Well, 37 points, but yeah.It's going to be frustrating when we head into a game 7 against this Sixers team, having outscored them by 80+ points through the first 6.
Well, 37 points, but yeah.It's going to be frustrating when we head into a game 7 against this Sixers team, having outscored them by 80+ points through the first 6.
The quotes read even worse in context.How do you bring a coach back after half the team makes these comments publicly? Brutal lol.
In Jay King's tweet, the bolded was paraphrased as "come under fire.""Joe's learning just like all of us. I know he's been killed a lot, rightfully so. He needs to make some adjustments and he did that and that's all you can ask for."
Maybe this is reading into it too much, but the fact that he said the bolded about the lineup change and not just about Rob's play in the abstract seems... pointed.Q: "What was your reaction to hearing that Robert Williams would be in the starting five and what kind impact did that have on you guys?"
A: "It made a tremendous, tremendous difference and you could just see it. It don't take a professional eye to see the difference that Rob made."
Philly countered the move successully late in this game - by putting Maxey instead of Tucker in the corner, got Mazzulla to remove Rob for a bit.They also stopped ignoring Rob on O. the early lobs made Embid less aggressive.
Philly counter moves...play Niang more? Make Rob guard a shooter? Get Rob in ballscreen action?
I felt the same way about Brogdon's 3s early after the6ers erased the early lead.edit: god how insanely big did that Derrick White 3 feel after the 6ers finally took their first lead w/ ~4 minutes left in the 3rd. Things felt like they were spiraling. And then Jaylen forced a lot tonight but he has some absolutely incredible finishes around the rim in the 2h to help them keep contact when Philly was taking over.
Yup, a couple aspects there:Philly countered the move successully late in this game - by putting Maxey instead of Tucker in the corner, got Mazzulla to remove Rob for a bit.
I feel like last year before his injury, Rob could do those closeouts, but not so much this year.
Honestly this made me think of the way Rondo was spoken about in 2008...The quotes read even worse in context.
Marcus:
In Jay King's tweet, the bolded was paraphrased as "come under fire."
Jaylen:
Maybe this is reading into it too much, but the fact that he said the bolded about the lineup change and not just about Rob's play in the abstract seems... pointed.
A major problem, offensively, for Boston, is Horford's inability to drain 3s (4 for 28 in 5 of the 6 games). The knock-on effect is Embiid can easily control the paint in the half-court which has limited Tatum rim runs.This somehow feels much like last years team. The offense can be stopped, there are too many turnovers, White hasn't produced as expected, and to the extent Brogdon has made a difference he has offset inconsistent play from Tatum and Brown.
I do think it is imperative that the Celtics push the ball against the Sixers. They did it more yesterday, and it felt like, midway through Q4, Philly was just done.
Well one positive is two days rest for game 7 instead of the 1 day off they've had been games all season.The thing I worry about with 2bigs is whether Horford and TL have the minutes in them. I thought we might have to see Grant/Muscala/gasp Kornet last night but Horford played something like 39 minutes I think. That’s a lot of minutes in such a physical game.
One thing I found really interesting was how often you could see Embiid not going for the block to respect the lob. I would say, though, I feel like either the team has weirdly gotten much worse with the lob passes, or Rob’s ability to catch anything thrown his way has diminished a bit.
Having the extra day off certainly helps.The thing I worry about with 2bigs is whether Horford and TL have the minutes in them. I thought we might have to see Grant/Muscala/gasp Kornet last night but Horford played something like 39 minutes I think. That’s a lot of minutes in such a physical game.
One thing I found really interesting was how often you could see Embiid not going for the block to respect the lob. I would say, though, I feel like either the team has weirdly gotten much worse with the lob passes, or Rob’s ability to catch anything thrown his way has diminished a bit.
I was wondering if it could possibly get to the point where we see a player overrule CJM and call timeout to set up a final shot if G7 comes down the wire. I can imagine the players feeling like, "we're NOT going down that way again" (e.g. Game 4)Honestly this made me think of the way Rondo was spoken about in 2008...
I wonder how this relates to the late game timeouts too. Obviously players can call those as well, so can't just lay the blame on Joe. If the players are essentially running things, then they must also want to aver the time outs in those situations.
It may just be that that's who he is: a great two-way guard who doesn't show up for big playoff games. I'm not ready to write him off yet by any means, but the body of evidence is starting to mount.White hasn't produced as expected,
Well one positive is two days rest for game 7 instead of the 1 day off they've had been games all season.
