NBA Playoffs Season 2014-2015

[JohnBoy65]

Can any team in the East beat the Cavs?

If the Celtics are giving the Cavs this much trouble, they can definitely be beaten.

I think a healthy Bulls team has a legit chance

Not sure about that. The Bulls are having a heck of a time with the Bucks.

[fairweatherfan]

The Hawks can absolutely beat the Cavs, though they won't have an easy time of it.

[Who]

I don't think the Bulls will fare all that well against Cleveland.

I think Cleveland defend the post fairly well. Their problem is defending against ball movement. Chicago have good passers but do not get enough dribble penetration to get opposing defenses scrambling. Cleveland can stick Mozgov on Pau Gasol and out-muscle him in the low post. LeBron will take Jimmy Butler. Both are strong defensive situations for Cleveland. That leaves D-Rose but he has been highly inconsistent, and frankly, I do not think Rose has what it takes to be that guy anymore.

I think the Cavs offense will fare well. Chicago's defense hasn't been as strong this season. I think Kyrie will destroy Derrick Rose. Rose's defense has been lousy this season. I think Pau's inability to defend far away from the basket is a major negative in defending K-Love and in team defense against dribble drives of LeBron and Kyrie. So I think Cleveland's offense will do well against Chicago.

I think Mirotic is very important to Chicago's hopes. He is a pivotal player. They need his offense to exploit Cleveland's defense and his quickness defensively to contain Cleveland's offense. He needs to play a lot of minutes to give Chicago any hope.

[j804]

I don't think the Bulls will fare all that well against Cleveland.

I think Cleveland defend the post fairly well. Their problem is defending against ball movement. Chicago have good passers but do not get enough dribble penetration to get opposing defenses scrambling. Cleveland can stick Mozgov on Pau Gasol and out-muscle him in the low post. LeBron will take Jimmy Butler. Both are strong defensive situations for Cleveland. That leaves D-Rose but he has been highly inconsistent, and frankly, I do not think Rose has what it takes to be that guy anymore.

I think the Cavs offense will fare well. Chicago's defense hasn't been as strong this season. I think Kyrie will destroy Derrick Rose. Rose's defense has been lousy this season. I think Pau's inability to defend far away from the basket is a major negative in defending K-Love and in team defense against dribble drives of LeBron and Kyrie. So I think Cleveland's offense will do well against Chicago.

I think Mirotic is very important to Chicago's hopes. He is a pivotal player. They need his offense to exploit Cleveland's defense and his quickness defensively to contain Cleveland's offense. He needs to play a lot of minutes to give Chicago any hope.

How about the Hawks I think they can take Cleveland to 7 and anything can happen. I still lean toward Cleveland.

[Who]

I don't think the Bulls will fare all that well against Cleveland.

I think Cleveland defend the post fairly well. Their problem is defending against ball movement. Chicago have good passers but do not get enough dribble penetration to get opposing defenses scrambling. Cleveland can stick Mozgov on Pau Gasol and out-muscle him in the low post. LeBron will take Jimmy Butler. Both are strong defensive situations for Cleveland. That leaves D-Rose but he has been highly inconsistent, and frankly, I do not think Rose has what it takes to be that guy anymore.

I think the Cavs offense will fare well. Chicago's defense hasn't been as strong this season. I think Kyrie will destroy Derrick Rose. Rose's defense has been lousy this season. I think Pau's inability to defend far away from the basket is a major negative in defending K-Love and in team defense against dribble drives of LeBron and Kyrie. So I think Cleveland's offense will do well against Chicago.

I think Mirotic is very important to Chicago's hopes. He is a pivotal player. They need his offense to exploit Cleveland's defense and his quickness defensively to contain Cleveland's offense. He needs to play a lot of minutes to give Chicago any hope.

How about the Hawks I think they can take Cleveland to 7 and anything can happen. I still lean toward Cleveland.

I really like how Atlanta matches up with Cleveland.

