Spurs (15-20) at Celtics (25-9) Game #35 1/8/20

[Mahk E Mahk]

This is the first time in a while weve got our complete starters so Id cut them some slack, plus that idiot ref who ruined this game.

All will be forgiven with a Sixers win of course. We win vs the Sixers and I dont care if we lost to the Wizards one more time.

none of this explains the continued lack of effort or the ridiculously slow starts. this team doesn’t have a skill problem, it has a serious will issue.

This is our 4th game in 6 nights. Do you really need me to point out everything for you?

not sure why you feel the need to be a jerk. we disagree; not the first time it’s happened on the internet.

you’re moving the goalposts from post to post. you started by advising we should “cut them some slack” because “this is the first time in a while we've got our complete starters” and “that idiot ref who ruined this game.” nothing about 4 games in 6 days. i responded by reiterating my previous point that none of this explains the lack of effort or slow starts. that’s when you pivoted to 4 games in 6 days.

the c’s aren’t the first team to play 4 games in 6 nights. the lack of effort from the opening tip against poor talent is concerning and started against atlanta, which was the first game in this run. why would the first game in the 4-game run affect their play in the same way as the fourth game? they also played this way in other games prior to the atl game. go back and read the game threads to refresh your memory.

it’s pretty widely accepted that the c’s are playing lazy, uninspired ball lately. you’re free to disagree but are you saying you’re not concerned at all?

[CoachBS#1]

Celtics are a basketball all team with too much offensive freedom. They make too few basketball plays, with everyone just casually looking for their own shot. It works when they shoot well, but when they don't shoot well, they are a one trick pony, turning to just shooting the 3 and praying.

Stevens needs to stop being Mr. Rogers and build himself a dog house that holds players that take poor shots, and make weak passes.

We actually run a lot of sets. The problem is Brown and Tatum doesnt have the court vision needed to make the best decisions when they are trapped. This is why they end up with a lot of turnovers when it happens. Compare it to when Hayward and Kemba runs the plays.

^this. We also don't have a ton of off ball movement from our guys, which adds pressure on the ballhandler to create shots for them.

Exactly what I said a few post before, they're not moving well without the ball, the talent is there, the system is not.

[blink]

Celtics are a basketball all team with too much offensive freedom. They make too few basketball plays, with everyone just casually looking for their own shot. It works when they shoot well, but when they don't shoot well, they are a one trick pony, turning to just shooting the 3 and praying.

Stevens needs to stop being Mr. Rogers and build himself a dog house that holds players that take poor shots, and make weak passes.

We actually run a lot of sets. The problem is Brown and Tatum doesnt have the court vision needed to make the best decisions when they are trapped. This is why they end up with a lot of turnovers when it happens. Compare it to when Hayward and Kemba runs the plays.

^this. We also don't have a ton of off ball movement from our guys, which adds pressure on the ballhandler to create shots for them.

I don't understand the no off-ball movement?  I have no idea why Brad just has Jaylen sit in the corner and watch.  I don't see how making the def work hard every time down doesn't help you?  No back door cuts, no away from ball screening to get someone open.  Maybe I just don't get the modern NBA....so frustrating to watch.

[RockinRyA]

This is the first time in a while weve got our complete starters so Id cut them some slack, plus that idiot ref who ruined this game.

All will be forgiven with a Sixers win of course. We win vs the Sixers and I dont care if we lost to the Wizards one more time.

none of this explains the continued lack of effort or the ridiculously slow starts. this team doesn’t have a skill problem, it has a serious will issue.

