Hawks (8-7) at Celtics (12-4) Game #17 11/24/23

[liam]

No KP and maybe no Jrue.  Gonna be a tough one.

This will force Joe’s hand to play the bench more.  I really believe Lamar Stevens has the toughness they are missing. I know he’s a two-way, but I’m puzzled as to why Brissett and Banton are getting more minutes than Stevens.

Agreed. All these guys can bring something. It's a long year and we'll need everyone to get to where we want to get.

[Vermont Green]

No KP and maybe no Jrue.  Gonna be a tough one.

This will force Joe’s hand to play the bench more.  I really believe Lamar Stevens has the toughness they are missing. I know he’s a two-way, but I’m puzzled as to why Brissett and Banton are getting more minutes than Stevens.

Stevens is not a 2-way.  He has a non-guaranteed contract (at least not fully) but he has a regular roster contract.  The 2-ways are Davison, Queta, and Nathan Knight.

To the point though, all the new guys, Brissett, Stevens, Mykhailiuk, have not played much and when they have, they have not looked great.  I am not sure what the problem is.  It could be that they just aren't that good or it could be that they just need time and/or opportunity.

[Who]

This team feels and looks (on the court) a lot like last year's team without Jrue and Porzingis.

Only without Smart, Brogdon, G Williams, and Timelord.

[Roy H.]

This team feels and looks (on the court) a lot like last year's team without Jrue and Porzingis.

Only without Smart, Brogdon, G Williams, and Timelord.

Yeah.  If we didn't make those trades we'd be screwed.  No Timelord, no Smart.

[Who]

What is the talent level of this group right now? Minus Jrue and Porzingis?

C: Horford, Kornet
F: Tatum, Brissett
F: Hauser, L Stevens
G: Jaylen, Svi
G: D White, Pritchard

Is that a .500 team? Maybe a mid-40s win team?

The starting lineup is good enough for a 50 plus win squad but that bench is horrible. That will take a good 10 wins off the team versus a quality bench. With a quality bench, that is a 50+ win team. With that miserable bench, that is a 40-45 win team.

[SHAQATTACK]

I’m worried .

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

1980’s injury report

Bird ….leg sawed off ….status probable

MCHALE ….BROKEN ARM ….Status …..questionable

Chief …..hospitalized …. Last seen limping towards the  Garden

BEST

FRONTCOURT

EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kuberski33]

What is the talent level of this group right now? Minus Jrue and Porzingis?

C: Horford, Kornet
F: Tatum, Brissett
F: Hauser, L Stevens
G: Jaylen, Svi
G: D White, Pritchard

Is that a .500 team? Maybe a mid-40s win team?

The starting lineup is good enough for a 50 plus win squad but that bench is horrible. That will take a good 10 wins off the team versus a quality bench. With a quality bench, that is a 50+ win team. With that miserable bench, that is a 40-45 win team.

Anytime this team is down 2 starters it's going to be a struggle - doesn't matter who they're playing. This is why Joe needs to find another guy on the bench who can be in the rotation. So far he hasn't bothered.  And in games like Orlando and this one it's likely gonna come back to bite him in his stubborn a--.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

What is the talent level of this group right now? Minus Jrue and Porzingis?

C: Horford, Kornet
F: Tatum, Brissett
F: Hauser, L Stevens
G: Jaylen, Svi
G: D White, Pritchard

Is that a .500 team? Maybe a mid-40s win team?

The starting lineup is good enough for a 50 plus win squad but that bench is horrible. That will take a good 10 wins off the team versus a quality bench. With a quality bench, that is a 50+ win team. With that miserable bench, that is a 40-45 win team.

Anytime this team is down 2 starters it's going to be a struggle - doesn't matter who they're playing. This is why Joe needs to find another guy on the bench who can be in the rotation. So far he hasn't bothered.  And in games like Orlando and this one it's likely gonna come back to bite him in his stubborn a--.

Are we not giving Joe any props for helping Hauser to become a reliable rotation player?

[Kuberski33]

What is the talent level of this group right now? Minus Jrue and Porzingis?

C: Horford, Kornet
F: Tatum, Brissett
F: Hauser, L Stevens
G: Jaylen, Svi
G: D White, Pritchard

Is that a .500 team? Maybe a mid-40s win team?

The starting lineup is good enough for a 50 plus win squad but that bench is horrible. That will take a good 10 wins off the team versus a quality bench. With a quality bench, that is a 50+ win team. With that miserable bench, that is a 40-45 win team.

Anytime this team is down 2 starters it's going to be a struggle - doesn't matter who they're playing. This is why Joe needs to find another guy on the bench who can be in the rotation. So far he hasn't bothered.  And in games like Orlando and this one it's likely gonna come back to bite him in his stubborn a--.

Are we not giving Joe any props for helping Hauser to become a reliable rotation player?

Hauser has developed no doubt. But this teams weakness figured to be what Grant Williams contributed - hustle, grit and defensive and rebounding depth. Brad brought in some candidates - albeit all on cheap contracts - to address this and drafted Walsh who might be able to slide into that type of role eventually.

Joe hasn't tried to give minutes to any of them. So expecting much out of them when they're forced to play due to injuries is unrealistic. 

[DefenseWinsChamps]

What is the talent level of this group right now? Minus Jrue and Porzingis?

C: Horford, Kornet
F: Tatum, Brissett
F: Hauser, L Stevens
G: Jaylen, Svi
G: D White, Pritchard

Is that a .500 team? Maybe a mid-40s win team?

The starting lineup is good enough for a 50 plus win squad but that bench is horrible. That will take a good 10 wins off the team versus a quality bench. With a quality bench, that is a 50+ win team. With that miserable bench, that is a 40-45 win team.

Anytime this team is down 2 starters it's going to be a struggle - doesn't matter who they're playing. This is why Joe needs to find another guy on the bench who can be in the rotation. So far he hasn't bothered.  And in games like Orlando and this one it's likely gonna come back to bite him in his stubborn a--.

Are we not giving Joe any props for helping Hauser to become a reliable rotation player?

Hauser has developed no doubt. But this teams weakness figured to be what Grant Williams contributed - hustle, grit and defensive and rebounding depth. Brad brought in some candidates - albeit all on cheap contracts - to address this and drafted Walsh who might be able to slide into that type of role eventually.

Joe hasn't tried to give minutes to any of them. So expecting much out of them when they're forced to play due to injuries is unrealistic.

It's a long season. I like what I've seen from Brissett playing the 4-5, even if he's struggles with his shot.

[liam]

GAME TIME!!!!

[celticinorlando]

Banton starting? WTH. He’s terrible

[liam]

Banton starting? WTH. He’s terrible

He's a big guard that can handle the ball well.

[celticinorlando]

Banton starting? WTH. He’s terrible

He's a big guard that can handle the ball well.

Let white do that. Banton can’t finish, shoot or play defense