Pacers vs Celtics: Series Thread (CONFERENCE FINALS!)

[Wizop]

I was really upset after game one as I felt we blew it, but while game 3 could've been it didn't upset me. We're holding our own so far tonight but even if we lose, we have nothing to be ashamed of.

[Grang33r]

Incredible run. Pacers were hanging with the Celtics for most of the 3 out of 4 games. They just couldn't close it out.

We gave them a good fight. Nobody can deny that.

It was great chatting and going through this season and playoffs with you all. You're a great group of fans and im lucky to be part of this fanbase and forum. I live in Buffalo so im far from the action, but it's so nice being able to talk with you guys.

[Grang33r]

As for the Brown flagrant foul. If that was a flagrant, then so was Jackson's kick on Pritchard. A leg doesn't fly like that. I was okay with them calling a regular foul there.

[Pacers Forever]

Horrible foul call on McConnell. Flagrant if it was a Pacer fouling a Celtic. Unfortunately the hand they’re dealt. Overall I thought the refs were much better than in the Knicks series though.

Celtics are so sneaky defensively by bumping, reaching, and physically aggressive bodying up players and not called enough for knocking players off balance which gives them enough room to reach in and steal the ball from the off balance player. As Wizop referenced they get so many blocked shots which I think they get away with fouling on.

Celtics should’ve been beating us by more but they don’t seem to get the killer instinct until the last 2 minutes to pull out games.

Boston is stacked and quite frankly should have buried the Pacers. To the Pacer’s credit they played well enough to be in 3 of 4 games to the end.
Tatum, Brown Holiday are ya kidding me ? 3 all star quality players.

I hope Carlisle learns from this experience, but I’m not sure he will make better decisions. I’m not sure how good his entire coaching staff is but I do like Weiner, Boucek, and Pargo.

Pacers front office has their work cut out this offseason to improve their chances at getting back into the ECF. Just not enough talent on this team to dominate at the top level of the league. Kudos to getting back to the playoffs and giving the fans exciting basketball.

[Grang33r]

Pacers 0 points in final 3:33. Celtics closed this game out i think on a 15-2 run. Closed out game 3 on a 13-2 run. We all know what happened at end of game 1.

What else is needed to be said

[Grang33r]

Tatum, Brown Holiday are ya kidding me ? 3 all star quality players.

Don't forget Horford who killed us with his 3s in game 3.

[Grang33r]

I've also been impressed with White these playoffs with his 3 point shooting but in this Pacers series, his shot selection and defense was a massive factor. He's not far from being a star too.

[Pacers Forever]

Tatum, Brown Holiday are ya kidding me ? 3 all star quality players.

Don't forget Horford who killed us with his 3s in game 3.

I was only listing big stars and would have listed Porzingis if he was healthy giving them 4.

Pacers only have Tyrese and Pascal as big stars. Pacers have several role players.

Granted White and Horford are stars similar to Myles level.

[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

I just wanted to drop by to say I have a lot of respect for your team and organisation as a whole.

I think there’s been a lack of respect for how well and hard you guys played regardless of who was available to play. You have a great offensive system and your defense has improved a significant amount.

I know it sucks to get so far and lose but you guys will be back I think. The personalities of your players looks like they understand where they are and the hard work it will take to take another step and seem like they aren’t afraid of hard work.

[JMaster5K]

I've also been impressed with White these playoffs with his 3 point shooting but in this Pacers series, his shot selection and defense was a massive factor. He's not far from being a star too.

Jrue, Brown, Tatum are all deserving all-stars. Big Al,.. a past, 5x all-star who can still dial it up for a game or two when needed (LOL - or in this case 4 games,.. ). Boston is stacked. It took a lot of work from the Boston FO to get them in this position. Both acquiring vets and coaching / developing picks. They earned their 64 - 18 regular season record. Credit to them, they took care of business.

White has been a 'near all-star' since he was drafted. He's just never played where it was as obvious as Boston. I always wondered why Pops spent so many games & so much time on Murray early in his career, when White was playing at such a high level right next to Murray? Maybe he thought Murray raised the ceiling while White raises your floor?... but in either case,... white setting your teams 'floor', pretty much puts you as a championship contender. Then,.. you add the rest of their team on top of that!

They earned the sweep. Now,... we need an East beats West final,... LOL

[JMaster5K]

Have to admit,.. history was a bit against us,....

2023-24 = Lost E. Conf. Finals
2013-14 = Lost E. Conf. Finals
2003-04 = Lost E. Conf. Finals
1993-94 = Lost E. Conf. Finals
1983-84 = one of our worst seasons 26-56
1973-74 = Lost W. Div. Finals of the ABA championships (same as the Conference finals now, winner goes on to play in the championship)

So,... no one can say we aren't consistent! LOL

[Fencer reregistered]

Bill Walton's death has led to the telling of some anecdotes from his Celtic days.

Here's a version from his Celtic teammate Rick Carlisle, in case any of you care.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/05/27/sports/celtics-pacers-carlisle-walton/

[Fencer reregistered]

In other Carlisle stuff -- is he for real in embracing "chaos", making "Benny Hill" references, etc.?

Do you guys have any insight into what appears to be a huge stylistic change from his days coaching Dallas?

What was his approach like in his first Indiana stint?

[Birdon]

I've also been impressed with White these playoffs with his 3 point shooting but in this Pacers series, his shot selection and defense was a massive factor. He's not far from being a star too.

Many times he’s our silent MVP.
Him and Jrue are the foundation of the team.

