What are the Warriors doing not even attempting to offer Klay a 3-4 year contract for less money? It's rare for a player to value # of years over salary. And it sounds like Klay does. Making this a unique, and potentially extremely beneficial opportunity for the team. To offer him a 2 year deal when he's publicly stated he wants at least 3 wreaks of incompetence to me. He's regressed, but still has alot to offer. And to have 3 players retire as lifetime Warriors is one of the rarest feats in pro sports. I think it's really important for them to try to do that. But it sounds like they are making no attempt whatsoever. I really don't get it. I don't think Bob Myers would've handled it this way.
More negativity here about the finals than I would have expected, TBH.
While Dallas was not up to it, I really enjoyed watching the Celtics. Their defense is really something. Even when they are out of position, the defensive rotations were just a thing of beauty.
I can probably count on one hand the number of times their defense looked beat in that last game (the game before, not so much).
I'm struggling to think of a Celtics player that had a bad series. Tatum may not have lived up to his billing as the number 1 on a team, but I don't think he was bad.
Tatum’s shot wasn’t falling for much of the series but he was setting up teammates, passing well, rebounding, and playing very good defense. And although he couldn’t buy a 3, he got to the rim when he had to yesterday and sank his free throws.
Overall I was impressed with the Celtics’ teamwork on both ends of the court.
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum on winning his first NBA title: “These last seven years have been a rollercoaster. Up and down. I had to listen to all the s— people said about me. Tonight it was worth it.”
I just realized that Celtics have just now matched the number of GSW titles in my lifetime. Based on the historical comparison of these franchises, that is wild. Long live Curry.
What a thoroughly uninspiring and uninteresting finals, from my personal perspective. I like the NBA, I even like many stars and teams, not just the Dubs. But this? Does anyone not residing in Boston or Dallas care? It seemed like the playoffs got less and less interesting as they proceeded. The best part was Denver-Minnesota. Seriously, name a year you've been less motivated by. I can't.
Finals wasn't much different to me than last year. Clear superior team against an opponent that outperformed to get there. In terms of least interesting finals, Kidds NJN back to back finals losses were pretty depressing from what I remember. Maybe Kidd is a common theme. Even his one finals win that should have been exciting was tempered by the fact that LeBron just stunk.
I actually really loved the bubble games, because of the lockdown. The NBA had been taken away from us, along with so much else. I was delighted to have it back and would have watched every minute of Wizards-Detroit at that point. In any other year it was, you're right, an uninspiring mess. The Donovan Mitchell- Jamal Murray series was a lot of fun, though.
After this incredibly thorough analysis, I can't help but think that Klay and Wiggins could easily be gone. If the starters are TJD, Dray, JK, Steph and Podz, that makes Wiggins the 6th man. Could be really be strong in that role? It's a short burst/high reliability spot. Hmm.
CP3 can't possibly be back, can he? Unless he loves Golden State so much that he's willing to take a team-friendly deal -- and who can imagine that? -- he's out.
Not sure if Chris Pratt was ever a Celtic, but I think the great job from Stevens is that Smart, Brogden, Timelord and 2 first round picks is a big move. Smart DPOY. Timelord injured but has flashed amazing potential when healthy. Brogden a great 6th man. There are arguments to keep all of them, but he went with the bold move, and it paid off.
RE: Timelord. They ruined that guy's career. We all watched it happen and some of us complained, and the Celtics swore he was fine. But he's never been the same since.
For sure, most bold moves don't pay off. But I think it's at least more fun to celebrate the bold moves moves that do pay off (ex Celtics moves, Warriors trade for Bogut, etc), than to just say well, it usually doesn't pay off, so it was probably all luck/bad decisions to begin with.
Alright. This season is now officially over. Fair warning to the rest of the league. Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will be back with a vengeance.
Al Horford wins his first championship in his 186th playoffs game. The next player that has played the most amount of playoffs games is James Harden, who has played 166 playoffs games and has not won a championship yet.
Tomorrow I'll post a full transcript as a present for paid subscribers, with comments off. The conversation can continue here.
(FYI I will delete all replies to pinned posts.)
What are the Warriors doing not even attempting to offer Klay a 3-4 year contract for less money? It's rare for a player to value # of years over salary. And it sounds like Klay does. Making this a unique, and potentially extremely beneficial opportunity for the team. To offer him a 2 year deal when he's publicly stated he wants at least 3 wreaks of incompetence to me. He's regressed, but still has alot to offer. And to have 3 players retire as lifetime Warriors is one of the rarest feats in pro sports. I think it's really important for them to try to do that. But it sounds like they are making no attempt whatsoever. I really don't get it. I don't think Bob Myers would've handled it this way.
More negativity here about the finals than I would have expected, TBH.
While Dallas was not up to it, I really enjoyed watching the Celtics. Their defense is really something. Even when they are out of position, the defensive rotations were just a thing of beauty.
I can probably count on one hand the number of times their defense looked beat in that last game (the game before, not so much).
I'm struggling to think of a Celtics player that had a bad series. Tatum may not have lived up to his billing as the number 1 on a team, but I don't think he was bad.
Tatum’s shot wasn’t falling for much of the series but he was setting up teammates, passing well, rebounding, and playing very good defense. And although he couldn’t buy a 3, he got to the rim when he had to yesterday and sank his free throws.
Overall I was impressed with the Celtics’ teamwork on both ends of the court.
No player to lead the league in usage has ever won an NBA title.
#heliocentric
What about James Harden?
Oh, right... that's the point.
