ECF: P1 | (2) Boston Celtics vs (4) Cleveland Cavaliers | BOS 2-0

[lakerz12]

Lol...just no...what the Celtics have right now is a ton of young talent, chemistry, and a coach/GM on their way to being all-time greats....Lakers are nowhere near that right now...

Wtf Lakers haven’t made the playoffs in 5 years. Don’t even put them in a sentence with the Celtics

Amen brother

Celtic fans speaking poorly of the Lakers? Stop the presses.

[joeyAdaMan]

Celtics showing why they might be a greater challenge this year than HOU but will definitely be so by next year.

By next year (if healthy) BOS >> HOU guaranteed.

It’s all about defense with this team that I don’t think any team can compare. Being the #1 ranked defense and holding Cleveland to 83 and 94 points in the first 2 games are the reason why. You can’t beat golden state outscoring them. The Celtics defense at least gives them a chance even though they are outclassed by golden state on offense, the Celtics are still a very smart team filled with high IQ players that they are sneaky good at times offensively. Rockets are predictable because you know they iso to death with harden and CP. it makes it more challenging to guard the Celtics because you don’t know who is going to score for them and a lot of their players are talented on both ends. So I do think if the Celtics meet the warriors they would put up a much better fight than the rockets even without their 2 best players

Damnit I hate it because y'all are rivals. But, Ainge built one hell of a team and Stevens is a special coach. The Celtics are the best matchup for the Warriors by far even without Kyrie and Hayward....dangit

[Bologna Smasher]

This Celtics team is just ridiculous. Seriously impressed with what they've been doing. I didn't even think they would get out of the first round initially. I think if the Cavaliers lose this series, it's going to be the nail in the coffin for any little chance they do have to keep LeBron.

[Son_of_Slam]

Yeah. LeBron is undoubtably great, but at the same time, the Cavs offence is so incredibly LeBron-centric that these players have to be one trick ponies.

Are you actually watching these games? LeBron doesn't even have the ball all the time while he's on the court, nevermind when he is off. The can't even create a shot for themselves or each other. It's pathetic.

aren't you guys saying the same thing?

[JordansBulls]

Kevin Love and JR Smith just need the ball in there hands and they can make things happen.

[The Corey's]

Too many Celtic haters.

Proof is in the pudding regardless of what happens over the next 5 games, if healthy the celtics go to the finals.

Even hurt they potentially still goto finals.

You should wanna kill for a team that fights like that in a league full of superstar me first all American pampered McDonalds type players.

[Naero]

Regardless of this series' outcome, the Celtics have already legitimized themselves with this playoffs run. Pegged as heavy underdogs for these past-two series, not many will continue to misdetermine them by their injuries alone after seeing them gentleman-sweep the 76ers and get a 2-0 stranglehold against the Cavaliers—the first Eastern Conference team to accomplish that feat against a LeBron-led team since the 2008 iteration of this same franchise.

As a Bucks fan, I'm still embittered by our first-round series against them, which was winnably competitive and one many expected us to win since we outmanned them, but it at least feels more forgivable knowing that the Celtics have defied odds against other teams since. It feels better knowing the team that deprived us of the second round isn't your typical playoffs fodder (at least out East).

I'm not ready to conclude that this series is over unless the Celtics win at least one of this upcoming road games, though. The Cavaliers will have ample respite before starting off their homestand, and the Celtics' roadplay has left a bit too much to be desired this postseason; but depending on how massive of a psychological advantage they now have over the Cavaliers, perhaps they will continue to surprise me during these upcoming games.

[LeBird]

I made a thread after the Pacers series that Lue should have been fired regardless. I believe that still.

This team has no real plan and only gets by on LeBron's amazing capacity to lift his team or luck out that their shooters get hot. On defence you could tell the Cavs players were tired and he still wouldn't change the line-up. I have no idea why Cedi Osman is not getting real minutes. Against such a Celtics team you need someone like him who plays full energy both on and off the ball. Heck, he'd fit in with the Celtics himself, he can play D, drive and shoot the 3.

The Cavs need to win 2 at home, and they can do it, but there is 0.0000000000001 chance they win more than 1 game against GSW.

[jfs1000d]

I said it when the IT trade as made. Cavs lowered their ceiling but set their floor.

The guys they gave up who weren’t playing well were more talented than who they brought in.

Celtics are so much better athletically, deeper and more talented.


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[infinite11285]

As a side note I thought the Cavs played well early, even outside of LeBron's scoring outburst. He had a ton of points but they were providing him with help and moving around better than they typically do.

Second half though....

Meltdown of a second half. Cleveland was completely outclassed. Lue made no adjustments, and his rotations were absolutely porous.

