How to fix Celtics in time for the playoffs

[footey]

1. Continue playing team ball.  Although Houston was a weak opponent, we've lost to other weak opponents, sometimes badly. There is little doubt that our ball movement, unselfish playing style (35 assists!!) was the major reason we looked sharp, and fun to watch.  No more ground and pound hero ball. 

2. Create more offensive flow off dribble penetration.  Maximize use of Rob Williams, who has become one of the most efficient offensive weapons in the NBA.

3.  Brad needs to hold the guys accountable; if any isolation crap, pull the guy, even if it is Tatum (most likely).  This is the only way they learn.  If Smart takes shots away from our shooters, bench his behind. Teach.

4. Work on creating tight 8-9 man rotation for the playoffs.  4 bench guys: Fournier, Pritchard, TT and best of Romeo/Grant/Semi. (personally believe that Romeo can be that guy).  That is a solid bench. Our lack of depth can be put to bed if we work on developing this rotation balance of regular season.

5. Center rotation:  Rob and TT (when he returns) should get nearly all the minutes. Occasionally go small with Grant.   Wagner and GK cute story, but KISS.  Rob the real deal, and TT can be very helpful as a back up 5.

6. Give PP more minutes and responsibility.  Give Kemba more rest so that he is stronger end of games.

7.  Intensify our perimeter defense.  It creates easy transition buckets.  We have the athleticism to play this way.

Let's fight hard to get 4/5 seed.  Either one is fine, as we avoid playing one of top 3 in first round. It will give us more time to gel back at full strength, and incorporate Fournier into the lineup.  I hope it's the Heat; I think we can beat them this season. Rob's improvement will help a lot vs Bam. 

If (big if) we can win first round, we would play one of BKLN, MIL and PHIL.  We seem to match up pretty well vs Bucks (2-1) this season.  We seem to get in Philly's head during playoffs.  Only team that I would not want to face is BKLN.  But they have potential issues regarding Durant health.  If he can't come back, I would give us a puncher's chance.

I am not writing this season off!!!

[Vermont Green]

Unfortunately, the trade deadline was a step forward (Fournier) and a step back (Theis).  Up to this point, we played the entire season as a 2-big core line up team (Theis + Thompson).  Now, by sending out Theis essentially for Fournier, I think we are now going to have to play as a 1-big team as the core line up.  That is a pretty big change in philosophy to implement mid-season when you should be trying to make the final push for the playoffs.

If the starters are going to be Kemba-Smart- Brown-Tatum-CENTER, I think the better center for his group is Thompson so my first "fix" is to get Thompson back and get this core unit playing together regularly.  Between injuries and Thompson being a new player this season, this group has essentially no time playing together as a group (8 min total per NBA.com, for -8 +/-)

Beyond that, we now have a bench that includes 3 new players (Fournier, Wagner, Kornet) plus potentially a fourth (Langford) who has not played all year

[footey]

Unfortunately, the trade deadline was a step forward (Fournier) and a step back (Theis).  Up to this point, we played the entire season as a 2-big core line up team (Theis + Thompson).  Now, by sending out Theis essentially for Fournier, I think we are now going to have to play as a 1-big team as the core line up.  That is a pretty big change in philosophy to implement mid-season when you should be trying to make the final push for the playoffs.

If the starters are going to be Kemba-Smart- Brown-Tatum-CENTER, I think the better center for his group is Thompson so my first "fix" is to get Thompson back and get this core unit playing together regularly.  Between injuries and Thompson being a new player this season, this group has essentially no time playing together as a group (8 min total per NBA.com, for -8 +/-)

Beyond that, we now have a bench that includes 3 new players (Fournier, Wagner, Kornet) plus potentially a fourth (Langford) who has not played all year

Wow, I disagree. Rob Williams provides us so much more athleticism and ball movement at the 5 position. Thompson is a below average passer.  I think he will be fine off the bench, but will only set us back in the starting lineup.

I think the loss of Theis will turn out to be a plus; I did not like the two big lineups. I prefer Tatum at the 4 position, or Grant in short back up spurts. Trading off Fournier for Theis should prove to be a net positive, especially as that it provides Rob significantly more PT.

[knuckleballer]

The greatest fix we can have is Tatum playing like he did late last season including the playoffs and the few weeks prior to getting COVID. 

