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With Game 3 on the horizon, I want to take the time to look over the Celtics path to the Finals, the remainder of this series, and whom we might see in the Conference Finals, or Finals IF we make it that far. A THREAD:
1. They've Been Here Before
And not in regards to the playoffs, but rather in the sense that the Raptors have been down 0-2 in the playoffs before. They have proven they are capable of coming back and winning, but without Kawhi Leonard, this is a daunting, but not impossible task
And not in regards to the playoffs, but rather in the sense that the Raptors have been down 0-2 in the playoffs before. They have proven they are capable of coming back and winning, but without Kawhi Leonard, this is a daunting, but not impossible task
2. Kemba WILL bounce back
One of the concerns entering the playoffs, was how Kemba would fare in the playoff environment, outside of Game 2, Kemba has shown he can ball no matter the situation, and even in Game 2, he showed up when it mattered. I doubt he plays that badly again.
One of the concerns entering the playoffs, was how Kemba would fare in the playoff environment, outside of Game 2, Kemba has shown he can ball no matter the situation, and even in Game 2, he showed up when it mattered. I doubt he plays that badly again.
3. We Need More From Jaylen
Jaylen Brown has done well for himself in this playoff run, but he has been quiet. Not as great as he has shown he can be in the past. For us to continue our path, especially beyond this round, we need Jaylen Brown to become his best self consistently.
Jaylen Brown has done well for himself in this playoff run, but he has been quiet. Not as great as he has shown he can be in the past. For us to continue our path, especially beyond this round, we need Jaylen Brown to become his best self consistently.
4. Smart Will Not Always Save Us
Smart saved us in Game 2, but it was an anomaly. He always makes game winning plays and is integral, but we cannot expect Smart to bail us out like that again. Smart will be himself and guide us to W's, but we cannot expect a repeat of Game 2.
Smart saved us in Game 2, but it was an anomaly. He always makes game winning plays and is integral, but we cannot expect Smart to bail us out like that again. Smart will be himself and guide us to W's, but we cannot expect a repeat of Game 2.
5. More Robert Williams (for this series)
Williams had an iffy season, but has exploded since the Raptors series began. He has been more effective against Toronto than Daniel Theis. To that end, I think, for this series alone, Rob needs more minutes, maybe even start over Theis.
Williams had an iffy season, but has exploded since the Raptors series began. He has been more effective against Toronto than Daniel Theis. To that end, I think, for this series alone, Rob needs more minutes, maybe even start over Theis.
6. Welcome to the Jayson Tatum Show
His performance in Game 2 and domination of Philly along with his performances before the Pandemic, to me is all the evidence I needed. Jayson Tatum is the star of this team and he is now a superstar. The star we need to go all the way.
His performance in Game 2 and domination of Philly along with his performances before the Pandemic, to me is all the evidence I needed. Jayson Tatum is the star of this team and he is now a superstar. The star we need to go all the way.
CONFERENCE FINALS
If we can finish off the Raptors, we will be taking on either the Heat, or the Bucks....Lets see what this could look like and key points for either match up.
If we can finish off the Raptors, we will be taking on either the Heat, or the Bucks....Lets see what this could look like and key points for either match up.
1. Who Will Stop Giannis?
Lets start with the Bucks. Giannis unguardable. He can dominate the game. His size & athleticism will make him near impossible to stop, the only player on the Celtics who MIGHT have the skillset is Tatum, but is he ready for that matchup on defense?
Lets start with the Bucks. Giannis unguardable. He can dominate the game. His size & athleticism will make him near impossible to stop, the only player on the Celtics who MIGHT have the skillset is Tatum, but is he ready for that matchup on defense?
A POSSIBLE Finals Appearance
If Boston can finish off Toronto, then survive a brutal slugfest with Miami, or the mountain that is Giannis, meeting them in the Finals will be the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets or Nuggets....
If Boston can finish off Toronto, then survive a brutal slugfest with Miami, or the mountain that is Giannis, meeting them in the Finals will be the Lakers, Clippers, Rockets or Nuggets....
1. Uncertainty
Of all the teams we may face in the Finals, the Nuggets are by far the hardest for me to evaluate. In our head to head match ups this season, we've each taken a W. Both are young talented teams, but it's hard to gauge who may come out on top....
Of all the teams we may face in the Finals, the Nuggets are by far the hardest for me to evaluate. In our head to head match ups this season, we've each taken a W. Both are young talented teams, but it's hard to gauge who may come out on top....
2. Can the bench step up?
Boston can survive Round 1, Round 2 and maybe even the Conference Finals with only one player from their bench showing up....But we need our bench to truly shine in the Finals if we wish to defeat a team like the Lakers or Clippers.
Boston can survive Round 1, Round 2 and maybe even the Conference Finals with only one player from their bench showing up....But we need our bench to truly shine in the Finals if we wish to defeat a team like the Lakers or Clippers.
