The window for championship is temporarily closed - the Celtics exit is not a magic ball

The G6 of the NBA playoff Eastern Conference semi-finals kicked off in Madison Square Garden, New York. The Knicks faced the Celtics at home. They led the series with a score of 3-2 and only had to win another game to advance. Celtics core Tatum is absent for the second consecutive game due to injury, and the team can only rely on Jaylen Brown, White and others to hold on.

The two sides felt tight at the beginning of the game, and Knicks forward Bridges scored 7 points in a row and shot, leading the team to a 7-0 start. Jaylen Brown immediately used a mid-range shot and a breakthrough to fight back, but the Knicks hit an 8-0 attack wave with three-pointers from Towns and Bridges, establishing a 6-point lead at the end of the first quarter. The Celtics suddenly cut off power in the second quarter, and made multiple mistakes in a single quarter. The Knicks took the opportunity to score a 10-2 climax, and the score difference between the halftime widened to 27 points.

The Celtics still did not find their form in the second half. Although White made three-pointers in a row, it was difficult to turn the decline. Knicks core Brunson and Hart took turns to the basket, and the score difference exceeded 30 points. Jaylen Brown even left the court early due to 6 fouls. The Knicks once led by 40 points in the last quarter, and the game entered garbage time early. In the end, the Knicks defeated the Celtics 119-81, eliminated their opponents 4-2 in total, and returned to the Eastern Conference Finals after many years, and will compete with the Pacers for a place in the finals.

Looking back at the entire round of the series, the Celtics' proud "five foreign lineup" failed a lot, and the main players' condition declined collectively. Porzingis averaged only 4.2 points per game due to injury. Horford G1 and G2 were shorted by the Knicks and made 1 of 10 three-pointers, and Holiday was completely invisible on the offensive end. In contrast, Brunson averaged 26.2 points and 7.2 assists per game to play New York's new king. Hart, Bridges and others had both offense and defense, and completely suppressed the defending champion with a healthier lineup.

In my opinion, the Celtics' "window for championship" is temporarily closed, which is not caused by magic ball play at all, but is simply caused by the sequelae of winning the championship.

Let's talk about internal factors first. Porzingis scored 20 points in the finals of last year, which was a "bench surprise" template, but this year it turned out to be a "patient number". With a data of 4.2 points per game, isn’t it hot to get an annual salary of 30 million? What's even more amazing is that the Celtics coaching staff made the 38-year-old Horford start, but the Knicks strategically let him go - you made 1 of 10 three-pointers in the first two games, and it would be considered a face to let go.

Look at the double-Tanhua again. Jaylen Brown played like a "headless fly" in this round of series. At the critical moment, either a mistake or a foul. In the end, G6 directly graduated with 6 fouls and looked at the water dispenser. Holiday is even more outrageous. Last year, it was still a defensive gate, but this year there is no sense of existence on both ends of offense and defense. Brunson will make a sudden shot and shoot.

External factors are even more annoying. The Knicks and the others have thoroughly studied the Celtics; are you Porzingis good? OK, I double-team Tatum; you Horford's old cold legs? OK, I'll let you three meters away. Brunson once again turned into a ruthless man, averaging 28.8 points, 7.7 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game in the playoffs, almost tearing the Celtics' proud defense into strips.

After all, the Celtics have been wandering after winning the championship last year and have not found a stronger puzzle in the substitute lineup to continue their combat power. I always thought that the "five foreign lineup" could make a living by shooting, but the Knicks used younger and more life-long defense to teach them. The sequelae of winning the championship is not only targeted at the Celtics, but the teams that have won the championship in the past few seasons have been dominated; from the 2020 park champion Lakers to the Celtics this year, they still cannot achieve their successive championships. This time, I understand that the Warriors dynasty is valuable, right?

Seweng's failure is a blessing. The Celtics' exit may not be a bad thing. Tatum's absence will inevitably bring about changes in the lineup; the management should also find a reliable substitute for Horford and how to deal with the two veterans, Holiday and Porzingis. Keep the core structure of Double Tanhua + White + Horford, and wait for Tatum to return from injury and continue to win the championship.