Mentality Heading into Game 5

What best describes your feeling about the Celtics’ chances of Green 18 after Game 4?

  • They still got this. Best team and they’re resilient. They’ll figure out a way.

    Votes: 56 20.9%
  • I still think they win but not as confident as I was before Game 4

    Votes: 50 18.7%
  • Cautiously optimistic but admittedly pretty nervous

    Votes: 90 33.6%
  • Still have a chance but I don’t think they will get it done

    Votes: 59 22.0%
  • They blew it and are toast!

    Votes: 12 4.5%
  • Other

    Votes: 1 0.4%

  • Total voters
    268

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,085
Tough loss last night. Could have gone up 3-1 with 3 chances to close it out. Didn’t get it done. Steph went nuts. Now, they have to win at least 1 game out west to claim the title.

So, how do you feel about their chances?
 

Mooch

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,493
I’m still very optimistic. Look, it’s taking a superhuman effort from Curry just to be even in this series. If he plays just 20% worse last night, the Celtics are up 3-1. He’s logging a lot of minutes at age 34 and I think he’s bound for a below average game or two. The Warriors have some major flaws and one of their best players is borderline unplayable and sat for most of the 4th quarter last night. I just don’t think they have enough consistent two way players to win this series and I’m still banking on my original pick: Boston in 6.
 

bosockboy

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
19,862
St. Louis, MO
I’m still very optimistic. Look, it’s taking a superhuman effort from Curry just to be even in this series. If he plays just 20% worse last night, the Celtics are up 3-1. He’s logging a lot of minutes at age 34 and I think he’s bound for a below average game or two. The Warriors have some major flaws and one of their best players is borderline unplayable and sat for most of the 4th quarter last night. I just don’t think they have enough consistent two way players to win this series and I’m still banking on my original pick: Boston in 6.
What the W’s have left in the energy tank is definitely a huge part of the calculus.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,054
Hingham, MA
I’m still very optimistic. Look, it’s taking a superhuman effort from Curry just to be even in this series. If he plays just 20% worse last night, the Celtics are up 3-1. He’s logging a lot of minutes at age 34 and I think he’s bound for a below average game or two. The Warriors have some major flaws and one of their best players is borderline unplayable and sat for most of the 4th quarter last night. I just don’t think they have enough consistent two way players to win this series and I’m still banking on my original pick: Boston in 6.
Looking through Curry's career playoff game log, he almost always has a stinker (or at least a relatively poor game) in pretty much every single playoff series he's ever played in. That hasn't happened yet this series; his worst performance was 9-21 and 5-12 from 3 for 29 points on 21 shots, which is still fantastic.

But just looking back:
WCF: 5-17
WCS: 4-10; 10-27
WC1: 5-13

2019:
6-17, 6-17, 7-23, 3-14

2018:
3-16, 10-26, 6-19

2017:
4-13, 6-18

Etc.

He's due for a relatively lousy shooting game, unless you think something the Celtics are doing defensively is allowing him to shoot this well. Feels to me that he is just locked in and making a lot of really tough shots
 

jmanny24

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 6, 2003
620
I'm confused about how to feel, they have been really good on the road but the Warriors have been equally as good at home. The last two games have been reffed relatively evenly (compared to what they could've been), does GS get a little home whistle? But what is most frustrating to me is that the Celtics know what bogs them down in games (lack of movement,bad quick 3s etc) and it doesn't seem so much things that GS are doing but more the Celtics shooting themselves in the foot, so why can't they fix it?
 

McBride11

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
22,109
Durham, NC
Voted ‘they still got this’ but, despite the past 20 years, still have that nagging Boston sports fan ‘nervousness’ built in. If the Cs play their game and have respectable shooting, they win the series. Heck if they put the ball in the ocean in the 4th they are up 3-1.

The original thread I voted Cs in 6. Win Monday and close it out in the Garden. LFG
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
30,483
Sorry to repeat myself (said this in the other thread) but while I understand basketball is a game of matchups, GSW is better than MIA without Herro and MIL without Middleton so I'm not sure why people think BOS would walk away with this.

TL is obviously the wild card but I still think BOS's talent prevails. Originally voted BOS in 7; sticking to it.
 

