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

[ITYSL]

I might be wrong, but I honestly don't believe KP, especially after being 6 weeks out, can protect the rim or paint better than Chet and Gobert.

As you've shown throughout this thread, your beliefs are based off KP's performance in a playoff series three years ago, which is ridiculous. During this season, KP's stats showed him to be an elite rim protector, which was something you dismissed a few posts ago.

According to your criteria, what would make for a good rim protector? I'm kind of confused, because you mentioned Gobert, and Minny allowed a ton of lobs with Gobert on the floor. The Mavericks shot 70% from <5ft in the conference finals. Do you think the Mavs will shoot higher than that in the Finals?

Did you watch Wolves series? All is about Luka playing pick&roll. If you don't blitz, C have 2 options, leave Luka having easy shot or try to react and risk pass from Luka for easy dunk. These aren't good options to have.

Question is really easy, can KP defend that picks better than Gobert? Kinda unlikely. He might play it differently for sure, letting Luka scoring 50 points. Or you can pack the paint, what OKC have done, and force Luka to make pass to wide open PJ or DJJ. That didn't end well either.

Yes, I watched the Wolves series. That's why I mentioned all the lobs, cited the <5ft FG% for the Mavs in the conference finals, and questioned your claim that KP can't protect the rim as well as Gobert.

So, do you think the Mavs will shoot higher than the 70% FG they had for shots <5ft vs. the Wolves?

[KamikazeK]

Idk if you can watch that Indiana series and say Boston has great ball movement. They were very stagnant for a lot of those games.

The Celtics know how to beat a zone.

Yet another moronic nothing comment for a Celtics fan.

I can't imagine why any Boston fans would have issues with you, man. You seem like such a kind, rational human being to have a conversation with.

[BeiBeau]

The Celtics know how to beat a zone.

Yet another moronic nothing comment for a Celtics fan.

I can't imagine why any Boston fans would have issues with you, man. You seem like such a kind, rational human being to have a conversation with.

You seem like you really contribute to basketball conversations instead of posting emojis to supplement your lack of knowledge.

[KamikazeK]

Yet another moronic nothing comment for a Celtics fan.

I can't imagine why any Boston fans would have issues with you, man. You seem like such a kind, rational human being to have a conversation with.

You seem like you really contribute to basketball conversations instead of posting emojis to supplement your lack of knowledge.

Yeah you're totally not projecting here or anything. I don't get any **** vibes from you at all. Just a completely nice guy who should never be told to go sit on a cactus or anything.

Obviously fans are getting a little cabin fever in this thread while waiting for actual basketball to start. That doesn't mean the rules have changed. Personal attacks will continue to receive strikes and suspensions.
- ccs

[davidv2001]

Not a fan of this huge gap till game 1. So many casuals I've spoken to have been raving about how good the playoffs have been this year. Feels like a missed opportunity to keep the momentum & ratings by the league. I'm sure there's some reason for it

The NBA has to have the Finals scheduled in a manner where it allows for a scenario where each conference final goes seven games and teams get a travel day at a minimum. The Eastern Conference Finals were scheduled to end June 2, and the Western Conference Finals June 3. The earliest the NBA Finals could have started was June 5. They also aren’t going to ask their TV partner, ABC, to re-work their programming schedule to move the NBA Finals up because the Conference Finals ended so quickly.

[BeiBeau]

I can't imagine why any Boston fans would have issues with you, man. You seem like such a kind, rational human being to have a conversation with.

You seem like you really contribute to basketball conversations instead of posting emojis to supplement your lack of knowledge.

Yeah you're totally not projecting here or anything. I don't get any **** vibes from you at all. Just a completely nice guy who should never be told to go sit on a cactus or anything.

I mean you’re more then welcome to prove me wrong that you’re not a stereotypical know nothing Celtics fan by providing any basketball reason you have for why a zone defense would have absolutely 0 chance for slowing down the Celtics. But until then you’re going to continue to be exactly what everyone already thinks of your fan base.

[KamikazeK]

You seem like you really contribute to basketball conversations instead of posting emojis to supplement your lack of knowledge.

Yeah you're totally not projecting here or anything. I don't get any **** vibes from you at all. Just a completely nice guy who should never be told to go sit on a cactus or anything.

I mean you’re more then welcome to prove me wrong that you’re not a stereotypical know nothing Celtics fan by providing any basketball reason you have for why a zone defense would have absolutely 0 chance for slowing down the Celtics. But until then you’re going to continue to be exactly what everyone already thinks of your fan base.

