First game reactions...We are still here

[cman88]

Alot of talk from the Boston sports media has been pretty negative lately, especially after Gordon left that we didnt get enough, Kembas injury, Talk that Jaylen Brown will never be a #2(heard this alot lately) Danny didnt do enough to improve the team and we are only going to be 5th - 6th best in the East.

Last night was a statement win that we are still here. Beating one of the top teams in the East. some observations to me are

1. Teague/Thompson were sneaky good signings that are better than the media is giving credit for and solved two major issues for this team bench scoring/big man. Thompson provided defense and rebounding we didnt see last year. And teague provided scoring off the bench which was sorely missed. 19points for teague and looked comfortable running the office

2. Jaylen brown was amazing. 33points and looked comfortable running the offense. I think he heard the criticism that he "wont ever be a #2 guy to tatum" and took his game to another level.

3. Tatum is still a monster offensively. he had a "poor game" by his standards and still put up 30 points.

This team is going to be even better once Kemba gets back as people forget how good he is.

Looking forward to us playing the nets. Hopefully we can take them down and prove we are here to stay and not "taking a step back" as the media is portraying.

[GreenWarrior]

One of the more discouraging wins.

I know this isn't the place to be critical of your favorite team. But I will anyway.

If anyone watching this game didn't see what was wrong with this win then you weren't paying attention and when we lose in the playoffs again you'll know why.

And we will lose again in the playoffs... Because nothing's changed.

We rely on our perimeter shooting with no actual shooters. We have a bunch of guys that can make 3's not shooters. And it's not just a cliche that this a take n make league it's the truth. It's not about how many you make it's about when you make 'em. And in the playoffs at some point those shots won't fall.

[cman88]

One of the more discouraging wins.

I know this isn't the place to be critical of your favorite team. But I will anyway.

If anyone watching this game didn't see what was wrong with this win then you weren't paying attention and when we lose in the playoffs again you'll know why.

And we will lose again in the playoffs... Because nothing's changed.

We rely on our perimeter shooting with no actual shooters. We have a bunch of guys that can make 3's not shooters. And it's not just a cliche that this a take n make league it's the truth. It's not about how many you make it's about when you make 'em. And in the playoffs at some point those shots won't fall.

I will say Tatums shot while it went in was not good shot selection. down 1 he takes an iso step back 3.

Nesmith hopefully becomes one of those "shooters"

[dannyboy35]

  Yeah I couldn’t believe we risked losing the game on that shot. I’m not saying you can never take that shot but if he has missed their would be a ton of criticism today.

[RJ87]

1.) I was impressed with Jaylen's ballhandling. He's clearly been working on it. A great game by him, overall.

2.) I like what Tristan brings to this team, not just on the court, but his energy and engagement with his teammates is really fun to watch. Makes all the difference when you can tell a player wants to be here.

3.) Jayson had an okay game, need him to be a little better inside. But he also started slowly last season - particularly around the basket.

4.) We were better than I expected, but it still feels like we're a player away (even when Kemba comes back) from genuine contention.

[Csfan1984]

They need a lot of work, they almost gave this one away. Turnover battle was huge in getting the win. Impressed how both teams shot.

[SHAQATTACK]

the celtics earned this 100% . to win it without Kemba who was supposed to be a big offensive weapon and Hayward leaving.  And Kanter gone too.

Took alot of extra effort from Semi , Smart and Brown . With the added support of Teague, Thompson And Pritchard . 

It seems Giannis plays downhill every minute he is on the court . He is so long and athletic, it takes a team effort to slow him down .

I liked the wall of Tatum , TT ,and Theis to make Bucks shoot the jumper.   Lucky they were hitting early or it could have put Mil in the hole , but Middlleton is steady .. Looked as if it kinda surprized the Bucks I think , i was shocked.  Good coaching by CBS ,  to try and put them off balance early beforevthey warmed up .

[knuckleballer]

Just like last season’s playoffs, they gave up a large fourth quarter lead.  Stevens needs to figure out how to prevent that.

I still feel we need another veteran wing.  I don’t expect both J’s to score 30 points every game or Jaylen to handle the ball without turning it over.  Although, I am impressed with the improvement in that part of his game. 

Despite Tatum’s 30, he didn’t play that well by his standards.  He seems to be a slow starter.  He’ll get going soon.

I loved that Smart took as many charges as shots and had more assists than shots.  That shows discipline that he sometimes lacks.

Thompson fit in well and Teague is clearly a huge and needed addition.

I thought Timelord played well.  The game keeps slowing down for him and he’s better understanding what he needs to do. 

[td450]

They need a lot of work, they almost gave this one away. Turnover battle was huge in getting the win. Impressed how both teams shot.

They beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the opener, and the Bucks played very well. Their top 3 all had great games and they shot the ball very well despite tough defense. Giannis shot 3 for 8 from deep. No Kemba, and no Langford, and we still won.

This was a very, very good win.

[Sophomore]

One of the more discouraging wins.

