Look, Injuries Are One Thing...

[Phantom255x]

But even when Horford and Crowder come back.. the Celtics are going to need a whole lot of other guys to step up and actually play with more aggression. Yes, losing Crowder and Horford definitely hurts this team, but they should still be putting up good fights in games.

Seriously, you can't be telling me "Oh we only fell behind 34-8 in the first quarter on Wednesday because Horford and Crowder were out". If that's the logic, then I'm sorry, this team isn't even a playoff team. (Also, this is like the third straight game where the C's have fell behind big early, not a recipe for success. Offense needs to do its part there..)

That felt a lot like the Atlanta Hawks playoff series last season.. you know, when the Celtics always seemed to fall behind early, and they couldn't generate any offense (which is why Turner was so vital, he could create his own shot, and was the second-third best scorer in most of the playoff games last season). I'm not saying I would have payed him that money, but the C's really didn't seem to try and replace him, and they clearly miss him more than people originally thought.

Zeller, Amir, and Jerebko have had some bright moments.. but for the most part have been extremely underwhelming. It's especially infuriating when you see an opposing big practically "walk" into the paint and score because Zeller practically lets him (look at the Nuggets game). Horford would have helped a bit, I agree, but work around Horford and every other defender (like Zeller or Amir) is vulnerable in the paint. Bradley and Smart are exceptional defenders, but again, even guys with size can work around them and get off some easy shots.

It's also becoming clear the rebounding issues weren't solved this off season. Adding Horford but losing Sullinger didn't exactly improve the rebounding on this team substantially, and sadly Zeller and Jerebko seem to have gotten worse this season.

So yeah, I'm still optimistic about this team, but if the Celtics really want to be a top-4 team in the East, they better start playing like it, especially on the defensive-end, and that starts with getting a W on Friday.

[Bobshot]

They had the same problem last year the first few games when Stevens started Zeller and Lee together up front. They were out of games early. That experiment ended quickly.

[Phantom255x]

They had the same problem last year the first few games when Stevens started Zeller and Lee together up front. They were out of games early. That experiment ended quickly.

True but Zeller was actually decent last season, he just looks lost out there most of the time this season.

Getting Horford back helps, but Amir/Zeller/Jerebko need to step up more consistently, or our bench is suddenly a weakness, especially at the 4/5 positions.

[Chris22]

Zeller and Jerebko suck.
We should of kept Deyonta Davis.

[tankcity!]

This is on Stevens for playing weenie Zeller. They should start Amir at 5, put Brown at 4, and Smart at 3.

[BitterJim]

This is on Stevens for playing weenie Zeller. They should start Amir at 5, put Brown at 4, and Smart at 3.

Brown at the 4 would be worse at rebounding and defending bigs than Zeller. He might help the offense, but our issues are with defense and rebounding, neither of which 6'7" 225 lb Brown at the 4 would address.

Kelly and Amir should be our starting bigs until Horford comes back

[Phantom255x]

Zeller and Jerebko suck.
We should of kept Deyonta Davis.

I feel like Jerebko is primarily that "energetic guy" come playoff time.

Relatively quiet throughout the season, can have spurts in the playoffs.

Sadly though, for now I agree. Jerebko currently sucks.

Zeller is literally only there for his contract (used as a trade asset). We all know he's soft and honestly, between Sullinger and Zeller I would have kept Sullinger. Now I'm not going to argue with people here about this, but Sullinger could actually rebound pretty well and hold his own. Zeller just can't.

[tankcity!]

This is on Stevens for playing weenie Zeller. They should start Amir at 5, put Brown at 4, and Smart at 3.

Brown at the 4 would be worse at rebounding and defending bigs than Zeller. He might help the offense, but our issues are with defense and rebounding, neither of which 6'7" 225 lb Brown at the 4 would address.

Kelly and Amir should be our starting bigs until Horford comes back

Forgot about Kelly. They should start him instead.

[Surferdad]

The depth was a mirage.

[kozlodoev]

Zeller and Jerebko suck.
We should of kept Deyonta Davis.

He's not exactly tearing it up right now either.

[MasterEmile]

Getting down big early is normal when your starting center is a bench warmer and your starting sf is a 19 year old rookie.

Not being able to sustain a comeback is normal when your backup center is a 6'9 d leaguer and your back up small forward is a point guard.

[KG Living Legend]

Getting down big early is normal when your starting center is a bench warmer and your starting sf is a 19 year old rookie.

Not being able to sustain a comeback is normal when your backup center is a 6'9 d leaguer and your back up small forward is a point guard.

 Woah, Woah. Are starting SF is 20 now! Lol.

[PhoSita]

Marcus Smart - 3rd season
Terry Rozier - 2nd season
Kelly Olynyk - 4th season
Jaylen Brown - 1st season


That right there is nearly half the Celts' rotation.  With Crowder and Horford out, those guys have been relied up on even more than they would be in an ideal situation.


The supporting cast is going to be a work in progress all year.  The Celts have some seasoned guys on their bench -- Zeller, Green, Jerebko -- but those guys are best suited to provide emergency reinforcement in the case of injuries or a blowout.  They cannot hold young and inexperienced lineups together.


Once Horford and Crowder are back and the starting lineup gets to play heavy minutes together, and once Kelly Olynyk -- probably the Celts most important bench player -- works his way back into shape, things will start to look better.  But it will take all year for the team to really play the kind of basketball they want to play. 

This is what it looks like when a team tries to compete and rebuild at the same time.  It's a solid strategy, but it will be messy at times.  Those who were expecting the team to romp through the regular season because Brad Stevens is a genius and Al Horford is a perfect fit for Brad's system, well, they were being a mite too optimistic.