Series Thread: 1) Miami Heat vs. 2) Boston Celtics

[trojanfan12]

Ladies and gentlemen the least shocking prediction of this NBA season.

You'd lose your mind if the Celtics took home #18.

Unlike you, I pick based on who I think will actually win, whether I like a team or not.

But please, regale us all with more of your junior high girls basketball takes, Aqualung.

 

[msgkings322]

Not enough talk about Jimmy being the best player in the playoffs

That's because the best player is named Luka

 

[bksballer89]

That's because the best player is named Luka

Wrong

 

[msgkings322]

Wrong

K

 

[UK Cowboy]

Celts in 5

 

[Wamu]

Not enough talk about Jimmy being the best player in the playoffs

Jimmy Buckets playoff numbers. 28.7 ppg, 7.6 rebs. 5.4 asts, 2.1 stls

Luka's playoff numbers. 31.5, 10.1, 6.6, 1.9


Luka averages more pts, rebs & asts. By the numbers it's Luka > Jimmy.

 

[flyingelvis]

Not enough talk about Jimmy being the best player in the playoffs

That's because he's not. That goes to JT.

Well, yeah. Luka.

 

[trojanfan12]

Jimmy Buckets playoff numbers. 28.7 ppg, 7.6 rebs. 5.4 asts, 2.1 stls

Luka's playoff numbers. 31.5, 10.1, 6.6, 1.9


Luka averages more pts, rebs & asts. By the numbers it's Luka > Jimmy.

The difference in defense evens it up a good bit. Not sure if it's enough to put Jimmy over Luka, but it's enough to put Jimmy in the convo.

 

[Wamu]

The difference in defense evens it up a good bit. Not sure if it's enough to put Jimmy over Luka, but it's enough to put Jimmy in the convo.

No doubt about it. And I like Jimmy Buckets, have for years.

 

[bksballer89]

The difference in defense evens it up a good bit. Not sure if it's enough to put Jimmy over Luka, but it's enough to put Jimmy in the convo.

Yep

 

[Shanemansj13]

This is a tough one. I predicted Miami in the Finals so going to stick with my original prediction. Miami in 7, this one could go either way.

 

[Shanemansj13]

That's because he's not. That goes to JT.

Well, yeah. Luka.

As great as Tatum has been especially trying to match Giannis, he hasn't been the best player in the playoffs. Top 5 definitely imo

Luka
Giannis
Butler
Tatum

Only 3 left. Luka has definitely been the best. Not the best defender on that list by a good margin but he is easily the best at creating open shots for his teammates and creating his own shot. The Lebron effect.

 

[bksballer89]

As great as Tatum has been especially trying to match Giannis, he hasn't been the best player in the playoffs. Top 5 definitely imo

Luka
Giannis
Butler
Tatum

Only 3 left. Luka has definitely been the best. Not the best defender on that list by a good margin but he is easily the best at creating open shots for his teammates and creating his own shot. The Lebron effect.

I'm biased

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

I hope the Heat in 4. I think the Heat in 6.

What's probably going to happen (knowing my luck) Celtics in 6

 

[DJ]

Boston has a lot of guys to throw at Butler and slow him down.

And the Heat aren't going to have enough offense to win the series.

 

[DJ]

Smart questionable for game 1.

 

[DJ]

"Jayson Tatum is the best 2 way player in the game."

-Big Perk

 

[PPhan]

Giannis has been the best player in the postseason. I wouldn’t put Luka over Butler honestly. Sure he has better offensive numbers, but Butler has been more efficient scoring the ball and his defense more than makes up for the advantage in offense that Luka has. Butler can also play off the ball, Luka is one of those players who needs the ball to be effective.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Giannis has been the best player in the postseason. I wouldn’t put Luka over Butler honestly. Sure he has better offensive numbers, but Butler has been more efficient scoring the ball and his defense more than makes up for the advantage in offense that Luka has. Butler can also play off the ball, Luka is one of those players who needs the ball to be effective.

Agree with most of that but also you have to look at what Luka is working with. He is playing with a bunch of 2nd rounders. Sure Dinwiddie can go off one game but he has been trash all of the postseason. Brunson has been a nice #2 but everyone else-role players. Just like with the Suns when the Mavs and Heat matchup 3 of the 4 best players are on the Heat. Not taking anything away from Jimmy bc he has been amazing and the 2nd best postseason player to this point but Luka is having to conduct an offense every single minute while he is on the court. Butler has Lowry, Herro and Oladipo to do that at times. Butler can certainly conduct an offense, he just can't do it better than Giannis or Luka.

Luka
Butler
Bam
Herro

 

[flyingelvis]

I'm biased

I am too for Tatum. But Tatum is 24, Butler 32. Maybe his young legs will make the difference. Other than age, it's hard to pick between them as the better player.

But I'm not sure JT has reached his ceiling yet. Dude's still growing as a player.