BGleas

Just now, FW_Hoosier said:

Honestly there’s a chance the Cavs might fall apart this year.  They’ve looked really bad in these early games.

It will be interesting to see when IT comes back and how effective he is when he does. Cleveland is not a particularly good shooting team, especially when you surround LeBron with guys like Wade and Rose. But when IT comes back, it could change things. We’ll see, I won’t bet against LeBron until he gives a reason too, but definitely cause for concern in Cleveland. 

2 hours ago, KoB2011 said:

Huge second half from Vic to lead the Pacers over the Spurs.  Adding a potential All-Star in Turner to this group could really have them in the middle of it in the East.  They won't be as good as Cleveland, Milwaukee or Washington, but beyond that?  No one sticks out as out of their reach if Vic keeps playing this level and Turner is a 20/10/3 guy. 

Not trying to be a homer, and Hayward’s injury has definitely put a damper on some of the expectations, but don’t forget about the Celtics. After the shock of the injury the Celtics have rebounded to win 4 in a row, including 3 on the road. The addition of Tatum and Brown to the starting lineup has really improved the teams rebounding, and Tatum is the real deal. This team is much taller and longer than last years, and while I love IT, Irving is better. Also, Irving and Horford are beginning to develop a really nice chemistry on the pick and roll, and this has all been without Morris, a solid vet. Aaron Baynes has also been a nice addition in terms of defense, toughness and a big that can hit the 10-15 footer  

I don’t see us having a shot at the Finals anymore, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the Celtics are a 3-6 seed and win a round in the playoffs. 

27 minutes ago, FKIM01 said:

If George leaves OKC after this year, does that change your opinion?  Let's even say he gets OKC deep in the playoffs...was it worth what OKC gave up to get him for one season?  I don't know...just have opinions, but I'm curious if that scenario changes your opinion any?  Oladipo is probably not ready to carry the Pacers like Paul George might have but after watching him last night, I don't feel like he's as overpaid as the "experts" thought he was.

It's hard to say from OKC's point of view. I think even if PG leaves there this summer, this trade and the Melo signing are what helped Westbrook finally sign with them long-term. Without the PG trade I think there's a really good chance Westbrook entertains leaving next summer. So, even if PG bolts I think it was worth it for OKC, especially since VO was a horrible fit there once Durant left. 

1 hour ago, 5fouls said:

ESPN reporting Cody had a bone bruise on his knee.

http://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2579258/cody-zeller

 

 

 

Thanks! I checked the box score right after the game on ESPN and it said “Coaches Decision”. Not glad he’s injured by any means, but also glad it’s not an issue of him just not playing. I know their coach is all about Howard, but while certainly not a star, Zeller has established himself as an extremely useful (especially by the analytics crowd) rotation player/starter. 

Anyone know why Zeller got a DNP-Coaches Decision last night? Is he hurt but they didn’t list it? Would seem odd for him to be out of Charlottes rotation. 

13 minutes ago, Hoosierhoopster said:

That sucks. Hopefully he does. Follow up on NBA radio was that it doesn't mean he won't be healed but since it's his leg/ankle he won't be in shape even if healthy by March, and he'd have to be able to get in full game shape starting in March, assuming that's when the leg is healthy, and his camp/agent and the team may not want to push it, since he'll have already missed the bulk of the season.

Yeah, I think it's an organizational decision with the Celtics and Hayward that it's just best for everybody not to rush him. Most things I've read say anywhere between 4-6 months, or even sooner, but at that point in the season with this type of injury it just makes sense to take it slow/cautiously and get him ready for next season. Heck, maybe the Celts have a Spurs/Duncan situation on their hands like that season Robinson was hurt and they went from 50+ wins to the lottery and got Duncan #1. 

I tend to think the Celtics can still make the playoffs because the East is so bad, but you never know, I think they have 5-6 rookies on the roster right now which is not a recipe for winning in the NBA.  

4 hours ago, Hoosierhoopster said:

^^ Continue to hear good news about the ankle dislocation and the fracture. All reports so far indicate he should be back in 3-4 months, and it's been noted that some NFL players have come back from the same injury in weeks, crazy as that sounds. It's looking much better than PG's injury, and he should play this year.

