Analysis of Celtics Games, '21-'22 Season

[Imbricus]

I haven't seen a catchall thread started for Celtics games yet for this season, so thought I'd start one in preparation for the opener tonight. So, similar to last year, this isn't meant to turn into a fast-and-loose game thread, but meant to collect higher-quality analytical observations after the games. I realize some of those end up in individual player threads, but sometimes it's good to have a broad thread to discuss the games, because comments may overlap (e.g., I may have something to say about four different players, or about low energy in the second quarter of the last four games, or about the disastrous use of a zone defense the night before, or maybe all of the above).

As usual, I defer to the mods, if they think this thread should be titled differently or handled differently.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Welp, it's gonna be 2 big lineups to start the season:
View: https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1450852146912665600


Grant starts opening night in place of Al

 

[Smokey Joe]

Welp, it's gonna be 2 big lineups to start the season:
View: https://twitter.com/KeithSmithNBA/status/1450852146912665600


Grant starts opening night in place of Al

Mitchel Robinson and Julius Randle. I can understand why. I just wish Al was ready to go.

 

[Fishy1]

Good opportunity to see how the 4's on the roster fair, I guess. I'm sure Jabari or Hernangomez will get some run, too.

 

[Euclis20]

Mitchel Robinson and Julius Randle. I can understand why. I just wish Al was ready to go.

Really hope that's the reason. I could understand going with two bigs with Al because it's not hard to make the argument that he's a better player (or at least a better fit) than Schroder/Richardson, and you want your best guys playing as much as possible. That's absolutely not the case with Grant - when things are going well and everyone is healthy, I'd hope he's out of the top 9 altogether.

 

[chilidawg]

Mitchel Robinson and Julius Randle. I can understand why. I just wish Al was ready to go.

Tatum can't guard Randle?

 

[Jimbodandy]

It's gonna be a long year here.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

It's gonna be a long year here.

If Ime keeps running out these offensively challenged lineups I don’t want to be in the game threads in the 1Q. Brutal especially with Tatum often times being a slow starter.

 

[the moops]

If Ime keeps running out these offensively challenged lineups I don’t want to be in the game threads in the 1Q. Brutal especially with Tatum often times being a slow starter.

Might want to wait and see how offensively challenged they actually are before losing sleep over it

 

[Smokey Joe]

Tatum can't guard Randle?

Well he can. So can Jaylan. I just want them to save their energy so they can be making Barretts and Fourniers lives miserable.

 

[Euclis20]

Tatum can't guard Randle?

Probably, but Randle likely has 30+ pounds on him. Not exactly what you want your best offensive player to go through from the first minute of the game.

 

[benhogan]

It's gonna be a long year here.

optimism running rampant around here

 

[benhogan]

nm

 

[bsj]

jaylen is good

 

[lovegtm]

If Ime keeps running out these offensively challenged lineups I don’t want to be in the game threads in the 1Q. Brutal especially with Tatum often times being a slow starter.

I agree that Smart can't initiate the offense well, and it's putting him out of position. The answer in 1Q this game was Point Jaylen, but some of that was just hot shooting.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I agree that Smart can't initiate the offense well, and it's putting him out of position. The answer in 1Q this game was Point Jaylen, but some of that was just hot shooting.

Right. That is camouflage. I think Jaylen hit 4-5 threes and Marcus was 2-2. This disguised how poorly the offense flowed……we didn’t score a point until 2:30 into the game prior to the 3-point barrage. It didn’t go unnoticed that the end of game lineup was Schroder and Smart in the backcourt. i don’t understand the fascination with a 1H second unit Schroder/PP backcourt. I’m still hopeful this will change.

 

[lovegtm]

Right. That is camouflage. I think Jaylen hit 4-5 threes and Marcus was 2-2. This disguised how poorly the offense flowed……we didn’t score a point until 2:30 into the game prior to the 3-point barrage. It didn’t go unnoticed that the end of game lineup was Schroder and Smart in the backcourt. i don’t understand the fascination with a 1H second unit Schroder/PP backcourt. I’m still hopeful this will change.

As the game went on, it seemed like Ime got comfortable playing Smart with either Schroder or PP, which is how he should probably be used.

