NBA Season 2021-22

[celticsclay]

Injuries happen every year.  Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis).  Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee.  If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor.  Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade.  They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.

Middleton is clearly a bigger factor than Rob, but when Rob is really cooking, the Celtics team defense is historically great. The gap is there, but it isn't as big as you imply. In Middleton's absence, they have gone huge, and it has been a problem.  With RWill and Middleton both playing, that advantage disappears.

I'd also point out that Middleton's replacements, have been outstanding. The super huge lineups have been a problem and Connaughton and Matthews have shot unusually well. I'm not so sure Middleton would be so great against Tatum and Brown straight up now that they are entering their prime.

This Milwaukee team is built in the classic fashion to win a title. They have the game's clearly most dominant player, a very good coach and a team built to support him. That this Celtics team looks even stronger is an amazing thing. If we win today, we should all realize just how great a group this is historically. Team's without a top 3 MVP candidate do sometimes win, but almost always because the dominant players at that time haven't separated themselves from the pack.

We are going toe to toe with a historically dominant player in his prime, someone with a title under his belt, he's playing spectacular basketball and we still may walk off as winners. We've got quite a team.

Connaughton is shooting very well but he would be playing regardless.  It is Mathews and Hill who shouldn't be playing much and they certainly haven't been shooting well.  Mathews is averaging 6.2pts while shooting 37.5% overall and 32% from 3.  Hill is averaging 1.3pts while shooting  25% overall and 25% from 3.  I don't see how anyone could argue that Middleton getting 36 minutes from Mathews and Hill would not be a big difference for the Bucks offensively and defensively. 

Timelord out is a loss but some of that is made up from increased Horford minutes.  Also, the Bucks aren't really taking advantage of Lopez in the paint like they should be.

Matthews defense on Tatum has been huge for the Bucks in this series despite his limited offense.

I have been completely shocked how serviceable matthews has been. I thought he was out of league after lakers didn’t want to bring him back. Man was that a bad move on their part.

[tazzmaniac]

Oh my. Dallas/Phoenix game has Zach Zarba AND Tony Brothers?! RIP

No Scott Foster though, so Phoenix can breathe a sigh of relief

 

Dunno about that. Luka is anointed by the league, I bet Dallas gets a real good whistle tonight.

Is Luka allowed 5+ steps on each drive, and sent to the FT line whenever he charges? He's got nothing on Giannis.

I expect that if we face the Mavs in the finals that there will be a litany of posts on what the refs allow Luka to get away with.  Tempered by the fact that Luka is one of the non-celtic favorites on here. 

[SparzWizard]

Oh my. Dallas/Phoenix game has Zach Zarba AND Tony Brothers?! RIP

No Scott Foster though, so Phoenix can breathe a sigh of relief

 

Watch Devin Booker get cheated on, down by 3 with 3.2 to go but taking a 3-point shot and gets fouled but it's considered two free-throws. And then makes first free throw, misses second purposely, grabs rebound, and then lays it in too late.

Luka advances to West Finals to face the Warriors.

[Phantom255x]

Oh my. Dallas/Phoenix game has Zach Zarba AND Tony Brothers?! RIP

No Scott Foster though, so Phoenix can breathe a sigh of relief

 

Dunno about that. Luka is anointed by the league, I bet Dallas gets a real good whistle tonight.

It was more a reference that CP3 has an atrocious record when Foster is reffing his games and they've already lost one game with Foster as ref in the previous series.

But yeah as others have mentioned, Luka also gets away with a lot. Not as much as Giannis who without a doubt gets away with everything, but Luka nowadays is a close 2nd or 3rd.

[Who]

Matthews defense on Tatum has been huge for the Bucks in this series despite his limited offense.

I have been completely shocked how serviceable matthews has been. I thought he was out of league after lakers didn’t want to bring him back. Man was that a bad move on their part.

Yeah, Wes Matthews has surprised me too. I thought he was finished as an NBA caliber player. That he could no longer play good defense and could not justify his minutes.

[Moranis]

Injuries happen every year.  Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis).  Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee.  If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor. Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade.  They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.

Unnecessarily provocative post. You’re probably wrong that there is a big difference between the teams at full strength - regular season is proof of that. Might this have been over at this point with Bucks winning? Of course it’s possible, but equally likely that the series would be heading into Game 7.

regular season is rarely proof of anything when it comes to post season basketball.  Middleton being out quite simply affects Milwaukee far more than Rob being out affects Boston.  That isn't a provocative statement in any way.  Neither is saying if both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won in 6 games.  We are after all in game 7, saying it would have been over already doesn't mean a sweep. 

Boston has won 4 of the 6 4th quarters in large part because Giannis has been tired, which I'd attribute to him having to carry far more of the offensive load than he would have needed to if Middleton was on the floor.  There is no true 2nd scorer for the Bucks.  The only other guy they have that create a shot (either for himself or teammates) is Holiday who has been mostly awful in the series.  Giannis has had to carry so much of the burden it has worn him out.  With Middleton, that is less an issue. 

