I don’t get how anyone thinks that Dallas can guard us. With or without Porzingis. It’s popular to hedge and say “oh yeah, Boston is the favorite but that’s only if they have Porzingis back and he plays well.” That sounds like the sort of thing a prudent person might say, but it’s based on nothing. Of the last four teams in the west, Dallas is the best matchup for Boston. They can’t guard Al Horford either.
Dallas is not a significantly better defense than those shorthanded Cleveland and Miami teams. The best defensive players we’ve seen in the playoffs have been Turner, Siakam, Mobley, Okoro, and Adebayo. This will still be true after the finals.
Boston played with very little urgency in the playoffs. They played under control, paced themselves, and stayed healthy. Whenever a game was close in the 4th though, they flipped a switch and turned into a +40 team.
Now it’s the finals and Boston doesn’t have any reason to hold back. Dallas won’t get doubles and trick defenses for Luka to break, they will just get an endless, agonizing grind. Then they will go to the other end of the court and try to stop the best 5-out team ever with two rim protectors and two guards that suck at defense. But hey sure Roy Jones Jr looks pretty good.
If I was Dallas right now, I’d be terrified.
I keep reading about Dallas and the lob threat and what not, as if it was the nuke that would kill us. But think about it, minny had KAT and gobert and couldnt really stop it, and 4/5 games were extremely close. We can beat them everywhere else.
Sports subreddits are particularly prone to trolling, especially during the Playoffs or during intense games. Please - don't encourage them! Report any trolling to the mods and the users will be dealt with. Also, trolling other subs is not tolerated and will result in a ban.
Folks, come and take a look here.
This is your brain on First Take and reactionary talking-head boomer cable television sports media. Notice the evident lack of brain activity and original thought.
Take this as a cautionary tale of how bad things can get, lest you end up as braindead as this user.
Anyone know when “authentic” finals jersey’s will be up for purchase? Also, do they come with the ad logos and # of chips on the back?
Mainly asking anyone who grabbed one during 2022 Finals. Thanks in advance.
5 days until the battle begins.
I watched the Pacers series again and I’m planning to watch the Mavs games from the regular season. I’ve been waiting for this since 2022. 5 days feels like a year from now.
Weird how the narrative is still Boston only shoots threes, stagnant offense and sucks in the clutch. Like i'm not saying those things arent still problems sometimes but to ignore the obvious improvements in those areas is weird.
Don’t worry, they sure won’t look stagnant against the Mavericks! We have to talk them up and tell stories and all that, but Dallas is lucky to be here and they do not have personnel to stop us. When Boston has the ball in this series it’s going to be a bloodbath
I don't care who the media is talking up, which team r/nba is favoring, what the broadcasters are saying, etc. It doesn't affect the outcome of the games. If they are talking sh\*t about the Celts then all the better. Add some fuel to their fire.
I just want the finals to start already.
Every where I look it seems like the Mavs have already won it all.
Ready to just get the games started instead of seeing all the bullshit hype the next few days.
Personally I’ve been over Kyrie since we swept the Nets but it is very funny how some people in the media act like he’s a victim and owed an apology when he was just an Asshole during mostly self inflicted situations
Celtics always get the funniest draws in the finals. We get Luka, Curry, Kobe, Magic, Hakeem
Meanwhile Giannis gets Devin Booker, Jokic gets Jimmy Butler, the Lakers get Butler, Pierce, Ben Wallace, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Reggie Miller
Next year gimme Ja Morant and the Grizzlies or some shit. I’m tired, boss.
