Celtics (11-2) at Hornets (3-9) Game #14 11/20/23

[tazzmaniac]

As i stated earlier. the celtics' have been messing around these past several games not respecting their competition. Can't get stops, offence looks disinterested. Joe just playing around with lineups. they need to stop messing around. This isn't a championship team right now, despite what the record says.

You realize they’re coming off a 6 game winning streak and still have the best record in the league?

The win against the 76ers is the only qualify win out of those 6. Their schedule has been incredibly easy and they’re barely beating these crap teams all while being praised as the best team in the league.
They’re not. They were literally playing better to start last season. Can we not anoint this team after they do anything decent

So in your eyes we're 11-3 but really 1-13?

Lol. This board is... something.

I would have never become a Celtics fan if this forum existed in the 80s.  The whiney, entitlement and complete distortion from reality of some of the posts is unbelievable.  My only question is whether it is a Celtics fan deal or generally applies to Boston fans? 

[RJ87]

It's nowhere near a reason to worry , it's early in the season, these guys lead the NBA, and they were gassed tonight, BUT, we've all seen this complete loss of focus and effort from Tatum-Brown Celtics squads for years now. That's why we all get worried.

I don't know if it's effort, per se, but more so just poor decision-making. And this goes doubly for Joe who essentially reverted back to last year with just atrocious end-game decision-making yet again.

And unfortunately, I'm starting to think Jrue has some of that in him, too. He just seems to make really dumb or at least riksy passes a lot that tend to lead to turnovers.

That is why these losses are so frustrating and concerning; it's the same thing over and over again. Yes, the schedule definitely played a part, but you're not always going to have things perfectly set up for you to win.

Was it even bad decision making, though? I thought the same last game too. I had no problem with Tatum not holding the ball and passing it to Jrue on a clear cut to the basket to seal it against Memphis. This game - aside from that stupid JB 3 - I didn't mind the decision making. But in games like this, we can't miss 10 free throws - including 3 crucial FTs in the clutch - while the other team only misses 1 and still expect to win a tight game. Those are points we're leaving on the board and they matter.

[hpantazo]

Brown with a bad 3 pt miss trying to get a 2 for 1, then just watches Bridges shoot the go ahead 3 without putting a hand up or anything.

Holiday was actually defending Bridges on that switch.

Brown was the one closest to him, and neither of them put a hand up. Nevermind Tatum completely falling asleep and losing Hayward for a layup earlier.

Go back and watch the play. It starts out with Brown on Bridges and Jrue on Ball, but there's a screen and they switch. Brown stops Ball from going to his left and Ball bumps him a bit even. Jrue is clearly the main defender on Bridges at that point, and doesn't get a hand up once he catches and shoots it.

You're right, I watched the clip again. Bad D by Holliday there.

[tazzmaniac]

As i stated earlier. the celtics' have been messing around these past several games not respecting their competition. Can't get stops, offence looks disinterested. Joe just playing around with lineups. they need to stop messing around. This isn't a championship team right now, despite what the record says.

You realize they’re coming off a 6 game winning streak and still have the best record in the league?

The win against the 76ers is the only qualify win out of those 6. Their schedule has been incredibly easy and they’re barely beating these crap teams all while being praised as the best team in the league.
They’re not. They were literally playing better to start last season. Can we not anoint this team after they do anything decent

Yet again, wrong. Before tonight's game, they've been consistently ranked in the top 5 to top 10 in strength of schedule thus far.

Do you even check the actual facts before spewing non-sense, or are you just hoping that nobody checks the actual facts?

They've played 9 games on the road versus only 5 games at home.  This was also the 4th road game in a row and the second game of a back-to-back. 

[RJ87]

Brown with a bad 3 pt miss trying to get a 2 for 1, then just watches Bridges shoot the go ahead 3 without putting a hand up or anything.

Holiday was actually defending Bridges on that switch.

