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

[LaLover11]

The week+ off sucks. I'd even watch Detroit play the Wizards right now

Wouldn't be so bad if we could fill the week with actual basketball analysis of the matchup vs "Did Tatum smile big enough at Brown getting East MVP?!?"

This is when the BiG 3 should have a 3 day or week long tournament on ESPN

[BeiBeau]

What's interesting here is that Tatum has low-key been a top 3 player all playoffs. The only thing sub standard is his 3 point shooting right now. 29%.

He's still giving us 26/10/6 this post season. However, if his 3 point shooting returns to "average", or rather, if he was hitting the 3 at a normal clip this post season, he'd be giving us 28/10/6 on 60%ts this post season.

He's also doing that with elite defense. If Tatum's 3pt shot returns to his norm, there's a good shot he gives the Mavs a good 29/10/6 this series.

He's due for good 3pt shooting, and if he gets his rhythm going even just above average this series, he's gonna give the Celtics like 30/10/6 with elite defense.

With Doncic a little bit injured, Tatum WILL outplay him a few games if his 3pt shot comes back.

Hauser has also been ice cold from 3. And he's a 40% 3pt shooter.

Luka
Shai
Jokic
Mitchell
Brunson

There is no world in which Tatum has been a top 3 player in the playoffs.

There are only two players left who are contending, that’s Luka and Tatum.

Take a seat champ.

Tatum getting carried by an easy path and a great team doesn’t make him good. Just another Celtics fan who is a smart as a rusted shovel.

Everyone: Personal attacks are not allowed. Disagree with each other's posts as strongly as you'd like but don't insult the poster himself or entire fanbases for that matter. This thread doesn't need to get even more ridiculous and hostile.

[ajones9219]

Luka
Shai
Jokic
Mitchell
Brunson

There is no world in which Tatum has been a top 3 player in the playoffs.

There are only two players left who are contending, that’s Luka and Tatum.

Take a seat champ.

Tatum getting carried by an easy path and a great team doesn’t make him good. Just another Celtics fan who is a smart as a rusted shovel.

Tatum is leading the Celtics in points, rebounds and assists while shooting a better true shooting percentage than Luka or Brunson. But yeah, totally getting carried.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

Yet he is the Finals MVP favorite. At some point this series, you’ll admit he’s one of the top superstars in the league.

So nobody gets upset, let be me clear from the jump Tatum is an awesome player. Top 5 in the world, awesome maybe.

But he's the Finals MVP favorite because he's the best player on a team pretty heavily favored right? He isn't the MVP favorite because most people believe he's a better player than Luka Doncic.

That’s true. I don’t think many people believe that at this point in time he is a better player than Luka.

This version of Luka is better than this version of Tatum. At the start of this year I rated Tatum higher simply because Luka didn't defend and played slowly. However Luka's increased pace on offense, willingness to get off the ball early and put effort in on the defensive end (I still don't think he's a great defender but is serviceable now) puts him past Tatum for impact.

They both have some growth left in them but I don't see Tatum passing Luka unless Luka regresses again or Tatum somehow has some massive unforseen leap in him left. This version of Luka is amazing (and scary as an opposition fan).

I'm still extremely happy with Tatum though.

[BliscoSantos]

The Celtics are the heavy favorites for a reason....their starting five is the Best in the league and any one of them can drop 25 points on you...with that being said, the Mavs have been the underdog in every series....the key Will be the coaching,adjustments...this isn't the same Mavs team that Boston destroyed, they're playing a lot better...I expect a tough series,maybe the Mavs can upset...with Luka and Kai anything is possible

One thing that no one seems to pay attention to is what happens if Tatum and Brown have similar stats....Would Tatum be ok with Brown taking finals MVP? He didn't seem to be bothered by losing the WCF MVP but he is their Best player and i'm sure he wants to be the alpha,Best player on his team...if they have similar impact maybe one of them starts to play hero ball too much,which would go to Mavs favor

[The Corey's]

Celtics in five. Luka will win a title some day, but it won’t be this year. Celtics have five of the best seven players and homecourt. Now or never.

