Potential Explanation for Why We Stink in the 4th: Conditioning

[GreenlyGreeny]

Per ESPN:

“The Celtics rank 26th in offensive efficiency and 25th in defensive efficiency in fourth quarters and are 29th in net rating, being outscored by 8.7 points per 100 possessions.“

It’s not a secret that the Celtics had more COVID situations/violations in 2020-2021 (and 2021-2022 YTD?) than every other NBA team (quite the stain on our reputation), so is it possible our core no longer has the conditioning following all of that to keep it together in the fourth against better conditioned players—you know, like they used to in the bubble? And if that is what is happening, what should the team do about it?

This would be particularly notable for JB, who clearly had a symptomatic case a few months ago when Delta was dominant (ordinarily it was not so severe for those fully vaccinated). On that note, has JB confirmed or denied he was unvaccinated like Kyrie when he got Delta? And is it possible JB and Kyrie did not get along because they’re too much alike?

[LilRip]

Despite the difference in their world views, JB and Kyrie being fundamentally alike wouldn’t be the craziest conclusion: both are vocal and opinionated, willing to stand for what they believe in, and consider themselves educated/well-researched enough to be able to weigh in and have their voice be a real force on the issues that matter to them.

Anyway, that aside, I wish it was just conditioning that was the team’s problem. From where I sit, this team doesn’t have the best chemistry we’ve seen from a C’s team in the post-KG/PP era and I don’t know the “immediate fix” to that.

Maybe it’s recency bias but most of our wins this year is because the talent of our top guys shine thru - our stars rise to the occasion and/or our role players (Schroder, Jrich, etc) rattle off the occasional good game. We just brute force ourselves to a win. After all, we have 2 legit all stars on this team and we should (on paper) be in the conversation for ECF contenders. However we’re less than the sum of our parts right now and I don’t know the straightforward way to rectify that.

[Neurotic Guy]

Despite the difference in their world views, JB and Kyrie being fundamentally alike wouldn’t be the craziest conclusion: both are vocal and opinionated, willing to stand for what they believe in, and consider themselves educated/well-researched enough to be able to weigh in and have their voice be a real force on the issues that matter to them.

Anyway, that aside, I wish it was just conditioning that was the team’s problem. From where I sit, this team doesn’t have the best chemistry we’ve seen from a C’s team in the post-KG/PP era and I don’t know the “immediate fix” to that.

Maybe it’s recency bias but most of our wins this year is because the talent of our top guys shine thru - our stars rise to the occasion and/or our role players (Schroder, Jrich, etc) rattle off the occasional good game. We just brute force ourselves to a win. After all, we have 2 legit all stars on this team and we should (on paper) be in the conversation for ECF contenders. However we’re less than the sum of our parts right now and I don’t know the straightforward way to rectify that.

I hope we’re less than the sum of our parts right now and not just overrating the talent on this team (as I am prone to do).    The San Antonio games provide an interesting view — I think the Spurs on paper (even with Cs shorthanded in San Antonio) are less talented.  Yet, they  simply looked like a better team throughout 8 quarters. In Boston they controlled the game from start to finish.  I get the coaching disparity, but Cs have rarely looked like the better team on the court this season regardless of the opponent.   Talent in the NBA usually takes over and shows itself.   Cs are either not much more than middle of the road talented, are so poorly coached that their talent is buried, their roster is poorly constructed skill-wise, or their is a chemistry issue that is at least in part indicative of a collective mental weakness.  Or… some combination of the above. 

I lean to a combo of all of the above.  Coach needs to go.  And trades have to address position, talent, and mental weakness.  Tall order for Brad.   

[csfansince60s]

Simple answer: overplaying our starters.

[W8ting2McHale]

Simple answer: overplaying our starters.

“Thou shalt play only 8, and only 8 shall thou play. Not 7, nor 9. 8 is the number. It is sacred.”

-From the Book of Udoka.

[NHHillbilly]

Simple answer: overplaying our starters.

“Thou shalt play only 8, and only 8 shall thou play. Not 7, nor 9. 8 is the number. It is sacred.”

-From the Book of Udoka.

And furthermore: In the NY game, the starters played the entire 4th quarter without a break on the second night of a back to back. And the Celtics play switching defense and motion offense, so they have no breaks at all. Even a few minutes of zone defense in early fourth or late third would give guys a sort of break.
The starters basically lost the 15 point lead: the subs could have done that too and then the starters would be fresher at the end.

[johnnygreen]

Per ESPN:

“The Celtics rank 26th in offensive efficiency and 25th in defensive efficiency in fourth quarters and are 29th in net rating, being outscored by 8.7 points per 100 possessions.“

It’s not a secret that the Celtics had more COVID situations/violations in 2020-2021 (and 2021-2022 YTD?) than every other NBA team (quite the stain on our reputation), so is it possible our core no longer has the conditioning following all of that to keep it together in the fourth against better conditioned players—you know, like they used to in the bubble? And if that is what is happening, what should the team do about it?

This would be particularly notable for JB, who clearly had a symptomatic case a few months ago when Delta was dominant (ordinarily it was not so severe for those fully vaccinated). On that note, has JB confirmed or denied he was unvaccinated like Kyrie when he got Delta? And is it possible JB and Kyrie did not get along because they’re too much alike?

Since Jaylen just played in New York, that must mean he's vaccinated, right?

[footey]

Simple answer: overplaying our starters.

This. TP brother!

[csfansince60s]

Simple answer: overplaying our starters.

This. TP brother!

Back atcha, Bud!

Happy New Year too!

Hoping for a brighter day!

[Ogaju]

Per ESPN:

“The Celtics rank 26th in offensive efficiency and 25th in defensive efficiency in fourth quarters and are 29th in net rating, being outscored by 8.7 points per 100 possessions.“

It’s not a secret that the Celtics had more COVID situations/violations in 2020-2021 (and 2021-2022 YTD?) than every other NBA team (quite the stain on our reputation), so is it possible our core no longer has the conditioning following all of that to keep it together in the fourth against better conditioned players—you know, like they used to in the bubble? And if that is what is happening, what should the team do about it?

This would be particularly notable for JB, who clearly had a symptomatic case a few months ago when Delta was dominant (ordinarily it was not so severe for those fully vaccinated). On that note, has JB confirmed or denied he was unvaccinated like Kyrie when he got Delta? And is it possible JB and Kyrie did not get along because they’re too much alike?

Since Jaylen just played in New York, that must mean he's vaccinated, right?

No. Players on visiting teams are exempt from the NYC vaccine mandates.

[todd_days_41]

Simple answer: overplaying our starters.

Is Ime overplaying the starters due to the pressure of meting a first year coach, or because our bench is horrible?

[Somebody]

Simple answer: overplaying our starters.

Is Ime overplaying the starters due to the pressure of meting a first year coach, or because our bench is horrible?

Or is he overplaying the starters because he is simply out of his depth?

[86MaxwellSmart]

The 2008 team always ate PB&J sandwiches before each game...they had enough energy to finish off games.

[RodyTur10]

Simple answer: overplaying our starters.

Is Ime overplaying the starters due to the pressure of meting a first year coach, or because our bench is horrible?

Knicks feed Yesterday praised the Celtics for their strong bench. Quote: "The Celtics have a deep bench. They bring in veterans who could be starting players in Schröder, Richardson and Freedom. Actually, they have all been starters on former teams."