Eastern Conference | Round 1 | (2) Boston Celtics vs. (7) Brooklyn Nets

[JShuttlesworth]

I'm looking forward to this series, it's going to be a good one

[Triple M]

Trying to convince Celtics fans that Ben will be a factor will be impossible. He has thrown up multiple duds in the playoffs, and a number of them were vs the Celtics. Ben actually has more elements against him, and in an historical context, I can not remember many players finding success in the playoffs after being out so long.

[ballup]

Dunk

Try to stop 6.10 all star and good playmaker going to the rim. You know after trade we top shooting team right. Sound like you going to leave that lane wide open to me.

Who's going to stop him? Washed up trash C you got

I'd imagine the Celtics would park Pritchard in the paint since he's similar sized to Trae Young

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Good take that all day. Keep forgetting what happened to games prior. Also he ain't passing to Thybulle or Toby either.

It's as valid as expecting a player, who has not played organized basketball in a year, to have the conditioning to effectively play a regular season game let alone a playoff series. Oh, and compound that with his recent back injuries

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[ITYSL]

Good Lord, people still talking about Simmons as if he's guaranteed to make an impact in this series? Zzzzzz. He'll be a non-factor, book it.

[Slax]

Good Lord, people still talking about Simmons as if he's guaranteed to make an impact in this series? Zzzzzz. He'll be a non-factor, book it.

For real, lot of people with extremely unrealistic expectations for a player who isn't even healthy enough to play. I feel bad for him having this sort of pressure to perform when he obviously isn't physically going to be able to. He's probably going to catch undeserved criticism when he isn't able to contribute useful minutes in round 1.

[hardenASG13]

Trying to convince Celtics fans that Ben will be a factor will be impossible. He has thrown up multiple duds in the playoffs, and a number of them were vs the Celtics. Ben actually has more elements against him, and in an historical context, I can not remember many players finding success in the playoffs after being out so long.

He could definately be rusty, but hes a good guy to be rusty. Its not like he will looking to find a rythm on his jumper, he only shoots layups or inside 10 feet. Hes still 6 10 and very athletic, so he should be able to defend and rebound, something they really need. If they use him as a screener for KD/Kyrie, and the D blitzes them, him going downhill 4 on 3 when they pass out of it to him could be really successful. Whatever he can do in transition will be a bonus.

Hes failed vs. Boston and other teams as a guy his team was relying on to score 15-20 points, that the D was focused on. That wont be the case playing with KD and Kyrie. Hes just a much needed addition to their rotation this season.

[Slax]

Trying to convince Celtics fans that Ben will be a factor will be impossible. He has thrown up multiple duds in the playoffs, and a number of them were vs the Celtics. Ben actually has more elements against him, and in an historical context, I can not remember many players finding success in the playoffs after being out so long.

He could definately be rusty, but hes a good guy to be rusty. Its not like he will looking to find a rythm on his jumper, he only shoots layups or inside 10 feet. Hes still 6 10 and very athletic, so he should be able to defend and rebound, something they really need. If they use him as a screener for KD/Kyrie, and the D blitzes them, him going downhill 4 on 3 when they pass out of it to him could be really successful. Whatever he can do in transition will be a bonus.

Hes failed vs. Boston and other teams as a guy his team was relying on to score 15-20 points, that the D was focused on. That wont be the case playing with KD and Kyrie. Hes just a much needed addition to their rotation this season.

It's not just rust, he's physically not in game shape, reinjured himself the last time he tried to rush back, hasn't played a game since June last year, and hasn't played a full five on five practice with his current team ever because he's physically unable to. The idea that he is about to be plopped into the middle of a competitive playoff series and expected to play an important role should be terrifying to any Nets fan. I'm worried he's going to injure himself again.

[bradybunch]

All they need from Simmons is defense.

Imagine him not having to concern himself with playmaking and focused completely on defense.

Could be scary.

[AussieCeltic]

Exactly, on one leg and still did it your team. Now think what 6.10 all D guy can do? That's a huge help for KD.

Oh the irony you and your boys crying about Bob

There is literally no point in engaging with someone like this.

We all have our own opinions, each person more likely to slant towards their team but this guy is just a troll. I’m assuming he’s still in his teens, lives with his parents and doesn’t even watch basketball aside from highlights on social media.

[Triple M]

Timelord will be back in this series sooner and will have a more significant impact than Simmons.

Game 2 is 3 weeks from his surgery
Game 5 is 4 weeks

I could see Rob back by game 3-4

[hardenASG13]

Trying to convince Celtics fans that Ben will be a factor will be impossible. He has thrown up multiple duds in the playoffs, and a number of them were vs the Celtics. Ben actually has more elements against him, and in an historical context, I can not remember many players finding success in the playoffs after being out so long.

He could definately be rusty, but hes a good guy to be rusty. Its not like he will looking to find a rythm on his jumper, he only shoots layups or inside 10 feet. Hes still 6 10 and very athletic, so he should be able to defend and rebound, something they really need. If they use him as a screener for KD/Kyrie, and the D blitzes them, him going downhill 4 on 3 when they pass out of it to him could be really successful. Whatever he can do in transition will be a bonus.

Hes failed vs. Boston and other teams as a guy his team was relying on to score 15-20 points, that the D was focused on. That wont be the case playing with KD and Kyrie. Hes just a much needed addition to their rotation this season.