F*KC Boston
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum on winning his first NBA title: “These last seven years have been a rollercoaster. Up and down. I had to listen to all the s— people said about me. Tonight it was worth it.”
https://x.com/bengolliver/status/1802916168312729703
I hate that the Celtics officially have more championships than us now 🙄
https://x.com/magicjohnson/status/1802900270348931529
I just realized that Celtics have just now matched the number of GSW titles in my lifetime. Based on the historical comparison of these franchises, that is wild. Long live Curry.
What a thoroughly uninspiring and uninteresting finals, from my personal perspective. I like the NBA, I even like many stars and teams, not just the Dubs. But this? Does anyone not residing in Boston or Dallas care? It seemed like the playoffs got less and less interesting as they proceeded. The best part was Denver-Minnesota. Seriously, name a year you've been less motivated by. I can't.
Finals wasn't much different to me than last year. Clear superior team against an opponent that outperformed to get there. In terms of least interesting finals, Kidds NJN back to back finals losses were pretty depressing from what I remember. Maybe Kidd is a common theme. Even his one finals win that should have been exciting was tempered by the fact that LeBron just stunk.
who even played last year swear to god
Nuggets against a corpse of Jimmy Butler, I think
I was less motivated by the bubble Finals.
The ultimate asterisk title. No road games. No crowds. The long break in the middle of the season.
Don't get me wrong: The Lakers overcame some extraordinary obstacles to win that one. It just wasn't anything like winning the championship.
I actually really loved the bubble games, because of the lockdown. The NBA had been taken away from us, along with so much else. I was delighted to have it back and would have watched every minute of Wizards-Detroit at that point. In any other year it was, you're right, an uninspiring mess. The Donovan Mitchell- Jamal Murray series was a lot of fun, though.
True, we were desperate for entertainment. But it was a pretty poor series, and I hated the electronic audiences.
Oh god that. What a stupid fake, like we don't all know that the building is empty. Cringe.
Joe Mazzulla’s last words of the season: “If someone tells you good job, that’s just as dangerous as someone telling you you suck.”
https://x.com/jaredweissnba/status/1802919484644012195
Mazz must have watched "Whiplash" recently
After this incredibly thorough analysis, I can't help but think that Klay and Wiggins could easily be gone. If the starters are TJD, Dray, JK, Steph and Podz, that makes Wiggins the 6th man. Could be really be strong in that role? It's a short burst/high reliability spot. Hmm.
Oh, what, was there a game tonight?
If CP3 is not back, I think Podz will be PG for 2nd unit. He may still close though.
CP3 can't possibly be back, can he? Unless he loves Golden State so much that he's willing to take a team-friendly deal -- and who can imagine that? -- he's out.
I wouldn't call it a game. More like a ritual slaughter.
It was a mercy killing.
Let the free agency begin.
What a great job from Stevens to put that Celtics team together.
I think they gave up only smart brogdon and starlord and two first Picks for porzingis AND holiday.
Nobody is laughing now at that Brown max extension.
Not sure if Chris Pratt was ever a Celtic, but I think the great job from Stevens is that Smart, Brogden, Timelord and 2 first round picks is a big move. Smart DPOY. Timelord injured but has flashed amazing potential when healthy. Brogden a great 6th man. There are arguments to keep all of them, but he went with the bold move, and it paid off.
RE: Timelord. They ruined that guy's career. We all watched it happen and some of us complained, and the Celtics swore he was fine. But he's never been the same since.
Jajaj true.
Starlord and brogdon were also often injured
First. Giannis was hurt this year. You can't Say that trade it's a failure yet
Second. Thats what a GM does. Its Try to find GOOD trades. Beal and Westbrook always sucked.
Our GM trade for old Paul instead of porzingis
It is not the same. Not Even close
Those trades we're expensive.
Celtics got two all Stars that fit their needs and style for role players and 2 late first Picks.
Didnt knew You we're an oracle.
You know. Lots of people said Boston screw it giving that money to Brown. That he wasnt worth it. Look at now.
So things can change.
Milwaukee played pretty good defense at some point of the season.
If they don't do that move, perhaps giannis leaves.
Jrue sucked being the second or third scorer.
Well of course. Only one team can win it all every year.
For sure. The moves you listed all were colossal failures.
For sure, most bold moves don't pay off. But I think it's at least more fun to celebrate the bold moves moves that do pay off (ex Celtics moves, Warriors trade for Bogut, etc), than to just say well, it usually doesn't pay off, so it was probably all luck/bad decisions to begin with.
MAVS should share the trophy...they did more to make sure Boston ran away with it than anyone else...lol...
Which free agent will sign a contract first in this offseason?
A. Klay Thompson (Warriors)
B. Tobias Harris (76ers)
C. James Harden (Clippers)
D. Pascal Siakam (Pacers)
Siakam in a beat ofe the Heart
I wish it were KLAY, BUT WE'RE FARTING AROUND TOO LONG. Toss-up between SIAKAM AND HARD(LY)EN....
They’ve only been allowed to negotiate with Klay for like the last 45 minutes, lol
That is too long....lol
Thanks. I am aware of that. Somebody in here reported two days ago KLAY had already turned down 24/yrX2...
Alright. This season is now officially over. Fair warning to the rest of the league. Steve Kerr, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green will be back with a vengeance.
(Klay TBD)
Al Horford wins his first championship in his 186th playoffs game. The next player that has played the most amount of playoffs games is James Harden, who has played 166 playoffs games and has not won a championship yet.
Long may his banner wave.