Have to say in fairness Gleas, the C's realistically weren't going to beat Cleveland anyway this year. Challenge them, sure, but beat them, don't see it. The way LeBron took over yet again last night was, like your guy Scalabrine said, the same -- Boston hasn't closed the gap on LeBron, and having Hayward healthy wouldn't do that, this year. But man the future looks bright for your C's, Tatum really impressed, and they're probably going to be the team to beat (in the East) in another year or so.

I'm going to disagree a bit on your second paragraph. Would I have picked the Celtics to beat the Cavs in a series with a healthy Hayward? No. But, they definitely closed the gap IMO. Boston got smoked in the ECF last year. Not only was it not even a series, most of the games were embarrassing blowouts. IMO with a healthy Hayward this Celtics team is better than last year, and had the potential to make a playoff series with Cleveland a real fight. Again, I'd still pick Cleveland, but not in blowout/embarrassing fashion. 

LeBron is still the best player, and definitely took over last night (though the play that gave them the lead late was a blatant and clear 5-step travel in the paint), but the Celtics were a missed 3 away from sending the game to overtime on the road in a game where they were mentally shook by Hayward's injury and counting on numerous young players who are only going to get better. 

What we're saying isn't too far off, I just think the gap is definitely closer than last year. I think Boston got better (before Hayward's injury) and I think Cleveland got a little worse. 

I feel horrible for Hayward. I've always really liked him, and was really looking forward to seeing him in a Celtics uniform. At least initial reports are sounding that the injury is about as good as you could hope, given how devastating it looked. The Celtics play-by-play guy, Mike Gorman, was reporting after the game that it's a clean break with no ligament of blood vessel damage, which sounds like best case scenario. 

As a Celtics fan it's also really disappointing. The Celtics have been building towards this year for several seasons, so to see it kind wiped out 6 minutes in stinks. The silver lining, as FW_Hoosier said, is that watching Brown an Tatum develop and hopefully blossom will be fun to watch and hopefully keep the Celtics in the hunt. As an NBA fan in general is stinks because the East is basically over now. Maybe Washington has an outside shot against Cleveland, but I doubt it. 

Again though, all thoughts are with Hayward. I feel terrible for him. 

9 minutes ago, Hoosierhoopster said:

^^ yeah we've had bugs galore as we (HF) work to get it up and running. but the product is coming together. thanks for your patience!

Absolutely! Everything looks great! 

31 minutes ago, Hoosierhoopster said:

^^ Gleas in the House -- Welcome BG

Thanks! I actually signed up a few weeks ago, and then for a couple weeks every time I came back it said "404 error". Then I came back last weekend and on my ipad half the screen is the site and the other half is ESPN. So, finally came back today on desktop and it works. 

Awesome that we've found a new spot!

I'll preface this with I was disappointed the Celtics gave up the Brooklyn pick, and I'm actually not a big Kyrie fan. 

But with that said, I think this is a win-win for both. The Celtics had an IT issue they were going to have to deal with sooner, rather than later. I heard a stat on Mike and Mike this morning that no player in NBA history over 30 that is below 6'0" has ever made an All-Star Team. Couple that with IT's hip injuries, and I think this is a clear indication that the Celtics did not want to give a 29 year old, extremely undersized point guard a max contract next summer.  

Kyrie fits the Celtics timeline much better and has a much better contract situation. Crowder has a great contract which is tough to lose, but he was going to lose playing time with Hayward, Brown and Tatum in the fold. As far as the Brooklyn pick, it sucks to lose it, but there's a chance the Lakers pick (2-5) the Celtics have could actually be the better pick. The Nets added Russell, Crabbe and Demare Carroll this offseason and playing in the East (which is even worse than last year) they could be more better than the Lakers. So, the Celtics got a 25 year old perennial all-star who has a championship and a Gold Medal, yet still maintain flexibility with picks and their young players. So, we gave up more than others have for stars, but didn't leverage the future. 

Cleveland should be really happy. They're set up for another championship run this year, though I think they'll find out IT is great, but teams really figure how to exploit him in the playoffs, and they' got assets should LeBron bolt. 

Don't love Irving, but the deal itself is a win-win.