Daniel Theis to Chicago for Mo Wagner

benhogan

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How did the Celtics pick up a $5 million trade exception? The Celtics sent out $6.5 million in the Theis/Green trade but brought $4.4 million back in.
In the craziness yesterday I thought I heard/read that. I'm probably wrong.

Is it possible that they took the $4.4MM into the Kanter/VP TPEs?
 

HowBoutDemSox

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In the craziness yesterday I thought I heard/read that. I'm probably wrong.

Is it possible that they took the $4.4MM into the Kanter TPE?
I saw speculation they could have taken Kornet into Poirier's TPE, matched Wagner's salary with Green's, then Theis's full $5 million becomes a TPE.
 

reggiecleveland

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Wait, I'm confused.

Havent people been saying one of TT/DT/TL needed to go? And that we all wanted to see more minutes go to Timelord? Doesnt this move free up cap and minutes for TL?
To be fair HomeRunBaker wasn't saying that. He was not on the "Two big lineup is worse than Hitler" bandwagon. Fournier is not much of a rebounder, so HRB's fear Grant, Semi may take some of Theis' minutes are valid. Him mentioning Tako or one of the other bigs playing is valid as well. TT is out the next two games TL has not shown himself to be a 30 minute guy (I imagine that's the hope though) so Tako or somebody else with have to play. Overall I like the move since I thought wing was the weakness, but it was not without risk.

As for Chicago I expect Theis will play. A skilled big like Vucevic allows flexibility and DT can also catch the balls in the same spot as NV, run the same sets. I will not bet against Herr Hoops fighting his way to minutes. Subconsciously the refs may even give him more calls by playing with an established euro.
 

CreightonGubanich

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To be fair HomeRunBaker wasn't saying that. He was not on the "Two big lineup is worse than Hitler" bandwagon. Fournier is not much of a rebounder, so HRB's fear Grant, Semi may take some of Theis' minutes are valid. Him mentioning Tako or one of the other bigs playing is valid as well. TT is out the next two games TL has not shown himself to be a 30 minute guy (I imagine that's the hope though) so Tako or somebody else with have to play. Overall I like the move since I thought wing was the weakness, but it was not without risk.

As for Chicago I expect Theis will play. A skilled big like Vucevic allows flexibility and DT can also catch the balls in the same spot as NV, run the same sets. I will not bet against Herr Hoops fighting his way to minutes. Subconsciously the refs may even give him more calls by playing with an established euro.
The rebounding concerns are valid, I just don't think Brad will conclude that Semi or Grant are the answer to them. And I agree that depth at the big spot is a concern, which is why there are rumors that Ainge is trying to upgrade the Kornet roster spot with a big who can play. But the "someone else" who is going to play minutes with Thompson out is Moe Wagner, a perfectly fine option at the five with some mild semblance of untapped upside. Not Tacko Fall.

It feels like this is getting lost: The Celtics didn't actually lose a big on a net basis in this series of transactions. They actually gained one, to the extent that Kornet is an actual NBA player who might play minutes in a game (I'm skeptical). In terms of the rotation, they swapped Theis for a depth big who may or may not play based on personnel availability on any given night. When everyone is available, those minutes will be soaked up by more wing players, which is what the rotation has needed all season long, but couldn't get to because its available wings outside of Brown, Tatum and Smart were currently all bad at basketball.

Edit: because CC is correct below: it's Moe like the Stooge, not the Vaughn.
 
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Cesar Crespo

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Not really sure it matters but I guess it's Moe.

edit: Or Mo. I don't know. I see different things.
 

Jimbodandy

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He’s salty because he was sure the Celtics internal evaluation of TL was shaky and Brad was “coachspeaking”. Then that turned out to be very obviously wrong instantly and things got weird.

HRB is great whenever he’s not wrong, but when he is, things quickly devolve into performance art.