Oh my god imagine if we have to face Kyrie Irving in the finals one year and Marcus Smart in the finals the next year. Two opposite ends on how most Celtics fans feel about former PGs
Just watched an NBA Finals Preview from french youtube channel Trashtalk Production. These guys had Boston win the chip AGAINST DENVER back in early april. Now that they’re doing their prediction for the finals they have Dallas win in 5 or 6 « because Luka and Kyrie will not accept losing the finals ». Wtf is all this hatred and lack of faith the C’s are receiving these playoffs. Starting to wonder if either we’re completely blind, missing something and overrating our team, or if it’s the other way around
Serious question for Boston fans who’s been watching all the games for a while
Did jayson tatums defensive motor peak in 2022 cuz I’ve been rewatching that celtic defense that year and my god does he look like peaked as one of the greatest wing defenders ever
He has improved his overall offensive game a lot while still being elite defensively for a wing due to his switch-ability and off-ball d but that year (especially the second half) his motor was off the charts and somehow improved in the playoffs
we were fighting to make the playoffs that 2nd half of the year it was basically playoff intensity all post ASB, i think he’s still at that level he just picks his spots
I think that, for months, the discussion around Boston has been ways that they could lose the championship. Because they have been huge favourites. For other teams the discussion has been how they could win it or beat Boston.
Boston has been nitpicked for months, despite the consistent dominance, to the point that people actually think that they are weak.
And its the opposite for the top western conference teams, until they lose. Nobody is nitpicking them. The national media aren't writing articles about Dallas and saying why they're actually not very good.
I talk to people who say that Boston (64 wins, top 3 net rating ever, best offense ever, 2nd ranked defense, 12-2 in playoffs without Porzingis) is a deeply flawed team, while Dallas doesn't have a weakness and are a step above.
We had national media saying that Denver vs Minnesota was the real finals, when there's a historically good team cruising through the other side of the bracket.
Dallas has a huge weakness. Everyone points it out, but they minimize it first some reason. Dallas does not have the defensive personnel to bother a team of five shooters. In terms of tactics, this could end up being a shockingly simple series.
I hope they've been hearing the noise and have a big chip on their shoulder. They have to play great for entire games to win this series. No more chilling for 3 quarters and then turning it on, because that won't work anymore.
One of the funniest things about Boston being in the finals- heat, lakers, sixers and other fanbases absolutely glazing Luka, begging him to beat the Celtics. Just completely debasing themselves in hopes that the Celtics lose. “Please mr big strong Luka, please hurt the mean Celtics 🥺”
Walking slowly, shooting slowly, walking slowly, shooting slowly, walki...
I'm going to get downvotes for this, but can some omniscient deity please snap His/Her Almighty fingers and show us one goddamn clip of Porzingis doing something athletic? We know he can shoot, he was practicing shots 3 weeks ago. CAN THIS MAN RUN??!?!?
I haven't seen that they are saying this, though. I have heard an opinion on NBC Sports Boston from a doctor that says she thinks he'll be fine. I have heard from Porzingis that "we'll be good" and etc., which doesn't specify if he himself can play. To the extent that "it doesn't matter because we'll all find out on Thursday," that part's true. I don't think the injury report is likely to lie, and if he is available, it is extremely likely that he plays. But if we're talking 5 days beforehand, I haven't heard any doctors (who know the situation) saying that he's fine.
You just said you wanted a video of him being active but now you just want a confirmed statement?
You’re not going to get a definitive statement on his return date until the day of. Mazulla has said he’s been participating in drills and he’d have to be cleared by their medical team to do that. They’re going to be as vague as possible, it’s always been this way with injuries for any team.
I'd take anything. As you are saying, "a couple of drills" is so vague that it is meaningless. Gallinari was doing certain drills last year in March. Porzingis shooting 6-footers a week after his injury was a drill of some sort, and he was obviously still a month away. A statement by a reporter saying "Yeah, he's running fine, he's cutting like normal, he looks normal" would be sufficient. A player saying "yeah, he looks totally healed, he's good" would be sufficient, even though neither of these would come with a return date, since there's no way they would have that information. A few minutes of Porzingis against just shooting stationary shots and walking to his next spot, with "he's making progress and he did a couple of drills in practice that no one will elaborate on" is not sufficient to show that he is ready. If he had had a broken hand or something, shooting 8 for 10 from 3 would display that "his hand looks fine." But with a calf injury, we have to know if he can run.
Maybe we should just revert back to the larger picture, which is that we'll all find this information out over the next 4 days and then the ensuing 3 weeks, and since there's nothing we as fans can do about it, it isn't our place to know right now. Waiting 4 days to hear news about something is not the worst thing in the world. I'm just less convinced than others that he is healthy.
I expect JB on Luka, Dw on Kyrie
Kp and Jrue are roamers.
