Through 5, Celts are 29th in Defensive Efficiency

[max215]

Missing Smart 3 games...

Missing Horford 2 games...

Missing Crowder 1.5 games...

I think that's most of it right there, combined with it being a small-sample size, early in the season, and teams hitting a ridiculous percentage against us.

I thought you could tell a significant difference once Smart came back on the defensive end, but almost immediately Horford and Crowder went out, screwing us over. We'll be back to normal when we have all of our guys healthy again. Luckily, we've been 2nd in offensive efficiency to make up for this.

This. Games 1-3: no Smart. Games 4-5: no Horford or Crowder. The only thing I find inexplicable thus far is the slow pace.

[dreamgreen]

It's early but I said last game their defense of intensity isn't there right now.

[Evantime34]

Jay King ‏@ByJayKing  7m7 minutes ago
Brad Stevens: "Right now we’re not turning anybody over because we’re not in the right spot a lot."

[jpotter33]

Missing Smart 3 games...

Missing Horford 2 games...

Missing Crowder 1.5 games...

I think that's most of it right there, combined with it being a small-sample size, early in the season, and teams hitting a ridiculous percentage against us.

I thought you could tell a significant difference once Smart came back on the defensive end, but almost immediately Horford and Crowder went out, screwing us over. We'll be back to normal when we have all of our guys healthy again. Luckily, we've been 2nd in offensive efficiency to make up for this.

This. Games 1-3: no Smart. Games 4-5: no Horford or Crowder. The only thing I find inexplicable thus far is the slow pace.

On the other hand, the fact that our offensive efficiency is so high even with that slow pace is remarkable and excellent news for us. Between our improved shooting, which will regress a little bit, and the increased playmaking from Horford at the big position, we might be able to score both in transition and the halfcourt set this season.

Also, though, fewer turnovers forced equates to fewer fast breaks, which equates to a slower overall pace. I expect that once we shore our defense back up and start forcing more turnovers, we'll be going at a quicker pace again.

[jpotter33]

C's fans can't use the "injury excuse". because before the season started they were the 1st to tell you how "deep" they are.

we can't rebound. good defensive teams work to force a bad shot which leads to a rebound. do the math, it's really that simple.

that and AB's been overrated defensively for the last few seasons, he's made a career on that block on Wade.

You don't watch Celtics basketball if you truly believe this. While AB's team defense is sometimes a little faulty, which is primarily due to his role as a ball-stopper, there's not a ball-stopper on the perimeter at the guard position that comes even close to AB.

[GreenWarrior]

C's fans can't use the "injury excuse". because before the season started they were the 1st to tell you how "deep" they are.

we can't rebound. good defensive teams work to force a bad shot which leads to a rebound. do the math, it's really that simple.

that and AB's been overrated defensively for the last few seasons, he's made a career on that block on Wade.

You don't watch Celtics basketball if you truly believe this. While AB's team defense is sometimes a little faulty, which is primarily due to his role as a ball-stopper, there's not a ball-stopper on the perimeter at the guard position that comes even close to AB.

I've seen many of games where Bradley(for being a "ball stopper") has pretty much layed down a red carpet to the hoop and let his guy get to the rim. most recently against the bulls in Chicago, wade had his way with AB on the perimeter and getting to the basket.

what was worse about this was it was just days before where we here AB say he wants to win defensive player of the yr. this year and wants to be mentioned in the same breath as Leonard. Leonard goes out against GS and does what he does and shows why he'll win DPoY again and Bradley goes out and shows that not only should he not be in the conversation... he shouldn't be in the same league as leonard.

[chilidawg]

C's fans can't use the "injury excuse". because before the season started they were the 1st to tell you how "deep" they are.

we can't rebound. good defensive teams work to force a bad shot which leads to a rebound. do the math, it's really that simple.

that and AB's been overrated defensively for the last few seasons, he's made a career on that block on Wade.

You don't watch Celtics basketball if you truly believe this. While AB's team defense is sometimes a little faulty, which is primarily due to his role as a ball-stopper, there's not a ball-stopper on the perimeter at the guard position that comes even close to AB.

I watch plenty of C's games, and I don't see this either.  He matches up well with scorers like Curry and Lillard, but bigger guards give him a hard time.  Solid defender no doubt, but no way he's at DPOY level.

[Rosco917]

I'm a little worried right now. Not too much though. Let's wait till we're healthy

I do have to wonder though: regarding our pace, what pace did Atlanta play at? Does adding Horford have an effect on that? Do we play a bit slower with a legit big?

I think it's our lack of defensive rebounding. It's hard to push the pace when you have the whole team looking for the rebound instead of running in transition, plus the pace slows down when the other team keeps the ball for a minute or more with all their offensive rebounding

This ^ about sums it up. CBS stated the teams needs to "gang" rebound in order to succeed. He also said, it was the number one priority in pre-season workouts. It's contributing to teams shooting a high percentage from 3 against us. It's difficult for smalls, and swings to defend the three, and boxout, and rebound.

[BudweiserCeltic]

Defense has been porous, it should correct itself soon I think. We can't be this bad defensively.

[GreenWarrior]

sure we can. defensive rebounding is the culmination of good defense. we can't rebound, so...

i'd be surprised if we crack the top 10.

[GreenWarrior]

at this point in the season AB wouldn't be DPoY in the D-league.

[SHAQATTACK]

 It's the worst defense I've ever seen ......

Even old Rondo played better .....not trying .....

Smh ...