Jaylen as offensive initiator is something I'm interested in seeing more of too, since his handle has gotten good and he can generate offensive advantages in P&R.

 

[128]

Jaylen as offensive initiator is something I'm interested in seeing more of too, since his handle has gotten good and he can generate offensive advantages in P&R.

Hindsight is 20/20, but having Jaylen initiate the offense on the final possession of the first OT might have been a good idea.

 

[Imbricus]

Jaylen's quickness and sharp shooting last night reminded me of how good he looked last season before the hurt knee started to become a nagging injury. I hope he can stay healthy.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Richardson was out with a migraine, for those wondering why he didn't play.

Best 3 Celtics:

1. Jaylen Brown. This was probably a career-best game from him. He, in addition to his great shooting night, did a little of everything else. 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and a block. He hit a critical three pointer from the logo to keep the comeback going at the end of regulation.

2. Rob Williams had great numbers (16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists, 3 steals, 6 of 8 on free throws). He played a career high 45 minutes, which is hopefully, at the very least, an indication that the Celtics have some confidence in his health. What the numbers don't say: the key to the Celtics' comeback late in regulation was Rob Williams' perimeter defense on the Knicks' best player, Julius Randle. Also remarkable: he was only called for one foul. If he stays healthy maybe he is the third star after the Jays.

3. Grant Williams. It's a big gap from 2 to 3. Grant was far from perfect in this one, but this was because he spent most of the game guarding Juliaus Randle, an assignment he could not handle. But another key to the late comeback was Grant knocking down 3 threes in the fourth quarter after coming in to that quarter 0 for 2 from 3. Overall, shot 6 for 9 for 15 points, along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, a block and a steal.

Bad Marcus made a brief appearance, right before the comeback, helping to widen the New York's lead to 11. It was as if, after 3 quarters of restraint, Marcus noticed that none of the Celtics had anything going offensively and decided that he had to take the team on his shoulders and carry it to the comeback, and that went about as badly as any of us would have expected. Outside of that burst of lunacy, he actually shot well from three: 5 of 11 overall and (I think) 4 of 7 outside of his Bad Marcus phase early int he 4th. He added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals.

Tatum was unspeakably awful shooting, but did hit a key late three to tie it. Missed a difficult 2 that would have won the game. Stopped shooting for quite a while in the 4th, hit the tying three, then came out shooting and missing in the OT. Almost surprising that he ultimately scored 20 despite being this bad.

In terms of bench guys, Nesmith and Pritchard were bad, Schroder and Langford were good, but Schroder had a rough shooting night (4-12 from 2, 1 of 4 from three), but led the team in assists with 8.

Tatum, Schroder, Nesmith, and Pritchard combined to shoot 3 of 24 from 3.

They missed Al in this one, and they had a long stretch in the second half where they looked like last years team before pulling themselves together late.

 

[lovegtm]

Richardson was out with a migraine, for those wondering why he didn't play.

Best 3 Celtics:

1. Jaylen Brown. This was probably a career-best game from him. He, in addition to his great shooting night, did a little of everything else. 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and a block. He hit a critical three pointer from the logo to keep the comeback going at the end of regulation.

2. Rob Williams had great numbers (16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists, 3 steals, 6 of 8 on free throws). He played a career high 45 minutes, which is hopefully, at the very least, an indication that the Celtics have some confidence in his health. What the numbers don't say: the key to the Celtics' comeback late in regulation was Rob Williams' perimeter defense on the Knicks' best player, Julius Randle. Also remarkable: he was only called for one foul. If he stays healthy maybe he is the third star after the Jays.

3. Grant Williams. It's a big gap from 2 to 3. Grant was far from perfect in this one, but this was because he spent most of the game guarding Juliaus Randle, an assignment he could not handle. But another key to the late comeback was Grant knocking down 3 threes in the fourth quarter after coming in to that quarter 0 for 2 from 3. Overall, shot 6 for 9 for 15 points, along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, a block and a steal.

Bad Marcus made a brief appearance, right before the comeback, helping to widen the New York's lead to 11. It was as if, after 3 quarters of restraint, Marcus noticed that none of the Celtics had anything going offensively and decided that he had to take the team on his shoulders and carry it to the comeback, and that went about as badly as any of us would have expected. Outside of that burst of lunacy, he actually shot well from three: 5 of 11 overall and (I think) 4 of 7 outside of his Bad Marcus phase early int he 4th. He added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals.

