The real problem

[Coach]

Lack of ball movement.  90% of the plays we run are a high pick and roll with Rondo or Pierce.  Pierce is now to slow to beat the blitz, Rondo won't take the shot behind the screen. 

What we are missing is inside out basketball.  I'd like to see some more deep post ups for Pierce (not 20 feet from the basket, more like 10-12), and more post ups for Powe, Baby, and Perk.

[kheeko]

Yup Cleveland and Orlando's ball movement this year is what we had last year, whats happened to it?

[xmuscularghandix]

Rondo does shoot the ball behind the screen. I actually think that Pierce since KG has gone is whats killing the movement. Rondo goes into the offense, it gets to Perk at the point, then he swings it to Pierce, instead of Paul seeing that he doesn't have a shot he takes like 7-10 seconds to feel out his defender then just gives it back to Rondo, Right here is where Rajon either shoots a buzzer beating jumper or has to do a quick play to get BBD or Ray a beater. The offense needs to speed up, we need to get the defense on their heals, not have Pierce stand there with the ball (like he was when Heinrich stole it)

[CoachBo]

Ball movement is certainly one of the problems - I don't think it rises to the incredible lack of effort on the defensive end of the floor.

But the cause can certainly be the same - flat teams playing half-heartedly don't move the ball or play with any defensive effort.

[Coach]

Too much reliance on pick and roll, and not enough motion and screening away from the ball.  

And even thought Rondo is playing great, he is dominating the ball, and as a result, we don't run many 1/2 court sets.  

[CoachBo]

Rondo was good offensively today.

He hurt this team greatly on the defensive end with his lack of effort.

[gar]

Was Rondo too keyed on keeping up with Rose to run the offense. His numbers were good and he was pushing the ball; but was he doing it within the offense or just in order to prove he could stay with Rose on the offensive end (certainly could not slow him down on defense).

[vinnie]

I love Pierce, but I have seen way too much of the two-year ago offense when this was the worst team in the league. Too many times they give the ball to Paul and everyone stands around and watches. Never mind a championship, that offense won't even get them out of the first round.

[kozlodoev]

Lack of ball movement.  90% of the plays we run are a high pick and roll with Rondo or Pierce.  Pierce is now to slow to beat the blitz, Rondo won't take the shot behind the screen. 

What we are missing is inside out basketball.  I'd like to see some more deep post ups for Pierce (not 20 feet from the basket, more like 10-12), and more post ups for Powe, Baby, and Perk.

We wouldn't even be talking about this if we managed to put any semblance of defense out there.

Our idea of defending the Bulls was sitting around and waiting for them to cool off. That's not going to work.

[LB3533]

When your players can't shoot then there is no ball movement.

Ball movement is dependant on guys hitting open shots, making defenders rush out to contest.

[greenhead85]

Last year, we were lucky the soon-to-be-aging Big 3 had the unparalleled drive, focus and energy to pursue their first Larry O'Brien trophy. The series we went through against the Hawks, Cavs, and Lakers (Detroit is an exemption because their All-Stars are getting worn out too) displayed our lack of length, speed and athleticism.  We only had Rondo, TA, Perkins, Big Baby and Powe to show for their athleticism. The Big 3 were either outsped, outrebounded and outhustled by their younger counterparts. They were sickeningly but [dang] very lucky to outwit their counterparts with talent and skills.
I have always believed that Perk is a power forward and we could have brought in 2 young 7-footers and 2 speedy guard-forwards 6-8/6-9 to prepare for this year's playoffs. PP should play alternately as SG or SF.
Rondo, Powe and Big Baby did well against the Bulls in game 1 as the box score shows. PP and Ray should not come in at the same time, only as starters should they play together but not for long. A new set of offense is needed and this offensive plays are the kind of involving the young talented ones like Bill Walker, Pruitt and Giddens.  We don't even have a respectable fastbreak wherein we should go strong to the hoop instead of settling down for jumpers. The time to expose our young guys and give them more than the usual playing time is now.
This is beginning to be like the mid-80s where KC Jones used his aging best 5 play a lot of PTs.
We are now in a transition to get in new players and more PTs to younger players we have in our roster in order to get us to the future. Limit PP and Ray playing together. Only in crucial time and when experience is needed do we let them play together.