It's not just rust, he's physically not in game shape, reinjured himself the last time he tried to rush back, hasn't played a game since June last year, and hasn't played a full five on five practice with his current team ever because he's physically unable to. The idea that he is about to be plopped into the middle of a competitive playoff series and expected to play an important role should be terrifying to any Nets fan. I'm worried he's going to injure himself again.

I don’t think he’s expected to play that important of a role. If he’s working out, great, but whatever he can give them is really just a bonus.

[rzzzzz]

Stevens knows how to play Ben. With all the firepower that KD and Kyrie bring, the last thing they’ll want is to be dependent on him at the foul line in the 4th qtr. Otherwise, maybe THEY can get away with playing 4 on 5.

And leave us not forget that Ben’s biggest grouse was playing 2nd fiddle to Embiid. He wanted it to be HIS team.
All Philly fans wanted was him to work on a shot. Not like we didn’t know how valuable he was. But so stubborn.

[sixers4real]

I bet Rob returns this series, Ben does not.

[KIRAG]

Just my speculation. The Nets will bring Ben back depending if they win or lose the first few games in this series

Lot's of bravado here LOL. Let's see what happens when they play the games.

The Celtics had better fear KG and Kyrie, both of whom are great offensive players. But I doubt if they are worried in the slightest about the return of Ben Simmons.

I don't think they will fear KG they just retired his number

[Deivork]

Just not sure how the Nets even matchup with the Celtics on defense without Simmons playing a major role.

Kyrie - Smart
Curry - Brown
Brown - Tatum
Durant - Theis
Drummond - Horford

You would assume Brown and Durant would be the one's primarily defending Tatum/Brown...but that leaves one of Curry or Irving on a center. They could go to their bench to match up better but not sure Claxton/Drummond works offensively and their (only?) bench wing is a second round rookie.

Offensively, Durant and Kyrie can potentially get theirs but Smart, Brown, White, Tatum, etc.... that's tough. And besides them, who else is capable of consistently providing offense for the Nets?

Think it would take an incredible series from KD (on offense and defense for him) and Kyrie for the Nets to win this one.

Great post

[GiannisAnte34]

Coast? Or tank? Dont talk like the Bucks are a cut above as NBA champs. When push came to shove they laid down to avoid the Nets.
As to the Celtics top 3 health.....ABSOLUTELY. No one wanted to hear about Jaylen Brown being out of last years playoffs and Tatum having problems recovering from COVID. Remember the narrative? Brown and Tatum cant play together. So now they enjoy health like the Bucks have had and that detracts from what they're doing? Hilarious . Of course they tanked the last game. They remember coming within a big toe of losing to the Nets without Irving

You do realize your own fanbase was singing that same tune this season that Brown and Tatum can't play together, fire Ime, trade Smart, etc? Stay mad that the Bucks forced the Celtics to play a legit team instead of skating by with the Bulls

Let me understand this. You're admitting the Bucks "forced" the Celtics to play a legit team, while the Bucks, as you say chose to skate. The defending champs make a conscious decision to avoid playing someone may be a strategy but a bad look.

In the end if it helps the Bucks win a Championship, nobody is going to remember or care that they sat players for the final game. They did earn the ability to choose that destiny by beating Boston, Brooklyn, and Philly to end the season

[Slax]

He could definately be rusty, but hes a good guy to be rusty. Its not like he will looking to find a rythm on his jumper, he only shoots layups or inside 10 feet. Hes still 6 10 and very athletic, so he should be able to defend and rebound, something they really need. If they use him as a screener for KD/Kyrie, and the D blitzes them, him going downhill 4 on 3 when they pass out of it to him could be really successful. Whatever he can do in transition will be a bonus.

Hes failed vs. Boston and other teams as a guy his team was relying on to score 15-20 points, that the D was focused on. That wont be the case playing with KD and Kyrie. Hes just a much needed addition to their rotation this season.

It's not just rust, he's physically not in game shape, reinjured himself the last time he tried to rush back, hasn't played a game since June last year, and hasn't played a full five on five practice with his current team ever because he's physically unable to. The idea that he is about to be plopped into the middle of a competitive playoff series and expected to play an important role should be terrifying to any Nets fan. I'm worried he's going to injure himself again.

I don’t think he’s expected to play that important of a role. If he’s working out, great, but whatever he can give them is really just a bonus.

I don't see how he can simultaneously be a much needed addition to their rotation this season and not expected to play that important a role.

[Tha King]

In regards to the KD/Kyrie vs. Tatum/Brown comparisons - KD and Kyrie are the better duo (largely because of KD as Tatum has surpassed Kyrie) but Tatum/Brown can easily be just as productive (if not more) in this series due to the respective defenses they'll be playing against. Durant will need to get his 30+ on Tatum, Brown, Smart, Robert Williams if he plays, etc. while Tatum/Brown will have stretches being defended by Curry, Dragic, Kyrie, Mills, etc. Their last game is a perfect example: Tatum alone (54) essentially matched KD and Kyrie combined (56).

The above makes winning this series very difficult for the Nets because if Tatum/Brown can be anywhere near KD and Kyrie, don't think the Nets depth is close to what the Celtics have (assuming no Simmons).

[Patsfan1081]

Ben just needs to defend…….fine. Even its only for twenty minutes whats his condidtioning going to be when he’s still not running hard and has been out a year?

[Caped Crusader]

All they need from Simmons is defense.

Imagine him not having to concern himself with playmaking and focused completely on defense.

Could be scary.

That's not how basketball works. He would be a huge liability on offense. You can't just swap him out on offense every position when you feel like it.

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