Tatum was unspeakably awful shooting, but did hit a key late three to tie it. Missed a difficult 2 that would have won the game. Stopped shooting for quite a while in the 4th, hit the tying three, then came out shooting and missing in the OT. Almost surprising that he ultimately scored 20 despite being this bad.

In terms of bench guys, Nesmith and Pritchard were bad, Schroder and Langford were good, but Schroder had a rough shooting night (4-12 from 2, 1 of 4 from three), but led the team in assists with 8.

Tatum, Schroder, Nesmith, and Pritchard combined to shoot 3 of 24 from 3.

They missed Al in this one, and they had a long stretch in the second half where they looked like last years team before pulling themselves together late.

All sounds about right. Grant and Romeo looked like the best young guys--the former is a surprise to me, but losing weight while keeping functional strength makes him a normal NBA big wing, with a bit of athleticism, instead of a tiny center.

There's something there with this team--it feels deeper and has a couple breakout candidates. Still a work in progress and probably needs a 3rd star.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

All sounds about right. Grant and Romeo looked like the best young guys--the former is a surprise to me, but losing weight while keeping functional strength makes him a normal NBA big wing, with a bit of athleticism, instead of a tiny center.

There's something there with this team--it feels deeper and has a couple breakout candidates. Still a work in progress and probably needs a 3rd star.

I agree. I mean, they did this without Al, without Richardson (who surely would have been relied on for defense in this game and could not have shot worse than Nesmith/Pritchard), with their best player in an enormous funk, and with several reversions to the way they played last year. Sure, they also got a monster game from Brown, but normal games from Brown and Tatum probably would have been better overall.

This is probably a good jumping off point for the Ime era, because they didn't lots well but there is still lots of room for improvement.

Rob WIlliams played the entirety of both overtimes. Ignoring that, I think we got a glimpse of how the 2-bigs is going to work. Rob played 34 minutes in regulation while Grant played 31. One of them was always on the floor, with Grant playing center during the 14 minutes Rob was on the be bench. Something like that that will be how the Rob/Al rotation works, although Grant and Kanter may get a few minutes here and there.

 

[Auger34]

Richardson was out with a migraine, for those wondering why he didn't play.

Best 3 Celtics:

1. Jaylen Brown. This was probably a career-best game from him. He, in addition to his great shooting night, did a little of everything else. 9 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals and a block. He hit a critical three pointer from the logo to keep the comeback going at the end of regulation.

2. Rob Williams had great numbers (16 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks, 3 assists, 3 steals, 6 of 8 on free throws). He played a career high 45 minutes, which is hopefully, at the very least, an indication that the Celtics have some confidence in his health. What the numbers don't say: the key to the Celtics' comeback late in regulation was Rob Williams' perimeter defense on the Knicks' best player, Julius Randle. Also remarkable: he was only called for one foul. If he stays healthy maybe he is the third star after the Jays.

3. Grant Williams. It's a big gap from 2 to 3. Grant was far from perfect in this one, but this was because he spent most of the game guarding Juliaus Randle, an assignment he could not handle. But another key to the late comeback was Grant knocking down 3 threes in the fourth quarter after coming in to that quarter 0 for 2 from 3. Overall, shot 6 for 9 for 15 points, along with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, a block and a steal.

Bad Marcus made a brief appearance, right before the comeback, helping to widen the New York's lead to 11. It was as if, after 3 quarters of restraint, Marcus noticed that none of the Celtics had anything going offensively and decided that he had to take the team on his shoulders and carry it to the comeback, and that went about as badly as any of us would have expected. Outside of that burst of lunacy, he actually shot well from three: 5 of 11 overall and (I think) 4 of 7 outside of his Bad Marcus phase early int he 4th. He added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals.

Tatum was unspeakably awful shooting, but did hit a key late three to tie it. Missed a difficult 2 that would have won the game. Stopped shooting for quite a while in the 4th, hit the tying three, then came out shooting and missing in the OT. Almost surprising that he ultimately scored 20 despite being this bad.

