NBA Playoffs show Boston Celtics FLAWS | Did they ever ACTUALLY have a chance?
What have the NBA playoffs shown us about the Boston Celtics? The Celtics’ recent loss to the New York Knicks has fans questioning their future in the NBA. With star players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown at the helm, the team faces scrutiny over their performance and potential matchups with the Indiana Pacers. Host John Karalis and guest Tom Westerholm dissect the Celtics’ missed opportunities, the impact of injuries, and the league’s push for parity affecting small market teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder. They explore the dynamics of momentum in basketball and how it can shift the course of a game.
Tune in for an engaging analysis of the Celtics’ path forward and the broader NBA landscape.
1:30 Intro: Reflecting on Celtics’ playoff loss
5:24 Momentum shifts and holding leads in playoffs
11:50 Criticism of Celtics’ response to adversity
18:14 Analyzing potential Celtics-Pacers matchup
25:28 Mutual respect between Celtics and Pacers fans
31:56 OKC and potential small market NBA Finals
38:56 NBA’s shift from individual stars to parity
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Locked On Celtics is a daily Boston Celtics podcast by Boston Sports Journal beat writer John Karalis. It’s an inside look at the C’s from a former professional basketball player who is at practices & games.
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22 Comments
I’ve been skeptical of this team for years based off the physicality and the 3point output, and the ways they blow leads. Once I saw okc and Denver were eliminated last year I was confident that we would win because those were the only teams that concerned me.
@John Thank you as always :). Going to be a insane offseason now. Never been happier to have Brad…
I dont care what you say, It Looks super bad when the defending champs gets dethroned by the Knicks
This season over and next season I’m depressed already w out Tatum! Ugh 4x first teams in a row! Will he ever make the first team again. Will he ever be the same! Ugh
It’s quite simple. Being married to their offensive strategy creates risk. When holding large leads it’s imperative to work the clock and adjust the approach to a more dribble drive offense because the other team must challenge to stop the scoring to get back into the game, creating fouls. Watching the Celtics is not a pleasant experience. It’s boring basketball.
If you guys never discussed ratings again, it would be too soon.
Both JT and JB are good humans and softish basketball players. JB an amazing human and fantastic basketball player but not worth the super max and in this era would be optimal to move him. Hate the whole salary cap structure as the nba will too soon enough. Still Jb should go under the current rules he’s a luxury they can’t afford. His decision making is at best good and far from elite that his salary requires.
On a serious note post viral syndrome is very common. Literally millions of Americans suffering best known from COVID. The medical related press is a complete disaster but it’s a big health problem world wide and a reason that vaccination , that helps minimize the prevalence and severity, is so important.
Both JT and JB are good humans and softish basketball players. JB an amazing human and fantastic basketball player but not worth the super max and in this era would be optimal to move him. Hate the whole salary cap structure as the nba will too soon enough. Still Jb should go under the current rules he’s a luxury they can’t afford. His decision making is at best good and far from elite that his salary requires.
On a serious note post viral syndrome is very common. Literally millions of Americans suffering best known from COVID. The medical related press is a complete disaster but it’s a big health problem world wide and a reason that vaccination , that helps minimize the prevalence and severity, is so important.
The Celtics issues came down to health. KP, if healthy gave them a player that clung stretch the floor and give you points from the midrange down the post.
In game 4, before Tatum got hurt, JT was rolling, and the C's had a 16-point lead in the lead. But they went down 7 before JT got hurt, and they went down 9 on the play he got hurt. So another blown lead killed them. I remember in the championship season, they had the 70 point halfs. And the big blowouts more often. And they had way more hot shooting nights. And in the regular season this year, we didn't see those things even close to as much. This year's team just wasn't as good as the championship team.
Question how many players improving, peaking, declining.
John we are still listening to you although we miss the C’s playing 😢
I just wish they'd generate more two paint touches with the intent to score to mix it up. Taking all 3s in the 4th ain't gonna keep us in contention with the good talent that is defensively sound in the playoffs and we need LBs too ig for the contact
I think I slightly forgot the impact that D White and Jrue had last year. Our offense became very Tatum-centric this playoffs and last year we were at our best when he got off the ball fast.
From a decision making standpoint I see zero reason to believe in Brown elevating to a Tatum level.
I have a completely different outlook on JB and his tenure in Boston. I truly believe he will and wants to retire a Celtic. Call me delusional but hey, we fans appreciate him and I think he really wants to be a Celtic for life. How can you not want to?
I think they could have won the against the Knicks if they have just stayed focus 😔😎
They definitely don't mean much when you're shooting poorly, and you just keep chucking up MISSED shot's while the other team is scoring.
What ever happened to Tristian Enaruna.?
John and Tom I am a Celtics ☘️ fan it really matter you they have on the team as long they make a effort to do what it takes to a Celtic ☘️😎
Not just three pointers. If you get a 20 point lead on a team this late then they are not trying on defense. They know it, you know it and the coach(that's you Mazzulla) should be making sure you know it. Every time the Celtics need it last year JB was rising up and scoring or KP for that matter. The prevent defense prevents you from wining.
Hey John we could really use a break down of the CBA. I have been reading it for a while now but it seems like every week there is something new. Are you having the same issue? Or is it user error 😂.