I've been hearing it a lot today and frankly it's true. Last night's Cavaliers collapse was very similar to the Celtics against the Knicks. Cavaliers took 50 3s and only made 16 of them (32% rate). They blew a 20+ point lead to them that dwindled in just minutes. Atkinson got outcoached bad in the 2nd half, similar to how Thibs outcoached Mazzulla for much of the series last year too. The Knicks didn't rely on the 3 to come back, they also attacked mismatches which the C's couldn't do on the other end and neither did Cleveland late in the game.
Hate to say it, but it's kind of another reminder that the C's play-style and coaching philosophy just won't work.
Also, the frontcourt matters. Mobley and Allen, KAT and Robinson, and then the freaks out West (Jokic, Wemby, and even Chet/Hartenstein). I like Queta but they absolutely need more there in the group. I know he didn't play much of it but Porzingis provided a mismatch against most teams in 2024 and 2025 (when healthy) and he basically won them Game 1 vs. Dallas in the Finals on his own. It opened up things for others too when he was out there, including Tatum/Brown. Not saying it has to be Giannis but Brad needs to add someone.
And obviously even Horford, just someone who could play defense well and stretch the floor. Certainly missed him against Embiid in the first round. Vucevic isn't close to being it. They need another legit guy next to Queta.