ddb wrote:I'll drop some encouragement to the forum. The Celtics have now played in 12 playoffs games in the bubble. They either won, or had multiple chances to win in 11 of those games. Game 4 against Toronto was the only game the Celtics lost because they didn't play well enough to win. Factor in that Hayward has been out, and that Kemba has STUNK the last 3 games, and I'd say that I like where things currently stand for Boston.
Miami has been outstanding this postseason. They have all the ingredients to play in the finals....But I still think Boston is the better overall team, especially if Hayward comes back and can contribute. 7-game series for a reason. Boston needs to win Game 2 and take back the momentum. Simple as that. Kemba is going to be better. He's been in a slump. He'll get out of it. Tatum has been awesome. Brown has been good. Smart as been awesome. Wanamaker has been outstanding off the bench. Common guys. There's a lot to be excited about. Eastern Conference finals...Realistic chance at advancing to the finals. The Celtics got this.....
It's frustrating because we're so much more talented, but we played way below our potential. Just a lot of bad iso basketball with no player or ball movement, and while we're in every game, we seem to drop all the close ones. I wish Stevens would get back to drawing up plays down the stretch instead of letting Tatum settle for step-back 30 foot threes. It's also frustrating that with a healthy Hayward we'd be head and shoulders above the **** Heat and their goddamn "heat culture". Oh, and **** Pat Riley forever.
Maybe what we're experiencing is just the downside of being led by a 22 year old phenom and a guy that's never been past the 1st round until this year.
"Danny Ainge needs to shut the **** up and manage his own team. He was the biggest whiner when he was playing, and I know that because I coached against him."
Pat Riley