Harden and Embiid also get extra day off. I reckon it would be to Boston's benefit overall if G7 was Sat and not Sun.Having the extra day off certainly helps.
He hit 4, the last icing. 3 massive ones.Such a strange experience watching last night's game. Obviously, it's super exciting that they won - but I just didn't feel excited, strangely, I think because I was so frustrated for much of the game and saw the whole season going down the drain. Really interesting that Tatum basically won the game by hitting two back to back threes (I think the later one was just icing).
I think what op was referring to was two sets of back to backs, four total. The last put them up 11 with :38 seconds to go…not exactly icing on the cake time but definitely not as massive as the othersHe hit 4, the last icing. 3 massive ones.
https://theathletic.com/4512743/2023/05/12/celtics-marcus-smart-force-game-7-sixers/“That just goes to show you Joe’s learning just like all of us. I know he’s been killed a lot, rightfully so,” Smart said. “He needs to make some adjustments and he did that. And that’s all you can ask for. Just continue to be the best he can be. And it takes everybody. It’s a full team effort.”
They aren’t getting away with Tatum being horrible again to start and hoping the Sixers don’t get out of 80s. Might need 4 qtrs from him, as limping Embiid and old Beard can properly empty their tanks for game 7. Beard in particular I think has been managing his effort and picking moments (whole games) this series.I think what op was referring to was two sets of back to backs, four total. The last put them up 11 with :38 seconds to go…not exactly icing on the cake time but definitely not as massive as the others
Can only imagine what the quotes would have been like had they lost in ugly fashion.Marcus Smart's extremely candid comments about Joe's mistakes and learning were interesting.
https://theathletic.com/4512743/2023/05/12/celtics-marcus-smart-force-game-7-sixers/
Not that I think Marcus was wrong. He was saying what we all see and know. But publicly saying that the criticism was warranted strikes me as unusual.
The Boston Globe chose to ignore it, entirely.
There's nothing like beating the hated Celtics, especially in the playoffs.
The Philadelphia 76ers finished off arch-rival Boston, XX-XX, to close out their second-round NBA playoff series Thursday night at Wells Fargo Center.
Take a moment, Sixers faithful, and savor the victory. Feels good!
OK, the moment is over. On to Eastern Conference finals.
I mean, this is a big part of why the Celtics haven’t run with that much this year. I see it coming back again on Sunday but if the Celtics make it through they probably go back to their standard lineup against NY/MIA.The thing I worry about with 2bigs is whether Horford and TL have the minutes in them.
I’m not sure why with this team and this championship window, knowing what we all see and know about Joe he was the choice to lead this team at this place and time.Marcus Smart's extremely candid comments about Joe's mistakes and learning were interesting.
https://theathletic.com/4512743/2023/05/12/celtics-marcus-smart-force-game-7-sixers/
Not that I think Marcus was wrong. He was saying what we all see and know. But publicly saying that the criticism was warranted strikes me as unusual.
The Boston Globe chose to ignore it, entirely.
Mostly because Ime left them in a brutal spot with insufficient time to bring in a quality hire from the outside. I think Mazulla will get better/more respected though, all the young coaches take lumps like this.I’m not sure why with this team and this championship window, knowing what we all see and know about Joe he was the choice to lead this team at this place and time.
I saw this too, it makes such little sense with the other teams on the west coast so go FakersPer Sean Grande, the Cs play at 3:30 on Sunday if the Lakers close out the Warriors tonight, and 8 PM on Sunday if the Warriors win tonight.
Tobias Harris has done pretty well on Tatum, and the coverage on Browns drives always looks solid (compared to Philly's "ole!" act)They've gotta give Tucker a chance to make some shots in game 7, if they replace him with Niang then all of their perimeter defenders range from below average to awful.
Tough one for those attending. 3:30 implies you are gone for all of Mother’s Day, whereas 8pm you have the entire day.I saw this too, it makes such little sense with the other teams on the west coast so go Fakers
Same. No chance I get to watch an afternoon game on Sunday.From a fan perspective I want 8pm.
I agree, and a big part of that is the lack of Embiid. I think you potentially see it again if the Celtics make the finals against the Nuggets.I mean, this is a big part of why the Celtics haven’t run with that much this year. I see it coming back again on Sunday but if the Celtics make it through they probably go back to their standard lineup against NY/MIA.
Tough one for those attending. 3:30 implies you are gone for all of Mother’s Day, whereas 8pm you have the entire day.