In terms of bench guys, Nesmith and Pritchard were bad, Schroder and Langford were good, but Schroder had a rough shooting night (4-12 from 2, 1 of 4 from three), but led the team in assists with 8.

Tatum, Schroder, Nesmith, and Pritchard combined to shoot 3 of 24 from 3.

They missed Al in this one, and they had a long stretch in the second half where they looked like last years team before pulling themselves together late.

I agree with most of what you said with one big exception…I thought Schroder was horrendous. Terrible defensively, missed wide open shots and then took multiple shots he had no business taking.
One game sample size but he had the worst +/- on the team and that kind of matched what I was watching

 

[Jimbodandy]

I hate DS already. We need his penetration, and he made a few plays on ball, but his team defense is just atrocious. Can't play him with anyone else that's a work in progress (talking to you Nesmith) without the other team being guaranteed a run.

Ball movement was better than I expected and will improve more when Al returns. Can live with some of the turnovers while it tightens up.

 

[BillMuellerFanClub]

I agree with most of what you said with one big exception…I thought Schroder was horrendous. Terrible defensively, missed wide open shots and then took multiple shots he had no business taking.
One game sample size but he had the worst +/- on the team and that kind of matched what I was watching

I agree and was surprised to see any praise for his play. If he doesn't bring intensity and engagement, he's going to quickly become persona non grata with me. He is capable of being a pest and pressuring the ball though I saw none of that last night. It's one game so I won't write him off already, but if game 1 is any indication it's going to be hard to enjoy his minutes moving forward.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

I agree with most of what you said with one big exception…I thought Schroder was horrendous. Terrible defensively, missed wide open shots and then took multiple shots he had no business taking.
One game sample size but he had the worst +/- on the team and that kind of matched what I was watching

The only reason his +/- was the worst was due to Jaylen’s 1Q barrage escalating others +/- while being on the floor during Randle’s. Are we really valuing individual game +/- to mean anything more than random except for the player actually producing?

DS is far from perfect and anything from one game is super small sample. Having said that what we saw last night is why he needs to be running with the first unit and not with the Pritchard and Nesmiths of the world. The offensive flow was far superior with him initiating the first unit offense and as you say that second unit team defense on the perimeter was painful to watch There was movement, penetration to collapse the defense resulting in easy shots……as opposed to the start of each half where there was no collapsing of the defense and bailed out by unsustainable hot shooting. To Ime’s credit he saw this immediately and adjusted to have DS get nearly all of the 2H minutes running the offense.

Speaking of defense……could any two guards have played worse defense than Fournier and Kemba on that final possession of regulation? Still unsure of what either we’re doing out there……Evan leaving DS to double Tatum in the backcourt (LOL!) and Kemba leaving his man while dropping down inside the 3-pt arc to prevent DS penetration in a 3-point game. Next question……WTH is Thibs doing having them out there for a final defensive possession?!!

 

[Fishy1]

I hate DS already. We need his penetration, and he made a few plays on ball, but his team defense is just atrocious. Can't play him with anyone else that's a work in progress (talking to you Nesmith) without the other team being guaranteed a run.

Ball movement was better than I expected and will improve more when Al returns. Can live with some of the turnovers while it tightens up.

I liked the ball movement too, but was frustrated by the turnovers: 11 between Jaylen, Jayson, and Smart. I can live with Jaylen and Tatum turning the ball over, but Smart can't be turning the ball over 4+ times, given his role. He basically handed the ball to Fournier in one instance. Liked Langford's performance, but he was also sloppy with the ball.

Had a similar feeling about Schroder on defense, but couldn't pick out too many plays, so I went back and watched the some of the highlights. Way worse than I remembered, especially when the Knicks went on their run. Floating on D that led to at least one wide open three, a couple times where if he got back he might've broken up a fast break, and at least one or two missed assignments that led to wide open alley-oops. Just once game, and I think that stuff gets addressed. If he'd made two or three of those ugly elbow jumpers and that wide open layup, it may have been less frustrating!

Was surprised by Pritchard's hesitancy, but I guess that might've been the mask. There were a few wide open threes at the top of the key that he just totally passed up. They could've used some of his offense. If he's not going to take those shots, there's not a very good reason for him to be out there.