[arctic 3.0]

Unfortunately, the trade deadline was a step forward (Fournier) and a step back (Theis).  Up to this point, we played the entire season as a 2-big core line up team (Theis + Thompson).  Now, by sending out Theis essentially for Fournier, I think we are now going to have to play as a 1-big team as the core line up.  That is a pretty big change in philosophy to implement mid-season when you should be trying to make the final push for the playoffs.

If the starters are going to be Kemba-Smart- Brown-Tatum-CENTER, I think the better center for his group is Thompson so my first "fix" is to get Thompson back and get this core unit playing together regularly.  Between injuries and Thompson being a new player this season, this group has essentially no time playing together as a group (8 min total per NBA.com, for -8 +/-)

Beyond that, we now have a bench that includes 3 new players (Fournier, Wagner, Kornet) plus potentially a fourth (Langford) who has not played all year

Wow, I disagree. Rob Williams provides us so much more athleticism and ball movement at the 5 position. Thompson is a below average passer.  I think he will be fine off the bench, but will only set us back in the starting lineup.

I think the loss of Theis will turn out to be a plus; I did not like the two big lineups. I prefer Tatum at the 4 position, or Grant in short back up spurts. Trading off Fournier for Theis should prove to be a net positive, especially as that it provides Rob significantly more PT.

Yeah , not really  feeling the love for the two big line up.

[Donoghus]

No more Covid issues would be a good start.

[GreenCoffeeBean]

1. Elevate the time lord
2. Integrate Fournier
3. Get Pritchard and Nesmith as many minutes as possible
3b. Find Langford and wrap him in bubble wrap
4. Bench Smart every time he takes more than 8 shots
5. Bench Jaylen and Tatum every time they take more than 16 shots
6. Stay healthy

[Celtics4ever]

7.   Quit playing bad players long minutes.

[RodyTur10]

7.   Quit playing bad players long minutes.

 

I believe how we played against Houston is the right fundamental way to play basketball unless you have an unguardable superstar. Ball movement and accountability is extremely important.

But just cutting the (currently) bad players from the rotation could help a lot. Especially during the playoffs your weakest link can really drag the team down. That's why I'm not a believer in Walker, because he's such a liability on the defensive end.

Nonetheless if we can avoid injuries and stop playing G-League level players like Edwards, Nesmith, G.Williams, Wagner or Kornet, that will go a long way (I know Kornet has a decent start in Boston, but I expect him to show his limitations shortly).

[Vermont Green]

Unfortunately, the trade deadline was a step forward (Fournier) and a step back (Theis).  Up to this point, we played the entire season as a 2-big core line up team (Theis + Thompson).  Now, by sending out Theis essentially for Fournier, I think we are now going to have to play as a 1-big team as the core line up.  That is a pretty big change in philosophy to implement mid-season when you should be trying to make the final push for the playoffs.

If the starters are going to be Kemba-Smart- Brown-Tatum-CENTER, I think the better center for his group is Thompson so my first "fix" is to get Thompson back and get this core unit playing together regularly.  Between injuries and Thompson being a new player this season, this group has essentially no time playing together as a group (8 min total per NBA.com, for -8 +/-)

Beyond that, we now have a bench that includes 3 new players (Fournier, Wagner, Kornet) plus potentially a fourth (Langford) who has not played all year

Wow, I disagree. Rob Williams provides us so much more athleticism and ball movement at the 5 position. Thompson is a below average passer.  I think he will be fine off the bench, but will only set us back in the starting lineup.

I think the loss of Theis will turn out to be a plus; I did not like the two big lineups. I prefer Tatum at the 4 position, or Grant in short back up spurts. Trading off Fournier for Theis should prove to be a net positive, especially as that it provides Rob significantly more PT.

I think we are going to have even more trouble with teams like MIL and PHI, and maybe even teams like NYK and ATL because we lack the personnel to play a PF (which Tatum is not).  But that debate aside, my point is that we have been playing 2-big all season and now mid season, we are going to switch to playing 1-big?  Right or wrong, better or worse, it is different and is going to take some time to play into.

