Celtics vs. the Lebronaires

[Toe Nash]

To my eyes Morris didn't look too bad on D, but his decision-making on the offensive end is just so poor. I lost track of the number of times he took a contested shot early in the shot clock which often led to a transition chance. Apparently he hit enough of them or stayed out of the way for his teammates enough that his +/- was decent, but I just get nervous every time he touches the ball.

I think I agree with others that you have to not overplay LeBron, don't get into foul trouble and just hope he tires enough to miss a few threes and challenge their shooters when he kicks it out. They have enough shooters that they're going to have some good games even if well-defended but you give yourself a chance.

Don't forget that Cleveland was pretty meh in the regular season, the Pacers played them basically evenly (the two blowout games were Indy wins), and Toronto had one loss in OT and another on that crazy LBJ shot -- I don't care how good LBJ is, those are coinflips. They're beatable.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Also, is anyone worried that the Cavs see how bad Saric destroyed the Celtics in the post that LeBron will just live down there? Back his man down, wait for a double if it comes, then kick out for an open 3?

 

[Rook05]

I love Marcus. He is infuriating at times but god I love him.

Trying to miss but hitting the free throw is him in a nutshell.

 

[Oppo]

Also, is anyone worried that the Cavs see how bad Saric destroyed the Celtics in the post that LeBron will just live down there? Back his man down, wait for a double if it comes, then kick out for an open 3?

The more non-Lebron shots, the better

 

[RedOctober3829]

The more non-Lebron shots, the better

Not necessarily. If the 3 pt shooters start rolling, that's when that team gets truly unstoppable.

 

[DJnVa]

Yeah, it's gonna be a lot of Lebron getting his, but sticking to the shooters. Plus, Korver didn't have to work on defense last series. Who's he going to guard this time where he won't have to work? Any of the guys outside of Horford can likely abuse him. And Thompson will have Baynes/Monroe banging on him this time.

 

[riboflav]

To my eyes Morris didn't look too bad on D, but his decision-making on the offensive end is just so poor. I lost track of the number of times he took a contested shot early in the shot clock which often led to a transition chance. Apparently he hit enough of them or stayed out of the way for his teammates enough that his +/- was decent, but I just get nervous every time he touches the ball.

I think I agree with others that you have to not overplay LeBron, don't get into foul trouble and just hope he tires enough to miss a few threes and challenge their shooters when he kicks it out. They have enough shooters that they're going to have some good games even if well-defended but you give yourself a chance.

Don't forget that Cleveland was pretty meh in the regular season, the Pacers played them basically evenly (the two blowout games were Indy wins), and Toronto had one loss in OT and another on that crazy LBJ shot -- I don't care how good LBJ is, those are coinflips. They're beatable.

George HIll's addition should not be underrated and its overall effect on LeBron's huge increase in assist conversion rate and Love's ability to post up more and pass out of the doubles. Korver now screening for Love results in 1.3 ppp and vice versa nets them 1.1 ppp (this is generally new action for them). Overall, their oRTG is 16 points higher with Hill and Love on the floor vs. off. Finally, their TO% goes down significantly with Hill.

They've also regressed to the mean on the most efficient shot, the corner three. They are very much a reworked team since Ind.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Good post WBCD. Any thoughts on how Cleveland matches up with the Celts? Would have to think they will have at lteast one defender to pick on - the Cavs are really poor defensively. That would be huge as it will hopefully limit the transition attempts for Cleveland.

It's funny, people are in awe of this iteration of the Cavs but you know what record they set against IND? Lowest point differential (-40) in a playoff series win. And while 34 points of that came in one blowout, the Cavs only won 11 of the 28 total quarters.

I would think assuming Korver and Love start together, the Cs should be able to get good, solid looks given their foot speed deficiencies. I don't think blitzing the PnR is going to help CLE that much with their starting unit as they don't have the foot speed behind to play 3 on 4 regularly. To me, George Hill and Jeff Green are going to be real keys to whether the Cavs will be able to get any consistent amount of stops.