To be fair, I should just write an encyclopedia of each poster’s mannerisms sometime. I think I could be suitably negative towards everyone.
As long as it's everyone, I'd subscribe.
 

benhogan

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The rebounding concerns are valid, I just don't think Brad will conclude that Semi or Grant are the answer to them. And I agree that depth at the big spot is a concern, which is why there are rumors that Ainge is trying to upgrade the Kornet roster spot with a big who can play. But the "someone else" who is going to play minutes with Thompson out is Moe Wagner, a perfectly fine option at the five with some mild semblance of untapped upside. Not Tacko Fall.
good post

according to Danny's presser this morning:

1. Kornet is driving from Chicago to Milwaukee for tonight's game
2. Wagner flew into Boston last night for a physical this morning. Could be on the bench for Milwaukee tonight.
3. Fournier flying into Boston today for a physical, could be dressed for OKC tomorrow.

Tacko fears averted
 

NomarsFool

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Looks like they are both FA after this season. I thought maybe they had some potential as developmental bigs. So, unfortunately, looks like it was only salary dump.
 

Cellar-Door

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Looks like they are both FA after this season. I thought maybe they had some potential as developmental bigs. So, unfortunately, looks like it was only salary dump.
We do get their bird rights, so if they see something they like, they can probably bring one of them (Wagner likely, I assume Kornet is getting cut) back cheap.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Looks like they are both FA after this season. I thought maybe they had some potential as developmental bigs. So, unfortunately, looks like it was only salary dump.
Kornet is already 25 years old, soon to be 26. He's no more a developmental big than Tacko Fall. Kornet is not much better than Tacko Fall. I guess he's gone, may not even finish the season here.

Wagner has some skills and untapped potential but is close to 24 and is limited himself. If the C's like what they see, they can always re-sign him because the market for him will be non existent.

Bu yes, this was mostly a salary dump.
 

shoelace

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Looks like they are both FA after this season. I thought maybe they had some potential as developmental bigs. So, unfortunately, looks like it was only salary dump.
Agree with Cellar-Door. Washington declined Wagner's option for next season, so he is a FA, but I think that gives an indication that he's not going to be commanding much money in free agency. If they like him as a developmental prospect, they can give him a fairly small contract and retain him.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Wagner's probably nothing special but if he does turn into a decent 3 point shooter with volume, he'd be a great fit next to TL as the back up C once TT is gone.

I mentioned his meh measurements before and he doesn't look good on D, but some of the metrics like him. It's funny, he basically is Kelly Olynyk.
 

Jimbodandy

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Wagner's probably nothing special but if he does turn into a decent 3 point shooter with volume, he'd be a great fit next to TL as the back up C once TT is gone.

I mentioned his meh measurements before and he doesn't look good on D, but some of the metrics like him. It's funny, he basically is Kelly Olynyk.
I just don't like him. Didn't mind Olynyk. Wagner is every loose cannon, mouthpiece wearing, "all knees and elbows" idiot that I ever played against. He's that infuriating old guy at the Y, except he's not old. I pray that he's stapled to the bench until he quietly leaves in the offseason.
 

Kliq

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I actually WANT Tacko to play more. We only saw him once in meaningful action, during the game earlier this season against Washington when all of their bigs were out and he was perfectly fine playing 20 minutes. What do we have to lose? If he is bad in 3-5 minute stretches you can pull him out. I thought it would have been a good move to play him in the Memphis game when they were annihilating the Celtics with points in the paint.
 
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Cesar Crespo

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I actually WANT Tacko to play more. We only some him once in meaningful action, during the game earlier this season against Washington when all of their bigs were out and he was perfectly fine playing 20 minutes. What do we have to lose? If he is bad in 3-5 minute stretches you can pull him out. I thought it would have been a good move to play him in the Memphis game when they were annihilating the Celtics with points in the paint.
With a 15+2 roster, teams will eventually start having specialized players like Tacko just for inbound passes and what not.
 