The Social Chair

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 17, 2010
6,082
I like the Warriors in game 5 but feel pretty good about the next one in Boston. The teams are pretty close in talent ( Warriors and Celtics are both 1 bad 4th quarter away from being up 3 - 1), but the Warriors role players tend to play better at home than Celtics role guys do. The Celtics win when Horford plays well.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,096
Starting to get concerned, to be honest. Rob Williams looked real gimpy near the end and Tatum could be hurt as well. If the Celtics lose G5, I don’t think they’ll be able to pull it off.
 

NYCSox

chris hansen of goats
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
May 19, 2004
10,446
Some fancy town in CT
I've totally given up on guessing what this team will do. They can win the next two, lose the next two, split and win G7 or split and lose G7 and none of it would surprise me.
 

JoePoulson

Well-Known Member
Gold Supporter
SoSH Member
Feb 28, 2006
2,755
Orlando, FL
I voted zero confidence going into G7 of the ECF, and felt similarly going into games 6 and 7 in the ECSF, so obviously I know jack shit. However, that nagging feeling just won't go away after watching a Boston team blow an amazing opportunity to take control of a series. I don't understand why this team is sometimes just so sloppy and seemingly lazy with the ball, forcing SO many unnecessary turnovers. Which of course always come back to haunt them. If they can clean that up then I like their chances, but I've been saying that for weeks now and who knows which Cs team is gonna come out these next 2-3 games. I voted "Still have a chance but I don’t think they will get it done" because I feel their jekyll and hyde style of play has finally cost them too much. And with Curry bombing them at a high rate. Again, I hope like hell they prove me wrong, like they did the last two series.
 

yecul

appreciates irony very much
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 8, 2001
18,470
Boston is erratic and can be so sloppy. They can control their own destiny and win without question. But the sloppy bucket gets dumped on their head and the Curry/3-pointer factor is so big.

And the NBA wants 7 games. I think it gets there one or the other. Loss-Win-Toss Up is how it'll go with some thumb-scale help
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,096
And the NBA wants 7 games. I think it gets there one or the other. Loss-Win-Toss Up is how it'll go with some thumb-scale help
The NBA is probably satisfied that the series is going to go at least 6. And the refs really did not have any influence in the outcome of Game 4 at all.
 
Last edited:

yecul

appreciates irony very much
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Jul 8, 2001
18,470
I'm being sparky but the refs in game 5 will be interesting to watch. I agree, 6 games is the goal and 7 is gravy. Traveling away to the WC with GS putting together a strong game, easy to see BOS drop it.

They can beat any team. And they can fall off and lose any night. Harnessing that consistently is not something. They are doing and elite competition isn't going to miss opportunities.

Best of 3. I like their chances but this is 55/45, 51/49 type territory
 

Light-Tower-Power

ask me about My Pillow
SoSH Member
Jun 14, 2013
15,947
Nashua, NH
I don’t see this team losing three in a row. I’m comfortable that worst case scenario this goes 7, and anything is possible in a Game 7. I think Monday is a coin flip, and if they win Monday then Thursday is still just a coin flip. If they lose Monday they’ll win on Thursday.
 

HomeRunBaker

bet squelcher
SoSH Member
Jan 15, 2004
30,096
Is Game 7 considered gravy to the league or is it considered the ultimate financial goal? I can say confidently that whoever loses Game 5 is going to get one heckuva whistle in Game 6. Silver and this league didn’t get where they are by being complacent.
 

BlackJack

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 11, 2007
3,456
I've totally given up on guessing what this team will do. They can win the next two, lose the next two, split and win G7 or split and lose G7 and none of it would surprise me.
I agree with this and it’s been a hell of a run. The only one of the above that I’d be truly disappointed with is if they lose games 5 and 6. That would really suck.
 

Strike4

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
3,895
Portland, Maine
For all the hand-wringing analysis we do, the difference was really pretty simple in Game 5: Curry had a great game and Tatum had a sub-par game. Yes there were other factors but if a couple more shots go in, this is it. If they are going to lose this is the way to hang it, rather than some team-wide systemic failure.