Frankly astonished by Timelord's minutes. They needed him out there... but they also need him the rest of the season. Kanter would have been a terrible match-up against Toppin, Robinson, and Randle, but I think some energy minutes from Parker and Hernangomez were definitely in order.

 

[Jimbodandy]

The only reason his +/- was the worst was due to Jaylen’s 1Q barrage escalating others +/- while being on the floor during Randle’s. Are we really valuing individual game +/- to mean anything more than random except for the player actually producing?

DS is far from perfect and anything from one game is super small sample. Having said that what we saw last night is why he needs to be running with the first unit and not with the Pritchard and Nesmiths of the world. The offensive flow was far superior with him initiating the offense and as you say that second unit team defense on the perimeter was painful to watch There was moving, penetration to collapse the defense resulting in easy shots……as opposed to the start of each half where there was no collapsing of the defense and bailed out by unsustainable hot shooting.

Speaking of defense……could any two guards have played worse defense than Fournier and Kemba on that final possession of regulation? Still unsure of what either we’re doing out there……Evan leaving DS to double Tatum in the backcourt (LOL!) and Kemba leaving his man while dropping down inside the 3-pt arc to prevent DS penetration in a 3-point game. Next question……WTH is Thibs doing having them out there for a final defensive possession?!!

Agreed on horrid defense from Kemba and Evan, but that's not a surprise. Yes, Thibs shouldn't have them on the floor there.

Also agreed that DS is fine and useful on the first unit. His poor rotations and reads will be less of a problem when surrounded by smart, long people. Was really hoping to see him make hay with the second unit, breaking down defenses and setting up looks for the kids. No way you can run him out there with kids now (forget Kanter too). Turn a 20 point lead into a tie game in 5 minutes.

 

[Jimbodandy]

I liked the ball movement too, but was frustrated by the turnovers: 11 between Jaylen, Jayson, and Smart. I can live with Jaylen and Tatum turning the ball over, but Smart can't be turning the ball over 4+ times, given his role. He basically handed the ball to Fournier in one instance. Liked Langford's performance, but he was also sloppy with the ball.

Had a similar feeling about Schroder on defense, but couldn't pick out too many plays, so I went back and watched the some of the highlights. Way worse than I remembered, especially when the Knicks went on their run. Floating on D that led to at least one wide open three, a couple times where if he got back he might've broken up a fast break, and at least one or two missed assignments that led to wide open alley-oops. Just once game, and I think that stuff gets addressed. If he'd made two or three of those ugly elbow jumpers and that wide open layup, it may have been less frustrating!

Was surprised by Pritchard's hesitancy, but I guess that might've been the mask. There were a few wide open threes at the top of the key that he just totally passed up. They could've used some of his offense. If he's not going to take those shots, there's not a very good reason for him to be out there.

Frankly astonished by Timelord's minutes. They needed him out there... but they also need him the rest of the season. Kanter would have been a terrible match-up against Toppin, Robinson, and Randle, but I think some energy minutes from Parker and Hernangomez were definitely in order.

Yeah Smart killed momentum a couple of times with stupid turnovers. We have to live with that sometimes, since he really helped slow down the Knicks offense at times. But when he has those TOs and goes on a gunslinger rampage too, he's doing more harm than good there.

I'm optimistic that Al helps out the ball movement even more. And DS, for his flaws, is a guy that will help the first unit offense too.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Agreed on horrid defense from Kemba and Evan, but that's not a surprise. Yes, Thibs shouldn't have them on the floor there.

Also agreed that DS is fine and useful on the first unit. His poor rotations and reads will be less of a problem when surrounded by smart, long people. Was really hoping to see him make hay with the second unit, breaking down defenses and setting up looks for the kids. No way you can run him out there with kids now (forget Kanter too). Turn a 20 point lead into a tie game in 5 minutes.

In fairness, that was never intended to be our second unit perimeter defense and with Ime committed (temporarily let’s pray) to Smart starting at the 1 his hands were kinda tied last night. It will look much different with J-Rich replacing one of Nesmith/PP with Horford/TL/Granite on that second unit.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

In terms of bench guys, Nesmith and Pritchard were bad, Schroder and Langford were good, but Schroder had a rough shooting night (4-12 from 2, 1 of 4 from three), but led the team in assists with 8.