Cesar Crespo

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I just don't like him. Didn't mind Olynyk. Wagner is every loose cannon, mouthpiece wearing, "all knees and elbows" idiot that I ever played against. He's that infuriating old guy at the Y, except he's not old. I pray that he's stapled to the bench until he quietly leaves in the offseason.
Those players are fine when they are on your team.
 

HomeRunBaker

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He’s salty because he was sure the Celtics internal evaluation of TL was shaky and Brad was “coachspeaking”. Then that turned out to be very obviously wrong instantly and things got weird.

HRB is great whenever he’s not wrong, but when he is, things quickly devolve into performance art.

To be fair, I should just write an encyclopedia of each poster’s mannerisms sometime. I think I could be suitably negative towards everyone.
Right......but I’m in here reading how Fournier is “almost an All-Star.” I sure hope this isn’t the expectation.

As I’ve said before I call it like I see it. I’ve even given Nesmith some credit for working to earn minutes earlier in the year until the reality set in. Same with TL. I’m right on things and I’m wrong on things (not sure what internal info on TL is about) but I’m not going to sugarcoat my evaluation.
 

lovegtm

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Right......but I’m in here reading how Fournier is “almost an All-Star.” I sure hope this isn’t the expectation.

As I’ve said before I call it like I see it. I’ve even given Nesmith some credit for working to earn minutes earlier in the year until the reality set in. Same with TL. I’m right on things and I’m wrong on things (not sure what internal info on TL is about) but I’m not going to sugarcoat my evaluation.
Yeah, Fournier isn’t an all-star. He’s the capable shooting 2/3 vet the team was missing. The Celtics still need a big talent upgrade, I just didn’t see it there at the deadline (it’s not Gordon imo).
 

shoelace

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Right......but I’m in here reading how Fournier is “almost an All-Star.” I sure hope this isn’t the expectation.
I think one poster said that. I would guess most folks see Fournier as the Celtics attempt to acquire a Joe Harris type to fit with Jaylen and Jayson. He can likely excel in that type of role. And that is a solid move even though he is on an expiring contract, it can become a very good move if they can retain him for a reasonable salary. There is no reason to expect that any team with space would give their money to Fournier on a multi-year deal and the Celtics can give him more money than anyone else, so they have a clear pathway to retain him. This is why people like the move, not because they think he's an All Star.
 

HomeRunBaker

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I think one poster said that. I would guess most folks see Fournier as the Celtics attempt to acquire a Joe Harris type to fit with Jaylen and Jayson. He can likely excel in that type of role. And that is a solid move even though he is on an expiring contract, it can become a very good move if they can retain him for a reasonable salary. There is no reason to expect that any team with space would give their money to Fournier on a multi-year deal and the Celtics can give him more money than anyone else, so they have a clear pathway to retain him. This is why people like the move, not because they think he's an All Star.
As I said, I liked the move as a complimentary move to a bigger get. Instead we replaced Theis with Wagner (who can’t play) and Kornet who I would be shocked if he could either. I’m concerned at the teams response to this not how it looks on paper.
 

radsoxfan

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Wagner's probably nothing special but if he does turn into a decent 3 point shooter with volume, he'd be a great fit next to TL as the back up C once TT is gone.

I mentioned his meh measurements before and he doesn't look good on D, but some of the metrics like him. It's funny, he basically is Kelly Olynyk.
I'm not super optimistic on Wagner and forced to pick an outcome for him it's end of bench/out of the league in a few years.

But... I do think there is an actual NBA player potentially in there. He isn't as bad on D as feared and can actually score a little.

He is shooting 30% career from 3 despite having other good shooting numbers (60% career TS%). I dont know why he is so bad from 3 but there is at least a chance that improves significantly. And if it does, he starts to look pretty decent.

He doesn't rebound much but his TO rate is down and assist rate is up this year so far.

He MIGHT not actually stink. More than we can say for much of our bench.
 

