Impact at the Rim

[Ilikesports17]

Or maybe, demand from the coach that the players need to attack the rim more (maybe 75% of the time) and stop settling for 3s 24/7.

a change in coaching philosophy (or better yet, a change in the coach) should have been the approach this offseason before giving away our second best player

Any player should be playing to his strength, not to his weakness. Joe sometimes did the opposite with his rigid 3pt heavy system. This was sheer stupidity.

brown led the entire NBA in 2 point field goal attempts

[Vermont Green]

In 2024/25 BOS had 23.5 fga/gm <5 ft, making 67.2%. In 2025/26, it was 21.9 fga/gm <5 ft and 68.9%.  At or near the bottom for fga <5, but near the best for % made.  More Tatum in 2024/25 did result in more at rim attempts over more Brown in 2025/26, but not sure this is a direct result.

For fta, in 2024/25, 19.1 and in 2025/26 18.7. In both cases, worst in the league.  I see the Brown gets a bad whistle excuse, and there could be some truth to this, but the raw stats are what they are. Bad in general in generating fta, and a little worse in Browns season.

BOS does not have a low post guy but that is not the only way to get pts at the rim. In 2024/25 BOS got 14.2 2nd chance pts and 16.9 in 2025/26.  Nice improvement there.   Not much difference for pts of TO or fast break pts, ranking low in the league for both.

I do not know if there is a magic number/ratio for how many shots at the rim a team should get. Modern defenses are set up to prevent drives. It would be good to draw more fouls. But forcing more drives sounds good but it is not that simple. Just move the ball, move without the ball, and take what the defense gives you. 

[Indocelts]

Or maybe, demand from the coach that the players need to attack the rim more (maybe 75% of the time) and stop settling for 3s 24/7.

a change in coaching philosophy (or better yet, a change in the coach) should have been the approach this offseason before giving away our second best player

Any player should be playing to his strength, not to his weakness. Joe sometimes did the opposite with his rigid 3pt heavy system. This was sheer stupidity.

brown led the entire NBA in 2 point field goal attempts

I'm talking about JT and his 10 3PTAs per game.

[Silas]

Or maybe, demand from the coach that the players need to attack the rim more (maybe 75% of the time) and stop settling for 3s 24/7.

a change in coaching philosophy (or better yet, a change in the coach) should have been the approach this offseason before giving away our second best player

Any player should be playing to his strength, not to his weakness. Joe sometimes did the opposite with his rigid 3pt heavy system. This was sheer stupidity.

brown led the entire NBA in 2 point field goal attempts

This got me to look at last season stats for 2pt shooting % not including dunks..Mid-Range Field Goal Percentage (FG%):

1. Rui Hachimura  (Lakers) - 56.0%
2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder) - 53.4%
3. T.J. McConnell (Pacers) - 52.9%
4. Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers) - 51.0%
5. Devin Vassell (Spurs) - 50.0%
6. Kevin Durant (Suns) - 49.9%
7. Jalen Brunson (Knicks) - 49.8%
8. Joel Embiid (76ers) - 48.9%
9. Cade Cunningham (Pistons) - 48.0%
10. DeMar DeRozan (Kings) - 48.0%
......
16. Jaylen Brown (Celtics) - 47.0%
17. Derrick White (Celtics) - 46.7%

[Roy H.]

So does anybody have any theories on why this needs went unaddressed?

It's weird that we traded JB, who at least contributes in this category, but didn't get anybody in return who will help attack the rim.  We also didn't add anybody in free agency who does so.

[SparzWizard]

So does anybody have any theories on why this needs went unaddressed?

It's weird that we traded JB, who at least contributes in this category, but didn't get anybody in return who will help attack the rim.  We also didn't add anybody in free agency who does so.

"Optionalities" according to Brad Stevens