GT: The Evil Empire (BKN) vs Bahstan Saltics: NBA Playoffs Round 1, Game 1 (5/22/2021 8pm EST ABC)

[Paradise]

The biggest areas of weakness against Boston to prepare for is rebounding, interior paint defense and making sure to switch with purpose.

If KD is on Tatum, there should be no lapses where Harris ends up on Tatum or Kyrie ends up on Thompson.

[GTR11]

The biggest areas of weakness against Boston to prepare for is rebounding, interior paint defense and making sure to switch with purpose.

If KD is on Tatum, there should be no lapses where Harris ends up on Tatum or Kyrie ends up on Thompson.

Bro, they iso heavy and undersized. You add the fact half of them players inexperienced and it's disaster. Some have their on view on it and its cool with me. Its just certain facts can't be denied.

Kyrie averages 50/50/90 scoring over 30pts. You put Kemba or Fournier on him with no shot blocker out there and it's over.

[Prokorov]

Yea, I think a 3-0 nets lead then Celtics win a meaningless game to at least let it go 5. We just don’t have a good team this season. Blame is deserving for all 3 factions of the Celtics ; Danny, brad and the players. without brown it’s even harder to see us doing anything here. I agree with you on the coaching discrepancy leaning heavily in our favor but your overall talent compared to ours just overwhelms it.

I’m not as doom and gloom as some on our overall picture moving forward but this year with the personal we have it’s just not their for us. Hoping Tatum at least has a good series. I’ve been bullish on the nets once you guys added harden and wanted the Celtics to trade for him. He’s just a really really great player whose been criticized by a lot of people whom probably haven’t watched him play but relied on narratives and him being added to your team essentially made you likely to have 2 of 3 superstars available at all times & when all 3? it could be unfair.

Honestly, I have no idea why Ainge let the roster get to the point where you guys basically punted a year of Tatum and Brown's youth. Long term outlook wise, Boston is in great shape as long as Tatum and Brown sign in for the long haul, having an all star wing tandem is pretty much NBA gold. But I think you may want some new blood in the front office at some point over the next few years.

Is Pritchard in your playoff rotation? Now that kid I wouldn't mind having in a Nets uniform.

Yea we did not have a quality bench to start this year. It cost us in the ECF and to start the year with what we had was a major fail. I understand from afar being down on Danny but personally I’m not there yet. He had a bad year. Still have faith in him but it’s definitely something to watch moving forward and not at all time high levels.

Pritchard will absolutely be in the rotation. He’s a serviceable nba guard- he’s gonna have a long nba career. In no way shape or form does he change the balance of a series at all but he can def have a game where he hits 4 3’s and ends up with 16-18 points. He’s a smart player whose feisty.

Stevens rotations have been all over the place this year but with it being the post season they should be more disciplined (let’s hope). Again, no brown and probably no Robert Williams kind of throws things off again tho so who knows.

I think it isn't all on Ainge/The roster and he needs some rope for hitting on Tatum/Brown. Yeah he was gifted high picks but he could have come away with Bagley and Fultz and that would have been a disaster. That said, how much of that rope is left. 2008 was 10+ years ago, so I dont know that he has much ride left on that title.

He has had a ton of mid-round picks to make selections or trades. To me it is a travesty that the Celtics dont have at least an average bench. Way too many misses. When the Nets give you all their picks and can build depth with late 20's picks, D-leaguers, and euro stashes you cant then turn 8-10 picks into a subpar bench.

Then there is Kyrie/Horford/Heyward. Individually it is easy to excuse each away... Kyrie bailed, Horford wasnt worth the money, Heyward signed for a ton elsewhere. but at some point, in total, you cant let 3 all-star calibur guys walk for nothing (I know the TPE got fournier and horford leaving helped facilitate the kemba deal) but overall it was scraps. Kyrie goes, fine. Gotta turn horford into something. If that Myles turner trade was real and they got greedy and lost out to me that is a fireable offense alone. that celtics team with Turner is a great fit and he can stretch the floor and fits the timeline.

I know the core is young, but your still making ECFs. cant just roll out scrubs around your young stars. if Tatum/Brown get fed up and force a trade or dont come back for their next deal it gets real ugly

[MagicBagley18]

Honestly, I have no idea why Ainge let the roster get to the point where you guys basically punted a year of Tatum and Brown's youth. Long term outlook wise, Boston is in great shape as long as Tatum and Brown sign in for the long haul, having an all star wing tandem is pretty much NBA gold. But I think you may want some new blood in the front office at some point over the next few years.

