Celtics (37-15) at Rockets (33-20) Game #53 2/11/20

[RockinRyA]

Jaylen Brown really need to watch out for Harden pump fakes.
He tends to fall for them often .

I wonder what their initial assignments would be. Im thinking Jaylen checks westbrick and Tatum on Harden.

With Jaylen's tendencies, he might get into early foul trouble if hes checking harden. Harden isnt really explosive so I think Tatum and his length will be good matchup. Westbrick meanwhile can be matched up athletically by Brown and isnt as crafty as Harden.

I feel like Harden is wayyyyy too strong for Tatum to have a chance. Anyone we put on him will get fouls, but I think JB is the matchup

I think Brown is fine but I didnt want to risk him on Harden at the start. Tatum seems to be more careful with biting into pump fakes.

[Surferdad]

Heavy does of Kanter?

Maybe, but on the other hand he may just get run right off the floor. If he looks good in his first few minutes we probably see plenty of him, but I could also see him playing <10 minutes, with Grant getting 20+

At the very least, C's have a height advantage for a change..

[SDceltGuy]

This will be an interesting game, very excited to watch tonight.  Smart v Harden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=1a4CnOtVn0U&feature=emb_logo

[RockinRyA]

This will be an interesting game, very excited to watch tonight.  Smart v Harden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=1a4CnOtVn0U&feature=emb_logo

Is it just me or does Smart look leaner there? Probably because of the hair?

Also Tatum looks way bigger this year.

[RPGenerate]

This is definitely one of those games where Kanter shouldn't play much. We can't afford to give up open 3pt shots on pick and rolls.

[fairweatherfan]

Super excited for this one because we might actually be able to play our best 5 for long stretches. It's always a battle with Houston the last few years. Let's snatch another tough road win before the break!

[nickagneta]

Jaylen Brown really need to watch out for Harden pump fakes.
He tends to fall for them often .

I wonder what their initial assignments would be. Im thinking Jaylen checks westbrick and Tatum on Harden.

With Jaylen's tendencies, he might get into early foul trouble if hes checking harden. Harden isnt really explosive so I think Tatum and his length will be good matchup. Westbrick meanwhile can be matched up athletically by Brown and isnt as crafty as Harden.

Brad like never gives Tatum the initial toughest player to guard at the 2-4 positions. It's Brown that gets those assignments.

And wow, the severe overstating of Jaylen going for pump fakes is off the charts here!

Yes, he still does it but so does almost everyone. His rate of doing it isn't anywhere close to being a problem or to the point of needing to be moved off someone because of it.

I fully expect Brown to be the person starting out guarding Harden. Tatum, as usual, will get the easier initial player to guard.

[liam]

Jaylen Brown really need to watch out for Harden pump fakes.
He tends to fall for them often .

I wonder what their initial assignments would be. Im thinking Jaylen checks westbrick and Tatum on Harden.

With Jaylen's tendencies, he might get into early foul trouble if hes checking harden. Harden isnt really explosive so I think Tatum and his length will be good matchup. Westbrick meanwhile can be matched up athletically by Brown and isnt as crafty as Harden.

Brad like never gives Tatum the initial toughest player to guard at the 2-4 positions. It's Brown that gets those assignments.

And wow, the severe overstating of Jaylen going for pump fakes is off the charts here!

Yes, he still does it but so does almost everyone. His rate of doing it isn't anywhere close to being a problem or to the point of needing to be moved off someone because of it.

I fully expect Brown to be the person starting out guarding Harden. Tatum, as usual, will get the easier initial player to guard.

Smart will also get a ton of time on Harden. He matches up really well with him. I feel like Westbrook is the tougher match up for the Celtics.

[RockinRyA]

Jaylen Brown really need to watch out for Harden pump fakes.
He tends to fall for them often .

I wonder what their initial assignments would be. Im thinking Jaylen checks westbrick and Tatum on Harden.

With Jaylen's tendencies, he might get into early foul trouble if hes checking harden. Harden isnt really explosive so I think Tatum and his length will be good matchup. Westbrick meanwhile can be matched up athletically by Brown and isnt as crafty as Harden.

Brad like never gives Tatum the initial toughest player to guard at the 2-4 positions. It's Brown that gets those assignments.

And wow, the severe overstating of Jaylen going for pump fakes is off the charts here!

Yes, he still does it but so does almost everyone. His rate of doing it isn't anywhere close to being a problem or to the point of needing to be moved off someone because of it.

I fully expect Brown to be the person starting out guarding Harden. Tatum, as usual, will get the easier initial player to guard.

Brad has been putting Tatum on PGs recently as well. You dont have to get too defensive over it, I am a Brown supporter too.

I also am worried about his ankle.

[nickagneta]

Jaylen Brown really need to watch out for Harden pump fakes.
He tends to fall for them often .

