NBA FINALS, Gm 1 – Mavericks @ Celtics – 8:30PM, Thurs, June 6, 2024

[The Corey's]

I really thought some of the old timers would of shown up for this series but I guess I'll have to make due with the zoomer gen.

[HopelessKnick]

Some interesting takes from the so-called "analysts" on ESPN and on YouTube:

- Celtics have the better top 6, but they do not have a deeper bench - I think I agree with this take, as both Hauser and Pritchard have been subpar. Granted, teams usually go 7 deep especially in the Finals, so we just need them to play decent basketball when they see playing time and we should be good.
- The Mavs have the top 2 best players in the series - such disrespect here, but I can see why there are doubters because even though our boy JT is putting up good numbers, the consistency is lacking.
- Luka has perfected the alley oop pass - as evidenced by Lively's 16/16 FG percentage in the WCF, this is something that Joe should be game planning against in these days leading to Game 1.
- Luka has been shooting 48% from 3 on the road - This is also something that the Celtics coaching staff should game plan against. We do not want a repeat of the 2022 Finals where Curry was able to demoralize the Celtics by hitting an insane amount of 3s. This is also where the Celtics' 2 losses in these playoffs came from - the other team shooting an insane % on 3s.
- This will be a home away from home series for both teams - true enough, both of these teams seem to play better on the road than at home, and this does not bode well for the Celtics since they have home court advantage. How insane does that sound, right? However, there is actually some truth to that.
- Tatum is ready and is out to prove his doubters wrong, but Luka is equally ready to take over the League - we'll see who wants it more between these 2 superstars. I just hope our star wants it a little bit more.

As to the second point: I think Luka and Kyrie can get really hot and give you like at least more the perception of being a threat to single-handedly win a single game. However there should be zero doubt that Tatum is easily better than Kyrie over the course of a series and overall impact on the court. However, I think for me and others Tatum has yet to show that absolute killer mentality. Sure he had some absolutely great games (game 7!) and many really good games but he sometimes gives you the vibe of lacking that absolute will-power-type-killer-instinct where he is just gonna bury the opposition. For example, if this series goes 6 or 7, I wouldn't be too shocked if Tatum has 2-3 weaker games where his impact is limited. IMO a player of his caliber etc. can't have more than 1 off game in a finals series. I'm very eager to see what Tatum does in this series. He is for me the most interesting player to watch along with Luka.

Interestingly the Celtics won both regular season games pretty easily. Lively even went 10 for 10 and it didn't matter. They also held their own around the basket. However Gafford missed one game and played only 6 minutes in the other game so the Mavs may be better this time around.

Another interesting aspect was that Kyrie had two weak games. I didn't see either game but wouldn't be too surprised if Holiday and White did an excellent job in both games. Both those guys are tallish PGs/SGs at around 6'5 so Kyrie does not have the luxury of going up against those 6foot or 6'1 guys that he has little trouble shooting over.

The Celtics put up 140 and 120 points against the Mavs. Seems like the Mavs have big time trouble stopping the Celtics' offense. I have the Celtics in 6 but wouldn't be shocked if it went 5 or 7 games. With Jrue and Horford getting up there in age and some eastern conference opponents likely improving their rosters over the summer---this is a must get title for the Celtics. No excuses.

[HopelessKnick]

Actually looking at Tatum's playoff log, he has been pretty underwhelming....out of 14 games against clearly inferior competition with little means to guard him well....he only shot aboe 50% from the field 3 times. 6 times he shot around 40% or even below. He had 4-5 solid game where he shot around 45%. He has shot below 30% from 3 over 14 games (ouch--how is that even possible?).

That's exactly the observation with Tatum more often than not. Same thing last season...I looked at all 3 series statistically and none are too overwhelming.....seems like the best he does in the playoffs is shooting 45% from the field and 36% from 3. Solid yes, even
very good maybe, but not quiet where you expect him at. I think that's the gripe many have with Tatum.

