What the W’s have left in the energy tank is definitely a huge part of the calculus.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.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.
Exactly where I'm at. Makes for fun watching.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.
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.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
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.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.
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.
Game five is tomorrow night.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!
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.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.
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.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.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.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.
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.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.
Not making the case for Brown as the alpha either. Just saying he's been better than Tatum in the series.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.
Any chance part of this is the start times? I guess the Dubs finals always have late start times so maybe not?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.
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.Not making the case for Brown as the alpha either. Just saying he's been better than Tatum in the series.
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 feel like they're fucked because Timelord looked absolutely cooked in the 4th of Game 4. Without him they can't hang.
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.It would not surprise me in the least to see the C's win Game 5 and the Warriors win Game 6.
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."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.
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.I feel like they're fucked because Timelord looked absolutely cooked in the 4th of Game 4. Without him they can't hang.
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?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.
Cs not sure when TL tweaked his knee in G4; checked video and couldn't find anything. TL had asked out at the end of G4 because of something. However, Ime is cautiously optimistic that TL will be available.I feel like they're fucked because Timelord looked absolutely cooked in the 4th of Game 4. Without him they can't hang.
Given how they play at home, they may need 2…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.
Timelord doesn't even know when he tweaked it?Cs not sure when TL tweaked his knee in G4; checked video and couldn't find anything. TL had asked out at the end of G4 because of something. However, Ime is cautiously optimistic that TL will be available.
Here's some video of him at practice today.
View: https://twitter.com/CelticsCLNS/status/1536093582980812800?cxt=HHwWgMCgtbS-ptEqAAAA
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.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.