Anyone else worried about the Celtics love for the three point shot this year?

[footey]

I think it is a critical part of their offensive production, enabling them to get a double digit lead at the blink of an eye, and is very disheartening to the other team. When combined with shutdown defense at the other end, it is a winning formula. Plus their 3 point shots are wide open, created by excellent ball movement. If you can hit a 3 point shot almost as much as a 2 point shot, common sense you should take the shot that is worth more every time. Guys like Sheed and Eddie fall into that category.

[nickagneta]

I'm not sure all you guys are completely reassuring me but I feel a bit better. I am bookmarking this thread though so that when the C's go through the inevitable losing streak and everyone is up in arms about this teams reliance on the three point shot and going nuts about their lack of post and mid range offense I can look back and let you guys all know that your panicking. I mean, obviously you will be panicking because when their reliance on the three is working its all good and just a part of the offense. Right guys? I mean, I would hate to think there are a bunch of hypocites here at Celticsblog!!

[guava_wrench]

Worried about taking open jumpers? No way.

[RockinRyA]

well, most of them are open anyway so i dont have problems with it. but when they start missing, and are taking ill advised three's (ala toine) then i would worry

[the_Bird]

I've seen very few bad shots all year, but yeah - the key will be those inevitable nights when they aren't falling, do the guys adjust and start driving the ball to the rim? 

Overall, though, they're good, open shots being taken by very good outside shooters.  This isn't like the O'bie years, when they were asking even guys who weren't particularly good shooters to take 3's, and guys were jacking up shots instead of passing the ball.  As long as the ball's moving and guys are taking shots that they can make, I'm very happy with the offense.

(I'd still like to see Rondo get a free throw attempt).

[Master Po]

generally I hate three's and share Nick's worry about us shooting too many BOMBS from the outside (OBIE 3 BALL). But...




This year I am going to try and love it and ride it for all its worth!!!

[GKC]

So the reason I don't mind the three, is that they've all been within the offense and OPEN three's. The increase in three point shooting seems to be because that is what the defense is giving to us. It's proved yesterday, with the 74ers being one of the weakest 3pt defending teams.

I trust doc, our offense and the players instincts in that the 3 won't be used as much when defended better.

[Tai]

If the 3's are wide open, why not?

[celtsrp33]

I'm not really worried about it for 4 reasons.....

Ray Allen
Paul Pierce
Rasheed Wallace
Eddie House

There is no way that all 4 of these guys will go on a cold streak for any length of time.  Maybe 1 or 2 of them, but never all 4. 

[Harris34]

Nick, I don't think your concern isn't without merit, I just don't think 5 games in we can take any real stock on what this team's identity is.

A couple of other points:

- When Sheed is in the game with Eddie (which is mostly the case), it's all high pick and pop stuff right now. When Sheed is with the first unit (which hasn't been that often), more post sets seem to be run. I think we're going to see some correction with the second unit as they establish more cohesion during the course of the year. Right now the pick and pop is working, so I guess we can't complain too much.

- With the amount of garbage time we have been in the last 2 years and so far this year, our percentage of 3 point shots is going to go up, especially with Eddie, Sheed, and Scal playing out said garbage time. They are playing against 2nd and 3rd unit guys who just can't defend the perimeter properly. We know how much Eddie and Sheed like to bomb away and rub it in at the end of games

[jimmyt]

Doc has said on numerous occasions this year, he doesn't mind the three anytime Pierce, Ray, Wallace, and House are open for it. They have been open a lot this season, based on the way the offense has been run and opposing teams have been transitioning on defense.

I think that's why you're seeing such a high percentage from 3 point territory. They are getting very good looks.

Of course there will be games when they are cold from 3, and we will get a forum topic saying that the 3 is killing us, but those days will be few and far between I believe.

[nickagneta]

Just wanted to revisit this topic now that the end of the year is coming around.

To review, my concern in the early season was that this team was falling in love with three point shooting and that the amount of three point shooting was going to lead to bad habits and that the team, when times went bad, would rely on this shot as a crutch to get through games rather than working harder at other type of offense because they were so good at it early in the season. Most of what you will re-read in this thread, if you re-read it are people playing this down.

Well, the Celtics, for the season, before this game, were averaging 76.6 FGA per game with 17.7 3PTFGA per game or an average of 23.1% of their shots being three pointers. Now in years past, the Celtics shot the three at a 38, 39, 40% rate. This year 34.4%. That's almost 3 points less a game because of their inefficiency and anyone who's watched this team has seen that many of the losses can be blamed on lazy offense that relied on the three point shot and who's laziness carried over to the defense.

As well as they have been playing lately, their three point shooting hasn't been outstanding or consistent. I think Doc needs to try to get these guys concentrating on trying to get their offense going inside first and foremost and let his second team know(Nate, Finley, Rasheed) that they have to go inside or mid range and stop shooting them either into wins or losses with their relianc on the three point shot.

[GreenFaith1819]

Well, I'm just worried about Sheed's love of the 3-pt shot right now, lol..