No that would not have been me lol.Are you the one who asked me to back off when I was hounding some idiot who thought that Red Auerbach wasn’t that great a GM because “now GMs have to deal with players making much more money”?
No that would not have been me lol.Are you the one who asked me to back off when I was hounding some idiot who thought that Red Auerbach wasn’t that great a GM because “now GMs have to deal with players making much more money”?
It's always nice when locked-in defense intersects with hot shooting. Impossible for this Celtics team not to win by 30+ when that happens.some of the team defense tonight was *chef's kiss*, especially the multiple players helping out on rebound and second-chance stuff.
I think you are looking at last year's team, not this year. Two stats for you:My only concern with losses like the Milwaukee loss is my long standing belief that we have morphed into a version of one of D’Antonis teams. When the three isn’t falling our solution is to just keep shooting them and it has seemed that Steph Curry aside, it’s hard to win tough playoff series as a 3 or die team. It’s impossible to care that they couldn’t make much in a tough b2b situation but I wish it felt like they had a bag of tricks to dig into when their primary attacking isn’t producing results. Situationally, this iteration of the Celtics have never seemed good at stopping runs by other teams by being able to reliably get 2 while the other team gets hot so those 20-2 runs are instead 20-10 runs which allow you to get hot later and close the gap
Some people's standard for stopping runs is "never allow them".I don't get the contention that this team isn't good at stopping runs, either. To my eyes they're incredible at it. There have been so many moments this year where they've casually drained buckets that break the other team's back as their leads shrunk. It takes so much energy for the team trying to make the comeback that a few timely buckets or a couple of well-timed KP trips to the line and their opponent's will snaps.
It sort of makes sense, but the trick is that you have to keep the other team spaced.Theoretically, when you are ahead by double-digits in the fourth quarter, it makes sense to switch from taking lots of three-point shots to taking more two-point shots on the grounds that while there may be, on average, more points from the three-pointers there is also more variance and a greater chance you’ll go 1-10 and blow the game. So as a fan I sometimes get annoyed at the shot selection when they are ahead. But that was “theoretically.”
In actuality, I have no idea whether that theory is correct, and I have no idea whether it’s that easy to switch up the offensive philosophy in the real time.
Edit- bonus points to anyone who made it thorough my ridiculous first sentence . Sorry.
With respect to the bolded, seems to me that the best way to stop runs in the playoffs is to get to the FT line. We've seen it with Butler and MIA and many others.I don't get the contention that this team isn't good at stopping runs, either. To my eyes they're incredible at it. There have been so many moments this year where they've casually drained buckets that break the other team's back as their leads shrunk. It takes so much energy for the team trying to make the comeback that a few timely buckets or a couple of well-timed KP trips to the line and their opponent's will snaps.
This post should be printed out and laminated for anyone who thinks these Celtic's are anything like the Smart/TL Celtics of yesteryear.KP was shooting 71.4% on all post ups and generating free throws on 32.7% of post up chances. POBOBS said when he made the KP trade that BOS was "too easy to guard." KP is anything but easy to guard, which opens up everything else on the court too. (Please stay healthy).
View: https://twitter.com/ChrisForsberg_/status/1739658864818045265
Peak TL was definitely a better rim protector than KP. KP deters some shots, but peak TL.....you just couldn't shoot anywhere near the basket.Additionally, KP's rim protection defense is every bit as good as TLs.
Peak TL's defense and alley-oops were pure entertainment. AND the vertical spacing he created on offense was real.Peak TL was definitely a better rim protector than KP. KP deters some shots, but peak TL.....you just couldn't shoot anywhere near the basket.
However, peak TL doesn't exist anymore, and KP is a very useful defender.
Interesting. I never heard that before - I thought a lot of that was Hardy?It's always nice when locked-in defense intersects with hot shooting. Impossible for this Celtics team not to win by 30+ when that happens.
As for the Ime comments......Celtics ended up with the better coach, person, and the guy who was responsible for Ime's Xs and Os anyway. So fuck Ime.
Yeah, peak TL was a sight to behold. A force of nature. But it was clear last year that, even when TL was "healthy," peak TL was gone.Peak TL was definitely a better rim protector than KP. KP deters some shots, but peak TL.....you just couldn't shoot anywhere near the basket.
However, peak TL doesn't exist anymore, and KP is a very useful defender.
Hardy was part of it, but Mazzulla was usually reported as being their main scheme guy in the playoff run, if memory serves.Interesting. I never heard that before - I thought a lot of that was Hardy?
I think Mazzulla was in charge of the game plan going into the game while Will Hardy made most of the in-game adjustmentsHardy was part of it, but Mazzulla was usually reported as being their main scheme guy in the playoff run, if memory serves.