Cellar-Door

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As I said, I liked the move as a complimentary move to a bigger get. Instead we replaced Theis with Wagner (who can’t play) and Kornet who I would be shocked if he could either. I’m concerned at the teams response to this not how it looks on paper.
Wagner can't play? He put up perfectly respectable numbers this year off the bench in WAS, he's fine as a 3rd C if they go that way, it's a very limited minutes role.

One thing I think the Theis move makes clear (and the Drummond rumors) is that beyond not thinking that they could re-sign him at a number they liked, they've decided on how they want to play the rest of this year.
1 true big
3 swing/wings
1 PG

If you go that way, you need the big to really rebound, and Theis wasn't doing that, and his floor stretching wasn't really working either, he was just good enough to take the 3s, but bad enough that nobody wanted to stop him.
Instead they'll go with TT and TL who can rebound, and maybe add Drummond who excels there. Less pick and pop, more screen and roll and diving to the rim
 

NomarsFool

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I'm pretty meh on Drummond. I feel like the Celtics already have him on the roster (if he can ever get out of Covid-19 protocols).

I'm more interested in someone who can be more of a PF type (replacing the need for Semi/Grant). I don't know if OPJ is that player or not.
 

RetractableRoof

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I just don't like him. Didn't mind Olynyk. Wagner is every loose cannon, mouthpiece wearing, "all knees and elbows" idiot that I ever played against. He's that infuriating old guy at the Y, except he's not old. I pray that he's stapled to the bench until he quietly leaves in the offseason.
Fantastic, start him against Embid.
 

shoelace

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As I said, I liked the move as a complimentary move to a bigger get. Instead we replaced Theis with Wagner (who can’t play) and Kornet who I would be shocked if he could either. I’m concerned at the teams response to this not how it looks on paper.
It's disingenuous to frame this as the Celtics "replacing" Theis with Wagner. Those two players were traded for each other, but they're not slotting Wagner in to start like Theis often was. They, along with many posters here, think Rob Williams is ready to play 25-30 minutes a game and that Tristan Thompson can handle the backup minutes. It's fine to disagree with that logic, or to say that it would be better to have Williams and Theis than Williams and Thompson (I agree), but let's not throw strawmen out there to criticize good moves. Of those 48 minutes at center each night, the vast majority will be taken up by Williams and Thompson. Wagner and Kornet are not likely to play significant minutes for them unless TL or Thompson is out for an extended period, and it's likely Kornet isn't even with the team after this season.
 

Cellar-Door

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It's disingenuous to frame this as the Celtics "replacing" Theis with Wagner. Those two players were traded for each other, but they're not slotting Wagner in to start like Theis often was. They, along with many posters here, think Rob Williams is ready to play 25-30 minutes a game and that Tristan Thompson can handle the backup minutes. Or, maybe they start Tristan and keep Rob coming off the bench, whatever. Of those 48 minutes at center each night, the vast majority will be taken up by those two guys. Either way, Wagner and Kornet are not likely to play significant minutes for them unless TL or Thompson is out for an extended period, and either or both may not even be with the team next season.
They're replacing Theis with Fournier in terms of minutes.
 

lovegtm

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They're replacing Theis with Fournier in terms of minutes.
Exactly, and it's better to reset the tax now, especially with a guy who was almost certainly leaving in FA. (Unless you think that keeping Theis or acquiring Aaron Gordon makes them title contenders this year).

I do get the vibe/morale concerns, but I am pretty strongly in the camp that Fournier will fix those somewhat by letting them go back to the style of play when they had Hayward.
 

RetractableRoof

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Will McDonough once said exactly that about ML Carr who became that kind of player for the Cs over time (IIRC he was a decent basketball player for a while, then wasn't).
His effectiveness was a direct correlation to the days when his towel was in the wash.
 

DGreenwood

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Wagner surprised me a little bit tonight, he looks like he has some potential. Not much showed up in the box score other than the rebounds but he looked very comfortable.