In 108 playoff games Tatum has averaged 24points/8rebounds/5assists on 44%/35%/83%.....good numbers? Yes! Even very good number given the fact that playoff % are usually somewhat lower. But are they great numbers? IMO Nope.

As a comparison Kyrie has averaged in 91 playoff games: 23points/4rebounds/5assists on 46%/40%/88%. I'd still rate Tatum over him due to overall impact on the court but you can see how some would be more hesitant about that. For example he shoots slightly worse from the field than Kyrie, Steph or even Brunson. There is really no excuse for a 6'8 long and athletic Tatum to be shooting worse % from the field than these small and in the case of Curry and Brunson non-explosive guys really.

Tatum needs that signature playoff series that everyone will remember as him carrying the Celtics through.

[Fierce1]

Tatum is saving the best for last.

Would it be a surprise if Tatum is at his best in the finals?

Doubters beware.

[KingofTheClay]

Actually looking at Tatum's playoff log, he has been pretty underwhelming....out of 14 games against clearly inferior competition with little means to guard him well....he only shot aboe 50% from the field 3 times. 6 times he shot around 40% or even below. He had 4-5 solid game where he shot around 45%. He has shot below 30% from 3 over 14 games (ouch--how is that even possible?).

That's exactly the observation with Tatum more often than not. Same thing last season...I looked at all 3 series statistically and none are too overwhelming.....seems like the best he does in the playoffs is shooting 45% from the field and 36% from 3. Solid yes, even
very good maybe, but not quiet where you expect him at. I think that's the gripe many have with Tatum.

In 108 playoff games Tatum has averaged 24points/8rebounds/5assists on 44%/35%/83%.....good numbers? Yes! Even very good number given the fact that playoff % are usually somewhat lower. But are they great numbers? IMO Nope.

As a comparison Kyrie has averaged in 91 playoff games: 23points/4rebounds/5assists on 46%/40%/88%. I'd still rate Tatum over him due to overall impact on the court but you can see how some would be more hesitant about that. For example he shoots slightly worse from the field than Kyrie, Steph or even Brunson. There is really no excuse for a 6'8 long and athletic Tatum to be shooting worse % from the field than these small and in the case of Curry and Brunson non-explosive guys really.

Tatum needs that signature playoff series that everyone will remember as him carrying the Celtics through.

Reasonable take.


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[Larry_Russell]

Some interesting takes from the so-called "analysts" on ESPN and on YouTube:

- Celtics have the better top 6, but they do not have a deeper bench - I think I agree with this take, as both Hauser and Pritchard have been subpar. Granted, teams usually go 7 deep especially in the Finals, so we just need them to play decent basketball when they see playing time and we should be good.
- The Mavs have the top 2 best players in the series - such disrespect here, but I can see why there are doubters because even though our boy JT is putting up good numbers, the consistency is lacking.
- Luka has perfected the alley oop pass - as evidenced by Lively's 16/16 FG percentage in the WCF, this is something that Joe should be game planning against in these days leading to Game 1.
- Luka has been shooting 48% from 3 on the road - This is also something that the Celtics coaching staff should game plan against. We do not want a repeat of the 2022 Finals where Curry was able to demoralize the Celtics by hitting an insane amount of 3s. This is also where the Celtics' 2 losses in these playoffs came from - the other team shooting an insane % on 3s.
- This will be a home away from home series for both teams - true enough, both of these teams seem to play better on the road than at home, and this does not bode well for the Celtics since they have home court advantage. How insane does that sound, right? However, there is actually some truth to that.
- Tatum is ready and is out to prove his doubters wrong, but Luka is equally ready to take over the League - we'll see who wants it more between these 2 superstars. I just hope our star wants it a little bit more.

Kyrie being the second best player in the series is such a bad take.
I do think the lob thing is a real weapon for Dallas but Boston has had guys like Rob Williams and Luke Kornet with extremely high Fg% as well it just means the guy only dunks lobs.

The lively thing was just an indicator of how bad Minny played.