Sometimes it's good to focus on the journey that they took getting here and then the path in the future. Helps me sleep better at night!
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,375
Tatum is 24 (age 23 season).
Brown is 25 (age 24 season).
Rob is 24 (age 23 season).
Smart is 28 (age 27 season). (feels like he's been in the league 15 years already though)
Pritchard is 24 (age 23 season).
Grant is 23 (age 23 season).
White is 27 (age 27 season).
Horford is 36 (age 35 season).

Jordan won his first title during his age 28 season, with Pippen in his age 26 season.
Curry won his first title during his age 26 season, with Klay in his age 24 season.
LeBron won his first title during his age 27 season, with Wade in his age 30 season (and Bosh in his age 27 season).
Giannis won his first title during his age 26 season, with Middleton in his age 29 season.

When Jordan was in his age 23 season, he was a superstar, averaging 35 points a game, but Chicago got blown out in the Eastern Conference semifinals 4-1 by Detroit. He was still five years away from winning his first NBA championship.

When Curry was in his age 23 season, he was averaging 14.7 points a game, and Golden State finished 23-43. He was still three years away from winning his first NBA championship.

When LeBron was in his age 23 season, he was a superstar, averaging 30 points a game, but Cleveland lost to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference semifinals. He was still four years away from winning his first NBA championship.

When Giannis was in his age 23 season, he averaged 26.9 points a game, and Milwaukee lost to Boston in the first round of the playoffs. He was still three years away from winning his first NBA championship.


Jayson Tatum, for all the criticism rightly thrown his way, is two games away from an NBA championship being the alpha in his age 23 season. Jordan, Curry, LeBron, and Giannis were all not even remotely close to achieving this at the same point in their careers.

It's impossible to be upset at Tatum and this team's trajectory. That said....man, that brass ring is RIGHT THERE.
 

BlackJack

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 11, 2007
3,456
The NBA is probably satisfied that the series is going to go at least 6. And the refs really did not have any influence in the outcome of Game 5 at all.
For all the hand-wringing analysis we do, the difference was really pretty simple in Game 5: Curry had a great game and Tatum had a sub-par game. Yes there were other factors but if a couple more shots go in, this is it. If they are going to lose this is the way to hang it, rather than some team-wide systemic failure.

Sometimes it's good to focus on the journey that they took getting here and then the path in the future. Helps me sleep better at night!
Game five is tomorrow night.
 

mikeford

woolwich!
SoSH Member
Aug 6, 2006
29,517
St John's, NL
Jayson Tatum, for all the criticism rightly thrown his way, is two games away from an NBA championship being the alpha in his age 23 season. Jordan, Curry, LeBron, and Giannis were all not even remotely close to achieving this at the same point in their careers.
Is he the alpha though? He certainly hasn't been in this series. I feel like this is not completely clear cut. Jaylen Brown is the Celtics Finals MVP right now.
 

lexrageorge

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
18,096
Is he the alpha though? He certainly hasn't been in this series. I feel like this is not completely clear cut. Jaylen Brown is the Celtics Finals MVP right now.
Tatum has been essentially running the team's offense, especially late. He's definitely the alpha, even if it doesn't show up in the traditional box score stats or in the view of the game thread posters who seem to think he should score every time he touches the ball.
 

Eddie Jurak

canderson-lite
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2002
44,475
Melrose, MA
Still have a chance.

But I don't think this team can execute consistently enough to get it done. Under pressure their offense becomes a the poorly spaced "my turn, your turn" monstrosity that had the Celtics below .500 in early January. They are prone to unforced turnovers.

Their greatest strength (stamina and the ability to outlast teams) went head to head with their greatest weakness (poor clutch execution) in game 4 and the weakness won out. It makes me wonder if they are worn out, mentally or physically.

Does Tatum have anything left - his scoring averages have declined by round: 29.5/27.6/25.0/22.3? Can the team clean up its execution? Does the game 4 collapse indicate that they can't outlast the Warriors the way they eventually did the Bucks and Heat? Don't know.

I'm not optimistic but there is still a chance. They haven't lost two in a row all playoffs. Ime has generally had the team responding well from bad games. In games 3 and 4, Rob has shown flashes of the pre-injury Rob. Tatum has yet to go off in this series, and maybe he will.

