.

I'm not expecting them to win even two games, in part because I didn't feel like they even really showed up for games 6 and 7 versus the Sixers. Game 6 was ugly and the game 7 win had to do with Tatum dominating moreso than the team playing really well, IIRC the team actually came out a bit flat game 7.

But it's legit possible. If we have a smart game plan and if we play with discipline and purpose - they don't have the talent to beat us.

[shackles10]

My daughter has 6th grade awards tomorrow night and my son has a baseball game right after. Normally I’d be cringing having such a busy night during an ECF series, but this Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 the game is just a formality. Just don’t embarrass us further… that’s all I ask


Also: I’ve rather enjoyed Grant this series. He and Marcus seem to be the only ones with cajones big enough to care. I’m back on the bus of “if he can get a fair deal without an overpay” I’d like him back next year as part of the top 8.

[CelticsPride18]

You win tomorrow, then we have Petey for game 5 and Schilling for game 6

[Tyakack]

My daughter has 6th grade awards tomorrow night and my son has a baseball game right after. Normally I’d be cringing having such a busy night during an ECF series, but this Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 the game is just a formality. Just don’t embarrass us further… that’s all I ask


Also: I’ve rather enjoyed Grant this series. He and Marcus seem to be the only ones with cajones big enough to care. I’m back on the bus of “if he can get a fair deal without an overpay” I’d like him back next year as part of the top 8.

Would you rather us storm back and force a game 7 and lose and keep Joe or get blown out in game 4 and fire him?

[Shamrock23]

Seriously, what’s the point of winning game 4 and just to come home to look dumb by getting blown out in front the fans? Just leave everything in Miami. I don’t want Miami celebrating in our home turf….that’s an insult man!

[celticfan42487]

My daughter has 6th grade awards tomorrow night and my son has a baseball game right after. Normally I’d be cringing having such a busy night during an ECF series, but this Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 the game is just a formality. Just don’t embarrass us further… that’s all I ask


Also: I’ve rather enjoyed Grant this series. He and Marcus seem to be the only ones with cajones big enough to care. I’m back on the bus of “if he can get a fair deal without an overpay” I’d like him back next year as part of the top 8.

Would you rather us storm back and force a game 7 and lose and keep Joe or get blown out in game 4 and fire him?

Do we really have any confidence in this Ownership group to make any changes?

They moved Stevens up to GM to appease the players and save money on his contract and sign rookie head coach after rookie head coach.

They got their ring and now all they care about is a constant stream of playoff ticket revenue. Then when Tatum demands out they can always just sell for a massive profit if they don't want to say they own a rebuilding franchise.

It's just as likely they call this year as a success and keep Stevens and Joe and there are no trades and nothing changes going into next year if we lose tomorrow or if we lose in Game 5.

[NYCelticsfan136]

Lakers are trying hard not to get swept. This team is getting swept tomorrow because they have no shame at all.

Even after getting called out for that pathetic game 3.

[Triple7]

Still watching the game though. Just want to see how Joe and Smart embarrass themselves further. Joe has to go. Smart has to go. Brown has to go. Al should come off the bench. If we can trade Rob for a legit big, id be up for it.
This team are full of divas. Reacting to every non call like the refs were out to get them. Smart getting techs from complaining, then expect the refs to favor him lol. That move to try to get lowry to commit a foul, was truly unnecessary and dumb. It’s not like lowry is in foul trouble jeez. For those guys saying smart has a high bbiq, are fooling themselves. He makes tons of dumb moves, that it negates all the hustle things he does. Factor in the fact that he can’t shoot if needed. Al and Smart should be bench players. I don’t know what happens tom, but this series is over. No way we win 4 straight. The only chance that happening us if Butler and bam gets injured, and JT somehow gets nuclear for 4 games. Silver lining if we lose, good chance Joe will he gone. Ownership has no choice. They will be laughed at by everybody if they don’t because if money.

