Amir was the least of our problems in game 4.Brad announces no changes to the starting lineup for Game 5. We need more Amir like we need more cowbell.
Amir was the least of our problems in game 4.Brad announces no changes to the starting lineup for Game 5. We need more Amir like we need more cowbell.
We began each game with a double digit deficit....Game 4 was an improvement only down 8-0 but then it was the first unit that was on the floor for most of the 26-0 3rd quarter run. The starting unit has been a major problem in this series and why change hasn't occurred to address this doesn't look good on Stevens.Amir was the least of our problems in game 4.
In game 4, first quarter, the Celtics missed a series of good open looks before they finally scored. In the third quarter, I'm pretty sure Amir (who scored 5 points to open the quarter) was on the bench for the bulk of the run.We began each game with a double digit deficit....Game 4 was an improvement only down 8-0 but then it was the first unit that was on the floor for most of the 26-0 3rd quarter run. The starting unit has been a major problem in this series and why change hasn't occurred to address this doesn't look good on Stevens.
And yet here is Murray getting a DNP - coaches decision in game 5.There was MUCH more pressure on Dejounte Murray in his two starts on the road in Houston as the PG with Patrick Beverly in his face for 94 feet yet he performed admirably when Popovich placed his trust in him and not asking him to do anything more than stay within himself.
I don't think Brad actually announced his starting lineup. What some articles reported as being no changes to the starting lineup, this article reports as Brad saying that he wouldn't commit to any changes his starting lineup Wednesday night, followed by this quote: “We have 36 hours before the game starts,″We began each game with a double digit deficit....Game 4 was an improvement only down 8-0 but then it was the first unit that was on the floor for most of the 26-0 3rd quarter run. The starting unit has been a major problem in this series and why change hasn't occurred to address this doesn't look good on Stevens.
The good news to those calling for change is that reports are that Jaylen spent a good chunk of time at practice yesterday with the starting unit wearing a green jersey while Amir wore the second unit whites.
I'm not sure what I would make of starting KO. He's a worse rebounder than Amir (somehow), but a better offensive player and almost certainly a better option on D against the Wizards. He moves his feet way, way better than Amir does at this point in time and would probably be better at containing Beal, Porter and Morris -- though, of course, nobody can contain Wall the way he's been playing.I don't think Brad actually announced his starting lineup. What some articles reported as being no changes to the starting lineup, this article reports as Brad saying that he wouldn't commit to any changes his starting lineup Wednesday night, followed by this quote: “We have 36 hours before the game starts,″
It would surprise me that Brad would do anything that far in advance of the game.
BTW, apparently KO wore the starting green at the end of practice too.
Yeah, I think KO shouldn't be an option to start but just reporting what I saw.I'm not sure what I would make of starting KO. He's a worse rebounder than Amir (somehow), but a better offensive player and almost certainly a better option on D against the Wizards. He moves his feet way, way better than Amir does at this point in time and would probably be better at containing Beal, Porter and Morris -- though, of course, nobody can contain Wall the way he's been playing.
If the C's do 2 of three things -- keep up on the boards, keep up on fast break points, and win the turnover battle -- then they put themselves in a good position to in this game. Since the boards aren't going to happen, barring some miracle of gang rebounding, they've got to take care of the ball and get back on defense. They do that and shoot well and they'll win.
Given IT's and Marcus' charades the last couple of games, I'm not confident in that regard at all.
I think Rozier is too important as a ballhandler in relief of Thomas, and needs to come in when Thomas takes a breather. If Smart or Bradley were given primary ballhandling duties, the Celtics would take too long to get into their offensive sets, and the Bullets would pick them apart.I know he doesn't match up well with IT on the court, but Rozier is most deserving of the starting nod. He's suddenly an outstanding rebounder, is good in transition, and most importantly attacks to keep DC on their heels instead of settling for bad threes like others have seemed to do too often. He's the spark plug that Marcus was until recently.
Good point. Starting him doesn't disrupt the flow of the bench. The only question is whether he understands the defense well enough to help keep the Wiz at bay.Jaylen would be the easiest guy to start because he's not really in the bench rotation anyway.
I mean, they've given up 116 and 121 the last two games, and allowed a 26-0 run. I could play defense and it would be hard to do much worse. At some point, his ability to impact the game individually outweighs a couple of defensive breakdowns. For example, his height and quickness seem to be the only thing that slowed down Wall this series for the two minutes we got to see it.Good point. Starting him doesn't disrupt the flow of the bench. The only question is whether he understands the defense well enough to help keep the Wiz at bay.
