2024 NBA FINALS: #1 Boston Celtics vs #5 Dallas Mavericks (Game 1: Thursday June 6th)

[Mr B]

TBF Mavs fans are saying literally every metric we can use to compare these teams isn't accurate or relevant because they basically all favor the Celtics

No it’s because the Mavs are a completely different team than they were for 2/3 of the season. They are also playing a much better than they were at the start of the playoffs. So trying to use any metric from the regular season is irrelevant. This is not the same Mavs team that Boston faced at any point during the season.

That isn't how the NBA works, especially when your core is literally the same. If you TRULY believe that literally no metrics are useful to compare the two teams then just go back to the Mavs board and come back once the games start. I'm not saying this to be mean, but literally what is the point of discussing the series if you're just going to say any discussion topics are just irrelevant.

I personally think any metrics are both fair game and relevant if Kyrie and Luka were on the floor.

Well if you’re expecting these Mavs to play like they did when the metrics you’re using were taken you’re going to be in for a huge disappointment.

[The Corey's]

Why are you such a sensitive guy?

Luka just loves to **** talk. Boston fans are not going to be able to contain themselves and Luka is gonna use it as fuel.

I'm sensitive because I know that crying into someone's ears doesn't actually make them better at basketball?

Luka isn't the guy you need to worry about. Irving is the one who turtles.

Luka would be undefeated if heckling inspired him to score baskets he otherwise would have missed.

Kyrie Irving turtles in big moments and big games? That’s what you’re hoping for?

He's lost 10 in a row, including a sweep against a Boston team worse than this current one when he had Harden and Durant to pass too.

If you're hoping for Irving to win this series then it's already over. He can have his 30.

Read on Twitter

It's been very interesting to see this narrative develop.

This is the same Luka who is constantly at odds with patrons in the stands because they hurt his little feelings.

Over and over we see this guy crying over some **** some rich slob on the sidelines whispered into his ear.

You’re not familiar with European fans and crowds are you. Luka feeds on the negativity. Boston has a reputation of having very vocal fans. Luka loves to silence vocal fans. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

You don't actually believe that any singular person can influence another person on earth to make a basket do you? What scientific evidence do you have that would support such a claim? Like it almost feels like you think Boston is somehow gonna make Luka better by heckling him. Thats not a real thing

No it’s because the Mavs are a completely different team than they were for 2/3 of the season. They are also playing a much better than they were at the start of the playoffs. So trying to use any metric from the regular season is irrelevant. This is not the same Mavs team that Boston faced at any point during the season.

The Mavs aren't good enough to beat the Celtics. There isn't a reasonable person on earth who thinks that.

This ya but attitude going one way is old dawg.

We will see

It's just a opinion. One I will stand by if the Mavs win. Nothing personal over here.

Based on that logic the the Nuggets beat the crap out of the Celtics in their last matchup and the Wolves beat the Nuggets and the Mavs beat the Wolves so that obviously means the Mavs are better than the Celtics right?

See how silly that logic sounds. That’s what your post sounded like.

The nuggets were the only team that could beat the Celtics. Thet had the big man that could score at will from anywhere on the court.

That’s exactly what the Wolves fans said.

The Celtics were not worried about the Wolves. Some even preferred the Mavs. If Boston is who we think they are it doesn't matter and I know you know that.

[Archx]

Read on Twitter

It's been very interesting to see this narrative develop.

This is the same Luka who is constantly at odds with patrons in the stands because they hurt his little feelings.

Over and over we see this guy crying over some **** some rich slob on the sidelines whispered into his ear.

You’re not familiar with European fans and crowds are you. Luka feeds on the negativity. Boston has a reputation of having very vocal fans. Luka loves to silence vocal fans. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

It's still hillarious to me how Wolves reddit made a thread for the fans going to the game to not yell at Luka because it will only motivate him. And then this guy in the front row did exactly that and the rest is history

Celtics toxic fans are probably going to make him go Super Saiyan.

[The Corey's]

No it’s because the Mavs are a completely different team than they were for 2/3 of the season. They are also playing a much better than they were at the start of the playoffs. So trying to use any metric from the regular season is irrelevant. This is not the same Mavs team that Boston faced at any point during the season.