Also, is anyone worried that the Cavs see how bad Saric destroyed the Celtics in the post that LeBron will just live down there? Back his man down, wait for a double if it comes, then kick out for an open 3?

I haven't watched a lot of Cavs but LBJ isn't a guy who likes to go into the post time and time again. Not that it really matters because when he gets the ball on the elbow against a mismatch, he can take it right to the rim.

 

[Sam Ray Not]

Interesting that the two matchups the league decided to start the season off with on opening night - Boston/Cleveland and Houston/Golden State - are the conference final matchups at the end.

That is pretty weird. As is the fact that LeBron's playoff path last season was: Indiana, then Toronto, then Boston...

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

According to this 538 article, the Cavs are breaking out lineups that they never used in the regular season. For example, their most-used lineup in the playoffs is Hill, JR, Korver, Love, and LBJ - 100 minutes and outscoring opponents by 41 points.

The Cavs second most-used lineup switches Calderon for Hill.

I would think that the Cs would be able to shred either of those combinations. Lue isn't going to be able to play Calderon and Korver together against the Cs.

Apparently, neither Clarkson nor Nance are getting meaningful minutes, which is surprising.

 

[lovegtm]

According to this 538 article, the Cavs are breaking out lineups that they never used in the regular season. For example, their most-used lineup in the playoffs is Hill, JR, Korver, Love, and LBJ - 100 minutes and outscoring opponents by 41 points.

The Cavs second most-used lineup switches Calderon for Hill.

I would think that the Cs would be able to shred either of those combinations. Lue isn't going to be able to play Calderon and Korver together against the Cs.

Apparently, neither Clarkson nor Nance are getting meaningful minutes, which is surprising.

One cool thing is that the Celtics will finally get to play a team with little rim protection, especially if LBJ is conserving energy to play the 40-43 minutes he'll have to play.

 

[reggiecleveland]

Here is my most possibly optimistic take. My eyes tell me Lebron is playing the best of his career, and will be very hard to beat, but my heart hopes it was just the Raptors+ playoffs.

Maybe, just, maybe Toronto was really bad more than the Cavs were great. The Raptors had a choker label, and "Can't beat Lebron" albatross, then lost game 1 in OT. Then they am e out flat in game 2. The post game press conference when Derozan said they thrived on adversity became a meme instantly.The confusion in the psot game pres conference about whether to trap Lebron after game 3 did not inspire confidence.

 

[Strike4]

Plus, Korver didn't have to work on defense last series.

I think this is where the Celtics have the advantage - they may not have Lebron, but they have a lot of players with broad skill sets at both ends of the floor. The Celtics have players who can abuse Korver on offense but at the same time they are plus defenders either on Korver or another player. It might take a bit of time, but Stevens will be able to exploit these matchups based on moving guys around. And in turn this will get back to Lebron. If he gets in foul trouble or is ineffective in the post, the Cavs center begins to wobble significantly.

 

[allstonite]

Trying to miss but hitting the free throw is him in a nutshell.

And then making up for it by making the huge game winning steal on the other end.

Also, hitting that soccer throw in three after the shot clock expired but missing a wide open shot from the top of the key.

Last night was peak Smart and I love him

 

[RoyHobbs]

Baynes will be on Thompson, right? Can he switch over to James and do anything there?

 

[jaytftwofive]

If the Celts had Kyrie it would be a no-brainer, they would be favored. But since they don't I see the Cavs in six. Labron is just a one man wrecking crew. I hope I'm wrong. But... Sir Charles who is usually wrong picked the Cavs so that's a blessing. He had Bucks over us in seven,@ I think and Sixers in six. He's our good luck charm.

 

[uk_sox_fan]

Did he guarantee it?

 

[RedOctober3829]

I haven't watched a lot of Cavs but LBJ isn't a guy who likes to go into the post time and time again. Not that it really matters because when he gets the ball on the elbow against a mismatch, he can take it right to the rim.

