Celtics vs Hawks Round 1

I was watching the game last night and was rooting for the Hawks. About midway through the third quarter I started to get a little uneasy. Trae Young is a very good player, especially when he plays under control and distributes the ball. Clint Capela is an excellent defensive player and rebounder. Murray, Bodon, Hunter, Collins etc all good players. They definitely have a deeper and more talented team than Miami.

We can't take these guys lightly. I don't we will relax against them. If we keep our intensity high on the defensive end, I see this this as Celtics in five.

With the facts presented above I can argue nothing. Intangibly, ATL is a different team with its new coach. They have nothing to lose. And they played like it last night.

But there is indeed quite a difference between the top heavy East and the last ones in to the dance. I'm leaning toward to 4-1 but a broom would be very nice. I'm sure with all the time off, SIASJ/MCO will have them relaxed, rested and focused. That will be Step #1 he will take. 1st Game/1st Round of the playoffs with him at the helm. Needs to be a convincing win completely unlike what the Lakers just displayed. I can understand tightness in the first few minutes, but after that it should be business as usual.

Our trick will be when to bomb from 3-ville vs. when to quit that and start driving down the lane and how to mix those two in with good ball movement. That's really about it.

db

Celtics17 wrote:I was watching the game last night and was rooting for the Hawks. About midway through the third quarter I started to get a little uneasy. Trae Young is a very good player, especially when he plays under control and distributes the ball. Clint Capela is an excellent defensive player and rebounder. Murray, Bodon, Hunter, Collins etc all good players. They definitely have a deeper and more talented team than Miami.

We can't take these guys lightly. I don't we will relax against them. If we keep our intensity high on the defensive end, I see this this as Celtics in five.

Good take; I agree.

The Hawks have improved through the season. They have a good and developing group, stronger on the offensive end.

I think the Celtics will take the series, but I don't see a sweep. 5 or 6 games, I believe. Of course the fewer the better given our always iffy health status.

Besides the big advantage in the Tatum-Collins match up. Collins is just like Tatum without the shooting and scoring ability. They’re backcourt is going to be in big trouble. Trae Young scares no one on defense and Murray is more a tall point. We have Smart/White/Brogdon, plus an all NBA forward Jaylen, who moonlights in the backcourt. Hawks are going to have to not play Trae and Murray together too much and go bigger with Bey and Johnson to match up with our size.

dboss wrote:

cowens/oldschool wrote:Besides the big advantage in the Tatum-Collins match up. Collins is just like Tatum without the shooting and scoring ability. They’re backcourt is going to be in big trouble. Trae Young scares no one on defense and Murray is more a tall point. We have Smart/White/Brogdon, plus an all NBA forward Jaylen, who moonlights in the backcourt. Hawks are going to have to not play Trae and Murray together too much and go bigger with Bey and Johnson to match up with our size.

Cow

The sentiment down here in the ATL is that Young and Murray play too much my turn your turn basketball.  Sound familiar.

The biggest problem with the Hawks is that trae cannot defend his own position and he is vulnerable if he gets switched out on anybody else.  He is a terrific offensive player while Murray is an unreliable shooter from distance. Murray is a very good scorer overall and pretty solid on defense.  They have a good backcourt but no where close to our depth.

Bey and Johnson are developing players but at times they seem confused as does Hunter.

The experience factor favors Boston.

We have no defensive liabilities in our starting unit.  

The Celtics need to play with energy, force and great execution.  

Hawks have not been able to beat us all year long and I see no reason why that will change now.

Good analogy dboss.

If I was in our backcourt, I would be feasting on how were gonna tear up their backcourt, especially if they go with extended minutes with their starting backcourt. White and Brogdon will feast on little Trey, cannot imagine how easy Jaylen will bullyball on Murray.

I cannot help thinking in the back of my mind to the 2008 Team.  I know there is no comparison.  I'm just looking at the path.  That team's first two rounds went to 7 games each.  Now they had home court, and expectations going in were high there as well.  And we got punched in the mouth.  But it was for our own good.  They needed to be punched in the face since they weren't as familiar with each other as teammates as this current team is.  That's what jacked up KG.  That team was amazingly resilient.  

Our usual MO currently and recently is to for some stupid or any reason to lay an egg and then follow that up with stellar play....but in the next game.

Is it possible for ATL to shock the world and win G1?  In Boston?  Possible, not probable.  Anything is possible per KG.  ATL has absolutely nothing to lose.  No one is betting on them.  This is more of a test for SIASJ/MCO.  Can he get and keep the troops in that killer mindset over the next two months that is needed to hang B18?  

This first game will say a lot.  If we come out and look like the Lakers on Tuesday, that's important.  If we come out and blow/run them out of the gym, that's important.  If it's a close game throughout, that's important.  We're going to pick it all apart ad nauseum here.

The big question that will be answered in short order is can SIASJ/MCO keep the foot on the neck of our opponents all the way through each series?  If so, that will take the spotlight off of him and put it where it belongs...on the team.  Coach needs to put the fire out early on himself so he doesn't become the focus of our ups an downs going forward.  All the talking heads are looking at Coach.  Per them, that's the Celtics Achilles with his lack of playoff experience.  We weren't thinking of Ime's inexperience at this point last year.  No one was.  

That whole issue needs to be put to bed in G1.  Additionally, a sweep would indicate he's on point and has the troops in line.  4-1?  Still good but 4-0 would set things right IMHBAO.

Our players biggest obstacle will be abandoning the 3 when appropriate and driving down the lane and getting fouls, And 1's, etc.  The three's aren't going to come as easily in the playoffs.  We won't see those barrages like we did during the regular season as the defense and the sphincters tighten up.  That's where SIASJ/MCO comes in and will earn his stripes.  
   
db

dboss,

After your poignant analysis, I'm smashing the ALL-IN Button!!

db

Now that is a great theme for the playoffs dboss!!!!

Save me a seat and some room on the dance floor on that Party Train! All aboard!!!