This is our 4th game in 6 nights. Do you really need me to point out everything for you?

not sure why you feel the need to be a jerk. we disagree; not the first time it’s happened on the internet.

you’re moving the goalposts from post to post. you started by advising we should “cut them some slack” because “this is the first time in a while we've got our complete starters” and “that idiot ref who ruined this game.” nothing about 4 games in 6 days. i responded by reiterating my previous point that none of this explains the lack of effort or slow starts. that’s when you pivoted to 4 games in 6 days.

the c’s aren’t the first team to play 4 games in 6 nights. the lack of effort from the opening tip against poor talent is concerning and started against atlanta, which was the first game in this run. why would the first game in the 4-game run affect their play in the same way as the fourth game? they also played this way in other games prior to the atl game. go back and read the game threads to refresh your memory.

it’s pretty widely accepted that the c’s are playing lazy, uninspired ball lately. you’re free to disagree but are you saying you’re not concerned at all?

Im not moving goalposts because I am not talking to you. I was talking about the lack of ball movement (it was the topic in a couple of my posts). You used my post that wasnt clearly aimed at you. So I got to adjust and add arguments so it could properly be relevant to yours

[Sophomore]

Be interesting to go back and watch some of the games we scored well - what were we doing differently.

[RockinRyA]

Celtics are a basketball all team with too much offensive freedom. They make too few basketball plays, with everyone just casually looking for their own shot. It works when they shoot well, but when they don't shoot well, they are a one trick pony, turning to just shooting the 3 and praying.

Stevens needs to stop being Mr. Rogers and build himself a dog house that holds players that take poor shots, and make weak passes.

We actually run a lot of sets. The problem is Brown and Tatum doesnt have the court vision needed to make the best decisions when they are trapped. This is why they end up with a lot of turnovers when it happens. Compare it to when Hayward and Kemba runs the plays.

^this. We also don't have a ton of off ball movement from our guys, which adds pressure on the ballhandler to create shots for them.

I don't understand the no off-ball movement?  I have no idea why Brad just has Jaylen sit in the corner and watch.  I don't see how making the def work hard every time down doesn't help you?  No back door cuts, no away from ball screening to get someone open.  Maybe I just don't get the modern NBA....so frustrating to watch.

I do agree with the lack of off ball movement but we'll see if they get back to it after a few games. Hopefully no more injuries to our starters at least. Hard to build on court chemistry if you rarely get to play with each other, especially with our schedule.

[CoachBS#1]

Celtics are a basketball all team with too much offensive freedom. They make too few basketball plays, with everyone just casually looking for their own shot. It works when they shoot well, but when they don't shoot well, they are a one trick pony, turning to just shooting the 3 and praying.

Stevens needs to stop being Mr. Rogers and build himself a dog house that holds players that take poor shots, and make weak passes.

We actually run a lot of sets. The problem is Brown and Tatum doesnt have the court vision needed to make the best decisions when they are trapped. This is why they end up with a lot of turnovers when it happens. Compare it to when Hayward and Kemba runs the plays.

^this. We also don't have a ton of off ball movement from our guys, which adds pressure on the ballhandler to create shots for them.

I don't understand the no off-ball movement?  I have no idea why Brad just has Jaylen sit in the corner and watch.  I don't see how making the def work hard every time down doesn't help you?  No back door cuts, no away from ball screening to get someone open.  Maybe I just don't get the modern NBA....so frustrating to watch.

actually is the modern nba, just watch highlights of golden state, all the screens they do to curry, is just Brad doesn't get it.

[slamtheking]

watched on tape delay.  of course the only play that got omitted was the pick on Kemba and the following techs. 

pure crap.  they should issue refunds to everyone who paid to attend.  no excuse for such a total lack of effort to start the game.  Brad also screwed the pooch by not calling a time out a lot sooner to stem the tide.  waited so long the deficit couldn't be overcome. 

[iadera]

Guys, this all doesn't matter. It's all about playoffs. Who cares if we beat Spurs by 30, if we are out in the 1st round.
Yes. I agree, there are some problems and they need to be solved when we hit the playoffs.
Stevens is lacking my trust since last year. I still hope he shows he's a winner, not only a coach with biggest playbook in NBA.