[TatteredOnMySleeve]

Last year, we were lucky the soon-to-be-aging Big 3 had the unparalleled drive, focus and energy to pursue their first Larry O'Brien trophy. The series we went through against the Hawks, Cavs, and Lakers (Detroit is an exemption because their All-Stars are getting worn out too) displayed our lack of length, speed and athleticism.  We only had Rondo, TA, Perkins, Big Baby and Powe to show for their athleticism. The Big 3 were either outsped, outrebounded and outhustled by their younger counterparts. They were sickeningly but [dang] very lucky to outwit their counterparts with talent and skills.
I have always believed that Perk is a power forward and we could have brought in 2 young 7-footers and 2 speedy guard-forwards 6-8/6-9 to prepare for this year's playoffs. PP should play alternately as SG or SF.
Rondo, Powe and Big Baby did well against the Bulls in game 1 as the box score shows. PP and Ray should not come in at the same time, only as starters should they play together but not for long. A new set of offense is needed and this offensive plays are the kind of involving the young talented ones like Bill Walker, Pruitt and Giddens.  We don't even have a respectable fastbreak wherein we should go strong to the hoop instead of settling down for jumpers. The time to expose our young guys and give them more than the usual playing time is now.
This is beginning to be like the mid-80s where KC Jones used his aging best 5 play a lot of PTs.
We are now in a transition to get in new players and more PTs to younger players we have in our roster in order to get us to the future. Limit PP and Ray playing together. Only in crucial time and when experience is needed do we let them play together.

LOL. yes playing pruitt and giddens will be the answer to our problems. Go root for the thunder.

[greenhead85]

Last year, we were lucky the soon-to-be-aging Big 3 had the unparalleled drive, focus and energy to pursue their first Larry O'Brien trophy. The series we went through against the Hawks, Cavs, and Lakers (Detroit is an exemption because their All-Stars are getting worn out too) displayed our lack of length, speed and athleticism.  We only had Rondo, TA, Perkins, Big Baby and Powe to show for their athleticism. The Big 3 were either outsped, outrebounded and outhustled by their younger counterparts. They were sickeningly but [dang] very lucky to outwit their counterparts with talent and skills.
I have always believed that Perk is a power forward and we could have brought in 2 young 7-footers and 2 speedy guard-forwards 6-8/6-9 to prepare for this year's playoffs. PP should play alternately as SG or SF.
Rondo, Powe and Big Baby did well against the Bulls in game 1 as the box score shows. PP and Ray should not come in at the same time, only as starters should they play together but not for long. A new set of offense is needed and this offensive plays are the kind of involving the young talented ones like Bill Walker, Pruitt and Giddens.  We don't even have a respectable fastbreak wherein we should go strong to the hoop instead of settling down for jumpers. The time to expose our young guys and give them more than the usual playing time is now.
This is beginning to be like the mid-80s where KC Jones used his aging best 5 play a lot of PTs.
We are now in a transition to get in new players and more PTs to younger players we have in our roster in order to get us to the future. Limit PP and Ray playing together. Only in crucial time and when experience is needed do we let them play together.

LOL. yes playing pruitt and giddens will be the answer to our problems. Go root for the thunder.

We have one of the best playmakers in the league in Rondo. Let him do his job in getting them their kind of game or their comfort zone. Magic, Nash, CP3 and KJ did that for their new players in order for them to bring out their best game. I am not expecting Giddens and Pruitt to create their own plays but you have to realize that Rondo will be the biggest guy who can provide that for them - just like the PGs that I mentioned.