But if I were betting on the outcome from here, I'd bet on Warriors experience and execution over the Celtics' talent and size and stamina. The Warrior dynasty is probably close to the end of the line, while the Celtics are a young rising team led by a 24 year old who has yet to reach his peak. Also, I think Kerr might have learned a game 4 lesson that may haunt the Celtics going forward: Draymond is a liability in this series and Kerr can make the Warriors better in key moments simply by benching him.
 

BaseballJones

ivanvamp
SoSH Member
Oct 1, 2015
24,375
Is he the alpha though? He certainly hasn't been in this series. I feel like this is not completely clear cut. Jaylen Brown is the Celtics Finals MVP right now.
Yes he is. He hasn't played up to his normal standards, but he is just 24 and this is his first NBA finals, against an absolutely championship-level team. So it makes sense that he's struggling scoring some. But he's the #1 player on this team without question.

But you're right - Jaylen has been fantastic.
 

Eddie Jurak

canderson-lite
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2002
44,475
Melrose, MA
Is he the alpha though? He certainly hasn't been in this series. I feel like this is not completely clear cut. Jaylen Brown is the Celtics Finals MVP right now.
If you include points scored and points assisted, Tatum has created 40% of the Celtics points in the series; Brown 29%. Taking nothing away from Brown's series, the only things he's done better than Tatum are shoot a higher percentage from 2% and from the line, although the latter is offset by the fact that Tatum gets to the line nearly twice as often. Tatum also has 4 more turnovers, but that is from handling the ball a ton more. The two have the exact same number of points and rebounds, but Tatum has nearly twice as many assists. There's no case for Brown as alpha.
 

tims4wins

PN23's replacement
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
37,054
Hingham, MA
To me the Celts don't have a traditional alpha. Tatum is obviously the best player, but he's not yet at that traditional championship alpha level yet. At various times it feels like JT, JB, Marcus, and Al are the team leader. This is a good thing in the sense that they don't singularly rely on one player to be a great team. Shades of the 2004 Pistons, to a degree.

That said, I think Tatum is going to get to that level. Soon.
 

Dahabenzapple2

Mr. McGuire / Axl's Counter
SoSH Member
Jun 20, 2011
8,926
Wayne, NJ
Not confident but what they have done so far is miraculous for such a young team. Beaten teams led by Durant, Giannis & Butler. Taking on team led by Curry who is playing as great as he ever has.
Key for me remains a somewhat healthy Time Lord and a strong effort by Al.
No excuses but Tatum isn’t 100% and his misses up close and missed free throws are killing them.
 

The Social Chair

Member
SoSH Member
Feb 17, 2010
6,082
Is Game 7 considered gravy to the league or is it considered the ultimate financial goal? I can say confidently that whoever loses Game 5 is going to get one heckuva whistle in Game 6. Silver and this league didn’t get where they are by being complacent.
The ratings for this series are at a 15 year low for a regularly scheduled NBA finals. The playoff ratings were up in previous rounds, and the lack of interest in these finals seems to be a surprise to all.

Anyway, sort of... ABC needs 7 games or they will have to pay back advertisers for coming in well below the rating guarantees.

The NBA doesn't care though. They will get a huge new TV contract even if ratings are bad.
 
Last edited:

mikeford

woolwich!
SoSH Member
Aug 6, 2006
29,517
St John's, NL
If you include points scored and points assisted, Tatum has created 40% of the Celtics points in the series; Brown 29%. Taking nothing away from Brown's series, the only things he's done better than Tatum are shoot a higher percentage from 2% and from the line, although the latter is offset by the fact that Tatum gets to the line nearly twice as often. Tatum also has 4 more turnovers, but that is from handling the ball a ton more. The two have the exact same number of points and rebounds, but Tatum has nearly twice as many assists. There's no case for Brown as alpha.
Not making the case for Brown as the alpha either. Just saying he's been better than Tatum in the series.

Who was the alpha on the 2004 Pistons? Cuz that's who this team reminds me of.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,085
The ratings for this series are at a 15 year low for a regularly scheduled NBA finals. The playoff ratings were up in previous rounds, and the lack of interest in these finals seems to be a surprise to all.

Anyway, sort of... ABC needs 7 games or they will have to pay back advertisers for coming in well below the rating guarantees.

The NBA doesn't care though. They will get a huge new TV contract even if ratings are bad.
Any chance part of this is the start times? I guess the Dubs finals always have late start times so maybe not?
 

