CELTS KNOCK EM OFF THEIR HORSES! NBA FINALS G1 VICTORY CIGAR VS DAL 6/6/24 (BOS LEADS 1-0)

[bisme37]

[hugepatsfan]

Tatum has shown so much growth and progress in not trying to force things. He didn’t score efficiently last night - 3/9 from inside the arc with only 2 FT attempts. But that’s fine because a bad shooting night won’t kill is if he’s still making the right plays for others and keeping the shot volume down rather than jacking up attempts. Last time we were in the Finals he was forcing a lot of shots. Some of it now could be us just having better offensive players around him rather than him actually doing things interesting tonality different, but there’s been some growth there.

Now, it does still show why I don’t think Tatum is a legit contender for “best player in the world”. Guys like Luka, Jokic, Lebron in his prime etc, can all withstand that defensive pressure, make plays for others and still get their own efficiently. That’s why they’ll all go down as the best of the best all time (at least offensively - Luka/Jokic will drop in all time rankings because of defense).

So there’s two different conversations here - the context of team goals and whether Tatum is good enough to be the best player on this team while they win. And then the context of his individual rankings and legacies. The way this team is built and as good as he is, I think he’s good enough for our team goals. I do see the lack of scoring efficiency as holding him back for his individual rankings, but I care less about that.

Mate, you are looking at it wrong.

Tatum only took 9 shots inside the arc, cause it is all he needed to.
Tatum is looking to win it all, not score 40 points.

Last night was a team game, confidence on everyone is very high, and everyone performed well.

6 guys in double digits and hauser just missing out.

Why did Tatum need to take an additional 10 shots when KP is scoring 20, Brown is scoring 20, White is cooking, Jrue is playing great, al is playing great, Hauser is making shots...No need for him to.

PLaymake and lock down on defense.

Tatum is not Luka, because Tatum plays the Game as a teammate. Tatum plays the Magic Johnson type of game. He will give whatever you need whenever you need it.

And that is great.

I think you’re misunderstanding what I’m saying. It’s good that Tatum isn’t forcing up shots. I’m just saying that with Tatum it sometimes feels like it’s still an either or. If the defense overplays him and devotes disproportional attention, then he’ll spray the ball around and rack up assists (or hockey assists). Or if if they don’t do that he’ll kill you with efficient scoring. But he’s not someone who consistently does both against the heavy defensive pressure. That’s why I have him as “only” a top 5ish type of player vs in contention for best player in the game.

Typically, to win it all you usually need that “best in the game” type of of contender. Because Tatum is our best and we’re always in contention he gets judged through that vantage point. I don’t think he’s QUITE there though, and that causes him to get unfairly crapped on by the national media a lot.

But you have to give credit to the rest of the guys on this team (and Brad for assembling) because we’re one of the rare teams who can (and will, IMO) win it all without that tier 1 type of superstar because the pieces fit so well together and are such high overall talent throughout the rotation.

[UNCBlue012]

It's just so wild to me the number of people who downplayed Kristaps' injury as if he wasn't a huge loss for Boston. I get the C's played other injured teams, but neglecting a guy who averaged 20/7 with good defense and incredible efficiency is peak bias from the GB and media.

[bisme37]

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[bisme37]

This was our night but it’s just one game. Gotta come out with ferocity in game 2 - can’t take anything for granted.

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Hey man I'm still chuckling about how you somehow posted this comment on the GB last night in a 9 year old thread about the Rockets firing Kevin McHale. How did that even happen?? lol

[lon3lytoaster]

Going back and watching the game, the most encouraging thing I can find is also probably the most intangible. The Celtics just look ready for the moment. There was a moment at half time where J Kidd had to almost redo his speech because he was starting to say they were acting like they’d never been there before… and well. They haven’t. Almost a little telling.

I think Dallas could be us four times, it’s 100% possible but I don’t think it happens if we’re this locked in. They’re probably thinking “just get one in Boston.” I don’t know what adjustments they can make, though. We are a very difficult matchup for them and they REALLY have to hope PJ is their third man.

[bisme37]

Going back and watching the game, the most encouraging thing I can find is also probably the most intangible. The Celtics just look ready for the moment. There was a moment at half time where J Kidd had to almost redo his speech because he was starting to say they were acting like they’d never been there before… and well. They haven’t. Almost a little telling.

I think Dallas could be us four times, it’s 100% possible but I don’t think it happens if we’re this locked in. They’re probably thinking “just get one in Boston.” I don’t know what adjustments they can make, though. We are a very difficult matchup for them and they REALLY have to hope PJ is their third man.

I heard some of Kidd talking to his team and it seems like some of their guys are just hella nervous and not ready for the moment. He's encouraging them like they're toddlers.