I think they have the type of offense that causes Cleveland a lot of problems. I mean, even vs Boston you can see the Cavs defense struggling by the 3rd/4th defensive rotation. They struggle against ball movement and Atlanta are one of the best passing teams in the league.

Atlanta gets a lot of dribble penetration from Teague & Schroeder. They have loads of shooting. All five guys can stretch the floor out. They have one of the most skilled big man duos in the league in Millsap and Horford. Lots of shooting from the wing with Korver and Carroll. Very much the type of team that can exploit Cleveland's defensive vulnerabilities.

[Celtics18]

Maybe seeing how inferior they are will motivate the young guys to train harder than they would have otherwise.

If anything, I have to admit that one of my hopes with this playoff run was that some of the more die-hard members of the fanbase would see how inferior the team is and gain some perspective on how far this roster has to go before it's ready to really compete.

But I guess that was probably a silly thing to hope for all along.

Man, you guys are ridiculous.  I'm not sure which of us here thinks this team is ready to compete for a title within a year or two?

I think most of us would agree that the chances aren't good.  Somehow, though, you two seem to continually make the point that those of us who enjoy rooting for this gutsy team "need to be taught a lesson."

Not working on this fan.  I enjoy rooting for these scrappy underdogs.  "Starless team"?  They're all stars in my book.

Let's try to give those prima donnas one on the nose back in the Gahden!!

[esel1000]

Maybe seeing how inferior they are will motivate the young guys to train harder than they would have otherwise.

If anything, I have to admit that one of my hopes with this playoff run was that some of the more die-hard members of the fanbase would see how inferior the team is and gain some perspective on how far this roster has to go before it's ready to really compete.

But I guess that was probably a silly thing to hope for all along.

Man, you guys are ridiculous.  I'm not sure which of us here thinks this team is ready to compete for a title within a year or two?

I think most of us would agree that the chances aren't good.  Somehow, though, you two seem to continually make the point that those of us who enjoy rooting for this gutsy team "need to be taught a lesson."

Not working on this fan. I enjoy rooting for these scrappy underdogs.  "Starless team"?  They're all stars in my book.

Let's try to give those prima donnas one on the nose back in the Gahden!!

Agreed... there's so little difference between pick 9 and 16 anyway that we may as well have made the playoffs... these guys earned it, 3rd best record or so in the NBA since early February.

Now before I say what I'm about to say don't get me wrong if Lebron signed here as a FA (which will never happen) I'd obviously jump for joy at the chance for contention (since sadly you need stars in this league) but as currently constructed I'm happy to be rooting for this team of hard workers over the cry baby egomaniac. If only you didn't need stars to win I'd choose this team 10x out of 10 over a bunch of superstar cry babies. Their never say die attitude is inspiring.

If someone wants to cry over this team's playoff chances their choice. Even if we get swept this will always be one of my favorite groups to wear C's jerseys. We're only on the rise anyway, so enjoy the ride!

[Celtics18]

Maybe seeing how inferior they are will motivate the young guys to train harder than they would have otherwise.

If anything, I have to admit that one of my hopes with this playoff run was that some of the more die-hard members of the fanbase would see how inferior the team is and gain some perspective on how far this roster has to go before it's ready to really compete.

But I guess that was probably a silly thing to hope for all along.

Man, you guys are ridiculous.  I'm not sure which of us here thinks this team is ready to compete for a title within a year or two?

I think most of us would agree that the chances aren't good.  Somehow, though, you two seem to continually make the point that those of us who enjoy rooting for this gutsy team "need to be taught a lesson."

Not working on this fan. I enjoy rooting for these scrappy underdogs.  "Starless team"?  They're all stars in my book.

Let's try to give those prima donnas one on the nose back in the Gahden!!

Agreed... there's so little difference between pick 9 and 16 anyway that we may as well have made the playoffs... these guys earned it, 3rd best record or so in the NBA since early February.

