Observations after 2 games

[Kuberski33]

Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop 4h
Complaining to refs and not getting back on defense. Not pressuring the ball. Simply getting out-toughed.

Ime Udoka identified these problems last night ("punked"), and I think he'll do all he can to fix them.

But I told you last year the Celtics' problem wasn't the coach.

My takeaway centers around this tweet that Bulpett sent out today. Something is off with this team's energy/focus. Tatum needs to grow up and stop complaining whenever things don't go his way.

Bulpett has observed an awful lot of basketball over the years so I put him in the same league as Mike Gorman in terms of knowledge of the sport and the league. As Roy mentioned 25 TO's = a lack of focus and how can you have a lack of focus 2 games into a season - in your home opener no less in a sold out and loud arena? 

This group has too many of these stink-a-thons for their supposed talent level so the issue could be something deeper. 

They really did get outpunked by a team that simply wanted to win more than they did.  While it happens in the NBA - some nights you just don't have it - getting this in the home opener before a crowd ready to rock - and against a team minus it's best player?

[Birdman]

someone please remind me why Moses Brown was traded again?

Moses was too tall 🤪

[Birdman]

And love Tatum but needs to grow a pair & quit complaining to the refs all the time..plus needs to drive in more instead of jacking up 3s

[Somebody]

-Coaching - we moved on from Brad just to have Brad 2.0?

You think Brad would've served up the **** we got last night?

[spikelovetheCelts]

-Langford is trash

Dunno how someone could have that takeaway after these two games.

He looked good to me. We have boards so people can write what they feel. But Langford can play basketball and he put in the work on his shot.

[spikelovetheCelts]

someone please remind me why Moses Brown was traded again?

The same reason he was a CD-DNP in his first game with his new team. He’s not good.

People were on the board last night saying put Kanter in. In five minutes he was -15. Size is good. Bad size won’t help.

Dallas is loaded with centers that know the system. Check the roster before you post!

[Who]

Not sure about Horford and Rob Williams as a starting duo. I like them better as starter and replacement center with a few minutes alongside each other now and then.

I worry about the offense with both of them starting. Rob Williams is a non-shooter, above average passer but limited ball-handler. Horford (for a 2021 PF) is a reluctant shooter and therefore below average shooting threat, an average passer and a below average ball-handler (attacking the rim off the dribble).

I worry that this lack of offensive contribution from the PF and C position puts too much stress on the three perimeter slots. It requires Tatum and/or Jaylen to take big steps forward in terms of their playmaking for others. If they fail to do that and play more like they have done in the past, then the offense will become too stagnant and struggle to create open scoring attempts. This is further compounded by starting Smart at PG given his lack of dribble penetration.

I also worry about the lack of movement from a Horford & Rob Williams duo. Most teams nowadays have PFs that can move around the court. More active movement, more cutting. Horford is too stationary. He works well as the high post facilitator but not as a cutter or running off ball to get open shooting opportunities.

I believe we'll have to pick one to start and one to come off the bench in order to have a dynamic offense. With both starting, I fear the halfcourt offense will be too stagnant and easy to defend.

[Ogaju]

Steve Bulpett @SteveBHoop 4h
Complaining to refs and not getting back on defense. Not pressuring the ball. Simply getting out-toughed.

Ime Udoka identified these problems last night ("punked"), and I think he'll do all he can to fix them.

But I told you last year the Celtics' problem wasn't the coach.

My takeaway centers around this tweet that Bulpett sent out today. Something is off with this team's energy/focus. Tatum needs to grow up and stop complaining whenever things don't go his way.

Disagree with Bulpett’s conclusion. The problem was partly the coach…too soft, lost the locker room. That may have carried over to the coaching choice. Hiring a coach without experience or gravitas.

[Sophomore]

someone please remind me why Moses Brown was traded again?

The same reason he was a CD-DNP in his first game with his new team. He’s not good.

People were on the board last night saying put Kanter in. In five minutes he was -15. Size is good. Bad size won’t help.

Dallas is loaded with centers that know the system. Check the roster before you post!

“Loaded”. Brown is behind Powell and Cauley-Stein - not exactly threats to make the all star team. Theis would at least beat out Cauley-Stein.

Only two guys on that roster were DNPs against Atlanta and Brown was one of them. Dallas got smoked and the coach tried everyone he thought might help; Brown didn’t make the cut.

[Moranis]

Not sure about Horford and Rob Williams as a starting duo. I like them better as starter and replacement center with a few minutes alongside each other now and then.

I worry about the offense with both of them starting. Rob Williams is a non-shooter, above average passer but limited ball-handler. Horford (for a 2021 PF) is a reluctant shooter and therefore below average shooting threat, an average passer and a below average ball-handler (attacking the rim off the dribble).