Hey man. I say this same **** and I'm a homer dealing with my notifications blowing up about how I don't know crap about the Mavs.

You say it and you got 22 likes.

Me thinks it's that and 1 mod bump special.

[Bankai]

Each year I thought people were overrating the Celtics. But before this Playoffs, I did say that I believe the Celtics were in prime position to win it all. I still do. This could be their year.

[dakomish23]

Mavs in 6 or BOS in 7

[Mikistan]

What is zingis status

[Wargreymon]

[durden_tyler]

Yet he is the Finals MVP favorite. At some point this series, you’ll admit he’s one of the top superstars in the league.

So nobody gets upset, let be me clear from the jump Tatum is an awesome player. Top 5 in the world, awesome maybe.

But he's the Finals MVP favorite because he's the best player on a team pretty heavily favored right? He isn't the MVP favorite because most people believe he's a better player than Luka Doncic.

Perhaps not better than Luka (for these playoffs) but people make it sound like he’s on Donovan Mitchell or Anthony Edwards level this postseason.


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[Texas Chuck]

Yet he is the Finals MVP favorite. At some point this series, you’ll admit he’s one of the top superstars in the league.

So nobody gets upset, let be me clear from the jump Tatum is an awesome player. Top 5 in the world, awesome maybe.

But he's the Finals MVP favorite because he's the best player on a team pretty heavily favored right? He isn't the MVP favorite because most people believe he's a better player than Luka Doncic.

Perhaps not better than Luka (for these playoffs) but people make it sound like he’s on Donovan Mitchell or Anthony Edwards level this postseason.


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ANT was pretty good these playoffs. Spida has been great in multiple playoffs. Not sure that's some huge insult.

But man on this board its either call my guy GOAT or you are calling him trash lol. I don't even how to respond to most of this anymore.

[durden_tyler]

Celtics have the best player and 3rd best player.

Celtics have 5 of the top 7 players, though, realistically.

The Kyrie and Porzingis narratives make this a very interesting series.

In the end I think Celtics outlast the Mavs and beat them in 7.

Sorry to break it to you but the Mavs have the 2 best players in the series on their team.

Can’t argue with this if we get nuclear Luka and Kyrie again for the ENTIRE series.

However, Celtics’ defense will make sure those two are contained. Might see a 50 pt game from Luka too, but that could very well come from the Mavs’ lone win this series.


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[KamikazeK]

Mavs in 6 or BOS in 7

C's are undefeated on the road these playoffs and traditionally have been very strong road teams in general, including in the playoffs. Totally unsurprising if they win in 6.

[Curmudgeon]

The difference is that the Celtics' top two offensive players play defense as well. Also, Dallas fans who really understand the game will begin to appreciate how good Derrick White really is.

[165bows]

So nobody gets upset, let be me clear from the jump Tatum is an awesome player. Top 5 in the world, awesome maybe.

But he's the Finals MVP favorite because he's the best player on a team pretty heavily favored right? He isn't the MVP favorite because most people believe he's a better player than Luka Doncic.

That’s true. I don’t think many people believe that at this point in time he is a better player than Luka.

This version of Luka is better than this version of Tatum. At the start of this year I rated Tatum higher simply because Luka didn't defend and played slowly. However Luka's increased pace on offense, willingness to get off the ball early and put effort in on the defensive end (I still don't think he's a great defender but is serviceable now) puts him past Tatum for impact.

They both have some growth left in them but I don't see Tatum passing Luka unless Luka regresses again or Tatum somehow has some massive unforseen leap in him left. This version of Luka is amazing (and scary as an opposition fan).

I'm still extremely happy with Tatum though.

I think this is pretty fair. I’ve argued Tatum > Doncic a ton in the past. He does vary quite a bit in his 3 point shooting production and that changes a lot, when he’s on forget about it.

Still think Tatum is a more complete player and much easier to build a team around. Also think Tatum could take a G league team to the playoffs and he’s not someone you could tank a season with.

