I honestly cannot see the Celtics beating Denver in a 7 game series IF that is that matchup in the Finals. And this game shows exactly why a team like Miami beat the C's last year. Inconsistent plays and to add some more points.
1. Porzingis cannot stop Jokic, at all. Meaning, nobody else in the C's roster can either.
2. Clutch points. Nuggets pass the ball inside a lot for easy alley oop dunks and layups. High percentage shots, the old fashioned way, not iso ball. The game is not about 1 'great' players.
3. Despite have 2 of the best D guards in the league, C's cannot stop Murray who is like a modern mamba. He's been a favorite player of mine for like 5 years ago, when his sidekick was still Gary Harris.
4. Unicorn was utilized at his best in his NY days, operating a lot inside. Now he is waiting at the 3 point line a lot, and has at least a 3 ball attempt each game as his staple shot. Contrast that to Joker who shoots 3s only when the time clock is running out or a really open shot at the 3 line. Where Joker is deadliest is when he is operating from inside the 3 line, passing and rebounding for put backs. He passing reminds me of the Blazers days of Bill Walton, eyes at the back of his head.
5. Tatum is about to be supermax man next season, following Jaylen Brown. I have always frowned on supermax figures as it tends to make players complacent and just run through the motions. I really do not know anymore these days in the supermax has a more deserving player, after all, the game is a 5 man thing. Tatum had a horrible shooting game, and missed yet again a 3 ball that would have given the C's a 1 point lead, with under a minute left. Jokic then assisted Gordon for the easy dunk to put the game away.
6, Unless the coaching staff of Boston makes some radical and inspirational talks to these players, to make them play as 1 engine and not 5 man shooting spree type of game, the playoffs will be a hard climb and expose the weakness of the C's, the do not have an inside game, which is to me, still the money ball - the high percentage shot.
7. I really felt that Ainge should have made a trade for Aaron Gordon when he had the chance. He is now my most admired power forward. Boston does not have a power forward in this roster.
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