Celtics (25-16) at Magic (17-24) Game #42 1/12/19

[MattyIce]

If we could find a veteran ball handler to replace Rozier.

jeremy lin

[Billz401]

If we could find a veteran ball handler to replace Rozier.

I kind of feel like if we just gave wanamaker rozier's minutes our bench would be like night and day. Dude was -20 today and threw up a goose egg lol. I'm just over him honestly

[PAOBoston]

If only we could've played the starting unit for 48 minutes. Bench was a real letdown tonight.

Maybe it is time to maybe put one of Smart or Morris back on the bench? The bench is an issue.

Who do you bench to do it, though? Both Morris and Smart have been instrumental to our better play since moving to the starting lineup.

I've been saying all year I'd start Irving, Smart, Hayward, Tatum, and Horford.  I think that is going to be the best lineup night in and night out and gives Boston the best chance to really compete in the playoffs over the long haul.  The team really needs Hayward's play making in the starting unit.  They just don't have a guy like him i.e. a guy that looks to pass first but that can also handle the ball (Horford is the big man version of Hayward).  I think not only would Hayward play better with those guys, everyone else would as well.  Brown and Morris can lead the second unit, which I think is better for them.

I think the issue there is who is going to initiate the offense on the second unit?

Yeah, while Moranis is probably right that it is our likely best long-term lineup, that would seemingly only exacerbate the bench playmaking problems.

The obvious answer is get a guard that can create (aka not Rozier).

[SparzWizard]

kyrie giving Gordon the business for not getting him the ball
kyrie not happy with Gordon

This team is just horribly inconsistent and part of that has to be coaching.

This is easily Stevens' toughest coaching task and thus far he is not passing at all.

If I am Danny I have to make it easier for him, and thin out this roster.  I get that they are keeping guys for depth because of what happened last year but there is no way these bench guys are leading the team to an NBA Finals.

I never imagined having all of these quality depth players would be bad for this team. A small-forward in this team has to go. Pick up a big who can also rebound.

[knuckleballer]

If we could find a veteran ball handler to replace Rozier.

jeremy lin

Can't match his $13.7 mill salary.  I'd love to get him though.

[jpotter33]

99% positive that was not the play and Tatum went full hero ball right there.

Well, he had to when Hayward passed it to him with only 2 seconds left on the clock. Hayward didn't need to pass it to him in that instance, especially that early.

Wouldn't be surprised if Kyrie rips the team tonight. Him, Smart, Morris, and for the most part Al are the only consistent ones on the team right now. Hayward and the young guys especially have all been so inconsistent and a major part of our shortcomings, which is only exacerbated by Brad mismanaging the rotations.

[PAOBoston]

If we could find a veteran ball handler to replace Rozier.

jeremy lin

Can't match his $13.7 mill salary.  I'd love to get him though.

Patrick Beverly could be an option. I think money is close.

[tenn_smoothie]

It was the TEAM'S fault for losing the 2nd half by 12 points -
We should not have to rely on a last possession shot to beat the likes of Orlando.

[PAOBoston]

99% positive that was not the play and Tatum went full hero ball right there.

Well, he had to when Hayward passed it to him with only 2 seconds left on the clock. Hayward didn't need to pass it to him in that instance, especially that early.

Wouldn't be surprised if Kyrie rips the team tonight. Him, Smart, Morris, and for the most part Al are the only consistent ones on the team right now. Hayward and the young guys especially have all been so inconsistent and a major part of our shortcomings, which is only exacerbated by Brad mismanaging the rotations.

I think the ball was supposed to go to Horford

[footey]

Kyrie was arguing with Brad right before end of last time out, as if it wasn’t in agreement on the play design.  Then argued with Gordon at the end of the game, as if he made wrong pass. Seemed to be a lot of confusion. Not a good end for a team that is supposed to draw a good play out of time out.

[Moranis]

If only we could've played the starting unit for 48 minutes. Bench was a real letdown tonight.

Maybe it is time to maybe put one of Smart or Morris back on the bench? The bench is an issue.

Who do you bench to do it, though? Both Morris and Smart have been instrumental to our better play since moving to the starting lineup.

I've been saying all year I'd start Irving, Smart, Hayward, Tatum, and Horford.  I think that is going to be the best lineup night in and night out and gives Boston the best chance to really compete in the playoffs over the long haul.  The team really needs Hayward's play making in the starting unit.  They just don't have a guy like him i.e. a guy that looks to pass first but that can also handle the ball (Horford is the big man version of Hayward).  I think not only would Hayward play better with those guys, everyone else would as well.  Brown and Morris can lead the second unit, which I think is better for them.

I think the issue there is who is going to initiate the offense on the second unit?

Yeah, while Moranis is probably right that it is our likely best long-term lineup, that would seemingly only exacerbate the bench playmaking problems.

If the best playmaker on the team isn't working on that unit, then it would be my argument that that isn't actually the problem with the bench.  I think adding someone like Morris to the bench is actually what that unit needs.  As I said in response to PAO's post, the bench actually needs someone that can consistently put the ball in the hoop.  A guy that can actually create a good shot for himself.  Aside from Irving and Tatum, I actually think Morris is the best equipped player to do that right now (especially against bench players).  As such, he should be on the bench.

[nickagneta]

Ugh, watching that again Hayward clearly went early there and not what they were drawing up for Kyrie.

Hayward has to be better than that. Tatum was 6 - 15 at that point. Why the F would you go to him there that early??

Just dumb decisions and poor BBIQ killing us all year long it seems like.

Come on Potter! You're such a smart guy and then type something like this. What do you think players do? They see they are going to get the ball so they run to the scorekeeper's table, check the shooting stats of all the rest of his team mates and then decides "well player A and player B aren't shooting well tonight so I am just going to refuse to pass to them".

[mctyson]

If only we could've played the starting unit for 48 minutes. Bench was a real letdown tonight.

Maybe it is time to maybe put one of Smart or Morris back on the bench? The bench is an issue.

Who do you bench to do it, though? Both Morris and Smart have been instrumental to our better play since moving to the starting lineup.

I've been saying all year I'd start Irving, Smart, Hayward, Tatum, and Horford.  I think that is going to be the best lineup night in and night out and gives Boston the best chance to really compete in the playoffs over the long haul.  The team really needs Hayward's play making in the starting unit.  They just don't have a guy like him i.e. a guy that looks to pass first but that can also handle the ball (Horford is the big man version of Hayward).  I think not only would Hayward play better with those guys, everyone else would as well.  Brown and Morris can lead the second unit, which I think is better for them.

I think the issue there is who is going to initiate the offense on the second unit?

Yeah, while Moranis is probably right that it is our likely best long-term lineup, that would seemingly only exacerbate the bench playmaking problems.

Morris is way better than Hayward right now.

[knuckleballer]

If we could find a veteran ball handler to replace Rozier.

jeremy lin

Can't match his $13.7 mill salary.  I'd love to get him though.

Patrick Beverly could be an option. I think money is close.

Interesting idea.  I have no idea if the Clippers would be interested.  I feel Ainge has to do something.  I minor tweak like that and bringing in a vet could help this team a lot.

[hodgy03038]

This team is sickening. This team will be one and done in the playoffs.