One thing I'm talking since the start of the season. We got a bunch of border-All star players. Center is not the biggest issue. We ain't got the goat. The one who takes you to the Finals. We need that kind of player and that's not and never gonna be nor Tatum, Brown, Smart or even Hayward or Kemba. They are great but not enough to win the title. We need to sacrifice some of them for a superstar.
Team effort is wonderful, beautiful, but that doesn't bring you a title, alone. It's the superstar that does. How manny of our players are in a Top 10 MVP rank? None of them. Such teams just don't win at the end. They might play great basketball, but they don't go to the finals and nobody remembers them after all.

My point is, if we do not want to touch this group of guys, then stop worrying. If they win-they win, if they lose-they lose. Enjoy watching.
But if we expect them in the finals at the end of the season, then we should be worried.
The same thing stands for Miami. Great basketball, probably great regular season, nothing more than maybe a 2nd round.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

And remember, folks—this is a HOME game. Boston getting straight-up spanked on their own court by a bunch of G-leaguers. (AGAIN)

Ummmm, you realize there are two former multiple-time All-Stars (Derozan, Aldridge) and numerous high-level role players out there, right? lol San Antonio is a solid team that has thus far just been underachieving.

Yeah, I realize they have DeRozan and Aldridge, but the Cs were also getting burned by Bryn Forbes, Derrick White, and Lonnie Walker the Fourth. "Who?" you say. Exactly.

[RockinRyA]

And remember, folks—this is a HOME game. Boston getting straight-up spanked on their own court by a bunch of G-leaguers. (AGAIN)

Ummmm, you realize there are two former multiple-time All-Stars (Derozan, Aldridge) and numerous high-level role players out there, right? lol San Antonio is a solid team that has thus far just been underachieving.

Yeah, I realize they have DeRozan and Aldridge, but the Cs were also getting burned by Bryn Forbes, Derrick White, and Lonnie Walker the Fourth. "Who?" you say. Exactly.

White is a good player. Agree about the rest though.

[Androslav]

I don't think I ever saw Marcus Smart play this poorly.
When we needed energy and stability to came back, he gave turnovers trying to force a flashy pass and was gambling for steals.
Has the "Marcus Smart day" gotten into his head? I have no other explanation.

[MickaelPietrus]

Got humiliated by a literal G league team and "bounced back" by getting destroyed at home to a team that's 15-20. I  am pretty sure this team doesn't have a deep playoff run in them as constructed (I actually think they would be much better off trading Hayward for 2 or 3 bonafied role players), and definitely not without a healthy Kemba

A "literal" G-League team with two recent former All-Stars, a team full of high quality role players and young up-and-comers who all play well together and within their role, and a likely top-5 coach of all time.

We played like crap tonight with little effort, but I don't understand the crapping on the Spurs thing. They've had a slow start, sure, but they're still a really solid team with probably the best coach and system in the league.

The GLeague team he was talking about was the Ishzards not the Spurs.

Exactly lol. Try reading the whole thing before you make a fuss 

[slamtheking]

I don't think I ever saw Marcus Smart play this poorly.
When we needed energy and stability to came back, he gave turnovers trying to force a flashy pass and was gambling for steals.
Has the "Marcus Smart day" gotten into his head? I have no other explanation.

that's what was running through my head as I watched him play.  he was awful. 

[footey]

Watching us play vs the Spurs last night highlighted a trend in this team that I do not like.  The offensive style of the Spurs is pretty much the model that Stevens is trying to instill in his players. You hear Hayward allude to it in recent interviews as well: Teammates need to trust each other, move the ball, move without the ball. 

Also, we have gone from a team that committed the fewest turnovers to, recently, a lot of turnovers. I don't have the numbers, but I bet this trends out. Several times, when we got behind, guys try to make the "big play" which looks cool if it works, but has great risk of becoming a turnover. Smart and Brown did this last night more than once.  Brad's mandate to "hit singles" is intended to get guys to stop doing this.  A dumb turnover when you are trying to claw back is extremely discouraging.