Whenever you're generating statistics that show a guy doing something nobody has ever done before, it's probably a warning sign that correction is inevitable.Tatum has sucked out loud this month. His TS% has fallen to .4570 in January. In previous months he was well over .600. Across the board hiss hooting percentages went from great to below average. Even his FT% has taken a huge hit.
That's the biggest change I see.
I suspect that Tatum is battling through some nagging injuries (finger; knee).Tatum has sucked out loud this month. His TS% has fallen to .4570 in January. In previous months he was well over .600. Across the board hiss hooting percentages went from great to below average. Even his FT% has taken a huge hit.
That's the biggest change I see.
Their point differential also puts them closer to the .600 level teams than the .700+ level group. They have a good head start with wins, but will probably end up in the .650 range at the end of the year I would think.The C’s started 16-2 and have gone 18-12 since.
A handful of close losses in succession is nothing to fret over, but they’re probably only a .600 team talent-wise. But that’s OK — even before Hayward went down, most of us thought last summer’s moves were geared more toward contention in 2018-19 than this season.
Tatum will be ready to be that third scorer next season, and they’re not going anywhere this year, even if Hayward is back for the playoffs. Unless a franchise guy unexpectedly becomes available, Danny will stand pat. (Note that I would consider an insignificant move like signing a post-deadline buyout guy or picking up a back-end rotation guy with the DPE “standing pat” for this purpose.)They won early and won some close games including ones they really didn't deserve to win (e.g. Indiana).
The net effect is that it covered up their flaws, with the main one being a lack of a reliable, efficient scorer outside of Irving.
The other guys have been good to even great in spots but it's clear that they cannot be depended upon when teams focus on stopping (doubling) Kyrie.
I know Hayward is that guy and I believe he will be back at some point. However its questionable at best as to what he can give them and I suspect that even with him at 100% they would still need another scorer.
Lets see what Danny has up his sleeve. Sadly, Lou Williams isnt walking through that door but someone else almost certainly is in the next few weeks. That move coupled with how much Hayward can give them will almost certainly determine how deep they can go in the playoffs.
Yeah, I *guess* you could say the timing of the swoon kind of helps--Danny definitely knows what he needs.I still think the Celtics are the favorites to win the East despite this stretch. They are the best defensive team in the East and have the ability to make changes to the roster to improve the offense. Using the DPE to get another scorer is a must.
I was going to say this yesterday, but after yesterday it may be more realistic. If they can gauge the potential of a Marcus Smart re-signing as likely or not likely they could use him as a trade chip at the deadline for a scorer.Yeah, I *guess* you could say the timing of the swoon kind of helps--Danny definitely knows what he needs.
I'm gonna actually myself here.The East is in weird place right now. The Cavs are totally tanking, the Bucks fired a coach for under achieving. For the Celtics, Tatum has come back to earth and the bench isn't as good as it was last year. The starters are more talented than last year but have to play harder because the second unit doesn't have the same advantage as last year. The lack of energy is hurting the defense which was a huge strength at the start of the year. They are really feeling the loss of Hayward.
Are the offensive and defensive components available?I'm gonna actually myself here.
Bench diff by year:
2017-2018: 0.7 (18th rank)
2016-2017: 1.0 (16th rank)
2015-2016: 6.0 (2nd rank)
So, it was 2 years ago that the Evan Turner bench unit was the group who made the difference. Last year to to this year it almost the same.
Not that I saw but it must be out there somewhere. Would be interesting to know.Are the offensive and defensive components available?
Faried is signed next year. The DPE cannot be used on him. Celts would need to find roughly 10 mill in salary to matchSome site called Metro.Us reporting that Kenneth Faried is most likely target on whom the Cs can use the DPE. If it doesn't cost much but money, why not? https://www.metro.us/sports/boston/kenneth-faried-celtics-nba-trade-rumors-nuggets-ready-to-pull-trigger
Yes, the story is pure clickbait.]
Faried is signed next year. The DPE cannot be used on him. Celts would need to find roughly 10 mill in salary to match
A whole bunch of guys seemed to have lost their edge, which is completely understandable. They were playing at a pace that they could never keep up. This is not a 65 win roster.Yes, the story is pure clickbait.
As for the skid, everyone has his favorite villain. Mine is Horford, who stopped playing any defense whatsoever after the team returned from London.
Yes, but who would have expected a veteran "all star" like Horford, on two days' rest, to embarrass himself against a player like Julius Randle in a game that actually meant something? Or play absolutely zero defense against Orlando, which is one of the 2 worst teams in the league? Elfrid Payton sauntered into the lane all afternoon and Horford just stood there.A whole bunch of guys seemed to have lost their edge, which is completely understandable. They were playing at a pace that they could never keep up. This is not a 65 win roster.
The abruptness of the regression is a bit surprising, but it's nothing that can't be worked through. I think that it's more mental/emotional than physical. It's all part of the journey.
Brandon Hunter sings Don't You Forget About Me.What would the C's want Manimal for anyhow? He doesn't help floor spacing, like at all, isn't a great defender and is undersized for his position. Oh he can rebound ok. The day Ainge acquires a player solely for rebounding will be the first day of it's kind ever.
Yes, but who would have expected a veteran "all star" like Horford, on two days' rest, to embarrass himself against a player like Julius Randle in a game that actually meant something? Or play absolutely zero defense against Orlando, which is one of the 2 worst teams in the league? Elfrid Payton sauntered into the lane all afternoon and Horford just stood there.
Probably free throw attempts per possession but I'm not sure.What does "1st in FT% allowed" mean as a defensive stat?
Good point, thanks.]
Faried is signed next year. The DPE cannot be used on him. Celts would need to find roughly 10 mill in salary to match
It says in the article it's not really a pressing matter, just clean up, and he played in second game of the back to back. He was using it as a threat in Cleveland.Not helping...