Middleton being out also means Hill and Matthews have to play way more minutes (or at all).  While the C's do need to make up Rob's minutes they are mostly coming from extra minutes from guys in the rotation, who would probably in many cases be playing more minutes anyway.  In fact Theis is actually playing less minutes this series than he did in the regular season.

Rob is an excellent defender, but Boston has a great defense without him and Rob is a poor to bad offensive player (while everyone else playing PF is not).  Middleton is an integral part of both the offense and defense of the Bucks.  If Brown was out it would be far more comparable (both in role and replacement).

There is nothing provocative in saying if both teams were healthy the Bucks would have won the series in 6 games because the Bucks when healthy are a better post season team than Boston.  They have the best player, have the best 3rd best player, are deep, and we'll constructed.  That is why Boston has to win this game.  This is Boston's moment, they have to capitalize.

[ashanm10]

Its time boys - hope we will be discussing how we fare in the next round Gimme a 20 point lead at any point of the game so can be stress free till 4th quarter cucks

[Neurotic Guy]

Injuries happen every year.  Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis).  Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee.  If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor. Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade.  They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.

Unnecessarily provocative post. You’re probably wrong that there is a big difference between the teams at full strength - regular season is proof of that. Might this have been over at this point with Bucks winning? Of course it’s possible, but equally likely that the series would be heading into Game 7.

regular season is rarely proof of anything when it comes to post season basketball.  Middleton being out quite simply affects Milwaukee far more than Rob being out affects Boston.  That isn't a provocative statement in any way.  Neither is saying if both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won in 6 games.  We are after all in game 7, saying it would have been over already doesn't mean a sweep. 

Boston has won 4 of the 6 4th quarters in large part because Giannis has been tired, which I'd attribute to him having to carry far more of the offensive load than he would have needed to if Middleton was on the floor.  There is no true 2nd scorer for the Bucks.  The only other guy they have that create a shot (either for himself or teammates) is Holiday who has been mostly awful in the series.  Giannis has had to carry so much of the burden it has worn him out.  With Middleton, that is less an issue. 

Middleton being out also means Hill and Matthews have to play way more minutes (or at all).  While the C's do need to make up Rob's minutes they are mostly coming from extra minutes from guys in the rotation, who would probably in many cases be playing more minutes anyway.  In fact Theis is actually playing less minutes this series than he did in the regular season.

Rob is an excellent defender, but Boston has a great defense without him and Rob is a poor to bad offensive player (while everyone else playing PF is not).  Middleton is an integral part of both the offense and defense of the Bucks.  If Brown was out it would be far more comparable (both in role and replacement).

There is nothing provocative in saying if both teams were healthy the Bucks would have won the series in 6 games because the Bucks when healthy are a better post season team than Boston.  They have the best player, have the best 3rd best player, are deep, and we'll constructed.  That is why Boston has to win this game.  This is Boston's moment, they have to capitalize.

Of course it's an opportunity for Boston, just as it's an opportunity for Milwaukee. Your take is just a touch Bucks-centric on a Boston forum heading into a Game 7.  Just a tad on the unnecessary side.

[celticsclay]

Injuries happen every year.  Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis).  Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee.  If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor. Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade.  They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.

Unnecessarily provocative post. You’re probably wrong that there is a big difference between the teams at full strength - regular season is proof of that. Might this have been over at this point with Bucks winning? Of course it’s possible, but equally likely that the series would be heading into Game 7.

regular season is rarely proof of anything when it comes to post season basketball.  Middleton being out quite simply affects Milwaukee far more than Rob being out affects Boston.  That isn't a provocative statement in any way.  Neither is saying if both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won in 6 games.  We are after all in game 7, saying it would have been over already doesn't mean a sweep. 

Boston has won 4 of the 6 4th quarters in large part because Giannis has been tired, which I'd attribute to him having to carry far more of the offensive load than he would have needed to if Middleton was on the floor.  There is no true 2nd scorer for the Bucks.  The only other guy they have that create a shot (either for himself or teammates) is Holiday who has been mostly awful in the series.  Giannis has had to carry so much of the burden it has worn him out.  With Middleton, that is less an issue. 

Middleton being out also means Hill and Matthews have to play way more minutes (or at all).  While the C's do need to make up Rob's minutes they are mostly coming from extra minutes from guys in the rotation, who would probably in many cases be playing more minutes anyway.  In fact Theis is actually playing less minutes this series than he did in the regular season.

Rob is an excellent defender, but Boston has a great defense without him and Rob is a poor to bad offensive player (while everyone else playing PF is not).  Middleton is an integral part of both the offense and defense of the Bucks.  If Brown was out it would be far more comparable (both in role and replacement).

There is nothing provocative in saying if both teams were healthy the Bucks would have won the series in 6 games because the Bucks when healthy are a better post season team than Boston.  They have the best player, have the best 3rd best player, are deep, and we'll constructed.  That is why Boston has to win this game.  This is Boston's moment, they have to capitalize.