Is Pritchard in your playoff rotation? Now that kid I wouldn't mind having in a Nets uniform.

Yea we did not have a quality bench to start this year. It cost us in the ECF and to start the year with what we had was a major fail. I understand from afar being down on Danny but personally I’m not there yet. He had a bad year. Still have faith in him but it’s definitely something to watch moving forward and not at all time high levels.

Pritchard will absolutely be in the rotation. He’s a serviceable nba guard- he’s gonna have a long nba career. In no way shape or form does he change the balance of a series at all but he can def have a game where he hits 4 3’s and ends up with 16-18 points. He’s a smart player whose feisty.

Stevens rotations have been all over the place this year but with it being the post season they should be more disciplined (let’s hope). Again, no brown and probably no Robert Williams kind of throws things off again tho so who knows.

I think it isn't all on Ainge/The roster and he needs some rope for hitting on Tatum/Brown. Yeah he was gifted high picks but he could have come away with Bagley and Fultz and that would have been a disaster. That said, how much of that rope is left. 2008 was 10+ years ago, so I dont know that he has much ride left on that title.

He has had a ton of mid-round picks to make selections or trades. To me it is a travesty that the Celtics dont have at least an average bench. Way too many misses. When the Nets give you all their picks and can build depth with late 20's picks, D-leaguers, and euro stashes you cant then turn 8-10 picks into a subpar bench.

Then there is Kyrie/Horford/Heyward. Individually it is easy to excuse each away... Kyrie bailed, Horford wasnt worth the money, Heyward signed for a ton elsewhere. but at some point, in total, you cant let 3 all-star calibur guys walk for nothing (I know the TPE got fournier and horford leaving helped facilitate the kemba deal) but overall it was scraps. Kyrie goes, fine. Gotta turn horford into something. If that Myles turner trade was real and they got greedy and lost out to me that is a fireable offense alone. that celtics team with Turner is a great fit and he can stretch the floor and fits the timeline.

I know the core is young, but your still making ECFs. cant just roll out scrubs around your young stars. if Tatum/Brown get fed up and force a trade or dont come back for their next deal it gets real ugly

I’m not really gonna debate about ainge in a playoff thread it’s really a topic that’s been covered on the general board and the nba stratosphere at great lengths. It’s kind of tiring at this point. We just disagree about ainge and that’s fine. I’m glad he’s our gm.

we have an absolute bonafide stud in Jayson Tatum- for the foreseeable future. He’s gonna be great. Hes 23 years old. Not worried about him demanding a trade at all right now. Anyways I’m open for talk about the series think this subject and the kyrie angle has been played out by both of our boards.

[MrDollarBills]

Yea we did not have a quality bench to start this year. It cost us in the ECF and to start the year with what we had was a major fail. I understand from afar being down on Danny but personally I’m not there yet. He had a bad year. Still have faith in him but it’s definitely something to watch moving forward and not at all time high levels.

Pritchard will absolutely be in the rotation. He’s a serviceable nba guard- he’s gonna have a long nba career. In no way shape or form does he change the balance of a series at all but he can def have a game where he hits 4 3’s and ends up with 16-18 points. He’s a smart player whose feisty.

Stevens rotations have been all over the place this year but with it being the post season they should be more disciplined (let’s hope). Again, no brown and probably no Robert Williams kind of throws things off again tho so who knows.

I think it isn't all on Ainge/The roster and he needs some rope for hitting on Tatum/Brown. Yeah he was gifted high picks but he could have come away with Bagley and Fultz and that would have been a disaster. That said, how much of that rope is left. 2008 was 10+ years ago, so I dont know that he has much ride left on that title.

He has had a ton of mid-round picks to make selections or trades. To me it is a travesty that the Celtics dont have at least an average bench. Way too many misses. When the Nets give you all their picks and can build depth with late 20's picks, D-leaguers, and euro stashes you cant then turn 8-10 picks into a subpar bench.

Then there is Kyrie/Horford/Heyward. Individually it is easy to excuse each away... Kyrie bailed, Horford wasnt worth the money, Heyward signed for a ton elsewhere. but at some point, in total, you cant let 3 all-star calibur guys walk for nothing (I know the TPE got fournier and horford leaving helped facilitate the kemba deal) but overall it was scraps. Kyrie goes, fine. Gotta turn horford into something. If that Myles turner trade was real and they got greedy and lost out to me that is a fireable offense alone. that celtics team with Turner is a great fit and he can stretch the floor and fits the timeline.

