This is the frustrating thing with this team, though, is that they can play great basketball, and then follow that up with terrible basketball.
Analysis of Celtics Games, '21-'22 Season
- Thread starter Imbricus
- Start date
Most teams are capable of playing great basketball for a few games. The good teams are the ones who do it consistently.
Today is 3/11/20 in the sporting world folks. By the weekend we may seen multiple NFL QB’s starting under center who aren’t even NFL quality backups. So far it’s Mullens and Gilbert……and it’s only Friday morning.
I wonder if he tested positive again or if he was just a close contact? At some point they're going to have to let asymptomatic positives play. I think the NFL is doing this now by measuring the amount of viral load in addition to the normal test.
I don’t disagree with you but I didn’t disagree with those who said same then either. (I do agree with you though)
It *seems* like Omnicron burns quickly because it's so contagious. Thankfully it also seems less virulent.
Short minutes sample of course, but damn it’s frustrating how injury prone this team is.
View: https://twitter.com/deliberatepix/status/1472188647860412417?s=20
View: https://twitter.com/deliberatepix/status/1472188647860412417?s=20
watching TL play big minutes sucks not only is he injury prone but doesn't play with half the intensity he does with fewer minutes
A few years ago, Jackson looked like a rotational guy but the league adjusted and his shooting, such as it was, went away. So in short, more of the same.
It sucks for Hauser that he's in protocols, too, because he'd probably get some minutes with the C's so short-handed.
Yeah. It's also possible he's dialed it down now that he got paid. I thought at the time his contract would be a bargain if healthy, but now I think even if he's healthy, his contract is fair value. He's only played 22 games this year so maybe that's a harsh take.
I see a player who has regressed from the end of last year, be it to playing time, 2Biggz or injuries. Still on his rookie deal, and signed for 4 more years, I think he could possibly land an interesting piece via trade.
SSS. but his /36 have cratered. I've been thinking it was scheme/2BIGZ, but last night he just floated around with zero intensity.
At this point, PBS should try to land Wood/Nwaba from Houston, built around TL/Nesmith++. Wood has been rumored to be on the block & NOLA players are considered local in Houston
Watching Houston play well stings a little with Mathews starting and #16 pick (another cost of the Kemba blunder) Sengun playing so well as a 19yr old
JRich is up to .375 from 3, 27/72. He's shooting a career high .527 from 2. His TS% is currently .579, easily a career high. His 2nd highest mark was .569 in his rookie year, his 3rd .551, his 3rd year in. The last 3 years he's around .535 and for his career, .538. He should be getting more minutes. .579 is also good for 3rd on the team, the only players ahead of him being TL (.728) and Grant (.696, ridiculous).
Grant Williams is 91/224, .406 from 3 over his last 91 games. Going back to the 19/20 playoffs, he is 103/245, .420 in 113 games. I keep waiting for him to regress a bit because there's no way he's a .400 shooter but instead he goes the opposite direction and is now at .453 for the year, good for 7th in the NBA. His .696 TS% would easily be the best by any non C but he doesn't qualify for some reason.
As one of the few people still wanting more of a sample size from Romeo Langford, he's 3/14 from 3 in his last 8 games. He's now 16/43, .372 for the season. It will be interesting to see where he settles in as the season goes. Was there an update on his availability?
Grant Williams is 91/224, .406 from 3 over his last 91 games. Going back to the 19/20 playoffs, he is 103/245, .420 in 113 games. I keep waiting for him to regress a bit because there's no way he's a .400 shooter but instead he goes the opposite direction and is now at .453 for the year, good for 7th in the NBA. His .696 TS% would easily be the best by any non C but he doesn't qualify for some reason.
As one of the few people still wanting more of a sample size from Romeo Langford, he's 3/14 from 3 in his last 8 games. He's now 16/43, .372 for the season. It will be interesting to see where he settles in as the season goes. Was there an update on his availability?
I'd expect Grant to continue to be a 40% 3pt shooter. His shot didn't falter under the most intense microscope (bubble/playoffs). His pocket/stroke is solid, he's hitting FTs now which implies proper mechanics/confidence.
PLUS his decision-making is good. He'll probably never be a high-volume 3pt shooter playing next to JAYs & Smart but Grant will pick his spots (corner3s/open above the break) to launch.
Yep play Romeo more. This team, as presently constructed, isn't making some ridiculous run
The one cool thing, if you can squint to find some optimism in regs missing games, is that kids who would normally not receive opportunities are their shot on the big stage. Hauser and some others who thought they were getting a shot ended up a test casualty as well. As Kurtis Blow so eloquently said……these are the breaks.