[whatisacenter]

cle starting backcourt
3 pts
2 ast
5 reb

ouch, that is so bad. I guess LeBron does need more help.

[LeBird]

aren't you guys saying the same thing?

The others have plenty of possessions and minutes to show they can do something without LeBron, they're just not capable. It has nothing to do with team setup.

LeBron actively wants them to do well without his input because it means his own output may actually make a difference.

[The Corey's]

Wtf Lakers haven’t made the playoffs in 5 years. Don’t even put them in a sentence with the Celtics

Amen brother

Celtic fans speaking poorly of the Lakers? Stop the presses.

Speaking poorly would to lol at who the Lakers gave picked over the last 5 years.

Who they have in charge of picking players in the draft.

Talking about the nba handed them the 2010 ship.

Talking about how they havent made the playoffs in 5 years and that their young players arent on the level or the celtics players isnt a insult. It's literally speaking a fact.

Why cant you just be happy with the Lakers 30 year run of 11 titles? Time to share the wealth.

[joeyAdaMan]

LeBron is selfish ? You watch or play basketball ?

Not selfish the way that Harden and Westbrook are. He leaves a lot of his teammates on an island. They stand around waiting to see what he is going to do. If he isn't doing virtually everything, they wither.

Could it be because they can't be counted on to generate their own offense consistently ? JR, Hood and maybe Clarkson can do it in spurts, Love is inconsistent and not a ball handler, I've never seen Korver dribble in my life, Thompson and Green are well, Thompson and Green, nothing more needs saying..

Agreed, only problem is Lebron helped build this roster. I'd love to know what really happened with the Kyrie saga? Was Lebron willing to put his pride aside and ask Kyrie to stick around. Did Kyrie really hate playing with Lebron or just feel unappreciated by the org? Such a huge loss and this team is amongst the worst in the league without Lebron or Kyrie imo....so old and the young players are shid...every player is one dimensional

[Homerclease]

Celtics are 8-2 since Marcus Smart returned to the lineup

[BBallchallenged]

LeBron is selfish ? You watch or play basketball ?

Not selfish the way that Harden and Westbrook are. He leaves a lot of his teammates on an island. They stand around waiting to see what he is going to do. If he isn't doing virtually everything, they wither.

Could it be because they can't be counted on to generate their own offense consistently ? JR, Hood and maybe Clarkson can do it in spurts, Love is inconsistent and not a ball handler, I've never seen Korver dribble in my life, Thompson and Green are well, Thompson and Green, nothing more needs saying..

Exactly. It's the most horrible form of basketball.

[Pure_Basketball]

Que the no help for Lebron narrative. Lol, he's losing to a "team" with no stars. Unselfish team ball >>>>>>>>>>>LeBron ball.

Can't wait for the day that people stop making excuses for this dude. His style of basketball makes teammates codependent. That's why all his teams have the same problems. It's not team basketball, it's stat pad LeBron basketball.

Why are they so god damn awful when he's off the court then?

[Splashin]

Celtics are 8-2 since Marcus Smart returned to the lineup

I'll never doubt that kid again. Or the Celtics. Or stevens. I'm sorry!!!!

[The Corey's]

Regardless of this series' outcome, the Celtics have already legitimized themselves with this playoffs run. Pegged as heavy underdogs for these past-two series, not many will continue to misdetermine them by their injuries alone after seeing them gentleman-sweep the 76ers and get a 2-0 stranglehold against the Cavaliers—the first Eastern Conference team to accomplish that feat against a LeBron-led team since the 2008 iteration of this same franchise.

As a Bucks fan, I'm still embittered by our first-round series against them, which was winnably competitive and one many expected us to win since we outmanned them, but it at least feels more forgivable knowing that the Celtics have defied odds against other teams since. It feels better knowing the team that deprived us of the second round isn't your typical playoffs fodder (at least out East).

I'm not ready to conclude that this series is over unless the Celtics win at least one of this upcoming road games, though. The Cavaliers will have ample respite before starting off their homestand, and the Celtics' roadplay has left a bit too much to be desired this postseason; but depending on how massive of a psychological advantage they now have over the Cavaliers, perhaps they will continue to surprise me during these upcoming games.

We should clarify one major issue here.

If the celtics dont have two top 25 players on their roster who arent even playing a single playoff minute then I can see why some may be upset at losing to them.

But all things being equal. Its pretty clear the celtics are the best team in the east.

[joeyAdaMan]

Kevin Love and JR Smith just need the ball in there hands and they can make things happen.

The worst part is your serious....Lebron doesn't have HCA so YOU should give him a break here