That's more or less what he did with the Atlanta Hawks when they shut down IT and the Celtics in 2016 -- Horford and Millsap smothered everything inside, and they did it without fouling.Horford's defense was also spectacular. Never seem him block shots like that before.
This isn't true though. Green started game 1, Amir game 2. Green game 3. Amir game 4&5. He almost hit the maximum for changing the starting lineup. I guess you don't like the changes he made, but to say he hasn't made changes is wrong. I don't see who the magic elixir is for the 5th guy anyway.We began each game with a double digit deficit....Game 4 was an improvement only down 8-0 but then it was the first unit that was on the floor for most of the 26-0 3rd quarter run. The starting unit has been a major problem in this series and why change hasn't occurred to address this doesn't look good on Stevens.
The good news to those calling for change is that reports are that Jaylen spent a good chunk of time at practice yesterday with the starting unit wearing a green jersey while Amir wore the second unit whites.
Speaking of stats, JB ended up with one steal and one block but there were several more plays on defense where he got his hand or hands on the ball but couldn't come up with the ball to a foul was called. I point this out because he was inches away from having a few more steals - and some statistical love - for the gane.Interesting article on ESPN Boston talking about Jaylen Brown and his defensive impact. I'm sure plenty of SSS caveats apply to the possession numbers quoted in the article, but the numbers suggest he has been better on D than many would think (looks lost on rotations, doesn't know assignments,etc).
Not saying those negative scouting views are incorrect, just thought these numbers were interesting. Really hope this kid blossoms into something over the next few years.
http://es.pn/2pEqkRY
Yes, this. JB really seemed to take Bogdanovic completely out of the offense and was still effective with his own offense. I think Brad goes back to that matchup tonightI thought his best defensive matchup for JB was guarding Bogdanovic for a stretch. Literally all he had to do was stand next to him and not help too much off him. Bog didn't have the athleticism to get away or get his 3 point shot off against him so JB was effective neutralizing a dangerous option and on offense JB could do some stuff against him. It was also perfect for JB because they ran zero PnR or screen action for Bog, so required very little decision-making.
And in the BB self-scout mold, they'd be foolish if they didn't think that PnR were coming to exploit that weakness in JB's game. They have to at least plan for it.Yes, this. JB really seemed to take Bogdanovic completely out of the offense and was still effective with his own offense. I think Brad goes back to that matchup tonight
I thought Bog was the key for WW in Game 3. His 3's really ignited the crowd and gave Washington hope that their bench would not be another black hole. So if JB could neutralize this, it could be a big help to keeping the crowd and the WW bench out of the game.Yes, this. JB really seemed to take Bogdanovic completely out of the offense and was still effective with his own offense. I think Brad goes back to that matchup tonight
If I am Washington, if I ever see IT4 and JB in the game at the same time, I set up PnR against those two every time down floor.And in the BB self-scout mold, they'd be foolish if they didn't think that PnR were coming to exploit that weakness in JB's game. They have to at least plan for it.
Exactly... and I don't know if there is anything the Cs can do about that in either direction. IT4 would struggle with whoever he picked up, and a bunch of the time JB would get lost and end up coming back with a pretzel and a beer....
If I am Washington, if I ever see IT4 and JB in the game at the same time, I set up PnR against those two every time down floor.
He also have half a dozen phenomenal play calls coming out of timeouts, particularly two or three times when they absolutely needed a bucket. That was some great manufacturing of non-IT offense.To me, Brad won game 7 midway through the third quarter, when Washington looked like it was about to pull away.
Wizards had their starters in, and Brad went to his bench against them, bringing in Brown and Smart for Amir and, crucially, IT. The Al Avery Jae Smart Brown unit stemmed the tide and held its own, and when Washington finally went to its bench, Brad went to IT and Olynyk and blew the game open.
I thought the same. IT was getting torched at the defensive end, getting him out was a gutsy and smart move. When he came back in he lit things up and we finished the quarter with a great run.To me, Brad won game 7 midway through the third quarter, when Washington looked like it was about to pull away.
Wizards had their starters in, and Brad went to his bench against them, bringing in Brown and Smart for Amir and, crucially, IT. The Al Avery Jae Smart Brown unit stemmed the tide and held its own, and when Washington finally went to its bench, Brad went to IT and Olynyk and blew the game open.
I loved the one play where Smart set a screen under the basket only to immediately post his man up and get the layup. Great play out of the timeout thereHe also have half a dozen phenomenal play calls coming out of timeouts, particularly two or three times when they absolutely needed a bucket. That was some great manufacturing of non-IT offense.