I really wouldn't worry so much right now. All players get banged up during a season and it's nothing anyone can do about that. It's the main reason why it's so hard to get back to back rings.
Terry will get his game tighter, so it can be a good thing.
Smart and Jalen are looking pretty good, and Tatum's still Tatum....even though I think it's time he took a bigger load, and I still like Morris and Horford heading toward the playoffs. It's doubtful we were gonna win this year anyway. No need to panic.
Remember Paul and Antoine came a game and a half from the finals and no one expected them to win it all the next year. Just takes patience.
I'm not scared of the other eastern teams either. I think when it comes to a tight series, chemistry always wins out.
That's why I don't like all this trade talk and being quick to pull the trigger.
They're gonna play different when they get to the playoffs, and I think starting Smart and Morris all year has helped them.
But they're gonna need to look for mismatches, which they don't do. Finding Tatum low on the block would be money...and I also see that with Jalen. Seeing how you can't touch anyone now, it's almost crazy not back people down OR have a back to the basket Center. No one can stop Tatum's or Jalen's turn around when they back people down. Why Brad doesn't see this, I'll never know. This is why I think his system is a little to rigid.
It's like the NBA has collectively lost their marbles.
One thing though...Tatum has the ability to be a defensive
force and player stopper. He doesn't seem interested in Doing and it drives me crazy. Paul was a stopper as soon as he got in the league. Jayson will be no Paul until he understands that.