This would make sense of why Mazzulla may have struggled last year in game, with the calling of time outs and other in-game decisions. Now, with a year's experience under his belt, he's excelling not only at scheming the big picture, who's on the floor with whom, etc. But also making good in-game adjustments, too. Nothing like like learning on the job, and with the expansion of his job has come increased opportunities for learning. Which he is taking advantage of, to the benefit of all.I think Mazzulla was in charge of the game plan going into the game while Will Hardy made most of the in-game adjustments
I don't know who averages the most, but just a glance at our closet EC rivals:Celts starting 5 of White, Jrue, Jaylen, Tatum, Porzingis are averaging 98.5 point per game combined. Anyone able to figure out what starting lineup that played a significant number of minutes together averaged the most?
Late to this but thank you for this excellent and informative post. I didn’t know these things, and they really run counter to the overriding narrative about this team. Great post.I think you are looking at last year's team, not this year. Two stats for you:
(1) Cs are league-best 13-6 when they shoot below league-average from 3P. (Last year they were19-20, which was 4th best - not including 1-6 in the playoffs).
(2) Cs have gone from 26th in league (3.8 per game) in post-ups to 6th (6.1 per game) and as of 3 days ago were a league-nest 1.26 points per chance (when post-up leads direct;y to shot). In mimimum 50 post-ups, KP is 1st in the league in post-up points per possession; JT is 5th and JB is like 11th or so. (SGA is #1 but only has 40 post-ups. Actually, Olynyk is averaging more ppp than even SGA butonly has 14 post-ups.)
https://www.nba.com/news/nba-storylines-celtics-adjustments
14-2 against the dregsThe Celtics are 17-7 against teams who are over 500. The Bucks are 12-8 against over 500 teams and have played 4 more games against sub 500 teams. Some context for the show the Celtics are putting on right now.
That one where Tatum looked like he'd definitely take a stepback with 5 seconds on the clock, and then penetrated to dump to Kornet, was pretty.FWIW, the passing has been the biggest surprise to me with this team as the year progresses. It's such a joy to watch them turn a 10ft contested shot with 6 seconds on the clock into a layup for someone else repeatedly. Guys are making their move and then finding other guys when defenses have to hedge or commit. And it's contagious.
I thought that play and the next one were Tatum stepping his game up to yet another level. He gets that drive to the hoop with a behind-the-back that’s pretty new to his arsenal. On the following play, Pritchard sets a pick for Tatum but gets bodied out of the way. So PP sags off and Tatum hits him for a 3.That one where Tatum looked like he'd definitely take a stepback with 5 seconds on the clock, and then penetrated to dump to Kornet, was pretty.
Jrue in the center of the zone is so good at maneuvering just a few feet here, flashing there, to cut off driving lanes. There's no place to go. And then he's strong enough to move anyone away from the basket when they flash to the foul line to take a pass. It's going to give people fits.That one where Tatum looked like he'd definitely take a stepback with 5 seconds on the clock, and then penetrated to dump to Kornet, was pretty.
The zone really swung the game in the 3rd quarter. Taking a page out of the Miami playbook, lets you play smaller guys like PP and have them be an asset rather than a liability on D. Jrue is what really makes it work, and they seem to only like playing it with him on the floor.
His feet are so quick. Whether it be dancing around in the zone D as was posted in a recent video, one on one man defense where he can cut off the lane on any driver, or his quick hitch to the basket on offense, I don’t know that there is a quicker pair of feet in the NBA.Jrue in the center of the zone is so good at maneuvering just a few feet here, flashing there, to cut off driving lanes. There's no place to go. And then he's strong enough to move anyone away from the basket when they flash to the foul line to take a pass. It's going to give people fits.
The Celtics have 3 B2Bs between now and the All Star break, including one coming up on the road in Texas. There are 2 trips to Miami in the next month as well, including a dreaded Sunday afternoon game. At the same time, only 5 of the 13 games in this period are on the road, and one of them is part of a home-and-home against Brooklyn. I do expect at least a couple of losses in there, including at least one of the 2 in Miami.It feels like there will be some dog days coming up. Even last night, the energy in the building was really flat: tough game to get up for.
I'm expecting a lot more of these in the next couple months, and will not freak out if there are some flat games in there.
The upcoming schedule itself isn't horrible. I more mean that we're entering a part of the season where things seem to lag a bit, and where it's harder to get fired up.The Celtics have 3 B2Bs between now and the All Star break, including one coming up on the road in Texas. There are 2 trips to Miami in the next month as well, including a dreaded Sunday afternoon game. At the same time, only 5 of the 13 games in this period are on the road, and one of them is part of a home-and-home against Brooklyn. I do expect at least a couple of losses in there, including at least one of the 2 in Miami.
