Celtics (2-3) at 76ers (3-2) Round 2 Game #6 5/11/23

[jpotter33]

Don’t be surprised if Doc takes PJ out of the starting lineup and replaces him with Niang or Melton to provide more shooting to counter Timelord’s defensive presence. That obviously loses some defense and rebounding for them, but we need to be prepared for that possibility.

[kraidstar]

Bird had a lot of bad games. Pretty much all stars do, teams really clamp down defensively in the playoffs, and creating shots becomes much harder. And creating shots is a burden that largely falls on stars.

But when Tatum stinks, man, it is just so ugly. It's like he's throwing the game.  I'm hoping this is just a mental hurdle. But there's a part of me that fears that he fundamentally struggles when the level of defensive intensity reaches a certain point.

 He should really watch some of the players around him for inspiration. Like harden with his headfakes. Or smart with his little pull up jumper in the lane. Or Derek white with his floater. Any of these tools would immensely help to confuse the defense, and thus aid his ability to drive and create.

 Because right now when the game gets tense he seems to just run right into the defense.

[RJ87]

I have a lot of respect for how Tatum played tonight on a bad shooting night. It is nights like this where you show your character.

Do you stop playing defense? Do you keep showing effort for lose balls? Do you attack the glass? Do you find a way to help offensively with your handles and passing? Tatum did all that.

He never stopped competing. Hustling.

He can't buy a bucket until late but he never stopped trying to find a way to help his team. That is character. That is not giving up. That is fighting through adversity. That is finding a way to get it done.

TP.

[celticinorlando]

At some point Tatum is going to go big. I am hoping it is game 7.

I just do not think the Celtics will lose 3 out of 4 at home to the sixers.

[jambr380]

Oops

Yeah, I got this article in my email earlier this morning and posted it to Celtics reddit. There is even the start of an article there - "After dispatching the hated Celtics in six games, the Sixers are on to the Eastern Conference Finals. Here's what's next," but when you click on it, it doesn't work. Way to go Yahoo and the Delaware Online News Journal:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bostonceltics/comments/13fjytq/in_my_yahoo_email_this_morning_shades_of_confetti/

[celticinorlando]

Imagine if the Celtics did not turn it over 18 times

[ozgod]

Not that I’ve watched every superstar play every game in the history of the league, but I can’t remember a first team all nba level guy (who’s know as a scorer) have so many complete disappearing acts -  escoecially in crucial games. 

He’s also had a bunch of huge games too.

I want to love Tatum like I loved Bird.  I really do.  He could be that guy.  But man the disappearing acts are so tough.

You don't need to look very hard.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog-playoffs/
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01/gamelog-playoffs/
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bryanko01/gamelog-playoffs/

Filtering by ascending game score reveals plenty of genuinely terrible games. Kobe is a very natural comparison for me.

I guess there's stuff that doesn't show up in the box score too.  In this regard, I'd buy Durant more than Kobe, for disappearing.

And don't get me wrong.  I love Tatum as a Celtic.  I just want to love him more.

Only way to get there is to get a ring I guess.

When other superstars fail, we don’t notice as much, we don’t remember as much and we certainly don’t care as much. But I guarantee the fans of those teams notice, remember and care when their superstars fail. You just have to visit other fan forums to see how frustrated fans are with their players, even when they play well. We are hard graders as fans. The grass is always greener on the other side and their superstars are better than ours syndrome 

[ozgod]

Oops

That’s hilarious

[Silas]

Oops

That’s hilarious

Balloons?

[libermaniac]

Interesting. All semi final teams from the bubble are still alive.

[Redz]

Not that I’ve watched every superstar play every game in the history of the league, but I can’t remember a first team all nba level guy (who’s know as a scorer) have so many complete disappearing acts -  escoecially in crucial games. 

He’s also had a bunch of huge games too.

I want to love Tatum like I loved Bird.  I really do.  He could be that guy.  But man the disappearing acts are so tough.

You don't need to look very hard.

https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/duranke01/gamelog-playoffs/
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01/gamelog-playoffs/
https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bryanko01/gamelog-playoffs/

Filtering by ascending game score reveals plenty of genuinely terrible games. Kobe is a very natural comparison for me.

I guess there's stuff that doesn't show up in the box score too.  In this regard, I'd buy Durant more than Kobe, for disappearing.

And don't get me wrong.  I love Tatum as a Celtic.  I just want to love him more.

Only way to get there is to get a ring I guess.

When other superstars fail, we don’t notice as much, we don’t remember as much and we certainly don’t care as much. But I guarantee the fans of those teams notice, remember and care when their superstars fail. You just have to visit other fan forums to see how frustrated fans are with their players, even when they play well. We are hard graders as fans. The grass is always greener on the other side and their superstars are better than ours syndrome 

Just heard a stat on the radio that the previous two players to start a playoff half 0-for-10 or more are James Harden and Michael Jordan.  Two guys who did a little bit of scoring in their day.  (though MJ had a little bit more on the playoff resume).

[celticinorlando]

Notice how when Tatum got going with the 4 threes in the 4th Dorris Burke was silent. She spent the entire game 4 and 6 as a Sixers cheerleader.

[Phantom255x]

Notice how when Tatum got going with the 4 threes in the 4th Dorris Burke was silent. She spent the entire game 4 and 6 as a Sixers cheerleader.

There's still a chance we have her Sunday sadly if it's on ABC

[Donoghus]

Notice how when Tatum got going with the 4 threes in the 4th Dorris Burke was silent. She spent the entire game 4 and 6 as a Sixers cheerleader.

There's still a chance we have her Sunday sadly if it's on ABC

My guess is that ABC will trot out Breen/Van Gundy/Jackson for any Game 7.   

[Phantom255x]

Notice how when Tatum got going with the 4 threes in the 4th Dorris Burke was silent. She spent the entire game 4 and 6 as a Sixers cheerleader.

There's still a chance we have her Sunday sadly if it's on ABC

My guess is that ABC will trot out Breen/Van Gundy/Jackson for any Game 7.

Oh right, I also forgot the night game is on TNT not ESPN