Pritchard got a shot tonight, and to a degree Richardson with an increased role, and both nailed it.
After tonight, he's at .475/.405/.814 for the year. Game by game, he's been the most consistent C this year. I noted in the game thread that he's actually an ok to decent passer but for whatever reason, his assist rate going into tonight's game was 7.6%. That's a career low. Going into the season, his assist % was 13.7. On the flip side, his TO% is also at a career low of 7.7%. Going into the year, his career TO% was 11.1%. I'm sure it's mostly how the C"s are playing him. It would be nice if they played him 30+ minutes a night and gave him more of a role offensively, and not just more FGA. He had 4 assists tonight which was a season high.
I think he's the 3rd best player on the team, but arguable his best role probably is off the bench. I think otherwise, as he's suited to play with or without the Jays, but he provides the spacing the Jays need while DS could be the shoot first PG on the 2nd unit.
PP is also up to .339 from 3. While I'm not convinced Romeo is even an average 3 point shooter, I'm pretty sure PP is a very good 3 point shooter and will get back to .370+ pretty quickly with real reps. If JRich and Grant continue to shoot lights out, I'm not sure there's much of a role for him or Nesmith even if they are hitting shots. Romeo has the D going for him. Still, in certain match ups and nights where they are struggling for offense, they should give PP some burn to see if he can catch fire for a few minutes. He's 12/26 from 3 his last 6 (really 5) games. Prior to that, he was 3/23, .130.
If the team does go the trade route, Grant, TL, JRich should all have considerable value. PP might have some value too if he can get his 3P% closer to 40% and shows some play making ability.
I just wish they'd get rid of the 2 big lineup. It would allow everyone to get the minutes they deserve while keeping TL and AL fresh. It also has the added benefit of maybe getting TL back to last year's level if he's in a 20-24 minute role.
Yea I endorse this.
On a positive note, Brad had a pretty good off-season. Besides resetting the future cap, he's added some tradeable talent/contracts
Added: JRich, Horford, Schroder, Kanter, Begarin, Hauser, B Thomas
Unloaded: Fournier, Kemba, Tristan Thompson, Carsen, Waters, Tacko
Grant has stepped up big time. Langford has looked better
Trader Brad has to make some moves by being realistic about the team he has this season.
The upgrade on defense between JR, DS, and Al versus Kema, EF, and TT (and 'Arsen here if you want) is huge and Ime is just beginning to unlock it, And the offensive difference is not so huge.
I would like to see what happens if they could get a stretch of good health.
I'm doubling down on my "trade Schroder" take. The Celtics are 15-15, not going anwhere, and Schroder is not without talent but on this team he is a square peg in a round hole who takes opportunities away from others.
With Schroder moved, Richardson starts next to Smart or is the 6th man (if they continue to start Horford and Rob). Pritchard, Langford, Nesmith, Grant get more opportunity. Pritchard looked rusty when he first came in but made a couple of hustle plays on defense and then settled in and started knocking down shots.
Rob got off to a nice start this year but he has stagnated. He's good at lobs, uncontested layups/dunks, and putbacks. But I maintain that offensively he's got nothing else. If there's a defender there, he's got nothing. If he had an upfake or a short distance shot, he could probably get another 3-4 points per game. His passing has mostly been a nonreactor, a regression from last year. I have to think part of that is a coaching thing, with Ime just having Rob do what he has proven he can do.
This feels a little to me like they need a KG-esque shot in the arm. I continue to believe this team has enough talent and depth. But even in their wins, there are long stretches where they seem to energy and focus.
Obviously they’re not getting a HoF-caliber game-changer for a one year expiring contract like Schröder’s. But could trading him get them somebody who could enforce a little accountability? If so, who is that player?
Obviously they’re not getting a HoF-caliber game-changer for a one year expiring contract like Schröder’s. But could trading him get them somebody who could enforce a little accountability? If so, who is that player?
Schroder needs to be kept around until they can package him as part of a bigger trade; his salary makes him useful in that regard. If nothing pans out by the deadline, then they can send him off for the inevitable late first. The late first is not nothing, but throwing him away now could hamstring later if another deal becomes viable, and I don't see the rush to move him.
That's fair. If DS is healthy by Feb 10, a late 1st should be easy to secure (& can be packaged w/Celtic 1sts this summer)
The only argument against holding on to him until Feb 10 is NBA minutes are precious for the young/controlled, especially Pritchard. Maybe PP's bad start was due to a broken nose/mask? A 40% 3pt shooter that can ball handle and be a PITA on defense for 94' could be a nice substitute for DS.
