I Believe in Time Lord...Why Can't You?

benhogan

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If they were going to lose their winter coats, they would have done so already. Besides that, I don't think I'd want to see either one's summer body.

Their weight kinda is what it is and I don't think losing a few pounds will change much.
Didn't we see bubble Smart and Kanter doing a 50M freestyle sprint last summer?

Smart is definitely a shade slimmer/quicker than the start of this season (the leg injury probably didn't help).

I could have sworn I saw pre-season Marcus in a thick sweatshirt under his uni.
 

Cellar-Door

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Attached Athletic article about using Rob Williams off-ball guarding Aaron Gordon and using Grant on Jokic. A bunch of posters had alluded to Rob being the Celtics best help defender (esp at the rim)

The Grant hate is going to explode if he sees more PT for his defense and only puts up 3pts over 20mins :oops:
It's about time Smart and Grant lost their winter coats and played the D we saw from them last season.

https://theathletic.com/2512759/2021/04/11/celtics-going-in-the-right-direction-after-big-comeback-over-nikola-jokic-nuggets/

Over Jokic’s first 28 minutes, the Nuggets outscored the Celtics by 18 points. But when he returned in the fourth quarter, Boston dialed a different strategy. Instead of guarding him with a center, the Celtics gave Grant Williams the assignment on most possessions. Robert Williams, who normally covers an opposing big man, was asked to defend Aaron Gordon instead.

The decision paid off for the Celtics in several ways. Grant Williams defended without fouling, not always his strong suit, and forced Jokic into several tough looks. After struggling against Jokic in space, Robert Williams turned into a big plus while lurking on the weak side

“Honestly, it was just a matter of making it tough for him,” said Grant Williams. “I had no real plan or anything like that because he’s an MVP candidate. He’s that good for a reason. So I was just trying to take him out as rhythm, as well as make it easier for the guys around me because we were getting beat on back cuts and a lot of stuff at that time. So we had Rob behind to protect me at the rim if he got too deep and then he was able to contest shots and also get back to the shooters like Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter.”
I'd love if Grant scored 3 points and played good defense. My hate for him early in the year is he seemed to think his job was to take 3s and commit bad fouls.
 

benhogan

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I'd love if Grant scored 3 points and played good defense. My hate for him early in the year is he seemed to think his job was to take 3s and commit bad fouls.
He's clearly not out of the woods yet on this dogshit season he has posted.

Agreed. Solid D and 38% from 3 (so can at least be a threat/guarded on the perimeter) is his upside
 

Cesar Crespo

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Dec 22, 2002
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Didn't we see bubble Smart and Kanter doing a 50M freestyle sprint last summer?

Smart is definitely a shade slimmer/quicker than the start of this season (the leg injury probably didn't help).

I could have sworn I saw pre-season Marcus in a thick sweatshirt under his uni.
Marcus is hard to judge because for the first 4 years of his career, he was quite thick and it didn't effect is play. In some ways, it seemed like it worked to his benefit. IIRC, he slimmed down before the 18/19 season. He did look a little heavier at the beginning of this season than the last 2 years. I'm not sure if he's slimmed down or he's just getting used to playing with the butt and small gut again. Either way, he's never been all that huge. If he does use the regular season to get in shape, hopefully he stops using that crutch as he ages. He's going to find out it's not as easy to play yourself into shape.

Re Grant Williams: Even when he's ripped, he's kinda fat. He has a bad NBA body. I don't think he's a good basketball player (or ever will be) but Brad seems to like him and others on this board thought he was good last year. I gave him a pass because he was a rookie and didn't look totally lost. He hasn't really improved at all this year though and came into camp out of shape. I'd guess he'll be playing the same role in 2 years that he's playing now. Averaging around 20 minutes a game and racking up about 10 DNP-CDs. He's going to be the new Semi and as much as I don't like Semi and Grant, all teams need Semi's. Guys on cheap rookie deals who can fill in the back end of the bench and are gone once their rookie deal expires. He's either not quick enough or not long enough to actually pay any real money to.
 