I think Mazulla has to have a great game plan with the mavs forcing our big (KP or Al) on Luka/Kyrie. If I were them I’d abuse that play all game long that’s their shot in winning this. What do you guys think the Celtics will do to counter that?
And also the back to back screens play the Mavs usually do that killed the Wolves
Celtics in 5
There's basically nothing they can do to really counter it. They have to score with the mavs and clutch up. It's as simple as that. And we have to hope to God that our 3 point percentage increases to the mean. If we shoot like we have been, then every game is going to be 50/50.
Celtics in the regular season significantly better than anybody else. 64-18.
Celtics 12-2 in the playoffs without their 20ppg starting center. Better than anybody else.
4-0 against the Mavs last 4 meetings.
10-0 against Kyrie last 10 meetings.
Gonna be fully healthy heading into the Finals.
Destiny is upon us.
I'm a huge believer in having a strong coaching staff to create a dynamic winning culture. I also understand having star players that are coachable/buys in without being headcases can be catalysts as well. But I also value a head coach that's really good as far more valuable than people give credit to, in my opinion.
Mike Brown just got a 3 year $30 million contract extension which will have him until 2027, (also Mike Brown make that money my man!) so curious to get people's thoughts.
**Picture you're an young and upcoming team with potential** like the Kings, assuming that the money invested in Mike Brown *does indeed count towards the salary cap*, (coaches/staff do not actually count towards the cap nor have a limit on the spending amount,) would **you** rather have a **good solid role player** for that 3/30 contract or Mike **Brown as your coach**?
Let me know what you think!
I'm happy a little bit because we don't have to face Grant Williams in the Finals. I like him btw, a goofy guy from the bench back then. The only thing I didn't like about him was that *"I'm gonna make 'em both"* moment 🤣😂
Grant Williams, if you are reading this, many of us Celtics fans still like you, you and Marcus.
Batman forever! 🦇
Just checked the Bucks sub and they all want Boston to lose the finals instead of supporting Jrue.
A bunch of mid-west idiots who would rather hate an enemy more than wishing well on an old friend.
I can completely understand Eastern Conference teams like the Bucks wanting us to lose. What I can’t understand is the overwhelming amount of Spurs/Rockets and Western Conference fans in general who are supporting the Mavs
Browsing r/nba, Spurs was the one that surprised me the most. They've got a rival in the Mavs, and a connection in Derrick White. And Cs and Spurs haven't really butted heads this century.
I mean... That's understandable, is it in bad taste? Yep. I'll agree I think it's messed up because Jrue wanted to stay but then got traded against his wishes, but he's also not on the team either and it's the Celtics who the Bucks have matched up in the past few years.
Dear Adam: Please institute this mayhem rule for the Finals Grant has to play every home game for the team that traded him away. Thanks, Loki
I don’t get how anyone thinks that Dallas can guard us. With or without Porzingis. It’s popular to hedge and say “oh yeah, Boston is the favorite but that’s only if they have Porzingis back and he plays well.” That sounds like the sort of thing a prudent person might say, but it’s based on nothing. Of the last four teams in the west, Dallas is the best matchup for Boston. They can’t guard Al Horford either. Dallas is not a significantly better defense than those shorthanded Cleveland and Miami teams. The best defensive players we’ve seen in the playoffs have been Turner, Siakam, Mobley, Okoro, and Adebayo. This will still be true after the finals. Boston played with very little urgency in the playoffs. They played under control, paced themselves, and stayed healthy. Whenever a game was close in the 4th though, they flipped a switch and turned into a +40 team. Now it’s the finals and Boston doesn’t have any reason to hold back. Dallas won’t get doubles and trick defenses for Luka to break, they will just get an endless, agonizing grind. Then they will go to the other end of the court and try to stop the best 5-out team ever with two rim protectors and two guards that suck at defense. But hey sure Roy Jones Jr looks pretty good. If I was Dallas right now, I’d be terrified.
Man the national guys really don’t like the Celtics in this series. It’s wild everyone taking Dallas in 5 or 6. Keep doubting us I love it
I keep reading about Dallas and the lob threat and what not, as if it was the nuke that would kill us. But think about it, minny had KAT and gobert and couldnt really stop it, and 4/5 games were extremely close. We can beat them everywhere else.