The lack of high% 3pt shooting is the Celtic's #1 weakness. Grant/JRich have helped a lot but they need another threat to open up the floor for JAY rim runs (2BIGZ isn't helping unclog the lane)
Would it make that much of a difference, though? His salary isn't that high, I would assume they'd get some salary ballast back in return when they traded him, and the Celtics have plenty of salary chaff already on their roster.
Games played under these conditions shouldn't count in the standings. It's more like preseason.
I am mainly pushing back on the idea that Schroeder needs to be traded now. Sure, if a deal comes around that Stevens cannot refuse, he should jump on it. But if the expected return is a late 1st or a 2nd, no reason to collect on that now.
My guess is that there is going to be little player movement over the next month or so. NBA GM's are worried about keeping their players out of health and safety protocols; owners are thinking they'll be scrambling schedules to salvage the 2nd half of the season.
I hear you and I don’t like the circumstances however I’m finding the who will play tonight dynamic to be an added level of intrigue. Testing the depth of NBA rosters probably doesn’t favorably contribute to the quality of the product but I kind of like the wildcard aspect of it.
It depends what they're trying to do.
If they wanted to make a move moving Schroder for someone that can help now, rather than draft compensation, it would be helpful to have the option to move him in a package deal.
I believe the general thinking is trying to move Schroder to a contender for pick(s). If I were moving Schroder, I'd be looking at rebuilders looking to move money for future seasons.
As two examples, say Houston were looking to move Eric Gordon or Sacramento decides this is the year to move Harrison Barnes.
Those two guys are too expensive to fit in the Fournier TPE. If the Celtics have already moved Schroder, any deal going out would need to include Richardson to make the money work(since any salary ballast coming back in a solo Schroder trade couldn't be aggregated by the trade deadline). If you still had Schroder, the Celtics could match up with Schroder, Juancho, and one of the cheap guys, allowing Boston to keep Richardson as a rotation player.
A move like that would allow the Celtics to have a fighting chance to compete replacing Schroder with a rotation player, and give the Celtics incredible flexibility in the summer, adding another sizable expiring salary to their books.
This kind of move would depend on Wyc and his appetite for paying the tax this season. If he's unwilling, then it's not as advantageous to hold on to Schroder for a package deal.
In short, an in season trade of DS can be viewed as an organizational call about whether the Cs are alive or dead as playoff contenders.
Schroder's cat, if you will.
Schroder's cat, if you will.
Very good! I didn’t want this Dejesus post to go uncommented on.
View: https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1473083695393345536?s=20
Keith Smith: Available Celtics tonight:
Keith Smith: Available Celtics tonight:
Ballhandlers: M. Smart, D. Schroder, P. Pritchard
Wings: J. Tatum, J. Brown, R. Langford, A. Nesmith, J. Jackson, CJ Miles
Bigs: E. Freedom, B. Fernando
This is great.
I'd qualify that premise a bit. If he's traded for a first or some jag with potential, I agree. If multiple guys are on the move in and/or out, it could be a move that improves the team even this year. Doubtful that happens, but maybe Brad has something up his sleeve.
Edit: the joke stands though. Really good work.
I think Schroder is a negative asset to this team right now because his contributions on the court are offset by him blocking other guys.
Pritchard is a good example. Having gotten a chance to play in the past couple of games, he's clearly gotten his confidence back and started looking like the guy from last year.
Other than the garbage time explosion against Portland, the past two games have been Pritchard's best, and he has obviously gone from not trusting his shot (and not even willing to take his shot if someone was closing out) to able to get the shot off quickly and accurately. 6 for 12 from three over the past 2 games, 12-19 overall, for 40 points in 50 minutes.
IT would be one thing if the Celtics were a contening team, but they aren't. All you get from Schroder at this point is a year of organizational treading water. Time to move him. Well, maybe not time now, but once people get healthy.
Confidence + the mask/broken nose probably affected Pritchards play/shooting more than given credit.
I'd like PBS to wait until Jan 1(< > .500 dictated) to give Schroder trade a final verdict, but it's leaning towards a trade. Many ways to make it work, still don't see the Fournier similarities due to the contract cost ($17.5MM TPE dampened EF's market demand/asset haul). PBS can canvas contenders or make DS part of a bigger deal/3-way. The pro's of dealing him in early January to a contender is there may be fewer sellers, gives the new team more minutes of DS, & the C's benefit from giving NBA minutes to younger developing Celtics.
back to the game: Freedom for 40 minutes felt like starting a LOOGY against the Yankees and pitching him 7 innings. I know the cries will be Fernando/clutching pearls! BUT you can't have guys on the roster and not expect them to play, especially BIGs that can be physical. Next man up has to be a team philosophy embraced by Brad/IME. Running guys into the ground, to avoid team depth, will take its toll over a long NBA season.
