Who we thought they were?
The NBA playoffs have been great. There have been tight games, amazing individual performances, shifting momentum in games and series. Blowouts, blowups and everything in between. However, 4 games into the second round I still don't know who the Boston Celtics are. Are they one of the most dominant teams in recent memory with incredible stars and outstanding role players as their regular season suggests? Or are they a vulnerable, emotionally fragile house of cards just waiting for the inevitable collapse as their past couple playoff runs suggest.
They won their first series 4-1 and they are up 3-1 in the second round series with another 4-1 victory likely, but I feel like we have been cheated from finding out if they are who we thought they were. Either way you slice it. Whether you consider them the dominant team or the playoff failing team ready for impending collapse. Both series now they have played against teams that did not have their star player for some or all of the games. The Cavs probably win last night if they have Mitchell and the series would be 2-2 instead of 3-1.
At some point this playoffs I would like to find out who the Boston Celtics really are. Hopefully we will.
SGA willed OKC to a win last night but I feel like Dallas beat themselves. How do you go 12/23 from the FT line in a playoff game?
Speaking of Dallas. Wow the Dallas Stars are much better than I thought they were. Taking out the defending champs in round 1 and now a 3-1 series lead on the Champs from 2 years ago. I didn't take them seriously after the regular season but I am now.
The NHLs dream Stanley Cup matchup Florida vs Dallas seeming likely.
Sats for all, GR
One more bit of sports news relevant to a lot of us: The first MNF game of the year will be Jets at Niners!
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Good opportunity for a @grayruby vs @siggy47 duel.
I don’t think we had any duels last season.
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I am waiting for that schedule tomorrow. I should have rivalry games this year with siggy, stillstackin and btcbellzer who are all Jets fans, tnuts who is a lions fan, blockchainb who is a bills fan, pub who is a Vikings fan and turd who is a packers fan. Fun times
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Wow, I didn’t realize all three Jets fans were on Stacker News. That’s pretty neat.
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I was shocked when I found out there was a 3rd one.
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Nice. I am looking forward to the schedule release tomorrow. I am hoping for an early season game between 49ers and Buffalo as I would like to go to that but I am not going to a game in Buffalo in December.
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👍
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I think it was Verno on The Mismatch, who asked if Boston would be favored against the combined Pacers and Knicks rosters. For reference, I think this would be that starting 5:
C: Myles Turner PF: Pascal Siakam SF: Josh Hart SG: Jalen Brunson PG: Tyrese Halliburton
Talent-wise, I think it's pretty close.
My guess is that Boston will also win the next round 4-1, while looking weirdly vulnerable again. Then they'll get crushed by Denver or Minnesota and look like a complete dumpster fire in the finals.
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Interesting thought experiment.
I agree. Boston probably gets to the finals fairly easily but without answering any of our questions and then falls apart. I definitely think Denver beats them but I need to see more from KAT and Gobert offensively to help Ant Man out. KAT definitely but even Gobert has to give you a bit more than 6-10 points a game.
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I think Ant and McDaniels would really get under Tatum and Brown's skin. It might be a rough series for KAT, since either Horford or Porzingas are tough matchups for him.
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Don't doubt it. I just wonder if Minny can score enough in that series.
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Having followed the Heat's rivalry with the Celtics pretty closely over the past five years, I don't think those normal strategy concerns are what's relevant.
Boston's more talented than everybody else and they have the best constructed roster on paper. All that matters is figuring out how to make them unravel.
Miami relentlessly hounded Jaylen Brown, because he's a poor ball handler. It got in his head and the Celtics never make any adjustments, so they ended up losing to substantially less talented Heat teams.
If Minnesota identifies a particular weakness to pick on (ideally related to Tatum or Brown) and just goes after it mercilessly, then Boston will collapse in on themselves.
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Seemed to get a glimpse of that last night as Cleveland was mounting their comeback but they didn't have enough to sustain in without a number one scoring option when their shooting cooled off.
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Chippy game. Other than all the reviews I am loving this.
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Yep. That was a great screen.
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12 offensive rebounds already for the Knicks.
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Mostly by Hartenstein. These Knicks are so fun.
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The Celtics irritate me. I don’t know what it is.
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They need a real offense.
Did you see the NFL schedule dropped?
Raiders 13-4. Mark my words.
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Here we go. They are already making excuses for the impending Mavs loss saying Luka is so hurt that if it was the regular season he would be shut down for two weeks.
This is the best I have seen Mobley play.
I am pretty happy with 49ers schedule. A couple things to gripe with but overall not bad. Second half of the schedule will be tough.
I thought the Knicks were in trouble after game 4 but this is a hell of a performance.
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