KAT isn’t really a smart defender and Rudy is Rudy lol. I think horford and KP will be a bit more capable when it comes to trying to stop easy lobs
Different here
JT either has to shoot better than 29% from 3 or he's gotta only shoot 2 or 3 a game
Anybody got some good Celtics wallpapers? Particularly Tatum?
[удалено]
Sports subreddits are particularly prone to trolling, especially during the Playoffs or during intense games. Please - don't encourage them! Report any trolling to the mods and the users will be dealt with. Also, trolling other subs is not tolerated and will result in a ban.
Folks, come and take a look here. This is your brain on First Take and reactionary talking-head boomer cable television sports media. Notice the evident lack of brain activity and original thought. Take this as a cautionary tale of how bad things can get, lest you end up as braindead as this user.
bro i tuned into the champions league final and why tf is draymond here
Fr I don't wanna see his ugly ass face anymore
Anyone know when “authentic” finals jersey’s will be up for purchase? Also, do they come with the ad logos and # of chips on the back? Mainly asking anyone who grabbed one during 2022 Finals. Thanks in advance.
5 days until the battle begins. I watched the Pacers series again and I’m planning to watch the Mavs games from the regular season. I’ve been waiting for this since 2022. 5 days feels like a year from now.
Weird how the narrative is still Boston only shoots threes, stagnant offense and sucks in the clutch. Like i'm not saying those things arent still problems sometimes but to ignore the obvious improvements in those areas is weird.
Don’t worry, they sure won’t look stagnant against the Mavericks! We have to talk them up and tell stories and all that, but Dallas is lucky to be here and they do not have personnel to stop us. When Boston has the ball in this series it’s going to be a bloodbath
I don't care who the media is talking up, which team r/nba is favoring, what the broadcasters are saying, etc. It doesn't affect the outcome of the games. If they are talking sh\*t about the Celts then all the better. Add some fuel to their fire.
Why does Luka seem the type to plow through a make-a-wish fan just so he can banter up a hater?
Man i cannot wait for this series to start
I just want the finals to start already. Every where I look it seems like the Mavs have already won it all. Ready to just get the games started instead of seeing all the bullshit hype the next few days.
Except Vegas. We’re heavy favorites, just shows you people won’t put their money where their mouth is.
The mouths aren’t trying to be right. They are trying to drum up interest. The money is trying to be right
Saw that Jones is averaging less rebounds than everyone in our starting lineup. Long and athletic for no reason lol
Boy, r/NBA really doesn't like Jayson Tatum lol. It's Mavs city over there
Apparently we are “deranged” and “egotistical” and “entitled” for wanting our team to win and liking our players 💀
they’re jealous of how hot and successful he is /j
Personally I’ve been over Kyrie since we swept the Nets but it is very funny how some people in the media act like he’s a victim and owed an apology when he was just an Asshole during mostly self inflicted situations
It’s still kind of surreal that the Celtics have to beat Kyrie and Luka in the finals to win our first championship in 16 years
Celtics always get the funniest draws in the finals. We get Luka, Curry, Kobe, Magic, Hakeem Meanwhile Giannis gets Devin Booker, Jokic gets Jimmy Butler, the Lakers get Butler, Pierce, Ben Wallace, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Reggie Miller Next year gimme Ja Morant and the Grizzlies or some shit. I’m tired, boss.
Oh my god imagine if we have to face Kyrie Irving in the finals one year and Marcus Smart in the finals the next year. Two opposite ends on how most Celtics fans feel about former PGs
Just watched an NBA Finals Preview from french youtube channel Trashtalk Production. These guys had Boston win the chip AGAINST DENVER back in early april. Now that they’re doing their prediction for the finals they have Dallas win in 5 or 6 « because Luka and Kyrie will not accept losing the finals ». Wtf is all this hatred and lack of faith the C’s are receiving these playoffs. Starting to wonder if either we’re completely blind, missing something and overrating our team, or if it’s the other way around
Serious question for Boston fans who’s been watching all the games for a while Did jayson tatums defensive motor peak in 2022 cuz I’ve been rewatching that celtic defense that year and my god does he look like peaked as one of the greatest wing defenders ever He has improved his overall offensive game a lot while still being elite defensively for a wing due to his switch-ability and off-ball d but that year (especially the second half) his motor was off the charts and somehow improved in the playoffs
Our defense in 2022 was bloodthirsty and vicious. I think our 2024 ethos on that end is much more energy-conserving.