I worry that this lack of offensive contribution from the PF and C position puts too much stress on the three perimeter slots. It requires Tatum and/or Jaylen to take big steps forward in terms of their playmaking for others. If they fail to do that and play more like they have done in the past, then the offense will become too stagnant and struggle to create open scoring attempts. This is further compounded by starting Smart at PG given his lack of dribble penetration.

I also worry about the lack of movement from a Horford & Rob Williams duo. Most teams nowadays have PFs that can move around the court. More active movement, more cutting. Horford is too stationary. He works well as the high post facilitator but not as a cutter or running off ball to get open shooting opportunities.

I believe we'll have to pick one to start and one to come off the bench in order to have a dynamic offense. With both starting, I fear the halfcourt offense will be too stagnant and easy to defend.

Neither one can guard starting PF's, they both shouldn't be starting.  I think you have to start Horford along with Tatum, Brown, Smart, and Schroder.  I think that is the most cohesive and balanced starting lineup. 

[liam]

Not sure about Horford and Rob Williams as a starting duo. I like them better as starter and replacement center with a few minutes alongside each other now and then.

I worry about the offense with both of them starting. Rob Williams is a non-shooter, above average passer but limited ball-handler. Horford (for a 2021 PF) is a reluctant shooter and therefore below average shooting threat, an average passer and a below average ball-handler (attacking the rim off the dribble).

I worry that this lack of offensive contribution from the PF and C position puts too much stress on the three perimeter slots. It requires Tatum and/or Jaylen to take big steps forward in terms of their playmaking for others. If they fail to do that and play more like they have done in the past, then the offense will become too stagnant and struggle to create open scoring attempts. This is further compounded by starting Smart at PG given his lack of dribble penetration.

I also worry about the lack of movement from a Horford & Rob Williams duo. Most teams nowadays have PFs that can move around the court. More active movement, more cutting. Horford is too stationary. He works well as the high post facilitator but not as a cutter or running off ball to get open shooting opportunities.

I believe we'll have to pick one to start and one to come off the bench in order to have a dynamic offense. With both starting, I fear the halfcourt offense will be too stagnant and easy to defend.

Horford and TIMELORD starting is fine if you have a back up center but we don't. You can't start your only two centers and go with a 6'6" backup. It's not going to work. You either have to get another center or have one of TIMELORD or Horford off the bench.

[W8ting2McHale]

Not sure about Horford and Rob Williams as a starting duo. I like them better as starter and replacement center with a few minutes alongside each other now and then.

I worry about the offense with both of them starting. Rob Williams is a non-shooter, above average passer but limited ball-handler. Horford (for a 2021 PF) is a reluctant shooter and therefore below average shooting threat, an average passer and a below average ball-handler (attacking the rim off the dribble).

I worry that this lack of offensive contribution from the PF and C position puts too much stress on the three perimeter slots. It requires Tatum and/or Jaylen to take big steps forward in terms of their playmaking for others. If they fail to do that and play more like they have done in the past, then the offense will become too stagnant and struggle to create open scoring attempts. This is further compounded by starting Smart at PG given his lack of dribble penetration.

I also worry about the lack of movement from a Horford & Rob Williams duo. Most teams nowadays have PFs that can move around the court. More active movement, more cutting. Horford is too stationary. He works well as the high post facilitator but not as a cutter or running off ball to get open shooting opportunities.

I believe we'll have to pick one to start and one to come off the bench in order to have a dynamic offense. With both starting, I fear the halfcourt offense will be too stagnant and easy to defend.

Horford and TIMELORD starting is fine if you have a back up center but we don't. You can't start your only two centers and go with a 6'6" backup. It's not going to work. You either have to get another center or have one of TIMELORD or Horford off the bench.

Or stagger them so one of them and Tatum are always on the floor with Grant.

Start Rob and Al. Substitute out Al, bring in Grant, substitute Tatum and Rob out, bring in Al and Nesmith. Substitute Grant out and bring Tatum back in. Bring Rob and send Nesmith out.

Simple enough.

[SHAQATTACK]

Tatum looks too heavy and slow reactions or his mind is not focused right or all the above.

That’s bad news for Boston , really really bad . 

Right now he is playing worse than I would expect Parker to play.

[hodgy03038]

I am not impressed by this coaching staff. Give me a reason to think you know what you are doing Ime.

[Celtics4ever]

I too am not impressed with Udoka but I think he will get better in time.   It is one things to be an assistant and another to be calling the shots.

Some of his rotations are trash.    He took forgot to get Rob on  Randle the first game.   The small ball last night was an absolute disaster.

I also realize he is a new head coach and he is still learning the guys and he will get better.

We are also a small team, and need size.