From a fan perspective I want 8pm. Let the crowd get toasty and the team keep their normal routine. Build that anticipation throughout the day so everyone can come out and do their jobs (fans included).
I hear what you're saying. Any other Sunday I 1000% prefer 3:30. Combination of Mother's Day and it being game 7, probably works out better at 8pm.Same. No chance I get to watch an afternoon game on Sunday.
He didn't pick any moments in the fourth quarter - zero points and I think only three shots.Beard in particular I think has been managing his effort and picking moments (whole games) this series.
Eddie Jurak said:
I was thinking about this last night and I wonder if Brogdon impacts this. He has such a shoot first mentality or solo mentality out there that I think White gets lost in the shuffle.White hasn't produced as expected,
I obviously agree, and quite frankly I'd hate to suffer through watching that again. That said, they are 2-0 in games now where Tatum was overall pretty terrible. Not that I want to risk it, but worth noting. If they can play D like they did last night I think they can get away with a lot.They aren’t getting away with Tatum being horrible again to start and hoping the Sixers don’t get out of 80s. Might need 4 qtrs from him, as limping Embiid and old Beard can properly empty their tanks for game 7. Beard in particular I think has been managing his effort and picking moments (whole games) this series.
God forbid he's honest and direct. Our basketball players don't just have to be great at their jobs and be good people, they also need to be politicians as well. Good grief.Smart was honest and direct. Some here will call it "Marcus speak" and dismiss it, but it's been a real issue all year.
Or it was a specific reaction to the timeout mess.Yeah I think the "he's been getting killed, and rightfully so" just came off harsher in print than Marcus intended. I would guess that Marcus is just acknowledging that people should be questioning the HC when the team is underperforming, something along those lines.
It appears the double big emphasis came at the expense of White's minutes. I'm thankful Smart had the game that he did, but that cannot be expected (or sustained). Need White on the floor moreWhite was huge in the first half last night. Less so in the 2nd half but did have that one made 3 to give the Celts the lead back in the 3rd quarter
That was the plan, per my friend who works for a team still involved. I haven’t heard back from him today.Re: Sunday game times. It is what it is, but why wouldn't they just have Boston/Philly play at 7:30 and LA/GS play at 10:30?
And Philly didn't take the lead until 4:37 left in the 3rd. Felt like we were trailing all game. Maybe because we should have been with Tatum looking like Ben Simmons out there. I can't say I would have predicted Tatum would do that at the end, but I am not shocked. Certainly wasn't the first time. I'm just so glad he did. He played so well on defense. Would be such a shame to be remembered for that offensive performance in a close out game.Such a strange experience watching last night's game. Obviously, it's super exciting that they won - but I just didn't feel excited, strangely, I think because I was so frustrated for much of the game and saw the whole season going down the drain.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought Bankshot was saying Mazz's inexperience has been "a real issue" all year, not Marcus' directness.God forbid he's honest and direct. Our basketball players don't just have to be great at their jobs and be good people, they also need to be politicians as well. Good grief.
If it's "been a real issue", can you point to any negatives on the team that it has caused? Because from my perspective it leaves the team more able to confront and do something about its mistakes and problems.
Personally I read all these comments more as praise and respect for TL than a slam on Mazzulla.
In a way, Smart's, Brown's and Tatum's comments are consistent (maybe perfectly aligned) with one of the things Mazzulla has consistently done (and been criticized for) -- giving the players the opportunity/responsibility to straighten themselves out. I could be overthinking this, but it would border on hypocritical for Mazzulla to give the players *that* much responsibility and then react badly when they talk about that responsibility, even indirectly. Mazzulla is obviously stubborn. But, he's also confident enough in himself to give the players rope. They are *all* figuring out how much rope is the right amount.I don't really think Smart's comments are that big of a deal. They're pretty consistent with how the players have spoken about Mazzulla all year long. The positive way to look at it is they feel comfortable enough with CJM to speak candidly, and they're all grown men: just as the players have to be accountable, so do the coaches. It wasn't an indictment of him as a coach, just saying it was clear he needed to make adjustments and he did. I'm sure old-school coaches would have something to say about respect and discipline and blah blah blah....but Marcus didn't say anything that wasn't true, and I don't think discouraging that is particularly good leadership. It seems like it's been a collaborative effort between Mazzulla and the leaders of the team all year long, with both players and coach empowered to speak freely and have the other side respond in good faith. That might not be how Larry Brown did it, but I don't think that's a bad thing.