Brown was the one closest to him, and neither of them put a hand up. Nevermind Tatum completely falling asleep and losing Hayward for a layup earlier.

Go back and watch the play. It starts out with Brown on Bridges and Jrue on Ball, but there's a screen and they switch. Brown stops Ball from going to his left and Ball bumps him a bit even. Jrue is clearly the main defender on Bridges at that point, and doesn't get a hand up once he catches and shoots it.

You're right, I watched the clip again. Bad D by Holliday there.

TP for watching it again. Not the reason we ultimately lost, but I expect better D from Jrue in those situations. At least get a hand up and contest the shot.

[ozgod]

JB wasn't any bigger problem than the horrid 3 point shooting from KP, Sam, and Jrue.
All 4 of them were 3/25 from 3.

17 offensive rebounds by the Hornets didn't help either.

2 of them in the last 2 minute that were costly

[tenn_smoothie]

Every time the ball touches Jaylen Browns hands he does something stupid. How does anyone still defend him? Waste of talent- zero Bball iq

In my eyes he's been dead to me. Should've traded him for that Clippers haul. We'd get some depth instead.

Even when Brown is playing OK, I still say he detracts from this team's potential just due to his playing style.
If we don't win the title, I hope Brad has the guts to trade the guy for some quality role players and some size.
Also, bring in a competent coach. Just beyond me how they kept Mazzulla. His incompetence is glaring.

[scaryjerry]

As i stated earlier. the celtics' have been messing around these past several games not respecting their competition. Can't get stops, offence looks disinterested. Joe just playing around with lineups. they need to stop messing around. This isn't a championship team right now, despite what the record says.

You realize they’re coming off a 6 game winning streak and still have the best record in the league?

The win against the 76ers is the only qualify win out of those 6. Their schedule has been incredibly easy and they’re barely beating these crap teams all while being praised as the best team in the league.
They’re not. They were literally playing better to start last season. Can we not anoint this team after they do anything decent

So in your eyes we're 11-3 but really 1-13?

Lol. This board is... something.

No? Our record is what our record is and we are a legit contender I’m just stating what should be obvious, a team labeled as a consensus favorite and the best team in the league they have only 2 quality wins I don’t see how anyone could argue otherwise

[jpotter33]

It's nowhere near a reason to worry , it's early in the season, these guys lead the NBA, and they were gassed tonight, BUT, we've all seen this complete loss of focus and effort from Tatum-Brown Celtics squads for years now. That's why we all get worried.

I don't know if it's effort, per se, but more so just poor decision-making. And this goes doubly for Joe who essentially reverted back to last year with just atrocious end-game decision-making yet again.

And unfortunately, I'm starting to think Jrue has some of that in him, too. He just seems to make really dumb or at least riksy passes a lot that tend to lead to turnovers.

That is why these losses are so frustrating and concerning; it's the same thing over and over again. Yes, the schedule definitely played a part, but you're not always going to have things perfectly set up for you to win.

Was it even bad decision making, though? I thought the same last game too. I had no problem with Tatum not holding the ball and passing it to Jrue on a clear cut to the basket to seal it against Memphis. This game - aside from that stupid JB 3 - I didn't mind the decision making. But in games like this, we can't miss 10 free throws - including 3 crucial FTs in the clutch - while the other team only misses 1 and still expect to win a tight game. Those are points we're leaving on the board and they matter.

Completely agree about the Jrue layup last night. I think it was absolutely the right decision by both Tatum and Jrue, as *theoretically* the open layup is a much higher percentage shot than two free throws. He just smoked the dunk.

Tonight, beyond the JB three you had a ton of questionable decisions/non-decisions by Joe (letting them go on such a big run without any timeout or play calling, taking KP out on the go-ahead basket by Lamelo, etc.), several bad decisions on passes by Jrue, and several other questionable shots at the end of regulation and OT. And the same thing can be said about the past few games, too, we were just lucky enough to power through them and still have the win.

