Celtics (10-6) at Spurs (9-8) Game #17 1/27/21

[jpotter33]

Let's go C's!

[jpotter33]

Good shot, Smart. Those are good threes for you with that much space.

[liam]

The Celtics are turning the Spurs over a little bit.

[jpotter33]

Great passing guys!

[MICeltsfan]

Sounds like we will have all of our top players.  Only Langford and Pritchard listed as "Out".  I believe this is the first time all season that is the case.  Means that one of the "starters" is going to have to sit.  Most seem to think it is Thompson or Theis that will sit.  Not sure if anything has been announced.  I prefer they bring Smart off the bench and start:

Walker
Brown
Tatum
Theis
Thompson

They will certainly play some with small or 1 big line ups.   Down the stretch in a close game, they can do offense defense substitutions where maybe they sit Walker for the defensive possessions and sit Thompson for the offensive possessions.

Theis has been improving steadily playing as more of a PF.  He is averaging 16.5 pts in the last 4 games in about 25 min.  He had 23 and 10 rebs against Philly.  I suspect this is his ceiling but let's see if he can keep it up.

Smart has said in the past that he actually likes starting the game on the bench.  I forget his exact words but something along the line of he thinks he plays better after getting a chance to watch the game some from the bench.

Am I the only one who thinks that Thompson and Theis have switched roles?

It looked to me that Theis was accommodating Thompson during the first stretch of games, where Thompson was constantly in the paint on both sides of the court. But the last two games I saw Thompson defend on the perimeter and Theis was playing his natural game (albeit shooting a bit more from deep).

I think Stevens has seen that the interior defense is lacking with Thompson as the last line of defense with his limited ability to defend the rim. So despite Thompson's superior rebounding the coach has more trust in Theis to read plays and his athletic ability to block shots. Thompson has become the hustle guy to rebound and bring toughness, but without the responsibilty to anchor the defense. And on offense Thompson just has to set screens and go for offensive rebounds. They  don't want him to post up or be the rim runner anymore, because of his bad finishing.

At least this is what I saw against Chicago.

I agree - I think Theis is playing his game again - which has flaws but can be a net benefit to the team. He seemed to really be struggling to adjust to his new role in the early games and either he’s figured it out or he’s being put in positions to succeed again. Or both.

[liam]

Good game so far.

[MICeltsfan]

Also, apparently the key to getting PT on this team is to get your Twitter account hacked. One of the posts that got put on Edwards account must have had some compromising photos of Stevens or one of the coaches. It’s the only explanation I can reason out.

[tstorey_97]

Interesting line up.

Don't know about you guys, but I was wondering with all the minutes being given to the bench had anything to do with showcasing these players for trades?

I think the big move will be this summer.

I thought the coaches just ganged up on Stevens and told him to develop the young players.

[trickybilly]

Erm, does Nesmith have a hitch??

[jpotter33]

Ha Tatum just said "that's mine" and took it and made it.

[knuckleballer]

Erm, does Nesmith have a hitch??

IDK.  I was just wondering if that shooting motion is the same as college.

[mobilija]

Gay looks huge, posting up Tatum.

[nickagneta]

Good 1st quarter. Especially given how much some young guys were playing.

[Indocelts]

Thompson is 1-5 FG and missed some point blank shots.

[mobilija]

Interesting line up.

Don't know about you guys, but I was wondering with all the minutes being given to the bench had anything to do with showcasing these players for trades?

I think the big move will be this summer.

I thought the coaches just ganged up on Stevens and told him to develop the young players.

Brad creating completion. Trying to get someone to rise to the top