How about you start by learning the first thing about the team the Mavericks will be playing against, and you can figure it out yourself? You seem to lack a basic understanding of the Celtics and how they play basketball.

[BeiBeau]

Yeah you're totally not projecting here or anything. I don't get any **** vibes from you at all. Just a completely nice guy who should never be told to go sit on a cactus or anything.

I mean you’re more then welcome to prove me wrong that you’re not a stereotypical know nothing Celtics fan by providing any basketball reason you have for why a zone defense would have absolutely 0 chance for slowing down the Celtics. But until then you’re going to continue to be exactly what everyone already thinks of your fan base.

How about you start by learning the first thing about the team the Mavericks will be playing against, and you can figure it out yourself? You seem to lack a basic understanding of the Celtics and how they play basketball.

Yup and there it is. Arrogant with 0 basketball knowledge. I’m glad your team is good or you’d truly be a miserable person

Strike for continued ignoring of moderator requests to stop personal attacks.
- ccs

[KamikazeK]

I mean you’re more then welcome to prove me wrong that you’re not a stereotypical know nothing Celtics fan by providing any basketball reason you have for why a zone defense would have absolutely 0 chance for slowing down the Celtics. But until then you’re going to continue to be exactly what everyone already thinks of your fan base.

How about you start by learning the first thing about the team the Mavericks will be playing against, and you can figure it out yourself? You seem to lack a basic understanding of the Celtics and how they play basketball.

Yup and there it is. Arrogant with 0 basketball knowledge.

You shouldn't talk about yourself like that, man. I'm sure you're a wonderful person with a lot to offer. In any case, please actually go and learn a thing or two about this Celtics team's strengths and the road they took to become the perrenial title contender they are today. That would surely help fill in some of the significant gaps in your knowledge.

[Wargreymon]

How about you start by learning the first thing about the team the Mavericks will be playing against, and you can figure it out yourself? You seem to lack a basic understanding of the Celtics and how they play basketball.

Yup and there it is. Arrogant with 0 basketball knowledge.

You shouldn't talk about yourself like that, man. I'm sure you're a wonderful person with a lot to offer. In any case, please actually go and learn a thing or two about this Celtics team's strengths and the road they took to become the perrenial title contender they are today. That would surely help fill in some of the significant gaps in your knowledge.

[BeiBeau]

How about you start by learning the first thing about the team the Mavericks will be playing against, and you can figure it out yourself? You seem to lack a basic understanding of the Celtics and how they play basketball.

Yup and there it is. Arrogant with 0 basketball knowledge.

You shouldn't talk about yourself like that, man. I'm sure you're a wonderful person with a lot to offer. In any case, please actually go and learn a thing or two about this Celtics team's strengths and the road they took to become the perrenial title contender they are today. That would surely help fill in some of the significant gaps in your knowledge.

Have fun hiding your lack of basketball knowledge behind emojis.

[Bob8]

As you've shown throughout this thread, your beliefs are based off KP's performance in a playoff series three years ago, which is ridiculous. During this season, KP's stats showed him to be an elite rim protector, which was something you dismissed a few posts ago.

According to your criteria, what would make for a good rim protector? I'm kind of confused, because you mentioned Gobert, and Minny allowed a ton of lobs with Gobert on the floor. The Mavericks shot 70% from <5ft in the conference finals. Do you think the Mavs will shoot higher than that in the Finals?

Did you watch Wolves series? All is about Luka playing pick&roll. If you don't blitz, C have 2 options, leave Luka having easy shot or try to react and risk pass from Luka for easy dunk. These aren't good options to have.

Question is really easy, can KP defend that picks better than Gobert? Kinda unlikely. He might play it differently for sure, letting Luka scoring 50 points. Or you can pack the paint, what OKC have done, and force Luka to make pass to wide open PJ or DJJ. That didn't end well either.

Yes, I watched the Wolves series. That's why I mentioned all the lobs, cited the <5ft FG% for the Mavs in the conference finals, and questioned your claim that KP can't protect the rim as well as Gobert.

So, do you think the Mavs will shoot higher than the 70% FG they had for shots <5ft vs. the Wolves?

Lively was shooting 74 FG% in RS, Gafford 78 FG% in RS. It depends what will Celtics decide. They will need to give something, dunks, corner 3s all Luka scoring enormously.

[Castle Black]

Read on Twitter

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[MrGoat]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=NG0TfBylojNINifxPwkP6w

Parsons as a source talking about Dallas should be taken with a grain of salt. He was never even teammates with either Luka or KP but has in the last few months been giving hot takes on the Mavs like he's still an insider. Only Mav left he played with is Dwight Powell

[cupcakesnake]

If you find yourself getting into it with another fan and wanting to say something mean and personal... do something else! Take a break from this thread. Go for a walk. Have a snack. The actual basketball will start soon.