Eddie Jurak

canderson-lite
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2002
44,475
Melrose, MA
Not making the case for Brown as the alpha either. Just saying he's been better than Tatum in the series.
To the minimal extent he's been better, it is because defense have to focus on Tatum. But I think any advantage to Brown in shooting/scoring is more than offset by Tatum being the lead playmaker in this series.
 

8slim

has trust issues
SoSH Member
Nov 6, 2001
24,829
Unreal America
I picked the Warriors to win in 6, so unfortunately we may be on track for that outcome.

That being said, the Cs could absolutely win this thing. I’ve been saying it all playoffs, and it’s kind-numbingly simplistic, but the Cs gotta make shots. When we lose it tends to be because we go stretches where we can’t throw the ball in the ocean. Obviously turnovers, ball movement, etc. contribute. We could really use a 4th where Tatum goes, say, 6-for-8 from the field. Or anyone for that matter. We need a run stopper.
 

128

Member
SoSH Member
May 4, 2019
10,016
It would not surprise me in the least to see the C's win Game 5 and the Warriors win Game 6.
 

LesterFan

Member
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2010
15,046
Boston, MA
I feel like they're fucked because Timelord looked absolutely cooked in the 4th of Game 4. Without him they can't hang.
How much of that was fatigue on top of the knee issue, though? He played 31 minutes, his most in 3 months, after only one day off. Hopefully with two days off between games going forward he'll still provide a boost.

I voted cautiously optimistic but nervous. The only outcome that would surprise me would be losing the next two. That would be incredibly disappointing seeing as how they've bounced back after every loss so far. That being said, the Celtics need to find a way to better defend the 3 pt line, not just Curry. Quite frankly, I thought they were lucky to still be in Game 4 given how many wide open 3s the Warriors missed. If they allow that many open looks in SF they're gonna get blown out.
 

JoePoulson

Well-Known Member
Gold Supporter
SoSH Member
Feb 28, 2006
2,755
Orlando, FL
It would not surprise me in the least to see the C's win Game 5 and the Warriors win Game 6.
That would actually be one of the least surprising things to happen considering neither team has lost two in a row these playoffs. I think game 5 will be the biggest challenge for Boston these playoffs by far, but without question if they do win and keep their streak alive, then they'll absolutely have 40 turnovers and miss 80 shots in a home game 6 when they could close it out.
 

fairlee76

Member
SoSH Member
Oct 9, 2005
3,631
jp
Jayson Tatum, for all the criticism rightly thrown his way, is two games away from an NBA championship being the alpha in his age 23 season. Jordan, Curry, LeBron, and Giannis were all not even remotely close to achieving this at the same point in their careers.

It's impossible to be upset at Tatum and this team's trajectory. That said....man, that brass ring is RIGHT THERE.
This is where I am as well. The conflicting thoughts of "the JB/JT title window opened ahead of schedule so winning this year would be an unexpected treat...but they are so close to winning this year that losing would feel like a squandering a chance that may not come again."

I am most worried about their lack of a true facilitator on offense. Hoping for a big Derrick White game on that front (with a few 3s thrown in) in one of the next two games. And no more Smart three-point attempts immediately after offensive rebounds of a Smart miss, please. That is the memory most burned into my brain after game 4.
 

JakeRae

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
8,125
New York, NY
The lack of a true facilitator is going to be solved by Tatum taking his passing game to the next level this offseason. He already is a significant portion of the way there. Smart and White are both perfectly competent point guards in support roles to Tatum as a primary initiator, we just need Tatum to progress a little bit further with his handle, vision, and passing.

For now, no matter the outcome this season is a resounding success and this core is still improving so win or lose, we should all walk away from this season happy. But we really should win because Horford deserves a ring and deserves to get it while he’s still a core part of his team instead of a late career veteran in a support role. They should win this for Horford.
 

djbayko

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 18, 2005
25,894
Los Angeles, CA
I feel like they're fucked because Timelord looked absolutely cooked in the 4th of Game 4. Without him they can't hang.
The optimist in me says that we’ve seen him worn down and hobbled a lot in these playoffs. It just seems to be part of the pain management cycle he’s in at the moment. Long rest before Monday. Hopefully he’s good.
 