I know the core is young, but your still making ECFs. cant just roll out scrubs around your young stars. if Tatum/Brown get fed up and force a trade or dont come back for their next deal it gets real ugly

I’m not really gonna debate about ainge in a playoff thread it’s really a topic that’s been covered on the general board and the nba stratosphere at great lengths. It’s kind of tiring at this point. We just disagree about ainge and that’s fine. I’m glad he’s our gm.

we have an absolute bonafide stud in Jayson Tatum- for the foreseeable future. He’s gonna be great. Hes 23 years old. Not worried about him demanding a trade at all right now. Anyways I’m open for talk about the series think this subject and the kyrie angle has been played out by both of our boards.

I don't even think that there even is a Kyrie angle. Fans make it bigger than it actually is, every time we played you guys these dudes were literally happy to see each other.

[MagicBagley18]

Question for y’all bc I may be at this game and can’t take the subway in this time and never drove in before but how bad is the traffic after the game? Unbearable or just like any other venue?

[Prokorov]

I think it isn't all on Ainge/The roster and he needs some rope for hitting on Tatum/Brown. Yeah he was gifted high picks but he could have come away with Bagley and Fultz and that would have been a disaster. That said, how much of that rope is left. 2008 was 10+ years ago, so I dont know that he has much ride left on that title.

He has had a ton of mid-round picks to make selections or trades. To me it is a travesty that the Celtics dont have at least an average bench. Way too many misses. When the Nets give you all their picks and can build depth with late 20's picks, D-leaguers, and euro stashes you cant then turn 8-10 picks into a subpar bench.

Then there is Kyrie/Horford/Heyward. Individually it is easy to excuse each away... Kyrie bailed, Horford wasnt worth the money, Heyward signed for a ton elsewhere. but at some point, in total, you cant let 3 all-star calibur guys walk for nothing (I know the TPE got fournier and horford leaving helped facilitate the kemba deal) but overall it was scraps. Kyrie goes, fine. Gotta turn horford into something. If that Myles turner trade was real and they got greedy and lost out to me that is a fireable offense alone. that celtics team with Turner is a great fit and he can stretch the floor and fits the timeline.

I know the core is young, but your still making ECFs. cant just roll out scrubs around your young stars. if Tatum/Brown get fed up and force a trade or dont come back for their next deal it gets real ugly

I’m not really gonna debate about ainge in a playoff thread it’s really a topic that’s been covered on the general board and the nba stratosphere at great lengths. It’s kind of tiring at this point. We just disagree about ainge and that’s fine. I’m glad he’s our gm.

we have an absolute bonafide stud in Jayson Tatum- for the foreseeable future. He’s gonna be great. Hes 23 years old. Not worried about him demanding a trade at all right now. Anyways I’m open for talk about the series think this subject and the kyrie angle has been played out by both of our boards.

I don't even think that there even is a Kyrie angle. Fans make it bigger than it actually is, every time we played you guys these dudes were literally happy to see each other.

Yeah... It is pretty clear that Kyrie is still super tight with Tatum/Brown/Smart/etc... Maybe Rozier had some beef but thats probably gone now that Kyrie is no longer blocking him from playing time. Maybe stevens got frustrated by him but that ended when he didnt need to coach him anymore. Ainge clearly had no issue as he was holding out hope to bring him back until the last minute.

It is also overblown how big a "failure" it was during Kyrie's tenure. Year 1 they were outstanding... and despite lazy narrative year 1 they were better with kyrie on the floor/playing vs. not playing. If was healthy, they may very well have beat cleveland.

Year 2 they were better recordwise without kyrie, in a small sample. they advanced to round 2 and lost to the #1 seed. its not like they had a sub .500 record and were battling for the 8 seed.

I can see fans being pissed he said he planned to stay and then didnt. that would suck. but players im sure dont care

[Prokorov]

Question for y’all bc I may be at this game and can’t take the subway in this time and never drove in before but how bad is the traffic after the game? Unbearable or just like any other venue?

Its no worse then other NYC venus, which in general arent great... You would be doing yourself a favor parking in like the 4th ave garage and then taking the prospect ave or 4th ave station right into barclays. if its nice out its probably a 25 minute walk and its a straight shot.

Edit: i havent been to a game this year, so you may want to verify that garage is still open and train schedules are normal.

[MrDollarBills]

Question for y’all bc I may be at this game and can’t take the subway in this time and never drove in before but how bad is the traffic after the game? Unbearable or just like any other venue?

It depends, I haven't been to Brooklyn since the pandemic started so I can't tell how things are now but from my past experience it's a pain in the ass.

[Hello Brooklyn]

Question for y’all bc I may be at this game and can’t take the subway in this time and never drove in before but how bad is the traffic after the game? Unbearable or just like any other venue?