As to Thompson vs. RWilliams, I feel with that if we are going to go with only one true big, in most cases, we are going to need someone with more muscle than Williams can give us, when the other 4 our what we have.  Just look at what Williamson did against us (pretty much anything he wanted).  Thompson and Williams will each still play 24 min I suspect and should, I just think it will give Williams more of the opportunities that best suit him if he plays with the "second unit" vs. trying to be the blue collar defense and rebounding muscle guy playing with the "first unit".  Not a huge difference (in terms of wins and losses) in either case.

[footey]

Unfortunately, the trade deadline was a step forward (Fournier) and a step back (Theis).  Up to this point, we played the entire season as a 2-big core line up team (Theis + Thompson).  Now, by sending out Theis essentially for Fournier, I think we are now going to have to play as a 1-big team as the core line up.  That is a pretty big change in philosophy to implement mid-season when you should be trying to make the final push for the playoffs.

If the starters are going to be Kemba-Smart- Brown-Tatum-CENTER, I think the better center for his group is Thompson so my first "fix" is to get Thompson back and get this core unit playing together regularly.  Between injuries and Thompson being a new player this season, this group has essentially no time playing together as a group (8 min total per NBA.com, for -8 +/-)

Beyond that, we now have a bench that includes 3 new players (Fournier, Wagner, Kornet) plus potentially a fourth (Langford) who has not played all year

Wow, I disagree. Rob Williams provides us so much more athleticism and ball movement at the 5 position. Thompson is a below average passer.  I think he will be fine off the bench, but will only set us back in the starting lineup.

I think the loss of Theis will turn out to be a plus; I did not like the two big lineups. I prefer Tatum at the 4 position, or Grant in short back up spurts. Trading off Fournier for Theis should prove to be a net positive, especially as that it provides Rob significantly more PT.

I think we are going to have even more trouble with teams like MIL and PHI, and maybe even teams like NYK and ATL because we lack the personnel to play a PF (which Tatum is not).  But that debate aside, my point is that we have been playing 2-big all season and now mid season, we are going to switch to playing 1-big?  Right or wrong, better or worse, it is different and is going to take some time to play into.

As to Thompson vs. RWilliams, I feel with that if we are going to go with only one true big, in most cases, we are going to need someone with more muscle than Williams can give us, when the other 4 our what we have.  Just look at what Williamson did against us (pretty much anything he wanted).  Thompson and Williams will each still play 24 min I suspect and should, I just think it will give Williams more of the opportunities that best suit him if he plays with the "second unit" vs. trying to be the blue collar defense and rebounding muscle guy playing with the "first unit".  Not a huge difference (in terms of wins and losses) in either case.

You are getting matchup specific which is fair; Thompson defends somewhat better vs stronger guys, although no one has been able to stop Zion of late, and Thompson got eaten up badly second half of Pels game in NO IIRC. Guys like Embiid require double teaming schemes, neither of our centers is equipped to handle him one on one.

Tatum has enough strength and length to guard Randle and Collins. They will have more problems trying to defend him.

[footey]

Tonight was further evidence that the formula can work!!

Let's be patient with Romeo.  By play offs, he will be in good condition, and ready give us steady minutes.

Also when Tristan returns, I think our 5 rotation will be solid. Rob continues to shine.

Fournier has been a godsend.  Great trade, Danny.  Most underrated trade at the deadline IMO.

[johnnygreen]

I don't know the numbers, but I thought I remember hearing the Celtics were near the top of the league in players games missed due to Covid, either by actually having Covid or contact tracing. I feel like I heard this from Chris Forsberg, who seemingly has used it as an excuse for their record. I see it as something different. To me, it shows a lack of discipline and accountability towards the team.

[Celtics4ever]

You are getting matchup specific which is fair; Thompson defends somewhat better vs stronger guys, although no one has been able to stop Zion of late, and Thompson got eaten up badly second half of Pels game in NO IIRC. Guys like Embiid require double teaming schemes, neither of our centers is equipped to handle him one on one.

I 've not been impressed with Thompson against bigger or smaller players.   He can board but he gets pushed around a lot against these guys and lacks elite length or jumping like Rob.   He might add some depth and toughness but I don't it is as simple as Thompson is going to fix this once he returns but I would like to be wrong.

His best ball historically was against small ball Golden State lineups.   Not true NBA behemoths.   

[PhoSita]

There's no fix for this team, this season.

I'm skeptical there's a real fix in the off-season, either, given the team's limitations under the cap.  But I guess we'll see.