He will go to the post if the matchup favors him.

 

[Saints Rest]

And then making up for it by making the huge game winning steal on the other end.

Also, hitting that soccer throw in three after the shot clock expired but missing a wide open shot from the top of the key.

Last night was peak Smart and I love him

I could watch that end zone camera shot (from behind Simmons) of that last steal over and over and over. Talk about playing free safety! The Duron Harmon references were spot on; that play was basically Harmon intercepting Flacco to end the AFCCG in 2016. Even more amazing that Smart had crashed the offensive glass on his attempted miss yet still managed to get back to his own free throw line extended to make the INT, I mean, steal.

Did anyone else have a moment of fear that Smart was going to be called for traveling after making the steal? It would have given PHI the ball side out with about 1.0 seconds left.

 

[Saints Rest]

If the Celts had Kyrie it would be a no-brainer, they would be favored. But since they don't I see the Cavs in six. Labron is just a one man wrecking crew. I hope I'm wrong. But... Sir Charles who is usually wrong picked the Cavs so that's a blessing. He had Bucks over us in seven,@ I think and Sixers in six. He's our good luck charm.

Does Kyrie have the potential to add any inside knowledge for this series?

 

[PedroKsBambino]

I wonder what Ojeleye's role might be--Lebron will certainly be able to blow by him at times, but he is a big, tough body to put physical pressure on Lebron for 10-15 minutes a game and that has value. You give up things on the other end, and he may just not be quick enough, but I kind of wonder about him playing more than people expect.

Defensively, I also think the scheme might be focused on keeping Lebron outside paint and shading to Korver, letting the other guys get the outside looks as a result. if they get beat by Love, Hill, etc. outside that's how it'll be.

 

[uk_sox_fan]

Did anyone else have a moment of fear that Smart was going to be called for traveling after making the steal? It would have given PHI the ball side out with about 1.0 seconds left.

Only in retrospect on the 3rd time watching the replay. Happily it seems the refs, like the rest of us, were caught up in the drama of the moment.

 

[Carmine Hose]

The NBA Finals are happening in the Western Conference. Those are the two best teams all year, and now.

Since only one of them can make the actual NBA Finals, there is no way in hell that the RICO organization that is the NBA would allow a Celtics team without both Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, to be the East winner, over a team with LeBron James. That just won't happen because it makes no sense economically. Dial up Scott Foster and Tony Brothers, since Dick Bavetta finally retired?

All the analysis in the world is great metal exercise, but the most physical player in the league averages 2.1 fouls per game in the postseason (1.7 in reg season and 1.8 for career) for a reason . He's tied for 81st in the league in fouls for the number 2 minutes per game guy!

And that's just what he does. Flip the script and hand him phantom FTA after FTA, and you have LBJ in his 8th straight finals.

 

[CreightonGubanich]

I'm curious to see the C's starting lineup for Game 1. I don't think you can start Baynes if the Cavs are going to go with Love at the 5, as expected. The biggest problem with starting Ojeleye is that it gives the Cavs somewhere to hide Kyle Korver on defense; the Celtics are going to have to outscore the Cavs this series, and I think being able to attack Korver trumps any marginal upgrade Semi offers over Brown or Morris defensively. It would also take some tricky substitution patterns to start Marcus Smart, given that Smart, Rozier and Brown are effectively the only guards in the rotation.

That leaves Morris, which is what I think Stevens will do. He'll get some time defending LeBron along with Smart and Jaylen Brown. Korver probably guards Morris, I would guess, meaning we should see lots of pick-and-rolls with Morris screening for the ball handler in an attempt to get Korver in a switch.

 

[JakeRae]

I wonder what Ojeleye's role might be--Lebron will certainly be able to blow by him at times, but he is a big, tough body to put physical pressure on Lebron for 10-15 minutes a game and that has value. You give up things on the other end, and he may just not be quick enough, but I kind of wonder about him playing more than people expect.

