Think outside the box

[nyceltsfan]

Brad does not seem to like to sway from his rotations, but when I think about where the Nets are most vulnerable, it is in the middle.  I think Brad should consider (at least for a few minutes a game) pairing Timelord and Thompson on the court.  Timelord has given Durant some fits and in small doses, I would be willing to roll the dice on using him in that capacity.  I would like to see a lineup with Tatum, Timelord, Thompson, Smart and Fournier on the court together.  It could be a total disaster, or it could cause the Nets to have to make some adjustments.

Go ahead and rip me for the idea (I really don't mind), but nothing else is working now, so why not try to hit them where they are weakest?

[Roy H.]

I just don’t think Timelord and Thompson are opponents that punish opposing defenses, even weak ones.

[nyceltsfan]

I just don’t think Timelord and Thompson are opponents that punish opposing defenses, even weak ones.

They can certainly create a lot of pressure on the offensive glass, which will cause the Nets to have to crash the boards, making it harder to get out in transition.  Also, the offensive glass puts pressure on the defense and if they get frustrated, they may start fouling trying to secure the rebound.

However, given what I witnessed last night, the refs are totally hesitant to call fouls on Durant.

[wdleehi]

Wasn't the two big lineup terrible for the Celtics?   Didn't Durant burn them?



Honestly, I say go the opposite way.  Less Thompson.   Let Parker or Grant Williams play more minutes at the C spot.   

Though in the end, it really doesn't matter against the Nets.   

[nyceltsfan]

Wasn't the two big lineup terrible for the Celtics?   Didn't Durant burn them?



Honestly, I say go the opposite way.  Less Thompson.   Let Parker or Grant Williams play more minutes at the C spot.   

Though in the end, it really doesn't matter against the Nets.

I think the 2 big lineup that they used included Theis.  I don't recall Timelord and Thompson playing together.  I see your point, but I think playing small is putting the Nets right into their comfort zone.  The superstars that they have need to feel the pressure of playing out of position.

[wdleehi]

Wasn't the two big lineup terrible for the Celtics?   Didn't Durant burn them?



Honestly, I say go the opposite way.  Less Thompson.   Let Parker or Grant Williams play more minutes at the C spot.   

Though in the end, it really doesn't matter against the Nets.

I think the 2 big lineup that they used included Theis.  I don't recall Timelord and Thompson playing together.  I see your point, but I think playing small is putting the Nets right into their comfort zone.  The superstars that they have need to feel the pressure of playing out of position.

Except Thompson doesn't make them feel out of position.   Either he is in a spot where he is not an offensive threat or he is trying to post up, and if you are the Nets, that's fine.  Instead, Thompson has to defend Durant or Harden or Kyrie on a switch.

[nyceltsfan]

Wasn't the two big lineup terrible for the Celtics?   Didn't Durant burn them?



Honestly, I say go the opposite way.  Less Thompson.   Let Parker or Grant Williams play more minutes at the C spot.   

Though in the end, it really doesn't matter against the Nets.

I think the 2 big lineup that they used included Theis.  I don't recall Timelord and Thompson playing together.  I see your point, but I think playing small is putting the Nets right into their comfort zone.  The superstars that they have need to feel the pressure of playing out of position.

Except Thompson doesn't make them feel out of position.   Either he is in a spot where he is not an offensive threat or he is trying to post up, and if you are the Nets, that's fine.  Instead, Thompson has to defend Durant or Harden or Kyrie on a switch.

Doesn't this happen anyway whether there are one or two bigs on the court?  I think Thompson posting up Durant and bullying him down low does put Durant out of position.  Even so, if the Celtics are disciplined enough to keep the ball out of Thompson's hands on the offensive end, Thompson can focus on what he does best - causing fits crashing the offensive boards.

I have no idea if this will work, but I know that the current rotation is not getting it done and I am not the type of fan that wants them to roll over and look to next season.  I have little faith in the C's turning this around, but for a glimmer of hope, we need some ingenuity.

[Vermont Green]

I am not opposed to a 2-big line up, although I might be more inclined to go with Parker and Williams, but there is just too much of a talent gap between the two team for some kind of gimmick line up change to make enough difference.

We aren't close to the Nets this season.  They are vulnerable to injury and personality issues so they may not be this good for an extended period, but right now, we just don't have the top end talent or the depth to match up.

[Roy H.]

I just don’t think Timelord and Thompson are opponents that punish opposing defenses, even weak ones.

They can certainly create a lot of pressure on the offensive glass, which will cause the Nets to have to crash the boards, making it harder to get out in transition.  Also, the offensive glass puts pressure on the defense and if they get frustrated, they may start fouling trying to secure the rebound.

However, given what I witnessed last night, the refs are totally hesitant to call fouls on Durant.

Eh.  I’m not sure that the rebounding edge is that great, especially because we will get burned on the other end.

[tstorey_97]

My thought after game 1 was the same. The Nets are small.

My only problem was whom to pair with Robert?

I voted against Thompson as they are not offensive forces outside of the paint.

The only power forward I could offer was Parker as he has some size and is a scorer.

I don't know how Stevens views Parker. I like watching him, but, he doesn't get many minutes.

[nyceltsfan]

I just don’t think Timelord and Thompson are opponents that punish opposing defenses, even weak ones.

They can certainly create a lot of pressure on the offensive glass, which will cause the Nets to have to crash the boards, making it harder to get out in transition.  Also, the offensive glass puts pressure on the defense and if they get frustrated, they may start fouling trying to secure the rebound.

However, given what I witnessed last night, the refs are totally hesitant to call fouls on Durant.

Eh.  I’m not sure that the rebounding edge is that great, especially because we will get burned on the other end.

As opposed to now?  We are getting burned anyway - let's do something to change the dynamic.

[nyceltsfan]

My thought after game 1 was the same. The Nets are small.

My only problem was whom to pair with Robert?

I voted against Thompson as they are not offensive forces outside of the paint.

The only power forward I could offer was Parker as he has some size and is a scorer.

I don't know how Stevens views Parker. I like watching him, but, he doesn't get many minutes.

Parker is not going to punish the Nets in the paint and at the rim.  I am looking for this lineup to tire out the stars by forcing them to crash the boards and try to box out these guys.

[Moranis]

Sign Perkins to go goon on them.

In all seriousness, the Celtics biggest problem in the first two games (aside from the Nets just being better) is just how bad Tatum has played and Walker hasn't been much better.  For Boston to even win games, Tatum has to be great.  He has been bad.  So they need to do something to get Tatum going.  Maybe have him guard Harris so he doesn't get as worn out defensively. 

[Who]

Our bigs aren't good enough offensively to to punish their smaller lineups. Our bigs will hurt our offense and our defense when deployed together against their smaller lineups.

[nyceltsfan]

Our bigs aren't good enough offensively to to punish their smaller lineups. Our bigs will hurt our offense and our defense when deployed together against their smaller lineups.

We gave up 130 points last night and over 70 in the first half.  It cannot get much worse than that.  Offensively, you might be right, but since we cannot outshoot the Nets, I am thinking offensive rebounding becomes pretty important.