Around the NBA (and other Sports), 2023-24, Part 3

[Triple7]

The Heat were scrappy but also incredibly smart and have been for a number of years. Thibs isn’t the coach that Spo is.

Brunson has never given us major problems and to say the Knicks have better players simply isn’t true. Give me Bam over anyone on the Knicks outside of Brunson and their bench right now is non-existent.

Knicks are a nice story and all but remind me very much of that Celtics team we had with IT which was eventually going to come up against a ridiculous talent gulf.

They are also going to be far more fatigued due to all the heavy minutes they are playing.

I give you bam, after that? Who else was on that squad? Bunch of overachievers brcause of Spo’s system. I’ll take
Divincenzo, hart, OG and hartenstein over strus, duncan robinson, gabe vincent and caleb martin. We have a better squad this year. This squad would easily beat the heat of last year. Also, i agree thibs would run his squad to the ground before this series ends. Hoping the pacers can take them to a least 6.

OG is better than those Heat guys yes but the other guys are all fairly similar to me. Role players doing well within systems.

I just don’t think the Knicks are as good the Heat were. The Butler Heat have sent the Bucks packing twice (albeit they did get lucky with Giannis missing games).

The Heat’s system has been on another level.

Butler has given us fits in games. Bam has given us problems at times. These two know how to maximise the role players around them.

Plus last season was a different Celtics team. They had a major flaw which got exposed. I don’t think we have nearly the same difficulty dispatching last seasons Heat with this one because we are far more loaded and have different ways to score.

There is a huge gulf between our talent and the Knicks right now. Far bigger than anything last season. They also are completely devoid of a bench.

I’m just very confident in my assertion that Spo is an excellent coach who had completely dialled in on how to make Tatum and Brown play down a level because he knew we lacked a big presence. Not the same anymore and I don’t see Thibs having answers for our threats.

They lack talent. All they have was Butler’s mentality, Bam and Spo. We have a better team this year. We should beat the knicks handily. We just can’t let the game be close in the 4th. Especially with the way JT is playing and missing shots, and with the way Brunson is making shots.

[GrandTheftRondo]

I give you bam, after that? Who else was on that squad? Bunch of overachievers brcause of Spo’s system. I’ll take
Divincenzo, hart, OG and hartenstein over strus, duncan robinson, gabe vincent and caleb martin. We have a better squad this year. This squad would easily beat the heat of last year. Also, i agree thibs would run his squad to the ground before this series ends. Hoping the pacers can take them to a least 6.

OG is better than those Heat guys yes but the other guys are all fairly similar to me. Role players doing well within systems.

I just don’t think the Knicks are as good the Heat were. The Butler Heat have sent the Bucks packing twice (albeit they did get lucky with Giannis missing games).

The Heat’s system has been on another level.

Butler has given us fits in games. Bam has given us problems at times. These two know how to maximise the role players around them.

Plus last season was a different Celtics team. They had a major flaw which got exposed. I don’t think we have nearly the same difficulty dispatching last seasons Heat with this one because we are far more loaded and have different ways to score.

There is a huge gulf between our talent and the Knicks right now. Far bigger than anything last season. They also are completely devoid of a bench.

I’m just very confident in my assertion that Spo is an excellent coach who had completely dialled in on how to make Tatum and Brown play down a level because he knew we lacked a big presence. Not the same anymore and I don’t see Thibs having answers for our threats.

They lack talent. All they have was Butler’s mentality, Bam and Spo. We have a better team this year. We should beat the knicks handily. We just can’t let the game be close in the 4th. Especially with the way JT is playing and missing shots, and with the way Brunson is making shots.

Both teams lack talent but as I said I just think Butler caused much more headaches for us than Brunson given his size.

We’ve got the defensive backcourt to give a tired Brunson fits in a series.

[Triple7]

OG is better than those Heat guys yes but the other guys are all fairly similar to me. Role players doing well within systems.

I just don’t think the Knicks are as good the Heat were. The Butler Heat have sent the Bucks packing twice (albeit they did get lucky with Giannis missing games).

The Heat’s system has been on another level.

Butler has given us fits in games. Bam has given us problems at times. These two know how to maximise the role players around them.

Plus last season was a different Celtics team. They had a major flaw which got exposed. I don’t think we have nearly the same difficulty dispatching last seasons Heat with this one because we are far more loaded and have different ways to score.

There is a huge gulf between our talent and the Knicks right now. Far bigger than anything last season. They also are completely devoid of a bench.

I’m just very confident in my assertion that Spo is an excellent coach who had completely dialled in on how to make Tatum and Brown play down a level because he knew we lacked a big presence. Not the same anymore and I don’t see Thibs having answers for our threats.

They lack talent. All they have was Butler’s mentality, Bam and Spo. We have a better team this year. We should beat the knicks handily. We just can’t let the game be close in the 4th. Especially with the way JT is playing and missing shots, and with the way Brunson is making shots.

Both teams lack talent but as I said I just think Butler caused much more headaches for us than Butler given his size.

We’ve got the defensive backcourt to give a tired Brunson fits in a series.

I agree. Jrue and white, also brown, will take turns on brunson. Hali is just awful on D

[Fierce1]

If the Cs won't be facing the Nuggets, I don't think the Cs will lose anymore this season.

Against the Cavs, Celtics in 4.

Versus the Knicks, Celtics in 4.

And if it's Minnesota, Celtics in 4.


Why?

The Knicks are too banged up.
It's a different story if the Knicks had Randle and Robinson.

I know everybody here fears Ant Man, but here's the thing, this will be Ant's first time in the finals.
Finals pressure is real.

The Minnesota defense is excellent.
But the Celtics have at least 4 players who can score 20 or more on a regular basis.