I know this isn't the place to be critical of your favorite team. But I will anyway.

If anyone watching this game didn't see what was wrong with this win then you weren't paying attention and when we lose in the playoffs again you'll know why.

And we will lose again in the playoffs... Because nothing's changed.

We rely on our perimeter shooting with no actual shooters. We have a bunch of guys that can make 3's not shooters. And it's not just a cliche that this a take n make league it's the truth. It's not about how many you make it's about when you make 'em. And in the playoffs at some point those shots won't fall.

I think there are plenty of critical posters here!!

There is a lot to work on. No doubt. I see some of the same old problems, which they need to clean up, especially the threes that come early in the clock w/out a paint touch. There are also some signs of growth that are very promising. There were stretches with good ball movement - players deciding not to take a contested 3, driving to attack the close-out and finding an open teammate when the defense rotated. Several nice sequences I rarely saw last year. JB as pick and roll ballhandler was very very good tonight. Smart did not jack up bad shots! Biggest need for growth is Tatum, who can’t have a lot of games where he’s got 2 assists and 2 turnovers. 

On what teams are relying on to win, don’t forget that the Milwaukee comeback was built on some very improbable shotmaking. In the 4th Giannis walked into a couple of threes, then Middleton and Holiday hit 3 above the break with a defender right on them. If they need to depend on hitting those shots they’re in more trouble than Boston.

The biggest thing the team needs to improve on, imo, is defense. The transition defense in the first half was just terrible. We gave 16 fast-break points in the half(!) and Milwaukee ended with 11 offensive boards off 44 misses (I count that as defense, finishing the possession). That’s no bueno.

[BringToughnessBack]

No Kemba or Hayward and we beat a team that we were supposed to lose to is a great victory in my eyes. Especially when you consider injecting new players into our mix while other's are no longer here or were not able to play.

Our 2 young budding super stars combined for as many points as the Bucks 2 stars. How is this ever a bad thing?

Having Brown ball like he did and having Tatum step up to the plate and take the big shots is a huge victory for us and bodes well moving forward. We will need Brown and Tatum to ball like this in a matchup vs a few of the teams in our conference. Add Kemba to this mix, and I think we can compete for the title.

Tatum is 22 and growing into the roll of top dog. He is still 5 years before the age Jordan and Lebron won a title. We are ahead of that trajectory in my opinion. I am happy with what I have seen so far and look forward to the continued growth.

Oh, by the way, complaining that Tatum's shot was horrible seems a bit foolish to me. Can you imagine complaining that Kobe or Bird or Jordan took a bad shot that went in. It is the fact he wanted to take the shot and put the team on his back that we should be focusing on. To be top dog, you need to step up to the plate and take the swing. I loved it. Step up the plate and go for it Tatum...Don't change a thing.

[nickagneta]

I will never understand how Celtic fans could have watched last night's game and came away with some of the negative takes found in this thread.

I guess pride, tenacity, toughness, resiliency and an ability to overcome adversity, like missing a top three player and integrating a new free agent that hadn't even practice 5v5 yet, counts for very little to some fans!

[BringToughnessBack]

I will never understand how Celtic fans could have watched last night's game and came away with some of the negative takes found in this thread.

I guess pride, tenacity, toughness, resiliency and an ability to overcome adversity, like missing a top three player and integrating a new free agent that hadn't even practice 5v5 yet, counts for very little to some fans!

Exactly. Boston is a tough place to play for sure. Complain when we lose and complain when we win. I came away from the game ecstatic. Tatum would hit a game winner in the finals that was deemed a bad shot that he got lucky on and fans would complain it was a horrible shot.

[Neurotic Guy]

A really good win that shuts down the nonsense following the preseason.  This team is talented.   And when Kemba is back C's will be better.  I really like the center rotation.  I thought all 3 looked good last night. 

Jaylen played like a top 10 player last night. 

Tatum started slow last season and it also took a few games in the bubble to get going.   He's going to be phenomenal this year.  The Jays passed a lot more to one another last night than last year.  Kemba should get open looks when he's back.  I'd really Like Danny to pick up a veteran shooter.   Jrue Holliday is a great addition to the Bucks.  With Giannis and Middleton, those 3 will be really tough to beat. 

[cman88]

Just like last season’s playoffs, they gave up a large fourth quarter lead.  Stevens needs to figure out how to prevent that.

I still feel we need another veteran wing.  I don’t expect both J’s to score 30 points every game or Jaylen to handle the ball without turning it over.  Although, I am impressed with the improvement in that part of his game. 

Despite Tatum’s 30, he didn’t play that well by his standards.  He seems to be a slow starter.  He’ll get going soon.

I loved that Smart took as many charges as shots and had more assists than shots.  That shows discipline that he sometimes lacks.

Thompson fit in well and Teague is clearly a huge and needed addition.

I thought Timelord played well.  The game keeps slowing down for him and he’s better understanding what he needs to do.

This is where I think the trade exception can come into play. I keep hearing Aaron Gordon as a possibility. Think he would be a solid fit here.