Yes, if free throws were made the decision-making issues were likely less noticeable, but they were still there. It just feels like we've been "out-talenting" the other team while still making poor decisions just like last year; we just have enough talent to cover more of these issues now.

[Celtics2021]

As i stated earlier. the celtics' have been messing around these past several games not respecting their competition. Can't get stops, offence looks disinterested. Joe just playing around with lineups. they need to stop messing around. This isn't a championship team right now, despite what the record says.

You realize they’re coming off a 6 game winning streak and still have the best record in the league?

The win against the 76ers is the only qualify win out of those 6. Their schedule has been incredibly easy and they’re barely beating these crap teams all while being praised as the best team in the league.
They’re not. They were literally playing better to start last season. Can we not anoint this team after they do anything decent

So in your eyes we're 11-3 but really 1-13?

Lol. This board is... something.

No? Our record is what our record is and we are a legit contender I’m just stating what should be obvious, a team labeled as a consensus favorite and the best team in the league they have only 2 quality wins I don’t see how anyone could argue otherwise

The Celtics entering tonight have literally played the second toughest schedule in terms of opponent winning percentage (.568)  and have played the most road games of any team in the league.  What world do you live in?

[ozgod]

As i stated earlier. the celtics' have been messing around these past several games not respecting their competition. Can't get stops, offence looks disinterested. Joe just playing around with lineups. they need to stop messing around. This isn't a championship team right now, despite what the record says.

You realize they’re coming off a 6 game winning streak and still have the best record in the league?

The win against the 76ers is the only qualify win out of those 6. Their schedule has been incredibly easy and they’re barely beating these crap teams all while being praised as the best team in the league.
They’re not. They were literally playing better to start last season. Can we not anoint this team after they do anything decent

So in your eyes we're 11-3 but really 1-13?

Lol. This board is... something.

I would have never become a Celtics fan if this forum existed in the 80s.  The whiney, entitlement and complete distortion from reality of some of the posts is unbelievable.  My only question is whether it is a Celtics fan deal or generally applies to Boston fans?

Speaking as someone from Boston, sports fans around here are pretty entitled  that’s why they call it Titletown 

Talk radio here really gets fans worked up. But, and I’m happy to be corrected, a lot of folks on CS don’t actually live in Boston…so maybe it is a Cs thing I don’t know 

I get upset for bout 5 min then the analytical side of my brain takes over the lizard brain and I actually get detached from it and want to now the X’s and O’s on why they lost. They played bad, deserved to lose. I refuse to let them ruin my night 

It really shows how wins can paper over how you feel about a team…we played bad yesterday but finished the game 2 pts I’m the lead so everyone was happy. Tonight we also played bad but finished 3 pts behind and everyone slitting wrists…both games were bad but very different reactions to each. If they had won tonight we’d be talking about how they gutted it out and relied on the bench to shine to win…if they lost yesterday people would be getting stuck into all the usual suspects, Joe, Jaylen, Luke, etc.

I just think some folks haven’t been happy with that team for a while and when they lose it reinforces everything they hate about the Cs

[tazzmaniac]

As i stated earlier. the celtics' have been messing around these past several games not respecting their competition. Can't get stops, offence looks disinterested. Joe just playing around with lineups. they need to stop messing around. This isn't a championship team right now, despite what the record says.

You realize they’re coming off a 6 game winning streak and still have the best record in the league?

The win against the 76ers is the only qualify win out of those 6. Their schedule has been incredibly easy and they’re barely beating these crap teams all while being praised as the best team in the league.
They’re not. They were literally playing better to start last season. Can we not anoint this team after they do anything decent

So in your eyes we're 11-3 but really 1-13?

Lol. This board is... something.

No? Our record is what our record is and we are a legit contender I’m just stating what should be obvious, a team labeled as a consensus favorite and the best team in the league they have only 2 quality wins I don’t see how anyone could argue otherwise

The team is 5-2 against .500 or above teams which is tied for the best in the league with the Kings. 