[CelticFaninLBC]

It's just so wild to me the number of people who downplayed Kristaps' injury as if he wasn't a huge loss for Boston. I get the C's played other injured teams, but neglecting a guy who averaged 20/7 with good defense and incredible efficiency is peak bias from the GB and media.

Yep, some on this board, and every Jaylen hater, considered Porzingis the 2nd best player on the team.. Glad to see some of the ESPN "experts" looking like morons.

[shackles10]

Going back and watching the game, the most encouraging thing I can find is also probably the most intangible. The Celtics just look ready for the moment. There was a moment at half time where J Kidd had to almost redo his speech because he was starting to say they were acting like they’d never been there before… and well. They haven’t. Almost a little telling.

I think Dallas could be us four times, it’s 100% possible but I don’t think it happens if we’re this locked in. They’re probably thinking “just get one in Boston.” I don’t know what adjustments they can make, though. We are a very difficult matchup for them and they REALLY have to hope PJ is their third man.

I heard some of Kidd talking to his team and it seems like some of their guys are just hella nervous and not ready for the moment. He's encouraging them like they're toddlers.

Or that's just how he talks to his team? I'm not convinced he's a good coach. Nothing specific x's and o's or philosophy wise regarding this Mavs team I don't like to cause me to say that, I just have a hard time anointing a guy who until a sudden narrative changed was considered a poor coach in previous stops as well. I know they changed their defense after the deadline, but that was also after 3 sizable losses to us, Philly without Embiid, and Indy. Most coaches would get criticized for not making the adjustment sooner, but somehow he's a good coach for switching to a pre-Steph NBA defense of packing the paint? What's he left to switch back to when facing us? The defense that had them 8th in the West before that? I have questions, that's all.

[Sweet Serenity]

Going back and watching the game, the most encouraging thing I can find is also probably the most intangible. The Celtics just look ready for the moment. There was a moment at half time where J Kidd had to almost redo his speech because he was starting to say they were acting like they’d never been there before… and well. They haven’t. Almost a little telling.

I think Dallas could be us four times, it’s 100% possible but I don’t think it happens if we’re this locked in. They’re probably thinking “just get one in Boston.” I don’t know what adjustments they can make, though. We are a very difficult matchup for them and they REALLY have to hope PJ is their third man.

I heard some of Kidd talking to his team and it seems like some of their guys are just hella nervous and not ready for the moment. He's encouraging them like they're toddlers.

I noticed that. Telling your players to ‘shoot with confidence’ in a finals game is never a good sign. The players sounded really dejected as well.

[Tyakack]

It's just so wild to me the number of people who downplayed Kristaps' injury as if he wasn't a huge loss for Boston. I get the C's played other injured teams, but neglecting a guy who averaged 20/7 with good defense and incredible efficiency is peak bias from the GB and media.

Yup, they downplayed it because we won anyways. His presence was still clearly missed for anyone paying attention. Some of those close games wouldn't have been so close if KP was out there.

[MaxwellSmart]

Dallas played borderline dirty last night...several no calls when they were banging our guys....I expect Kidd to order them to play even dirtier in Game 2...C's gotta come out and not play passive, which they tend to do.

[UNCBlue012]

It's just so wild to me the number of people who downplayed Kristaps' injury as if he wasn't a huge loss for Boston. I get the C's played other injured teams, but neglecting a guy who averaged 20/7 with good defense and incredible efficiency is peak bias from the GB and media.

Yup, they downplayed it because we won anyways. His presence was still clearly missed for anyone paying attention. Some of those close games wouldn't have been so close if KP was out there.

I said that a few times. I get Boston was a very good team with or without him in the regular season, but it's clear he was necessary to beat the tougher opponents. He was intentionally sat to rest at times against team who he could get banged-up against.

[zoyathedestroya]

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He's still being defended the way Dubs and Heat defended him in the past. Main difference is he has more capable shooters and playmakers around him now.

[The Corey's]

It looks like Mav fans are still in denial. Might have to **** around and do it again Sunday.

[Birdon]

Cookies & Cream indigestion once again.
Pitbull backcourt mauling.

[Tyakack]

It looks like Mav fans are still in denial. Might have to **** around and do it again Sunday.

nO wAy tHe cElTics sHooT tHeiR sEasOn aVerAge fRom 3 aGaIn.

[Birdon]

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[BRUNiNHO91]

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He's still being defended the way Dubs and Heat defended him in the past. Main difference is he has more capable shooters and playmakers around him now.

If they do this the entire series we will rain three’s on their heads. They also gave us the switch too easily and we saw Luka getting smoked by Jaylen and putting them in rotation all game..except Luka is fat and lazy and doesn’t rotate. They have to find a way to avoid Luka guarding Jaylen.

I can’t recall a single playoff series where so many adjustments will need to be made by one team on both sides.

[Ben-N1ce]

Celtics didn't even play great. That's how good they are. Def could play faster. I say that every single game though.