06-02-2024, 12:25 PM
(06-02-2024, 12:09 PM)dirkfansince1998 Wrote: Looking at a bigger sample size it is a sizeable disparity. Looking at metrics that are used to compare teams the Celtics had an all time great season. Just looking at the regular season. 5th all time in SRS. 4th in net rating.
One could make a legit case that they have 4-5 allstar level player on the roster. 4-5 players with a legit case for a spot in the all-defense teams.
But thankfully that's not a guarantee to win it all. In 16/17 the 73-9 Warriors lost in the finals. Against a less talented Cavs team (featuring Kyrie). Even the best teams can run into a bad matchup. Can have off games at the worst possible time.
Mavs on the other hand did not look like a contender for most of the season. They figured things out in march and peaked at the right time. The hottest team in the league that has basically matched the Celtics record in the last 20 games of the regular season.
My personal ranking of players in the series (off the top of my head):
Doncic
Tatum
Irving/Brown
Holiday
White
Porzingis (fully healthy)
Lively
Washington
Horford
DJJ
Kleber
Gafford
Green
Pritchard
Hardy/Exum
Hauser
I would not put White or KP above Lively. Impact on game has to factor into how good that player is. Boston is still capable of winning without White or without KP. Dallas would have almost no chance without Lively. KP may have more unique skills like dribbling and hitting 3s, but Lively is a superior player in my opinion. Would you trade White or KP for Lively straight up? I'm going to say 99% say no.
Gafford has to be over Maxi as well. Maxi is a very nice versatile defensive piece for us l, but he's nothing more right now and we aren't even sure how many minutes he can or will get. I think that's really selling Gafford short and we wouldn't be here without Gafford. We would still be here without Maxi.