Minnesota Sports Forum

TheFuture wrote:As for IT, I agree he is a borderline all-star. His size and skill make for a feel good story. But I never have seen him as a horse come playoff time. He can't pass over Anyone when they show a double team. He does not have an easy time when met at the rim. And he does not orchestrate the offense when his offense isn't falling. I won't even mention his defense. I don't even think adding another star to IT makes a huge difference. He's a regular season stud, sixth man in the playoffs (I expect heat on this one). If Boston didn't have Bradley, Smart, Crowder, and Brown, then ITs deficiencies would be glaring.

The most obvious issue are the Celtics big men. They don't rebound, protect the rim, and they aren't agile enough to be effective guarding the perimeter on switches. On offense, none are skilled enough to make up for it. Essentially, they are all useless in today's top end playoffs, even Horford.

If I'm the Celtics I'd trade IT for a big man or picks this summer. Im paying Bradley before IT. I'd also look to trade horford, but I'm not sure the return would be worth it. Next year, start Fultz at pg guarding sgs, Bradley at SG guarding the pg, Brown at sf. Smart and Crowder would be the super subs. Throw big money at Millsap or Griffin to play PF next to Horford. Still a playoff team, with a ton of assets to add to gear up for contending in the 2020's.

I agree with alot of what you say here about Boston's bigs. The thing about them is that its not just that alot of them aren't made for today's game its just that other than Horford they just aren't good enough. Amir Johnson, Olynyk those guys are nice enough bench players. The Celtics have to start them or play small. To your first point the rebounding is a big issue because those guys aren't very good there. I haven't watched the games but I can imagine TT crushing most fo those guys on boards and all that kind of stuff. IN addition in the new NBA alot of those guys are more centers than PFs. Look at how alot of those talented bigs in last year's draft just kept sliding down. Justin Patton out of Creighton...project big can do alot of stuff, but probably projects as a C. in this new NBA you just aren't going to be playing alot of those guys. Imagine if Belly was the scrawny kid he was when he was drafted by the Wolves and was available in this draft? Him being skinny wouldn't be as big of a deal it would probably be whether he could hit 3's or not. He would likely go higher or come over much quicker. A team like Portland would be very interested in getting a guy like that to pair with their guards that can shoot.

AS much as I like Thomas keeping Bradley over him does make sense. the thing with the Celtics is they don't really need to trade for assets. They have those already. ITs crazy where they are at. So many teams are at a crossroads. Ainge has played it pretty well so far it will be interesting to see if he can keep making alot fo the right moves. Some harder decisions are coming though. It would be REALLY DAMN HARD to trade Thomas at this point if you are the Celtics.

TheFuture wrote:

Q12543 wrote:LeBron's Per Game Playoff stats this year:

Points - 34.3
FG% - 57%
Rebs - 8.5
Assts - 7.1
Stls - 2.3
Blks - 1.5
PER - 32.7
WS/48 - .336


For some perspective, Russell Westbrook, an MVP candidate who averaged a triple double, had a regular season PER of 30.6 and WS/48 of .224.

Those are amazing numbers. LeBron can't make a mistake on either end. There was one offensive play where LeBron was fighting for position on the low block, not looking at the ball,l. The ball was at the top of the key, LeBron was facing the side of the court. I think it was JR smith who threw the ball into James and I was 100% certain it was going out of bounds. Somehow LeBron managed to snatch it about a split second after it entered his field of vision. It was amazing to me.

And the LeBron can do anything he wants whenever he wants play. Horford had an amazing block. LeBron gets pissed, decides he won't be shown up like that, and blocks with the left hand on the other end. Is it just me or does he seem to do this every time he gets blocked??

I looked up Lebron's playoff numbers and he has put up similar stats like this before the difference is his scoring is up and his shooting percentages are very good. I'm not trying to diminish what he is doing more pointing out statistically he has had some other crazy playoff numbers (he still has a couple games plus a finals yet) and really its pretty amazing how he has put up those all around numbers in so many post seasons. I've never been a Lebron guy not that I disliked him really, but at this point it seems like he still isn't getting credit from a few people and its honestly a bit bizarre. I think that is changing though as he keeps just rolling through his career year after year game after game. It does seem regardless of the stats people feel like the guy is just playing better than ever. Its funny how people kinda talk about Lebron like he is 35 or something. He turned 32 in December. The guy still could have a few years of prime time in him. Unbelievable and on top of that the guy seems to be a plenty decent human being. Jon K on their latest podcast had an interesting take on Lebron that was worth checking out.

Monster -- I love Thomas. He's the best player I've ever seen after MJ and LeBron. I'm not sure what came over me when I referred to him as a borderline allstar.

monsterpile wrote:

TheFuture wrote:

Q12543 wrote:LeBron's Per Game Playoff stats this year:

Points - 34.3
FG% - 57%
Rebs - 8.5
Assts - 7.1
Stls - 2.3
Blks - 1.5
PER - 32.7
WS/48 - .336


For some perspective, Russell Westbrook, an MVP candidate who averaged a triple double, had a regular season PER of 30.6 and WS/48 of .224.

Those are amazing numbers. LeBron can't make a mistake on either end. There was one offensive play where LeBron was fighting for position on the low block, not looking at the ball,l. The ball was at the top of the key, LeBron was facing the side of the court. I think it was JR smith who threw the ball into James and I was 100% certain it was going out of bounds. Somehow LeBron managed to snatch it about a split second after it entered his field of vision. It was amazing to me.

