• Changing RCF's index page, please click on "Forums" to access the forums.

2017-2018 Boston Celtics: No Irving! No Hayward! No Brooklyn Pick!

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

Regrade the finalized trade

  • A+

    Votes: 20 8.0%

  • A

    Votes: 70 27.9%

  • B

    Votes: 74 29.5%

  • C

    Votes: 39 15.5%

  • D

    Votes: 18 7.2%

  • F

    Votes: 30 12.0%
  • Total voters
    251
JMoneyYourHoney said:
So is Game 16 somehow more important in the grand scheme than Game 1?


We were missing a marquee player too, but that clearly doesn't suit your Kyrie nut-sucking agenda.

Congratulations on your November victory you pusillanimous twat. Let's see this same level of temerity in April; after all, Boston should be used to the drill by now.
Click to expand...

Let's all get ready for Cleveland's imminent awesomeness. Boston and rich man's boobie obviously have no chance.
 
MediumBaller said:
2016/2017 - 25.2/5.8/3.2 on 47/40/91

2017/2018 (coming into tonight) - 20.6/5.2/3.1 on 44/33/88

What am I missing here?
Click to expand...

Honestly man you could only make this argument if you've not watching Kyrie play a single game this year..

He's been phenomenal, on both ends of the floor. While his offense is down, he's playing as one of the better defensive guards in the NBA.

This is the guy we always wanted him to be, and we KNOW he can score ... but he's actually playing defense, and finding ways to make his teammates better.

Makes no sense to sit back and act as though Kyrie hasn't improved... Again, only way you could think that is if you haven't watched him play.
 
I think he's improved defensively, but I don't see much improvement in other parts of his game.

I think he'll get going more offensively. No doubt, Kyrie hasn't even geared it up on that end. But I'm not seeing any difference in his playmaking skills.

I think we can come to the conclusion; he's not a point guard though. Hell. I've been saying that for years. So it's not a knock, just he's not one at all.

I still think David Blatt had the right idea when he used Kyrie more as a 2 guard. I like that. Problem is Boston doesn't have another point guard either.

I know people, at least some, are sick of it. But let's just call it for what it is. Brad Stevens is a GREAT coach, and he makes Lue look like he's still shitting in a diaper, barely out of his mothers womb.
 
godfather said:
I think he's improved defensively, but I don't see much improvement in other parts of his game.

I think he'll get going more offensively. No doubt, Kyrie hasn't even geared it up on that end. But I'm not seeing any difference in his playmaking skills.

I think we can come to the conclusion; he's not a point guard though. Hell. I've been saying that for years. So it's not a knock, just he's not one at all.

I still think David Blatt had the right idea when he used Kyrie more as a 2 guard. I like that. Problem is Boston doesn't have another point guard either.

I know people, at least some, are sick of it. But let's just call it for what it is. Brad Stevens is a GREAT coach, and he makes Lue look like he's still shitting in a diaper, barely out of his mothers womb.
Click to expand...
Marcus Smart is a better point than anyone we have rolled out not named Irving or James.

Smart was pretty impressive for his role in the playoffs against the Cavs. As was Jaylen Brown.

as far as the Rondo effect. Amir Johnson was the weak link in those first two gams and was replaced by Gerald Green.

Boston had to switch out green and insert back Amir Johnson against the Wizards

Jaylen Brown is an Upgrade from that Green /Amir combo.

Marcus Smart has shown he can handle the Avery Bradley Role

and this years Celtics has a big man rotation of Horford, Baynes, and Morris which is an improvement over Zeller,Olnyk and Horford.

the only question is Tatum vs Crowder , Tatum has done well for a Rookie well enough for the Celtics to mask the loss of Gordon to injury,


Last regular season. The Celtics had 1 guy with over 1000 points and that was It with 2199. more than the next to players combined.

Off Rtg: 111.2 (8th of 30) Def Rtg: 108.4 (13th of 30)

so far in a short span this season Boston is
Off Rtg: 105.4 (19th of 30) Def Rtg: 97.2 (1st of 30)


That is a significant Increase in defense and despite the fall in Off rating.Celtics have 4 guys on pace for 1000 or more points.

You cant go into Boston this year and just shut down Horford to walk out with a win.

In a playoff environment the main thing working against Boston is playoff experience which is extremely mitigated by Horford and Irving. Also Smart and Brown both played significant playoff minutes in backup roles.

The big difference between Boston last year and this year is that IT needed to score for Boston to win Whereas they only need 20 from Irving.

I expect Boston to sputter here and there. at some point Tatum will hit that rookie wall but this team is a legitimate contender even without Gordon.
 