NomarsFool

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Dec 21, 2001
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The announcers seem to like Grant's defense - I honestly can't judge that much. I would say that most of the time the good defense comment is attached to "better shot by X" or "I don't know what Grant did to draw that foul". He's always quick to put his hand up and take responsibility for fouls, though :) Always seems really eager to do that.
 

Cesar Crespo

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Now that Theis is gone, everyone is finally noticing how many fouls get called on Grant. Wagner has always been a ref favorite too. Funny thing is, GWill has actually been better at avoiding fouls lately.
 

HomeRunBaker

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Jan 15, 2004
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Attached Athletic article about using Rob Williams off-ball guarding Aaron Gordon and using Grant on Jokic. A bunch of posters had alluded to Rob being the Celtics best help defender (esp at the rim)

The Grant hate is going to explode if he sees more PT for his defense and only puts up 3pts over 20mins :oops:
It's about time Smart and Grant lost their winter coats and played the D we saw from them last season.

https://theathletic.com/2512759/2021/04/11/celtics-going-in-the-right-direction-after-big-comeback-over-nikola-jokic-nuggets/

Over Jokic’s first 28 minutes, the Nuggets outscored the Celtics by 18 points. But when he returned in the fourth quarter, Boston dialed a different strategy. Instead of guarding him with a center, the Celtics gave Grant Williams the assignment on most possessions. Robert Williams, who normally covers an opposing big man, was asked to defend Aaron Gordon instead.

The decision paid off for the Celtics in several ways. Grant Williams defended without fouling, not always his strong suit, and forced Jokic into several tough looks. After struggling against Jokic in space, Robert Williams turned into a big plus while lurking on the weak side

“Honestly, it was just a matter of making it tough for him,” said Grant Williams. “I had no real plan or anything like that because he’s an MVP candidate. He’s that good for a reason. So I was just trying to take him out as rhythm, as well as make it easier for the guys around me because we were getting beat on back cuts and a lot of stuff at that time. So we had Rob behind to protect me at the rim if he got too deep and then he was able to contest shots and also get back to the shooters like Aaron Gordon or Michael Porter.”
I’ve been vocal is playing TL in the matchup where he can best be utilized as a help defender however the problem is that we don’t have another big to switch up with the 4-5 matchup. This was one reason I was excited to acquire Gordon.

If Brad is relying on a sample of Grant on Jokic in the 4Q of a Sunday afternoon game that Jokic slept in for he’s in for a bad surprise.
 

Cesar Crespo

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I’ve been vocal is playing TL in the matchup where he can best be utilized as a help defender however the problem is that we don’t have another big to switch up with the 4-5 matchup. This was one reason I was excited to acquire Gordon.

If Brad is relying on a sample of Grant on Jokic in the 4Q of a Sunday afternoon game that Jokic slept in for he’s in for a bad surprise.
Right. I'm pretty sure it wouldn't take Jokic long to realize he can just shoot over Grant. And Jokic can shoot from everywhere on the court. They are going to struggle without Jamal Murray though.
 

sonofgodcf

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Jul 17, 2005
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The toilet.
Now that Theis is gone, everyone is finally noticing how many fouls get called on Grant. Wagner has always been a ref favorite too. Funny thing is, GWill has actually been better at avoiding fouls lately.
Aside from the increase in minutes for TL, I think the biggest plus from trading Theis is that we no longer have a guy on the roster who slept with all the refs' spouses. At least that's what I've assumed he did, because I've never seen someone get hacked as much as Theis and never get a call.
 
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bakahump

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He must have slept with their 20+yo Daughters to. cause I have never seen someone NOT hack someone and get called for the foul as much as him.
 

RetractableRoof

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Aside from the increase in minutes for TL, I think the biggest plus from trading Theis is that we no longer have a guy on the roster who slept with all the refs' spouses. At least that's what I've assumed he did, because I've never seen someone get hacked as much as Theis and never get a call.
He must have slept with their 20+yo Daughters to. cause I have never seen someone NOT hack someone and get called for the foul as much as him.
At once, he must have done both at once. No other explanation makes sense.
 