[NYCelticsfan136]

Still watching the game though. Just want to see how Joe and Smart embarrass themselves further. Joe has to go. Smart has to go. Brown has to go. Al should come off the bench. If we can trade Rob for a legit big, id be up for it.
This team are full of divas. Reacting to every non call like the refs were out to get them. Smart getting techs from complaining, then expect the refs to favor him lol. That move to try to get lowry to commit a foul, was truly unnecessary and dumb. It’s not like lowry is in foul trouble jeez. For those guys saying smart has a high bbiq, are fooling themselves. He makes tons of dumb moves, that it negates all the hustle things he does. Factor in the fact that he can’t shoot if needed. Al and Smart should be bench players. I don’t know what happens tom, but this series is over. No way we win 4 straight. The only chance that happening us if Butler and bam gets injured, and JT somehow gets nuclear for 4 games. Silver lining if we lose, good chance Joe will he gone. Ownership has no choice. They will be laughed at by everybody if they don’t because if money.

I feel like mazzzula is getting too much of the blame here. I am not a mazzula guy but these players have been putrid. No heart whatsoever.

[tfribs45]

Go down swinging! Win game 4 and bring it back to Boston! Take game 5 and anything can happen when the pressure starts to hit!

[shackles10]

My daughter has 6th grade awards tomorrow night and my son has a baseball game right after. Normally I’d be cringing having such a busy night during an ECF series, but this Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 the game is just a formality. Just don’t embarrass us further… that’s all I ask


Also: I’ve rather enjoyed Grant this series. He and Marcus seem to be the only ones with cajones big enough to care. I’m back on the bus of “if he can get a fair deal without an overpay” I’d like him back next year as part of the top 8.

Would you rather us storm back and force a game 7 and lose and keep Joe or get blown out in game 4 and fire him?

Lose a close one and let him go type of not embarrassing us further. Or better yet storm back and win a game 7 and Joe rides off into the sunset with a Finals ring. For the record the biggest part of not embarrassing us would be Joe not returning as I’m not sure how you come back from this.

[Triple7]

Still watching the game though. Just want to see how Joe and Smart embarrass themselves further. Joe has to go. Smart has to go. Brown has to go. Al should come off the bench. If we can trade Rob for a legit big, id be up for it.
This team are full of divas. Reacting to every non call like the refs were out to get them. Smart getting techs from complaining, then expect the refs to favor him lol. That move to try to get lowry to commit a foul, was truly unnecessary and dumb. It’s not like lowry is in foul trouble jeez. For those guys saying smart has a high bbiq, are fooling themselves. He makes tons of dumb moves, that it negates all the hustle things he does. Factor in the fact that he can’t shoot if needed. Al and Smart should be bench players. I don’t know what happens tom, but this series is over. No way we win 4 straight. The only chance that happening us if Butler and bam gets injured, and JT somehow gets nuclear for 4 games. Silver lining if we lose, good chance Joe will he gone. Ownership has no choice. They will be laughed at by everybody if they don’t because if money.

I feel like mazzzula is getting too much of the blame here. I am not a mazzula guy but these players have been putrid. No heart whatsoever.

They all deserve the blame here, Joe’s weaknesses was just too obvious though. Same with the starters.

[Triple7]

My daughter has 6th grade awards tomorrow night and my son has a baseball game right after. Normally I’d be cringing having such a busy night during an ECF series, but this Tuesday May 23rd, 2023 the game is just a formality. Just don’t embarrass us further… that’s all I ask


Also: I’ve rather enjoyed Grant this series. He and Marcus seem to be the only ones with cajones big enough to care. I’m back on the bus of “if he can get a fair deal without an overpay” I’d like him back next year as part of the top 8.

Would you rather us storm back and force a game 7 and lose and keep Joe or get blown out in game 4 and fire him?

Lose a close one and let him go type of not embarrassing us further. Or better yet storm back and win a game 7 and Joe rides off into the sunset with a Finals ring. For the record the biggest part of not embarrassing us would be Joe not returning as I’m not sure how you come back from this.

I’d rather for us to lose, than storm back and lose convincingly against the nuggets and retain Joe.