Celtics (1-2) at Pacers (3-0) Game #4 12/29/20

[PhoSita]

I'm getting very concerned about this team.  Without Kemba they just don't have the pieces right now to run a functional offense. 

Concerned this could get ugly over the next few weeks.


I know people want to blame the coaching, and Brad certainly bears responsibility to figure this puzzle out better than he has so far.

But I think the fundamental truth here is that the Celts as constructed need their two main stars to do pretty much all of the heavy lifting offensively, and so far they have not been able to do it.

Granted, both Brown and Tatum have scored the ball. But it's clear they haven't yet figured out / developed the skills necessary to be responsibility for keeping the offense operating smoothly.  Neither guy can really operate as a point forward or create for others consistently.


This league is very, very tough for teams that lack a primary ballhandler who can score and pass out of the pick and roll.  The Celts have managed to do pretty well in seasons past when IT, Kyrie, or Kemba was out, but back then they had guys like Horford, Hayward, or even Rozier to take over playmaking duties.  They don't have anybody like that now.

I don’t think it can be overstated how badly Danny botched this offseason. If he truly believes he’s building for the future and this isn’t a championship level team as currently constructed then he should just admit it.

It may be time to reset our expectations for this team.

I think my question would be how much do they know about Kemba's knee and when did they know it.


I'm pretty confident that with Kemba playing this team can and will be very good.


Question is when Kemba will be playing and how much will he be able to play.


If the team knows that Kemba is really not gonna be right this year, then that definitely changes the calculus as far as any win-now moves they might make.

[liam]

Brad needs to go to Pritchard/TIMELORD duo way sooner in the 3rd. Grant looks lost and way did green not come back in the game after he played well in the first half. Brad is over thinking it. Play the hot players Brad.

[RJ87]

I'm getting very concerned about this team.  Without Kemba they just don't have the pieces right now to run a functional offense. 

Concerned this could get ugly over the next few weeks.


I know people want to blame the coaching, and Brad certainly bears responsibility to figure this puzzle out better than he has so far.

But I think the fundamental truth here is that the Celts as constructed need their two main stars to do pretty much all of the heavy lifting offensively, and so far they have not been able to do it.

Granted, both Brown and Tatum have scored the ball. But it's clear they haven't yet figured out / developed the skills necessary to be responsibility for keeping the offense operating smoothly.  Neither guy can really operate as a point forward or create for others consistently.


This league is very, very tough for teams that lack a primary ballhandler who can score and pass out of the pick and roll.  The Celts have managed to do pretty well in seasons past when IT, Kyrie, or Kemba was out, but back then they had guys like Horford, Hayward, or even Rozier to take over playmaking duties.  They don't have anybody like that now.

I said during the offseason I expected a bumpy start but others believed we'd still end up a top seed. We've got two young talented guys who still have flaws in the their game and the players around them don't help mask those flaws at all. We've also lost a ton of ballhandling and facilitating. First Horford, then Hayward, and now Kemba's out to start the season. Danny hasn't done anything to replace that. You don't lose that much talent and not have it show eventually.

[Mahk E Mahk]

At this point I wouldn't mind trading Tatum for Harden. Just plainly disappointing so far.

I see little from Tatum but that outside j.

never seen a 6’10” forward who gets to the rim but consistently turns a layup into a reverse pivot, 12’ fadeaway. he’s regressed considerably.

[SCeltic34]

Great pass by Tatum.

[BASS_THUMPER]

ok..time to get excited again..

[esel1000]

Pritchard is ahead of years!

[Celtics Mike]

Sadly the Celtics have reached their ceiling under Brad Stevens at ECF appearances. Need someone else to  develop the Jays and take this team to the next level.

[Ogaju]

Yall still think Pritchard is just a role player?

[SCeltic34]

I'm really impressed with Pritchard's poise with the ball.  I guess that's what 4 years of college gives you.

[cltc5]

Pritchard tuff

[PhoSita]

Call me insane ...

Should Pritchard be starting?

[LilRip]

Pritchard!!!

[slamtheking]

Pritchard is looking more and more like the smart pick at 26 this past draft

[Mahk E Mahk]

Gimpy Kemba is not gonna make this team better.  We’re trash

I agree.

The team is playing like they went to the Finals and just had a week off before the start of the season.

i see what you did there. tp.