Now before I say what I'm about to say don't get me wrong if Lebron signed here as a FA (which will never happen) I'd obviously jump for joy at the chance for contention (since sadly you need stars in this league) but as currently constructed I'm happy to be rooting for this team of hard workers over the cry baby egomaniac. If only you didn't need stars to win I'd choose this team 10x out of 10 over a bunch of superstar cry babies. Their never say die attitude is inspiring.

If someone wants to cry over this team's playoff chances their choice. Even if we get swept this will always be one of my favorite groups to wear C's jerseys. We're only on the rise anyway, so enjoy the ride!

TP

I'll add that you don't absolutely need superstars to win in the NBA.  Obviously, it's a tough road to hoe without them, but you can hope for a gritty team like the 2004 Pistons or even the current Grizzlies or Hawks.

Those guys aren't likely to win it all, but I'd gladly root for a Celtics team that is constructed much like either this year's Hawks or Grizzlies. 

[MBunge]

Maybe seeing how inferior they are will motivate the young guys to train harder than they would have otherwise.

If anything, I have to admit that one of my hopes with this playoff run was that some of the more die-hard members of the fanbase would see how inferior the team is and gain some perspective on how far this roster has to go before it's ready to really compete.

But I guess that was probably a silly thing to hope for all along.

With all the turmoil and player turnover, the team went 40-42, just played two fairly competitive games against LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love, and Cleveland had to basically go with a 7 man rotation and play LeBron 41 minutes a game to win.

I understand why it's hard for some people to admit that they don't really know the game of basketball as much as they thought, but it would be nice to at least get the admission.

Mike

[Ilikesports17]

Maybe seeing how inferior they are will motivate the young guys to train harder than they would have otherwise.

If anything, I have to admit that one of my hopes with this playoff run was that some of the more die-hard members of the fanbase would see how inferior the team is and gain some perspective on how far this roster has to go before it's ready to really compete.

But I guess that was probably a silly thing to hope for all along.

Man, you guys are ridiculous.  I'm not sure which of us here thinks this team is ready to compete for a title within a year or two?

I think most of us would agree that the chances aren't good.  Somehow, though, you two seem to continually make the point that those of us who enjoy rooting for this gutsy team "need to be taught a lesson."

Not working on this fan. I enjoy rooting for these scrappy underdogs.  "Starless team"?  They're all stars in my book.

Let's try to give those prima donnas one on the nose back in the Gahden!!

Agreed... there's so little difference between pick 9 and 16 anyway that we may as well have made the playoffs... these guys earned it, 3rd best record or so in the NBA since early February.

Now before I say what I'm about to say don't get me wrong if Lebron signed here as a FA (which will never happen) I'd obviously jump for joy at the chance for contention (since sadly you need stars in this league) but as currently constructed I'm happy to be rooting for this team of hard workers over the cry baby egomaniac. If only you didn't need stars to win I'd choose this team 10x out of 10 over a bunch of superstar cry babies. Their never say die attitude is inspiring.

If someone wants to cry over this team's playoff chances their choice. Even if we get swept this will always be one of my favorite groups to wear C's jerseys. We're only on the rise anyway, so enjoy the ride!

To be fair pick #9 puts you in position to move up and get a guy like WCS or Winslow and it also allows you to get Stanley Johnson or someone similar at 9.

That is way different than being at 16 with Kevon Looney and Trey Lyles and being in position to trade up for Oubre or Turner.

That being said I think the two positions overall are pretty similar, perhaps we are slightly better off at 9, but I am certainly enjoying watching this team in the playoffs.

By virtue of making the playoffs means we dont need the 9 pick as much and the experience added in pretty much evens the thing out

[slamtheking]

Maybe seeing how inferior they are will motivate the young guys to train harder than they would have otherwise.

If anything, I have to admit that one of my hopes with this playoff run was that some of the more die-hard members of the fanbase would see how inferior the team is and gain some perspective on how far this roster has to go before it's ready to really compete.

But I guess that was probably a silly thing to hope for all along.

Man, you guys are ridiculous.  I'm not sure which of us here thinks this team is ready to compete for a title within a year or two?

