As many of you know, the Celtics have been one of the best defensive teams in the league since KG came here. The team is always near the top of the heap in defensive efficiency statistics (see:
http://www.hoopdata.com/teamdefstats.aspx?yr=2013&type=pg).
Even this year, the team is still better than most NBA teams, ranked 11th overall in defensive efficiency. I expect these numbers to improve dramatically once AB comes back. And contrary to popular opinion, our defensive rebounding is actually decent - the C's rank 7th in Defensive Rebound rate.
One thing I have noticed, simply just from watching games, is that teams are killing the C's with 3's this year. It is so different from last year when they were the best 3-point defending team in the league, holding opponents to just over 30% from deep.
This year, that is up to 35%, a big step back from our defense of last year..
Combine that with the fact that we are in the top 10 in turnovers in the league, and you have a recipe for these infuriating types of games, where the team looks just as good as any other team for large stretches. Then there is a turnover, or a back-breaking 3, and the team cannot close the gap. Or better yet, let's a team they have a large lead against back into the game.
I expect the return of AB to solve a lot of these problems, except for the turnovers. Rondo and Pierce have to get a hold of that.
Topic: It's All About the 3's and Turnovers (Read 517 times)