Then they have a busy schedule starting March 1st, including a western swing thru Denver and Phoenix, a 5-in-7 stretch, a 6 game east/midwest trip, and 2 games remaining against the Bucks (one home, one away). My assumption is that they will keep the throttle on just enough to earn a top 2 seed.
Honestly I hope that there are some dogs. Psychologically, I think that it's great that they don't go super hardo for 82. All of the great teams of all time have some dog games where they don't show up, a few where guys were out, etc. If you keep the pedal down for the entire regular season, there's nothing left in the tank when you need it.It feels like there will be some dog days coming up. Even last night, the energy in the building was really flat: tough game to get up for.
I'm expecting a lot more of these in the next couple months, and will not freak out if there are some flat games in there.
I don't think they'll really punt any/many of them, and they will probably play 3-5 starters on most nights.Selfishly, I’m taking my kid to the Dallas game and I’d really like it if they didn’t punt that one.
I’m hoping they rest Al on the front in Houston and then the stay in Texas is easy enough that we get full squad in Dallas.
Exactly. When the team runs six deep in guys who have been at least borderline all-star quality players, you can sit 1-2 of those guys every night and still not be punting. I don't think that Adam Silver will cast a glance in their direction for his "don't rest people" policy.I don't think they'll really punt any/many of them, and they will probably play 3-5 starters on most nights.
I think the rest will be more mental than physical: I doubt we see 2021-22 Celtics where you redline it from January to April. That team really took a lot out of itself mentally to sustain that playoff push.
I don’t think it’s likely the Celtics drop out of the 1 seed. This team hasn’t been playing at full throttle aside from a handful of games they cared more about. They are pacing themselves, resting guys, and have had a couple no show games already. In other words, this isn’t the 2015-16 Warriors, this is the 2016-17 Warriors (maybe not quite that good), who are pacing themselves but still playing at a mid-60 win pace. I don’t think there’s any reason to think that will change or that the Sixers or Bucks can touch even 60 wins. The odds are this team locks up the 1 seed and home court throughout and then can rest and reset in April going into the playoffs.The Celtics have 3 B2Bs between now and the All Star break, including one coming up on the road in Texas. There are 2 trips to Miami in the next month as well, including a dreaded Sunday afternoon game. At the same time, only 5 of the 13 games in this period are on the road, and one of them is part of a home-and-home against Brooklyn. I do expect at least a couple of losses in there, including at least one of the 2 in Miami.
Then they have a busy schedule starting March 1st, including a western swing thru Denver and Phoenix, a 5-in-7 stretch, a 6 game east/midwest trip, and 2 games remaining against the Bucks (one home, one away). My assumption is that they will keep the throttle on just enough to earn a top 2 seed.
I love Marcus but Jrue sees the court on the whole so much better than Marcus does I think it's Jrue's passing that has really rubbed off on the rest of the guys.FWIW, the passing has been the biggest surprise to me with this team as the year progresses. It's such a joy to watch them turn a 10ft contested shot with 6 seconds on the clock into a layup for someone else repeatedly. Guys are making their move and then finding other guys when defenses have to hedge or commit. And it's contagious.
Last year's team would have had no chance against this year's team - if they had to play a playoff series, I suspect it would have been a sweep or at worst a gentlemen's sweep. Even if TL was healthy.Celtics on pace for 64 wins, and have played a difficult schedule so far. They're in excellent shape. What I love about this team is that they can totally survive missing one of Tatum, Brown, or Porzingis. Maybe they will have a difficult time missing two of them, but they can afford to rest guys and still play at a high level without essentially forfeiting a game, even against good teams.
If they hit the playoffs healthy, they're going to be extremely difficult to beat in a 7-game series, especially if they have home court advantage. I feel ok saying the this team, as they sit right now, has the best chance of bringing the NBA title back to Boston since 2008.
Definitely a huge part of it, but the overall offensive IQ has improved elsewhere as well. More DW. KP gets it. JT and JB are now unlocking more. This team looks more like 1986 than 2008 in the best ways.Last year's team would have had no chance against this year's team - if they had to play a playoff series, I suspect it would have been a sweep or at worst a gentlemen's sweep. Even if TL was healthy.
Agreed. I have said it before but this is going to go down as a better team than 2008.Definitely a huge part of it, but the overall offensive IQ has improved elsewhere as well. More DW. KP gets it. JT and JB are now unlocking more. This team looks more like 1986 than 2008 in the best ways.