Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily – "Celtics Sweep Pacers, Move on to the Finals"
Episode Information:
- Title: Celtics Sweep Pacers, Move on to the Finals
- Release Date: May 28, 2024
- Hosts: Zach Harper and Jared Weiss from The Athletic
1. Series Overview
In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosts Zach Harper and Jared Weiss delve into the dramatic conclusion of the Boston Celtics' series against the Indiana Pacers. The Celtics secured a 4-0 sweep, advancing to the NBA Finals. This marked the third consecutive close game in the series, highlighting the intensity and competitiveness of the matchup.
Notable Quote:
- Zach Harper [03:37]: “The Celtics are headed to the NBA Finals. The Celtics hold the Pacers scoreless in the final 3:33 of this ball game to win. 105-102.”
2. Game-by-Game Analysis
Game 1: The series opener went into overtime, raising doubts about the Celtics' dominance early on. However, the Celtics managed to clinch the win despite the tight scoreline.
Game 2: A stark contrast to the first game, Boston delivered a blowout performance, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive solidity.
Games 3 & 4: These games were intensely close, with the Celtics narrowly edging out the Pacers. Notably, in Game 4, the Celtics executed flawlessly in the final moments, holding the Pacers scoreless for the last 3 minutes and 33 seconds to secure the victory.
Notable Quote:
- Jared Weiss [04:09]: “The irony is they finally get a sweep and it's by far their hardest series yet.”
3. Key Player Performances
Jaylen Brown: Brown emerged as a pivotal player throughout the series. Despite occasional shooting slumps—three of his 14 games saw him shooting below 50%—his defensive plays, including a crucial block in Game 4, were instrumental in the Celtics' success.
Notable Quote:
- Jared Weiss [07:45]: “Jaylen Brown even said at the podium after the game, he said, when I was talking about Michael fucking Jordan, I was specifically talking about T.J. mcConnell.”
Andrew Nemhardt: Stepping up in the absence of Tyrese Haliburton, Nemhardt showcased exceptional shot-making and playmaking abilities, becoming a standout performer for the Pacers and challenging the Celtics' defense.
Notable Quote:
- Jared Weiss [08:03]: “Well, let's credit him first. His shot making was unreal."
Jayson Tatum: Tatum's performance was a mix of brilliance and areas needing improvement. While his playmaking and defensive versatility have grown, his three-point shooting and turnover rate raised some concerns.
Notable Quote:
- Jared Weiss [11:42]: “Jason Tatum's shooting has to be not terrible. Like, they're going against Dallas. Dallas hopefully won't have anyone get knocked out of the series, and they're going to be really good at closing games.”
4. Team Strategies and Execution
The Celtics demonstrated superior late-game execution, particularly in critical moments. Their ability to stay composed under pressure and manufacture necessary shots, such as Derrick White's game-winning three-pointer facilitated by Jaylen Brown's block, underscored their strategic advantage.
Conversely, the Pacers struggled with turnovers in crucial phases, which the Celtics capitalized on effectively.
Notable Quote:
- Zach Harper [05:00]: “Indiana kept turning it over in these huge moments and fumbling it away, but also Boston was able to manufacture some of the shots that they needed.”
5. Criticism and Responses
The discussion touched upon Stephen A. Smith's criticism of Jaylen Brown, suggesting that Brown should have been first-team All-NBA. Brown's response, emphasizing his commitment and versatility, highlighted his focus on team-oriented play rather than individual accolades.
Notable Quote:
- Jared Weiss [09:57]: “Jaylen Brown isn't a marketable piece of shit. I think was basically what it was.”
6. Looking Forward to the Finals
With the Celtics advancing to the Finals, the conversation shifted to their upcoming matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. The hosts speculated on the Celtics' chances, emphasizing the need for Jayson Tatum to improve his shooting to counteract Dallas's strong offensive players like Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
They also discussed the uncertain return of Kristaps Porziņģis, debating whether his health would allow him to contribute effectively in the Finals.
Notable Quote:
- Jared Weiss [13:22]: “There seems to be no doubt whatsoever he will be playing in Game 1amid.”
7. Jared Weiss's "Play Out Tournament" Concept
In a light-hearted moment, Jared Weiss introduced the idea of a "Play out tournament," suggesting that the NBA adopt a play-out system to determine playoff outcomes more fairly. This concept received chuckles and playful banter between the hosts.
Notable Quote:
- Jared Weiss [18:13]: “It's the Play out tournament.”
8. Conclusion
The episode concluded with reflections on the Celtics' remarkable season and their balanced team dynamics. The hosts praised Boston's depth, versatility, and strategic execution, making them formidable contenders in the upcoming NBA Finals.
Notable Quote:
- Jared Weiss [16:10]: “The Celtics are going to run everything through, Brown and Tatum at a certain point, but they are not pounding out the clock very often.”
Final Thoughts: This episode provided an in-depth analysis of the Celtics' sweep over the Pacers, highlighting key performances, strategic insights, and future prospects as Boston gears up for the NBA Finals. The hosts offered a balanced perspective, celebrating the Celtics' achievements while acknowledging areas for improvement.