[ITYSL]

Did you watch Wolves series? All is about Luka playing pick&roll. If you don't blitz, C have 2 options, leave Luka having easy shot or try to react and risk pass from Luka for easy dunk. These aren't good options to have.

Question is really easy, can KP defend that picks better than Gobert? Kinda unlikely. He might play it differently for sure, letting Luka scoring 50 points. Or you can pack the paint, what OKC have done, and force Luka to make pass to wide open PJ or DJJ. That didn't end well either.

Yes, I watched the Wolves series. That's why I mentioned all the lobs, cited the <5ft FG% for the Mavs in the conference finals, and questioned your claim that KP can't protect the rim as well as Gobert.

So, do you think the Mavs will shoot higher than the 70% FG they had for shots <5ft vs. the Wolves?

Lively was shooting 74 FG% in RS, Gafford 78 FG% in RS. It depends what will Celtics decide. They will need to give something, dunks, corner 3s all Luka scoring enormously.

That's not an answer to my question. I asked about teamwide stats on a specific shot type (one that would be affected by good rim protection) and you responded with individual numbers. Why do you keep changing the parameters? Does rim protection only matter now if it's against Lively and Gafford? Jeez.

If you want to look at Lively+Gafford:
- Regular season: Lively+Gafford shot 76.3% on 11.8 FGA per game
- Conference Finals vs. Minny: Lively+Gafford shot 84.6% on 10.4 FGA per game

Do you think Lively+Gafford will shoot better than 84.6% on 10.4 FGAs/game in the Finals?

[Woodsanity]

Read on Twitter

?s=46&t=NG0TfBylojNINifxPwkP6w

It might be true but I don't think Parsons of all people is a reliable source imo.

[Bob8]

Yes, I watched the Wolves series. That's why I mentioned all the lobs, cited the <5ft FG% for the Mavs in the conference finals, and questioned your claim that KP can't protect the rim as well as Gobert.

So, do you think the Mavs will shoot higher than the 70% FG they had for shots <5ft vs. the Wolves?

Lively was shooting 74 FG% in RS, Gafford 78 FG% in RS. It depends what will Celtics decide. They will need to give something, dunks, corner 3s all Luka scoring enormously.

That's not an answer to my question. I asked about teamwide stats on a specific shot type (one that would be affected by good rim protection) and you responded with individual numbers. Why do you keep changing the parameters? Does rim protection only matter now if it's against Lively and Gafford? Jeez.

If you want to look at Lively+Gafford:
- Regular season: Lively+Gafford shot 76.3% on 11.8 FGA per game
- Conference Finals vs. Minny: Lively+Gafford shot 84.6% on 10.4 FGA per game

Do you think Lively+Gafford will shoot better than 84.6% on 10.4 FGAs/game in the Finals?

I explained to you why they have that good %, they're not doing much else than dunking and they won't do much else in Celtics series either. So % will likely be very good, but # of dunks may vary a lot. The difference will be, how will Celtics decide to guard Luka's pick. Kp is not better rim protector then Gobert, but if Celtics decide to take those dunks away they somewhat can, but in that case they will have to give away something else. I can't give you an answer, before I see how they defend those picks. Difference won't be in quality of KP's rim protection, but in decision of Celtics coach.

[bluejerseyjinx]

Over 60 pages so far before the game has even started. Wow. Just got back from a weekend fishing trip. Caught up on all the banter and back and forth. As a Celtic fan of 54 years, I will admit it. As supportive and knowledgeable we are towards our team, we are arrogant as hell. I feel that is where the hate comes from.

[ajones9219]

You seem like you really contribute to basketball conversations instead of posting emojis to supplement your lack of knowledge.

Yeah you're totally not projecting here or anything. I don't get any **** vibes from you at all. Just a completely nice guy who should never be told to go sit on a cactus or anything.

I mean you’re more then welcome to prove me wrong that you’re not a stereotypical know nothing Celtics fan by providing any basketball reason you have for why a zone defense would have absolutely 0 chance for slowing down the Celtics. But until then you’re going to continue to be exactly what everyone already thinks of your fan base.

Boston has averaged 1.56 points per possession against the zone in the playoffs. Miami was forced to abandon it after game 1 of the series because Boston has shredded it all season due to their 3pt shooting, particularly with KP parked at the free throw line where he has been a lethal playmaker.