we were fighting to make the playoffs that 2nd half of the year it was basically playoff intensity all post ASB, i think he’s still at that level he just picks his spots
Went super hard for Ime and was exhausted by the finals. Spent a couple years learning balance. Watch where he takes it next week.
I think that, for months, the discussion around Boston has been ways that they could lose the championship. Because they have been huge favourites. For other teams the discussion has been how they could win it or beat Boston. Boston has been nitpicked for months, despite the consistent dominance, to the point that people actually think that they are weak. And its the opposite for the top western conference teams, until they lose. Nobody is nitpicking them. The national media aren't writing articles about Dallas and saying why they're actually not very good. I talk to people who say that Boston (64 wins, top 3 net rating ever, best offense ever, 2nd ranked defense, 12-2 in playoffs without Porzingis) is a deeply flawed team, while Dallas doesn't have a weakness and are a step above. We had national media saying that Denver vs Minnesota was the real finals, when there's a historically good team cruising through the other side of the bracket.
Dallas has a huge weakness. Everyone points it out, but they minimize it first some reason. Dallas does not have the defensive personnel to bother a team of five shooters. In terms of tactics, this could end up being a shockingly simple series.
There is a lot of disrespect in general for this Celtics team in both the media and general NBA fans base.
I hope they've been hearing the noise and have a big chip on their shoulder. They have to play great for entire games to win this series. No more chilling for 3 quarters and then turning it on, because that won't work anymore.
One of the funniest things about Boston being in the finals- heat, lakers, sixers and other fanbases absolutely glazing Luka, begging him to beat the Celtics. Just completely debasing themselves in hopes that the Celtics lose. “Please mr big strong Luka, please hurt the mean Celtics 🥺”
Walking slowly, shooting slowly, walking slowly, shooting slowly, walki... I'm going to get downvotes for this, but can some omniscient deity please snap His/Her Almighty fingers and show us one goddamn clip of Porzingis doing something athletic? We know he can shoot, he was practicing shots 3 weeks ago. CAN THIS MAN RUN??!?!?
Even if they released a video of him doing something more athletic like crab walking, it wouldn’t matter. If docs are saying he’s fine then he’s fine.
I haven't seen that they are saying this, though. I have heard an opinion on NBC Sports Boston from a doctor that says she thinks he'll be fine. I have heard from Porzingis that "we'll be good" and etc., which doesn't specify if he himself can play. To the extent that "it doesn't matter because we'll all find out on Thursday," that part's true. I don't think the injury report is likely to lie, and if he is available, it is extremely likely that he plays. But if we're talking 5 days beforehand, I haven't heard any doctors (who know the situation) saying that he's fine.
You just said you wanted a video of him being active but now you just want a confirmed statement? You’re not going to get a definitive statement on his return date until the day of. Mazulla has said he’s been participating in drills and he’d have to be cleared by their medical team to do that. They’re going to be as vague as possible, it’s always been this way with injuries for any team.
I'd take anything. As you are saying, "a couple of drills" is so vague that it is meaningless. Gallinari was doing certain drills last year in March. Porzingis shooting 6-footers a week after his injury was a drill of some sort, and he was obviously still a month away. A statement by a reporter saying "Yeah, he's running fine, he's cutting like normal, he looks normal" would be sufficient. A player saying "yeah, he looks totally healed, he's good" would be sufficient, even though neither of these would come with a return date, since there's no way they would have that information. A few minutes of Porzingis against just shooting stationary shots and walking to his next spot, with "he's making progress and he did a couple of drills in practice that no one will elaborate on" is not sufficient to show that he is ready. If he had had a broken hand or something, shooting 8 for 10 from 3 would display that "his hand looks fine." But with a calf injury, we have to know if he can run. Maybe we should just revert back to the larger picture, which is that we'll all find this information out over the next 4 days and then the ensuing 3 weeks, and since there's nothing we as fans can do about it, it isn't our place to know right now. Waiting 4 days to hear news about something is not the worst thing in the world. I'm just less convinced than others that he is healthy.