 
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Cesar Crespo

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I like how people talk about how basketball is unwatchable today because the last 40 seconds of the game is 8 minutes.
 

luckiestman

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Wagner surprised me a little bit tonight, he looks like he has some potential. Not much showed up in the box score other than the rebounds but he looked very comfortable.

Kids got a set of balls thinking he can wear Sherm Douglas’s number
 

reggiecleveland

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I like how people talk about how basketball is unwatchable today because the last 40 seconds of the game is 8 minutes.
SMH
It was the end of an epic overtime between maybe the two best teams ever. There are 4 sets of FTS, and some timeouts. It's kinda big game so coahes are arguing wit the refs and pl;ayers are talking shit to each other, after not too recently flattening each other. Bird takes the ball out after a made FT, and inboounds it quick trusting DJ to shoot the FT.

The complaints about today's is the teams all play the same style, much more than pace of play. It is ballscreen, three pointer (most of which are missed) or dunk, lather rinse repeat. Defensive boards are so rarely contested Steven Adams can gift Westbrook 3 rebounds a game so he can get his triple double. The game today is make 3 pointers and win, or miss and lose. When your team makes 3s, like tonight they seem awesome, but when they miss, and it will happen soon they suck. The league has to figure something out because games are becoming too similar. Young people are always defensive when they game gets out of wack, thinking we want to go back. Tell me two teams today that are as different today as those two teams? One team was run, run,run, the other pounded it inside and hit outside shots.

If you can't enjoy that clip you should just quit, especially if you are actually a Celtics fan. Max makes the choke sign, to Worthy, ML talks shit to Magic and Worthy, and they tell him he never plays and to STFU, then after missing FTS Worthy throws it to ML. DJ, a guard gets an O rebound with a chance to win the game rather than scurrying back to prevent the corner three. Did it take too long when Mo threw over to first three times before Roberts stole second? At the end of this game the world was wondering if maybe Magic Johnson was a choker, and Magic admits so was he. This is the end of one of the greatest games ever in greatest series ever. Shea Serrano no Celtic fan, but a hoops historian lists the game 7 of this series as the most important basketball game ever. If not for this series, and not for the two principals this little thing called the NBA may be competing with the NHL for broadcast rights on the ESPN6 or the Outdoor Network.

Now say your prayers and ask forgiveness of the basketball gods for daring to disparage the game and the series that saved the fucking league.
 

jerry casale

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It was the end of an epic overtime between maybe the two best teams ever. There are 4 sets of FTS, and some timeouts. It's kinda big game so coahes are arguing wit the refs and pl;ayers are talking shit to each other, after not too recently flattening each other. Bird takes the ball out after a made FT, and inboounds it quick trusting DJ to shoot the FT.

The complaints about today's is the teams all play the same style, much more than pace of play. It is ballscreen, three pointer (most of which are missed) or dunk, lather rinse repeat. Defensive boards are so rarely contested Steven Adams can gift Westbrook 3 rebounds a game so he can get his triple double. The game today is make 3 pointers and win, or miss and lose. When your team makes 3s, like tonight they seem awesome, but when they miss, and it will happen soon they suck. The league has to figure something out because games are becoming too similar. Young people are always defensive when they game gets out of wack, thinking we want to go back. Tell me two teams today that are as different today as those two teams? One team was run, run,run, the other pounded it inside and hit outside shots.

If you can't enjoy that clip you should just quit, especially if you are actually a Celtics fan. Max makes the choke sign, to Worthy, ML talks shit to Magic and Worthy, and they tell him he never plays and to STFU, then after missing FTS Worthy throws it to ML. DJ, a guard gets an O rebound with a chance to win the game rather than scurrying back to prevent the corner three. Did it take too long when Mo threw over to first three times before Roberts stole second? At the end of this game the world was wondering if maybe Magic Johnson was a choker, and Magic admits so was he. This is the end of one of the greatest games ever in greatest series ever. Shea Serrano no Celtic fan, but a hoops historian lists the game 7 of this series as the most important basketball game ever. If not for this series, and not for the two principals this little thing called the NBA may be competing with the NHL for broadcast rights on the ESPN6 or the Outdoor Network.