I thought PP played fine even if he didn't shoot well (his two offensive rebounds were big) and I thought AN took shots he should have to but he was super amped up and they were mostly long.

I agree with most of what you said with one big exception…I thought Schroder was horrendous. Terrible defensively, missed wide open shots and then took multiple shots he had no business taking.
One game sample size but he had the worst +/- on the team and that kind of matched what I was watching

DS is going to generate a lot of posts this year, isn't he?

 

[reggiecleveland]

Didn't get to watch, but stats tell a story.
Celtics lost points in the paint 60--42 That's the game
Won the assist battle 34-27 encouraging about ball movement
Looks like Tatum took that Kobe jersey to heart. 30 shots! I wish Lebron or Larry, actual forwards were his role model. I hope this isn't like last year, where the Cs lose when he is cold.
Tatum 5-15 from 2 yikes
Smart 0-3 from 2
Ds 4-12 from 2

Without even watching tell me if I am wrong.
Tatum took too many step back 3s,
Bad 2s from Smart, Tatum, Schroder were late shot clock or bad shot selection.
Knicks 34-60 from 2- I am guessing D breakdowns for layups or bad TOs?

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

Without even watching tell me if I am wrong.
Tatum took too many step back 3s,
Bad 2s from Smart, Tatum, Schroder were late shot clock or bad shot selection.
Knicks 34-60 from 2- I am guessing D breakdowns for layups or bad TOs?

I only remember a few step back threes from Tatum. He was clanking a ton of open threes.
DS missed several mid range jumpers fairly early in the shot clock, blew a layup in OT, and missed a few runner type shots in regulation. I don't recall much of Tatum or Smart's twos as being terrible shot selection or end of shot clock prayers. Tatum just couldn't throw it into the ocean.
Randle, Toppin, and Robinson abused us in the paint.

 

[joe dokes]

Its going to take me some time to come around on Schroeder.

I hate DS already. We need his penetration, and he made a few plays on ball, but his team defense is just atrocious. Can't play him with anyone else that's a work in progress (talking to you Nesmith) without the other team being guaranteed a run.

He's always struck me as less than the sum of his parts. And he gives me the Isiah Lord Thomas III vibe of sneaky-dirty. I think he will start a fight before Thanksgiving.

RWilliams playing 45 minutes might have proven something to *him.* Like the 4 minute mile. It wont result in death.

 

[reggiecleveland]

My friend, a pro-level coach, and huge Laker fan likes Shroeder but hated him at the end of games due to erratic decision-making.
We both thought the passive, let's be honest softness, of last year's Celtics, needed the aggressive type of crazy he brings, but he will have his WTF moments.

 

[128]

Looks like Tatum took that Kobe jersey to heart. 30 shots! I wish Lebron or Larry, actual forwards were his role model. I hope this isn't like last year, where the Cs lose when he is cold.
Tatum 5-15 from 2 yikes
Smart 0-3 from 2
Ds 4-12 from 2

Without even watching tell me if I am wrong.
Tatum took too many step back 3s,
Bad 2s from Smart, Tatum, Schroder were late shot clock or bad shot selection.
Knicks 34-60 from 2- I am guessing D breakdowns for layups or bad TOs?

For all the bricks Tatum put up last nite, and there were plenty, the biggest misses might have been by Schroder (layup) and then Brown (dunk) in OT.

Schroder had a chance to make it a five-point lead. I can't remember what the score was when Brown missed. It's tough to criticize Brown, who had a career game, but the Knicks were a little bit out of sorts at that point, having given up a huge lead at the end of regulation.

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

For all the bricks Tatum put up last nite, and there were plenty, the biggest misses might have been by Schroder (layup) and then Brown (dunk) in OT.

Schroder had a chance to make it a five-point lead. I can't remember what the score was when Brown missed. It's tough to criticize Brown, who had a career game, but the Knicks were a little bit out of sorts at that point, having given up a huge lead at the end of regulation.

I bet that's the last time he'll ever go for the tomahawk in that situation. A layup is worth the same.

 

[Jimbodandy]

My friend, a pro-level coach, and huge Laker fan likes Shroeder but hated him at the end of games due to erratic decision-making.
We both thought the passive, let's be honest softness, of last year's Celtics, needed the aggressive type of crazy he brings, but he will have his WTF moments.