And the LeBron can do anything he wants whenever he wants play. Horford had an amazing block. LeBron gets pissed, decides he won't be shown up like that, and blocks with the left hand on the other end. Is it just me or does he seem to do this every time he gets blocked??

I looked up Lebron's playoff numbers and he has put up similar stats like this before the difference is his scoring is up and his shooting percentages are very good. I'm not trying to diminish what he is doing more pointing out statistically he has had some other crazy playoff numbers (he still has a couple games plus a finals yet) and really its pretty amazing how he has put up those all around numbers in so many post seasons. I've never been a Lebron guy not that I disliked him really, but at this point it seems like he still isn't getting credit from a few people and its honestly a bit bizarre. I think that is changing though as he keeps just rolling through his career year after year game after game. It does seem regardless of the stats people feel like the guy is just playing better than ever. Its funny how people kinda talk about Lebron like he is 35 or something. He turned 32 in December. The guy still could have a few years of prime time in him. Unbelievable and on top of that the guy seems to be a plenty decent human being. Jon K on their latest podcast had an interesting take on Lebron that was worth checking out.

I think there is a little of the "we all took him for granted and are now waking up to his greatness" effect. But it also is truly amazing given the number of miles he's put on the tires combined with his age. True, he isn't old-old, but think about how many minutes he's played when you combine regular season and playoffs. He's played a TON of minutes.

Q12543 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:

TheFuture wrote:

Q12543 wrote:LeBron's Per Game Playoff stats this year:

Points - 34.3
FG% - 57%
Rebs - 8.5
Assts - 7.1
Stls - 2.3
Blks - 1.5
PER - 32.7
WS/48 - .336


For some perspective, Russell Westbrook, an MVP candidate who averaged a triple double, had a regular season PER of 30.6 and WS/48 of .224.

Those are amazing numbers. LeBron can't make a mistake on either end. There was one offensive play where LeBron was fighting for position on the low block, not looking at the ball,l. The ball was at the top of the key, LeBron was facing the side of the court. I think it was JR smith who threw the ball into James and I was 100% certain it was going out of bounds. Somehow LeBron managed to snatch it about a split second after it entered his field of vision. It was amazing to me.

And the LeBron can do anything he wants whenever he wants play. Horford had an amazing block. LeBron gets pissed, decides he won't be shown up like that, and blocks with the left hand on the other end. Is it just me or does he seem to do this every time he gets blocked??

I looked up Lebron's playoff numbers and he has put up similar stats like this before the difference is his scoring is up and his shooting percentages are very good. I'm not trying to diminish what he is doing more pointing out statistically he has had some other crazy playoff numbers (he still has a couple games plus a finals yet) and really its pretty amazing how he has put up those all around numbers in so many post seasons. I've never been a Lebron guy not that I disliked him really, but at this point it seems like he still isn't getting credit from a few people and its honestly a bit bizarre. I think that is changing though as he keeps just rolling through his career year after year game after game. It does seem regardless of the stats people feel like the guy is just playing better than ever. Its funny how people kinda talk about Lebron like he is 35 or something. He turned 32 in December. The guy still could have a few years of prime time in him. Unbelievable and on top of that the guy seems to be a plenty decent human being. Jon K on their latest podcast had an interesting take on Lebron that was worth checking out.

I think there is a little of the "we all took him for granted and are now waking up to his greatness" effect. But it also is truly amazing given the number of miles he's put on the tires combined with his age. True, he isn't old-old, but think about how many minutes he's played when you combine regular season and playoffs. He's played a TON of minutes.

Agreed

I just tuned in to this Boston Cavs game and it's not out of hand. Love just had an unbelievable pass to Lebron. He can be such a fun player to watch.

Heck of a win for Boston. Smart was terrific a lot of guys chipped in. That last play call was good Bradley got a good look.

monsterpile wrote:Heck of a win for Boston. Smart was terrific a lot of guys chipped in. That last play call was good Bradley got a good look.

Yes, a great win for Boston. Glad I tuned in for the 4th quarter. When I think of the kind of player Dunn can become, I think of Marcus Smart -- Tough, excellent defender who can sometimes come through not he offensive end. What do you think?

lipoli390 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:Heck of a win for Boston. Smart was terrific a lot of guys chipped in. That last play call was good Bradley got a good look.

Yes, a great win for Boston. Glad I tuned in for the 4th quarter. When I think of the kind of player Dunn can become, I think of Marcus Smart -- Tough, excellent defender who can sometimes come through not he offensive end. What do you think?

it's a massive lowering of expectations that's for sure.

lipoli390 wrote:

monsterpile wrote:Heck of a win for Boston. Smart was terrific a lot of guys chipped in. That last play call was good Bradley got a good look.

Yes, a great win for Boston. Glad I tuned in for the 4th quarter. When I think of the kind of player Dunn can become, I think of Marcus Smart -- Tough, excellent defender who can sometimes come through not he offensive end. What do you think?

I think it is the most fair comp out there. Smart makes winning plays. If I was Thibs I would be on three phone with Angie every day because realistically of Thomas, bradley and smart one of them have to go with all their contracts being up next year and fultz coming in. I want that player who is the odd man out badly I want those bird rights