Celtics skid

DJnVa

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Just a blip? Or are the problems were seeing on offense the last few weeks symptoms of something?

The schedule has turned in their favor, but unless they drop the Clippers tonight on second night of a back to back, it'll be 5 straight.
 

jimv

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It seems like they really focused on getting through the tough early part of the schedule and treated the London game as a finish line. And haven't played as well since

Or, a lot of those crazy finishes/big comebacks were flukey and they're regressing a bit
 

chilidawg

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O rating last night was 109, D rating was 110. That's actually a good offensive night and poor defensive night for this team. Kuzma was getting open looks all night, Randle and Lopez were effective inside, and the defensive rebounding in the second half was terrible. I thought the offense looked good when Kyrie was on the floor and terrible with out him, and that's borne out by his +16 for the game.

I still think they need more help inside. Baynes has a tough time staying on the court, last night due to foul trouble and other nights due to Brad's rotations. I'm not sure if it's a conditioning issue or what, because they do seem more effective with him on the court, certainly on the defensive end.
 

Lazy vs Crazy

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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.
 

teddykgb

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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.
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.

This team has a lot going for it but it has shown a very slim margin of error all season even when racking up wins. There have been way too many double digit deficits and they've played from behind way too much. It's hardly surprising to me that they will go through a few stretches where they just can't make enough shots to claw their way back. I think we have to hope that when the playoffs roll around they stretch the minutes a bit more and the dips aren't as low. More than anything, they've been patching together a squad all season through injury and having guys take a night here and there to try to heal up a bit. I think that kind of thing takes a toll and probably leads to diminishing returns throughout the season.
 

mauf

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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.
 

Buck Showalter

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Most times it's a major advantage to be young.

The body is vibrant and is quick to recover, minor injuries that are nagging for a prolonged period are often blips when you're a pup.

However, being 19, 20, 21 (whatever the two kids are) and playing / fighting thru the long season with much more travel and intensity than they ever experienced before is going to be a challenge.

And tough stretches (like the one the Celts are experiencing right now) are going to be a part of the learning process.

In short, I think they're tired - emotionally. And flying out to the left coast for back-to-back games isn't usually a prescription for recovery.

We are almost at the half-way point. They've been great overall.....but they'll need to push thru and learn what it takes to survive the 82 game regular season and a playoff run that will have every Eastern Conference Team seeking to crush em'.

I can't say I "like" this latest struggle.....but we know it is readying this group for something big over the next number of years.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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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).
 

shaggydog2000

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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.
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.
 

ifmanis5

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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.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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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.
 

mauf

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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.
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.)
 

RedOctober3829

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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.
 

DJnVa

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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.
Yeah, I *guess* you could say the timing of the swoon kind of helps--Danny definitely knows what he needs.
 

RedOctober3829

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Yeah, I *guess* you could say the timing of the swoon kind of helps--Danny definitely knows what he needs.
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.
 

ifmanis5

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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.
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.
 

chilidawg

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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.
Are the offensive and defensive components available?
 

the moops

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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.

If anything, he would be a guy that Denver trades to Charlotte as part of a Kemba Walker package. I cannot see Boston trading for him even if they could use the DPE on him.
 

Big John

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]

Faried is signed next year. The DPE cannot be used on him. Celts would need to find roughly 10 mill in salary to match
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.
 

Jimbodandy

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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.
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.
 

Big John

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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.
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.
 
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Sprowl

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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.
Brandon Hunter sings Don't You Forget About Me.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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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.


For those on mobile - from
@HPbasketball: Among all bigs with at least 400 possessions defended, Horford is 3rd in points allowed per possession, 5th in FG% allowed, and 1st in FT% allowed. His defensive player of the year candidacy is real.
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

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Haven't finished the LAC game but thought the ball moved side to side much more in the first half. That's one problem with Smart - the ball can stop moving for stretches when he is in the game.

]

Faried is signed next year. The DPE cannot be used on him. Celts would need to find roughly 10 mill in salary to match
Good point, thanks.
 

DJnVa

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Speaking of Celtics and skids, go to twitter and look at the account of @JoeyDips from about 10 pm last night. lol