His edge will definitely come in handy. They have a few guys now who don't mind wrestling in the mud and actually kind of like it.

 

[slamminsammya]

Did anyone else find the switch everything scheme to be a bit extreme? I don't know if Ive ever seen so many instances of guards switched onto 5s but maybe this is just because I really only watch Celtics games.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Without even watching tell me if I am wrong.
Tatum took too many step back 3s,
Bad 2s from Smart, Tatum, Schroder were late shot clock or bad shot selection.
Knicks 34-60 from 2- I am guessing D breakdowns for layups or bad TOs?

Given the way he was shooting, any 3Ps were probably too much by Tatum but I only remember a couple of side-step 3s (one to his right; one to his left). He missed a few wide-open ones too.

Smart's shot selection was really good until the bad Marcus stretch EJ mentioned, which happened during a NY run and after Smart temporarily stemmed the run with a 3P. Hopefully someone can tell him that when the other team makes a run, the best thing Smart can do is calm the team down, not hype it back up.

As for NYK's 2P shots, Randle abused pretty much everyone not named Robert Williams and during the bad stretch in the 4Q, BOS turned the ball over on multiple occasions (different players although I'm pretty sure JB had at least 2 and maybe more) and didn't get back on defense.

I'm also surprised BOS didn't post Marcus on Kemba more often - I think they did it once early in the game.

edit: according to this, NBA tracking data had JT being 6-22 on uncontested shots.

 

[reggiecleveland]

I'm also surprised BOS didn't post Marcus on Kemba more often - I think they did it once early in the game.

It is a bit of a lost art, and needs to be done a quick hitter. Lots of teams are pretty sophisticated in switching the big to the guy posting. I like the idea too, because Marcus is so strong and pretty good down there.

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Did anyone else find the switch everything scheme to be a bit extreme? I don't know if Ive ever seen so many instances of guards switched onto 5s but maybe this is just because I really only watch Celtics games.

It's an interesting strategy and I agree, I'm not wild about the results so far. But apparently - https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/10/6/22711126/can-the-bostn-celtics-switch-everything-defense-survive-mismatches-al-horford-robert-williams - switching a ton is going to be the baseline defense for the Cs so we'll just have to hope they get better at it.

 

[Cellar-Door]

It is a bit of a lost art, and needs to be done a quick hitter. Lots of teams are pretty sophisticated in switching the big to the guy posting. I like the idea too, because Marcus is so strong and pretty good down there.

It's also hard to post your PG if your C isn't a stretch. If Al is in there with say Tatum, Brown, Romeo it's easier to post Smart, with TL, Robinson can just come over because he's not scared of TL going out for a jumper.

 

[reggiecleveland]

It's also hard to post your PG if your C isn't a stretch. If Al is in there with say Tatum, Brown, Romeo it's easier to post Smart, with TL, Robinson can just come over because he's not scared of TL going out for a jumper.

Yeah that's what I am saying. TL's guy can zone up, they have to find switches but, that is what happens.

 

[chilidawg]

Frankly astonished by Timelord's minutes. They needed him out there... but they also need him the rest of the season. Kanter would have been a terrible match-up against Toppin, Robinson, and Randle, but I think some energy minutes from Parker and Hernangomez were definitely in order.

If Bruno isn't going to get minutes on a night when Horford is out and Kanter is a bad matchup, why is he on the roster? Especially given the way they were scoring on the interior.

 

[Cellar-Door]

If Bruno isn't going to get minutes on a night when Horford is out and Kanter is a bad matchup, why is he on the roster? Especially given the way they were scoring on the interior.

Because his salary is guaranteed and nobody else would play either, 15th men rarely play.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

If Bruno isn't going to get minutes on a night when Horford is out and Kanter is a bad matchup, why is he on the roster? Especially given the way they were scoring on the interior.

Why is Hauser on the roster? Probably for the same reason…..you have 15 slots and someone is going to take them

 

[Cellar-Door]

Why is Hauser on the roster? Probably for the same reason…..you have 15 slots and someone is going to take them

Hauser is actually not on the 15.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Hauser is actually not on the 15.

He’s not? He was in the box score last night as active.

 

[Cellar-Door]

He’s not? He was in the box score last night as active.

2 way player