Defensively, I also think the scheme might be focused on keeping Lebron outside paint and shading to Korver, letting the other guys get the outside looks as a result. if they get beat by Love, Hill, etc. outside that's how it'll be.

I don't think Ojeleye lacking quickness is the issue. He faces too big problems. First, Lebron will be able to comfortably shoot over him. Second, the Cavs can run PnR actions to get him switched onto shooters, like Philly did. We probably need him to give us around 10-15 mpg because of numbers, and hopefully he can body up Lebron and make him work for his points during those minutes, but I don't see him as more than our 8th man in a 7.5 man rotation.

 

[BuellMiller]

I think this is where the Celtics have the advantage - they may not have Lebron, but they have a lot of players with broad skill sets at both ends of the floor. The Celtics have players who can abuse Korver on offense but at the same time they are plus defenders either on Korver or another player. It might take a bit of time, but Stevens will be able to exploit these matchups based on moving guys around. And in turn this will get back to Lebron. If he gets in foul trouble or is ineffective in the post, the Cavs center begins to wobble significantly.

 

[Big John]

You won't foul him out, but you might tire him out. Make him play defense on every possession. Keep switching defenses (zone vs man-to-man), press, trap, hard fouls, whatever it takes. Turn the game into a sloppy mess.

Toronto tried guarding him straight up and stopping the other guys. It didn't work for them and it won't work for the Celtics. LeBron is unguardable one on one.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

I don't think Ojeleye lacking quickness is the issue. He faces too big problems. First, Lebron will be able to comfortably shoot over him. Second, the Cavs can run PnR actions to get him switched onto shooters, like Philly did. We probably need him to give us around 10-15 mpg because of numbers, and hopefully he can body up Lebron and make him work for his points during those minutes, but I don't see him as more than our 8th man in a 7.5 man rotation.

I don't think the height thing is an issue at all---Semi's wingspan is longer than Morris and the same as Brown/Tatum/Smart. If they care about that, Morris is the guy who will lose time.

I agree second is a question, and I think it's about trading off downsides. Milwaukee tried that and largely didn't succeed and Semi really impacted the Freak (who is, of course, not LBJ and wasn't surrounded by same depth of shooters). Ultimately, I think it's most likely Semi lands in the 10-15 minute range, same as you suggest...but I do wonder if we see more of him early in series to see what happens.

 

[scott bankheadcase]

Fans are funny. Same fans saying the NBA will rig it FOR LeBron would be saying the NFL would rig it AGAINST Brady.

No league rigs anything. Officiating is done by humans, but never with any bias, just sometimes incompetence.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Fans are funny. Same fans saying the NBA will rig it FOR LeBron would be saying the NFL would rig it AGAINST Brady.

No league rigs anything. Officiating is done by humans, but never with any bias, just sometimes incompetence.

I think one aspect of 'rigging' is that the humans who officiate do have some characteristics that are durable---how they do home vs away, whether they call more or less contact, how they treat and react to stars vs others etc. and I don't think we can be sure how those are getting thought about when assignments are made. That is not 'fixing' a game but it matters, and I don't know why the assumption should be that the NBA (or any other league) necessarily does this in a perfectly neutral way in terms of impact, even if they are neutral in intent.

In the nba's case, they also in fact had a referee who was betting on games he officiated, and who has stated that other games were fixed. That is not to say he's definitely right (and he is far from an honest broker) but there's one example in NBA of something actually occurring which can reasonably be described as 'fixing' albeit from a ref not the league, and a report from someone who was involved that other games were fixed.

Frankly, I believe David Stern did several of the things Donaghy has alleged (don't throw out star players, don't call technicals on stars, for example). That's also far from 'fixing' games but it is also not being fully neutral. So I think this often gets overstated in terms of 'fixing' but I think it is not unreasonable or conspiracry-theroyish to note that the officials who get assigned matter to the outcome and that we don't really know a lot about the thinking behind who goes where when.