[CoachBo]

Last year, we were lucky the soon-to-be-aging Big 3 had the unparalleled drive, focus and energy to pursue their first Larry O'Brien trophy. The series we went through against the Hawks, Cavs, and Lakers (Detroit is an exemption because their All-Stars are getting worn out too) displayed our lack of length, speed and athleticism.  We only had Rondo, TA, Perkins, Big Baby and Powe to show for their athleticism. The Big 3 were either outsped, outrebounded and outhustled by their younger counterparts. They were sickeningly but [dang] very lucky to outwit their counterparts with talent and skills.
I have always believed that Perk is a power forward and we could have brought in 2 young 7-footers and 2 speedy guard-forwards 6-8/6-9 to prepare for this year's playoffs. PP should play alternately as SG or SF.
Rondo, Powe and Big Baby did well against the Bulls in game 1 as the box score shows. PP and Ray should not come in at the same time, only as starters should they play together but not for long. A new set of offense is needed and this offensive plays are the kind of involving the young talented ones like Bill Walker, Pruitt and Giddens.  We don't even have a respectable fastbreak wherein we should go strong to the hoop instead of settling down for jumpers. The time to expose our young guys and give them more than the usual playing time is now.
This is beginning to be like the mid-80s where KC Jones used his aging best 5 play a lot of PTs.
We are now in a transition to get in new players and more PTs to younger players we have in our roster in order to get us to the future. Limit PP and Ray playing together. Only in crucial time and when experience is needed do we let them play together.

LOL. yes playing pruitt and giddens will be the answer to our problems. Go root for the thunder.

We have one of the best playmakers in the league in Rondo. Let him do his job in getting them their kind of game or their comfort zone. Magic, Nash, CP3 and KJ did that for their new players in order for them to bring out their best game. I am not expecting Giddens and Pruitt to create their own plays but you have to realize that Rondo will be the biggest guy who can provide that for them - just like the PGs that I mentioned.

Unfortunately, the problems before this club aren't going to be solved by the favorite Internet solution on Celtics boards everywhere: Play the kids.

Pruitt and Giddens will not and should not see the floor in the playoffs. Sadly, playing time is earned in practice and by game production, not by becoming the latest fan obsession, aka Gerald Green.

Amazing.

[fairweatherfan]

Last year, we were lucky the soon-to-be-aging Big 3 had the unparalleled drive, focus and energy to pursue their first Larry O'Brien trophy. The series we went through against the Hawks, Cavs, and Lakers (Detroit is an exemption because their All-Stars are getting worn out too) displayed our lack of length, speed and athleticism.  We only had Rondo, TA, Perkins, Big Baby and Powe to show for their athleticism. The Big 3 were either outsped, outrebounded and outhustled by their younger counterparts. They were sickeningly but [dang] very lucky to outwit their counterparts with talent and skills.
I have always believed that Perk is a power forward and we could have brought in 2 young 7-footers and 2 speedy guard-forwards 6-8/6-9 to prepare for this year's playoffs. PP should play alternately as SG or SF.
Rondo, Powe and Big Baby did well against the Bulls in game 1 as the box score shows. PP and Ray should not come in at the same time, only as starters should they play together but not for long. A new set of offense is needed and this offensive plays are the kind of involving the young talented ones like Bill Walker, Pruitt and Giddens.  We don't even have a respectable fastbreak wherein we should go strong to the hoop instead of settling down for jumpers. The time to expose our young guys and give them more than the usual playing time is now.
This is beginning to be like the mid-80s where KC Jones used his aging best 5 play a lot of PTs.
We are now in a transition to get in new players and more PTs to younger players we have in our roster in order to get us to the future. Limit PP and Ray playing together. Only in crucial time and when experience is needed do we let them play together.

LOL. yes playing pruitt and giddens will be the answer to our problems. Go root for the thunder.

No no, you're missing the big picture - we'll also bring in 2 7 footers and 2 speedy 6'9" swingmen, too.  I don't know why Danny chose not to bring in 2 NBA-caliber 7-footers and 2 6'9" swingmen with NBA speed, it would obviously help our rotation a lot.  Seems like such an easy decision in hindsight