For those that say he’s not a top 5 player and is only good because he’s got some elite team around him - let’s see all your old posts lionizing Jaylen Brown and maybe Smart too and throw in a couple old ones of yours about how good the Philly/OKC version of Horford was. Then I’ll buy what you are selling lol.

[jfs1000d]

Yet he is the Finals MVP favorite. At some point this series, you’ll admit he’s one of the top superstars in the league.

So nobody gets upset, let be me clear from the jump Tatum is an awesome player. Top 5 in the world, awesome maybe.

But he's the Finals MVP favorite because he's the best player on a team pretty heavily favored right? He isn't the MVP favorite because most people believe he's a better player than Luka Doncic.

Perhaps not better than Luka (for these playoffs) but people make it sound like he’s on Donovan Mitchell or Anthony Edwards level this postseason.


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Comparing Mitchell snf Edwards to Tatum is a joke, Look at Tatum’s playoff record.

He isn’t better than Luka offensively, Luka’s talent is generational. That doesn’t mean the Mavs are unbeatable. Hell, Larry Bird only won three titles. 3. And he is probably closest to Luka Stylistically, though a better shooter, dribbler and defender and equal passer.

Haha. Bird was/is awesome.

[zimpy27]

That’s true. I don’t think many people believe that at this point in time he is a better player than Luka.

This version of Luka is better than this version of Tatum. At the start of this year I rated Tatum higher simply because Luka didn't defend and played slowly. However Luka's increased pace on offense, willingness to get off the ball early and put effort in on the defensive end (I still don't think he's a great defender but is serviceable now) puts him past Tatum for impact.

They both have some growth left in them but I don't see Tatum passing Luka unless Luka regresses again or Tatum somehow has some massive unforseen leap in him left. This version of Luka is amazing (and scary as an opposition fan).

I'm still extremely happy with Tatum though.

I think this is pretty fair. I’ve argued Tatum > Doncic a ton in the past. He does vary quite a bit in his 3 point shooting production and that changes a lot, when he’s on forget about it.

Still think Tatum is a more complete player and much easier to build a team around. Also think Tatum could take a G league team to the playoffs and he’s not someone you could tank a season with.

For those that say he’s not a top 5 player and is only good because he’s got some elite team around him - let’s see all your old posts lionizing Jaylen Brown and maybe Smart too and throw in a couple old ones of yours about how good the Philly/OKC version of Horford was. Then I’ll buy what you are selling lol.

Do you think Brad Stevens is a good coach? Would you say he was one of the best in the league or average? Is he a lot worse than Spo?

[AussieCeltic]

This version of Luka is better than this version of Tatum. At the start of this year I rated Tatum higher simply because Luka didn't defend and played slowly. However Luka's increased pace on offense, willingness to get off the ball early and put effort in on the defensive end (I still don't think he's a great defender but is serviceable now) puts him past Tatum for impact.

They both have some growth left in them but I don't see Tatum passing Luka unless Luka regresses again or Tatum somehow has some massive unforseen leap in him left. This version of Luka is amazing (and scary as an opposition fan).

I'm still extremely happy with Tatum though.

I think this is pretty fair. I’ve argued Tatum > Doncic a ton in the past. He does vary quite a bit in his 3 point shooting production and that changes a lot, when he’s on forget about it.

Still think Tatum is a more complete player and much easier to build a team around. Also think Tatum could take a G league team to the playoffs and he’s not someone you could tank a season with.

For those that say he’s not a top 5 player and is only good because he’s got some elite team around him - let’s see all your old posts lionizing Jaylen Brown and maybe Smart too and throw in a couple old ones of yours about how good the Philly/OKC version of Horford was. Then I’ll buy what you are selling lol.

Do you think Brad Stevens is a good coach? Would you say he was one of the best in the league or average? Is he a lot worse than Spo?

Brad Stevens would be a top 3 coach if he decided to come back.

People need to go back and look what he did with the teams he had. They outperformed/exceeded expectations every single year he was coach.

What’s crazy is, he might actually be a better GM.

[AussieCeltic]

What is zingis status

Practiced 5 on 5 with the team yesterday.

He’s looking good to go for game 1.