This is not a call for IME's head or that he's a bust, just a general observation of a rookie HC's tendencies.
I'd like PBS to wait until Jan 1(< > .500 dictated) to give Schroder trade a final verdict, but it's leaning towards a trade. Many ways to make it work, still don't see the Fournier similarities due to the contract cost ($17.5MM TPE dampened EF's market demand/asset haul). PBS can canvas contenders or make DS part of a bigger deal/3-way. The pro's of dealing him in early January to a contender is there may be fewer sellers, gives the new team more minutes of DS, & the C's benefit from giving NBA minutes to younger developing Celtics.
back to the game: Freedom for 40 minutes felt like starting a LOOGY against the Yankees and pitching him 7 innings. I know the cries will be Fernando/clutching pearls! BUT you can't have guys on the roster and not expect them to play, especially BIGs that can be physical. Next man up has to be a team philosophy embraced by Brad/IME. Running guys into the ground, to avoid team depth, will take its toll over a long NBA season.
This is not a call for IME's head or that he's a bust, just a general observation of a rookie HC's tendencies.
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I know people have said if you combine Langford and Nesmith you'd have quite the player but I'd rather combine Langford with PP. Even Nesmith with PP. For all of PP's warts, he doesn't lack confidence or swag.
first 18 games, 7/30, .233 from 3.
Last 7 games, 14/31, .452
for the year, 21/61, .344.
He is also 5/5 from the line. The only reason I point that out: He is now 45/50 from the FT line, exactly 90%. Everything about his profile suggests he can shoot so I'm not shocked he's turned it around rather quickly, especially since it's SSS. He's literally taking more 3s in his last 7 than his first 18, and in one of those 7 games he only played 1:55.
His overall line for those 7 games: 15.3 mpg, .477/.452/1.000, 8.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds, 0.6 TO. If the team is fully healthy, his role is probably a 9th man off/def platoons with Romeo Langford.
Shooting wise, Langford is trending in the opposite direction of PP. He is 3/16 from 3 over his last 9 and is now down to .356 from 3 for the year. Again, SSS. Unlike PP, he doesn't have the track record and has been a poor shooter from all spots on the court and is only an average FT shooter (.731). I still wonder if he'll be much better than a .300 3 point shooter. At his current pace, we may have a decent sample size sometime in 2031.
I'm in favor of trading DS anyway, even if I think the return would be weak. This is because I don't think the team is going anywhere and would be better served giving PP, AN, RL more minutes to develop their talents and build up their value. I also don't think the team would be much worse without DS, assuming health and Ime's willingness to use young players who are going to make their fair share of mistakes. The team is never healthy though. Moving DS could easily mean PP being 7th in the rotation half the time. But again, how much does that even matter for a middling .500 team?
first 18 games, 7/30, .233 from 3.
Last 7 games, 14/31, .452
for the year, 21/61, .344.
He is also 5/5 from the line. The only reason I point that out: He is now 45/50 from the FT line, exactly 90%. Everything about his profile suggests he can shoot so I'm not shocked he's turned it around rather quickly, especially since it's SSS. He's literally taking more 3s in his last 7 than his first 18, and in one of those 7 games he only played 1:55.
His overall line for those 7 games: 15.3 mpg, .477/.452/1.000, 8.3 points, 2.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds, 0.6 TO. If the team is fully healthy, his role is probably a 9th man off/def platoons with Romeo Langford.
Shooting wise, Langford is trending in the opposite direction of PP. He is 3/16 from 3 over his last 9 and is now down to .356 from 3 for the year. Again, SSS. Unlike PP, he doesn't have the track record and has been a poor shooter from all spots on the court and is only an average FT shooter (.731). I still wonder if he'll be much better than a .300 3 point shooter. At his current pace, we may have a decent sample size sometime in 2031.
I'm in favor of trading DS anyway, even if I think the return would be weak. This is because I don't think the team is going anywhere and would be better served giving PP, AN, RL more minutes to develop their talents and build up their value. I also don't think the team would be much worse without DS, assuming health and Ime's willingness to use young players who are going to make their fair share of mistakes. The team is never healthy though. Moving DS could easily mean PP being 7th in the rotation half the time. But again, how much does that even matter for a middling .500 team?