Boston Celtics

[TheListOfJon]

I haven't seen him play but, based on what I read, he is an enforcer who can rough up opposing centers, pretty much like Kendrick Perkins.

yep, sounds about right.

 

so, both teams on full strength I'd say Cavs still has the edge, albeit a narrow edge, against the C's in 2017-2018 season.

 

Replacing Bradley and Crowder on the defensive end won't be easy. The flip side is the Cavs have a brittle backcourt with Rose's knee and IT2's hip in question. If ever the Cavs go Rose and IT2 on the backcourt, the C's can counter with Kyrie and Smart. However, Crowder and LeBron can lock down Hayward while Crowder/Shumpert/Rose can contain Kyrie.

 

The Cavs were probably thinking more so on how to counter the Warriors's death lineup with Love, LeBron, Crowder, IT2, and Rose; at least that lineup's offense should be formidable on paper. The other part is that 2018 Nets pick is somewhat of an insurance in case LeBron bails on them again next season.

 

So barring injuries, how much Horford, Jaylen Brown, and to a lesser extent Jayson Tatum step up on both ends of the floor will help dictate how deep the C's can go in the playoffs.

[raymond08]

What is your basis for confidently saying that the Cavs would win a potential Eastern Conference Finals showdown?

Simple lang naman un pre, ang Boston last year is a good defensive team, how about this coming season? Losing Avery Bradley and Crowder hurts their defense.

 

Irving likes to play ISO, what can you say about that? Celtics offense is team oriented.

 

Plus, the Cavs still have Lebron, how about the Cs?

[TheListOfJon]

Crowder and Bradley are excellent defenders, especially, Avery Bradley, a past first team all defense. However, they could not stop the offensive juggernaut of James and Irving. Was Crowder able to lock down Hayward when the Cs went up against the Jazz? You are assuming that Crowder and James can lock down Hayward. It's not as if the Cs are gonna be dependent on Irving and Hayward. The "read and react" offense is predicated on finding the open man. No one can stop Irving, the best isolation scorer and the best finisher in the NBA in my opinion. Irving will run rings around the 3 players you mentioned.

Not seeing him play but reading about Baynes makes my post have basis.

 

It can be considered an educated assumption because of what I highlighted in bold. And LeBron can probably hang with Hayward. Hell, JR Smith could cover Hayward if he's catching fire on the 3-Ball since Lue somehow motivated JR to play defense.

 

Of course no one can stop Irving, that's why he's considered a superstar. You are probably underestimating that Lue knows a thing or two on how to contain Kyrie. On the other hand, Brad will know a thing or two on how to contain IT2.

 

And finally, that's a weak sauce basis but ok.

[TheListOfJon]

The Cavs were probably thinking more so on how to counter the Warriors's death lineup with Love, LeBron, Crowder, IT2, and Rose; at least that lineup's offense should be formidable on paper.

 

 

 

Curry and Thompson will have a grand time scoring on Rose and IT. Let's face it, James or Love can't stop Durant. That line-up will have a hard time against the Celtics and will have a hard time getting past the Celtics. I doubt they will get past the Celtics, let alone the Ws.

 

Should be obvious where the flaw in your rebuttal is. Nuff said.

[raymond08]

Lechoke James did not win the title by himself. His ass got saved by Ray Allen and Kyrie Irving in two championship series. A team's fortunes don't exactly depend on one player. The Cs have 3 legit All Stars, one up and coming sophomore and a superb rookie, not to mention a solid supporting cast in Morris and Baynes. I will hold my judgement on the rookies and new pickups since they haven't played an NBA game but in Brad I trust.

Yes, you are right, no player can win the title by himself. But the Cavs got a handful of players that will support Lebron. The recent trades of Celtics puts them a notch down in terms of defense. Remember that the Cavs defense always is at full gear when playoff time arrives.

[TheListOfJon]

These are assumptions. Hayward is an All-Star and if he can thrive under the system of Quin Snynder, think of how much he'll improve under his coach at Butler whom he is more comfortable with. Butler was a three point shot away from upsetting heavy favorite Duke.

Nope, I don't think Lue can figure out a way to stop an unpredictable player. He can score from anywhere and he's not even in his prime yet.

Only Steph Curry can score from anywhere until proven otherwise. Ok, Larry Bird too if you include that commercial with Jordan.

 

That line up is too small and too vulnerable. Golden State will shoot over that line up or overpower them on the inside. Do you actually think IT and Rose can stop Thompson should he decide to post any of them up? Where is the flaw in my rebuttal? When I said that James or Love can't stop Durant, my basis was the 2017 Finals. It's clear as day they can't stop him.

You missed my point. It's in the offensive side that the Cavs were trying to counter the Warriors death lineup -- it's given that the Cavs still can't hang with them on defense.

[raymond08]

Correction, it's their offense that is on full gear when playoff time comes. The Cs weren't without their best player in that series. The series may have gone 6 or 7 if Isaiah was at full strength. That offense is now without a major component with the loss of Irving.

Then I would assume you haven't watched that much Kyrie Irving.

Nope, Cavs defense ranks 20+ during the regular season, their offense ranks in the top 5. It is during the playoffs that they put prime in their defense.

 

Even IT plays on that series, the series would still be done in 5 or 6 games.

[TheListOfJon]

Then I would assume you haven't watched that much Kyrie Irving.

 

Nope, especially on any NBA 2K or Live.

[TheListOfJon]

So you really haven't watched Kyrie Irving play that much. Maybe I should have qualified what I said to "Irving could score from anywhere within 30 feet of the basket regardless if he is defended or not". Kaya lang pinasok mo na ng pagkapilosopo mo.

 

Hmm, perhaps you should have. Of course, I have not watched Kyrie Irving play from high school to pro, but that's not the point now, is it?

[raymond08]

Really? The Cavs in the playoffs averaged 116.2 while allowing their opponents 108.3 ppg. In the regular season, the Cavs averaged 110.3 while allowing their opponents 107.2 ppg. Their defense improved by only 0.9 ppg in the playoffs which is negligible while their offense improved by an average of almost 6 points per game. What "Cavs are putting prime on defense" are you talking about?

So you're basis on the defense is only based on the allowed points? How about those dirty little extra effort that cannot be seen on the stats sheet?

 

Anyway, let's see what will happen next season.

[TheListOfJon]

The point I was making is he can score from anywhere within 30 feet from the basket regardless if he is guarded well or not.

So can Jimmer Fredette in China.

 

If you want to hype up Kyrie that's one thing. But don't act like his old team won't figure out a way to make his life harder to get his 20+ pts. that's just borderline crazy right there.

[*kalel*]

Let see this coming season kung kayang dalhin ni kyrie and boston

...no doubt about what the guy can do

[TheListOfJon]

These are assumptions. Hayward is an All-Star and if he can thrive under the system of Quin Snynder, think of how much he'll improve under his coach at Butler whom he is more comfortable with. Butler was a three point shot away from upsetting heavy favorite Duke.

Nope, I don't think Lue can figure out a way to stop an unpredictable player. He can score from anywhere and he's not even in his prime yet.

 

 

We are not talking about the Chinese basketball league. We are talking about the NBA. Let's put context in the discussion. Maybe they will, maybe they won't but if a superior defensive team like the Ws were having a hard time figuring him out, what more the Cavs? Remember, most of the Celtics are new and IT only played with Horford and Brown so he won't be able to figure out the tendencies of the others.

 

You should heed your own advice. Cheers.

[TheListOfJon]

I rest my case. Roll Tide.

[TheListOfJon]

To quote a NBA legend, "Reading is fundamental."

 

You're welcome.