Celtics offense analysis

[coffee425]

hey guys,
For the pure basketball junkies, found this sweet vid analyzing the celtics offense against the Raptors at the end of the season.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L3Q3qODbyo

my take-aways:
1) we need more shooters. A LOT MORE SHOOTERS.
2) see number 1.
3) our guards need to have better shot selection.

[P stoff]

Nice job.  You make the point about predictability, and its emphasized by the fact that almost ono one on the team can consistently penetrate and dish/finish consistently. Our lack of wing creators has been an issue the last two years. Not that I don't like Green or Bradley, but the two together is lacking hugely in the ballhandling/ passing realm. Sully and Zeller are not going to create either, so you end up with Rondo creating a lot of long two pointers.

The "horns" play should be burned (Doc used it to death)... mostly because if you watch, our screeners don't even make contact on screens most of the time. Slipping the screen should only be used once for every three possessions (surprise)...but with Rondo, and guys going under the screen, there is no reason for the defense to jump the screen aggressively (which is where the slip move is most effective).

I do like the multiple option plays to get green in the post, and the high/low option as you pointed out. The lack of attackers makes it imperative that we have 1. better shooters and 2. getting more transition chances. Hopefully Turner, Smart, KO can be creative off the dribble to help out the flow and give us more options.

[D.o.s.]

I found another video to describe the Celtics offense:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdRViFCvvUo

[Beat LA]

Nice job.  You make the point about predictability, and its emphasized by the fact that almost ono one on the team can consistently penetrate and dish/finish consistently. Our lack of wing creators has been an issue the last two years. Not that I don't like Green or Bradley, but the two together is lacking hugely in the ballhandling/ passing realm. Sully and Zeller are not going to create either, so you end up with Rondo creating a lot of long two pointers.

The "horns" play should be burned (Doc used it to death)... mostly because if you watch, our screeners don't even make contact on screens most of the time. Slipping the screen should only be used once for every three possessions (surprise)...but with Rondo, and guys going under the screen, there is no reason for the defense to jump the screen aggressively (which is where the slip move is most effective).

I do like the multiple option plays to get green in the post, and the high/low option as you pointed out. The lack of attackers makes it imperative that we have 1. better shooters and 2. getting more transition chances. Hopefully Turner, Smart, KO can be creative off the dribble to help out the flow and give us more options.

Ugh.  I know, right?  Unless someone sets an actual pick, guess what - nothing happens.  You know who never set a pick on that play?  Ray Allen.  Why?  I have no idea, seeing as how the pick/screen has allowed him to score the majority of his points over his career.  Pierce sets great picks, and still does, but even if a guy does do that, 'horns' still sucks, and yet everyone uses it.  To death.  It's like every team uses the same playbook.  Actually, scratch that.  There is no playbook - it's just nauseating amounts of pick and roll and horns, for the most part, for 48 mind-numbing minutes.  Why doesn't someone ever change it up?  Please, for the love of god, someone MAKE IT STOP!  There is so much more to basketball than the stupid pick and roll!

[Yenohb]

Nice job.  You make the point about predictability, and its emphasized by the fact that almost ono one on the team can consistently penetrate and dish/finish consistently. Our lack of wing creators has been an issue the last two years. Not that I don't like Green or Bradley, but the two together is lacking hugely in the ballhandling/ passing realm. Sully and Zeller are not going to create either, so you end up with Rondo creating a lot of long two pointers.

I think the addition of Turner and Thornton could really help a lot on that regard.