Auger34

used to be tbb
SoSH Member
Apr 23, 2010
9,271
Not making the case for Brown as the alpha either. Just saying he's been better than Tatum in the series.

Who was the alpha on the 2004 Pistons? Cuz that's who this team reminds me of.
Yeah…the amount of people saying that through Game 4 Tatum is the Celtics MVP is kind of crazy to me. He handles the ball the most out of anyone on the team so I’m not quite sure why that stat is so important or illuminating.He definitely has the toughest job of any Celtic but isn’t that what happens when you’re 1st team All NBA and talked about as a top 5 player?

I don’t think Tatum is soft, I think he’s been their best playmaker…but the last 3 quarters of Game 4 he sucked. I don’t think that’s a hot take but I know there are a portion of posters here who refuse to ever say anything bad about Tatum.

Also, aren’t Tatum/Smart/White roughly the same at playing PG? To me, they’re all equal and that’s why the offense can have maddening stretches. That trio can make some absolutely mind numbing decisions and can be loose with the ball
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
30,483

bosockboy

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
19,862
St. Louis, MO
30 days ago we were down on the mat in a road elimination game in Milwaukee and we’re here. They’ve got one more road masterpiece in them.
 

JFK35

New Member
Jun 12, 2022
110
North Shore
Of all the deep runs around here in the last two decades - I’m not sure there has been one less enjoyable then this one.

They’re so clearly the better team, the more talented team, the stronger team, the bigger team. But for some inexplicable reason they just can’t help themselves - EVERYTIME they’re in a good spot they continue to play borderline incompetent basketball and go from being in control to in a hole. Game 5 against Milwaukee. Game 3 against Miami. Game 6 against Miami. And now Game 4 against Golden State. Thus far they’ve pulled a houdini act everytime.

Well EVENTUALLY they’re going to lose two in a row. EVENTUALLY they’re not going to be able to overcome a needless hole they didn’t need to be in. I think we’ve reached that point.

At the start of the finals I gave the C’s a 40/60 shot at winning it (home court, experience etc). The only path I saw was steal 1 of 2 in SF and win all the home games. I thought going into Game 4 that the winner would win the series and I’m sticking with that. Would love to be wrong.
 

Ed Hillel

Wants to be startin somethin
SoSH Member
Dec 12, 2007
43,558
Here

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,085
Of all the deep runs around here in the last two decades - I’m not sure there has been one less enjoyable then this one.

They’re so clearly the better team, the more talented team, the stronger team, the bigger team. But for some inexplicable reason they just can’t help themselves - EVERYTIME they’re in a good spot they continue to play borderline incompetent basketball and go from being in control to in a hole. Game 5 against Milwaukee. Game 3 against Miami. Game 6 against Miami. And now Game 4 against Golden State. Thus far they’ve pulled a houdini act everytime.

Well EVENTUALLY they’re going to lose two in a row. EVENTUALLY they’re not going to be able to overcome a needless hole they didn’t need to be in. I think we’ve reached that point.

At the start of the finals I gave the C’s a 40/60 shot at winning it (home court, experience etc). The only path I saw was steal 1 of 2 in SF and win all the home games. I thought going into Game 4 that the winner would win the series and I’m sticking with that. Would love to be wrong.
You aren’t enjoying this run? They were like the 11 seed 6 months ago and now they’re 2 games away from an NBA title. No NBA title is ever easy. Did you enjoy watching the Big 3 go to 7 games against a mediocre Hawks team? Or Cavs in the next round? We’d all love for them to steamroll their way to a title but that’s not realistic.

In this run, they’ve destroyed Durant and Kyrie. That was EXTREMELY enjoyable to watch.

Then, they took out the best player in the game and defending champs. That was sure pretty enjoyable.

Then, they took out Pat Riley’s flopping collection of turds. Surely that was enjoyable.

And now they’re trading blows with the team of the decade. It’s quite possible, maybe even likely, that they lose this series but I think it’s important to savor what they’ve done.

We’ll all be disappointed if they lose but I think we should all appreciate what they’ve accomplished as well. Certainly would be nice if they’d stop playing like assholes though because the ring is right there for the taking, even after that painful Game 4.