What's wrong with the Celtics?

[tarheelsxxiii]

They're fine.  Defense stinks, rebounding is down, and they're young.  But the schedule has been brutal.  And again, it doesn't matter... they're probably 2nd best in the East this season, which is right where they should be.  Had our starters stepped up, we would've won this game.  And it's meaningless in the large scheme of things.

Completely disagree.  They are losing to teams with less talent.  And more importantly, they are cratering in the 4th quarter, when that was their best moment early on.

And how much is due to tired legs from the schedule. The Celtics played more games than most of the league, it's actually shocking that they are still one of the best teams.

Agreed.  Speculating, but accumulating injuries probably also reflect this to an extent -- Morris, Theis, Larkin, Ojele, Brown, etc. 

[mctyson]

They're fine.  Defense stinks, rebounding is down, and they're young.  But the schedule has been brutal.  And again, it doesn't matter... they're probably 2nd best in the East this season, which is right where they should be.  Had our starters stepped up, we would've won this game.  And it's meaningless in the large scheme of things.

Completely disagree.  They are losing to teams with less talent.  And more importantly, they are cratering in the 4th quarter, when that was their best moment early on.

And how much is due to tired legs from the schedule. The Celtics played more games than most of the league, it's actually shocking that they are still one of the best teams.

So when they have a 4th quarter lead their legs are not tired? It is not like the MIA, NYK, and WAS losses were end to end beat downs.

[GreenWarrior]

there's multiple contributing factors why this team isn't playing well. I think ultimately if you want to narrow it down to one thing then it's easily - fatigue.

with injuries and the roster not being very deep to begin with the schedule is really taking it's toll.

really the worst thing this team did was go on that win streak because now all the irrational fans won't be able to process the math. and still understand that while this team might take a step back this yr. they're still better than the previous roster/team.

[KGBirdBias]

I think the schedule is becoming a crutch. They've played 3 more games than other teams. They've played 19 games at home and 18 on the road.

I would change who finishes the games.
Kyrie
Brown
Tatum
Horford
Theis

I know Smart makes winning plays but until we can defend and rebound at the rim, we need more size to end the games. Teams will PnR Kyrie all day and it will be a layup drill. Horford isn't a good defensive rebounder and Theis also hits the offensive boards.

[Sketch5]

Between playing a bulk of our games the first half of the season, a ton of them this month and trade rumors, it was bound to happen. We were hot, now we are plateauing.

Right now anyone not named Irving or Tatum, I'm fine with moving. Gotta load up for next season when Hayward is 110%. Of course this is a knee jerk emotional reaction to the last couple weeks, but thats what I'm feeling.

[Chris22]

Brad should switch to a zone defense occasionally just to change things up. Washington shredded us with the pick and roll.

[KGBirdBias]

Between playing a bulk of our games the first half of the season, a ton of them this month and trade rumors, it was bound to happen. We were hot, now we are plateauing.

Right now anyone not named Irving or Tatum, I'm fine with moving. Gotta load up for next season when Hayward is 110%. Of course this is a knee jerk emotional reaction to the last couple weeks, but thats what I'm feeling.

I'm about a week away from being right there with you on this.

[Chief]

We are too small off the bench and not enough scoring. Honestly it's a 2 player thing. Maybe Morris will help with both. But I don't trust his knee.

[spikelovetheCelts]

I think the schedule is becoming a crutch. They've played 3 more games than other teams. They've played 19 games at home and 18 on the road.

I would change who finishes the games.
Kyrie
Brown
Tatum
Horford
Theis

I know Smart makes winning plays but until we can defend and rebound at the rim, we need more size to end the games. Teams will PnR Kyrie all day and it will be a layup drill. Horford isn't a good defensive rebounder and Theis also hits the offensive boards.

It was pitful to watch after we took the lead at 95-87. There was no heart, Wizards wanted it more. I do think Theis would help with the rebounding. Hopefully we snap out of this funk.

[bknova]

We've played too many games, man.  Half the season is 41 games, we've played 37 and it isn't even January 1st. 

The team is beat up and worn down.  I imagine that because of this incredible stretch, the second half affords more rest and some actual practice time.   

But lets be real, if you told me we'd be 27-10 without Hayward all season, we'd all bet against it.  We're playing with house money, its all gravy at this point.

[Kuberski33]

Team has too many young players who simply don't shoot it well enough. Plus as someone mentioned early in this thread, it's talent is finding its true level.  If you have Hayward and Marcus Morris, you don't need much of a bench.  Unfortunately one is out for the season and the other isn't healthy. 

They've also developed a bad habit of expecting Kyrie to bail them out. The absence of the outside shooting that Bradley and Olynyk provided is now starting to show. And there's no remedy on the current roster.

[GreenEnvy]

I think the schedule is becoming a crutch. They've played 3 more games than other teams. They've played 19 games at home and 18 on the road.

I would change who finishes the games.
Kyrie
Brown
Tatum
Horford
Theis

I know Smart makes winning plays but until we can defend and rebound at the rim, we need more size to end the games. Teams will PnR Kyrie all day and it will be a layup drill. Horford isn't a good defensive rebounder and Theis also hits the offensive boards.

I think the games played is legit. It’s not the total amount, it’s the last few weeks that are really unbalanced.

The first 20-25 games were spread out correctly and now the last 10-15 games have been with very little rest. You can point to basically another all-star break for us (and Philly) that may be the reason for why we are playing so many games in a three-week span. If our poor play continues after that London game, then there is no excuse.

[Donoghus]

Attrition. 

It'll get better.

[apc]

http://www.celticshub.com/2017/12/27/hard-celtics-schedule-hit/

Good analysis about how tough the Celts schedule was so far.