Dude averages less than 10 per game and people talking like he is a difference maker out there.

[Larry_Russell]

1.
This is fair enough, the five out scheme is definitely going to be our biggest test and I'm not sure how well choose to defend it yet. Everything hinges on what kidd decides to do here, and whether the Celtics can force the five out offense to punish us.

2.
I think we'll probably sag off the guy two passes away to showmin the lane, and then rotate out when a kickout happens, before the second pass arrives. I think we'll allow a decent number of 3s. I think though we'll get more high percentage shots at the rim from lobs and drives. So it'll come down to rebounding and turnovers as well have to make up for 2s vs 3s by taking more shots.

3.
I don't think you guys have faced a defense like the Mavs yet. Miami is fairly physical but they're not nearly the defense the Mavs guys are. We're long, extremely quick and physical. Djj is a menace that can fight over any screen. PJ can guard 1 through 5 on most nights.

1. 5-out cannot really be defended when shots are falling. Jayson Tatum hasn't really had a GrEAT game yet. He has played VeRY verY well in games, but no bigJT games yet. He is due. SLam houser is well past due for 3-6 3s in a couple games.

2. Good luck figuring that out in real-time. Maybe you have some coaching talent on your staff IDK, Kidd is not a defensive specialist. We can also sag KP in and out if the Mavs want to throw out a zone, thanks to Miami for teaching us. KP is now elite in the post

3. What is so special about your D ?? I mean, DJj is nice and all but you still have Luka and Kyrie for 40+ mins against JT JB Derrick White Jrue Holiday Peyton Pritchard Sam Houser Al Horford and Porzingis. Luka and Kyrie will have to worKKKkk every sec on D.
Luka ain't about that yet, Kyrie won't SHiNe vs Cs

1. Kidd is a defensive coach. That's his specialty.

2. PJ, Djj, Lively and Gafford are elite defenders in Kidd's system. I mean elite. We were the best defense in the league during the last 26 games of the season. Kyrie has also been a positive defender in the scheme.

3. If KP plans to work in the post that plays into the Mavs plans anyway. We have the best post defense in the playoffs, and lively would suffocate kp there. Fortunately for Celtics I don't kp leaves the three point line as coaching staff would know this too.

I do think the five out offense will be a challenge, especially since we prioritize packing the paint. I think game one will tell us what the plan is there, because we haven't faced that yet

1. That why Dallas has such poor defense?

2. None of these guys are elite at defense. Also last 26 games of season Dallas was 13th in defensive rating. Or ar you including the playoffs which the numbers got inflated because you played against a **** offensive team in Minny, and a team full of young guys that choked in OKC? you are tied for 7th in the playoffs. KP went for 24 points on >70% TS% and an offensive rating of 165.

Yeah, your defense is in for a world of hurt.

You could collapse against OKC and more so against Minny because on OKC only SGA really creates, and on Minny you hit an alltime KAT slump, Gobert with a ZERO offense, Conley being the only playsetter for ANT and he is very old and pretty washed.

Much different from this celtics team that has 4 creators of offense, far superior offensive bigmen, and a far better defense that is not a gimmick like that Minny has.

We have wing and point of attack defense. Not Mike COnley.

3. KPO will do whatever he wants because you have no one to defend him. He will play in the high block if you decide to try a zone defense because your man to man defense is yet again getting cooked, just like the regular season when we averaged 129ppg

[Fantaxp7]

[UglyBugBall]

1. 5-out cannot really be defended when shots are falling. Jayson Tatum hasn't really had a GrEAT game yet. He has played VeRY verY well in games, but no bigJT games yet. He is due. SLam houser is well past due for 3-6 3s in a couple games.