We'reAllKyrieWitnesses said:
tenor.gif
Click to expand...
Why are you still here?
 
gourimoko said:
Honestly man you could only make this argument if you've not watching Kyrie play a single game this year..

He's been phenomenal, on both ends of the floor. While his offense is down, he's playing as one of the better defensive guards in the NBA.

This is the guy we always wanted him to be, and we KNOW he can score ... but he's actually playing defense, and finding ways to make his teammates better.

Makes no sense to sit back and act as though Kyrie hasn't improved... Again, only way you could think that is if you haven't watched him play.
Click to expand...

Kyries effort is there defensively but he’s not one of the “better” defensive guards in the NBA. DRPM has him as an overall average defender this year which is still a gigantic leap from last year so he has gotten better let’s just calm down with the “one of the better defensive guards” thing. You don’t hide “one of the better defensive guards” in the league. And make no mistake, Stevens is hiding Kyrie and doing a masterful job of it schematically.

Helps that his partner Marcus Smart is the 2nd best defensive guard in the entire league.

Kyrie, outside of a nice little two man game with Horford, hasn’t really improved at all offensively from what I’ve seen and the stats back thatnassertion up . Boston’s offense hasn’t been good at all and their best offensive groups have been with Smart on the ball and Kyrie playing the Cleveland role.

Now, where Kyrie HAS improved (besides effort) is in overall basketball IQ. Without LBJ, he used to fire up shot after shot at an all-time clip. Hes been able to mostly(still happens from time to time) reign that in and stick to Boston’s offensive set. He’s also improved at kicking to open shooters from the paint. He’s been protecting the basketball as well, though he was never super bad with turnovers.

But ultimately, Kyries USG is about the same, his efficiency is down across the board. He’s not finishing at the rim as well, and his 3 ball has been bad so far(he’s not getting the same quality looks without LeBron) His assist% is up from the LeBron years but in line with the before LeBron years(for a PG it’s pretty mediocre). His TOV% has improved but that’s about it.

Kyrie is playing the smartest basketball or his career which is helping contribute to wins. But he hasn’t taken any leap anywhere aside from defensive effort. The numbers paint a pretty clear picture. And I’ve watched almost every Celtics game and aside from being a smarter player, I’m not seeing these giant leaps of improvement that you’re claiming exist.

He’s also benefitted from Al Horford playing like a top 5 NBA player.(not sustainable, IMO). Jaylen Brown looking like the next Jimmy Butler/Paul George in just his 2nd year as well as Tatum shooting 50% from 3.
Horford has unquestionably been more impactful than Irving this year which is not something that I saw coming.

If Horford and Tatum regress to even just 40% shooters from deep, Boston’s offense is really going to go in the toilet. Their offense is #22 in the league. And they’re 14-2. Smoke and Mirrors. They are going to come violently crashing down to earth at some point.
 
Like, come on guys. Let's not pretend we haven't seen what it takes to win the playoffs before.

Boston isn't even the biggest threat in the East. They aren't the 2nd or 3rd. You can't make deep runs with a single star and a team of role players. Especially if your star isn't a top 5 guy. And don't give me Horford, we've seen enough playoff Horford over the years to know he isn't the same guy he is in the regular season.

Stevens is great. They're playing great. Playoffs are entirely different. Milwaukee is a bigger problem. Washington is a bigger problem.

Put Hayward on the team, and they are a legit Finals threat. W/o him, they'll struggle MIGHTILY to score in the post season.

What this should do is kill all the Brad Stevens memes around here. They should be dead and buried.

But when his team doesn't make it to the FInals (again, for lack of top end talent) I'm sure they'll flare right back up.
 
Woke up this morning, caught a glimpse of the score and twitter is filled with Kyrie MVP shit, assumed he'd gone ham for 35 + or something, went on the NBA app and 16 points on 25% shooting :celb (13): Just shows how different the standards are for some, if that was LeBron he'd be getting destroyed for not turning up!
 
BTW Houston has been a team of one superstar and role players this year and Harden has legitimately been the best or 2nd best player in the league while they've went 12-4.

You would have to have some serious blinders on to have Kyrie anywhere near Harden in the MVP race right now.
 
Rich said:
BTW Houston has been a team of one superstar and role players this year and Harden has legitimately been the best or 2nd best player in the league while they've went 12-4.

You would have to have some serious blinders on to have Kyrie anywhere near Harden in the MVP race right now.
Click to expand...

Kyrie isn’t even the Celtics MVP so far. Horford has been by far their best guy (#6 in RPM in the NBA). Harden is def the MVP right now though. Agree 100%
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Video

Episode 3-13: "Backup Bash Brothers"

Rubber Rim Job Podcast Spotify

Episode 3:11: "Clipping Bucks."
Top