Poll: Celtics vs. Nets Series Predictions

[liam]

I predict Kyrie get loudly booed at the Garden 

Going out on a limb with that one. 

[Goldstar88]

I predict Kyrie get loudly booed at the Garden 

Oh, man. I think you might be on to something…

[Neurotic Guy]

I saw on another site that the Nets have the 2nd-best betting odds to win the East, behind the Bucks. To me that's crazy and I think it's evidence that people are locked into imagining the Nets as what they were last year, not this year.

It's not just that they no longer have Harden. It's that they no longer have Harden AND a number of important role players that they had last year.

For instance, Joe Harris shot 48% from 3 last year and had an eFG of 65% during the regular season. He was a major part of what they did offsensively, and even played decent defense by his own standards. He played 37 min per game in the semifinals vs the Bucks.

Moreover, Jeff Green played 27 mpg in that series and averaged 10 ppg. Landry Shamet and Mike James (who was an underrated part of that team last year) played about 16 mpg each. None of those guys is an all-star, but the Nets would kill to have those guys in their supporting cast right now.

By contrast, at this point the Nets are playing the following players who were not on the team last year significant minutes: Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, Kessler Edwards, Nick Claxton, Patty Mills, Lamarcus Aldridge, Goran Dragic, David Duke. With the exception of Curry, who hasn't integrated particularly well since coming over from the Sixers, and possibly Patty Mills, who isn't what he once was, none of those guys is a good role player. And even in the case of Curry and Mills, we are talking about good shooters/floor spacers who are major defensive liabilities. (Please do not tell me Aldridge and Dragic are good role players. This is 2022, not 2017.)

Lastly: A number of people have asked "What happened to Steve Nash?" His coaching doesn't seem to be what it was a year ago. Well, the answer is simple: they lost a number of key assistant coaches, including Mike D'Antoni and Ime Udoka. This is hugely underrated.

Folks, the Celtics can and will win a 1st round series against the Nets. (It's not a cakewalk to beat the Cavs in the play-in, by the way.) This is a different Nets team from what many of us have lingering in our minds from last year.

Excellent post!!! I would give a TP if I knew how to.
I feel like the Nets are in the same position playing us that we were last year playing them, and I expect similar results. The Nets team will rekindle the magic enough to win one, maybe two, games. But their flaws are too numerous to not be exploited by the better TEAM.

I'll TP for you.  Good post WW.  Like Roy, I'm not sure you aren't being a little harsh on the Nets depth, but it's fun analysis to read.   I don't like predicting, but I think the C's will have a good chance (if the Nets prevail v. Cleveland).  It's likely a tough series, expending lots of energy -- Al playing a lot of minutes.  Nets probably never feel out of a game as they'll be able to climb back quickly as soon as the C's go cold.   

Hope that Chicago surprises and give the Bucks a tougher time than expected -- maybe take the Bucks to 6.  Doubt it but I think round 2 will be tough for the C's if the Nets series is a hard fought 7-game affair and the Bucks relatively light duty and rested.

[mef730]

Just kind of wondering what kind of answer this question would generate if it were on a Nets bulletin board.

Mike

[Kernewek]

My spiciest prediction is that this series will be played in Boston and in Cleveland.

If it is the Nets, I am glad they have Ben Simmons instead of James Harden.

[Csfan1984]

Still play in. Nets could want 8 and sit guys for all we know. They confident enough for it imo

[ozgod]

Just kind of wondering what kind of answer this question would generate if it were on a Nets bulletin board.

Mike

Not quite the same poll, but still.

[SHAQATTACK]

I predict Kyrie get loudly booed at the Garden 

Oh, man. I think you might be on to something…

 

[mef730]

[SparzWizard]

Just kind of wondering what kind of answer this question would generate if it were on a Nets bulletin board.

Mike

Not quite the same poll, but still.

I like that comment at the end. We want the smoke, just hope we don't regret the smoke for not resting the team like the Bucks hahah. But yeah, Timelord as the missing key piece will be brutal against the Nets.

[LilRip]

I’m gonna be bold and say C’s in 5. I think we might even lose game 2 and everyone will be writing us off.

Tatum has another level and I think this is the year we’ll see him reach it in the playoffs. There are only a handful of players who I think can activate god mode when the chips are down:
- Lebron
- Giannis
- KD
- Kawhi
- Steph

Tatum’s going to be on this list I think.

[#1P4P]

The Celtics are an elite defensive team with two elite scorers and a supporting cast that can each regularly contribute double digit points. We can supersize lineups for boards and interior defense and offense or go small to press them on the perimeter and run them out of the gym.

The Nets are a poor defensive group that solely rely on two elite isolation scorers to generate offense. KD and Kyrie will have to face elite individual and team defense possession after possession with little offensive help from their teammates.

Their duo will be running on fumes late in games trying to play catch up or trade baskets and it will get tougher the longer the series goes.

Brooklyn will play Seth Curry, Patty Mills, Goran Dragic, and Kyrie as their guard rotation with Drummond at the 5. That’s 3/5 of their lineup with a below average defender to take advantage of or have to consistently cover for.

Last season, we couldn’t defend them well or match their offensive output. This season, we can do both. Celtics in 5 with a chance for 6, out of respect to KD and Kyrie, but they’re outmatched.

[Moranis]

Too hard to predict something that will happen in like 2 months.  Just too many variables.

You mean when the Celtics play the Nets in the ECF? 

I have some thoughts but I am going to wait until the Nets beat the Cavs and actually are the 7 seed before I comment on this possible playoff match up.

Until then, the Cavs are my new second favorite team.

I do actually think Cleveland has a real shot at winning the play-in if Allen is actually able to go which is looking possible.  If that happens, then they both have a shot at the ECF (though I don't think Boston, or anyone for that matter, is beating Milwaukee). 

[Moranis]

Guess Allen is out making Cavs road that much harder.  Still hoping they can beat the Nets.

[pokeKingCurtis]

I predict Kyrie get loudly booed at the Garden 

And refs will give us all ulcers collectively