With the Nuggets sweeping the Lakers, one piece of the NBA Finals is set in stone. Now, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets are waiting to see who their opponent will be. As of right now, it looks like the Heat are going to the finals as they hold a 3-0 lead over the Celtics. A sweep in the Conference Finals is obviously a wild feat, but when it’s an eight seed on the verge of sweeping a two seed, it’s even more eye-opening.
A lot rides on the Heat closing the Celtics out and it’s not just a trip to the NBA Finals. Erik Spoelstra could put himself a top of the coaches pyramid in the NBA, history gets made, and the Celtics fall into a state of disarray. There’s a lot at stake and tonight will be pivotal for both Miami and Boston.
History Is Made
Before we get into the external implications, we must acknowledge the history that would be made if the Heat close out the Celtics in this series. Miami would become the first ever eight seed to make the NBA Finals. That’s wild, especially when you look at the gauntlet that Jimmy Butler and Co. had to run through.
Miami beat a Giannis-led Bucks team 4-1 and had an average point margin of 10.5 points. In the second round, they battled a brash Knicks team and went to six games before winning the series 4-2. Their average margin of victory in that series was 9.5 points. While both of those series are impressive, what they’re doing against my Celtics is on another level. They’re currently up 3-0 an have an average margin of victory of 13 points. It’s abuse.
Erik Spoelstra Solidifies Himself As The Leagues Best Head Coach
We all knew Spoelstra was a great coach, but if he closes this series out in dominate fashion, he moves to the top of the list. He’s assembled 12 winning seasons the past 15 years and includes two NBA Finals wins. Spoelstra’s coaching has attracted stars like LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, and Chris Bosh to come to South Beach and that starts with his winning culture. He’s only missed the playoffs twice and has won the Southeast nine times.
But let’s look past his success in the wins and losses column. He is showing that Miami is the best NBA franchise for player development. Jimmy Butler has always been a dog, but he didn’t fit in Philadelphia or Minnesota. Spoelstra was able to make Butler a malevolent defender and elite scorer. With his young guys, Spoelstra has tailored a system to get the most out of them. Caleb Martin was below average in Charlotte, but has found a niche in Miami. Max Strus was a nobody before last season in Miami when he shot 41% from beyond the arc. There’s more examples too with Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent, and Bam Adebayo. Spoelstra finds a way to get the most out of his guys and if I’m a free agent, I’d want to sign with the Heat.
This player development praise stretches even bigger than Spoelstra, though. It’s an accolade to the entire Heat organization from Pat Riley down to the assistant coaches. Miami has always been an enticing place to play, but it has become even more attractive this season.
Joe Mazzulla Probably Loses His Job
It’s been real and it’s been fun, but it hasn’t been real fun for Joe Mazzulla. He became the head coach on the heels of Ime Udoka who had a slew of controversies circling around him, and while Mazzulla did coach the Celtics to a 57-25 record and the second seed in the East, he hasn’t been able to rally his players this postseason.
Boston is playing with low energy and haven’t looked sharp at all this postseason. An Atlanta team with essentially just Trae Young took the Celtics to six games. Then, the 76ers who didn’t have Embiid for about half the series, forced Boston to go into full on survival mode and play seven games. It seems like playoff fatigue and a lack of ambition are being steamrolled by a team that has grit and great energy. It’s sad to see and it’s going to cost Mazzulla his job.
Somehow, Brad Stevens was able to motivate a rag tag group in 2017-2018 that consisted of Isaiah Thomas, Kelly Olynyk, and a rookie Jayson Tatum. The Celtics need a motivator like Stevens and Mazzulla doesn’t seem like that guy. I’d be curious to see who Boston hires if they gas him.
Kevin Love Looks Like A Genius
One of the most overlooked aspects of this series has been Kevin Love. Not just his play, but how he landed in Miami. On On February 18, 2023, Love and the Cleveland Cavaliers agreed to a contract buyout. Love was playing decent minutes averaging 8.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, but he needed a change of scenery. He had been with the Cavs since 2014 and had endured the highest of highs and lowest of lows.
On February 20, 2023, Love signed with the Heat. When he was first acquired he saw decent time, but it’s been ramped up in the playoffs. Against the Bucks, Love averaged 21.8 minutes, 9.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, and shot 35.1% from three. That included 15 points and 12 rebounds along with going 5-11 from three in game five. He’s carved out a role as a player who can hit a few threes and grab rebounds off the bench or as a starter. He also adds veteran leadership to a younger roster that every team could use. Love seemed to be just what Miami needed to make a playoff run.
Now, do I think Kevin Love knew the Heat were going to be an eight seed and make a run like this? No, but he knew the type of coach Erik Spoelstra was and the player that Jimmy Butler was. He saw an opportunity to serve as a role player on a gritty team and for a talented coach and took it. This move makes him look like a genius because the Cavs got bounced in round one while the Heat are on the brink of making the NBA Finals.
Jaylen Brown’s Days In Boston Become Numbered
There were two things that could come out of this year’s playoff run. If the Celtics make the NBA Finals then Brown sticks around on a long term deal. Say they get swept in the Conference Finals and go out with no fight, then it seems like Brown could be shipped out of Boston this offseason. He’s set to become a free agent at the end of next season, but his play in the post season has been sporadic. He doesn’t warrant him getting a max extension like his teammate Jayson Tatum.
This series, Brown is averaging 16.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. He’s also shooting 2-20 from three and 23-61 from the field. Brown is supposed to be the Celtics number two, but hasn’t exactly played like it. Defensively he’s struggled and his infrequent scoring makes it tough for Boston to win.
Boston could package Brown and some picks to the Knicks in exchange for RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, and picks. Or, they could send Brown with Derek White and Grant Williams to Chicago for Demar DeRozan, Zach Lavine, and draft picks. Any way you slice it, I think this imploding postseason makes it difficult to see Brown in a Celtics jersey next season. It sucks to think about, but it’s a harsh reality.