Did the Celtics even have a chance against Toronto?

[kraidstar]

IMO the Smart injury has been very overlooked as a factor in our defeat against Milwaukee. His defense and heart could have really changed the complexion of that series. I don't think we get torched as badly by the 3 with Smart flying around harassing their shooters.

I think against Toronto we would have had a lot of defenders to throw at Kawhi. Maybe we don't stop him, but I like our chances if we're making Siakam, Lowry, and Gasol beat us. Our 1-on-1 defense against those supporting guys could have been very solid.

[mr. dee]

They can beat anyone given the right mindset and chemistry. The problem was lack of cohesiveness on the team and selfish personalities. We have plenty of length to insert in the wing lineup (Semi, Morris, Tatum, Smart, Brown). Brad have fascination with 3-guard lineups with Theis at the C, laying a goose egg. While our better defenders in Timelord and Semi are rotting on the bench.

[SparzWizard]

They can beat anyone given the right mindset and chemistry. The problem was lack of cohesiveness on the team and selfish personalities. We have plenty of length to insert in the wing lineup (Semi, Morris, Tatum, Smart, Brown). Brad have fascination with 3-guard lineups with Theis at the C, laying a goose egg. While our better defenders in Timelord and Semi are rotting on the bench.

Nick Nurse and Mike Budenholzer outcoaching Brad Stevens even a caveman can do it.

[LarBrd33]

In a 7 game playoff series, this team doesn't have the talent to compete with any of the top 3-4 teams in the East.

Maybe next year, but probably not.

[gouki88]

Not the way we played this postseason. We have nobody for Kawhi nor Siakam, and Ibaka always kills Horford. Not to mention Gasol.

We have the talent, but I think our chemistry and coaching philosophy failed us

[footey]

IMO the Smart injury has been very overlooked as a factor in our defeat against Milwaukee. His defense and heart could have really changed the complexion of that series. I don't think we get torched as badly by the 3 with Smart flying around harassing their shooters.

I think against Toronto we would have had a lot of defenders to throw at Kawhi. Maybe we don't stop him, but I like our chances if we're making Siakam, Lowry, and Gasol beat us. Our 1-on-1 defense against those supporting guys could have been very solid.

Bucks were without Brogdon until last game, and he was missed by them, maybe more.

[LilRip]

I was saying earlier in the year that it looked like the Raptors would win the east. And I thought we had a chance to beat the Bucks. So I was glad we ended up as 4th seed because we could avoid Toronto, thus giving us a shot to reach the ECF again.

[Ogaju]

every other team in the league actually plays their players. Brad,  not so much.

[bopna]

We always were a good team whenever Utah Hayward shows up. And our record speaks for itself whenever he scores 20 or more a game.

It's really just unfortunate that those games where quite scarce and in the playoffs appeared only once and never during the Bucks series.

To even sniff a win against the Raptors, GH is and was always the key.

The reality is.. If Kyrie does not return and Danny still makes the Davis trade.. Our survival for the season depends on how Hayward and Davis can feed off each other. A return to form Hayward can make this team lethal again.

[Chris22]

lol 4-0 sweep Kyrie ain't a number 1 option there's only 3 of those guys and they been winning championships the last decade.



Lebron, KD, Kawhi...

one could argue Steph but that first finals run they won without KD I'm now 100% sure they would have lost if Kyrie and Love were healthy.

I have been saying this for months.

[PhoSita]

No.

The Celtics were a mediocre team that was a clear cut below the top tier of the east.

Talent wise I think the Celtics could have had a chance against any of the top teams. I do not agree with those that say the Celts were never very talented.  But the chemistry and the gameplan were never there this year.

[soulman]

Maybe we could of beat them before Gordon Hayward injury. Remember how good pre-sesson we had until Hayward got injured?

[slamtheking]

was there a chance?  sure, but the C's would have had to play at their best for the series --> they'd have to play like they did in game 1 against Milwaukee, not like they did in the other 4 games against Milwaukee.

Current C's team has the talent to beat every other team in the league --> when they're hitting their shots.  when they're not hitting, they can lose to every team in the league.   Team is the epitome of "live by the 3, die by the 3" which is a real problem when 30-45% of their shots are from 3.

[Bobshot]

Not much of a chance. Siakam, with his length, would've eaten us alive. And I'm sure VanVleet would've torched us too. This is not even considering what Leonard would've done.

Which brings me to the Celtics aversion for length. Apparently they could have drafted this guy, but went in a different direction. Ainge seemed  to go for length picking Williams, but he never got a real shot to fill their gaping need for a paint defender.

Which leads me to wonder if Ainge is on the same page as Stevens on the subject of length. As I recall, Ainge said personnel decisions are made jointly by him and Stevens. Was that the case here?

both tatum and brown have 7 ft long arm spans

Robert Williams has one of the longest arm spans in the past few years as well

Tatum and Brown play small. Williams doesn't play.
They are overmatched up front against every good eastern team. That means Toronto and Philly.

[Briantir]

How is this actually a discussion lool...

1. Leonard would have dismantled the Celtics this man is fearless he's bodied Lebron, KD, and now Steph... Celtics lose in 5 games or less.

2. Raptors have historically played the Celtics extremely well past 5 years does nobody here remember that?

3. THE TEAM THAT BEAT US 4 STRAIGHT GOT BEAT BY THE RAPTORS IN 4 STRAIGHT!!!!