Of course it's an opportunity for Boston, just as it's an opportunity for Milwaukee. Your take is just a touch Bucks-centric on a Boston forum heading into a Game 7.  Just a tad on the unnecessary side.

We don’t need a skip Bayless on a Celtics forum heading into a game 7. Agree with everything you said ng.

[Moranis]

Injuries happen every year.  Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis).  Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee.  If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor. Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade.  They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.

Unnecessarily provocative post. You’re probably wrong that there is a big difference between the teams at full strength - regular season is proof of that. Might this have been over at this point with Bucks winning? Of course it’s possible, but equally likely that the series would be heading into Game 7.

regular season is rarely proof of anything when it comes to post season basketball.  Middleton being out quite simply affects Milwaukee far more than Rob being out affects Boston.  That isn't a provocative statement in any way.  Neither is saying if both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won in 6 games.  We are after all in game 7, saying it would have been over already doesn't mean a sweep. 

Boston has won 4 of the 6 4th quarters in large part because Giannis has been tired, which I'd attribute to him having to carry far more of the offensive load than he would have needed to if Middleton was on the floor.  There is no true 2nd scorer for the Bucks.  The only other guy they have that create a shot (either for himself or teammates) is Holiday who has been mostly awful in the series.  Giannis has had to carry so much of the burden it has worn him out.  With Middleton, that is less an issue. 

Middleton being out also means Hill and Matthews have to play way more minutes (or at all).  While the C's do need to make up Rob's minutes they are mostly coming from extra minutes from guys in the rotation, who would probably in many cases be playing more minutes anyway.  In fact Theis is actually playing less minutes this series than he did in the regular season.

Rob is an excellent defender, but Boston has a great defense without him and Rob is a poor to bad offensive player (while everyone else playing PF is not).  Middleton is an integral part of both the offense and defense of the Bucks.  If Brown was out it would be far more comparable (both in role and replacement).

There is nothing provocative in saying if both teams were healthy the Bucks would have won the series in 6 games because the Bucks when healthy are a better post season team than Boston.  They have the best player, have the best 3rd best player, are deep, and we'll constructed.  That is why Boston has to win this game.  This is Boston's moment, they have to capitalize.

Of course it's an opportunity for Boston, just as it's an opportunity for Milwaukee. Your take is just a touch Bucks-centric on a Boston forum heading into a Game 7.  Just a tad on the unnecessary side.

I picked Boston in 7 before the series started.  I expect Boston to win the series without the Bucks having Middleton, but recognizing Middleton is far more important than Rob Williams, isn't any way unnecessarily provocative as you claimed.  The series is vastly different if both teams had all of their players.  That is in fact reality. 

[Phantom255x]

Injuries happen every year.  Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis).  Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee.  If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor.  Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade.  They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.

Yeah, I guess then they should have just forfeit and let Milwaukee advance, right? Because they don't have Middleton so it's not fair

What an idiotic take.

[gouki88]

Injuries happen every year.  Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis).  Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee.  If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor.  Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade.  They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.

Yeah, I guess then they should have just forfeit and let Milwaukee advance, right? Because they don't have Middleton so it's not fair

What an idiotic take.

Grass is always greener for non-Celtic teams with Moranis. Just ignore it

[Phantom255x]

Injuries happen every year.  Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis).  Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee.  If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor.  Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade.  They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.

Yeah, I guess then they should have just forfeit and let Milwaukee advance, right? Because they don't have Middleton so it's not fair

What an idiotic take.

Grass is always greener for non-Celtic teams with Moranis. Just ignore it

Yeah I’m aware and I’m sure many others here are aware too

If the Celtics ever win it all I wonder if he’ll be happy or not 

[celticsclay]

Injuries happen every year.  Even last year Milwaukee lost its starting SG in the 3rd playoff game and was without Giannis for 2 full games in the ECF and yet it still won the title because it is so well constructed (plus they have Giannis).  Middleton being out is a major blow to Milwaukee.  If both teams were fully healthy Milwaukee would have won this series already as they are simply a better team with BY FAR the best player on the floor.  Boston needs to win this game as that is its best shot a title in over a decade.  They have to capitalize on Middleton being out.

Yeah, I guess then they should have just forfeit and let Milwaukee advance, right? Because they don't have Middleton so it's not fair

What an idiotic take.

Grass is always greener for non-Celtic teams with Moranis. Just ignore it

Gouki we all get this but it particularly offensive and annoying on a teams forum before a game 7. If this is a realgm foruk whatever. But here It is clearly an attempt to troll us and get us upset and serves no other purpose, and it worked, but I really don’t think it should be tolerated. I look at fear they sword, liberty ballers and silver screen and roll and don’t ever see a guy with 12k posts trying to agitate the rest of the fans saying “hey even if do win we won’t deserve cause the other team had an injury and would have beat us easily healthy.” Like why? Heading into a game 7? For literally everyone else. Tommy points. Let’s go!!!!!

[blink]

So does anyone give Dallas a chance to win game 7?