If the Celts don't win a chip this year, it's not because of their opponent, it's because they once again shot themselves in the foot.

[Triple7]

If the Cs won't be facing the Nuggets, I don't think the Cs will lose anymore this season.

Against the Cavs, Celtics in 4.

Versus the Knicks, Celtics in 4.

And if it's Minnesota, Celtics in 4.


Why?

The Knicks are too banged up.
It's a different story if the Knicks had Randle and Robinson.

I know everybody here fears Ant Man, but here's the thing, this will be Ant's first time in the finals.
Finals pressure is real.

The Minnesota defense is excellent.
But the Celtics have at least 4 players who can score 20 or more on a regular basis.

If the Celts don't win a chip this year, it's not because of their opponent, it's because they once again shot themselves in the foot.

I agree with the celtics shooting themselves on the foot thing. That have been the way with the Jays every playoffs since the bubble. I disagree with the finals pressure though. While that may be true, that doesn’t apply always. If we beat them, its because we played great, and like you said, didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot. Winning in the finals is hard. Our guys, especially Tatum needs to play great. They have to want it more than the wolves. If that’s their mentality, then choking won’t be a problem.

[Fierce1]

If the Cs won't be facing the Nuggets, I don't think the Cs will lose anymore this season.

Against the Cavs, Celtics in 4.

Versus the Knicks, Celtics in 4.

And if it's Minnesota, Celtics in 4.


Why?

The Knicks are too banged up.
It's a different story if the Knicks had Randle and Robinson.

I know everybody here fears Ant Man, but here's the thing, this will be Ant's first time in the finals.
Finals pressure is real.

The Minnesota defense is excellent.
But the Celtics have at least 4 players who can score 20 or more on a regular basis.

If the Celts don't win a chip this year, it's not because of their opponent, it's because they once again shot themselves in the foot.

I agree with the celtics shooting themselves on the foot thing. That have been the way with the Jays every playoffs since the bubble. I disagree with the finals pressure though. While that may be true, that doesn’t apply always. If we beat them, its because we played great, and like you said, didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot. Winning in the finals is hard. Our guys, especially Tatum needs to play great. They have to want it more than the wolves. If that’s their mentality, then choking won’t be a problem.

So what's your prediction if Cs meet Wolves in finals?

[Triple7]

If the Cs won't be facing the Nuggets, I don't think the Cs will lose anymore this season.

Against the Cavs, Celtics in 4.

Versus the Knicks, Celtics in 4.

And if it's Minnesota, Celtics in 4.


Why?

The Knicks are too banged up.
It's a different story if the Knicks had Randle and Robinson.

I know everybody here fears Ant Man, but here's the thing, this will be Ant's first time in the finals.
Finals pressure is real.

The Minnesota defense is excellent.
But the Celtics have at least 4 players who can score 20 or more on a regular basis.

If the Celts don't win a chip this year, it's not because of their opponent, it's because they once again shot themselves in the foot.

I agree with the celtics shooting themselves on the foot thing. That have been the way with the Jays every playoffs since the bubble. I disagree with the finals pressure though. While that may be true, that doesn’t apply always. If we beat them, its because we played great, and like you said, didn’t shoot ourselves in the foot. Winning in the finals is hard. Our guys, especially Tatum needs to play great. They have to want it more than the wolves. If that’s their mentality, then choking won’t be a problem.

So what's your prediction if Cs meet Wolves in finals?

C’s in 6. We beat them in their home floor. We shoot lights out.

[London2Boston]

Too many prisoners in the moment. “Killer” Brunson still hasn’t done anything close to what Tatum done in do or die moments vs Elite Eastern teams in Milwaukee,Philly and Miami.

[sam_I_am]

The Wolves have had the toughest draws in the playoffs with the Suns and Nuggets and to get to Celtics will have to go through OKC as well. They have dominated in every game more than any other team. Much has been said about their defense but they have the highest rated offense in the playoffs. They are peaking at the right time.

On paper, the Celtics look like the favorites but the top 3 teams out west - OKC, Denver and skinny - will all be tough matches.

[BK_2020]

Too many prisoners in the moment. “Killer” Brunson still hasn’t done anything close to what Tatum done in do or die moments vs Elite Eastern teams in Milwaukee,Philly and Miami.

Pritchard could score 20 a game with Brunson's whistle.

[zoyathedestroya]

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[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

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Lee better have specified he’s finishing out the year here first!

[zoyathedestroya]

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Lee better have specified he’s finishing out the year here first!

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[Mr_Mojo_Risin]

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Lee better have specified he’s finishing out the year here first!

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Phew!

Excellent news thanks for sharing.

Also, congrats to Charles!

[zoyathedestroya]

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Hate seeing more injuries. Wish OG the best. But not gonna complain either if Cs path to the Finals keeps getting easier.

[BK_2020]

Brunson is also banged up so we might actually get Halibust and Myles Turner in the conference finals.

[Celts17Pride]

Both New York and Indy games came down to the wire. I don't think NY is going to get the same whistles in Indiana. Wouldn't be surprised if this goes back to New York 2-2.

[24istheLAW]

Charles Barkley is truly one of us

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[lon3lytoaster]

Both New York and Indy games came down to the wire. I don't think NY is going to get the same whistles in Indiana. Wouldn't be surprised if this goes back to New York 2-2.

Good on Carlisle for calling out the officiating. I honestly can’t say I watched G2 of their series but G1; on top of just general incompetence and guess work really favored NY down the stretch.

Then you flip over to the blood bath that was Minnesota/Denver and it just makes no sense. The NBA is always a questionable product due to how much more the refs can influence the game with impunity, compared to other leagues.

Unfortunately for Indiana, the refs union will likely see that they’re punished for being upset and nothing will change.

[Celts17Pride]

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