 

[scott bankheadcase]

I think one aspect of 'rigging' is that the humans who officiate do have some characteristics that are durable---how they do home vs away, whether they call more or less contact, how they treat and react to stars vs others etc. and I don't think we can be sure how those are getting thought about when assignments are made. That is not 'fixing' a game but it matters, and I don't know why the assumption should be that the NBA (or any other league) necessarily does this in a perfectly neutral way in terms of impact, even if they are neutral in intent.

In the nba's case, they also in fact had a referee who was betting on games he officiated, and who has stated that other games were fixed. That is not to say he's definitely right (and he is far from an honest broker) but there's one example in NBA of something actually occurring which can reasonably be described as 'fixing' albeit from a ref not the league, and a report from someone who was involved that other games were fixed.

Frankly, I believe David Stern did several of the things Donaghy has alleged (don't throw out star players, don't call technicals on stars, for example). That's also far from 'fixing' games but it is also not being fully neutral. So I think this often gets overstated in terms of 'fixing' but I think it is not unreasonable or conspiracry-theroyish to note that the officials who get assigned matter to the outcome and that we don't really know a lot about the thinking behind who goes where when.

Anything Donaghy did was by himself and not orchestrated by the league. While the recency is much different, I can't blame Mookie Betts for what Joe Jackson may have done in throwing a world series (I know Jackson didn't really do it). I would take anything Donaghy said while trying to sell a book to pay off more debts, with a salt lick.

The league does not call tech's differently on stars. Top 5 in tech fouls this season: Dwight Howard, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin.

Officials are judged on each game and the officials with the best scores at the end of the year are assigned the biggest games. The NBA also specifically runs an officials twitter feed to discuss replay and close calls from games: https://twitter.com/NBAOfficial?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

The league tries to be as transparent as possible. The legitimacy of games is the top priority for the league. If that's in question, nothing else matters.

Reffing NBA games is ridiculously hard. Calls are often wrong. They are wrong because of level of difficulty from humans trying to do it. Try watching even a semi-competitive playground game and see if you can call just shooting fouls correctly. It's very difficult.

 

[JakeRae]

I don't think the height thing is an issue at all---Semi's wingspan is longer than Morris and the same as Brown/Tatum/Smart. If they care about that, Morris is the guy who will lose time.

I agree second is a question, and I think it's about trading off downsides. Milwaukee tried that and largely didn't succeed and Semi really impacted the Freak (who is, of course, not LBJ and wasn't surrounded by same depth of shooters). Ultimately, I think it's most likely Semi lands in the 10-15 minute range, same as you suggest...but I do wonder if we see more of him early in series to see what happens.

I feel like this is getting to the point of beating a dead horse, but the problem with Semi against shooters isn't size or height or wingspan or vertical or anything else like that. It's that he doesn't get his hands up quickly enough. Semi is really really bad at contesting shots. Lebron can comfortably shoot over him because Semi won't get his hands up into position in time, not because he lacks adequate size or length.

 

[joe dokes]

Also, is anyone worried that the Cavs see how bad Saric destroyed the Celtics in the post that LeBron will just live down there? Back his man down, wait for a double if it comes, then kick out for an open 3?

If nothing else, that means that Lebron will have to run a little further each time back on defense. Hopefully that adds to the impactt of 40 minutes per game. [/grasping at straws]

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Here is my most possibly optimistic take. My eyes tell me Lebron is playing the best of his career, and will be very hard to beat, but my heart hopes it was just the Raptors+ playoffs.

Maybe, just, maybe Toronto was really bad more than the Cavs were great. The Raptors had a choker label, and "Can't beat Lebron" albatross, then lost game 1 in OT. Then they am e out flat in game 2. The post game press conference when Derozan said they thrived on adversity became a meme instantly.The confusion in the psot game pres conference about whether to trap Lebron after game 3 did not inspire confidence.

