Time To Panic? I Think So

[Who]

Far too much negativity over the last 2 losses.

They lost in OT and a 2OT. Both games could easily have gone the other way.

[Donoghus]

At least we won't be worried about Grant getting anything close to $20m!

I'm so done with him.

I think his matchup with Dray Green in the Finals messed him up.  It seems like from there on, his focus shifted from being a "dirt dog" type of player to somebody who wanted to have his own spot light.  If you want to be a role player in the spotlight, then you sure as hell better be able to handle your role.

Wouldn't surprise me.  I also wonder if his act is wearing thin in that locker room these days.

[Roy H.]

Far too much negativity over the last 2 losses.

They lost in OT and a 2OT. Both games could easily have gone the other way.

I think it's been the past five games.  After a high against Philly, we've seen:

1.  Any ugly loss against the Knicks;
2.  A should-have-been-a-blowout game against the Cavs that closed to four points;
3. A 28-point lead blown against the Nets (in less than two quarters);
4.  A 13-point lead blown against the Knicks;
5.  An 11-point lead with 4:15 left blown against the Cavs.

[jbpats]

eh last night was tough and we coughed up yet another lead but that foul on Grant which ultimately tied the game to send it to OT should have never been called.

Yes Grant blew his opportunity to win the game but IMO 1) Tony Brothers iced him before his free throws. 2) Mitchell deserved a T for getting in his face before he shot his free throws. I am not sure i've ever seen a player that close to another player talking trash before a free throw attempt in the modern NBA

By the time OT came around we were just gassed.

That being said Grant is falling on the sword but I think Smart is the problem. He is getting back into his hero ball mindset and its getting infuriating.

[Who]

Far too much negativity over the last 2 losses.

They lost in OT and a 2OT. Both games could easily have gone the other way.

I think it's been the past five games.  After a high against Philly, we've seen:

1.  Any ugly loss against the Knicks;
2.  A should-have-been-a-blowout game against the Cavs that closed to four points;
3. A 28-point lead blown against the Nets (in less than two quarters);
4.  A 13-point lead blown against the Knicks;
5.  An 11-point lead with 4:15 left blown against the Cavs.

Yeah, I agree.

I couldn't find the right words for one more sentence to add that we are letting the disappointment of the previous few games overly effect our reactions to the last 2 games.

[Who]

That being said Grant is falling on the sword but I think Smart is the problem. He is getting back into his hero ball mindset and its getting infuriating.

I was saying in another thread that Smart's TS% is now 53.4% which is almost 5.0% below the league average of 58.1%. Terrible number. He has been real drag on the offense.   

[Roy H.]

That being said Grant is falling on the sword but I think Smart is the problem. He is getting back into his hero ball mindset and its getting infuriating.

I was saying in another thread that Smart's TS% is now 53.4% which is almost 5.0% below the league average of 58.1%. Terrible number. He has been real drag on the offense.

Yeah, it's like he's forgotten his role and is back to "bad Marcus" way more consistently lately.

It's one of the reasons I've found myself complaining more about the coaching.  Ime held guys accountable and didn't mind talking tough to them behind the scenes.  That happened early last season, when Marcus complained publicly about the Jays.  Later, it was revealed that Ime basically sat him down and told him to clean up his own play before barking about others.

I feel like Joe doesn't have that ability.  He's a "player's coach", without a lot of bite.

[Moranis]

I get that Grant missed the two big foul shots, but he was 4 of 5 from 3 in the game and scored 12 points in 16 minutes.  Pritchard's 1 of 6 from 3 was far more problematic.  Heck, the starters were 7 of 30 from 3.  You take out Grant and the team shot 27.9% from 3 on 43 shots.  You aren't going to win many games with that kind of percentage.

[Phantom255x]

Smart's been the biggest problem on this team for a while and even the media is seeing it.

It's not even just the box score stats, but at times we praise Smart for doing the "little things". But since he came back all the "little things" he's done have actually impacted us negatively and cost us games late too. Making "losing plays"

Also, why is it that every game now there's at least 1 guy from another team just casually putting up 40+ against us (or 2 guys putting up 25+ in a game). Wasn't defense supposed to be our calling card? Didn't we pride ourselves for playing tough defense against everyone? What happened... (don't answer that lol)

[celticinorlando]

As much as people want to talk about shots and who is shooting...the biggest issue on this team is that they are not a good defensive team. They struggle to string stops together and cannot stop quick guards from going to the rim.

To me this is the biggest difference from last year's team. They just don't lock in defensively.

[Phantom255x]

As much as people want to talk about shots and who is shooting...the biggest issue on this team is that they are not a good defensive team. They struggle to string stops together and cannot stop quick guards from going to the rim.

To me this is the biggest difference from last year's team. They just don't lock in defensively.

Timelord effect. Without him these other teams are able to just run layup drills with little to no resistance at the rim. No one really fears Kornet lol

[Goldstar88]

At least we won't be worried about Grant getting anything close to $20m!

He still might get $20M. A 4 year contract totaling $20M sounds about right.

[Neurotic Guy]

People appear to be giving up on this team. That’s crazy imo. Great roster capable of kicking it into gear when it matters. I’m as disappointed in the results since January as anyone, but I still believe this team has the talent to beat anyone. 

I’m definitely high on Derrick White starting in place of Smart.  Team needs a jolt. DW is more reliable/consistent, plays smart, knows his roll, keeps the ball moving… plays hard,  doesn’t get cocky or play hero ball.

[Phantom255x]

People appear to be giving up on this team. That’s crazy imo. Great roster capable of kicking it into gear when it matters. I’m as disappointed in the results since January as anyone, but I still believe this team has the talent to beat anyone.  I’m definitely high on Derrick White starting in place of Smart.  Team needs a jolt.

It's more like:

[TheTruth34]

Smart's been the biggest problem on this team for a while and even the media is seeing it.

It's not even just the box score stats, but at times we praise Smart for doing the "little things". But since he came back all the "little things" he's done have actually impacted us negatively and cost us games late too. Making "losing plays"

Also, why is it that every game now there's at least 1 guy from another team just casually putting up 40+ against us (or 2 guys putting up 25+ in a game). Wasn't defense supposed to be our calling card? Didn't we pride ourselves for playing tough defense against everyone? What happened... (don't answer that lol)

Yesterday Smart shot 4-17 with 3 terrible TOs. He has regressed to his hero-ball ways and agree with others that it is infuriating.  His focus should on being a distributor and playmaker.  I'd much rather see Derrick White in the closing lineup.