DJnVa

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Dec 16, 2010
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Williams out tonight with "left knee soreness." Not great.
Karalis seemed to say that this wasn't really anything they are concerned about. He didn't exactly say it was an extra day off, but he doesn't think it's anything to really worry about.
 

reggiecleveland

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Karalis seemed to say that this wasn't really anything they are concerned about. He didn't exactly say it was an extra day off, but he doesn't think it's anything to really worry about.
Correct assumption they could beat the depleted Lakers without him.
He is such a pure power athlete, joint injuries, tendonitis are more of a concern. I think if most of us had to stand on a box the height of his vertical leap, and step off it 15 times we would be limping the next day.

I am excited about back in shape TT or TL being with the 2nd Unit.
 

benhogan

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NBA player efficiency rating leaders:
1. Joel Embiid - 31.44
2. Nikola Jokic – 31.41
3. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 28.88
4. Zion Williamson – 27.55
5. Kawhi Leonard – 26.94
6. Stephen Curry - 26.59
7. Jimmy Butler - 26.42
8. ROBERT WILLIAMS – 26.25
9. Luka Doncic - 25.90
10. Damian Lillard - 25.15

Clearly not worthy of being in that grouping but Rob has more blocks (84) & Assists (83) than missed FGs (65).

Maybe he can get his steals (39) up to make up for those missed shots ;)
 
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Cesar Crespo

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Dec 22, 2002
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I'm a TL believer but I think we know the answer to the "Why can't you?" question for the people who can't. He has PAES in both legs so the swelling in the back of the knee isn't surprising. I'm sure he'll be back soon enough but I'm guessing it will be a reoccurring issue.

This will probably affect how much his next contract will be for as well.

I know there is a surgical procedure but I'm not sure how that works and how it would impact his NBA career. I'm guessing it's not recommended.
 

benhogan

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I'm a TL believer but I think we know the answer to the "Why can't you?" question for the people who can't. He has PAES in both legs so the swelling in the back of the knee isn't surprising. I'm sure he'll be back soon enough but I'm guessing it will be a reoccurring issue.

This will probably affect how much his next contract will be for as well.

I know there is a surgical procedure but I'm not sure how that works and how it would impact his NBA career. I'm guessing it's not recommended.
Agreed. If Danny offers 4yrs for $40MM, Rob should sprint to the Auerbach Ctr to sign that. There are enough cautionary tales at the 5 + his injury history to chance that kind of $$$.

Danny could very well take this to RFA, if Rob doesn't sign something even friendlier. OR if they aren't comfortable with Rob's medicals longterm
 
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Jimbodandy

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I'm a TL believer but I think we know the answer to the "Why can't you?" question for the people who can't. He has PAES in both legs so the swelling in the back of the knee isn't surprising. I'm sure he'll be back soon enough but I'm guessing it will be a reoccurring issue.

This will probably affect how much his next contract will be for as well.

I know there is a surgical procedure but I'm not sure how that works and how it would impact his NBA career. I'm guessing it's not recommended.
Yes this is exactly what the TL doubters were worried about. We know that he has elite length and twitchiness, and we know that he has a strong BBIQ.

I was worried a bit about his ability to stay grounded in Brad's defense, and he clearly showed that he can play within the system this year.

His main ability in doubt has always been availability. It still is.
 

Cesar Crespo

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"nothing to worry about, he'll be back soon."

12 days and 7 games later...

If he ends up missing 2 weeks and is back, whatever. It probably was nothing to worry about. At least say he could miss up to 2 weeks. W/e though.
 

128

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"nothing to worry about, he'll be back soon."

12 days and 7 games later...

If he ends up missing 2 weeks and is back, whatever. It probably was nothing to worry about. At least say he could miss up to 2 weeks. W/e though.
Maybe, and this is probably just wishful thinking, the brain trust realize he's not ready to play both ends of a back-to-back and figure the C's can beat OKC without him.

Of course, if he sits tomorrow nite, too, then that theory is shot.
 

DGreenwood

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Maybe, and this is probably just wishful thinking, the brain trust realize he's not ready to play both ends of a back-to-back and figure the C's can beat OKC without him.

