The 2 Biggest Differences Between This Playoff Team & Last Year's

[Phantom255x]

1. We FINALLY have an intimidating and effective front court!!! Baynes (the BRUISER) has been everything we could have hoped for and he's been an absolute stud in the playoffs (especially the Sixers series). Horford being Playoff Horford as usual. It's unfortunate that Theis is injured, but even during the regular season he looked like an extremely good role player off the bench (could get you 9-10 points and 6-7 rebounds off the bench). And having Monroe as an emergency option off the bench is nice as well. Morris, while he struggled in the Sixers series, can also be PHYSICAL and I loved him trash talking Embiid (even if he just used his hands lol).

I mean, can you imagine if we had Olynyk, Amir and Zeller trying to guard Embiid this series, or Giannis and Thon Maker last series, or having them try to "intimidate" the other team? YIKES! 

It was brutal watching our front court get wrecked by the likes of freakin' Gortat and Lopez last year to be honest.

2. We have MULTIPLE scoring threats and MULTIPLE guys who can create their own shots. Isaiah was phenomenal last year, but we just didn't have another consistent scoring threat. I mean, sure, Bradley, Crowder and Olynyk could have a few good games (15-20+ points), but then they'd disappear the next game or two. Also, Isaiah, and Rozier were probably the only guys on last year's squad that could create his own shot. This year however, Jaylen has taken the initial leap, Tatum looks like a stud, Rozier is now Scary Terry, and even Horford and Smart are being more aggressive posting up and creating shots (and knocking them down!). We've got a bunch of guys now who can score 15+ on a consistent basis.

I'm NOT trying to intentionally diss last year's team and players, as last year's playoff run was also extremely fun and hectic, but this year's team just feels much deeper and much more physical (won't back down and can intimidate other foes). Will only get better when we get back Kyrie, Hayward, Theis next season! 

[CelticsQuestFor18]

Rozier and Brown took huge steps this season given the opportunities and an extra year of experience from last year's playoffs.

But the additions of Baynes and Tatum have been huge. Baynes did extremely well considering he was going up against Embiid, and Tatum was big this series. Averaged like 24/3/3 and consistently put up 20+ a night (for last 7 games).

Morris could have been better, but my hope is that he comes back strong and does well this upcoming series.

Also, I feel like because of the multiple scoring threats, there's less hero ball going on. Yes, at times Rozier tries to force it, but for the most part the C's are making the right decisions and passing to the open guy whenever needed, being confident that he will knock it down.

At times, Isaiah HAD to hero ball last year because of our lack of another true, consistent scoring threat.