Anyway. Congrats on a great run.
Haliburton is a legit star to build around.
You guys did well to Nesmith, he’s a much better player.
Carlisle is a great leader and basketball connoisseur. Under him Turner is a different player.

[JMaster5K]

In other Carlisle stuff -- is he for real in embracing "chaos", making "Benny Hill" references, etc.?

Do you guys have any insight into what appears to be a huge stylistic change from his days coaching Dallas?

What was his approach like in his first Indiana stint?

Hey Fencer. Yeah,... Coach really has changed his relationship to the game. When he was here before (early 2000's), he was very much in control, calling plays from the sidelines. He was actually a bit more flexible in Dallas than he had been in Indy (over the years anyway). Don't know what inspired him, but it is working wonders. He still calls formations (without actions), or actions (without formations),... etc. Letting Ty read the court after the initial matchups or movements. But, he said it himself in an interview last offseason, that he has so much trust in Ty, Andrew, & TJ, that he will let them make decisions,... and now, he listens to their input.

His coaching has always been good, but he's gone from good coaching teaching a system,.. to developing each players understanding of the game with where & how they fit together as a team, then letting that drive the plays. He's gone from good, to Shake-your-head amazing at times. Like all coaches, he still messes up, but when you have a team relationship with the players, where they have the confidence in you that they can speak & will be heard and respected,.. even if he goes with his first plan. Like having a second set of eyes to check for mistakes for both the coaches and the players.

We've got an analyst that follows the Pacers,... Caitlin Cooper. She is on Patreon under 'Basketball She Wrote'. She did a piece a while ago that still holds true on how Coach Carlisle has changed and adapted from his first Pacers gig until now. That piece alone is worth the price to join her page. (not to be a walking advertisement, but,....) She is widely considered the best freelance analyst currently following the NBA. Lots of fans from many teams are on her page just to get a better understanding of the game & what they see when they watch it. (think, a modern day 'John Madden' but for basketball) Her page has really increased my enjoyment of watching the game generally, as well as the Pacers.

If you're interested in detailed answers to the questions you asked,.. I would suggest her page. A small amount of time there can do a LOT more than any post any of us could put on here. LOL =}

with that,... and Go East, beat West,.... I'll wish you a bit of happiness & good basketball. =]

[Wizop]

Go East, beat West,.... I'll wish you a bit of happiness & good basketball. =]

that's my usual approach too, but I don't think I can cheer for Boston this year even though them winning would enhance our finish.

[JMaster5K]

Go East, beat West,.... I'll wish you a bit of happiness & good basketball. =]

that's my usual approach too, but I don't think I can cheer for Boston this year even though them winning would enhance our finish.

I hear ya,.. but I gotta support Brad Stevens,... played hs ball at Zionsville, college at DePauw, and coached at Butler. Can't really root against him,.... He wins,.. Indiana wins,... well,. kind of, anyway,... =}

[Fencer reregistered]

In other Carlisle stuff -- is he for real in embracing "chaos", making "Benny Hill" references, etc.?

Do you guys have any insight into what appears to be a huge stylistic change from his days coaching Dallas?

What was his approach like in his first Indiana stint?

Hey Fencer. Yeah,... Coach really has changed his relationship to the game. When he was here before (early 2000's), he was very much in control, calling plays from the sidelines. He was actually a bit more flexible in Dallas than he had been in Indy (over the years anyway). Don't know what inspired him, but it is working wonders. He still calls formations (without actions), or actions (without formations),... etc. Letting Ty read the court after the initial matchups or movements. But, he said it himself in an interview last offseason, that he has so much trust in Ty, Andrew, & TJ, that he will let them make decisions,... and now, he listens to their input.

His coaching has always been good, but he's gone from good coaching teaching a system,.. to developing each players understanding of the game with where & how they fit together as a team, then letting that drive the plays. He's gone from good, to Shake-your-head amazing at times. Like all coaches, he still messes up, but when you have a team relationship with the players, where they have the confidence in you that they can speak & will be heard and respected,.. even if he goes with his first plan. Like having a second set of eyes to check for mistakes for both the coaches and the players.

We've got an analyst that follows the Pacers,... Caitlin Cooper. She is on Patreon under 'Basketball She Wrote'. She did a piece a while ago that still holds true on how Coach Carlisle has changed and adapted from his first Pacers gig until now. That piece alone is worth the price to join her page. (not to be a walking advertisement, but,....) She is widely considered the best freelance analyst currently following the NBA. Lots of fans from many teams are on her page just to get a better understanding of the game & what they see when they watch it. (think, a modern day 'John Madden' but for basketball) Her page has really increased my enjoyment of watching the game generally, as well as the Pacers.

If you're interested in detailed answers to the questions you asked,.. I would suggest her page. A small amount of time there can do a LOT more than any post any of us could put on here. LOL =}

with that,... and Go East, beat West,.... I'll wish you a bit of happiness & good basketball. =]

Thanks!

I suspect the league is swinging somewhat toward ball-movement offenses sort of collaboratively constructed by the coaches and the players themselves. Joe Mazzulla's approach is similar, to the point that player interviews suggest he and Carlisle some of the identical buzzphrases.

[Wizop]

I didn't expect to want the Celtics to win, but if the blow out Dallas it'll make our close losses look better

[boomershadow]

I didn't expect to want the Celtics to win, but if the blow out Dallas it'll make our close losses look better

And it's better to lose to the Champs than anyone else.