Of course, if he sits tomorrow nite, too, then that theory is shot.
This same logic applies to Kemba and his most recent injury. He wasn't going to play tonight and tomorrow night so I'm hoping they just switched his load management game to tonight to give him an extra day.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Brad Stevens said Robert Williams is meeting with a specialist about his turf toe. Stevens isn’t certain on his status for the next week.

Not good. This team really needs him.
Yeah, if he isn't playing vs MIA, I can see the Cs get swept, which likely means the play-in game.
 

128

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Since the trade deadline, the Celtics have gone 11-3 with Williams in the lineup. They have outscored opponents by a dominant 11.3 points per 100 possessions with him on the court. They have played like an elite team when Williams is healthy, but he has missed eight of the past 12 games, including a seven-game absence for a recent knee issue. The Celtics have gone 3-5 without Williams during that stretch.

That's from Jay King's latest in The Athletic, which notes that the C's struggled to find time for three quality centers but are now in dire straits with only one.

I'm fully expecting Time Lord to miss the rest of the regular season. He's shown little capacity for playing through pain, and turf toe is a bitch.
 

benhogan

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Still confident? ;-)
Ha, yea hard to be confident about anything with this group. Tatum and Coby White switched bodies last night. On the bright side, Kemba/Fournier shot well. BUT TT doesn't really slow down elite/beefy Centers one bit and adds nothing on offense. Danny & Co haven't got the job done in free agency for a few seasons now IMO.

I imagine the Miami games will be 1 or 2 pts which would lead to a probable split. Either way, I'm not expecting anything more than a 1st round loss to a top 3 EC seed
 

chilidawg

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Since the trade deadline, the Celtics have gone 11-3 with Williams in the lineup. They have outscored opponents by a dominant 11.3 points per 100 possessions with him on the court. They have played like an elite team when Williams is healthy, but he has missed eight of the past 12 games, including a seven-game absence for a recent knee issue. The Celtics have gone 3-5 without Williams during that stretch.

That's from Jay King's latest in The Athletic, which notes that the C's struggled to find time for three quality centers but are now in dire straits with only one.
The downside of trading Theis. I thought that was a short sighted move for a team with playoff aspirations.
 

128

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The downside of trading Theis. I thought that was a short sighted move for a team with playoff aspirations.
That's proved to the case. As much as I love Time Lord, his inability to stay healthy makes me really wary of counting on him in seasons to come.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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The downside of trading Theis. I thought that was a short sighted move for a team with playoff aspirations.
While Theis is a nice piece to have and it's not my money, it's not unreasonable for management to say that The Is was not going to materially increase the Cs playoff success so as to prioritize staying below luxury tax.

And the ironic part of this discussion is that DA originally constructed the roster to protect against a TL injury but attempts to get all 3 centers playing time were not well-received.
 

lovegtm

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While Theis is a nice piece to have and it's not my money, it's not unreasonable for management to say that The Is was not going to materially increase the Cs playoff success so as to prioritize staying below luxury tax.

And the ironic part of this discussion is that DA originally constructed the roster to protect against a TL injury but attempts to get all 3 centers playing time were not well-received.
Yeah, I don't think it would have been smart to pay the repeater tax to try to squeeze more out of this group, this year. (I'm fairly high on a lot of their pieces, but something isn't working in this iteration).

And for the "it's just Wyc's money" people: the luxury tax, particularly the repeater, can very quickly hit numbers that are very material even to billionaires. Whatever that line is for Wyc, not hitting the repeater this year lets them get closer to it in the future.
 

Jimbodandy

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Yeah, I don't think it would have been smart to pay the repeater tax to try to squeeze more out of this group, this year. (I'm fairly high on a lot of their pieces, but something isn't working in this iteration).

And for the "it's just Wyc's money" people: the luxury tax, particularly the repeater, can very quickly hit numbers that are very material even to billionaires. Whatever that line is for Wyc, not hitting the repeater this year lets them get closer to it in the future.
Any of the "It's just Wyc's money" talk can be dragged back out at the end of the fiscal year, once we reset officially. Then we can talk about the tradeoffs in 2023-2024 and how generous Wyc is going to be three years out. Reset is real and required now.