Celtics have travelled from and to Boston 9 times during the ECSF and the ECF. They had only 1-day break between the ECSF and the ECF and 3-day break between the ECF the NBA Finals before they travel to SF.
As for the Warriors:
SF -> Memphis (2 games) -> 3-day break -> SF (2 games) -> 1-day break -> Memphis (1 game) -> 1-day break -> SF (1 game) ---> 4-day break -> SF (2 games) -> 1-day break -> Dallas (2 games) -> 1-day break -> SF (1 game)
Warriors have travelled from and to SF 6 times during the WCSF and the WCF. They had a 4-day break between the two series and are currently in the middle of a 7-day break with no travels scheduled at the moment.
I've seen all the comments about putting GPII on Brown. I understand why ... Brown has a reputation of being a poor dribbler, and GPII would give him a lot of trouble.
I'm wondering if it makes more sense (when Steph is in the game) to put GPII on Smart, and Steph on Brown.
1. Steph also has good hands, he's just not in GPII's league. I think he could also give Brown problems, plus he's strong enough to stay with Brown everywhere but in the paint. And I assume there will be a rotator helping in that situation.
2. That frees up GPII to bother Smart, which I think could be very important. Smart seems to play much worse when he gets sped up and needs to make quick decisions. I think GPII's physicality on defense, and quick hands would be a problem for Smart.
Obviously this does not work when Poole is in the game, because Poole probably can't guard Brown very well. But, it seems an interesting option when Steph is in the game.
Edit: And yes, I understand they may target Steph. But the Warriors have come up with some defenses that allow them to switch out of those mismatches.
My prediction: If OPJ & GP2 (and all the other rotation guys) are healthy, Warriors in 5. If one of those two are out, Warriors in 6. If they’re both out, Warriors in 7.
I still can't believe that mini collapse Boston had yesterday. I mean they were up by 9 with a minute and a half left & legitimately could have lost if Jimmy made that 3. That probably would have been one of the worst meltdowns ever
Iguodala was very good in that December win against the Celtics. 12 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover. And 2 steals underestimates how many turnovers he created, for instance he got a key strip on Brown near the end of the game that counted as a lost ball turnover since he hit it off Brown's leg. Didn't play in the March beatdown at home, of course.
Seeing Lowry flop so blatantly and often triggered bad memories of the Finals against Toronto. So much so I started to root for the Celtics. Oddly it was less stressful to remember Smarts take-out of Curry's foot than Lowry incessantly getting away with Chris Paul-like 'cheatball'.
Boston's defense is good. What will they look like against the Warriors' motion offense? None of the teams Boston beat in the playoffs base their offense around the passing game like the Warriors. Boston seems to be content letting the stars "get their" and containing everyone else (similar to what the Warriors have done). That's just not possible against the Warriors. And if they choose to let Steph get his, watch out!
How will Boston do against the Warriors' defense? Boston doesn't have any elite level ball handlers. They don't have any consistently elite scorers. They play solid, but not spectacular, on offense and rely on their defense to clamp down. Like the Warriors, they're best when their defense turns into offense (fast breaks, etc) which will certainly give us all ulcers if the Warriors turn the ball over a lot. I don't see them being effective in the half court against the Warriors though. Can they score enough to beat the Warriors? The only series they scored over 110 consistently was against the Nets who... Aren't exactly defensive juggernauts.
Who will win the rebound battle? This may end up being the series right here. Both teams team rebound well. The Celtics have more length, which should favor them, but the Warriors have done exceptionally well rebounding against taller teams. Whichever team stays more disciplined on the glass may end up winning.
Just some morning thoughts. Should be a fun series. I expect the Warriors to win, but I anyways do, so...
Will be interesting to see how Poole performs vs the Boston defense. Herro struggled, but he seems to wilt against elite defense. Poole struggled last 3 games of the Memphis series. But he’s also been electric against good defense at times. I think he might show us he’s a tier above players like Herro that he got lumped with this regular season.
Well, one thing...that was a smash-mouth 7 games and the Celtics will be feeling fatigue creeping up on them in a way the Warriors won't. Reminds me of the year the Dubs lost to the Cavs, the Dubs had to get through a Murderer's Row of Western Conference opponents just to get to the Finals, and that was the (very overlooked) edge that helped give the Cavs that championship.
I predict that curry has a solid series, but the Celtics run a defense that dares Wiggins to beat them. (Similar to the 2016 cavs strategy). I think maple Jordan and JP put up monster numbers until they adjust in game 3. They take game 3 but then Steph puts them to bed in game 4 and 5 after we make our counters.
I was pissed for a bit at missing the Heat, who I think could have been a bit of a cakewalk in their banged-up state ... but I'm at peace with it now. If we had faced a banged-up Heat team, all the haters would have come out of the woodwork to chirp about our easy path. Now we get a legitimately worthy opponent, which would make a title that much sweeter.
I had to chuckle when I saw this from CBS Sports. Draw your own conclusions.
2019:
Kevin Durant leaves Warriors to join Nets
Kyrie Irving leaves Celtics to join Nets
2022:
Celtics and Warriors advanced to NBA Finals
Celtics have travelled a ton of miles during the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals and the Finals, haven't they?
Boston (2 games) -> 3-day break -> Milwaukee (2 games) -> 1-day break -> Boston (1 game) -> 1-day break -> Milwaukee (1 game) -> 1-day break -> Boston (1 game) ---> 1-day break -> Miami (2 games) -> 1-day break -> Boston (2 games) -> 1-day break -> Miami (1 game) -> 1-day break -> Boston (1 game) -> 1-day break -> Miami (1 game)
Celtics have travelled from and to Boston 9 times during the ECSF and the ECF. They had only 1-day break between the ECSF and the ECF and 3-day break between the ECF the NBA Finals before they travel to SF.