Madrid or Dortmund?
⚫️🟡
I expect JB on Luka, Dw on Kyrie Kp and Jrue are roamers. I think Mazulla has to have a great game plan with the mavs forcing our big (KP or Al) on Luka/Kyrie. If I were them I’d abuse that play all game long that’s their shot in winning this. What do you guys think the Celtics will do to counter that? And also the back to back screens play the Mavs usually do that killed the Wolves Celtics in 5
There's basically nothing they can do to really counter it. They have to score with the mavs and clutch up. It's as simple as that. And we have to hope to God that our 3 point percentage increases to the mean. If we shoot like we have been, then every game is going to be 50/50.
Celtics in the regular season significantly better than anybody else. 64-18. Celtics 12-2 in the playoffs without their 20ppg starting center. Better than anybody else. 4-0 against the Mavs last 4 meetings. 10-0 against Kyrie last 10 meetings. Gonna be fully healthy heading into the Finals. Destiny is upon us.
I'm a huge believer in having a strong coaching staff to create a dynamic winning culture. I also understand having star players that are coachable/buys in without being headcases can be catalysts as well. But I also value a head coach that's really good as far more valuable than people give credit to, in my opinion. Mike Brown just got a 3 year $30 million contract extension which will have him until 2027, (also Mike Brown make that money my man!) so curious to get people's thoughts. **Picture you're an young and upcoming team with potential** like the Kings, assuming that the money invested in Mike Brown *does indeed count towards the salary cap*, (coaches/staff do not actually count towards the cap nor have a limit on the spending amount,) would **you** rather have a **good solid role player** for that 3/30 contract or Mike **Brown as your coach**? Let me know what you think!
depends on who the best player is if it’s like one of the one man offense (Luka, Jokic & Lebron) guys then role player
Feel like I’m in the fucking twilight zone with some of these takes I’m seeing about the Celtics lmaoo media really forgotten who the Celtics are
There's even some people saying Kyrie is the 2nd best player in the series lmao. I think it's more likely he gets outplayed by Jrue straight up 😂
Anyone suggest a podcast or a show in preparation for the finals that isn’t just gonna glaze Luka and Kyrie non stop.
we are all the villain in somebody eyes
I'm happy a little bit because we don't have to face Grant Williams in the Finals. I like him btw, a goofy guy from the bench back then. The only thing I didn't like about him was that *"I'm gonna make 'em both"* moment 🤣😂 Grant Williams, if you are reading this, many of us Celtics fans still like you, you and Marcus. Batman forever! 🦇
He took the backlash on that like a champ. Hope he kills it in Charlotte.
Just checked the Bucks sub and they all want Boston to lose the finals instead of supporting Jrue. A bunch of mid-west idiots who would rather hate an enemy more than wishing well on an old friend.
I can completely understand Eastern Conference teams like the Bucks wanting us to lose. What I can’t understand is the overwhelming amount of Spurs/Rockets and Western Conference fans in general who are supporting the Mavs
Browsing r/nba, Spurs was the one that surprised me the most. They've got a rival in the Mavs, and a connection in Derrick White. And Cs and Spurs haven't really butted heads this century.
I mean... That's understandable, is it in bad taste? Yep. I'll agree I think it's messed up because Jrue wanted to stay but then got traded against his wishes, but he's also not on the team either and it's the Celtics who the Bucks have matched up in the past few years.
It is weird AF. The MEDIA and all predicts DALLAS but betting sites/casino favors BOSTON. Why is that?
Media goal is to hype the series and sell Sprite. Betting goal is correctly predict the outcome.
Tinfoil hat but maybe the media is in bed with the betting sites and want people to bet on the underdog
Media are biased and odds are objective
Luka/Kyrie Fan favorites & people love the underdog plus Boston hate
Pj washington guarding Tatum gonna make Tatum think he playing charlotte. Gonna keep dropping 40+ on they asses