IT looks tired..

[slamtheking]

I don't see it.  What we are seeing is defenses start to out the clamps on him.  He better get used to it because that's what he'll see in the playoffs.  His size will always be an issue once teams start to game plan.

This is what I've been stating all season because it's exactly what's happened the last 2 years in the playoffs.  Defenses key in on him forcing him to be more of a playmaker than scorer and he's mediocre at that aspect of the game.  they've also used their PGs to go at his defense because they can either post him up for easy baskets or just pass right over the top of him to open teammates.

IT is having a phenomenal year scoring but I truly believe the playoffs will expose him yet again as a player that can be rendered essentially ineffective when it counts.   I'd love to be wrong and it would require the rest of the team to step up their scoring but I'm seriously wondering if the "King of the Fourth" has the mental make up to share the spotlight he seems to be loving right now.

[CoachBo]

I don't see it.  What we are seeing is defenses start to out the clamps on him.  He better get used to it because that's what he'll see in the playoffs.  His size will always be an issue once teams start to game plan.

This is what I've been stating all season because it's exactly what's happened the last 2 years in the playoffs.  Defenses key in on him forcing him to be more of a playmaker than scorer and he's mediocre at that aspect of the game.  they've also used their PGs to go at his defense because they can either post him up for easy baskets or just pass right over the top of him to open teammates.

IT is having a phenomenal year scoring but I truly believe the playoffs will expose him yet again as a player that can be rendered essentially ineffective when it counts.   I'd love to be wrong and it would require the rest of the team to step up their scoring but I'm seriously wondering if the "King of the Fourth" has the mental make up to share the spotlight he seems to be loving right now.

I'm not certain how Thomas lacking help on this team - thanks Ainge - becomes his fault, although I'd sign off right now on allowing him to make deals rather than his paralyzed GM.

He's been stymied in the playoffs before, and he likely will again - because the Celtics have steadfastly refused to get him any help. Add in the fact we have the softest 7-footers in the game and we don't defend, and I just chuckle at the fans expecting a long playoff run.

[Rosco917]

IT's head is in a bad place.

He's no longer a Point Guard for the Boston Celtics basketball team. He's a media darling, an MVP candidate, the imaginary watch on his wrist is beginning to weigh a ton. He has new responsibilities and expectations to live up to now.

[GRADYCOLNON]

I don't see it.  What we are seeing is defenses start to out the clamps on him.  He better get used to it because that's what he'll see in the playoffs.  His size will always be an issue once teams start to game plan.

This is what I've been stating all season because it's exactly what's happened the last 2 years in the playoffs.  Defenses key in on him forcing him to be more of a playmaker than scorer and he's mediocre at that aspect of the game.  they've also used their PGs to go at his defense because they can either post him up for easy baskets or just pass right over the top of him to open teammates.

IT is having a phenomenal year scoring but I truly believe the playoffs will expose him yet again as a player that can be rendered essentially ineffective when it counts.   I'd love to be wrong and it would require the rest of the team to step up their scoring but I'm seriously wondering if the "King of the Fourth" has the mental make up to share the spotlight he seems to be loving right now.

I'm not certain how Thomas lacking help on this team - thanks Ainge - becomes his fault, although I'd sign off right now on allowing him to make deals rather than his paralyzed GM.

He's been stymied in the playoffs before, and he likely will again - because the Celtics have steadfastly refused to get him any help. Add in the fact we have the softest 7-footers in the game and we don't defend, and I just chuckle at the fans expecting a long playoff run.

IT has plenty of help. You can't blame his poor play on anyone besides IT.  If he wants to win against the best teams, he will have to learn how to cope and work on developing strategies to get the ball to the open players when he is double teamed.

Also, you forget that the Celtics signed Al Horford to help IT (too bad he hasn't been as good as advertised).

[Rosco917]

Teams are learning how to deal with Thomas. They double him, pick him up early, and play him very physically...especially now that he's a star.

True enough...Toronto was in playoff mode last night, this is an example of how you can expect teams to respond to IT in the playoffs. i hope this isn't an example of how he'll deal with it.

He needs to sacrifice himself, keep the ball moving, initiate plays for others, and pick his spots to score. 

[CoachBo]

I don't see it.  What we are seeing is defenses start to out the clamps on him.  He better get used to it because that's what he'll see in the playoffs.  His size will always be an issue once teams start to game plan.

This is what I've been stating all season because it's exactly what's happened the last 2 years in the playoffs.  Defenses key in on him forcing him to be more of a playmaker than scorer and he's mediocre at that aspect of the game.  they've also used their PGs to go at his defense because they can either post him up for easy baskets or just pass right over the top of him to open teammates.

IT is having a phenomenal year scoring but I truly believe the playoffs will expose him yet again as a player that can be rendered essentially ineffective when it counts.   I'd love to be wrong and it would require the rest of the team to step up their scoring but I'm seriously wondering if the "King of the Fourth" has the mental make up to share the spotlight he seems to be loving right now.

I'm not certain how Thomas lacking help on this team - thanks Ainge - becomes his fault, although I'd sign off right now on allowing him to make deals rather than his paralyzed GM.

He's been stymied in the playoffs before, and he likely will again - because the Celtics have steadfastly refused to get him any help. Add in the fact we have the softest 7-footers in the game and we don't defend, and I just chuckle at the fans expecting a long playoff run.

IT has plenty of help. You can't blame his poor play on anyone besides IT.  If he wants to win against the best teams, he will have to learn how to cope and work on developing strategies to get the ball to the open players when he is double teamed.

Also, you forget that the Celtics signed Al Horford to help IT (too bad he hasn't been as good as advertised).

This is a lottery team without Thomas.