I think most of us would agree that the chances aren't good.  Somehow, though, you two seem to continually make the point that those of us who enjoy rooting for this gutsy team "need to be taught a lesson."

Not working on this fan.  I enjoy rooting for these scrappy underdogs.  "Starless team"?  They're all stars in my book.

Let's try to give those prima donnas one on the nose back in the Gahden!!

well-stated.  TP.  I'd much rather watch a team that fights for every game than one that just tanks or just goes through the motions (such as the KG/PP/RA regular season teams after the 2009 season).

This team is just a bunch of role players that all need to play their roles perfectly just to win a game against the Cavs.  I don't think there's anyone here who really believes their just one player not named Lebron from contending.

[PhoSita]

Not working on this fan.  I enjoy rooting for these scrappy underdogs.  "Starless team"?  They're all stars in my book.

In all seriousness, though, I like watching this team, too.  There really aren't any guys on this team I don't like, although I can't get too attached to any of them because none of them is particularly good and they'll probably mostly be gone in a few years.


Still, it's not hyperbole -- the sentiment has been expressed around here that the team making the playoffs is proof that they have a competitive group and that the team only needs to make a couple of moves this summer and suddenly we'll be in business, or that all we have to do is wait for a couple of high picks from Brooklyn over the next two years and suddenly we'll be set.  Contender nucleus formed!


Making the playoffs this year is a bonus.  It's a nice story.  But it really makes very little difference, in my eyes.  The Celtics are further away from contention than at least half the teams that failed to make the playoffs.

I hope they manage to take a game off the Cavs.  That'd be cool.

[celticsclay]

Maybe seeing how inferior they are will motivate the young guys to train harder than they would have otherwise.

If anything, I have to admit that one of my hopes with this playoff run was that some of the more die-hard members of the fanbase would see how inferior the team is and gain some perspective on how far this roster has to go before it's ready to really compete.

But I guess that was probably a silly thing to hope for all along.

Man, you guys are ridiculous.  I'm not sure which of us here thinks this team is ready to compete for a title within a year or two?

I think most of us would agree that the chances aren't good.  Somehow, though, you two seem to continually make the point that those of us who enjoy rooting for this gutsy team "need to be taught a lesson."

Not working on this fan.  I enjoy rooting for these scrappy underdogs.  "Starless team"?  They're all stars in my book.

Let's try to give those prima donnas one on the nose back in the Gahden!!

well-stated.  TP.  I'd much rather watch a team that fights for every game than one that just tanks or just goes through the motions (such as the KG/PP/RA regular season teams after the 2009 season).

This team is just a bunch of role players that all need to play their roles perfectly just to win a game against the Cavs.  I don't think there's anyone here who really believes their just one player not named Lebron from contending.

I would think this series has shown that we are probably closer than the casual fan thought. We have been in the games. We definitely need more, but I really don't think there is a single fan on here or anywhere that thought we were title contenders as constructed. That would be bizarre. I think this is really good experience for Stevens and several of the young players.

[PhoSita]

I understand why it's hard for some people to admit that they don't really know the game of basketball as much as they thought, but it would be nice to at least get the admission.

Mike

[celticsclay]

Well ladies and gentlemen, we've got a first round series worth watching.

1 out of 8 ain't too bad, right?

I'm enjoying watching my team in the playoffs.

Yeah, the extended week of losing basketball should go a long way towards helping us build a champion.

You never know. It's entertainment and I find this team highly fun to watch. Everybody rebuilds eventually.

I'm enjoying it too.  Hopefully this week-long participation at the LeBron James basketball camp teaches Marcus Smart some life-long lessons. 

Maybe years from now Smart will be like, "It wasn't until the Cavs steamrolled us in 4 straight games that I realized how hard I needed to work if I was ever going to be relevant in this league."   

Maybe like they discuss in "Whiplash"... this can be Smart's Charlie Parker moment... LeBron throwing a cymbal at his head and inspiring him to obsessively practice.

Are you really saying steamrolled? They already achieved your modest goal of losing by less than 10 once in this series.