I wonder what their initial assignments would be. Im thinking Jaylen checks westbrick and Tatum on Harden.

With Jaylen's tendencies, he might get into early foul trouble if hes checking harden. Harden isnt really explosive so I think Tatum and his length will be good matchup. Westbrick meanwhile can be matched up athletically by Brown and isnt as crafty as Harden.

Brad like never gives Tatum the initial toughest player to guard at the 2-4 positions. It's Brown that gets those assignments.

And wow, the severe overstating of Jaylen going for pump fakes is off the charts here!

Yes, he still does it but so does almost everyone. His rate of doing it isn't anywhere close to being a problem or to the point of needing to be moved off someone because of it.

I fully expect Brown to be the person starting out guarding Harden. Tatum, as usual, will get the easier initial player to guard.

Brad has been putting Tatum on PGs recently as well. You dont have to get too defensive over it, I am a Brown supporter too.

I also am worried about his ankle.

I know you are it just seems I have seen this criticism a bunch recently and let it get to me a bit. Sorry bout that.

I think Stevens likes having Tatum playing the lesser offensive players to help conserve him a bit to use his energy on offense. And honestly, can't argue with the results.

Of course, with this switch everything defense, who you start guarding is less important as who you end up guarding on any given possession. This is why the C's will be so dangerous in the playoffs. They really can switch everything and have little drop off in overall quality of defense.

Smart/Brown/Tatum/Hayward/Theis is a very, very scary switch everything unit.

Oh, and have some TPs.

[nickagneta]

I was made aware by others that today I posted my 40,000th post.

In celebration, every post in this thread gets a TP from me.

Let's go Celtics ☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️☘️

EDIT: Except my posts, of course.

[gouki88]

Jaylen Brown really need to watch out for Harden pump fakes.
He tends to fall for them often .

I wonder what their initial assignments would be. Im thinking Jaylen checks westbrick and Tatum on Harden.

With Jaylen's tendencies, he might get into early foul trouble if hes checking harden. Harden isnt really explosive so I think Tatum and his length will be good matchup. Westbrick meanwhile can be matched up athletically by Brown and isnt as crafty as Harden.

Brad like never gives Tatum the initial toughest player to guard at the 2-4 positions. It's Brown that gets those assignments.

And wow, the severe overstating of Jaylen going for pump fakes is off the charts here!

Yes, he still does it but so does almost everyone. His rate of doing it isn't anywhere close to being a problem or to the point of needing to be moved off someone because of it.

I fully expect Brown to be the person starting out guarding Harden. Tatum, as usual, will get the easier initial player to guard.

Brad has been putting Tatum on PGs recently as well. You dont have to get too defensive over it, I am a Brown supporter too.

I also am worried about his ankle.

I know you are it just seems I have seen this criticism a bunch recently and let it get to me a bit. Sorry bout that.

I think Stevens likes having Tatum playing the lesser offensive players to help conserve him a bit to use his energy on offense. And honestly, can't argue with the results.

Of course, with this switch everything defense, who you start guarding is less important as who you end up guarding on any given possession. This is why the C's will be so dangerous in the playoffs. They really can switch everything and have little drop off in overall quality of defense.

Smart/Brown/Tatum/Hayward/Theis is a very, very scary switch everything unit.

Oh, and have some TPs.

Brad definitely does that. Also allows Tatum to sort of float around on defence, similar to what Giannis does (obviously without that insane frame + athleticism), whereas Brown gets a more "stay-at-home" type of assignment.

Both as important as one another for my mind. I don't think either would do as well if they swapped their roles. Add in Theis' rim-protection, Hayward's all-round solid defence and Kemba's ability to take charges and poke the ball loose, and you have a nasty starting lineup.

Then, of course, a DPOY candidate off the bench helps!

[RPGenerate]

Jaylen Brown should definitely start on Harden. Not only is he the best on-ball defender in the starting lineup, Harden's off-ball movement (or lack there of) is better for Brown's occasional brain farts on defense. He'll have to watch the pump fakes too, like countless other people have said already.☘️

[seancally]

Jaylen Brown should definitely start on Harden. Not only is he the best on-ball defender in the starting lineup, Harden's off-ball movement (or lack there of) is better for Brown's occasional brain farts on defense. He'll have to watch the pump fakes too, like countless other people have said already.☘️

In a game like this, it's good to have a lock-down, tremendous athlete for a guy like Harden who is so important to his team's entire offense. And even better that a guy like Tatum is also a tremendous off-ball defender.

[gouki88]

If I'm being completely honest, I think I'm more frightened of Westbrook right now. Over his last 10 he's averaging 34/9/8, massively cutting down on his 3PA's and shooting over 50% from the field. Gotta try and stop him. Marcus might be the answer