That isn't how the NBA works, especially when your core is literally the same. If you TRULY believe that literally no metrics are useful to compare the two teams then just go back to the Mavs board and come back once the games start. I'm not saying this to be mean, but literally what is the point of discussing the series if you're just going to say any discussion topics are just irrelevant.

I personally think any metrics are both fair game and relevant if Kyrie and Luka were on the floor.

Well if you’re expecting these Mavs to play like they did when the metrics you’re using were taken you’re going to be in for a huge disappointment.

Are you under the impression that the Celtics got worse? Or that the Mavs with PJ Washington somehow passed the Celtics?

I don't know which of those takes are worse but either way, you're in for a surprise if you think the Mavs closed the gap.

[The Corey's]

It's been very interesting to see this narrative develop.

This is the same Luka who is constantly at odds with patrons in the stands because they hurt his little feelings.

Over and over we see this guy crying over some **** some rich slob on the sidelines whispered into his ear.

You’re not familiar with European fans and crowds are you. Luka feeds on the negativity. Boston has a reputation of having very vocal fans. Luka loves to silence vocal fans. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

It's still hillarious to me how Wolves reddit made a thread for the fans going to the game to not yell at Luka because it will only motivate him. And then this guy in the front row did exactly that and the rest is history

Celtics toxic fans are probably going to make him go Super Saiyan.

It's impossible my friend. What you're saying is somehow some way Luka scores MORE when he's triggered.

So is he lazy on the other possessions? Which is it. Both can't be true.

[Mr B]

I'm sensitive because I know that crying into someone's ears doesn't actually make them better at basketball?

Luka isn't the guy you need to worry about. Irving is the one who turtles.

Luka would be undefeated if heckling inspired him to score baskets he otherwise would have missed.

Kyrie Irving turtles in big moments and big games? That’s what you’re hoping for?

He's lost 10 in a row, including a sweep against a Boston team worse than this current one when he had Harden and Durant to pass too.

If you're hoping for Irving to win this series then it's already over. He can have his 30.

It's been very interesting to see this narrative develop.

This is the same Luka who is constantly at odds with patrons in the stands because they hurt his little feelings.

Over and over we see this guy crying over some **** some rich slob on the sidelines whispered into his ear.

You’re not familiar with European fans and crowds are you. Luka feeds on the negativity. Boston has a reputation of having very vocal fans. Luka loves to silence vocal fans. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

You don't actually believe that any singular person can influence another person on earth to make a basket do you? What scientific evidence do you have that would support such a claim? Like it almost feels like you think Boston is somehow gonna make Luka better by heckling him. Thats not a real thing

The Mavs aren't good enough to beat the Celtics. There isn't a reasonable person on earth who thinks that.

This ya but attitude going one way is old dawg.

We will see

It's just a opinion. One I will stand by if the Mavs win. Nothing personal over here.

The nuggets were the only team that could beat the Celtics. Thet had the big man that could score at will from anywhere on the court.

That’s exactly what the Wolves fans said.

The Celtics were not worried about the Wolves. Some even preferred the Mavs. If Boston is who we think they are it doesn't matter and I know you know that.

I just wanted to make sure that’s what you said. You’re putting all your hopes in Kyrie shrinking in the big moments.

[The Corey's]

Kyrie Irving turtles in big moments and big games? That’s what you’re hoping for?

He's lost 10 in a row, including a sweep against a Boston team worse than this current one when he had Harden and Durant to pass too.

If you're hoping for Irving to win this series then it's already over. He can have his 30.

You’re not familiar with European fans and crowds are you. Luka feeds on the negativity. Boston has a reputation of having very vocal fans. Luka loves to silence vocal fans. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

You don't actually believe that any singular person can influence another person on earth to make a basket do you? What scientific evidence do you have that would support such a claim? Like it almost feels like you think Boston is somehow gonna make Luka better by heckling him. Thats not a real thing

We will see

It's just a opinion. One I will stand by if the Mavs win. Nothing personal over here.

That’s exactly what the Wolves fans said.

The Celtics were not worried about the Wolves. Some even preferred the Mavs. If Boston is who we think they are it doesn't matter and I know you know that.

I just wanted to make sure that’s what you said. You’re putting all your hopes in Kyrie shrinking in the big moments.

I know what Kyrie is. A overrated turd.

Irving and Luka will not outscore Tatum and Brown by a whole lot, if at all.

