Game Thread 2017 ECF series - Celtics vs Cavaliers

[Boob-No-More]

Isaiah Thomas kind of typifies something I feel that people greatly underrate--how much defense matters and how much a star who can't play defense devalues his own offensive production. For example, I'm not entirely sure that the Cavaliers would have performed much better, if at all, in the 2015 Finals if they had had Irving and Love healthy. Yes, they lost firepower in losing those two, but they gained a ton more defense with Tristan Thompson and Matthew Dellavedova. In last year's Finals, after being blown out in two straight games with Love, Cleveland blew out the Warriors without Love (granted, it was at home, but going from road to home isn't worth 50+ points). They then lost at home in Game 4 with Love back.

It's very hard to quantify the effects of defense and a lot easier to quantify offensive production, but when an offensive star is awful at defense, it's probably unwise to consider them essential to the team.

(Also, before people use Curry as a counter-example, the stats don't bear out that he's a below-average defender and most experts that I've seen opine on the subject don't consider him a poor defender. My own observations of him are that he's an active and smart defender and his main weakness is simply size--not technique, effort or instincts.)

I think in Thomas' case, it's more than just his non-existent defense. Because of his diminutive size, it's easy to shut him down by double teaming him. Throw two guys at him that are 6'3" - 6'6" and he can't even see over the double team to find the open teammate. In a playoff series, where teams ratchet up the defense, it's just too easy to shut down BOS when the guy with the ball in his hands is 5'9".

I respect everything Thomas has accomplished, but in the playoffs, I think he actually becomes a liability at both ends - not just the defensive end.

I think that's where Lillard has an advantage over Thomas. Thomas' scoring average is down by over 5.5 ppg in the playoffs compared to the regular season and his advanced stats have fallen off a cliff. Lillard's advanced stats also took a hit not as much as Thomas'), but in all fairness his entire post season was against the No. 1 defense in the league and his scoring average was actually slightly higher in the playoffs (27.8 ppg vs. 27.0 ppg) than the regular season.

BNM

 

[Sarni]

It was one off, Cavaliers were up by 18 at one point and I have no doubt they will crush them in the next game. I think it'll be a complete annihilation, 40 points or more.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Thomas is a nice regular seadon player, but any team that olays decent d can shut him down. He can't play d either.

 

[Mediocre Man]

As for Lillard, I'm tired of reading and hearing that he has limitations on D. He is one of the premiere athletic, quick pg's in the league. If he chose to put more effort on that side of the floor, he'd be better

 

[jonnyboy]

NBA announces Celtics late-game 3 pointer shouldn't have counted.

http://cavaliersnation.com/2017/05/...-shouldnt-have-counted-for-celtics-in-game-3/

 

[SIeepwalker]

NBA announces Celtics late-game 3 pointer shouldn't have counted.

http://cavaliersnation.com/2017/05/...-shouldnt-have-counted-for-celtics-in-game-3/

It's not the game-winning 3, but a Jumper by Jerebko with 30sec to go
nice clickbait

 

[Minstrel]

League rules that an NBA game had at least one missed call? Shocking.

 

[jonnyboy]

It's not the game-winning 3, but a Jumper by Jerebko with 30sec to go
nice clickbait

Yeah I don't recall saying NBA SAYS GAME WINNING THREE WAS NO GOOD!!!!
I said late game. Or is 30 seconds to go not late enough for you? Excuse me for sharing. At least i didnt create 20 new threads about it.

 

[Strenuus]

This is the good game you guys have been calling for

YAY! one game out of 50!

The league is shit. It's indefensible.

 

[Scalma]

Olynyk is low key going to increase Leonards trade value.

 

[Nate]

Al horford is so grossly overpaid... dodged a huge bullet there.

 

[BonesJones]

Al horford is so grossly overpaid... dodged a huge bullet there.

Its finny how we ended up with with a 1st and a C better than all the ones we dreamed of in free agency all from a simple Plumlee trade.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Al horford is so grossly overpaid... dodged a huge bullet there.

I said it last year and I say it now, he is a glue guy. No more, no less. He would fit well with this Blazer team though, but if you want him to take over a game...... it won't happen.

 

[Pinwheel1]

So Marcus Smart was 1-9 while guarding a guy who went for 42.
At least Isaiah would have made Kyrie chase him around the floor.

 

[MickZagger]

Al horford is so grossly overpaid... dodged a huge bullet there.

I don't think he's overrated at all. I just think he's in a system that doesn't jive with his style. They almost never throw it down into him on the block like Atlanta did.

I think he's one of the most underrated 2 way players.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I don't think he's overrated at all. I just think he's in a system that doesn't jive with his style. They almost never throw it down into him on the block like Atlanta did.

I think he's one of the most underrated 2 way players.

Honestly, he'd be so Killer in San Antonio.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Sarni]

Kyrie's handles are incredible.

I really like Cavaliers, I must say.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Yeah I don't recall saying NBA SAYS GAME WINNING THREE WAS NO GOOD!!!!
I said late game. Or is 30 seconds to go not late enough for you? Excuse me for sharing. At least i didnt create 20 new threads about it.

uh chill
I was blaming the writer of the article who clearly tries to make it sounds like it's the game winning shot in it's title to get more views

 

[Cippy91]

And to think even in losing this series how well set up Boston is for the future. Bastards

 

[Pinwheel1]

And to think even in losing this series how well set up Boston is for the future. Bastards

Yes, assuming Fultz is not another D'Angelo Russell. No doubt they are sitting in a pretty good position with lots of very young talent, but unless they land a superstar they will be good, just not great. It will be interesting to see how Ainge pulls it all together. (Cap space and high pick)

 

[SIeepwalker]

Yes, assuming Fultz is not another D'Angelo Russell. No doubt they are sitting in a pretty good position with lots of very young talent, but unless they land a superstar they will be good, just not great. It will be interesting to see how Ainge pulls it all together. (Cap space and high pick)

Yes, the draft is just too random, you never know what you're gonna get. If I were the Celtics, I would trade all those picks for a proven wing scorer and a nice interior presence that can also stretch the floor (which is very valuable in today's nba) such as, let's say, Allen Crabbe and Meyers Leonard

 

[BBert]

Olynyk sets a great screen there. We should get him.