3. Marcus "X Factor" Smart
Marcus Smart will be the key piece in getting us anywhere in the Finals. Whether it be out-hustling Pat Bev, or locking up James Harden, we need Marcus Smart to bring every ounce of passion he has to overcome whoever comes out of the West.
Marcus Smart will be the key piece in getting us anywhere in the Finals. Whether it be out-hustling Pat Bev, or locking up James Harden, we need Marcus Smart to bring every ounce of passion he has to overcome whoever comes out of the West.
4. Size Disadvantage
One thing that will likely show here, more than any other series, will be Boston's size disadvantage. Every team, except Houston, have bigs that should, in theory, make Boston suffer because of their size. This is a hurdle we've all known they must overcome.
One thing that will likely show here, more than any other series, will be Boston's size disadvantage. Every team, except Houston, have bigs that should, in theory, make Boston suffer because of their size. This is a hurdle we've all known they must overcome.
5. Can Tatum & Kemba Prove They Are An Elite Duo?
Many doubted what these two could do together, but in order to bring a championship back to Boston, these two will need to ball out. Regardless of Lakers, Clippers, Houston or Denver, Boston need them to show why they're here.
Many doubted what these two could do together, but in order to bring a championship back to Boston, these two will need to ball out. Regardless of Lakers, Clippers, Houston or Denver, Boston need them to show why they're here.
6. Westbrook Vs Brown
This is another key match up. Assuming they stick Marcus Smart on James Harden, Jaylen will likely be tasked with guarding Westbrook. It's hard to say who would get the better of the other, but Westbrook has often shown his talent regardless of his defender.
This is another key match up. Assuming they stick Marcus Smart on James Harden, Jaylen will likely be tasked with guarding Westbrook. It's hard to say who would get the better of the other, but Westbrook has often shown his talent regardless of his defender.
7. The Future Is Now?
If Boston meets the Clippers, this is a series that will go down to the wife. We see potential mirror match ups in Brown & Tatum Vs Kawhi & PG, plus Smart Vs Beverley. Boston has the chemistry and more top end talent. LA has the depth and 1-2 punch.....
If Boston meets the Clippers, this is a series that will go down to the wife. We see potential mirror match ups in Brown & Tatum Vs Kawhi & PG, plus Smart Vs Beverley. Boston has the chemistry and more top end talent. LA has the depth and 1-2 punch.....
8. The Eternal Rivalry
The likely scenario it seems is a Celtics-Lakers Finals. This might take more than one tweet, but this is a tough series. LA have big men that can give Boston trouble down low, but the Lakers have no one to guard Kemba and Jaylen Brown.
The likely scenario it seems is a Celtics-Lakers Finals. This might take more than one tweet, but this is a tough series. LA have big men that can give Boston trouble down low, but the Lakers have no one to guard Kemba and Jaylen Brown.
8. The Eternal Rivalry Pt2
This series could come down to Brown, Tatum, Kemba, Hayward & Brown Vs LeBron & AD. Both teams have talented starting lineups and questionable depth. Boston's starting talent is more distributed while LA's is concentrated in Bron and AD.
This series could come down to Brown, Tatum, Kemba, Hayward & Brown Vs LeBron & AD. Both teams have talented starting lineups and questionable depth. Boston's starting talent is more distributed while LA's is concentrated in Bron and AD.
8. The Eternal Rivalry Pt 3
What is worth noting, however is in their two match ups this year, Boston blew LA out by 32 points, and LA won by 2 after questionable calls. The Celtics also pushed LeBron to 7 games when Tatum was a rookie and without Hayward/Kemba back in 2017.
What is worth noting, however is in their two match ups this year, Boston blew LA out by 32 points, and LA won by 2 after questionable calls. The Celtics also pushed LeBron to 7 games when Tatum was a rookie and without Hayward/Kemba back in 2017.
8. The Eternal Rivalry Pt 4
However, LeBron has Anthony Davis now, but outside of that, the personnel is similar. While Boston has become a stronger team....Will it be enough for Boston to finally defeat LeBron for the first time since 2010? Or would LeBron claim his fourth?
However, LeBron has Anthony Davis now, but outside of that, the personnel is similar. While Boston has become a stronger team....Will it be enough for Boston to finally defeat LeBron for the first time since 2010? Or would LeBron claim his fourth?
9. Can They Be Stopped?
I think the Celtics are a team that are such a force on offense with defense to match that anyone who hopes to best them in 7 games must neutralize the starters or match them. Idk if anyone can. This may be Boston's best shot at a ring since the Big 3 Era.
I think the Celtics are a team that are such a force on offense with defense to match that anyone who hopes to best them in 7 games must neutralize the starters or match them. Idk if anyone can. This may be Boston's best shot at a ring since the Big 3 Era.
END OF THREAD