I'll take Jrue, White, KP and Horford over Lively and Washington.

[Mr B]

You’re not familiar with European fans and crowds are you. Luka feeds on the negativity. Boston has a reputation of having very vocal fans. Luka loves to silence vocal fans. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

It's still hillarious to me how Wolves reddit made a thread for the fans going to the game to not yell at Luka because it will only motivate him. And then this guy in the front row did exactly that and the rest is history

Celtics toxic fans are probably going to make him go Super Saiyan.

It's impossible my friend. What you're saying is somehow some way Luka scores MORE when he's triggered.

So is he lazy on the other possessions? Which is it. Both can't be true.

They absolutely can both be true. Don’t worry though you’re about to find out.

[Archx]

You’re not familiar with European fans and crowds are you. Luka feeds on the negativity. Boston has a reputation of having very vocal fans. Luka loves to silence vocal fans. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

It's still hillarious to me how Wolves reddit made a thread for the fans going to the game to not yell at Luka because it will only motivate him. And then this guy in the front row did exactly that and the rest is history

Celtics toxic fans are probably going to make him go Super Saiyan.

It's impossible my friend. What you're saying is somehow some way Luka scores MORE when he's triggered.

So is he lazy on the other possessions? Which is it. Both can't be true.

The more you **** on him the better he plays. That's what every Mavs fan knows after watching him for 6 years. He's been always like that even in Europe. And a lot of other fanbases learned that the hard way. We'll see how how Celtics fans handle that during the games.

[Mr B]

He's lost 10 in a row, including a sweep against a Boston team worse than this current one when he had Harden and Durant to pass too.

If you're hoping for Irving to win this series then it's already over. He can have his 30.



You don't actually believe that any singular person can influence another person on earth to make a basket do you? What scientific evidence do you have that would support such a claim? Like it almost feels like you think Boston is somehow gonna make Luka better by heckling him. Thats not a real thing



It's just a opinion. One I will stand by if the Mavs win. Nothing personal over here.



The Celtics were not worried about the Wolves. Some even preferred the Mavs. If Boston is who we think they are it doesn't matter and I know you know that.

I just wanted to make sure that’s what you said. You’re putting all your hopes in Kyrie shrinking in the big moments.

I know what Kyrie is. A overrated turd.

Irving and Luka will not outscore Tatum and Brown by a whole lot, if at all.

I'll take Jrue, White, KP and Horford over Lively and Washington.

It’s going to be an epic series.

[The Corey's]

It's still hillarious to me how Wolves reddit made a thread for the fans going to the game to not yell at Luka because it will only motivate him. And then this guy in the front row did exactly that and the rest is history

Celtics toxic fans are probably going to make him go Super Saiyan.

It's impossible my friend. What you're saying is somehow some way Luka scores MORE when he's triggered.

So is he lazy on the other possessions? Which is it. Both can't be true.

They absolutely can both be true. Don’t worry though you’re about to find out.

Wait. So you're on record that Luka is lazy? Lol

Dallas could barely beat the wolves. A team who couldn't score.

Boston ain't worried.

[The Corey's]

It's still hillarious to me how Wolves reddit made a thread for the fans going to the game to not yell at Luka because it will only motivate him. And then this guy in the front row did exactly that and the rest is history

Celtics toxic fans are probably going to make him go Super Saiyan.

It's impossible my friend. What you're saying is somehow some way Luka scores MORE when he's triggered.

So is he lazy on the other possessions? Which is it. Both can't be true.

The more you **** on him the better he plays. That's what every Mavs fan knows after watching him for 6 years. He's been always like that even in Europe. And a lot of other fanbases learned that the hard way. We'll see how how Celtics fans handle that during the games.

I understand what you're saying but you don't understand that that is subjective and not a factual stat.

Celtics fans are gonna dog the **** out of Luka and the Celtics are still gonna win.

No one cares about his 35 points a game. Its not enough.

[The Corey's]

I just wanted to make sure that’s what you said. You’re putting all your hopes in Kyrie shrinking in the big moments.

I know what Kyrie is. A overrated turd.

Irving and Luka will not outscore Tatum and Brown by a whole lot, if at all.

I'll take Jrue, White, KP and Horford over Lively and Washington.

It’s going to be an epic series.

I just wish the Celtics had a opponent worthy of the moment. Well just have to be ok with the title I guess.