As for the Warriors:
SF -> Memphis (2 games) -> 3-day break -> SF (2 games) -> 1-day break -> Memphis (1 game) -> 1-day break -> SF (1 game) ---> 4-day break -> SF (2 games) -> 1-day break -> Dallas (2 games) -> 1-day break -> SF (1 game)
Warriors have travelled from and to SF 6 times during the WCSF and the WCF. They had a 4-day break between the two series and are currently in the middle of a 7-day break with no travels scheduled at the moment.
I've seen all the comments about putting GPII on Brown. I understand why ... Brown has a reputation of being a poor dribbler, and GPII would give him a lot of trouble.
I'm wondering if it makes more sense (when Steph is in the game) to put GPII on Smart, and Steph on Brown.
1. Steph also has good hands, he's just not in GPII's league. I think he could also give Brown problems, plus he's strong enough to stay with Brown everywhere but in the paint. And I assume there will be a rotator helping in that situation.
2. That frees up GPII to bother Smart, which I think could be very important. Smart seems to play much worse when he gets sped up and needs to make quick decisions. I think GPII's physicality on defense, and quick hands would be a problem for Smart.
Obviously this does not work when Poole is in the game, because Poole probably can't guard Brown very well. But, it seems an interesting option when Steph is in the game.
Edit: And yes, I understand they may target Steph. But the Warriors have come up with some defenses that allow them to switch out of those mismatches.
My prediction: If OPJ & GP2 (and all the other rotation guys) are healthy, Warriors in 5. If one of those two are out, Warriors in 6. If they’re both out, Warriors in 7.
I still can't believe that mini collapse Boston had yesterday. I mean they were up by 9 with a minute and a half left & legitimately could have lost if Jimmy made that 3. That probably would have been one of the worst meltdowns ever
Iguodala was very good in that December win against the Celtics. 12 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover. And 2 steals underestimates how many turnovers he created, for instance he got a key strip on Brown near the end of the game that counted as a lost ball turnover since he hit it off Brown's leg. Didn't play in the March beatdown at home, of course.
God I hope he can come back.
Seeing Lowry flop so blatantly and often triggered bad memories of the Finals against Toronto. So much so I started to root for the Celtics. Oddly it was less stressful to remember Smarts take-out of Curry's foot than Lowry incessantly getting away with Chris Paul-like 'cheatball'.
What’s your favorite?
https://www.instagram.com/p/CeJYRv8hDbc/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Boston will do their best to make this series very unfun to watch. It will work quite a bit.
Dubs in 7.
Questions:
Boston's defense is good. What will they look like against the Warriors' motion offense? None of the teams Boston beat in the playoffs base their offense around the passing game like the Warriors. Boston seems to be content letting the stars "get their" and containing everyone else (similar to what the Warriors have done). That's just not possible against the Warriors. And if they choose to let Steph get his, watch out!
How will Boston do against the Warriors' defense? Boston doesn't have any elite level ball handlers. They don't have any consistently elite scorers. They play solid, but not spectacular, on offense and rely on their defense to clamp down. Like the Warriors, they're best when their defense turns into offense (fast breaks, etc) which will certainly give us all ulcers if the Warriors turn the ball over a lot. I don't see them being effective in the half court against the Warriors though. Can they score enough to beat the Warriors? The only series they scored over 110 consistently was against the Nets who... Aren't exactly defensive juggernauts.
Who will win the rebound battle? This may end up being the series right here. Both teams team rebound well. The Celtics have more length, which should favor them, but the Warriors have done exceptionally well rebounding against taller teams. Whichever team stays more disciplined on the glass may end up winning.
Just some morning thoughts. Should be a fun series. I expect the Warriors to win, but I anyways do, so...
Will be interesting to see how Poole performs vs the Boston defense. Herro struggled, but he seems to wilt against elite defense. Poole struggled last 3 games of the Memphis series. But he’s also been electric against good defense at times. I think he might show us he’s a tier above players like Herro that he got lumped with this regular season.
Denver must have felt good going into our series with a 3-1 regular season record.
Memphis must have felt good going into our series with a 3-1 regular season record.
Dallas must have felt good going into our series with a 3-1 regular season record.
Boston will feel good with their >50% winning percentage over the last ~7 years…
Kerr hasn’t game planned for them or run proper rotations in regular season matchups.
Well, one thing...that was a smash-mouth 7 games and the Celtics will be feeling fatigue creeping up on them in a way the Warriors won't. Reminds me of the year the Dubs lost to the Cavs, the Dubs had to get through a Murderer's Row of Western Conference opponents just to get to the Finals, and that was the (very overlooked) edge that helped give the Cavs that championship.
Draymond was right, Udonis
Dubs in 5
I predict that curry has a solid series, but the Celtics run a defense that dares Wiggins to beat them. (Similar to the 2016 cavs strategy). I think maple Jordan and JP put up monster numbers until they adjust in game 3. They take game 3 but then Steph puts them to bed in game 4 and 5 after we make our counters.
I was pissed for a bit at missing the Heat, who I think could have been a bit of a cakewalk in their banged-up state ... but I'm at peace with it now. If we had faced a banged-up Heat team, all the haters would have come out of the woodwork to chirp about our easy path. Now we get a legitimately worthy opponent, which would make a title that much sweeter.