Cavs blowing out Hawks...what does that say about the Celtics?

[MJohnnyboy]

"Cavs blowing out Hawks...what does that say about the Celtics?"

Uh, that the Cavs are better than the Celtics?

[jambr380]

When the Hawks beat the Celtics in 6 games, many said the reason why the C's lost was because of the Hawks defense.  Well that D is getting killed by Cleveland. 

To me the Hawks getting blasted by the Cavs indicates the Celtics are a LONG way off from getting to the second and third rounds of the playoffs in the East.

Still hoping that this draft will give the C's some offensive help...but those who think they will get a superstar or a great player in the offseason by trade or free agency are kidding themselves.

MikeB (Celtics fan since the '60s)

What? We are actually quite close to making the 2nd round and with one more win this season (against, say, the Nets), we are sitting alone in the third seed facing a Raptors team that is looking quite beatable. Not being healthy for the playoffs is a legitimate excuse, especially when you are essentially missing 3/4  best shooters.

This season ended in a disappointing manner and it's likely we won't get a top 2 pick either. Hopefully the parallels between '07 and this year are legitimate.

[knuckleballer]

Matchups matchups matchups.  We would not have beaten the Cavs, but we would have given them a better fight.  The Hawks were a bad matchup for us and we all knew it.  Of course, the ill timed injuries didn't help either. 

The lottery is just ten days away.  . Then it will hopefully get much more interesting.

[CoachBo]

Not really.

We are a LONG way off from Cleveland right now.

Can't beat the Cavs with a team that cannot shoot.

[Smartacus]

Unfortunately for us Bradley going down to injury just as the playoffs are starting is quickly becoming an alarming trend. Down the road he might need to adopt a Dwayne Wade style regimen of sitting out games during the regular season. he's starting to look as worrisome as Eric Gordon and Bradley Beal.

Don't know what you're talking about here.  Bradley played every game last playoffs, averaging 33 minutes a game.  The playoffs before, he played every game and averaged 32 minutes a game.  The year before he did get hurt, but he played 10 games before finally having to shut it down.  Furthermore, that was the lockout year when everyone was getting hurt due to the schedule. I just think you're flat-out wrong about there being anything resembling a trend here.

Alright your right, I'll retract it I must've been projecting my fears of having a 6'2 200pound shooting guard not be able to survive an 82+ game season. It was still just such a loss not having Bradley for the whole series.

[Denis998]

ATL's interior defense is probably better than their perimeter. Boston is not a good 3 point shooting team, and ATL just clogged the lane on us. Cleveland just exposing a weakness Boston couldn't.

[flybono]

How many times is everyone going ask about this Team?

No 3 point shooters
No defensive minded Center
Sub .500 record vs .500 or better clubs this season

Ainge needs to wake up. You can find Shooters and you can find a Center. Far as Durant type players in Free Agency, you gotta sell somebody...

[Greyman]

It says what we already know. The Celtics improved this season but not by anywhere near enough to be a contender - because we basically added Amir (and Lee for a time). More was needed to see great improvement, but we knew it was another building season and a chance for players like Smart to grow.

The size of the loss to the Hawks compared to the Hawks V Cavs series doesn't tell me anything new. It is what it is.

[CelticSooner]

...It says that this Celtics team ARE WHO WE THOUGHT...errr, whatever.  We knew this team was so far away from an elite team.  Doesn't take anything away from the season they had and the entertainment they provided fans.  Nor does it detract from the long term prospects.  Sorry to sound so rosy, but I mean there's no other way to put it.

To steer off topic a bit - pondered before the playoffs if the Cavs would win the title.  I had an inkling they were on cruise control.  Their lineup with Thompson in there was the second best five in the NBA in net rating if I believe.  They're using that now.  They're going to fo-fo-fo the East I believe then be completely rested for the Finals.  This NBA Playoffs is a lot more interesting than people expected.

They were on cruise control because they are that much better than anyone in the East. Pretty much toyed with the Hawks yesterday. They look really good now but once they get to the Finals and play GS their flaws will finally show. GS will space them out and kill them. Kevin Love being the weak link on defense.

The NBA is a pretty predictable league. I'd say the most predictable of any sport. Nothing has gone awry other than the Clippers losing because of injuries.

[SHAQATTACK]

To me Celtics have a better type of team to face LeBron and better coach .....IF ...IF ...IF ..they are 1000% healthy ......

The defensive pressure of AB, Smart , Crowder.....and all the other over achievers  disrupts the Cavs offense

Hawks look pathetic playing the Cavs .  Celtics took it to the Cavs last year.  Every game was competitive , not a forgone conclusion. .....like this Hawks series.

Hawks can't play defense or close out on the three point play......they suck.

[LilRip]

we need shooters, badly.

This team takes so many three's but I think we're in the bottom 5 in terms of 3pt %

[Chris22]

Hoping for Durant and Ingram or Simmons.

[MBunge]

It says that when Avery is hurt and both KO and Sully are essentially giving us nothing, this team simply doesn't have the talent to beat a good team in a series.

It also says these coaches and players need to recognize that they simply weren't ready for Atlanta's intensity and weren't prepared to execute with the concentration and precision needed in the playoffs.  I mentioned this before but that game where Smart got into early foul trouble and instead of going to Turner, Stevens brought in Hunter and he immediately let Korver get loose for a three, that was as much a coaching mistake as a player error.

Mike

[loco_91]

It says the Celtics are not as good as the Cavs. 

Healthy Celtics vs Hawks is a toss up. Battered C's vs Hawks is a loss in six. Healthy C's vs Cavs is a loss in 4-5.

C's are a small step from the ECF and a big step from the Finals.

[guava_wrench]

The Hawks packed the middle and dared us to shoot. We shot horribly. We lost because we were bad, not because Atlanta was great.

Now Atlanta is being exposed by a team that can shoot from deep.