[zonedefense]

Most posts win the series? Two Celtics fans combining for 100+ posts. Three Mavs fan matching them post by post.

[ajones9219]

No it’s because the Mavs are a completely different team than they were for 2/3 of the season. They are also playing a much better than they were at the start of the playoffs. So trying to use any metric from the regular season is irrelevant. This is not the same Mavs team that Boston faced at any point during the season.

That isn't how the NBA works, especially when your core is literally the same. If you TRULY believe that literally no metrics are useful to compare the two teams then just go back to the Mavs board and come back once the games start. I'm not saying this to be mean, but literally what is the point of discussing the series if you're just going to say any discussion topics are just irrelevant.

I personally think any metrics are both fair game and relevant if Kyrie and Luka were on the floor.

Well if you’re expecting these Mavs to play like they did when the metrics you’re using were taken you’re going to be in for a huge disappointment.

I've watched most Mavs games this season...like I said in a post above, the Mavs are my favorite west team. They play the same style they have all season, with the difference that they now have excellent shot blocking and vertical spacing compliments of the deadline deals. Neither of those changes are going to disrupt how the Celtics like to play and if anything it plays into Boston's hands just based on personnel matchups.

Fundamentally it's all still the same offensively in that everything funnels through Luka and Kyrie. This is evidenced by the fact that Luka's usage rate hasn't moved post trade deadline and is near the top of the league.

Teams are basically never "completely different" after making role player changes...that's just not how the league works, especially teams built around a superstar like Luka.

[ITYSL]

You don't actually believe that any singular person can influence another person on earth to make a basket do you? What scientific evidence do you have that would support such a claim? Like it almost feels like you think Boston is somehow gonna make Luka better by heckling him. Thats not a real thing

Yes, it is a real thing. The history of sports is filled with individuals and teams who were motivated by things such as heckling and being discounted. It heightens their drive and focus. I'm not sure how you could be a sports fans for decades and not agree with this. You don't need a peer-reviewed scientific paper to prove it.

[Tyakack]

It's been very interesting to see this narrative develop.

This is the same Luka who is constantly at odds with patrons in the stands because they hurt his little feelings.

Over and over we see this guy crying over some **** some rich slob on the sidelines whispered into his ear.

You’re not familiar with European fans and crowds are you. Luka feeds on the negativity. Boston has a reputation of having very vocal fans. Luka loves to silence vocal fans. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

It's still hillarious to me how Wolves reddit made a thread for the fans going to the game to not yell at Luka because it will only motivate him. And then this guy in the front row did exactly that and the rest is history

Celtics toxic fans are probably going to make him go Super Saiyan.

What I find even more hilarious is people that think this makes any difference at all. It's the NBA Playoffs/finals. If you need any extra motivation that is not a good sign.

If Luka goes super saiyan its not gonna be because some fan in the front row called him a bad name.

[ITYSL]

Most posts win the series? Two Celtics fans combining for 100+ posts. Three Mavs fan matching them post by post.

riveting entertainment

[The Corey's]

You don't actually believe that any singular person can influence another person on earth to make a basket do you? What scientific evidence do you have that would support such a claim? Like it almost feels like you think Boston is somehow gonna make Luka better by heckling him. Thats not a real thing

Yes, it is a real thing. The history of sports is filled with individuals and teams who were motivated by things such as heckling and being discounted. It heightens their drive and focus. I'm not sure how you could be a sports fans for decades and not agree with this. You don't need a peer-reviewed scientific paper to prove it.

It doesn't work like that. The ball goes in the net based on skill.

Not because some Joe schmoe hurt their feelings.

[The Corey's]

You’re not familiar with European fans and crowds are you. Luka feeds on the negativity. Boston has a reputation of having very vocal fans. Luka loves to silence vocal fans. So it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

It's still hillarious to me how Wolves reddit made a thread for the fans going to the game to not yell at Luka because it will only motivate him. And then this guy in the front row did exactly that and the rest is history

Celtics toxic fans are probably going to make him go Super Saiyan.

What I find even more hilarious is people that think this makes any difference at all. It's the NBA Playoffs/finals. If you need any extra motivation that is not a good sign.

If Luka goes super saiyan its not gonna be because some fan in the front row called him a bad name.

I'll say it. Luka probably has to average over 40 to win that series.