Beating Toronto and Philly

[rollie mass]

And being in every game with Heat without Hayward was good enough for me .I bet Hero and Robinson would have felt the pressure of normal playoffs with."The Gardens" decibel rating.
This playoff didn't seem real because it wasn't.
But another good experience for the young ones.
The clip by Butler wasn't even reviewed for flagrant -I had visions of Hayward injury..

[scaryjerry]

Yeah we probably beat the heat with real home court advantage but then again probably lose to the raptors without it so...weird year

[Surferdad]

Um, no.  These were real playoffs with real NBA players and teams.  No point in denying reality.  Would you deny it if they won?  Nope.

[Donoghus]

The problem is that they had a golden opportunity presented to them and they didn't capitalize. 

MIL getting eliminated by MIA.  No Kyrie/KD in BKN this year.  A western conference that looks susceptible.  A Heat team that really isn't terribly loaded.

They were handed a ticket to the NBA Finals on a silver platter & quite possibly a championship yet they couldn't capitalize.

There's a lot to be excited about with this team but there is certainly disappointment right now too.

[johnnygreen]

These playoffs are 100% legitimate. Actually, without the refs being influenced by making homecourt calls, these playoffs maybe the most legitimate in my lifetime.

I do feel the Hayward injury had a negative effect, and possibly denied the team of reaching the finals. If he's healthy, does Toronto end up playing a zone defense? Does Kemba become a ghost if Toronto never installs the zone. Without the zone blue print, does Erik Spoelstra even think about playing that defense?

[footey]

I agree with johnnygreen.  I think our fate was cast when Gordon went down in game 1 vs Sixers.  A healthy Hayward probably gets us by the Heat. I saw him excel against them in Miami in January.  They had no answer for him in that game.

I actually believe we would have given the Lakers a tough series.

[wdleehi]

A healthy Hayward likely helps the Celtics beat Toronto in less games as well.


But it didn't happen so here we are.

[jambr380]

I agree with those who say it was a total blown opportunity. The Hayward injury was a real shame and proved to be our downfall. Even with that, if we were just able to finish off games 1 or 2 of the ECF, we would have had a great chance of getting to the Finals. Trying to come back from 0-2 was just too difficult with a hobbled Hayward and a MIA team w/ the ability to go off at the most opportune (for them) times.

[PhoSita]

The problem is that they had a golden opportunity presented to them and they didn't capitalize. 

MIL getting eliminated by MIA.  No Kyrie/KD in BKN this year.  A western conference that looks susceptible.  A Heat team that really isn't terribly loaded.

They were handed a ticket to the NBA Finals on a silver platter & quite possibly a championship yet they couldn't capitalize.

There's a lot to be excited about with this team but there is certainly disappointment right now too.

I agree with you. At the same time, I still think it comes down to the fact that this team wasn't ready / equipped to win four playoff series in a row.

There are a lot of factors that made it more plausible that they could do it this year despite their flaws. But I still think ultimately the lack of depth and experience meant they were going to fall short to a more veteran team sooner or later.

[mrceltics2013]

I just want to know why everyone is giving Kemba a pass like he wasn’t a liability in the playoffs.

[SparzWizard]

I just want to know why everyone is giving Kemba a pass like he wasn’t a liability in the playoffs.

True. He's not off the hook. 8-10 points showing in those playoff games with max money is terrible.

[SparzWizard]

Well, we all know whoever wins this year's championship there will be an asterisk next to it. Shortened season, no home-court advantage, no traveling to road games, etc.

So doesn't really count.

[mrceltics2013]

Well, we all know whoever wins this year's championship there will be an asterisk next to it. Shortened season, no home-court advantage, no traveling to road games, etc.

So doesn't really count.

Lol you can put whatever mark on the Lebron ring as you want... he is about to win it and he earned it. This is one of the hardest rings he had to battle and get because he had to do it with everything you just said and went through the wild Wild West to get there.

Disappointed in the C’s and I’m willing to put up all draft picks, Kemba, Hayward, and all rookies up for trade.

[KGs Knee]

Beating two teams you were supposed to isn't reason to feel 'content' in my opinion. Also, losing to a team you should have beaten should not be dismissed or excused.

The only dismissing that should happen is Brad Stevens as coach of this team.   He's not competent and is holding this team back. Anyone who is thinking clearly can see it.

[KGs Knee]

Well, we all know whoever wins this year's championship there will be an asterisk next to it. Shortened season, no home-court advantage, no traveling to road games, etc.

So doesn't really count.

You can believe this if you like. You are wrong, however.