Celtics (1-2) at Heat (2-1) ECF Game #4 9/23/20

[jpotter33]

top to bottom, this team is mentally soft. until this is fixed, talent won’t matter.

seeing this team this round and the prior one, it's hard to debate that these guys don't have the fire this year and are missing something between the ears with all the really stupid plays.  Part is on Brad.  part is on the players.

teams often reflect the character of their coach. i don’t question brad’s BB IQ or his X’s & O’s prowess; he’s clearly nba caliber in these vital departments, which is why this team has made it this far.

what i do question is his ability to make in-game decisions (adjustments, timeouts, substitutions, etc.) and his demeanor. his shortfalls in these areas limit this team’s ceiling, which is why his teams typically go deep into the playoffs but can’t take the next step.

renewing his contract was premature, as some quality coaches are/were available this offseason. would have loved to see what someone like billy donovan could do with this roster.

Absolutely this. TP.

[liam]

Having to hide Kemba is becoming a serious problem.

No option than to have him watch Dragic and no switching.

I still believe.

His inability to defensively match up with bigger guards is a fatal flaw.

It nearly killed us against TOR. It will kill us (along with other things) against MIA.

He'd be alright if we weren't overly reliant on switching. Reminds me of a game against Dallas years ago where Kyrie kept switching onto Harrison Barnes only to give up easy bucket after easy bucket.

Are you suggesting that Brad should try something different?

Why did Grant Williams not play? He stretches the floor and pulls the bigs away from the basket.

Grant played like 10 seconds, lol. It enrages me as much as anyone - I've been calling for more Grant all year!! Brad just doesn't actually know what he wants his rotation to be in the EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

There's a rotation? 

[scaryjerry]

Celtics will likely win the next game and maybe even game 6 and then choke away a game 7...honestly the heat are pretty good though and probably better for my mental health they just finish this off lol

[tarheelsxxiii]

There's no world in which Smart should not have been guarding Herro in the 4th. 

[jpotter33]

Having to hide Kemba is becoming a serious problem.

No option than to have him watch Dragic and no switching.

I still believe.

His inability to defensively match up with bigger guards is a fatal flaw.

It nearly killed us against TOR. It will kill us (along with other things) against MIA.

He'd be alright if we weren't overly reliant on switching. Reminds me of a game against Dallas years ago where Kyrie kept switching onto Harrison Barnes only to give up easy bucket after easy bucket.

Are you suggesting that Brad should try something different?

Why did Grant Williams not play? He stretches the floor and pulls the bigs away from the basket.

Grant played like 10 seconds, lol. It enrages me as much as anyone - I've been calling for more Grant all year!! Brad just doesn't actually know what he wants his rotation to be in the EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

There's a rotation? 

Yeah, like the backup big rotation situation has been so infuriating, because it's literally different every game. One game it's GWill, the next it's Timelord, the next it's Kanter.

Dude is in way over his head and being coached circles around by Spo.

[slamtheking]

There's no world in which Smart should not have been guarding Herro in the 4th.

too busy planning his next TO

[liam]

Just can't win with 19 turnovers.

On to game 5.

[tarheelsxxiii]

There's no world in which Smart should not have been guarding Herro in the 4th.

too busy planning his next TO

I genuinely can't make sense of it. 

[hodgy03038]

If we can't stop a 20 year old rookie guard then we don't deserve to play in the finals. Simple as that.

[liam]

Having to hide Kemba is becoming a serious problem.

No option than to have him watch Dragic and no switching.

I still believe.

His inability to defensively match up with bigger guards is a fatal flaw.

It nearly killed us against TOR. It will kill us (along with other things) against MIA.

He'd be alright if we weren't overly reliant on switching. Reminds me of a game against Dallas years ago where Kyrie kept switching onto Harrison Barnes only to give up easy bucket after easy bucket.

Are you suggesting that Brad should try something different?

Why did Grant Williams not play? He stretches the floor and pulls the bigs away from the basket.

Grant played like 10 seconds, lol. It enrages me as much as anyone - I've been calling for more Grant all year!! Brad just doesn't actually know what he wants his rotation to be in the EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS

There's a rotation? 

Yeah, like the backup big rotation situation has been so infuriating, because it's literally different every game. One game it's GWill, the next it's Timelord, the next it's Kanter.

Dude is in way over his head and being coached circles around by Spo.

I personally like when Brad plays both williams' at the same time. Grant should be getting a lot more playing time. I think a rookie can effect the out come of a play off game! 

[liam]

I having a drink and off to bed.

Thanks all!

[scaryjerry]

Herro shown signs all series of playing like this....how is he not more game planned for? It’s not like one of those total fluke role player games

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

If we can't stop a 20 year old rookie guard then we don't deserve to play in the finals. Simple as that.

I agree. And it's a sad, pathetic, pitiful truth about this team. Can't guard a 20-year-old rookie. Also can't protect the ball, can't consistently hit open shots, can't stop making dumb plays in crunch time, can't ever stick with what works.

[Mahk E Mahk]

Meanwhile, Heat are the best team with record in the postseason- 11-2

I'm sure they'll start struggling once they face the Lakers.

and mysteriously, they’ll start committing more fouls.

[scaryjerry]

Meanwhile, Heat are the best team with record in the postseason- 11-2

I'm sure they'll start struggling once they face the Lakers.

and mysteriously, they’ll start committing more fouls.

Lol, so true