Big Game tomorrow / Bill Simmons' Tweets

[LarBrd33]

Last two seeds in the East are up for grabs and there are 4 teams vying for them.  Indiana is sitting at 7th with a 30-34 record.  We're sitting at 10th with a 28-36 record.   Pacers have won 7 in a row... 13 of their last 15.   One of the few games this season that actually matters. 

Up until this point, I wasn't really taking this playoff push seriously.  It's kind of silly.  Bill Simmons keeps posting ironically about it on twitter:

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons  ?  Mar 11

Celts!!! #finalspreview #statementwin

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons  ?  Mar 7

Where do you think Kevin Love is gonna live in Boston next season? I see him on Marlborough Street. http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/03/kevin_love_2.html ?

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons  ?  Mar 7

This place looks good for Kevin Love. It's a penthouse on Comm Ave - great area and a 30-min walk to home games. http://bostonsluxuryproperties.com/listing/71783107/245-commonwealth-avenue-boston-ma-02116/ ?

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons  ?  10h 10 hours ago

Was thinking about it - might make more sense for Kevin Love to buy a mack-daddy palace in Brookline this summer and just commute to games.

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons  ?  Mar 6

M-V-P. RT @celtics: Isaiah Thomas scores 14 of his 27 during 4th to lead the Celtics to a 104-98 win over Pelicans.

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons  ?  Mar 6

My MVP ballot right now: Harden 1st, Curry 2nd, Westbrook 3rd, Isaiah Thomas 4th, LeBron 5th, CP3 6th. I might have Thomas too high.

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons  ?  Mar 6

I'd like to apologize to Brandon Bass, I forgot to include him as an MVP candidate. My bad.

Bill Simmons @BillSimmons  ?  Mar 4

The Finals run starts now. RT @SeanGrandePBP: Kelly Olynyk will return for Celts tonight & come off the bench. Hasn't played since Jan. 22.

All those tongue-in-cheek posts about a bottom 10 team winning a handful of games.  Clearly Simmons is kidding around.  But it's getting to the point where the playoffs actually seem viable.  We're playing pretty serviceable basketball right now.  If we win tomorrow vs the Pacers it's going to start getting interesting.  There's a chance we might even threaten to finish the season .500.

[indeedproceed]

I feel like the guy who said a restaurant is going to suck, and even though I'm enjoying my food I couldn't admit I was wrong and keep talking about how the beer selection is "just okay".

Basically I'm starting to realize I need to pull the stick out of my butt and start embracing this. I was already on board with IT and a lot of the new guys, but the concept of winning...

I guess I just wish there were more IPAs.

[SHAQATTACK]

I feel like the guy who said a restaurant is going to suck, and even though I'm enjoying my food I couldn't admit I was wrong and keep talking about how the beer selection is "just okay".

Basically I'm starting to realize I need to pull the stick out of my butt and start embracing this. I was already on board with IT and a lot of the new guys, but the concept of winning...

I guess I just wish there were more IPAs.

I think you summed it up nicely for me as well ...LOL

[LarBrd33]

I feel like the guy who said a restaurant is going to suck, and even though I'm enjoying my food I couldn't admit I was wrong and keep talking about how the beer selection is "just okay".

Basically I'm starting to realize I need to pull the stick out of my butt and start embracing this. I was already on board with IT and a lot of the new guys, but the concept of winning...

I guess I just wish there were more IPAs.

I'm with you.  Amazing how much better the team played once it dumped Rondo/Green and started defining roles.  I hated the team at the start of the season because we had two 6 foot guards , 3 mediocre power forwards and an obscenely overrated SF.   

The back court of Smart + Bradley makes sense, because their size offsets each other (Bradley is PG sized and Smart is SG sized).   Turner always made the most sense at SF.  Then you have Bass at PF and Zeller who is clearly a center.  The bench is improved.   It's still not a great team, but it's at least a lineup that makes basketball sense and there's no human road blocks preventing Stevens from implementing his system.

I still hate the idea of making the playoffs with a below .500 record.  I don't think that serves much of a point.  But if we continue building on this momentum and have a couple more big wins... I'm fully on board.  I mean, if we somehow finish the season .500 (we'd have to go 13-5), that'll be pretty incredible.  There'd be tangible benefits from that.   Our assets increase in value, our system/coach gets recognition. 

[Nerf DPOY]

I feel like the guy who said a restaurant is going to suck, and even though I'm enjoying my food I couldn't admit I was wrong and keep talking about how the beer selection is "just okay".

Basically I'm starting to realize I need to pull the stick out of my butt and start embracing this. I was already on board with IT and a lot of the new guys, but the concept of winning...

I guess I just wish there were more IPAs.

I'm not bitter about being completely wrong about how I thought the team would respond after the Rondo and Green trades, but even still I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little disappointed that my daydream of Ainge being in position to choose between Mario Hezonja or Stanley Johnson has been extinguished. I'm torn because I like to see the team win, but I probably want a pick between 4 and 8 more so. Oh well, maybe we can trade up a little.

[jambr380]

I feel like the guy who said a restaurant is going to suck, and even though I'm enjoying my food I couldn't admit I was wrong and keep talking about how the beer selection is "just okay".