Now say your prayers and ask forgiveness of the basketball gods for daring to disparage the game and the series that saved the fucking league.
Yes, yes and yes. Great post. I was at that game. I moved to SoCal after 30 yrs in Boston. Probably one of a couple dozen Cs fans there and I really felt I was in danger. Those were the days.
 

bankshot1

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SMH
It was the end of an epic overtime between maybe the two best teams ever. There are 4 sets of FTS, and some timeouts. It's kinda big game so coahes are arguing wit the refs and pl;ayers are talking shit to each other, after not too recently flattening each other. Bird takes the ball out after a made FT, and inboounds it quick trusting DJ to shoot the FT.

The complaints about today's is the teams all play the same style, much more than pace of play. It is ballscreen, three pointer (most of which are missed) or dunk, lather rinse repeat. Defensive boards are so rarely contested Steven Adams can gift Westbrook 3 rebounds a game so he can get his triple double. The game today is make 3 pointers and win, or miss and lose. When your team makes 3s, like tonight they seem awesome, but when they miss, and it will happen soon they suck. The league has to figure something out because games are becoming too similar. Young people are always defensive when they game gets out of wack, thinking we want to go back. Tell me two teams today that are as different today as those two teams? One team was run, run,run, the other pounded it inside and hit outside shots.

If you can't enjoy that clip you should just quit, especially if you are actually a Celtics fan. Max makes the choke sign, to Worthy, ML talks shit to Magic and Worthy, and they tell him he never plays and to STFU, then after missing FTS Worthy throws it to ML. DJ, a guard gets an O rebound with a chance to win the game rather than scurrying back to prevent the corner three. Did it take too long when Mo threw over to first three times before Roberts stole second? At the end of this game the world was wondering if maybe Magic Johnson was a choker, and Magic admits so was he. This is the end of one of the greatest games ever in greatest series ever. Shea Serrano no Celtic fan, but a hoops historian lists the game 7 of this series as the most important basketball game ever. If not for this series, and not for the two principals this little thing called the NBA may be competing with the NHL for broadcast rights on the ESPN6 or the Outdoor Network.

Now say your prayers and ask forgiveness of the basketball gods for daring to disparage the game and the series that saved the fucking league.
I think once the pandemic is over I want to have drinks with this post. This post so gets it.

80s NBA play-offs were hoops heaven
 

Cesar Crespo

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SMH
It was the end of an epic overtime between maybe the two best teams ever. There are 4 sets of FTS, and some timeouts. It's kinda big game so coahes are arguing wit the refs and pl;ayers are talking shit to each other, after not too recently flattening each other. Bird takes the ball out after a made FT, and inboounds it quick trusting DJ to shoot the FT.

The complaints about today's is the teams all play the same style, much more than pace of play. It is ballscreen, three pointer (most of which are missed) or dunk, lather rinse repeat. Defensive boards are so rarely contested Steven Adams can gift Westbrook 3 rebounds a game so he can get his triple double. The game today is make 3 pointers and win, or miss and lose. When your team makes 3s, like tonight they seem awesome, but when they miss, and it will happen soon they suck. The league has to figure something out because games are becoming too similar. Young people are always defensive when they game gets out of wack, thinking we want to go back. Tell me two teams today that are as different today as those two teams? One team was run, run,run, the other pounded it inside and hit outside shots.