Its really really bad bro. Worse than MSG.

Maybe COVID had made it better but expect the worst.

I usually take public transit or Uber if I feel like spending the money.

[MagicBagley18]

Question for y’all bc I may be at this game and can’t take the subway in this time and never drove in before but how bad is the traffic after the game? Unbearable or just like any other venue?

Its really really bad bro. Worse than MSG.

Maybe COVID had made it better but expect the worst.

I usually take public transit or Uber if I feel like spending the money.

Thanks!

[CalamityX12]

Question for y’all bc I may be at this game and can’t take the subway in this time and never drove in before but how bad is the traffic after the game? Unbearable or just like any other venue?

Its really really bad bro. Worse than MSG.

Maybe COVID had made it better but expect the worst.

I usually take public transit or Uber if I feel like spending the money.

Thanks!

Yea echoing similar thoughts here, last I've been was before pandemic so maybe things changed? But park afar n walk it... you'd be better off if you're insistent of driving.

Now maybe take sub? That could be more realistic however if everyone is on same thought process expect crowded carts etc...

So almost pick your poison

[Hello Brooklyn]

Its really really bad bro. Worse than MSG.

Maybe COVID had made it better but expect the worst.

I usually take public transit or Uber if I feel like spending the money.

Thanks!

Yea echoing similar thoughts here, last I've been was before pandemic so maybe things changed? But park afar n walk it... you'd be better off if you're insistent of driving.

Now maybe take sub? That could be more realistic however if everyone is on same thought process expect crowded carts etc...

So almost pick your poison

I've never had problems taking the Subway and I go during peak times. It takes you right to Barclays so pretty convenient.

I think thats the way to go. Even when I take an Uber I'm waiting forever on Atlantic Ave.

[Openheimer]

There going to put Smart on Harden and Tatum on Durant and this where the loss of Brown is so big. Had they had him they would have had Brown on Harden or Durant and Smart on Kyrie. Now they are forced to send Smart on Harden as he is the engine that needs to be shut down .

Kyrie will have the likes of Prichard and Kemba rotating on him so he should feast

[CalamityX12]

Scary hours....

[Prokorov]

There going to put Smart on Harden and Tatum on Durant and this where the loss of Brown is so big. Had they had him they would have had Brown on Harden or Durant and Smart on Kyrie. Now they are forced to send Smart on Harden as he is the engine that needs to be shut down .

Kyrie will have the likes of Prichard and Kemba rotating on him so he should feast

Kyrie Abused Smart this season. I dont think having brown would matter as far as "slowing the nets stars"

That is what makes this team unique vs. other superteams. we have 3 guys where no matter who is on them, they are going to feast. We have seen Kawhi, Jrue, PG13, CP3, Gobert, Smart, Bledsoe, draymond, covington all get cooked vs the star they guarded.

Brown would have helped, but more so on offense.

[Whiskey Slick]

Nets have SOLD OUT Barclays for Game 1.

[MrDollarBills]

There going to put Smart on Harden and Tatum on Durant and this where the loss of Brown is so big. Had they had him they would have had Brown on Harden or Durant and Smart on Kyrie. Now they are forced to send Smart on Harden as he is the engine that needs to be shut down .

Kyrie will have the likes of Prichard and Kemba rotating on him so he should feast

Kyrie Abused Smart this season. I dont think having brown would matter as far as "slowing the nets stars"

That is what makes this team unique vs. other superteams. we have 3 guys where no matter who is on them, they are going to feast. We have seen Kawhi, Jrue, PG13, CP3, Gobert, Smart, Bledsoe, draymond, covington all get cooked vs the star they guarded.

Brown would have helped, but more so on offense.

Harden baits defenders for easy assists. Whoever guards him is irrelevant

[Sharcm1]

Question for y’all bc I may be at this game and can’t take the subway in this time and never drove in before but how bad is the traffic after the game? Unbearable or just like any other venue?

Since there is a reduced capacity at the arena there should be less traffic than normal. But in the past traffic has always been a problem. It’s also a weekend so you won’t have normal street traffic. Should t be too bad

[MrDollarBills]

Question for y’all bc I may be at this game and can’t take the subway in this time and never drove in before but how bad is the traffic after the game? Unbearable or just like any other venue?

Its really really bad bro. Worse than MSG.

Maybe COVID had made it better but expect the worst.

I usually take public transit or Uber if I feel like spending the money.

MSG is so much easier to get to than Barclay's. That's the one thing I'll give them, I can hop on two trains and be there without having to walk anywhere or worry about parking.