Start to Tank A Bit

[GreenlyGreeny]

I really wanted the Bulls in the first-round, but probably best to take the second seed and hope the basketball Gods reward us for doing the right thing. I’m thinking a reward such as Cavaliers upset the Nets, we coast through Cleveland as easily as the Bucks through Chicago, we end up with HCA in the ECF against Philly or Brooklyn, and we end up with HCA against Denver or Utah in the NBA Finals (OK, that last part is truly asking for a miracle lol).

If any of our top ten players are unvaccinated (exception of Timelord since he needs to sit out the first series), we would be better off avoiding Toronto at all costs, and starting out the gate against the Nets or Cavaliers (if we’re fortunate). Last thing we need is one of our players being labeled the Aaron Rodgers of the NBA. What a distraction that would be. Let’s force Philly to experience  that 😉

[ozgod]

Well, its clear who the Bucks are afraid of. What a tank job for them…bravo

I say win today and show the Nets who the best team truly is.  Boo Kyrie into oblivion and hope Simmons can return and cost the Nets a few fourth quarters.

Home court advantage will be big vs Sixers or Bucks..losing intentionally and needing to win a game 7 away is never good.

Yes I agree. I could much rather get the Nets early than later when they may have had time to integrate Simmons into their team. If anything I’m sure they aren’t looking forward to meeting us.

[Moranis]

Well, its clear who the Bucks are afraid of. What a tank job for them…bravo

I say win today and show the Nets who the best team truly is.  Boo Kyrie into oblivion and hope Simmons can return and cost the Nets a few fourth quarters.

Home court advantage will be big vs Sixers or Bucks..losing intentionally and needing to win a game 7 away is never good.

Yes I agree. I could much rather get the Nets early than later when they may have had time to integrate Simmons into their team. If anything I’m sure they aren’t looking forward to meeting us.

Or you just hope you avoid them all together, which is why hopefully Cleveland pulls off the upset and beats them in the 7/8 game.

[Big333223]

Final day of the year and Celtics could still wind up 2nd, 3rd, or 4th. Crazy.

I think the Celtics should just come out and focus on what they can control: their own game. Beat Memphis and let the rest fall where it will.

fwiw, I'd want to avoid a first round matchup with the Raptors more than the Nets. Ultimately, I think the Celtics beat either team but I think the Raptors would make for a more physical series and thus a more draining one.

Agreed 100%. The potential Raptors/Heat/Bucks path (with home court against the Raptors only) would just be so grueling. We would be very tired and beat up going into that Bucks series

At the same time, the Bucks would have to go through Brooklyn and Philly.  It’s no like they’d be coming off a cakewalk.

In the scenario where we get the Bucks in the second round, they’ll be coming off a likely sweep of Chicago, while we’d be coming off a BRK series and would be bringing back a rusty Timelord.

I guess I am just a loser, but gimme Toronto and Miami. Doesn't look like the Cs are going to follow suit, unfortunately. I guess it's still possible for Brooklyn to drop one of their next two (today and first play-in) and fall to the 9/10 bracket. If we come out and get a W today, then the basketball gods should reward us.

The way I'm thinking about it, I'd rather play 6-7 against the Nets than even just 5-6 against Toronto. I'm not afraid of the Celtics losing to anyone, I'm thinking about the nature of the play. 7 games against the Nets' terrible defense might mean they come out feeling stronger than 5 grind-it-out games against the Raptors.

I also can see Boston beating the Nets in 5 anyway.

[Phantom255x]

Screw tanking!

Am I right guys?

 

[Kiorrik]

TANK DOWN FOR WHAT

*jumps up and down*

[Phantom255x]

I'll admit I overestimated Brooklyn a bit. Wanted us to tank for Chicago but whatever, they got the sweep! Also Toronto might not be as easy as I thought, imagine if they didn't have to deal with the injuries in Games 2 and 3 against PHI

[Moranis]

Well Boston will get the most rest and may end up getting a less than 100% Milwaukee, which should give them a real chance to advance.  I do expect the winner of Boston/Milwaukee to win the title this year with how everything is shaking out. 

[ozgod]

I'll admit I overestimated Brooklyn a bit. Wanted us to tank for Chicago but whatever, they got the sweep! Also Toronto might not be as easy as I thought, imagine if they didn't have to deal with the injuries in Games 2 and 3 against PHI

Much rather have played Brooklyn now than possibly in the ECF when they may have had Simmons back and may have built up more confidence and chemistry after winning a couple of series.

My view has always been that to be the best and win the championship you have to beat the best - no moral victories beating tomato cans on the way to the final and then losing it. SuperBowls are one off games so I can understand trying to get an easy path to the final. In a 7 game series the better team will usually win.

[slamtheking]

Well Boston will get the most rest and may end up getting a less than 100% Milwaukee, which should give them a real chance to advance.  I do expect the winner of Boston/Milwaukee to win the title this year with how everything is shaking out.

I'm certain that having home court in that series will be a big help to the C's

[RJD1974]

I might be in the minority, but I WANT the Nets in the opening round.

Boo-ya.

[Phantom255x]

Well Boston will get the most rest and may end up getting a less than 100% Milwaukee, which should give them a real chance to advance.  I do expect the winner of Boston/Milwaukee to win the title this year with how everything is shaking out.

I'm certain that having home court in that series will be a big help to the C's

Yeah that's huge now. Makes getting the 2 seed even better now lol

[Phantom255x]

https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1518776051748515841?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1518776051748515841%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.redditmedia.com%2Fmediaembed%2Fuc1ysu%3Fresponsive%3Dtrueis_nightmode%3Dfalse

Marcus Smart on the talk Boston should have tried to avoid Brooklyn: "We heard it. We all heard it. We laughed at it. We don't duck or dodge nobody."

[Phantom255x]

(sorry wrong thread)

[ozgod]

(sorry wrong thread)

This was definitely not one of your better takes Phantom

I'm sure it made sense at the time though