Nuggets (15-11) at Celtics (13-13) Game #27 2/16/21

[Celtics Mike]

Relieved to see Celtics got the win and stopped the run of defeats. Checked the box score to find good bench contributions from Nesmith and Timelord. It also seems that Brad shortened his rotation with quite a few DNPs

[Tr1boy]

What a dunk by TL

https://youtu.be/c1VrJvb_Pbw

[colincb]

Starters   NBA EFF
R. Williams III C    22
J. Brown SG    21
J. Tatum SF    20
T. Thompson PF    17
P. Pritchard PG    13
K. Walker PG    11
A. Nesmith SF    11
S. Ojeleye PF    7
J. Green    5

TL had an outstanding game, but Brown carried the team although he had 7 TOs. Tatum was inefficient again, but filled the box score. Slow start again too. Kemba had a so-so game, but TT did well enough though Jokic lit him up (but he's Jokic). Thought TL gave Jokic a different look and was better than TT. Nesmith and PP both played well and you got something out of Semi and Green, which is better than nothing. We won with the three outscoring DEN by 18 points and by 9 in 3FG%. This was partially offset by DEN getting 5 more steals and 3 fewer TOVs. We managed to win despite 20 turnovers, which is a bad benchmark number.

Bench did very well. Brown starred. TL deserves 2nd star, Tatum remains a concern, (but I think we know why now) and KW didn't soil himself and seems to be making progress.

[Somebody]

Great win!

[Celtics Mike]

Starters   NBA EFF
R. Williams III C    22
J. Brown SG    21
J. Tatum SF    20
T. Thompson PF    17
P. Pritchard PG    13
K. Walker PG    11
A. Nesmith SF    11
S. Ojeleye PF    7
J. Green    5

TL had an outstanding game, but Brown carried the team although he had 7 TOs. Tatum was inefficient again, but filled the box score. Slow start again too. Kemba had a so-so game, but TT did well enough though Jokic lit him up (but he's Jokic). Thought TL gave Jokic a different look and was better than TT. Nesmith and PP both played well and you got something out of Semi and Green, which is better than nothing. We won with the three outscoring DEN by 18 points and by 9 in 3FG%. This was partially offset by DEN getting 5 more steals and 3 fewer TOVs. We managed to win despite 20 turnovers, which is a bad benchmark number.

Bench did very well. Brown starred. TL deserves 2nd star, Tatum remains a concern, (but I think we know why now) and KW didn't soil himself and seems to be making progress.

Thanks for the analysis I missed the game because of work

[RodyTur10]

Rob had 5 steals!!!

That is incredible

NBA stats per 36 minutes, minimum 200 minutes played total:

Rob is 3rd in steals, 10th in blocks and 13th in rebounds.
And defensive EPM (defensive estimated plus-minus) he's 4th in the NBA!

When he's healthy Timelord is awesome. He's our 3rd best player this season so far.

[RodyTur10]

Brad needs to keep the rotation constant

If he wants consistency, he needs to also keep some things fixed

I would bench Theis or trade him

No, we need to trade Thompson. Keep Theis as a high quality back-up center.

(or trade both if you think Theis will be offered 10M+ a year in the off-season)

[SHAQATTACK]

What a dunk by TL

https://youtu.be/c1VrJvb_Pbw

i remember that one.  Nice play between TL and PP ,  guys getting use to playing together .

RobWill needs to mass alot of court time , if Boston is to make noise .   He needs the game to come to him like Brown and Tatum . , needs the touches and minutes .  His confidence grows all the time .  He just gets inserted in some odd situations by Brad .  He needs to be treated more like a starter to smooth his rhythm

[jambr380]

Brad needs to keep the rotation constant

If he wants consistency, he needs to also keep some things fixed

I would bench Theis or trade him

No, we need to trade Thompson. Keep Theis as a high quality back-up center.

(or trade both if you think Theis will be offered 10M+ a year in the off-season)

Yeah, I wouldn't say last night was the night to prove why Thompson is more valuable than Theis. Jokic is obviously a monster, but he scored on TT literally (not exaggerating) every time they were matched up. I'm not saying Theis would do much better, but playing hard D against the best bigs in the league is the main reason we brought TT to BOS. Theis is much more versatile.

Theis' next contract is a wildcard, but I believe he is widely seen as nice role player rather than a building block. Contracts for bigs have also begun to deteriorate. I would be more than happy paying Theis full MLE (~$10M) money, but that would also probably mean moving on from TT. Theis is much more valuable imo.

[Tr1boy]

Brad needs to keep the rotation constant

If he wants consistency, he needs to also keep some things fixed

I would bench Theis or trade him

No, we need to trade Thompson. Keep Theis as a high quality back-up center.

(or trade both if you think Theis will be offered 10M+ a year in the off-season)

Yeah, I wouldn't say last night was the night to prove why Thompson is more valuable than Theis. Jokic is obviously a monster, but he scored on TT literally (not exaggerating) every time they were matched up. I'm not saying Theis would do much better, but playing hard D against the best bigs in the league is the main reason we brought TT to BOS. Theis is much more versatile.

Theis' next contract is a wildcard, but I believe he is widely seen as nice role player rather than a building block. Contracts for bigs have also begun to deteriorate. I would be more than happy paying Theis full MLE (~$10M) money, but that would also probably mean moving on from TT. Theis is much more valuable imo.

Theis is going to cost full MLE

And likely a longer term contract

Celtics just cant afford to keep everyone.  TL will be up for an extension after next season

Theis is mobile but there isnt one thing he does well. Doesnt grab O boards. Doesnt shoot the 3 with consistency. Doesnt pass well. Doesnt handle the ball well.  And is an underized big

Btw Jokic for all the scoring was gassed by the 2nd half.  So TT and TL did a nice job slowling him down to a halt. 

[jambr380]

Brad needs to keep the rotation constant

If he wants consistency, he needs to also keep some things fixed

I would bench Theis or trade him

No, we need to trade Thompson. Keep Theis as a high quality back-up center.

(or trade both if you think Theis will be offered 10M+ a year in the off-season)

Yeah, I wouldn't say last night was the night to prove why Thompson is more valuable than Theis. Jokic is obviously a monster, but he scored on TT literally (not exaggerating) every time they were matched up. I'm not saying Theis would do much better, but playing hard D against the best bigs in the league is the main reason we brought TT to BOS. Theis is much more versatile.

Theis' next contract is a wildcard, but I believe he is widely seen as nice role player rather than a building block. Contracts for bigs have also begun to deteriorate. I would be more than happy paying Theis full MLE (~$10M) money, but that would also probably mean moving on from TT. Theis is much more valuable imo.

Theis is going to cost full MLE

And likely a longer term contract

Celtics just cant afford to keep everyone.  TL will be up for an extension after next season

Theis is mobile but there isnt one thing he does well. Doesnt grab O boards. Doesnt shoot the 3 with consistency. Doesnt pass well. Doesnt handle the ball well.  And is an underized big

Btw Jokic for all the scoring was gassed by the 2nd half.  So TT and TL did a nice job slowling him down to a halt.

Oh, I am all for keeping TL. I do not want to give him up unless it's in a blockbuster trade. But, if it's between TT and Theis at $10M/yr, it isn't even a question for me; Theis is a much better player - especially on this team. We can pick up a vet min banger as a 3rd C if we really want to fill that role.