Also, TOR seems built for the regular season. Remember that their second unit played a huge role in their success. Well in the playoffs when rotations shorten, TOR's second unit isn't necessarily playing against the other team's second unit the entire time, and without looking at the numbers, I'd guess that the second unit didn't fare quite as well as they did during the regular season.

 

[ifmanis5]

Please double team 'Bron at all times and let JR Smith beat us.

 

[Big John]

I thought Toronto's second unit players were excellent against the Cavs, particularly VanVleet and Anunoby. The problem was that Derozan and Ibaka were terrible.

 

[chilidawg]

Please double team 'Bron at all times and let JR Smith beat us.

You can't do one thing all the time. Selective double teams, rotating 3-4 different guys on him, you need pretty much everything in the book to even slow him down.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Anything Donaghy did was by himself and not orchestrated by the league. While the recency is much different, I can't blame Mookie Betts for what Joe Jackson may have done in throwing a world series (I know Jackson didn't really do it). I would take anything Donaghy said while trying to sell a book to pay off more debts, with a salt lick.

The league does not call tech's differently on stars. Top 5 in tech fouls this season: Dwight Howard, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin.

Officials are judged on each game and the officials with the best scores at the end of the year are assigned the biggest games. The NBA also specifically runs an officials twitter feed to discuss replay and close calls from games: https://twitter.com/NBAOfficial?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author

The league tries to be as transparent as possible. The legitimacy of games is the top priority for the league. If that's in question, nothing else matters.

Reffing NBA games is ridiculously hard. Calls are often wrong. They are wrong because of level of difficulty from humans trying to do it. Try watching even a semi-competitive playground game and see if you can call just shooting fouls correctly. It's very difficult.

I think discussion boards are about sharing ideas and perspectives and data not stating conclusions and treating them as absolute. Worth considering this medium vs a one-way website otherwise

The question is whether stars should be called for more techs, and are called for them in playoffs. Many (of course not all) stars are among those who are most vociferous in complaining, so them getting some techs is expected. One has to watch the game to assess whether they are or are not called the same way as others; many of us who do watch conclude they get a different set of rules. I'm not even saying I disagree with that, but I do observe it to be true.

Stating "the legitimacy of games is a top priority" is no doubt true. It also means nothing, and is not data, just a conclusion (which is iself just an opinion).

Stating 'the league tries to be as transparent as possible' is simply untrue. They could, for example, share the reviews of all officials publicly. They don't. They could describe the specific criteria for all assignments and the data that underlies it and make it all public. They don't. I'm not saying they should, I'm just saying your statement that they 'tries to be as transparent as possible' is preposterously untrue.

There is no question that reffing NBA games is really hard. I believe that many of those who do it are incredinly good at that tough job, and that the NBA really works to get everyone to be better. That is not the same as it being the best it can be. it is also not the same as being as free from question as it can be---for reasons I noted above and in my earlier post about referee tendencies.

I've watched plenty of basketball at all levels, and played different roles around the game while doing so. I am not (and I think if you review my post you will not find otherwise) saying refs overall are bad, or that they are all biased. I am though noting that they, and the league, are imperfect and that these imperfections do not necessiarly impact teams equally in any given game. Some think that reflects league design, and i think it is more true that it reflects some realities of how people think and also the limits of what the league does to try and get things to be fully neutral. On rare occasions, it also reflects the league missing bad refs, too---just like any employer, not all employees are created equal.

 

[Toe Nash]

All the analysis in the world is great metal exercise, but the most physical player in the league averages 2.1 fouls per game in the postseason (1.7 in reg season and 1.8 for career) for a reason . He's tied for 81st in the league in fouls for the number 2 minutes per game guy!

And that's just what he does. Flip the script and hand him phantom FTA after FTA, and you have LBJ in his 8th straight finals.