Basically I'm starting to realize I need to pull the stick out of my butt and start embracing this. I was already on board with IT and a lot of the new guys, but the concept of winning...

I guess I just wish there were more IPAs.

Obvious TP - I pretty much just realized yesterday that I am okay with this team making the playoffs. For the first time in a while (a couple of seasons), I was genuinely happy with the Cs making shots and the other team (Magic) missing them. I almost feel ashamed admitting my original negativity.

[Lucky17]

I feel like the guy who said a restaurant is going to suck, and even though I'm enjoying my food I couldn't admit I was wrong and keep talking about how the beer selection is "just okay".

Basically I'm starting to realize I need to pull the stick out of my butt and start embracing this. I was already on board with IT and a lot of the new guys, but the concept of winning...

I guess I just wish there were more IPAs.

Beer the change that you wish to see in the world.

[Surferdad]

I feel like the guy who said a restaurant is going to suck, and even though I'm enjoying my food I couldn't admit I was wrong and keep talking about how the beer selection is "just okay".

Basically I'm starting to realize I need to pull the stick out of my butt and start embracing this. I was already on board with IT and a lot of the new guys, but the concept of winning...

I guess I just wish there were more IPAs.

I'm with you.  Amazing how much better the team played once it dumped Rondo/Green and started defining roles.  I hated the team at the start of the season because we had two 6 foot guards , 3 mediocre power forwards and an obscenely overrated SF.   

The back court of Smart + Bradley makes sense, because their size offsets each other (Bradley is PG sized and Smart is SG sized).   Turner always made the most sense at SF.  Then you have Bass at PF and Zeller who is clearly a center.  The bench is improved.   It's still not a great team, but it's at least a lineup that makes basketball sense and there's no human road blocks preventing Stevens from implementing his system.

I still hate the idea of making the playoffs with a below .500 record.  I don't think that serves much of a point.  But if we continue building on this momentum and have a couple more big wins... I'm fully on board.  I mean, if we somehow finish the season .500 (we'd have to go 13-5), that'll be pretty incredible.  There'd be tangible benefits from that.   Our assets increase in value, our system/coach gets recognition.

Yet another TP for you LarBrd. This post pretty much sums up my views of this team now too. Player assets are gaining value rapidly, and it's fun to see this team gel. Very likeable team.

[jpotter33]

It's been a roller coaster for me this season. I started the season wanting to win with Rondo and Green, and I thought we'd pretty easily make the playoffs with both of them.

Then we traded Rondo, and I was all in for the tank and wanted every vet possible gone as soon as possible.

Then we started playing decently and picked up IT, so I switched back towards the playoff chase.

The Indy game will be tough, but there's a chance that Roy Hibbert won't be available. We really need this one, especially with the Spurs and Thunder coming up.

[Rakulp]

I thought when Sullinger went down that the Celtics wouldn't win more than 27 games...

...so glad that I'll be wrong and that we're sniffing the playoffs.  Whether we make it or not, it's always fun to think of the possibilities.  Can you imagine the startled looks on everybody's faces if we did make the playoffs...and somehow won it ALL! 

Sure, not likely...but it's fun to imagine!



Rak

[Fred Roberts]

Can't decide what I think about Kevin Love. Would he dramatically improve the Celts above the incremental improvements they likely make next season anyways? Or is his cost not worth it?

[indeedproceed]

Can't decide what I think about Kevin Love. Would he dramatically improve the Celts above the incremental improvements they likely make next season anyways? Or is his cost not worth it?

His stats would improve. His play and passion? Meh. Maybe? I'd take the flier.

[Greyman]

I was one of many who said 'no', the Celtics can't make the playoffs, just over a week ago. I am thinking now though that we are capable of winning games likes tomorrows and the momentum might carry us into a playoff position. Still a tough road ahead but feeling the current side believe they can do it.

[Smartacus]

Can't decide what I think about Kevin Love. Would he dramatically improve the Celts above the incremental improvements they likely make next season anyways? Or is his cost not worth it?

His stats would improve. His play and passion? Meh. Maybe? I'd take the flier.

He would at least give what peak Sullinger gives consistently game in and game out.When Kevin Love ran into a weight problem he rose above it and took his game to the next level.

[chambers]

We don't have any all star players. We have one potential All Star (well two if you count Isaiah Thomas with Smart) and Smart has a long way to go.

I'm just not sure what assets we have that are gaining value? Maybe Zeller ? Turner is still worthless. James Young is an absolute dud so far.
Avery Bradley might get us a pick between 12-18 if we traded him.

Other than Sullinger? Would anyone give us a top 20 pick for Olynyk? Meh.

I think it's nice to watch this team make a push for the 8th seed but seeing guys like Bass, Crowder leave next year leaves us with the same squad of role players that live and die by the three point shot.

If they make the 8th seed then good for them, but I'm not sure exactly where it leaves us.
The East is just so weak, and in a normal NBA year this team wouldn't even sniff the playoffs.

If we make the playoffs and Marcus Smart can start attacking the basket, and Zeller can become a legit starting NBA center then I'll be happy.

Bitter sweet is this game.