But how is a team that is so talented so atrocious when it’s close and late? Has to be the coaching right? Unless they’re truly just “soft”’ or “losers”’, which I don’t believe, the only explanation I can think of is they just haven’t found the right voice to unlock their true potential.
They are incredibly talented, but they also are not great at executing consistently, and that's what clutch basketball is about. They also have multiple guys who struggle with one or more of: Handles, passing, quick decision making... all the things you need most to break down defenses going all out end of game to take away what you do best.
They had so many chances to practice in the regular season, and it always ended up with the equivalent of Grant driving to the basket against three Jazz bigs.
Or Charles Smith trying to convert a game winning layup against the Bulls
Really, really, really hoping this isn't the case (while knowing it absolutely could be true). It's not just that they lost Ime, it's that it happened so late in the offseason that their only realistic choice was either someone in house, or someone that no one else wanted. Without saying what's the right move, I can't imagine they move on from Joe after this year no matter what happens over the next few days or weeks, it's just too soon. If they did, suddenly we're a title contender about to have our 4th HC in 4 seasons, which sounds almost impossible. And there goes the window.
Maybe, but honestly... this team did all this stuff last year, carbon copy, right down to a huge 3rd quarter run in game one of the ECF costing them a win while the coach got ripped for not taking TO during an 18-2 run. Checking the Ime thread, people were mostly happy with him except his timeout usage... lot of praise for his strategy of...... not doubling Jimmy Butler. I think it's mostly narrative. Ime probably would have been slightly better than Joe this year just from having a year under his belt, but strategy they are pretty similar guys, timeout usage too, biggest difference is probably personality, but the results... pretty similar.
missed this, they should absolutely give him the Supermax, for all his flaws he's 26 and should be a borderline All-NBA type player, far worse and older players have gotten similar paydays. Even if they truly believe the pairing with Tatum will never work, you still give him the Supermax then trade him down the line, teams will be very happy to give you value for him.
I expect Joe to grow and improve as a coach. That said, his postgame demeanor has worn thin on me. He's apparently humorless, and his defiance after losses doesn't reflect well on him. He doubles down on every questionable decision, only to later acknowledge, in some cases, that he fucked up.
Completely agree. The timing of it was also about as shitty as it could get.
At least Tatum had some attempts.
Joe is young, came into the job unexpectedly, and the Celtics had him coach shorthanded all season, especially after Stoudamire left. Clearly too much for him.
On second thought, you have to super-max him to preserve the asset. But JB's game simply hasn't rounded out. The continuous off ball miscues and horrendous turnovers keep happening. And not sure you can even trust him at the free throw line close/late.
Grant's regression from cromulent, 20-30 minute a game playoff contributor to a shell of that player within 12 months is a massive failure on Joe's part, IMO. He came into the post-season as a player who was clearly on the coach's shit list, he's been given sporadic at best minutes in the playoffs, and then out of the blue, he's given the laughably impossible task of trying to guard the league's foremost relentless cyborg in one of the most important closing stretches of the season. Coach needs to build the players up and instill confidence in them, not whittle them down to a shell of their best self. Grant isn't some amazing player who's being held back by Mazzula but he does a lot of little things that nobody else on this team is really capable of. Last night- before Butler ate his soul- he had a nice O-board put back, he hit a three, and he made a nice pass setting up an open three.
Without Al's defense they don't win the Philly series, so dismissing Al as "calcifying before our eyes" isn't really fair. But he is 36, logged a ton of minutes this year, and maybe he is spent or needs a limited role.
This. When you can see with your eyes in live time that Horford is lost you have options to replace him with. They have a talented bench, use it.
So basically:
Almost wonder if they’ll legitimately mutually part ways. He seemed completely defeated.
Overwhelmed and defeated. He was given a very hard task that he wasn’t ready for. I think both sides will want to move on after this
Hell, maybe he'll stay on as the top assistant and everyone will be happy. Unlikely, but crazier things have happened.
I think he ends up going to Urah or Houston, but not as the top guy.
I do too, just trying to construct the best of all worlds if he and Tatum really are close
I think Tatum is relatively easy to please. Im not that worried about him.
That’s a great question and a gamble. Because if they don’t make the finals and take it to 7….then I fhink it could be a major fucking issue. Nurse is kind of a douche as a coach
He is, but I think he's really good. I'm also very intrigued by Monte. Want no part of Bud or Doc.
agreed. I actually only want Nurse. I think he’s exactly what this team needs. It has downside but I take that swing
He was already on Udoka's staff, could see him being promoted to an assistant coach role there. Just as long as he's gone from the Cs.
The bigger concern is Brown, who seems like he’d be more difficult to please and is a potential free agent..
If he won't take the supermax you trade him, if he does take the supermax extension then you worry about Tatum and if Brown is an issue next year you can trade him with multiple years left and get excellent return. Tatum is clearly your best player, he's the guy you worry about pleasing. Teams are built around their superstars, GS does what Curry wants not Klay, LA does what LeBron wants, BRK didn't give a shit about what Kyrie wanted except as it related to what KD wanted, MIA is about Jimmy, Tyler Herro isn't calling the shots, DEN is about Jokic, etc. etc.
Fair enough. Though I think that means the Cs are in a safe position choosing whoever they want if JB resigns. One great part of Tatum is that he doesn’t seem like the type to struggle with any coach. He appears to be genuinely humble and hard working..
Exactly. The best thing about the supermax isn't necessarily that he's easier to re-sign, it's that we get a legit window into his thoughts a year before he's a free agent. Unlike with Kyrie, it's not super likely that we're stuck with nothing one way or another.