2. Good luck figuring that out in real-time. Maybe you have some coaching talent on your staff IDK, Kidd is not a defensive specialist. We can also sag KP in and out if the Mavs want to throw out a zone, thanks to Miami for teaching us. KP is now elite in the post

3. What is so special about your D ?? I mean, DJj is nice and all but you still have Luka and Kyrie for 40+ mins against JT JB Derrick White Jrue Holiday Peyton Pritchard Sam Houser Al Horford and Porzingis. Luka and Kyrie will have to worKKKkk every sec on D.
Luka ain't about that yet, Kyrie won't SHiNe vs Cs

1. Kidd is a defensive coach. That's his specialty.

2. PJ, Djj, Lively and Gafford are elite defenders in Kidd's system. I mean elite. We were the best defense in the league during the last 26 games of the season. Kyrie has also been a positive defender in the scheme.

3. If KP plans to work in the post that plays into the Mavs plans anyway. We have the best post defense in the playoffs, and lively would suffocate kp there. Fortunately for Celtics I don't kp leaves the three point line as coaching staff would know this too.

I do think the five out offense will be a challenge, especially since we prioritize packing the paint. I think game one will tell us what the plan is there, because we haven't faced that yet

1. That why Dallas has such poor defense?

2. None of these guys are elite at defense. Also last 26 games of season Dallas was 13th in defensive rating. Or ar you including the playoffs which the numbers got inflated because you played against a **** offensive team in Minny, and a team full of young guys that choked in OKC? you are tied for 7th in the playoffs. KP went for 24 points on >70% TS% and an offensive rating of 165.

Yeah, your defense is in for a world of hurt.

You could collapse against OKC and more so against Minny because on OKC only SGA really creates, and on Minny you hit an alltime KAT slump, Gobert with a ZERO offense, Conley being the only playsetter for ANT and he is very old and pretty washed.

Much different from this celtics team that has 4 creators of offense, far superior offensive bigmen, and a far better defense that is not a gimmick like that Minny has.

We have wing and point of attack defense. Not Mike COnley.

3. KPO will do whatever he wants because you have no one to defend him. He will play in the high block if you decide to try a zone defense because your man to man defense is yet again getting cooked, just like the regular season when we averaged 129ppg

I'm sorry but I couldn't get past your first line, I guess you haven't seen our drtg since the TDL

[The Corey's]

1. Kidd is a defensive coach. That's his specialty.

2. PJ, Djj, Lively and Gafford are elite defenders in Kidd's system. I mean elite. We were the best defense in the league during the last 26 games of the season. Kyrie has also been a positive defender in the scheme.

3. If KP plans to work in the post that plays into the Mavs plans anyway. We have the best post defense in the playoffs, and lively would suffocate kp there. Fortunately for Celtics I don't kp leaves the three point line as coaching staff would know this too.

I do think the five out offense will be a challenge, especially since we prioritize packing the paint. I think game one will tell us what the plan is there, because we haven't faced that yet

1. That why Dallas has such poor defense?

2. None of these guys are elite at defense. Also last 26 games of season Dallas was 13th in defensive rating. Or ar you including the playoffs which the numbers got inflated because you played against a **** offensive team in Minny, and a team full of young guys that choked in OKC? you are tied for 7th in the playoffs. KP went for 24 points on >70% TS% and an offensive rating of 165.

Yeah, your defense is in for a world of hurt.

You could collapse against OKC and more so against Minny because on OKC only SGA really creates, and on Minny you hit an alltime KAT slump, Gobert with a ZERO offense, Conley being the only playsetter for ANT and he is very old and pretty washed.

Much different from this celtics team that has 4 creators of offense, far superior offensive bigmen, and a far better defense that is not a gimmick like that Minny has.

We have wing and point of attack defense. Not Mike COnley.

3. KPO will do whatever he wants because you have no one to defend him. He will play in the high block if you decide to try a zone defense because your man to man defense is yet again getting cooked, just like the regular season when we averaged 129ppg

I'm sorry but I couldn't get past your first line, I guess you haven't seen our drtg since the TDL

Sorry. I couldn't get past the first word, guess you haven't seen the Celtics ever.

