Kemba being out is good for the young guys.
Some of the Celtic losses, especially late in the 4th, is due to Kemba's penchant for taking "all in" shots.
I think it's best if the Celts preserve Kemba for the playoffs.
Such as?
Kemba has the tendency to launch 3-pointers, in crunch time, when the Celts really don't need it.
I've also noticed that Kemba makes more 3-pointers early in the qtr. than late in the qtr.
He's shooting 44% from 3pt in crunch time this year, which is higher than his season average of 39% and equal to what he shoots from 3pt in the 4th quarter overall.
https://www.espn.com/nba/playbyplay?gameId=401160854
1:44 Kemba Walker misses 26-foot three point pullup jump shot 94 - 90
With the Celts leading by 4, in regulation, why shoot a 3?
Maybe it's the decision making.
That shot and miss led to a Clipper fast break that cut the Celtic lead to 2 points with 1:37 left in the 4th.
Celts ended up losing that game in OT.
Kemba has this knack of going for "all in" shots in crunch time.
I think Kemba needs to learn that he's with the Celtics already, not the Hornets.
So, according to you: "Some of the Celtic losses, especially late in the 4th, is due to Kemba's penchant for taking "all in" shots." and your one example is from November 20th, 41 games ago, half a season back! And it's untrue as Kemba hits threes at an elite level late in close games!
Here's another example.
https://www.espn.com.au/nba/playbyplay?gameId=401160999
1:44 Kemba Walker misses 27-foot three point pullup jump shot 109 - 111
Brogdon just hit 2 FTs to give the Pacers a 2-point lead with 1:59 remaining.
Kemba tried to go all in with a 3-pointer.
When Kemba missed, Justin Holiday makes a 3-pointer at the other end to give the Pacers a 5-point lead.
Game over for the Celts.
Like I said, it's not that we don't want Kemba to shoot, just don't go "all in" all the time.
So your only other example is from 34 games ago? Can you see how your complaint is irrelevant?
I can post more examples if you want.
We can also double check using my League Pass.
The complaint is just to become better with the decision making in crunch time.
I think there's nothing wrong with asking for Kemba to make better decisions in crunch time.
Kemba's not used to winning because he's been with Charlotte most of his career.
With Boston, Kemba has lots of options because he's surrounded by very good players.
That's why he doesn't need to have that "all in" mentality in crunch time.
Kemba just needs to learn to trust his teammates.
He doesn't need to do it all by himself.
This is an odd take. It's the first time I've ever heard Kemba be accused of trying to do it all himself while playing for the Celtics. He's actually been very selfless this year, he was feeding JT when JT was hot. Even at the end of the game. When JB is hot he feeds the ball to JB.
Sometimes we can second guess players too much. Sometimes it's the right shot but he just missed.
TP...could not agree more. Kemba in the last 5 minutes of games in close games hits 3s at an elite rate but somehow is getting criticized for the ones he misses?!?!?! The whole take makes very little sense to me and, IMO, is just not based in reality. Kemba, late in games has been beyond clutch, with his scoring, defense and playmaking...again, just my opinion.
This people who are so stuck with yesterday's basketball and hasnt accepted that the game has evolved are in for a shock. If you are skilled enough to shoot at that high rate, by all means shoot.
If we had the same narrowmindedness governing GSW, Steph and Klay would average way less points. If these people are appalelrd with these few Kemba threes, I wonder how would they feel if they were a fan ofthe Warriors in their championship years?
Theyd probably be leading some campaign against Draymond and say the dubs has to trade iguodala for the likes of Drummond, WCS, Jacob Poetl etc!
If yesterday's basketball is obsolete, why do teams still prefer bigs like Ayton with the #1 pick?
Why didn't Phoenix pick Luka #1?
Because these GMs are godawful. Its the reason why they were picking that high in the first place. Years and years of bad drafting and bad management.
The top 2 picks in that draft class are bigs. There were 2 all-stars from that draft class. Neither of them were bigs. You gonna use that to bolster your argument lol.
You mentioned Anthony Davis. We faced them the last game, he shot an awful FG from the field being guarded by 6 foot 6 Jaylen Brown mostly and Theis who you usually malign. The easiest points he got? From the 3 point line. Something the likes of your WCS, Drummond, Poetl cannot do. Anthony Davis is also one of the best defenders in the league if you go with Bigs. He was nowhere near stopping Tatum. What more can slower than Molasses guys like WCS, Drummond, Poetl do in that situation? The Spurs boast of a huge frontline with Aldridge and your Poetl. Are they in the playoffs? Drummond who you value so much got traded for a bag of peanuts. The same Drummond who regularly got killed by Joel Embiid.
Aldridge are Poeltl are not Duncan and Splitter.
How many championships have the Celts won from 2010 to 2019?
https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/SAS/2014.htmlSpurs went to the Finals twice, 2014 and 2013, using a traditional lineup.
The Heat would've lost twice to the Spurs if not for Ray Allen's heroics in Game 6 of the 2013 Finals.
Miami was the first small ball team in the last decade.
It's not about needing a superstar big man, it's about having a balanced team.
Theis is fine if he's the backup Center.
Right now Theis is exceeding expectations, but wait until the Celts face the Bucks in a 7-game series.
There's just no way Theis can help contain Giannis.
The last time the Celts beat the Bucks in the playoffs was in 2018.
That year the Celts had Horford and Baynes to help contain Giannis.
The trade deadline has passed.
Ainge missed an opportunity to trade for a big man.
So from here on out, the Celts will be stuck with what they have.
Will the Celts win a championship with Theis as the starting Center?
We'll find out in a couple of months.
If the Celts exit the playoffs because they lacked a big man, I hope you'll be man enough to admit that you were wrong.