Cavs - Celts -- A Few Numbers to Consider

[PhoSita]

Numbers are from the draft combine.


Kyrie Irving:   6'3.5'' ... 8'3'' standing reach

Isaiah Thomas: 5'10.25'' ... 7'8.5'' standing reach

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J.R. Smith:   6'6.75'' ... 8'8'' standing reach

Avery Bradley:   6'3.25'' ... 8'2.5'' standing reach

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LeBron James:   6'8'' ... 8'10.25'' standing reach

Jae Crowder:   6'6.5'' ... 8'3.5'' standing reach

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Kevin Love:   6'9.5'' ... 8'10'' standing reach

Al Horford:   6'9.75'' ... 8'11'' standing reach

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Tristan Thompson:  6'8.75'' ... 9'0.5'' standing reach

Amir Johnson:  6'9'' ... 8'9'' standing reach

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You can get away with these deficits at one or two positions, or if you have an overall speed, strength, or athleticism advantage.

The Celts have none of these.

[keevsnick]

This right here is part of the reason I love Brown. I think he has a top 20 NBA player ceiling, he may never reach that ceiling but at least he has the physical tool to compete. 6'7 with a 7'0 wingspan and 8'9 standing reach while also being an elite athlete. It really stands out in this series, he's our only player who isn't overmatched physically.

[PhoSita]

Bottom line, there need to be significant changes to address this glaring issue with their ability to physically match up.

It has shown up as a problem throughout the playoffs. Luckily the Bulls lost their only NBA point guard and the Wizards had no bench.

You can't give up size, length, speed, athleticism, and offensive talent at so many spots in the starting lineup. You can't be at a deficit in so many of those areas against playoff caliber opponents. Your starting lineup has to present more of a challenge than that.

Heart, grit, and a dynamo point guard can only get you so far.


At least we are getting Fultz. That will help.