[jpotter33]

As i stated earlier. the celtics' have been messing around these past several games not respecting their competition. Can't get stops, offence looks disinterested. Joe just playing around with lineups. they need to stop messing around. This isn't a championship team right now, despite what the record says.

You realize they’re coming off a 6 game winning streak and still have the best record in the league?

The win against the 76ers is the only qualify win out of those 6. Their schedule has been incredibly easy and they’re barely beating these crap teams all while being praised as the best team in the league.
They’re not. They were literally playing better to start last season. Can we not anoint this team after they do anything decent

So in your eyes we're 11-3 but really 1-13?

Lol. This board is... something.

No? Our record is what our record is and we are a legit contender I’m just stating what should be obvious, a team labeled as a consensus favorite and the best team in the league they have only 2 quality wins I don’t see how anyone could argue otherwise

The problem is you're legitimately the only one saying this, because it's just not true.

Per you, only wins against two to three other teams would be considered quality - regardless of the major contextual factors that play into the quality of a win like road vs home, travel load, rest load, injuries, momentum/streaks, etc. When all that is taken into consideration, there's a reason that we've been consistently ranked as one of the toughest schedules thus far, especially given our travel- and road-heavy schedule thus far.

[RJ87]

As i stated earlier. the celtics' have been messing around these past several games not respecting their competition. Can't get stops, offence looks disinterested. Joe just playing around with lineups. they need to stop messing around. This isn't a championship team right now, despite what the record says.

You realize they’re coming off a 6 game winning streak and still have the best record in the league?

The win against the 76ers is the only qualify win out of those 6. Their schedule has been incredibly easy and they’re barely beating these crap teams all while being praised as the best team in the league.
They’re not. They were literally playing better to start last season. Can we not anoint this team after they do anything decent

So in your eyes we're 11-3 but really 1-13?

Lol. This board is... something.

I would have never become a Celtics fan if this forum existed in the 80s.  The whiney, entitlement and complete distortion from reality of some of the posts is unbelievable.  My only question is whether it is a Celtics fan deal or generally applies to Boston fans?

I'm not really a big fan of any other Boston teams (but will be rooting for the new NWSL team because I went to a ton of Boston Breakers games in college) but I think the entitlement extends to all Boston fans. They're so used to winning at a high level that there's a contingent that can't understand the ebbs and flows of a full season.

This team is integrating new, big pieces in Jrue and Kristaps. I honestly thought it would look a lot rougher at the start, so they're ahead of my expectations. We don't want them peaking in November and December. We want this to click in April/May/June.

[scaryjerry]

As i stated earlier. the celtics' have been messing around these past several games not respecting their competition. Can't get stops, offence looks disinterested. Joe just playing around with lineups. they need to stop messing around. This isn't a championship team right now, despite what the record says.

You realize they’re coming off a 6 game winning streak and still have the best record in the league?

The win against the 76ers is the only qualify win out of those 6. Their schedule has been incredibly easy and they’re barely beating these crap teams all while being praised as the best team in the league.
They’re not. They were literally playing better to start last season. Can we not anoint this team after they do anything decent

So in your eyes we're 11-3 but really 1-13?

Lol. This board is... something.

No? Our record is what our record is and we are a legit contender I’m just stating what should be obvious, a team labeled as a consensus favorite and the best team in the league they have only 2 quality wins I don’t see how anyone could argue otherwise

The Celtics entering tonight have literally played the second toughest schedule in terms of opponent winning percentage (.568)  and have played the most road games of any team in the league.  What world do you live in?

I don’t view any of these “above .500” teams as contenders or quality teams that will even remain above .500. They’ve literally beat the knicks, grizzlies, nets, raptors wizards and pacers without haliburton.
 Again, I stand by the heat and 6ers being they’re only good wins