[Fierce1]

Can't have a productive debate if the Mavs fan is saying Lively is elite like Jokic and Embiid.

[The Corey's]

Can't have a productive debate if the Mavs fan is saying Lively is elite like Jokic and Embiid.

More like you can't have a debate with someone unwilling to even read your rebuttal.

What a clown response that **** was.

[Larry_Russell]

1. Kidd is a defensive coach. That's his specialty.

2. PJ, Djj, Lively and Gafford are elite defenders in Kidd's system. I mean elite. We were the best defense in the league during the last 26 games of the season. Kyrie has also been a positive defender in the scheme.

3. If KP plans to work in the post that plays into the Mavs plans anyway. We have the best post defense in the playoffs, and lively would suffocate kp there. Fortunately for Celtics I don't kp leaves the three point line as coaching staff would know this too.

I do think the five out offense will be a challenge, especially since we prioritize packing the paint. I think game one will tell us what the plan is there, because we haven't faced that yet

1. That why Dallas has such poor defense?

2. None of these guys are elite at defense. Also last 26 games of season Dallas was 13th in defensive rating. Or ar you including the playoffs which the numbers got inflated because you played against a **** offensive team in Minny, and a team full of young guys that choked in OKC? you are tied for 7th in the playoffs. KP went for 24 points on >70% TS% and an offensive rating of 165.

Yeah, your defense is in for a world of hurt.

You could collapse against OKC and more so against Minny because on OKC only SGA really creates, and on Minny you hit an alltime KAT slump, Gobert with a ZERO offense, Conley being the only playsetter for ANT and he is very old and pretty washed.

Much different from this celtics team that has 4 creators of offense, far superior offensive bigmen, and a far better defense that is not a gimmick like that Minny has.

We have wing and point of attack defense. Not Mike COnley.

3. KPO will do whatever he wants because you have no one to defend him. He will play in the high block if you decide to try a zone defense because your man to man defense is yet again getting cooked, just like the regular season when we averaged 129ppg

I'm sorry but I couldn't get past your first line, I guess you haven't seen our drtg since the TDL

Using only a 2 month sample size when you had games against tanking teams like Atlanta, SAS, Washington, Bulls your defense was almost as good as Bostons thanks to boston mailing a month of defense in because as the best team in the NBA they had no need to smother team.

Take the tanking teams out of your TDL onward and your defense ranks as good as Detroit Pistons and Brooklyn Nets!!! WOOOO!!!!

[Fierce1]

Can't have a productive debate if the Mavs fan is saying Lively is elite like Jokic and Embiid.

More like you can't have a debate with someone unwilling to even read your rebuttal.

What a clown response that **** was.

He's clearly just trolling.

[The Corey's]

Can't have a productive debate if the Mavs fan is saying Lively is elite like Jokic and Embiid.

More like you can't have a debate with someone unwilling to even read your rebuttal.

What a clown response that **** was.

He's clearly just trolling.

Well I ain't. Celtics in 5.

[Fierce1]

Was it against the Cavs where a Nuggets fan was posting in our game thread?

He was so concerned about the Celtics and nowhere to be found when the Nuggets got eliminated.

[Celts17Pride]

Picked the Celtics in 5 and I'm sticking to that. I have respect for the Mavs, but I really don't think the Mavs and their fans have a clue of what is coming from the Celtics.

[London2Boston]

I still feel our Round 1 Matchup in Miami will probably end up being our toughest defence to deal with. Now in terms of our defence, this upcoming series will definitely be our biggest challenge this run. Our offence needs to be smart and not shoot themselves in the foot, because we will need to put big points on the board.

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

[UglyBugBall]

Can't have a productive debate if the Mavs fan is saying Lively is elite like Jokic and Embiid.

More like you can't have a debate with someone unwilling to even read your rebuttal.

What a clown response that **** was.

Your rebuttal was moronic and made it clear you don't watch the NBA, and you don't even bother to check the box scores once a week. Saying the Mavs defense is terrible? C'mon, be better