If you can't enjoy that clip you should just quit, especially if you are actually a Celtics fan. Max makes the choke sign, to Worthy, ML talks shit to Magic and Worthy, and they tell him he never plays and to STFU, then after missing FTS Worthy throws it to ML. DJ, a guard gets an O rebound with a chance to win the game rather than scurrying back to prevent the corner three. Did it take too long when Mo threw over to first three times before Roberts stole second? At the end of this game the world was wondering if maybe Magic Johnson was a choker, and Magic admits so was he. This is the end of one of the greatest games ever in greatest series ever. Shea Serrano no Celtic fan, but a hoops historian lists the game 7 of this series as the most important basketball game ever. If not for this series, and not for the two principals this little thing called the NBA may be competing with the NHL for broadcast rights on the ESPN6 or the Outdoor Network.

Now say your prayers and ask forgiveness of the basketball gods for daring to disparage the game and the series that saved the fucking league.

Get off my lawn. The NBA is much better today than the 80s.

Nostalgia is a hell of a drug.

Also, I'm not the one complaining that the NBA is unwatchable. The game in the last 2 minutes has always been a slogfest. It was no different in the 80s.

And in the early 80's, they played hardly any defense and in the late 80s, the Pistons almost ruined basketball.

I'm guessing you're in your 50s at least? Curious if people younger than me feel differently than you. My dad hates the 3 point shot.
 
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Bernie Carbohydrate

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I had forgotten how the Lakers choked in that OT. Magic missed two big free throws, and a few minutes later Worthy went 1-2 from the line. They go 4-4 (or even 3-4) on those foul shots the Celtics probably lose.

How the game has changed--Michael Cooper was a 3-and-D guy...shooting 31% from three.
 

Jimbodandy

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The game has surely changed a lot, and taste can account for whether you like it better now or then.

Reggie is right that the 84 series was the fucking best though. Two all-time elite teams at their peaks. Three top-10 all timers. So hi stress. Couldn't watch this series live now without a sedative.
 

Cesar Crespo

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I wasn't trying to imply it was boring. Just that it still took forever to finish the last minute or 2 of games. It's nothing that will ever be fixed.
 

lexrageorge

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My two favorite NBA playoff series of all time remain the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals and the 1984 Finals. Honorable mention to the 1974 Finals, but I was too young to appreciate it.
 

bankshot1

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The game has surely changed a lot, and taste can account for whether you like it better now or then.

Reggie is right that the 84 series was the fucking best though. Two all-time elite teams at their peaks. Three top-10 all timers. So hi stress. Couldn't watch this series live now without a sedative.
The '84 Finals was awesome, but it may not have been the best series of the decade. IMO the '81 ECF between Celts and 76ers, may have been the greatest post-season series ever. The court littered with HoFers, a 7-game war, between two teams that didn't like each other, with 5 of the 7 games decided by 2 points or less. It was an amazing series.
 

Jimbodandy

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Jan 31, 2006
11,406
around the way
Yeah the 1981 Conf finals was perhaps the better overall series. But the importance of the 84 finals, being the finals, national TV, Bird vs. Magic finally (as pros), and frankly this being peak Bird. 1981 Bird was badass, but 1984 Bird was the undisputed baddest baller on the planet.

I was wrapping up 10th grade and couldn't wait to grab the paper in the morning and read the recaps.

Both series were definitely appointment television. People got together and watched with friends and family.
 

4 6 3 DP

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Oct 24, 2001
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Love ml making the steal on one end, instead of running out the clock he immediately scores, then commits dumb foul on the other end. None of that sticks in the memories...
 

kfoss99

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Jul 15, 2009
1,192
The game has surely changed a lot, and taste can account for whether you like it better now or then.

Reggie is right that the 84 series was the fucking best though. Two all-time elite teams at their peaks. Three top-10 all timers. So hi stress. Couldn't watch this series live now without a sedative.
The Ringer had a good article on Netflix's F1 Racing series and there's a quote in it that so much applies to basketball.

To paraphrase: By the last races of the season the last place car is faster than the winner of the first race.

The evolution of basketball isn't quite so fast, but the game, now, is totally different than just 10 years ago. Someone mentioned the 7 seconds or less Suns would be the slowest paced team this year.

The 80s were an epoch ago.