We've discussed this before but he is actually really amazing at controlling his body. He gets some star bias but I don't think the foul number is that crazy. It's almost like he's one of the best athletes in the world who has honed his abilities in the top league in the world for 15 years.

He goes to the line a lot because he drives to the rim a lot and he's fouled a lot.

Plus even if he got an extra two fouls called against him each game who cares? He's not going to foul out -- almost no one does in the playoffs. If there's referee bias (beyond the usual home / away bias) it would show up in the fouls called on OTHER players, no?

 

[reggiecleveland]

Please double team 'Bron at all times and let JR Smith beat us.

The thing is he kills doubles because he passes so well. He really is like Magic, if Magic had the best steroids ever, and very good jump shot.

Plus it is really hard to double in transition.

We've discussed this before but he is actually really amazing at controlling his body. He gets some star bias but I don't think the foul number is that crazy. It's almost like he's one of the best athletes in the world who has honed his abilities in the top league in the world for 15 years.
/QUOTE]



Seriously does he ever fall down while driving? He is like a cat landing on his feet

 

[TheoShmeo]

I don't think it's controversial to say that most refs understand that the NBA does not want to see star players getting fouled out of games. Or that refs are often awed or intimidated by LeBron James.

The fact is that LeBron picks up precious few fouls and draws many fouls. Some of that is tied to how he plays. Some of it is because he is officiated differently than mere mortals.

One way or the other, there will be times in this series when Celtics fans, players and coaches will be beside themselves over calls and non-calls involving James. I am almost positive that the same will make it harder for the Celtics to win games and the series. I doubt this will be outcome determinative for any one game or the series itself, but the possibility of either is there.

 

[joe dokes]

You can't do one thing all the time. Selective double teams, rotating 3-4 different guys on him, you need pretty much everything in the book to even slow him down.

 

[Soxfan in Fla]

Baynes will be on Thompson, right? Can he switch over to James and do anything there?

No way. Lacks the lateral foot quickness.

 

[Strike4]

By "trouble" I mean relative to the chances for the Cavs. If Lebron has two fouls in the 1st quarter or three by halftime, it can change the whole complexion of the game.

My point is that the burden that Lebron carries for the Cavs is so inordinate compared to the Celtics that there's nobody on the team who can slide into his role for any length of time.

 

[mt8thsw9th]

Well, it happened once and this happened


Though I have a feeling IF it happens again, that there's not anyone on their current roster that can take over a game like Kyrie.

 

[ifmanis5]

You can't do one thing all the time. Selective double teams, rotating 3-4 different guys on him, you need pretty much everything in the book to even slow him down.

Right, I'm oversimplifying there but the concept should be get the ball out of his hands as much as possible and make him work as hard as possible each possession. If he racks up 15 assists, fine. Let the other guys shoot open shots.

 

[snowmanny]

At the start of the season I picked Cle over Bos in a close Game 7 so I'll stick with that.

And look forward to being shocked. As that plan is working out well so far.

 

[bosockboy]

LeBron will try to go hard to the hoop and get to the line or kick to Smith and Korver. I think a lot may ride on if the refs have the balls to call charges on him.

 

[benhogan]

No way. Lacks the lateral foot quickness.

Occasionally Baynes and others will find themselves rotating on Bron but probably down low and a very short moment. The Celtics will rotate their main coverage guys back on Lebron.

It's amazing people say things like Brown and Tatum can't cover Bron. Its like they haven't watched the Celtics all year? Morris, Horford, Ojeleye and Smart will be main coverage on Lebron, in that order.

These are the same idiots, in the media, that said Tatum/Brown couldn't cover Giannis or Simmons, when they were not the main coverage on them. Brown and Tatum will be assigned to JR and Korver.

 

[DJnVa]

I thought Toronto's second unit players were excellent against the Cavs, particularly VanVleet and Anunoby. The problem was that Derozan and Ibaka were terrible.

Spot on.

Except that Anunoby started every game, he's not a second unit player and Van Fleet shot 35% against the Cavs.